Anna's face turned red as she had the upper hand.
"Please pretend to be nice unconditionally. Because~"
When Anna explained what had happened to the human world, Offencia immediately understood.
"So, humans have learned about the existence of the demon world, and you're in trouble because they're on the verge of finding out that sister Mori is a witch, right? So you want to let humans know that the demon world is harmless?"
"Yes."
"Oh, of course I can do that, and I was going to do it even if you didn't ask for it."
"Then, let's start with the perspective of humans as prey. Don't you see that the humans sitting at the table over there are scared?"
"It's a long-standing habit, so I can't help it. I'm still working on it."
As the story between the two became longer, the curious hostess quietly approached.
"What secret are you two talking about? I'm curious too. Hoho."
Anna declared confidently.
"I want to study cooking here! You can use the recipes I made to your heart's content, so please let me stay here and study for a while!"
"Oh, it's a contract I can't lose! Tie your soul here and make you work without pay for the rest of your life... No, you can stay as long as you want!"
"Where should I sleep?"
"Hey, do you see the stairs to the basement? If you go down, you will find a room. Stay in the room you like."
"Yes! Let's go see the room first!"
Anna squeezed down the stairs. And the demons all giggled as they looked at the stairs where Anna had descended.
"Funny prey. No, a customer has arrived."
"The food in the human world was very delicious.. Are you going to help that little human feel the taste of the human world in the demon world?"
"Soul taste? Or the taste of the food?"
"Of course, it's the taste of the food. Be careful what you say."
Anna entered the basement room and was surprised to see a surprisingly comfortable bed. For some reason, the quality of the bed was as good as the one used in the Grand Duke's residence.
'Is it because witches like fluffy? I heard from Alice that the bed was not good during the Demon War, but the food didn't improve at all, but the bed developed very quickly.'
The guest rooms look like dungeons.
After enjoying the coziness for a while, Anna went up to the kitchen to study the recipe.
***
Half a month later, Anna created a taste similar to human food with demonic ingredients. Thanks to this, the demons flocked to the store like crazy.
This news also reached Halpas' ears.
Sunny morning, the Royal Palace of the Demon Realm.
Halpas was taken back when he saw the food on the table.
"Is this really the food of the demon world? Isn't it human food?"
"Yes, it is said to be food made with ingredients that can only be found in the demon world."
"Oh..."
Halpas stared seriously at the bright red stew. When he picked up the spoon and stirred it a little, the fragrant and sour smell whetted his appetite.
"The food of the demon world is not as good as the dog food of the human world, so who made this? It's nothing short of miraculous."
"Not long ago, there were humans who came over from the human world. It is said that one of them was developing a recipe in Aria's restaurant."
"Oh, was it made by the kid Offensia said?"
Halpas, who laughed, ate the stew. After taking a bite, Halpas' eyes flashed.
"...!"
"Halpas? Why?"
"It's delicious."
"...Is that so?"
"Very delicious"
Halpas put down the cumbersome spoon and began to drink the bowl of stew. He emptied the bowl and tasted it regretfully.
"It's delicious and filling. I thought I wouldn't be full if we cooked it the human way."
"I was also curious about that."
"I'm going to Aria's restaurant right away. I'll have to meet the little guy who made the recipe."
With his huge wings, he flew up and headed for the shopping street. It was full of demons who had come to taste Anna's food.
The eyes of the demons who tasted the new delicacy were stained with madness.
They were gluttonizing their fangs as if they were coveting human souls.
On that subject, they stood in line, keeping order. If you tried to cut in line, your limbs would be torn off.
When Halpas appeared, the demons bowed their heads and cleared the way. Folding his wings, Halpas opened the small wooden door with his huge hand and entered the dining room.
Anna, who was busy running around the hall, found Halpas and smiled meaningfully.
"Welcome... You're here, Halpas."
"I heard from Offensia. Are you Gremory's maid?"
