"Haaaaah—that was refreshing."

  After flooring it for a while, Celeste seemed in better spirits, but as for Mengen sitting in the passenger seat beside him—

  "What exactly is the meaning of this?

  Are you abducting me to create a hole in this nation's defense?"

  To that question, Celeste returned a look saying 'what are you talking about?'

  "...Excuse me?

  I haven't the faintest idea what you're saying.

  More importantly, do something about those ears.

  The Military Affairs Minister, said to stand at the apex of this nation's warriors, cowering like some kidnapped princess..."

  Now that it was mentioned, Mengen finally realized what a pathetic state he was in.

  Body pressed deep into the sofa-like car seat, both hands gripping the seatbelt Celeste had fastened with all his might, both ears flopped back, even his prized beautiful tail—miserably tucked between his legs—a shameful appearance he'd never want to show anyone.

  That he'd shown it to this man of all people—Mengen felt it the blunder of a lifetime.

  "How was it? How does it feel being Tusita's first person to experience 120 kilometers per hour?

  My, that tail... must have felt quite good."

  At Celeste's teasing words with sly grin, Mengen felt anger but couldn't very well punch him here, nor could he exit this monster's interior.

  Though evening had passed and surroundings had darkened, though speed had dropped, Celeste continued driving this monster—the automobile—in the opposite direction from the castle.

  He couldn't grasp how fast 120 kilometers per hour was, but from surrounding scenery could tell they'd come a considerable distance. However strong a warrior he was, walking back to the castle at this hour, moreover unarmed—not impossible but difficult.

  "If not abducting me, I'd like to hear exactly where you're taking me."

  "Hm? To my mansion, obviously?

  I invited you to dinner, didn't I?"

  "While driving in the exact opposite direction from the castle?"

  With feeling conveying 'don't say ridiculous things,' Celeste's carefree yet monotone answer returned.

  "Ah~ was it the opposite direction~

  No wonder the castle won't appear no matter how much I drive~

  Well, shall we take a shortcut back?"

  "Shortcut?"

  They'd charged straight through empty fields—where could such a thing—the moment he tried asking, ahead appeared that 'spark-scattering transfer gate'—Celeste's Gate.

  However, this time one large enough for the car to pass through, like cutting space itself connecting to the other side—Alabaster Hall's garden.

  "Wha—!?"

  Before he could be surprised, the car carrying them emerged into Alabaster Hall's garden, decelerating.

  "There, a shortcut, right?

  Well~ saying this about my own ability feels odd, but Gates are convenient."

  He'd planned this from the start.

  Mengen felt irritation at being manipulated by this man all day, but tried regaining composure for now.

  Whatever else, today he'd accepted his 'invitation,' so leaving in anger without properly receiving hospitality—couldn't take such discourteous attitude from his side.

  "Welcome home, Master."

  At the mansion entrance, this mansion's butler Reinbardt greeted the two with proper attitude.

  Mengen had asked Prince Norgaar to send his actual nephew Reinbardt to this mansion originally intending watchdog duties.

  A clever, capable nephew—though not long since becoming butler, that he handled the work properly was understandable, thought him admirable.

  However, the Military Affairs Minister and actual uncle's order—the duty of monitoring Celeste wasn't properly performed, or rather, sent reports contained only favorable character assessments, so he'd grown impatient, then meeting the man himself...

  "Work seems going smoothly, Lieutenant Chiono?"

  "Yes, thanks to you."

  'Write proper reports!' Though the irony wasn't lost on him, seeing Reinbardt answer calmly made him think 'Did this guy leave the military and go soft?'—that moment.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Your nephew you've reunited with after so long? No need to call by rank."

  Following Celeste who said this while walking ahead, entering the mansion—in the hall, one elderly lady awaited him.

  "Welcome home, Your Excellency.

  Marc Mengen, welcome to Alabaster Hall.

  Since the unveiling party."

  Seeing that elderly lady, this mansion's mistress proxy Lady Biala, Mengen felt he understood Reinbardt's circumstances.

  'Come to think of it, this man had Lady Biala...

  This isn't an opponent Reinbardt could handle.

  If the Lady knows Reinbardt's my nephew...

  She'd have seen through why I sent him long ago.

  Rather, he got swallowed up.'

  Thinking such things, Celeste who'd been grinning suddenly snapped to attention, visibly straightening his spine.

  "My apologies, Lady Biala.

  This sudden invitation troubled everyone at the mansion."

  "Yes, quite.

  Your Excellency thought lightly of it, but entertaining someone of Marc Mengen's stature requires proper preparation.

  However, I fully understand your feeling not to miss today's opportunity.

  Garkan was crying a bit, but preparations are complete."

  "Ah, that was wrong of me.

  I should send him a consolation recipe later."

  "Yes, please do."

  Mengen was impressed that Celeste before him was accustomed to 'noble behavior.'

  Before Lady Biala, 'Queen of High Society,' even skilled male nobles often tensed and stiffened, yet he conversed so naturally.

  The Prime Minister had complained 'that guy has Lady Biala's coaching,' but seemed something beyond that.

  "Now, Marc Mengen, this way."

  Following Celeste's guidance, Mengen headed to Alabaster Hall's dining room.

  "Was the meal to your liking?"

  "Yes. You employ a skilled cook."

  After finishing the meal, the two moved to the reception room for private conversation.

  "Yes. Through Her Majesty the Queen's consideration, one of the palace cooks was sent.

  More importantly, contact to your estate?"

  To ask that now?—though he wanted to say so, couldn't quite.

  "Sent a messenger this afternoon, so no worries."

  "That's good.

  ...Thought the talk might run long."

