Aleks was surprised to see an actual demon, as he had only known of their existence but never seen one before. He was even more shocked to see the demon clinging to Cain while half-crying. Seeing Cain trying to calm him down, Aleks sensed that there was a complicated situation and, after being introduced, greeted Seto and then left the office, saying he had work to do at the magistrate's office.
"So, what's going on all of a sudden?"
Not understanding what had happened at all, Aleks asked Seto to explain.
"---I was caught cheating by my wife and was kicked out of the Demon King's Castle..."
"..."
Cain was speechless. Dalmecia, who was standing behind him, sighed.
"Didn't I tell you so many times when I was serving you that it was no good? Lady Refane is very strict about cheating, I told you that over and over and over again."
Dalmecia knew about Seto's wife.
She was apparently a jealous type and very strict about cheating.
"Back when you were around, you would have stopped me. Now there's no one to lecture me, so I couldn't help myself..."
While his wife was away in another town, Seto had gotten involved with a town girl, and the familiar he had assigned to Seto had reported everything to his wife, Refane. When Refane returned to the castle, Seto was interrogated and confessed, and was then kicked off the castle terrace. She had come after him with such ferocity that he had fled and teleported here, a place he knew because he had been summoned to this town before.
"Seto... you brought this on yourself."
Cain sighed and then coldly dismissed him.
"That's not fair..."
Seto slumped in the sofa, his shoulders drooping.
According to Dalmecia's explanation, in the demon world, monogamy was the norm, unlike in the Esfort Kingdom, where polygamy was practiced. Moreover, Seto's wife, Refane, was the daughter of a powerful noble family in the demon world and was particularly strict about cheating, often scolding Seto.
"Don't say such cold things! You have three fiancées yourself! I just want to take a break once in a while!"
"Ugh..."
It was true that, although legally permissible in this country and decided by the king's policy, Cain had three fiancées. This made it difficult for Cain to argue strongly against Seto.
"---Alright. You can stay in this mansion for a while. But don't go outside. If it's known that a demon is walking around this town, there will be a big commotion."
At Cain's words, Seto's eyes lit up, and he clasped Cain's hand in gratitude.
"Lord Cain! Thank you! Let me stay in this mansion for a while. I can use the transformation spell to look like a human. I'll be fine in this mansion."
Seto stood up and chanted a spell, his body enveloped in light. When the light faded, a man with Seto's face but without horns and with red hair stood there.
Seeing this, Cain continued the conversation.
"In that form, no one will be surprised. Stay like that while you're in this mansion. By the way, there's such a spell? Dalmecia, can you do it too?"
Dalmecia nodded silently.
"Yes, I always use the transformation spell to look like this. Should I release the spell?"
At Dalmecia's words, Cain imagined a "worm user" in his mind. Shaking his head to dispel the image, he asked Dalmecia to stay as she was.
"Understood. Although it's a shame, I'll stay like this."
"Still, Seto, you can stay for a few days, but you have to go back to your castle eventually."
At Cain's words, Seto reluctantly nodded.
"In that case, I will go to the demon world and explain. I can go directly to the castle, so I can meet Lady Refane."
At Dalmecia's suggestion, Cain nodded.
"That's true. It would be a big problem if the king suddenly went missing. Dalmecia, can you let her know that Seto is here?"
At Cain's words, Dalmecia straightened her posture, bowed, and disappeared into a black vortex that emerged from the ground.
With only Seto and Cain left, Cain asked Seto about his country.
The demon world was located on an island about a week's boat ride south of the Grunyud continent, where the Esfort Kingdom was located. The population was about two million, and they all had strong magical abilities and the blessing of the magic god.
While listening, Cain thought of the face of the magic god Renu.
The island was known for fishing, but they also practiced agriculture inland, and their civilization was quite developed, not much different from this country.
The demon world also had a noble system, with the upper, middle, and lower classes of demons. The upper-class demons, who were nobles, ran the country, the middle-class demons were mostly bureaucrats, and the lower-class demons supported the country as citizens.
