Cornflower

Cornflower

  "In turn, let me properly introduce myself."

  Sinensis finally takes his feet off the table and stands up. He's wearing perfectly-tailored Victorian noble cosplay. I almost believe he's been parading around as lord of this manor.

  "Kagami Nakamatsu, nineteen, Demon Lord." He laughs bitterly. "I was sixteen when I was summoned here by the famous mages of Camellia. I never had the chance to graduate high school or go to college. Instead, I was thrown into the peoples' war against the former Demon Lord."

  How much of this bullshit does he believe and how much is a perfectly-crafted eighth-grade delusion?

  "I was the fifth hero. All of the others had died. Nobody had high hopes for me. But they gave me a magic sword and some basic training, and I surprised all of them by taking him down. The mages were forced to admit they thought the Demon King would have a portal home to our world, or that they thought I'd want to rule some duchy as a titled noble for the rest of my life."

  Kagami paces across the room. He's getting agitated like a common crook about to be busted. I can probably use this to my advantage.

  "I found out that the Demon Lord was getting his power from a magic stone and took it for myself. It turns out, if you have it, lesser demons don't question your authority. That, coupled with what I knew from living in a modern world, gave me the leverage I needed to start reforming the country. Nobody was happy about that, so they started calling me the new Demon Lord."

  "So," I found myself asking, "Why haven't the mages summoned anyone to defeat you?"

  "Oh, they have. But I'm not into guys. I send them away after I defeat them."

  "And you summon girls for... blind dates over tea?"

  "Precisely." He takes a seat again. "The girls from this world are all terrified of me, and even if I found one who wasn't, it's not like she'd have the same upbringing. How do I relate to someone who's never used a smartphone? Who's never been stuck on a crowded train?"

  "I'm sure you'd figure something out. Now, where do you send them? To the same place as the girls?"

  "I give them all a small living wage and send them off to town. Nice and simple. They rarely come back for more."

  "You're surprisingly honest for a kidnapper. If you set them free, how come they've never returned home?"

  "The summoning spell only works one way," Kagami repeats, losing his cool. "You're not going to trip me up or catch me in some kind of lie. It's real. You saw Lavender. They're a bonafide demon. You've seen me use magic twice already, and I'll use it as many times as it takes to convince you that you're not dreaming or hallucinating."

  He holds up a finger to his lips like he's telling a secret, then blows on it, producing a blue flame that dances at its tip. He flings it across the room, where it hovers over my teacup, illuminating the liquid inside. When he snaps, it disappears.

  I'm about ready to accept that this is another world, but like hell I'm going to let him know that. I refuse to believe that the spell was a one-way door. There has to be something that someone isn't seeing. Lost in thought, I barely notice when he starts speaking again.

  "Now, would you like to get to know each other a little better, Chiba?"

  "I know you about as well as I'll ever want to," I answer stubbornly.

  "At least don't let your tea get cold. I can't stand to see it go to waste." Kagami sighs. "I had hoped this time would be different, but I'm starting to lose faith. Nobody from our world has any ambition."

  "I have plenty of ambition. To become a cop and haul your *** off to jail."

  "Cool it with that justice boner. You're worse than the NEET I summoned. She was a total babe, but a nerd through and through."

  "Don't talk about girls like they're pieces of meat."

  "Whatever."

  "Don't you whatever me. Apologize."

  He waves a hand in front of his face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Now, will you drink up already?"

  "How do I know it's not poisoned? How do I know you haven't snuck a love potion in it?"

  "And ruin a perfectly good cup of tea? Come now, you have to expect better of someone in my position. If I wanted to drug you or keep you here by force, I could have cast any number of spells while you were unconscious and recovering from the summoning." He leers. Gross. "I could have had Lavender bring you here in restraints."

  "Point taken." I frown. "Send me to the other girls, then, Demon Lord."

  "I think I could really come to like you. Are you sure?"

  "Positive. And I'd like my old clothes back, too."

  "But you look so good in—"

  "Nakamatsu."

  He freezes. Maybe he's not used to people calling him by name. Maybe he forgot he came clean about it already.

  "Forget my name," he says in a deeper voice than he's been using. "If you'll treat me as the Demon Lord Sinensis, then that is who I will be to you."

  "Sinensis," I repeat. "Suits you just fine. You're no more the human kid who was summoned here than I'm the type to give up."

  He rings a bell and, within moments, there's a knock at the door.

  "Enter."

  Lavender comes in. "My lord."

  "Take her back."

  "Another disappointment?"

  "Do not presume to know anything, Lavender. Simply obey me and take her back."

  "Apologies, my lord." Lavender extends a hand to me, clearly displeased. "My lady, if you will."

  I kick myself out of the chair, cross the room, and take that icy hand. Demon or not, at least they're treating me with respect.

  "When we meet again, I'll have a sword to your throat and a gateway to Earth prepared." I can't resist a final jab at the so-called Demon Lord. "I won't forgive you so easily, Sinensis."

  He smiles wryly. "You can try, Chiba."

  And with that, I'm being led to the room with my old clothes. I'm given the privacy to change back and, when I'm done, a new demon arrives at the door. This one has blue skin, pale as frostbite, and pointed ears. She's wearing a traditional maid uniform.

  "I'll escort you to the carriage," she says in a voice so quiet I almost don't hear her. "It will take you to town, where you will fend for yourself."

  "Thank you."

  She doesn't take my hand, but simply turns on a dime, heels clicking against the floor, and instructs, "Follow me."

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