"Why else would I have taken him?"
The words of the Demon Lord hung in the air.
Why indeed?
According to Father Alastair, the Green Mage was always a cranky old man. It wasn't traveling back in time that changed him. He'd refuse to teach both rich and poor, regardless of potential.
Even during his time as Kasserlane's official court mage, he had only taken three acolytes.
And those were for political reasons.
None of them became full-fledged sorcerers, but two of his apprentices still made it big.
One started as a meager baron but became the duke of the west.
Another turned out to be a famed general who died only a few years ago.
Konrad found no further mention of the third man beyond his studies.
But he had looked into things in the Church archives after Otto left. And thinking back now, he was way too naive to believe the Green Mage would have made an exception for him.
Because some peddlers called him the Prodigy of Haiten?
Hah. He had no gold or connections to convince a man of such caliber.
And even if he had already outdone both that general and the other duke since—
Yeah, why would he have taken a talentless, unknown bastard like Zoltan?
"I was the greatest mage of all Kasserlane," Maou claimed, chest out. "I had all the riches and influence of the world. Why would I have wasted my potential teaching?"
Exactly. That's what he wanted to know, too.
"Yeah, yeah," Lily waved him off. "So, how d'you know that Zoltan's a reincarnate?"
Midori-kun blinked.
"What do you mean, how?" he repeated, scowling. "Because Lucifer told me to teach him."
"That doesn't mean anything," Konrad pointed out, too. "If I have learned anything about Lu, it's that he loves to make us suffer. It could have been a prank or a chore to annoy you."
Which sounded harsh on Zoltan, but yeah. What else?
"By the spirits, boy, I hate how logical that sounds," Maou Midori admitted, scratching his temple as well. "But no. I can assure you, he's as much a reincarnate as you and I."
He sounded confident, but—
"How'd you know?" Konrad repeated. "When you said even he's unaware of it."
The Demon Lord shrugged, but someone cleared his throat.
A blonde kid, fidgeting by his side.
"Ah, um," Soap mumbled. "I should point out that we're somewhat of an outlier. You and me. Roach here has reincarnated without his past life's memories, too."
The red-eyed thug grunted in agreement.
"Aye. The Master only revealed them to me while I was wasting away in prison."
Why didn't the fact that he'd spent time in jail surprise him?!
"In my case," Maou joined. "I could do many things on the first try, thinking I was a kind of genius. But that was my past life experience in action. When Lucifer let the truth slip—"
"You'd research how to break free and fight against us," Gabby finished it for him.
Yeah, that wasn't much of a surprise, either.
But Konrad kept both his past experiences and his memories, too.
Or, at least what Lucifer let him keep.
He still didn't know his old name, and was unaware of the angel's true goal until—
"I remember everything," Soap claimed unprompted. "As a matter of fact, I've left Kasserlane with some unfinished business. Now that I'm back, if Count Rolalt is still alive—"
"The old man?" Konrad asked, raising an eyebrow. "Had he done something to you?"
He was one cranky noble, but had a good heart.
The little blonde shook his head.
"It's a personal matter," was all he said, leaving him hanging.
Huh.
His first thought was how ridiculous it would have been if the child had some ancient vendetta. The second was that it would cause trouble if he were as strong as Gabrielle said earlier.
And the third?
Lily must have been reading his mind as usual, chuckling to herself.
"Anyway," Konrad took a deep breath, trying to get back on track. "Where's Zoltan now?"
Eyna stepped forward, bowing her head.
"He's at the orphanage, Master," she stated. "Father Alastair couldn't have handled the hundreds of rescued child slaves without him. He's always a great help."
"He is?" Konrad blinked.
Were they talking about the same person? Zoltan Sudberg, the scamster illusionist?
Ah, but he did take the villagers of Ejtyangard into his care, too.
Yeah, he was being unfair to his former mentor.
"Yes. I'm sure you'll find him there," Eyna bowed again, prim and proper.
But all that time, her pinky has been brushing his hand, eliciting a glance from Lily.
Right. His haremettes have been acting strange lately.
And he used to complain that they were all annoyance and no, well, um—
Action.
Lily chuckled, bumping against him.
Damned mind readers.
"The other question," Konrad said, desperate to stay on track. "Gabby said we'll need six or seven of, well, us to, um, you know. Do your thing. But only if we're strong. And Zoltan—"
"He's tougher than he looks," the little ginger claimed, shifting her weight.
It was subtle, but she managed to block Eyna's hand and take her place.
Konrad shuddered.
He would rather have fought endless battles than face this girl's jealousy.
Even against impossible odds, aching back or not.
That's what he got used to. But this new feeling scared him.
Konrad had no experience with women, in either of his lives. A short time dating Lily before all his life went to shit, and now he was catching desperate glances from Eyna.
No, scratch that.
There was something else going on, too. Something much worse.
The Demon Lord.
From the moment the dark-skinned girl spoke, Maou wouldn't even blink to stare.
Forget those two competing for his attention.
The flames of his own jealousy were burning him from the inside out.
And all the old-young mage did was look.
'Well,' a familiar voice echoed in his mind, and his gaze shifted to Gabrielle smirking in the corner. 'I did create Eyna with only one goal in mind. To distract the Demon Lord.'
Crap. Was he starting to become senile?
How could he forget something like that?
'And she's doing great,' Lily joined, uninvited. 'Too great, if you ask me. She also managed to distract my Konny boy lately.' Frustration was evident in her thoughts.
And wasn't she the one pushing for this whole damn harem thing?
'Hmpf, get used to it,' the little ginger pouted. He knew without looking at her. 'We have the right to change our minds at the drop of a hat. And now, I see that Eyna is too good for you.'
'Ouch. How can you say that to someone you love?'
'I didn't say anything,' the demoness smiled, rubbing against his arm. 'Tis but a thought.'
Ugh. Well, not that she was wrong.
What would he have done without this purple-eyed beauty?
Konrad might've saved her in the dungeon, but ever since—
"So," Lily cleared her throat while grabbing his arm. Grabbing? Almost crushing it. "To the orphanage we go, right? Let's get this show on the road so we can have a little fun later."
Yeah. She was jealous.
But if competition made her this eager—
Konrad would either have a great time or die by her hands today.
And at this point, either was fine.