Conquering The Novel

We were now in Zargoth's room, with Irethiel seated on the Throne and me standing beside her.

"Have all the demons gathered yet?" As she reclined casually on the throne, Irethiel enquired of the demon Samael.

"N-No, they're still arriving, but I suppose everyone will be here in a few minutes," said the demon Samael, gently bowing.

"All right, you may leave now and notify me when everyone has gathered," she said, shooing him away with a hand gesture.

"I'll do as the lady wishes!" The demon answered this while bowing and departing the room with his head down.

"...It appears they will be assembled in a few minutes; can you now tell me how you want to deal with them?" Irethiel inquired.

"Hmm, let me make a call to Aegis first!" I remarked as I walked over to the chair next to Irethiel and sat on it.

"...."

Ring! Ring! (Phone Ringing!)

Tic!—

[Hey Aegis, how are you doing?] As soon as she picked up the phone, I greeted her.

[I'm doing fine. What made you call me so early in the morning?] she asked.

[Oh, were you sleeping? Did I wake you up?] I asked in a tone as if I was feeling guilty.

[...No, I was awake watching over Mika's training. Her training is getting more intense every day, so I have to be there to treat her when she needs it.] Aegis explained.

She paused for a moment before asking, [Anyway, why did you call? I know it's not just to say thank you or anything. It must be related to potions, right? Do you need more potions?]

"...."

[How delusional can you get? Do you think I'll be grateful to you for giving Silvia some stupid advice? And do you think I'll only contact you whenever I need potions?] In an irritated tone, I inquired.

Cough!—

Aegis ignored my question and asked, [A-Ahem, so was that not the case, huh?

A-And are you in contact with Silvia? I haven't talked to her in a few days. Is she okay? She's not responding to my texts either.]

I knew she was trying to divert the topic, but I chose to give in because I needed her assistance right now.

[...Well, her maid told me that she had to leave in a hurry for an emergency to visit her grandparents and even left her phone behind. That's probably why she's not responding to you.] I responded.

[...Is that so? She mentioned something about her father being after her life, and when I asked if she needed my help, she refused and said she wanted to deal with her problems herself.] Aegis said.

[I did tell her to contact me if she needs any help from me, but I guess she doesn't want to get me involved with the vampires.] I added

After a moment of silence, I continued, [...I think she'll be fine. And by the way, I'm sending you a potion. Can you check if there's anything strange about it?]

[So you indeed called me for work-related reasons, huh? What potion are you referring to?] Aegis asked.

[It's a disguise potion. I just sent it to you.] I said.

Triiing!

[Yeah, it arrived! I'll get back to you after I check it out.] Aegis replied.

[And you should contact Mika. She just finished her training and is free right now. She's always checking her phone waiting for your message or call.] Aegis added with a click of her tongue. [What are you doing not contacting her?]

[...Were you not the one who told me not to contact and disturb her? You said it would distract her, didn't you?] I asked, annoyed.

[O-Oh, do you want to see what she's doing? Haha, it's so amusing.] Aegis said, turning on the video call and showing Mika.

In the video, Mika was walking around in the living area, checking her phone with one hand and biting the nails of her other hand, talking to herself.

"Ahh, why isn't he calling me? Is he disappointed in me because I lost to that bitch? No way, right? He's not like that. Maybe he's too busy preparing for the upcoming tournament! Yeah, that must be it!" she muttered, nodding to herself.

"Should I call him now? No, it's too early in the morning. He might be sleeping..."

[Haha, isn't she acting like a teenager in love?] Aegis said in a hushed tone.

[Why is she thinking so much about giving me a call? She can call me anytime.] I said with a smile.

[I know, right?] Aegis replied, chuckling.

!?

"Hey, Aegis, who are you talking to so early in the morning?" Mika asked as she approached her.

"W-What? N-Nobody. I was just recording a video of myself," Aegis replied, holding her phone down.

"Don't lie to me. I'm pretty sure I heard Ares's voice," Mika said with a suspicious smile.

"No, you're mistaken. It was just some other youngsters' voice from a YTube video," Aegis lied, trying to cover up.

"I don't believe you. That was definitely Ares's voice. Don't you think I'd recognize it?" Mika asked, smiling playfully.

"...."

Meanwhile, I watched the whole scene with an amused smile.

[Hello, Master! How are you doing?] I said, as soon as Mika snatched Aegis's phone.

!?

[Ha! I knew it was your voice, Ares], Mika said, now smiling brightly.

[Ahem, I'm doing well, my disciple. And what about you? Were you training this early in the morning as well?] she asked regaining her composure.

[No, I'm in the kingdom of Kaldor, dealing with some demons,] I replied nonchalantly.

[What? Why are you there? What demons? Are you alone?] Mika asked, firing off a series of questions.

"...."

[Well, technically I am alone. I came here for another reason, but I stumbled upon a demon colony, so I decided to deal with them before continuing with my original mission.] I explained.

[...If you've stumbled upon a demon colony, you should have just notified the Hero Association and let them handle it.

They seem to have nothing better to do these days, so why are you going out of your way to confront them?] Mika asked.

"...Do you really think Ares is the type to interfere in other people's business? I think there was something he needed from them," Aegis interjected in the background.

"...."

[Yes, Aegis is right. I needed something from them, so that's the only reason I decided to confront them.

But now that I have what I need, I'll notify Jessica so she can come and deal with them.] I replied.

[Phew. I was worried for a moment that my disciple wanted to be a hero like those foolish people who put others' lives above their own,] Mika said with a sigh of relief.

[Of course not, I am not like those idiots! You taught me better than that!] I chuckled.

Hearing my response, Mika smiled widely.

[You don't need to contact Jessica. Just send me your location and I'll be there in a few minutes to deal with those damned demons myself.] Mika said firmly.

"...Didn't you just say to let the members of the Hero Association handle it because they seem to have nothing better to do? Why did you change your mind?" Aegis asked with a smirk.

"....."

[Well, I have some free time right now, and...]

"And it's not because you wanted to meet Ares or anything, nor is it because you don't want him to contact Jessica, right?" Aegis added with a smile.

Mika just stared at Aegis with a blank expression.

"W-What? I didn't say anything about you acting like a tsundere from anime," Aegis said quickly.

"...Shut up!" Mika's two words made Aegis close her mouth tightly.

[Did you send me your location?] Mika turned her attention back to the phone and asked with a serious expression.

[...Yeah, I already sent it.] I replied.

Tringg!—

[Why are you sending it to Aegis' phone? Send it to mine. And why are you contacting Aegis most of the time instead of me?] Mika asked with a neutral expression.

[I wanted to contact you, but Aegis told me not to. She said you would be distracted if I did.] I replied.

[So it's Aegis' fault, huh?] Mika asked with a sly smile.

[Yeah, it's all Aegis's fault,] I said while nodding.

"Ehhhhhh?" Aegis exclaimed upon hearing me.

'Sorry Aegis, but I have to sacrifice you for your own good. And there was no lie in what I said, anyway.' I pondered inwardly.

[Okay, Master. You can deal with Aegis. I'm hanging up the phone now and will be waiting for you at the location. Bye.] I stated.

[Okay, I'll be there in a minute after dealing with a certain someone.] Mika said with a smile.

"...."

[...Take care, Aegis.] I said and hung up the phone.

Tic—

"Phew, that would have been scary," I sighed.

"...So this is your plan for dealing with all these demons?" Irethiel asked.

"I was going to notify Jessica if this didn't work, but now that Mika will be here, I have other plans for Jessica," I said as I leaned back in my chair, a grin on my face.

***

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