Today, we’ll be going to the open-air market. Reason being, we wanted to have Liliath experience the many facets of this world. And it’s been a while since we went there. The little devil was crying for shaved ice.

In any case, let’s check the shitty quest list for today, shall we?

Welp, the easiest one is to stay within 3 meters of Liliath for 5 hours huh? That’s great.

“These quests do go together with today’s activity,” Liliath said.

“Yeah, sorta..”

Liliath was wearing casual clothes as advised by my mom. A light brown shirt and short black-blue pants that reached her knee. Her hair was tied up with a scrunchy and a pin secured her bangs in place, exposing the side of her face, her beautiful ears and neckline.

Yeah.. I'm a pervert. Can't help it, Liliath is just that beautiful.

“I wonder what kind of place an open air market is,” Liliath pondered.

“You’ll see in time.”

===

“Cute,” Liliath was staring at the small wriggling thing in a basket, her mouth moving as if chewing on something.

Small, fat, white. Dozen upon dozens of them crawling atop one another, their bodies peristalting, expanding and contracting from the head to tail in a very disgusting manner.

Sago worms.

Yes. Live sago worms imported from Malaysia.

Fat and plump, you could almost call them juicy—

Some people eat them raw, even the clerk told us to try a free sample. I don't understand why anyone would, my father and I opted to stay out of the trend. But Liliath insisted so she ate one herself.

SHE FREAKING ATE ONE.

I could still remember the wiggling figure of that pitiful creature in her hands, its beady eyes looking at me, pleading for its life.

Its survival was denied by harsh reality. Liliath tossed it straight into her mouth.

“It has a peculiar taste, though not too bad,” she commented. The clerk looked rather satisfied.

“So, how about it? 2 dollars for 100 grams.”

“I think we’ll pass,” my father said, waving his hands. I could see cold sweat flowing down his neck.

“Y-yeah, thank you very much.”

“It was a great sample, th—”

Before Liliath could finish, I pulled her hand and quickly escaped with my father in tandem.

Jeez.. Liliath sure is Liliath. It scares me to think what Liliath had ever tried in her life.

“Hey Liliath, did the worm really taste good?”

“Opinions may different from person to person, though, I do think it would’ve tasted nicer if it had been sprinkled with some salt.”

“O-okay..”

Right.. Liliath was an otherworlder.. better not mix up her logic with mine… yeah..

We had been split into two groups. My mom and the little devil in one group, father, Liliath and myself in the second. The former is mainly to go shopping while the latter was to bring Liliath around to experience the market.

The open air market, as the name suggests, is a market on in the open field selling raw ingredients and the likes. It is separated into two zones, the main zone which are the stalls inside the market building, and the second zone surrounding the outside of the building where various tents and makeshift vehicle-stall hybrid stores were set up selling various goods.

The sultry summer air drifting through the market, causing sweat to trickle down my eyebrow.

We were walking around the second zone, and if anything, was obviously more populated than the first zone.

Which also translated to a crazy amount of attention because of Liliath.

I turned to Liliath, wondering if she was alright with all the stares.

She turned to me and as if read my mind, asked, “Should I deploy a presence concealing barrier?”

“That would be for the best.. I think..”

“I agree,” my father also voiced his opinion.

“Be sure to maintain a distance of 3 meters of me and pay attention when walking as it makes people unaware, hence the chances of bumping into another individual is high.”

Nodding, the stares slowly faded, and in time, it was as if we didn't exist at all. Store owners that were screaming at the top of their lungs to pitch a sale no longer bat an eye at us. Before this, all of them looked like they were whistling at Liliath, and it was hard to dismiss them.

“Thanks Liliath.”

Wheewh, with this, one problem solved.

I was surprised that Liliath wasn’t sweating despite the heat, weird. Maybe it’s part of her constitution as a demon lord? She doesn’t seem to be affected by temperature change all that much.

“Look, a head. Can I ask for the creature’s name?”

“It’s a deer,” my father replied. “A deer head.”

