Chapter 15: Time passes like that…

Two years had passed since that day.

The Demon Realm’s blue moon, a sign of early morning, hung in the sky.

Inside my assigned office, now that I was a Legion Commander…

“Lucifer, the Demon King has summoned you.”

“Is that so?”

My assigned adjutant, Daniel, relayed the message.

My cold, emotionless reply might have seemed rude, but he knew it was my usual demeanor and continued without a flinch.

“He requests your presence in the meeting hall by 4 PM today. He’s summoned all the Legion Commanders.”

“How many did he call?”

“All Legion Commanders, including yourself.”

“So Bathory will be there too.”

I hadn’t seen her since we were separated some time ago.

If all the Legion Commanders were summoned, I would finally see her again.

“I thought the time was near…”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. You’re dismissed.”

Daniel bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

I rested my chin on my hand, sitting in my chair.

“4 PM…”

“Shall I prepare your things?”

“I’ll bathe first. Please prepare my clothes.”

“Understood.”

It was currently 2 PM.

If I started preparing now and left for the Demon King’s castle, I should arrive on time.

I left the room, walking down the long corridor towards the bathroom.

Despite being a Legion Commander, my legion was small, and the vast corridors felt even more desolate, save for the occasional demon servant.

Entering the bathroom, I placed my clothes in the basket and removed my necklace, placing it on the shelf.

After washing myself, I sank into the bath.

“Haa…”

A sigh escaped my lips as a pleasant warmth spread through my body.

This was one of the few moments I could truly relax since becoming a Legion Commander. I leaned back, surrendering to the warmth.

Twenty minutes should be enough.

“Two years…”

Two years had passed since I arrived in the Demon Realm.

I had killed for the first time, grown accustomed to killing, become a Legion Commander, fought on the battlefield, and grown accustomed to battle.

The human I once was had become a weapon of the demons, an enemy of humanity.

“I should get ready.”

I stood up, my wet hair clinging heavily to my back.

It had grown down to my waist, a constant nuisance to dry and manage.

“I’d like to cut it short, but…”

Both Bathory and Lilith had vehemently opposed the idea whenever I brought it up.

Come to think of it, both of them had long hair.

…It might look pretty, but it’s really inconvenient.

I draped my hair over one shoulder and activated a magical tool, warm air flowing out to dry my hair.

Once it was dry, I turned off the tool and faced the mirror.

Aside from a single towel, I was naked.

I had long grown accustomed to my pale, smooth skin and feminine curves.

“Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real.”

My appearance, which still held traces of childishness two years ago, had now fully matured, resembling the Aria from the game’s illustrations.

…Will they grow bigger?

I glanced at my chest in the mirror before shaking my head.

They seemed a bit larger than I remembered, but it wasn’t a problem. After years of adjusting to their weight, it would probably feel strange without them now.

But there was one thing I still couldn’t get used to…

“I don’t like it.”

The emotionless eyes staring back at me from the mirror, devoid of life.

It was unsettling to feel a shiver run down my spine when looking at my own reflection.

“…I should hurry.”

I glanced at the clock. It was past 3 PM.

I had taken longer than I thought.

I left the bathroom and entered the adjacent room, where my clothes, prepared by a servant, were laid out.

A black suit.

Despite its ordinary appearance, each thread was magically reinforced for combat.

I put on a shirt and then the suit over my undergarments.

One difference between me and the original Aria was that she preferred skirts, while I preferred pants.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t wear skirts.

I just disliked the cool air between my legs during combat.

Especially given my fighting style, which relied heavily on physical movements.

I put on a cloak over the suit, then gloves.

Finally, I applied light makeup and put on my ruby necklace.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Let’s depart.”

I headed towards the portal, where Daniel was waiting.

While opening a portal took time, keeping it open consumed a significant amount of magic.

Since my Zeroth Legion rarely traveled, we only opened portals when necessary.

That was why I had allotted two hours for travel.

I stepped into the portal, the space rippling around me.

A moment later, the distortion subsided, and I arrived at the Demon King’s castle.

A demon greeted me.

“Welcome, Lucifer.”

“Have the others arrived?”

“The Demon King and the First Legion Commander haven’t arrived yet. It seems the Third Legion Commander won’t be attending again.”

The First and Third Legion Commanders…

Baal and Buer.

Baal being late wasn’t unusual, but Buer’s absence was a common occurrence.

“Shall I escort you to the meeting hall?”

“Please.”

The demon led the way, and we walked in silence to the meeting hall.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Thank you.”

We stood before a large door, twice the size of any other I had seen, hinting at the importance of the room within.

“Aria.”

As I entered, a familiar voice called my name.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sound of Bathory’s voice after so long.

“It’s been a while, Bathory.”

“Indeed, it has.”

We exchanged greetings.

After I became a Legion Commander, we were separated, as the Demon King couldn’t afford to have two of his strongest commanders in one place.

But necessity didn’t diminish the longing.

I took Bathory’s hand and leaned against her, and she embraced me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Mmm… Haa…”

I buried my face in her shoulder, savoring her familiar scent before looking up.

“How have you been?”

“…Fine.”

Our gazes locked, sticky with affection, longing, and something darker, deeper.

The other Legion Commanders broke the spell.

“Long time no see, Zeroth Legion Commander?”

“It’s been a while, Aria. Did you miss your big sister?”

Mammon and Lilith approached, greeting me.

They were the Fourth and Seventh Legion Commanders, respectively.

“Hug me, Aria!”

“How about a sparring match? It’s been a while.”

Lilith lunged for a hug as usual, while Mammon, ever eager for a fight, challenged me.

But I was ready. A shadow rose from beneath Lilith’s feet, binding her before she could reach me.

“Oof!”

She fell face-first onto the floor, her momentum carrying her forward.

She does the same thing every time… doesn’t she get tired of it?

Despite being a Legion Commander, her behavior was anything but.

Who would look at her and think she was a Legion Commander?

As I pondered this, the door behind me opened, followed by footsteps.

“Has everyone arrived?”

The Demon King entered the meeting hall.

He glanced at Lilith sprawled on the floor before turning to me.

“Release her. Lilith, take your seat.”

“As you wish.”

“Understood~”

The shadow that bound Lilith moved as if alive, sinking back into the floor.

The Demon King watched as Lilith got up and then walked to his seat, crossing his legs casually.

“Let the meeting commence.”