Translated by Jyzciel

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On the 9th day of starting a rural life, something peculiar happened. For some reason, nobody came to visit on that day.

I spent my time playing with my Kuro-mame and weeding the garden, enjoying the peaceful days.

In the evening, as I headed to the veranda to close the shutters, I found a basket with a pile of apples inside. Surrounding it were faintly shimmering, tiny scales of various colors.

I wondered when did Little White Snake had managed to sneak in. It would have been nice if he had shown himself.

In gratitude, I baked five pound cakes using plenty of eggs and left them at the front yard. The next morning, they were gone. Little White Snake must have come to collect his gift. I noticed that on a leaf lay a large scale and several sparkling gemstones. It seemed that the Giant White Snake had paid a visit.

I couldn't help but wonder if it would be alright to take one of those gemstones. They unmistakably looked like rubies and sapphires. It left me pondering just how valuable those pound cakes must have been.

On the 10th day of starting a rural life, dealing with Chronos was becoming a real annoyance. It's tough, you know? But it didn't stop there.

His subordinates Carl and Noam, have joined as new members. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before others come too. Is the First Knight Order even okay? Well, it's called the First, so they must be elites, rigth?

The captain keeps slacking off and coming over to my house for meals, and his subordinates are no different. I'll say it again, we're just an ordinary farmhouse. This is not a diner!

Please, work diligently for the sake of the country.

On the 11th day of starting a rural life.

I was watering the tomatoes and cucumbers in the garden when suddenly, the sky darkened. The wind began to blow strongly.

Oh, could this be the rain we've been waiting for? It's kind of frustrating though, after all I've just watered everything.

With those thoughts in mind, I put away my farming tools in the shed and called my black beans to join me. As I was about to head inside from the veranda, that's when it appeared.

For some inexplicable reason, a massive dark rain cloud settled right in the middle of the yard. Thunder roared, and a gigantic tornado-like phenomenon began to form. Wait, isn't this a bit too pinpoint? Why did it choose our inner courtyard?

I held my two dogs tightly and watched as a man emerged from the center of the tornado. Simultaneously, the dark rain cloud, thunder, and tornado all vanished in the blink of an eye.

The man had long black hair and fiery, red eyes that burned like embers. His expression was cold, yet there was a dignified, sculpted symmetry to his beautiful face. Circling above his head were horn-like structures, curving to both sides. For a sheep-like beastman, he appeared rather menacing and had an overwhelming presence.

He was dressed in a pitch-black robe that covered his entire body, and a dangling amethyst-like earring adorned one of his ears.

There seemed to be a small bat-like creature perched on his shoulder, or at least, that's what it appeared to be.

Oh no, not another unexpected visitor...

I held my breath and watched as the man muttered in a voice that resonated like an enchanting bass note.

"Blue Moon... is he here?"

"Blue Moon?" I thought, puzzled. What does this mean? Perhaps sensing my confusion, he continued.

"This is the house of Blue Moon, right? I'm asking if they're here."

Blue Moon? Ao is blue and Tsuki is moon... so Aotsuki is Blue Mooon???

**TL: MC's family name is Aotsuki**

Could it be my Grandpa!? Did my Grandpa introduce himself as Blue Moon?

What kind of edgy naming sense was that? I felt bad for criticizing the deceased, but Grandpa didn't have a good sense for names.

"Grandpa, or rather, my Grandfather... recently passed away." As I delivered the news, the man's eyes widened briefly, and then he let out a quiet sigh.

"I see... that's a shame. Human lifespans are about hundred years, if I remember correctly." He remarked, as though recollecting something, and fell into a silent reverie, gazing into the distant sky.

His eyes appeared strangely lonely. Five minutes passed, and there was no sign of him leaving, nor any indication of movement.

Even Kuro-mame, too, were trembling in fear within the eerie atmosphere that surrounded this man as we huddled.

It felt like another significant guest had arrived. With no other options, I decided to be straightforward and asked, "Excuse me, but who might you be?"

"I am... I don't have a specific name, but the beastmen often call me the 'Demon King'" He replied casually, squinting his eyes.

Demon King... Wait, what!? The Demon King? I was so shocked it felt like my heart might leap out of my mouth.

For now, I wanted to dig a bit deeper into this.

"Did my Grandfather have some kind of agreement with you?" I asked.

"No... I just dropped by to continue the shogi game we were playing the other day."

Wait, my grandpa was playing shogi with the Demon King!? How on earth did they become friends? I had always thought my grandpa was a bit eccentric, but a shogi buddy with the Demon King...

I wondered if they had some deal where losing meant forfeiting their souls or something. "Kukuku~ I won't take your soul that easily." the Demon King said, grinning mysteriously.

Wait, he can read my thoughts? Rin's face turned various shades of red and blue.

"Kukukukuku~ You're quite the interesting girl. Even I can't read people's minds. It's just that your expressions are so easy to understand."

"Uh..."

"By the way, are you Blue Moon's daughter?"

"I'm actually his Granddaughter. My name is Rinsakura Aotsuki."

"Granddaughter, huh... Now that you mention it, you do have some resemblance around the eyes." At that moment, a timer in the kitchen went off.

"Oh! I was cooking beef stew," I remembered.

"Demon King, would you like to have some beef stew?"

The Demon King was now seated at the dining table in my home, sipping red wine and quietly enjoying the beef stew.

"Is it to your liking?" I asked nervously.

"Yeah... it's delicious." He said with a faint smile.

"I also prepared some grapes and pears for our little bat friend." I added, presenting a small glass dish of fruit that I had sliced for easier consumption.

"It seems you care for this little one as well. I appreciate it." The Demon King remark.

The bat seemed delighted as it nibbled on the fruit. It was adorable, with a face reminiscent of a fox, small ears, and a fluffy appearance. I suspected it was a type of fruit bat.

We shared bits and pieces of memories about my grandpa as we talked, and though it was sporadic, it created a peaceful atmosphere in which time flowed by.

"It was a feast. It's been a long time since I've savored the taste of a proper meal. Probably close to 200 years." He mused. That long, huh...

"By the way, this place is..." He began.

"It's just an ordinary home, not a restaurant or eatery!" I said quite fed up.

"O-ohh... I see." The Demon King seemed genuinely surprised.

"The other dishes were quite tasty too, and I'd love to try more, but this isn't a restaurant, is it? It's your home, isn't it?" He inquired and I remained silent.

Was it my imagination, or did even the little bat on his shoulder seem a bit downcast?

"If you're okay with something like this, I'll cook for you again." Was all I could say at that point.

"I see... I'm grateful. As a token of my appreciation, I'll invite you to my castle next time, then." the Demon King offered.

No need for that, your sentiment is more than enough, I thought, gazing into the distance.

"Oh, Demon King, here's a little gift. Please enjoy it during your evening drinks with my grandfather."

I handed him a basket filled with a Japanese sake set, which included two bottles of premium dry sake, bottled salted fish roe, caviar, oyster oil, and crackers. As a bonus, there were grapes and peaches in the basket.

It seemed my grandpa and the Demon King often played shogi while having drinks together. The Demon King's eyes softened as he examined the contents of the basket.

"Understood..."

With that, he melted into the darkness and disappeared.

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