Citrine was humming a short tune as she pushed her legs into the bathtub.
“Hmm, hmm… hmm~♬”
The bathtub, which was too large for an elementary school fifth-grader, glowed blue the moment Citrine’s small body submerged into it. The carvings of mermaids, fish, turtles, and jellyfish on the surface danced cutely as if they were alive.
Even Princess Nicasia, who had only heard of the expensive bath salts by name, was using them lavishly. This luxurious girl stretched her small, white feet and lightly closed the faucet shaped like a giant dragon’s head.
“I think this should be enough preparation for the collaborative assignment.”
In front of Citrine floated a large ‘ledger,’ suspended in the air by magic.
『Rowan ─ 3 gold, recently his mother fell seriously ill and received help from the guild』
『Cornelia de Montmorency ─ 5 gold』
『Leon Crownkeeper ─ 10 gold, unable to repay, must find another way to collect』
『Castilla Torres ─ 2 gold, invite to the party』
Citrine carefully examined the names and amounts written in the ledger, crossing her legs with a satisfied expression. At that moment, the luxurious bathtub, engraved with magic, poured water filled with white bubbles onto the small girl’s shoulders.
“Professor Marea wouldn’t lie to me… Hmm, but just in case, I should make a new wand for Cornelia.”
Professor Marea von Manstein, who taught martial arts, was not the type to betray or lie to Citrine.
“But it’s really strange. Professor Marea told me everything about the collaborative assignment in advance… How does Murmur know about it?”
Citrine tilted her head, deep in thought, but no answer came to her. Professor Marea wasn’t the type to gossip, so it was even harder to imagine or guess where Murmur got her information.
“Could it really be… because she’s of the Demon God’s bloodline?”
“A wise judgment, Miss Citrine.”
Citrine smiled at the voice of her capable butler, Balkan, who had taken care of her for a long time.
“Do you think so too, Balkan?”
“All the information we’ve gathered points to Miss Murmur being of the Demon God’s bloodline.”
“Colette Bloodberry’s investigation… Professor Aiaie’s testimony… What else was there?”
“There’s also the stance of the ‘New Helheim’ club.”
Citrine visibly grimaced at the mention of the ‘New Helheim’ club, where demon students gathered.
“I don’t really want to talk about those gloomy and dark folks.”
“However, they are blatantly avoiding conversations with Miss Murmur. From another perspective, Miss Murmur isn’t meeting with the New Helheim club either.”
“…Even though they’re descendants of the same nectar?”
The loyal butler, Balkan, nodded, and Citrine let out a scoff.
“Those fools who brag about crawling out of the darkness. As Balkan said, they’re probably deliberately avoiding Murmur because they’d be in trouble if she really is of the Demon God’s bloodline.”
“That’s correct, Miss. It’s as undeniable as the previous two pieces of evidence. Also… though it’s still just a rumor, there’s talk that she’s received the Demon God’s blessing.”
Citrine’s eyes widened, and she sat up from the bathtub.
“T-The Demon God’s blessing?! H-How could she receive that? Lady Armonia was sealed away long ago, and no one knows where she sleeps now!”
“I find it strange as well… but that’s what they’re saying in New Helheim.”
“Is there no chance those idiots are mistaken?”
“We’re currently looking into it, Miss.”
Citrine, barely suppressing her excitement, sank back into the bathtub.
“…The more I learn about Lady Murmur, the more I think she’s the perfect candidate to become the Demon Lord.”
Splashing her legs like she was playing in the water, Citrine closed her eyes.
“I, Citrine, have been hiding in the shadows, waiting to meet you.”
Citrine gently touched her collarbone, still covered in bubbles, and then softly caressed her chest and ribs, murmuring.
“A bride worthy of Lady Murmur is here, so please, show me your magnificent Demon Lord form soon.”
