Translated by Jyzciel

I was in the midst of watching a family feud when I discovered a bat feasting on grapes in my orchard. I couldn't just let the bat continue its feast, so I gathered the grapes along with the bat. And now...

"It's about time you forgave me." Said the Demon Lord, though his expression remained stern.

"...." The bat continued to pout, turning away as always.

Since the marmalade jam is already turning out fine, let's interfere just this once.

"Would you like some tea?" The three of us the bat, the Demon Lord, and I, sat down to enjoy fresh scones and the marmalade jam I had just made.

"These scones are as delicious as ever," the Demon Lord remarked, his eyes showing genuine interest as he spread clotted cream and marmalade generously on a scone and took a bite.

The bat happily licked the marmalade.

"By the way, what was the cause of your argument?" I suddenly asked the Demon Lord, who nearly choked on his scone.

"Cough... I'm fine." He managed to respond.

"Are you sure?"  Flustered, I attempted to offer him some water but was gently waved off.

The Demon Lord, composed as ever, gracefully took a sip of his tea, resolving the situation.

Then, he let out a light sigh. "Actually, you see..."

In short, it turned out that the Demon Lord had been working too hard. He had promised the bat that he would take a day off to visit my house and enjoy some delicious food. But due to his busyness, he had broken that promise several times.

It appeared that after eating at my place, the Demon Lord's magical powers had unexpectedly surged. Hence, the bat was very determined to have him eat at home, despite the continuously extended delays in keeping that promise.

And so, three days ago, the bat had finally had enough and ran away. This had led to the situation we found ourselves in now.

I can't believe the argument was about wanting him to eat at my place! Was being the Demon Lord that demanding of a position?

I was at a loss for words. According to the bat, the Demon Lord wouldn't eat for several days if left to his own. It didn't seem to be a problem for his survival, but it was essential for the stability of his magical powers to obtain nutrients from external food sources.

Every crop in this country contained some level of magical essence, and by consuming them, individuals could absorb it into their bodies. The stronger the individual, the more magic they stored, and apparently, the richer the magic, the tastier the food became.

I recalled the first time he visited her home and the beef stew she had prepared for him.

"So, it was all out of concern for your well-being."

"He really is..." The Demon Lord replied with a somewhat apologetic tone.

"Kyuu..." The bat also let out a somewhat apologetic sound in agreement.

During this exchange, the Demon Lord continued to silently devour scones.

"This jam is delicious... It's rich in magic for a fruit. Quite unusual." The Demon Lord went for seconds on scones a few times.

Perhaps it's because it's from my grandfather's secret orchard? Maybe it's a special kind of fruit?

"Is it a busy time of year for you right now?"

"Oh... Every year, when this season comes around, things get noisy."

"Noisy?" I inquired.

"Yes... The magical beasts in this world go berserk. It's my job to eliminate the troublesome ones."

As he nibbled on the new snack I had brought out, the Mikan Jelly, he spoke with an extremely serious expression.

He just casually mentioned 'eliminating...' I shivered at his words, while he continued.

"There are still those who seek to challenge my position, even now. So I'm just having a little fun with such individuals." While exuding a dark aura that was overwhelmingly intimidating, he grinned wickedly, appearing to relish the idea.

Frightening... This man really is the Demon Lord!

My face was contorted with fear, so much so that it could be described as being dominated by it. In the presence of his absolute power, my instincts were trembling. Perhaps he sensed my fear because the bat was desperately making noises and seemed to be trying to convey something.

I held onto the bat, squeezing its tiny fingers tightly while looking up at the Demon Lord. As I couldn't understand its words, I glanced at the Demon Lord with a troubled expression.

The Demon Lord, upon hearing the bat's words, opened his eyes wide and blinked several times. Afterward, he appeared somewhat troubled but also a little pleased as he looked at the bat.

"What's the bat saying now?" I asked.

"Well... I'd like you to consider this as just my interpretation of what of its opinion."

"Alright."

"The reason we've been enjoying this peaceful time is because the Demon Lord has been eliminating those creatures. The bat wants you to understand this, that's what it's saying."

"...."

"If the Demon Lord were to be defeated, the world would once again become a battleground for the magical beasts vying for the throne. In such a situation, many people, including beastfolk, would be affected. To prevent that from happening, the Demon Lord is fighting in secret. The bat wants you to at least know that this world exists today because of it."

At the unexpected revelation, I froze, momentarily feeling ashamed of myself for ever thinking the Demon Lord was terrifying.

"Demon Lord..." I had an embarrassed expression on my face.

"It's not as noble as it sounds. I just happen to dislike nuisances... That's all. So, I'm dealing with the sparks that come my way." The Demon Lord explained with a narrowed gaze.

"Seems like quite a demanding position. I used to think it's the most formidable position, like 'Mwahaha, I am the Demon Lord, kneel before me!'"

"Heh... The previous holder of this title was apparently like that. Thanks to him, they summoned a hero, and he ended up being defeated." the Demon Lord said with a faint smile.

Oh... when someone who rarely smiles actually does, it's quite impactful. His alluring smile made me a bit weak in the knees. In a way, it's bad for the heart.

I unconsciously grabbed my chest.

"I wasn't interested in this position, but thanks to it, I met Bloo Moon and then you." He added, smiling even more gently as he looked at me.

Ugh... I think I'm falling for him. I should stop these sidelong glances...

"Besides, your cooking is delicious. It's not only rich in magical energy but also invigorating... I almost want to take you back to the castle and keep you there..."

Huh?! Those were some quite ominous words that just slipped in. In an instant, I was jolted back to reality. I must have had a pretty bewildered expression because finally, the Demon Lord burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... What's with that expression? I was just making a point. Your beauty lies in your freedom." Seeingmy visibly relieved expression, he laughed even more.

"I appreciate your help today. May I visit again, along with my friend?"

"Yes, you're always welcome."

"Right, let me give you this." The Demon Lord removed a purple crystal earring he had been wearing and placed it in my palm.

"My magical power is stored in this. If you encounter a strong magical beast, throw it at them. It should be able to defeat most things."

Huh?! This is such a powerful weapon?

"Thank you." I said so while staring at the earring intently.

"Well then, it's about time I took my leave."

"Oh, and here's a souvenir for you." As usual, I prepared some bento.

Inside were the marmalade jam I had made today, spare ribs simmered in that jam, two bottles of red wine, an assortment of various cheeses, and two bunches of grapes picked from the orchard.

"Oh, it looks delicious. I'm always sorry for the trouble." The bat also gave a small nod.

"Well then, see you again..." With those words, a strong gust of wind blew, and at the same moment, they both disappeared.

And thus, the story of a mini runaway bat incident was resolved.

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