Volume 9 Chapter 10 Hell's Daily Life
That day, Ice had a dream.
It was a weird dream. A dream where many unknown people appeared. It was a happy dream, but it belonged to someone else. That kind of dream.
In that dream, Ice was living with a big father and mother, and animal siblings. Occasionally, a friend of Father's, a black-bodied man with a burning aura, would come to play.
Everything was fulfilled. There was nothing lacking. When she slept, she would be wrapped in the wolf siblings' fur. Then, the snake siblings would sneak into her chest.
She was happy with her siblings and family. Father would call her with a gentle voice.
"Come here, Hel."
The moment she was called, Ice woke up.
After that, for several days, Ice and the others worked at Barcow's antique shop, introduced by Kyrie.
Barcow was a Demon who seemed new to this city, and what struck her was that, unlike Kyrie, Barcow didn't have an atmosphere of hiding malice.
Even Ice had some doubts. Kyrie and the others were treating then well. But, as demons, shouldn't they always be suspicious?
And yet, she didn't feel any distrust towards Barcow, unlike Kyrie, which made her more confident in her intuition.
At the same time, she thought that Kyrie's phrase "newcomer" might not mean "new to the city."
What came to mind was the fact about demons. Originally, they were humans. Those who died and were reborn in this hell. That's what demons are. Since they're already dead, they're a race that can't die anymore.
So, the phrase "newcomer" might mean "newly reborn as a demon."
It's possible that they're newly reborn as demons, but whether they're young or old depends on the individual. Some might be old from the moment they're reborn.
So, it's a "newcomer." A newly reborn demon.
If that's the case, it would explain the discomfort she felt about Kyrie's phrase "newcomer." At the same time, her ambiguous feelings towards Kyrie grew stronger.
And so, she worked for several days, and today was just another day of going to work.
"Good morning, Wade-kun.... You've got a wrinkle between your eyebrows, what's wrong?"
It was morning. When Ice left the room, Wade was standing there with a difficult expression.
"Ice? Ah, it's not a big deal, but... Do you know what Mudi's been up to lately?"
"Mudi-san?"
"Yeah. I've become a bit interested in Norse mythology. I want to hear the story, but we haven't met in days."
There's no need to worry, but Wade's joke made Ice laugh, saying, "Yeah... if you worry too much, you'll just get angry, maybe."
"Well, if we get caught, that's fine. Let's do our best at work today, too!"
"I'll just clean up and take it easy at the shop, but..."
"Shh, people might find out we're slacking off."
Ice chuckled along with Wade's joke.
As Wade said, these past few days had been peaceful. The owner, Barcow, was calm and humane, making for a peaceful daily life.
Ice loved spending days like this with Wade. She hoped they could continue like this for as long as possible.
Then the two of them had a meal, got ready, and left the inn. The others were busy and often didn't show up for days at a time.
So, Ice was almost monopolizing Wade's time. While Wade's happiness was the most important thing, being able to spend time together like this made her genuinely happy.
"Wade, kun. Hold my hand...?"
"Haha, it's okay."
They held hands and walked down the cold street. The warmth from Wade's hand transmitted to Ice's, making her feel happy and content.
I'm married to this person, she thinks.
The proposal before the war was really happy. She thought it was the happiest moment. So, no matter what happens, she vowed to make Wade happy.
"Wade, kun."
"What is it, Ice?"
"I'm happy... yeah..."
"...Yeah, I'm happy too."
The two of them walked side by side. She wonders how long they can keep this up. She hopes it lasts a long time. As long as Wade is happy...
Thinking like that, the shop came into view.
"...?"
So, Ice realized. Something was off. A crowd had formed.
"Ice."
"Um..."
The two of them rushed over together. When they arrived, they found Kyrie and 2 others, as well as the blood-stained and motionless owner of the antique shop, Barcow.
Barcow was the owner of the shop where Ice and Wade had been working for the past few days. And now, he was lying there in a pitiful state.
Gand, a giant and one of Kyrie's friends, was gently holding Barcow.
Wade asked sharply.
"Kyrie, what happened?"
"It was an attack. You know that wolf statue we had been keeping in front of the shop? Well, we had been storing it in this shop recently. And then, somehow, information about it leaked out, and this is what happened."
"I get it."
After hearing the story, Wade went into the shop, determined to investigate further. He wanted to see the destruction for himself.
Meanwhile, Ice stayed behind and continued to listen to Kyrie's story.
"Is there anything else...?"
Lillu, the beast-girl, responded to this.
"...You're planning to take revenge? The opponent is a big shot who can afford to hire Slum multiple times? Last time it was a hundred people, and this time it's a group of skilled fighters. It's going to cost a lot of money."