  Won't you ask if family's waiting?—he thought, but remembering Lady Biala dismissed the thought.

  They must already know he's lifelong bachelor, no wife or children.

  "First, something to confirm with Military Affairs Minister.

  You still suspect I'm colluding with Humanita, don't you?"

  At Celeste's direct question, Mengen thought no point hiding—answer honestly.

  "Until yesterday, I thought that unavoidable.

  For you handling national defense, not trusting me the uncertain element—perfectly fine.

  No, rather that's your proper duty as military man.

  However..."

  In Celeste's eyes, daytime anger revived visibly.

  "I didn't understand what kind of lot Humanita were until this afternoon.

  That's why I had such naive feelings.

  But... that they'd commit such atrocities without hesitation.

  No, that's still not it."

  Gradually, anger visibly escalated.

  "Excuse me. Need to drink this."

  As if unbearably angry, Celeste gulped whiskey on the rocks in one go.

  "...Regis Celeste?"

  "My apologies. Thinking of that makes me furious.

  What? Those barbaric types, to my beloved son...

  'Demon King'?! Don't make me laugh!"

  "Regis Celeste..."

  "And you too!"

  "Eh?"

  "Of all things, lumping me with those lot!

  Here! Penalty drink! Drink!"

  "You're drunk!"

  "I'm not drunk!

  But can't help needing to drink!

  Keep me company!"

  "Haah..."

  Though not invitation accepted willingly, being told this much, not drinking also felt odd, so tasted the unfamiliar alcohol.

  "Guh... strong."

  For Lupacid with sharp senses, scent alone could intoxicate—after intense alcohol aroma came fiery alcohol burning the throat.

  "This... incredibly strong liquor..."

  "No, my fluffy and soft and squishy and gentle cute son!

  From what angle does he look like a Demon King?!"

  Seemed a series of considerably misleading adjectives, but Mengen lacked composure to point that out.

  "Um... Regis Celeste?

  In the first place, what this 'Demon King' even is, we haven't the faintest... hic!"

  Already drunk apparently, but Mengen wasn't aware.

  "Hm? Starting from there?

  King of demons... should I say."

  "Demons?"

  "Ah, no god concept, so no demons either...

  Hmm... how to say...

  Root of all evil, walking wicked path of tyranny, corrupting all living things, trying to plunge into unredeemed evil and destruction... yes, evil boss bundling all evils?"

  Became rather exaggerated expression, but explaining 'Demon King' to people from a world without gods or demons—perhaps unavoidable.

  And that intended meaning seemed properly conveyed to Mengen.

  "What!?

  To our King, such supremely disrespectful insult...!"

  "Right!?

  So, thinking I'm Humanita's accomplice is your freedom, fine.

  But lumped with those lot calling cute Rashion a Demon King!

  Ah, infuriating!"

  Celeste gulped his second whiskey on rocks again in one go, pouring a third.

  Seeing that, Mengen drained his remaining whiskey and held out his glass.

  "Truly, this is something cannot not drink.

  One more for me too, pleash. Hic."

  "Ooh~ good drinking~"

  Seeing Mengen now gulp the poured whiskey in one go, tipsy Celeste poured another.

  "That's why!

  Those lot, absolutely unforgivable!

  Can't forgive those demeaning my child!"

  "Ah~ that's right that's right~"

  "You understand, right?"

  "Yesh~"

  "So, laying bare my feelings, wash away suspicions like water!

  Man to man, thought talking would make you understand, so forcibly invited you!"

  "Ahhh... I understand that...

  But why'd you abduct meee?"

  Gulp—Mengen gulps again.

  "Eh, Marc Mengen?"

  "Anudder! One more!

  Why'd you try to abduct meeee!"

  Certainly, Mengen had said 'not that I can't drink.'

  However, that decidedly didn't mean 'strong with alcohol.'

  Moreover, Antero alcohol isn't very strong.

  Meaning... several minor misunderstandings piled up...

  Celeste had 'done goofed.'

  "N-no, thought you might like speed too..."

  "I was scared! Hic!"

  "Eh."

  Only now did Celeste remember Mengen's ears and tail.

  'That was really scared.

  ...Seriously did something bad... I think.'

  "No... that is...

  I'm shorry."

  Celeste too getting drunk, tongue not working properly.

  "...One more."

  "Isn't that too much...

  Here."

  Gulping the poured whiskey again in one go, Mengen slumped forward with a thud.

  "Um... Lord Mengen?"

  No answer.

  Completely passed out drunk apparently.

  "Lord Mengen?

  Haah... went too far maybe."

  Thinking he'd made him drink too much, worrying what to do, Celeste's eyes caught Mengen's crown.

  Large dog... no, wolf head.

  Wanting to pet it—even for cat person him, irresistible temptation.

  Celeste gently reached toward Mengen's head...

  "Ow ow ow..."

  Earth apartment,

  Waking on the living room sofa, Amashiro was mercilessly assaulted by hangover headache.

  "Huh... when did I come back here?"

  Could remember up to drinking with Mengen at Tusita's Alabaster Hall yesterday.

  However, couldn't remember how he'd returned to Earth from there.

  "Haah... they say losing memory from drinking is dangerous..."

  Feeling thirsty, opening the refrigerator door for water—heard someone snoring from the bedroom direction.

  ...Who?

  Been at Tusita the whole time, returned drunk from there, so no way guests in the apartment.

  Even if someone entered, with him in the living room, sleeping peacefully in the bedroom?

  Impossible.

  Who could be sleeping—suppressing pounding hangover headache, peeked into bedroom—

  "Wha, wha wha, whaaaat—!?"

  Mengen, not wearing a single thread, stark naked as the day he was born, sleeping on the bed.