I Became a Demon Who Can Never Be Headpatted in the Academy?! – Chapter 77

“I never thought there would be such a place deep in the Star Shadow Forest…”

Nicasia was genuinely impressed, covering her mouth with her right hand.

“There are so many fascinating plants? And plenty of monsters too?”

“I don’t know about the former, but the latter definitely shouldn’t be here…”

Monica, with her hands clasped together, spoke with sparkling eyes.

The ‘Alraune’ standing before us seemed to find this conversation purely amusing, letting out a cute snort.

“Just like you find this forest fascinating, the children hiding in those shadows are simply curious.”

Alraune’s voice was gentle.

At least, that’s how it sounded to my, Murmur’s, ears.

But Monica and Nicasia were different.

“Murmur? What did Alraune say?”

“I hope it’s not a threat. After all, we received Murmur’s flower…”

Nicasia and Monica naturally whispered to each other, as Alraune’s words didn’t reach them.

The voice of a monster doesn’t reach humans.

It was an obvious fact, not worth deep thought.

“Murmur will translate… The monsters in the shadows are just curious, like Nicasia and Monica, and are watching.”

“That’s a relief~!”

“…Can Murmur really understand Alraune’s words?”

Nicasia, while impressed, gently patted my shoulder.

I could feel her worry, which made me feel good.

“Yes, Murmur can understand. And speak too.”

“The language of monsters… um, well…”

Nicasia frowned prettily, groaning.

“Murmur learned Old Demon Language. That’s why I can do it.”

“Old Demon Language… …”

“I’ve heard of it too.”

Monica said with a smile.

“I heard demons still cooperate with monsters to maintain the Demon King’s army?”

“Ah… well, whether it’s still ‘cooperation’ is debatable, but I get it.”

Demons don’t maintain the Demon King’s army alone.

Just as the alliance isn’t just humans, the Demon King’s army clearly includes monsters.

So, just like learning ‘animal language,’ learning ‘Old Demon Language’ allows communication with monsters.

Hehehe! I, Murmur, didn’t learn Old Demon Language for nothing.

I knew that learning it would allow me to gain more experience and better rewards through ‘resolving things with conversation’ rather than fighting!

“There’s nothing fancy, but please enjoy.”

Alraune, who invited us to the deepest part of the Star Shadow Forest.

She invited us to a palace elegantly and classically decorated with tree trunks, vines, and leaves.

“My goodness… I never thought it would be this elaborate…”

“Did you think it was just child’s play, Nicasia?”

“W-well, I did think that… I admit it.”

Nicasia blushed deeply but genuinely admired.

It might not compare to the Imperial Palace, but it’s at least on par with a kingdom’s palace, right?

The space Alraune invited us to was beautiful even in the eyes of a princess.

“It feels like we’ve been invited to a very precious place.”

“Murmur will translate again, she says to enjoy the meal.”

Alraune was already sitting on a wooden chair, watching us.

On the blue leaves, there were plenty of fresh fruits prepared.

“It’s okay to eat, right…?”

“Yes, Murmur promises. None of the fruits here are dangerous.”

Nicasia swallowed her saliva and suddenly lit up.

“Ah? I know this fruit. I always see it peeled and in bowls, so I didn’t recognize it.”

“I’ve eaten some of these fruits too? Pop Pop Grapes!”

Both Monica and Nicasia hesitated at first but enjoyed the fruits Alraune had prepared.

I, Murmur, was also hungry, so I didn’t hesitate to reach out.

“Yum, yum… this apple is delicious.”

“Hmm! Y-yes, it is. My goodness… there are even out-of-season fruits, how fascinating.”

“There are Balloon Oranges too? Hah…!”

The fruits laid out on the giant leaves were so sweet and delicious that it was hard to describe each one.

Even someone who doesn’t know much about fruits could tell they were perfectly ripe with just one bite.

“How cute you eat. Yes, children should be like that, not playing with swords and magic.”

“Murmur wants to say that’s fun too, right?”

“Hmm… I never thought there would be a descendant of nectar who could talk to us like this.”

Alraune smiled, resting her chin on her hand, looking at me, Murmur.

“Truly, a rare guest has come.”

“Murmur isn’t that special.”

“Such a humble child. But know that your appearance is so great that you could be called a Demon King without shame.”

“Murmur doesn’t want to be a Demon King.”

Alraune’s pomegranate-like eyes scanned me, Murmur, up and down.

“Among the countless descendants of nectar living extravagantly in the shining lands, you are the most suitable to be a Demon King.”

“Murmur knows.”

I said, putting down the sweet fruit in my hands.

“If I become a Demon King, I can’t make everyone happy and peaceful.”