“Could it be a trophy or heirloom?”

“Definitely not..” I replied so.

“Alchemy material?”

Alchemy? The fuck?

“Nope..”

“Science crafting material?”

“No..”

Okay.. now that’s just weird.

“Why would they sell such a thing here then?”

Sigh.. Liliath.. I should really invest in the skill book ‘Common Sense I’ huh?

Liliath got down on her knees and tilted her head to stare into the eyes of the decapitated deer head. Its horns had been sawed away.

The stall owner with weird eyes didn’t seem to notice us, continuing to stare at the passersby. It was a weird sight in a sense that an old man was ignoring the cute little curious girl right in front of him.

My father made a difficult expression. 

“Liliath is really OP isn't she?”

“Yeah.. honestly..”

Liliath poked the pitiful deer head with her finger a few times before leaving.

She probably took caution when doing that. I remember her asking me about the sign, ‘once broken considered sold’ at one of the stalls. Well— the deer was ‘broken’ anyways.

 Though.. to put it into perspective just how careful Liliath was, she could literally punch a hole into a tin can with a finger.. if she wanted.

And how did I learn of this? Don’t ask..

“Noel, do you remember where that guy who sells tofu is?” my father asked.

“Um.. I think it's somewhere around this area..” 

“Tofu?” Liliath’s expression lit up.

Yeah. Mom’s group was mainly focused on buying actual ‘groceries’ while my group was focused on entertaining Liliath. Pitiful Novelle— not like she had a choice hah!

Anyways, our only item on the list of things to buy is tofu. Since it’s a little further away from all the other necessary items.

And because Liliath recalls tofu as something ‘legendary’.

“So this is how it looks raw— how interesting,” Liliath observed as the large white mass jiggled slightly.

The stall owner whom I recognize gave a warm smile, cutting two blocks and then scooping it into a bag. He passed it to me while my father paid.

Then I saw a small black ‘object’ fall from the sky.

Well.. I already know what it was but thinking about it just gives me nightmares. Anyhow, in short, the tofu stall owner possesses a special TALENT to shoot down a ‘certain’ bug with a single stare.

“Was that..”

“Let’s go,” before Liliath completed her sentence, I dragged her away.

“Could it be that you have acquired a phobia of that insect now?”

“Yeah, sure. I just don't want THAT to happen again,” I rolled my eyes at her.

She giggled. “You already had your share of revenge back then, so we are equal now aren’t we?”

…

She was kinda right, I forced her into cockroach territory to pay for her sins after all.

“Noel, look at this~”

Liliath called out a sweet voice that seemed to echo in my soul...

[56]

Liliath’s index finger was raised into the air and—

“W-what are you trying to do with ‘that’?”

There was a fly, floating just above her finger, as if it was stuck in some sort of ‘air-glue’ because I could see its wings beating furiously, trying to escape some sort of cage. That’s wind magic, right? How in the hell did she catch it?

“Apparently one wasn’t enough..” Liliath, seeing my expression said as if pondering.

“Hey Liliath.. what are you..”

And before I could retort, a large number of flies were in the truest sense— ‘sucked’ over, creating what looked to be a ball of flies.

I felt my stomach churn and blood drain out of my face.

A fucking ball of flies..

“A gift.”

“W-where did you learn that f-from..”

It was literally a BALL OF FLIES, every little one of those disgusting fellows squirming around on top of each other, trying to escape.. What the fuck.. when did Liliath become like this? Had she been corrupted by my father or something?

Liliath giggled again, “My win,” she said, after which the flies were all crushed by gravity, juices and all.. 

What the fuck did I just see..

I almost vomited.. Liliath turned the compressed files into dust rather than disposing it in a state with the liquid and flesh remaining.

What the hell happened to Liliath? Was Liliath always like this? 

“So.. did I miss something?” my father caught up with us and asked.

“I did a little service for the merchants here,” Liliath said if it were no big deal. 