"No matter what happens, we need information..."
Ice replied, and Lillu raised an eyebrow. Kyrie, on the other hand, was impressed by Ice's demeanor.
"...Ice, you're not bad☆ I thought you were weak, but you're actually pretty gutsy."
Kyrie smiled and praised Ice. Ice urged them to continue.
"Yeah, I think it's probably one of Barcow-san's business rivals. Barcow-san seems gentle, but actually making a lot of money."
They had heard stories about this before. How Barcow-san had quickly opened the shop despite being new to the business. And that's why it might have been targeted.
Kyrie finished speaking, and Wade returned.
"Kyrie, your story checks out. The wolf statue was stolen. The attacker was probably a giant? There were bloody handprints, and they were about the same size as Gand's."
"You're really perceptive, aren't you? The 3 giant guys are a mess, and Grandpa Barcow is all battered up, huh? Kyrie, I was gonna get all riled up and take them down, but..."
Kyrie glares at their 2 friends. "Those 2 got in the way and I couldn't do it!" Kyrie sticks out their tongue.
Gand, the giant, responds.
"Those guys are from a powerful assassination clan in the slums, the 'Ede Wolf'. It's bad news if we make them our enemies."
"It's not like we can just take on the military organization of this city, which is affiliated with the Demon King's army..."
Gand and Lillu, the beastman, say something ridiculous. Kyrie doesn't seem to care, but the other 2 seem to have come to their senses.
But Kyrie doesn't seem convinced, and starts talking to Wade and Ice.
"Hey, if you guys are up for it, I'll let you help me avenge Grandpa Barcow. I'll even pay you, of course. I can't just let it slide, Kyrie..."
When Kyrie says this, Gand and Lillu start talking to each other. "Hey, don't be reckless!" "You're being really serious, leader!"
Ice looks at Wade quietly, and Wade is staring fixedly at Barcow's shop owner.
Ice asks quietly.
"Wade-kun, what do you want to do?"
Wade looks at Ice and nods, then says clearly to Kyrie.
"Of course, I'll help you. I owe him a favor for letting me work there for a few days. Just don't make it too flashy, okay?"
Ice nods in agreement with Wade's words. If Wade is determined, then they'll do it that way.
Wade says.
"Alright, let's get going then. Where should we go?"
"There's a rival shop... Apparently, they have a lot of financial backing, so it's a big building. And there's..."
Just then, Barcow, covered in blood, starts coughing violently.
"Cough, cough, cough... Are you guys getting angry for my sake? You're good kids..."
"Barcow-san."
"Wade, kun... I'm scared, but the one who took it is Skinnap's store... Originally, I won it at an auction, and that's how it started..."
"If it's Skinnap's store, I know the way! Leave the guidance to me!"
Kyrie stood up straight and raised their hand. Wade was about to open his mouth with a faint smile.
But Ice stopped him.
"No way... We've already taken the job, so we'll do it ourselves! It's not good to have too many people, anyway... We can handle it on our own!"
Ice rejected Kyrie's proposal with a rational tone. Kyrie's eyes widened in surprise, and Wade averted his gaze with a subtle smile.
"But..."
Kyrie persisted. Ice had already read their mind.
And Ice's insight was even deeper.
"Leader, if you're going to go, it's better to leave it to them."
"Yeah! It's already dangerous, so we shouldn't do anything that might put then in a tough spot! We might even hold the two of them back!"
Gand and Lillu, the two of them, sided with Ice and cautioned Kyrie. The two of them looked at Ice and bowed their heads in gratitude.
There are people you don't want to mess with, and there are people you can't handle.
Ice took advantage of that feeling.
For a while, Kyrie and the others were at odds with each other. But in the end, Kyrie was outnumbered.
With a dissatisfied look, Kyrie told Ice and the others.
"...I don't like it, but I'll bet on Wade and the others being able to handle it... So, the location is..."
Kyrie gave them the location information orally. Then, Gand handed over a bag with some money in it, saying, "The two of them are trustworthy. We'll pay the full amount upfront."
...Ice thinks they're good people. At least, they don't have the same unpleasantness or malice as Drop from before. They're naturally good people. If they were on the surface, Ice wouldn't be on guard either.
But that's exactly why. Since learning about the existence of demons, Ice has developed a unique, instinct-like sense.
That's why Kyrie seemed too suspicious, and Ice noticed it.
Does it smell like malice? It's not like Barcow, a demon with a fresh stench. This is a refined, suppressed malice, like a demon who naturally reeks of it, but with a clean, refreshing scent.
It's not just Kyrie. Kyrie and the other 2, all members of 'Klainatzirks', have erased their malice to the level of humans on the surface.
