Keep Looking Like This

In the distance, the lights of the Royal Capital began to illuminate one by one.

Draudillon stood up, jumped down from the windowsill, and walked barefoot on the carpet to Higashino Makoto.

Golden eyes were looking at him.

"Higashino Makoto, are you staying tonight?"

"Certainly."

A slight smile played on Draudillon's lips as she turned and walked toward the door.

He took a few steps, then stopped without looking back.

"Draudillon."

"Um."

"Remember to stay like this tonight."

Higashino Makoto looked at her in her child form, that little girl who was just over ten years old.

"Abnormal."

Draudillon's voice was soft, without anger or shame, simply stating the facts.

"I know, but I still like it."

Draudillon remained silent for a moment.

"So... you're really a pervert."

"I know."

She stepped out of the study. Alice Kuonji stood behind Higashino Makoto.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, do you like this?"

"I don't dislike her; after all, she's a legal loli. Of course, I like someone like you too."

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

What's the difference between legal and illegal?

"The difference is that she's an adult, but she looks like a little girl; the transition between these two states is very interesting. And she's willing to do it."

Alice Kuonji looked at him, her dark pupils devoid of any emotion.

"... Perhaps you are right."

That evening, in Draudillon's room.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows on the wall.

Draudillon lay beside Higashino Makoto, still in her child form.

Her long black hair was scattered on the pillow, her golden eyes were half-open, and her face was flushed.

"Higashino Makoto, don't you... don't you find this strange?"

What's strange?

"Looking like that, doing something like this?"

Higashino Makoto looked at her, unmoved, with an expression that seemed perfectly natural.

I don't think so.

"Why?"

"Because... there's no reason why, I just like it."

Draudillon remained silent for a long time.

"... You really hate talking like that. Can't you say something I like to hear?"

"Hmm... is it because of you that I like you?"

She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery glow.

"Draudillon, are there enough angels?"

"That's enough. Twelve of them patrol every day; the Orc won't dare come."

"That's good."

"Higashino Makoto, you're leaving, right? When will you come next time?"

"I don't know, it should be soon."

Draudillon remained silent for a moment.

"Then I'll wait for you."

"No need to wait, I'll come find you anytime."

Draudillon's lips curled up slightly as she leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Goodnight, Higashino Makoto.

"Good night."

The candle went out.

That was Higashino Makoto's first night in the Dragon Kingdom, and just another ordinary day in Draudillon.

Alice Kuonji sat in the next room, holding a teacup in her hands, her dark eyes staring at the tightly closed door.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

She said in a low voice.

"You... you're really a pervert."

The wind blew her skirt, and she turned around and walked into the inner room.

This is a secretary's duty: to wait quietly when the master doesn't need them.

Dragon Kingdom, Royal Palace, Higashino Makoto's Guest Room.

Higashino Makoto leaned against the headboard, his golden eyes half-closed.

Draudillon lay beside him, breathing evenly, a smile playing on her lips.

She hadn't reverted to her child form yet; her long black hair was scattered on the pillow, like a kitten curled up asleep in its owner's arms.

That's so decadent.

He stayed in the Dragon Kingdom for five days, spending every day with Draudillon. During the day, he watched her handle government affairs, and at night he lay in bed with her.

Drinking tea, chatting, watching angels patrol, listening to people sing, doing nothing, thinking nothing, and just like that, day after day passed by.

He almost forgot that there was a lot of work waiting for him outside.

Those Witch Factor need to be studied, the world of One Punch Man needs attention, the world of Subaru Natsuki needs a stable passage established, and there are still a bunch of countries in the Overlord World that haven't been explored yet.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

Alice Kuonji's voice came from the doorway.

"Um."

"The communication crystal lit up; it's a message from Lord Ainz."

Higashino Makoto opened his eyes and sat up.

Draudillon turned over, hugged her pillow, and continued sleeping.

He walked barefoot on the carpet to the table and picked up the communication crystal.

"Ainz."

"Higashino."

Ainz's voice came from the crystal, deep and calm.

"A small hollow has appeared in the Great Forest of Tob, similar to the one from the Great Storm."

Higashino Makoto's fingers paused for a moment.

How big?

"It's very small, less than a meter in diameter. But it's unstable; it sometimes expands and sometimes shrinks."

"Did anything come out?"

"Yes, we caught one."

Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.

What kind?

"A monster, like a chimera. Wolf's head, dragonfly's wings, snake's tail, bird's claws. Not high level, around level 20, but highly infectious."

"Infectious?"

"Yes. Its blood, upon touching a wound, can transform other creatures into its own kind; the same applies when its flesh is eaten. The transformed creatures retain some of their original characteristics and have strong regenerative abilities; aside from the brain and heart, they are virtually unkillable."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Interesting... Is it empty? Have you explored it?"

"We sent mercenary monsters in, but the spacetime was too chaotic, and it didn't succeed."

"Ainz, do you think this is related to the previous Great Hollow?"

"I don't know, but it's worth paying attention to."

So what do you plan to do?

"Continue to observe. The cavity is small and shows no signs of expanding."

Ainz paused.

"Also, that monster is very useful."

Higashino Makoto looked at him.

"It works?"

"The hide can be used to make scrolls. It has strong regenerative and infectious properties. I experimented with goblins and beasts and quickly cultivated a large batch. We no longer lack materials for low-level scrolls."

Higashino Makoto didn't seem to have any particular feelings about this; after all, using monsters as materials was much better than using humans, wasn't it?

"Can it be used as material? What about the quality?"

"Not bad, it's almost ready to be made into a Tier 3 scroll. Guarded by the undead, it has the property of being immune to poison, so it won't get infected."

Ainz's voice was calm.

The guardians are very optimistic about it.

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.

"Ainz, send me the location of the Void, I want to go check it out too."

"Now?"

"Now."

The communication has ended.

Higashino Makoto put down the crystal, walked to the window, and opened it.

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.

"Alice Kuonji, get ready, we're going to Nazarick."

Draudillon opened her eyes and sat up in bed, her long black hair disheveled and draped over her shoulders, her golden eyes looking at him.

Are you leaving?

"Um."

"Come visit often."

"Good."