* * *
If I could say that Professor Aiaie Hekati’s magic class was overwhelmingly stressful due to her excessive interest and expectations of me, Murmur, then Professor Marea von Manstein’s martial arts class was filled with surprisingly cold reactions and disregard for me.
Honestly, neither class was helping my skills or stats improve, and this was something I’d experienced countless times while playing the game, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.
“Everyone, pay attention. I’ll be explaining something important today, so listen carefully.”
Professor Marea von Manstein was a tall, healthy woman with red hair. As the captain of the ‘Dawnblade Knights,’ she proved that she wasn’t teaching martial arts at Cosmos Academy for nothing, possessing multiple skills.
If you were on the Demon Lord route, she was a strong NPC you’d inevitably have to fight. Even if you thought you could overpower her with stats, her fundamentally high stats and well-timed skills would leave you in awe.
She wasn’t the captain of the ‘Dawnblade Knights,’ always ready to answer the hero’s call and wage war against demons, for nothing.
“Ugh… It’s time for Professor Marea’s annoying, sweaty, and painful assignment again.”
“I’ll help as much as I can, Esme.”
But how could Nicasia help? She couldn’t shoot arrows, thrust a spear, or swing a sword for you, could she?
Esme seemed to share my thoughts, her eyebrows wriggling like worms with a complicated and subtle expression.
“Esme, have you seen Lachesis?”
Anyway, it was obvious what Professor Marea was about to talk about. She’d discuss the collaborative assignment, and it’d be good to find teammates early.
“Lachesis? Lachesis… Oh, you mean the girl with blue hair?”
“Yeah, haven’t seen her?”
Esme looked around and nodded. So it wasn’t just me who hadn’t seen her.
It’s oddly hard to meet her. I’ve been thinking it’s a bit inefficient, but I’ve been attending martial arts class regularly since last time.
When will I ever get to meet her? Maybe I should’ve talked to her when I fought Aunt Colette instead of passing out.
“Everyone, quiet. Good. I’ll now explain what you need to do in the upcoming ‘collaborative assignment’ and how to get a high score.”
Professor Marea flipped her red hair back with her golden prosthetic arm as she spoke.
Because of that arm, Professor Marea hated demons. Her anger and disgust were so natural that countless veterans would yell at newbies to avoid choosing the demon race at all costs.
Think about it. In a game where you’re diligently raising your character, if the class that helps the most in combat, ‘martial arts,’ is completely ruined, would the game be easy?
“This collaborative assignment will involve forming groups of four. You’ll defeat monsters in the Shadow Forest and find hidden treasure chests.”
“Professor Marea! Do we have to form groups of four?”
“You must form groups of four. This test is the most basic stage of the many tests you’ll experience up to high school.”
She wasn’t wrong. Among the five trials you must pass to be recommended as a hero at the academy, the ‘Labyrinth Trial’ isn’t there for no reason. Working with comrades to defeat monsters and retrieve items is the ‘tutorial’ for the numerous promotion exams academy students will face.
Though, being elementary students, the monsters we’ll face will be pretty weak.
Anyway, the test content is the same as the version I remember. If I can just gather four people, I can clear it comfortably.
“Five years in elementary school. This assignment will test the martial arts and magic you’ve honed so far, so work closely with your teammates and find the treasure!”
After finishing her explanation, Marea waved her hand, signaling that the remaining time was for rest, and walked to her desk. At that moment, the children rushed to her, bombarding her with questions.
The content was obvious. What kind of monsters would appear? What does the treasure look like? Since this was the first collaborative assignment since entering the academy, they were trying to get as much information as possible to score better.
In the game, there’s an option to sneak into that crowd and gather more information about the assignment, but I don’t need to do that. Instead, I should quickly find a fourth party member.
And maybe think about a fifth too. Nicasia in elementary school is a ‘cheat key’ who can clear any assignment if she’s with you, but as a penalty, she sometimes leaves the party to deal with academy adults.