“… …”

“But the Hero is different. The Hero can make everyone happy and peaceful.”

“I never thought there would be a descendant of nectar who knows that failure…”

Alraune smiled.

This conversation, thankfully, is getting through.

It would have been a choice only possible if certain conditions were met.

“If that’s your wish, I won’t ask you to become a Demon King.”

“Murmur is grateful.”

“But remember this. The forest always remembers.”

Alraune smiled and stroked the flower I, Murmur, had given her, as if showing it off.

“Hey… Murmur? What kind of conversation did you have?”

Nicasia asked with worried eyes.

“Murmur was praised for knowing Old Demon Language.”

“Didn’t you talk longer than that…?”

“We also talked about how delicious the fruits are.”

Alraune chuckled softly.

She probably understood why I was conveying a completely different story.

“Ah… then can you tell her? That the fruits are really delicious, and we’re happy with the great hospitality.”

“Tell her I’m very pleased to hear such kind words from the Empire’s princess.”

Alraune, covering her mouth with a hand that seemed to hold a rose, laughed again.

“I think Alraune understands our language.”

“Eh? Really?”

Nicasia blushed.

“Well… I thought she couldn’t understand our words, just like we couldn’t understand hers.”

“We have understood your language for a long time. We just can’t mimic it.”

“Murmur will translate. She says she can’t speak like us, but she can understand us perfectly.”

Nicasia’s expression turned to admiration, and she smiled.

“Thank you. We didn’t mean to intrude so deeply into the forest, we’re sorry.”

“Ah! I’ll offer some apologies too.”

Nicasia and Monica were very polite children.

Alraune naturally looked at me, Murmur.

“Despite your small body, you’re quite clever, Murmur.”

“But, Murmur wanted to meet Alraune.”

“Hehehe! Well, think of it as a cute gesture to show your precious friends me.”

Alraune stroked a purple leaf and shrugged, laughing.

“I’ll put in a good word with Headmaster Cosmos too. Don’t worry.”

“Murmur is really grateful.”

“But… I’m curious why you went through such lies to meet me.”

As expected, even if the details of the conversation change, the overall flow remains the same.

In fact, it was good, so I could say what I had prepared.

“Murmur needs the Dew of Time.”

Alraune, as expected, couldn’t hide her surprise.

“I thought you were just a small, soft, clever child, but it seems you’ve studied hard too.”

“Murmur really needs it.”

“…If you’ve studied, you should know, right?”

Alraune smiled and gently stroked my head.

“The Dew of Time isn’t something to be given lightly. That’s why this forest exists, and why I’m here.”

“Murmur knows that reason too. That’s why I’m asking.”

Alraune shook her head.

“It’s not a herb for an elementary section child of the Academy. Instead, I’ll give you something else.”

“Murmur knows Astrological Magic.”

I, Murmur, created a small star in my palm to show her.

“Astrology…? Good heavens, those who can read the stars disappeared long ago…”

“That’s why Murmur can see a bit of the future.”

“Where on earth did you learn such a forgotten magic? You act as if you’ve received the Demon God’s blessing.”

“Murmur has precious friends.”

I tightly held Nicasia’s hand in front of the astonished Alraune.

“Murmur can see the future and knows how to solve it.”

Alraune silently stared at me.

“But if I do nothing… I feel like something bad will happen because of Murmur.”

I, Murmur, know how to make everyone happy.

I know how to prevent Nicasia from crying.

“Do you really think so? Fate is just something that comes.”

“But Murmur has the power to push that fate aside.”

Alraune smiled and stood up.

And then she…

“Eek…?!”

What, this wasn’t part of the conversation?!

Suddenly, Alraune hugged me with a chest that emitted an incredibly fragrant and pleasant fruit scent.

“Uh… Murmur…?”

“Murmur is receiving tremendous praise!”

“Hehehe. Truly, you’re not just cute but also impressive!”

Alraune patted me from the back of my head to my back and bottom.

Ah, what?! This wasn’t how the conversation was supposed to end!

“Alright! For that reason, I’ll give you the Dew of Time as much as you need. No need to explain why it should be handled carefully.”

“Pfft…”

Alraune, satisfied on her own, put me, Murmur, down.

“Are you okay? Murmur?”

Nicasia stroked my head as she spoke, and Monica also came over and patted my shoulder vigorously.

“Murmur… thinks it’s okay.”

I felt really relieved that Alraune agreed to give the ‘Dew of Time’ so readily.

Now all that’s left is for Professor Aiaie to lend the potion-making table, and I can secretly make various elixirs for myself!

Problems won’t arise if they don’t happen!

I just need to be praised by Professor Aiaie for doing well, that’s all.

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