Liliath’s Evolution Quest:

End the war between the empire and Demon Lord.

===

It remains a mystery what ‘evolution’ means.

“This is it. Are you ready?”

“So you’re saying we can reach the Elven Territory by stepping through this door?”

“We’ll have to step, and out,” Rin explained to Gina.

“I find it hard to believe a skill like this exists,” said Ruff.

“Let’s go Noel,” Liliath tightened her grip around mine.

Unfortunately, Her Highness Siesat couldn’t make it this time around. She’s on a date with well.. you know. 

Anyways, we stepped into the apartment.

While Ruff and Gina went to explore the space out of curiosity, I called Nine.

‘How are things on your side?’

‘Jiwon is already here, now there’s just Javiel-san. Do I bring the door forth?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’ll try my best to hold him down if he tries something, Noel, be careful.’

I and Liliath stood facing the door.

So behind this is a demon lord killing machine huh?

Everyone in the apartment is a demon lord.
I have no idea how I would feel if I were the revenge-crazed Jiwon. To see your prey, five of them at once.
“Ruff-san, Gina-san, get ready.”

“Rin, stay close.”

“O-Okay.”

Liliath prepared a shield around us.

Taking a deep breath, I reached the handle and.. gently pushed it open.

Huh. That’s surprising, there’s no one here.

I peeked out the door.

It’s an empty hall with the familiar drink bar.

No pixies, no maids.

The map clearly states that they’re close by.

I made it outside with everyone and shut the door.

“What’s going on?”

“I sense magic Noel.”

“Where?”

There’s literally nothing here. Not even the elf barista that should be present was seen.

“What’s going on? Where is this?” Ruff was 

“I feel a tinge of bloodlust coming from..”

“Boo!”

“What the hell!?”

“Okay, you almost got us,” I said.

“Hehe,” Nine was wearing a resplendent black dress.. which didn’t suit her at all.

It was only then did Moirae-sama’s illusion fall apart. Familiar faces showed up.

“Greetings Noel-sama. I apologize for the scare. It was Nine-sama’s intention,” Jil, the fairy maid, apologized.

“I’m sorry for putting up with Nine-sama’s request. Cre– Noel-sama, I give you my greetings,” Moirae was about to kneel.

“Moirae-san, don’t,” Laura slapped her back to stop her.

“...”

They gave each other a silent stare.

“It’s alright. Glad to see that things are well here.”
“Hey.. that’s him, isn’t it?” Gina narrowed her eyes.

The Regressor, Jiwon, was sitting on the stool, playing with his cocktail as if looking disinterested. 

“It’s been a while Prune!”

“Same here, good to see you again Rin.”

The two girls greeted each other.

“Welcome back, Noel-san.”

“Noel-sama, I thank you for everything so far. I believe my sister is in good health?”
“Who’s that?”

Then we have Takata,Her Highness Alytia, and Aoki.

“The name is Ruff.”

“I’m Gina of the Ausi house, pleased to meet you all.”

“It’s been a while, Noel-sama.”

“Good to see you are well,”

“Thank you for coming back!”

And then Miss Margrett, Sid and Jennifer-chan. Is it alright for them to participate in this too? It might become a little graphic, if anything.
“I’m only here to hear you out, don’t expect much,” finally, the Regressor. He looked pretty beat.

“Alright. Thank you for being part of this.”
“Just so we’re in the clear. I still want to kill every single one of you.”
“Oppa..”
“Jiwon-san.”
But because you don’t want to see your two wives become sad so you’ll bear it and listen. I understand you too, somewhat.
“Are we missing anyone?” Nine asked.

“Besdies’s Javiel’s group, everyone is present.”

“When will they be coming?”

“Around 10. So there’s some leeway for Rin and the Regressor to reconcile first.”

“Calling a party just to express forgiveness? You people sure have the weirdest ideas,” The Regressor scrambled his hair and stood up. He turned to Rin, the intensity in his gaze made her freeze.

He came forward.

Liliath stood in between them.

The bloodlust between the two made the air run cold. Cold gazes directed at each party.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
At his words, Liliath’s expression crumbled. 

“I didn’t know you were taken as a tool. I was ignorant, unaware.”

“You..”

“The you of my previous life.”

“I-I see..”

“I hope you’ll forgive me for that.”

“I-I’ll forgive you too!” Rin said all of a sudden.
“I’m sorry.”

“D-Don’t be..”
“Um..” Gina blinked a few times.
“What’s going on?” Ruff asked.

“I’m.. not too sure either.”
It’s as Jiwon said. This is truly an odd gathering. Gathering just to forgive one another for their faults. It’s so awkward, nobody dared to speak.

“This useless conciliation aside, I came here for his head,” Jiwon said. “I’ll spare the rest of you.”

“What the.. how dare you..!” Ruff was about to explode when.
“Deal.”

Liliath said those words.

Which.. took me off guard.