Seto's wife, Refine, was the daughter of a baron from the upper-class demons. She was so beautiful that Seto fell in love at first sight and proposed to her, and they got married.
However, he didn't know her personality until after they were married, and he had been living under her thumb ever since.
"Lord Cain, please come and visit sometime. We will welcome you."
"Sure, I'd like to visit."
At Seto's words, Cain nodded. They continued to talk about the demon world.
Suddenly, a black vortex appeared in the room. Thinking it was Dalmecia returning, Cain approached her.
However, the one who emerged was Dalmecia, covered in wounds, her left arm missing from the shoulder, and barely alive.
Cain was shocked and immediately approached Dalmecia.
'Extra Heal'
As Cain cast the spell, Dalmecia was enveloped in light. When the light faded, Dalmecia was back to normal, though her butler's uniform was tattered.
Lifting her up, Dalmecia, though dazed, began to speak.
"Lord Cain, I'm sorry. Thank you. Lord Seto, I'm sorry... I couldn't convince her with my explanation."
With those words, Dalmecia lost consciousness.
"..."
Seeing Dalmecia's state, Seto was trembling.
At that moment, another black vortex appeared.
A beautiful woman in a red dress emerged. Her hair was red and reached her waist, and her face was so beautiful that she could be called a beauty. Two horns protruded from her forehead, and the red dress she wore had a low neckline, revealing a figure that was too beautiful to look away from.
Seeing her, Seto's face turned pale.
The woman began to speak.
"Oh, there you are. Did you not understand that you were causing trouble for others when Dalmecia came to explain?"
The woman looked down at Seto with cold eyes.
"N-no... Lord Cain is not causing any trouble..."
Seto, pale and sweating, replied.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Refane von Dalshtein, Seto's wife. We are always grateful for your kindness to my husband."
She elegantly picked up the ends of her dress and bowed politely.
Cain also stood up and greeted Refane. He felt that he shouldn't go against the aura emanating from this woman.
"Nice to meet you, I am Cain von Silford Drinter. I've heard many stories about the demon world from Lord Seto. Please, have a seat."
He offered her the seat next to Seto.
"Lord Cain, thank you. I will take the liberty."
Refane sat down gracefully. Dalmecia, who had regained consciousness, moved behind Cain.
"Lord Cain, I will prepare the tea. I also need to change, so I will be excused for a moment."
Dalmecia, who seemed a bit flustered, left the room.
Cain, Seto, and Refane were left in the office.
"Lord Cain, I believe you have heard the situation from my husband. What do you think as a man?"
Refane looked straight at Cain with her bright red, slanted eyes.
Cain instinctively felt that he shouldn't go against her. Seto, looking at Cain with pleading eyes, was immediately condemned.
"I've heard that the demon world practices monogamy. Moreover, to have a wife as beautiful as you and still be interested in other women is unacceptable."
"..."
At that moment, Seto's eyes welled up with tears, and Refane looked pleased.
"Oh, Lord Cain, I agree. You are so eloquent, calling me a beauty."
Refane covered her mouth with a fan she had taken from her chest. It seemed that women were happy to be complimented on their appearance.
The door was knocked on, and Dalmecia entered with a cart carrying tea and cups.
She had changed into a new butler's uniform and began to prepare the tea.
"Please, let me serve you."
Dalmecia placed the tea in front of each of them and then stood behind Cain.
Refane took a sip of the tea and smiled.
"Indeed, the tea made by Dalmecia is delicious. I still regret that she retired."
"I am now in service to Lord Cain."
Dalmecia bowed.
They chatted for a while, and then Seto and Refane decided to leave.
Feeling sorry for Seto, Cain told him he could visit anytime.
Refane agreed, and Seto looked happy.
"Then, Lord Cain, have a good day. Let's go, Seto."
"Lord Cain, I'll come again!"
Refane grabbed Seto's ear and they both disappeared into a black vortex.
Cain sighed and sat down on the sofa.
"Dalmecia, there are people you can't go against..."