Yeah right.. I’m sure the population of flies could go on a genocide run if Liliath wished for it. It would be the perfect service to the world. No more flies, no more accidentally ingesting flies…

Yay.

Though I am happy Liliath was opening up, I didn’t expect Liliath to do something like this.. this twisted personality of her’s.. it makes my skin crawl.

Drowning in my thoughts, I continued walking without paying much mind and— bumped into someone.

“Sorry?”

“Hm?”

“Huh? Principal?”

“Ah, long time no see,” the first to speak up was the person beside Principal Rachel, it was the secretary at the summoner’s department before.

They were wearing casual clothes, holding bags of goods in their hands.

“I didn't expect to see you here,” Principal Rachel greeted doubtfully.

“Long time no see?”

“Good to meet you once again,” Liliath bowed in a swift manner.

My father raised a puzzled glance at me.

“No way.. so you’re Noel’s father?! Mr. Dylan was it? It’s an honor to meet you!” The secretary’s eyes sparkled.

“Yes, good to meet you..”

“You’re the author of ‘One Time With You’ right?!”

My father flinched at her enthusiastic declaration.

“One time with you? What is that?” My father lied.

Quinn’s face lit up.

Oh yeah.. my father doesn't know Quinn can differentiate between truth and lies does he now? 

“Quinn.”

“I know, I know Rachel, don't overdo it. But the author of that manga is right here you know?! He’s right here!”

“Author of a manga? I don't get what you’re talking about?” my father was sweating bullets.

“I suppose you’re a fan?” I asked. Totally aware of what’s going on. I’m surprised she recognizes my father as the author. I wonder if she’s a stalker?

To be brief, ‘One Time With You’ is the porn manga my dad drew with 17 volumes currently published. Volume 18, which I recently lent to Liliath, was to be announced in a month’s time

Welp, you reap what you sow dad.

“Totally, so have you done it with Liliath yet?”

To Quinn’s question, I stared in blank amazement, Liliath merely smiled.

“I can assure you that I look after my son properly, you can’t expect things like that to happen in real life now can you?” my father joked. Eh.. he’s giving away his stance.

“Fufufu, I see.. so it’s a matter of time huh?”

“We’ll be taking our leave, thank you for your time,” Principal Rachel forcefully dragged Quinn out of the conversation.

Sigh.

Luckily.. the principal was my life line here.. or.. could it be that she’s embarrassed that we found out that she also reads porn? Not surprising right?

In any case, I don’t think it’s a good idea to pursue further into that..

“Wait! WAIT! Noel, one more thing, have you received the registration letter from Mondai High?!”

“Registration letter?”

Mondai High? It’s the name of the school I will be going to after the summer holidays right?

“The school enrollment date is stated in the letter, be sure to check your email!”

And with that, the two left.

Hm.. I hadn't checked my email the past few days. There might be some important things I missed.

Liliath’s concealment barrier wasn’t all that omnipotent… I made a blunder and bumped into them after all..

The air felt stiff somehow.

“Father?”

“Ah? Yeah? I’m fine, don't worry about me, I’m good, I'm good,” he smiled with cold sweat running down his face.

I’m surprised he would be flustered by his fans, especially when he’s literally the person who drew all those indecent scenes in the first place..

“Lil—”

Well, I should've expected this.. Liliath was on the floor, face buried in between her knees. At least she was squatting, not sitting— yo, we’re out in public.

===

Hawker stalls lined the inner marketplace, numerous tables and chairs arranged around.

The squeaky fan was spinning above and here I was, walking around the food hall with Liliath.

“Do you see anything interesting? Anything you want to try?”

“Could this be how taverns work in this world?”

I didn't expect that, “Well, this isn't a tavern so I suppose.. no?”

“If you ask me about what I should try— I think that over there caught my interest,” Liliath signalled me with her eyes, fingers pointing at a stall a distance away.

I followed her and reached a noodle shop that sold noodle soup. The broth was made with red wine.

I wonder if Liliath has an obsession with blood? I still remember her scent smelling like blood— I should forget that..