“I’ll forgive him. And once that’s done, you get to do whatever you want..”

“I will.”
“You.. you brought me here to watch his execution?”
“Calm down Ruff-kun, it might not..”

“Hey, tell me the truth, why the hell I’m I here? You said you wanted to forgive him didn’t you?”
“I have no interest in killing him,” Liliath glared at Ruff with her icy gaze, “Persuade the correct person.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m giving you a chance to live, don’t do anything stupid, Ruff,” the Regressor went back to his his seat and cocktail.
“You..”

Ruff seethed.

The mood of the hall had just turned itself on its head.

I closed my eyes and sighed through my nose.

There’s no way tonight was going to pass simply. 

===

“And who may you be?”

“Nm!”
Javiel who sat on the bed side looked down at the person wigglin on the floor, desperate to break the strong bond which held her together. Her mouth was gagged, eyes expressed anger and slight anticipation.

In normal cases, she should’ve been able to break the string as she herself was an Irregular. However, this rope was a magic tool which had been modified. It wasn’t something a person can escape easily.

“We’ve made a blunder, Lord Javiel,” Locket knelt to the ground, announcing so with a pained expression.

“Were you aware of this when you found him?”

“I’m sorry onii-san, I-I didn’t know..” Iona’s face was pale.

“He did help us with a lot of the errands didn’t he?” Shea muttered otherwise.

Javiel contemplated his next decision.
“Remove her gag and let her talk.”

“Aiy, ai Javiel-kun,” Shea bounced over and untied the gag.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been tied like this,” the Irregular’s cute voice echoed.

“You don’t seem anxious.”

“That depends..” drawled the girl.
“What is your aim?”

“My aim? Collecting information, I guess.”
“And what do you plan to do with that information?”

“Pass it on to Noel?”
Noel? Javiel thought for a few moments. Who was Noel? Oh yes, it’s that guy with his toy. The omnipotent Irregular which had Unique Skills that rivaled his own.

The God of War, Ares had warned Javiel not to be too hasty around the person. It was dangerous.

Something, someone that could endanger his life even when he’s reached the pinnacle of power, Javiel couldn’t help but be curious who this person was.

Moreover, like him, Noel was a demon lord too.

“O-Onii-san. Maybe you would want to kill her after you’re finished with her?” Iona made such an unreasonable request.

“Why would I? Are you scared of something? Iona-chan?” Javiel looked at her little sister with eyes of suspicion.
“N-No! I-I just thought maybe it would be nice if you don’t expand things further than.. I said nothing!”

Javiel cocked his head in confusion.

“This is dumb,” said the Irregular, now having given up on escaping.

“Well said, well said,” nodded Shea.

“I’ll have you drink double the dosage if you say anymore!”

“No!!” Shea screamed.

Javiel got up from the bed and squatted down. He propper her chin up to face him.

“So, what information have you passed over to Noel-san?”

“About your wives. And possibility that you’re actually not as bad of a person as we thought you were.”

“Oh?”

“Yes?”

The Irregular looked at the demon suspiciously.

The anger and fear previously was all an act. Javiel found this little girl quite interesting.

“What Unique Skills do you possess?”

“You have lie detection right?”

“Appraisal, that’s a rare one.”
“I-I have it too, my Lord!” said Locket.

“Shut it, I wasn’t talking to you.”

The dark elf squirmed.

“What’s your relationship with this Noel person?”
“A friend, basically.”

“Iona-chan, have you finished the new formula?”
“F-Formula?” Iona, who with one hand was holding a dozen pills, and the other hand forcing Shea’s mouth open, turned to Javiel with a frightened expression.

“You said that you were planning to create a type which can work for both genders, didn’t you.”
“It’s here, Lord Javiel.”

“L-Locket-san?!!”
“I see. Good work.”

“Yes master.”

The Irregular grimaced. Again, she would have to drink the Nine Tails fur.

“The choice is simple,” Javiel started, shaking the Vial in front of her, “Either I kill you here, or you take this. I’m sure you’re already aware of the effects of this potion. So, which is it?”

“Say kill yourself!” Shouted Iona. Her fears were coming true alas. She shouldn’t have used those tarot cards.

“Prune would be sadden by the loss of a friend.. become my slave instead!” Shea was thinking of all sorts of methods she could use this Irregular to drag Prune further into the rabbit hole.

“Master has given you a choice, don’t make him wait,” Locket pressed the Irregular to decide.
“I’ll take it, fine.. gf?!” 

Javiel shoved the tube into her mouth, forcing the potion down.

The Irregular coughed a few times, some of the liquid dripping from the side of her mouth.

Instead of complaining, the Irregular, with her last shred of self asked. “Could you promise me one selfish demand?”

“Speak.”

“We’re hosting a meet up, and you’re invited so..”
“And we are to join.”

To that, the Irregular nodded.

“You’re obliged to protect us with your life if anything should happen. That’s the condition.”
“Yes. I understand.. master.”