"Yes. I was waiting for you to come."
Halpas chuckled at the little human kid who didn't even come to his waist.
"I heard that there was an uproar in the human world. Humans have learned about the existence of the demon world, right?"
"Yes, that's why I want to offer you a contract."
"Yes, I understand your intentions. You're going to pass on the recipe to the demon world, so you're asking us to behave well so that Gremory doesn't get hit, right?"
"Yes!"
"Yes. Let's find a way to get along with the human world."
Halpas smiled happily and stroked Anna's head. Having achieved her goal, Anna smiled proudly
'Your Highness! Miss Moril, I did it!'
***
Severian climbed into the carriage, drenched in a cold sweat. The swift enchanted carriage sped toward the Kendren area.
"Damn, what the hell is going on?"
His hands and feet trembled. If the existence of the demon world is discovered, it will be over. Aside from Chession's situation, it was obvious that he would be in danger for summoning Offensia.
'Can we just close the mouths of those who have seen the demon world? No, as long as the rift that leads to the demon world continues to exist, I don't think that will be possible.'
There was a person who was trembling with him. It was Duke Ortega who followed him in a hurry.
"Your Highness, wouldn't it be better to find a way to get rid of the crack?"
"You idiot, how do you get rid of the unknown crack?"
"That crack must be the 'gate of nature' known since ancient times. It is said that the gaps that often connect to other dimensions are very rare and natural."
"So what is it? If the crack is a door to nature, is there any way to get rid of it?"
"No. Your Highness, do you know anything about the gate of nature?"
"...You pretended to know everything, but in the end, that's all you knew."
"I beg you."
Either way, the carriage moved quickly until they arrived at their destination. They did not come up with appropriate countermeasures, and in the end, they had no choice but to resort to primitive methods.
"I have no choice but to give a lot of money to those who come back alive from the rift and silence them."
"Or let's just deal with it quietly."
"That would be neater."
"Let's say that after poisoning them, they died from an unknown plague in the crack."
"Then no one will be able to get into the crack."
"My head is spinning quite a bit."
However, even the methods he had devised at best could not be used. By the time the carriage arrived at its destination, the Marquis Craig's Knights had already surrounded the rift thoroughly. To protect the personal safety of people coming out of the cracks.
And the area was full of civilians who came to watch.
'Damn, there are so many witnesses.'
That's why he can't even talk to those who came back alive from the rift.
"Hey, Duke Ortega:"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"It seems that there is only one way left."
"What is it?"
"Pray that no one will come back from the rift."
"I'm good at praying."
Duke Ortega, who was sitting on the dirt floor, began to recite the Weekly Prayer with his eyes tightly closed.
And then.
"Uh! What do you see in the cracks!"
"The people are back!"
The humans who had entered the rift returned safely.
"Ugh."
Duke Ortega was stunned. Severian shook his head and denied reality.
By the way.
Isn't some kind of big demon following behind the group of humans?
"Ugh! What is that!"
"Oh my God! Did you come here to find solid evidence of the existence of the demon world and bring in a real demon?"
"We're all dead! I'm going to die!"
Those who saw the dark-skinned demon were frightened and ran away. Even the knights drew their swords and slipped back.
After tasting the scent of horror that he had smelled for the first time in a long time, the demon looked at the frightened humans. His yellow eyes pressed into Severian, and his pupils narrowed vertically like a cat.
"Blonde hair and blue eyes. Is that the Crown Prince?"
"That's right."
Severian's voice trembled with despair
"I wish you could sign a contract with me."
"Wh, what kind of contract?"
"I want to eat all the delicious things in the human world. So..."
Halpas regained his appetite and skimmed through the remaining knights. Now the knights have abandoned their swords and fled. Some of them collapsed due to loss of power in their legs.
Halpas didn't understand their reaction. He asked Anna, who was standing next to him.
"Is it so scary to ask for a recipe?"
Anna, who was resigning, just smiled.
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