―――From what she has heard, they're probably old-timers among demons.
That kind of intuition is rooted in a considerable part of Ice's senses. That's why she didn't explain it to Wade.
Kyrie says.
"How's that? Did you understand the explanation?"
"Yeah... Thanks, Kyrie-san."
"No need to thank me. I've just pushed the troublesome part onto you. At least I should do this much right!"
Kyrie says with a hint of dissatisfaction towards their companions, trying to sound cheerful. On the surface, they would have gotten along well.
But this is Hell. The land of the dead, where demons like Nilfheim writhe. Maintaining a kind demeanor would be seen as abnormal and a threat to one's safety.
However, to Wade right now, the value of safety is uncertain.
Ice takes Wade's hand and smiles, saying "I'll guide you, okay?"
After watching Wade and Ice walk away together, Kyrie claps their hands and says.
"It's over."
Suddenly, Gand stops supporting Barcow and casually drops him to the ground. Barcow lets out a pained cry, "Ga...!?" and groans softly.
Kyrie asks, their lips curled up.
"What do you guys think?"
Gand and Lillu respond in turn.
"It's a newcomer, there's no doubt about it. A seasoned demon can't fake that feeling."
"Yeah. Even if they're not dead, that shocked expression at being covered in wounds is definitely newbie material."
"Yeah, that's right."
Kyrie nods. Then, asks again.
"So, how much potential do they have?"
"In terms of strength, both are unpredictable. At the very least, we wouldn't be able to take them on even if all of us worked together."
"Ice is a real pain, isn't she? She's not letting her guard down at all. Leader is trying to butter her up, but it's not working at all. But... if I had to say what's scary, it's Wade?"
"Yeah, Lillu, Ice doesn't have any weaknesses. Wade's attacks don't even phase him. In other words―――he's got exceptional talent☆."
Kyrie gives a sly smile, and Gand and Lillu follow suit. Barcow looks confused, and Kyrie looks down at him.
"Oh, sorry about that. I forgot. I just borrowed your 2 friends for a bit to see how they move, and it was really satisfying to watch them dance♪."
"What's... going on...! You're using them, making them my new shop employees... what do you plan to do...?"
"Hmm? You can be friends or enemies. It's all about the flow, but having overwhelming individuality is what makes you stand out, you know☆."
Hehe, Kyrie's smile grows wider.
"So, it's all good, no matter what happens? As long as the circus is exciting, that's all that matters. And if we're at the center of it, that's the best☆ Blood and flames are just decorations for the circus, you know♡."
And with that, Kyrie touches Barcow's face.
"You've heard things you shouldn't have, so you're going to go through the demon's trial by fire now☆."
"W-what...?! I, I don't know what's going on!"
"That's what happens when you get caught and sold into sl*very, you know♪ If you haven't experienced that, you're not even a real demon, just like Demon King Hel-sama!"
"N-no...! I, I thought the public order was bad, but... that's...!"
Barcow pleads desperately.
"I'm an old man, just like this! I'm not much of a worker, and I won't sell for a high price, will I? So..."
Kyrie cuts in, saying,
"That's a story for another time, isn't it☆."
"...? Wh-what are you talking about...? S-sharing...?"
"Yeah, sharing. It's just a matter of splitting it, you know☆."
This old demon, Barcow, looks at Kyrie with a confused expression.
Probably about risk and return, I was trying to explain to Kyrie. But this new demon, Barcow, doesn't understand a thing.
"...Internal organs, selling them after dissecting, that kind of thing, right...?"
"Eh? That's completely different, newbie! You're still trapped by common sense on the surface, and it's cute♡ It's not about killing and roasting meat, like some kind of preparation!"
Barcow looks up at Kyrie with a face that says "I don't get it." But Kyrie has given up on explaining.
"Well, it's better to forget the inconvenient things you've learned. And sometimes, strong demons can naturally understand, right? Like, 'Revival is slow' or something!"
"...? I, I don't get the meaning at all. What are you talking about...?"
"Ah, you'll understand if you do it! Gand, let's go! Everyone, to the slum!"
"Got it, Leader."
"Leader, how about dividing it into 4 parts? It looks like it's over 60, so 3 parts?"
"No, 4 parts is better. The younger ones are better, after all."
"Roger that!"
The giant Gand lifts up the shop owner Barcow. Kyrie takes the lead, followed by the beastman Lillu and Gand.
The surrounding onlookers have already lost interest and are leaving one by one. The commotion, known as the "Spectacle," has ended.
Curtain call. The attention-grabbing commotion has closed its curtains. Now, the demons will take their shares and head back to their respective homes.
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