This collaborative assignment will be the same. Even in magic class, Esme and I try to attend as much as possible, but sometimes we can’t make it.
“Who would be good… Lachesis isn’t here… Monica would be convenient…”
“…Murmur? What are you so deep in thought about? Aren’t you going to ask Professor Marea any questions?”
“Yeah, Professor Marea would just ignore me anyway.”
“That’s not necessarily… I mean…”
Nicasia made an extremely awkward expression, but it was a truth that didn’t need to be elaborated on.
“I was thinking about who to team up with.”
“Hehe, of course, you were planning to team up with me, right?”
“Yeah, with Nicasia and Esme… I’ve thought of three. I’m just thinking about who the fourth should be.”
“You could easily find one if you put your mind to it… but I’ll respect your opinion, Murmur.”
Nicasia kindly and gently handed the decision over to me. Certainly, our ‘Princess’ would be a charming choice, even with the penalty of having a demon kid in the party.
“Miss Murmur, what are you pondering?”
“Ugh…”
Citrine appeared, just like me, with no need to ‘ask’ Professor Marea anything.
“Murmur is thinking about who to team up with.”
“Oh my, there’s no need to worry about that? Just join my team, Miss Murmur.”
Citrine reached out her hand to me. I had no intention of taking it, but suddenly Nicasia grabbed my shoulder and half-hugged me, pulling me close.
“Miss Citrine. I’m sorry, but Murmur is going to team up with us.”
“Oh? Princess. I was just giving Miss Murmur a choice?”
“There’s no need for such a choice. Murmur is already teaming up with Esme and me. The three of us are teammates.”
Citrine smiled brightly. It almost seemed like she was glaring at Nicasia, but that must’ve been my imagination.
“Ah… Is that so? Miss Murmur?”
“Yeah, Murmur already has teammates. I’m not planning to team up with Citrine.”
“From last time, why do you keep refusing… Is it because of Princess Nicasia?”
No, no, it’s because if your affection rises, I’ll be forced into the Demon Lord route, so I don’t want to team up with you.
“From last time? Murmur? Has Citrine been bothering you?”
“She hasn’t been bothering me. Last time, we ate cookies and pie together.”
“Next time, I’ll treat you to lots of delicious cakes, Murmur. I’ll prepare a cake that’s one of a kind in the world, something money can’t buy.”
“Really? Okay. Murmur will look forward to it.”
If it’s free, there’s no reason to refuse, right?
“My, are you already planning to hide Miss Murmur under your skirt?”
“That sounds a bit strange, Miss Citrine.”
“…Nicasia? Citrine?”
“Miss Murmur! Listen well! If you team up with Princess Nicasia, you’ll definitely get a terrible score!”
“Me? How could that be? Not to brag, but who in this classroom is the best at defeating monsters?”
“Yes, Princess, you’re ‘royalty,’ so you could punch out an ogre that eats people. But Professor Marea’s evaluation isn’t that simple, is it?”
“It sounds like Citrine is boasting that she can get a better score.”
“Oh~hohoho! Of course! The ability to effectively defeat monsters and find hidden treasures is something only I possess!”
Citrine suddenly grabbed my right hand and pulled. What’s this? There wasn’t an event like this in the game!
“Then… come this way! Lady Murmur!”
Nicasia chuckled and grabbed my shoulders with both hands, pulling me back.
“Murmur, there’s no need to team up with such a self-important girl. Think about it! The adopted daughter of Crimson Brand is just trying to impress Professor Marea and brag about getting a perfect score even with a demon in her team!”
“That’s…! Just the Princess’s dirty imagination!”
“You’re not even close to Murmur, yet you’re throwing a tantrum to team up with her?!”
What’s going on?! Why are you two fighting?!
“Stop it…! Stop! Murmur doesn’t like this! Everyone, get along!”
Only after I desperately shouted did Nicasia and Citrine let me go.
Why are they suddenly like this?! Am I a teddy bear?