“One order of this please,” Liliath took initiative to order.

The owner who noticed her asked for the table number.

“It’s 33,'' I answered, seeing Liliath’s puzzled gaze. She probably didn't pay attention to the table number.

“Alright, it’ll come shortly,” it’s obvious the stall operator took notice of Liliath’s hair.

“Do we not pay first?”

“Well, we’ll pay once they bring the food over to our table.”

“Is that so? So that’s how it works..” Liliath muttered.

Returning to our table, the bags containing vegetables and meat items were arranged to one side. I saw my worn out sister leaning her body against the chair. 

Good job. 

“Liliath ordered red wine noodles.”

“Oh, good choice,” my mom commented.

“How about the drinks?” Liliath asked in a puzzled tone. Looks like she’s used to the custom of ordering a drink every time we eat out now

“About that— Noel, you’re in charge, the usual please,” my father said nonchalantly. “And Liliath can have her own serving.”

“Got it,” I said.

Jeez. Was it just me or was my family really selling me out to marry Liliath? They’re like forcing me to accompany her every time.. not that I don't like it but..

Hm? Wait.. Liliath is my familiar, isn't she? Ah, right.. make sense, make sense.

Taking the money my father passed to me, I brought Liliath to the shaved ice stall operated by a burly man in a cute pink apron that did not suit him in the slightest.

“Ah, long time no see, the usual I suppose? How about her over there?” the stall owner asked with a smile, his hands moving busily.

“Yeah, the usual, 2 coconut milk flavoured shaved ice— how about you Liliath? The menu is here,” I pointed at the board with an assortment of shaved ice.

“Could you recommend something with tea?”

“Sure..”

Tea fanatic.. that’s for sure.

“How about this, matcha green tea flavour?”

“I suppose it is good, I'll go for this choice then.”

“So all in all it’s 3, 2 coconut milk, one matcha?” the owner confirmed.

“Yup.”

“Please wait a little while.”

He got straight to work, turning cubes of ice into powder with his TALENT. Normally, shaved ice is made using a grinding machine, but his TALENT allows him to manipulate and alter the form of ice. Using his TALENT to its maximum potential, he was able to create shaved ice that had an incredible texture while making sure it was crafted in a way that made it so it wouldn’t melt all that easily. That’s why people say the shaved ice dessert he makes are the best.

“Turning ice into powder, what an interesting concept,” Liliath who saw the owner do just that created a small cube of ice out of thin air. The ice then crumbled into small little pieces— like snow, “It’s a rather novel way to use magic, I wonder if there are other convenient applications I could learn of?” 

Wait..

If Liliath can create shaved ice out of thin air then.. doesn't that mean I could eat shaved ice at home all the time? Oh my gosh, that is OP.

I should persuade her next time..

“Here you go.”

Sprinkling condensed milk, coconut milk, adding condiments and green tea powder, three shaved ice servings were done in a blink of an eye.

“Thank you,” I paid for the desserts and went back to our table.

“I’ve been waiting..” the once lifeless devil regained vitality the moment she saw the shaved ice. She devoured it with glee.

“So how is it?” I asked Liliath.

“Do you want to try?”

“I think I'll pass? I was just asking about your opinion..” 

I really wanted to say yes but with 3 scary pairs of eyes that shot at us the moment they heard your words.. I don't think my mind can handle this..

“It’s decent— I suppose.. I prefer tea, however.”

To her comments, the notion that girls liked sweet stuff was crushed in an instant.. I suppose Liliath is an anti-glutton? First time I've even thought of this terminology..

Liliath took another two bites of her dessert, then her main dish came.

That’s when I heard her cough.

“Hm?”

It seems that she doesn’t have a good tolerance for eating ice.

Our foods came in time and we enjoyed our breakfast.

Initially, I thought it was just her coughing reflexes at work because she ate too much ice— but that wasn't the case. 

I didn’t know back then but.. it was the start of something much, much bigger.