「うん、俺はな。お嬢様はただ者じゃねぇって思ってたよ?」
ベレー帽を万年筆で持ち上げながら、ジャスパーが叫ぶ。
「でもだからって普通、魔王の城の修繕作業をさせるか!? 人間に!? いいのか!?」
「法律には引っかかってないわ。徹夜で調べたから安心して頂戴」
「法律云々以前にだな!? ああもう、食われるんじゃないか!? 大丈夫なのかほんとに」
「怖がる者はこないでしょう。それならそれで仕方ないわ。でも、きてくれる人もいる。あなたみたいに」
アイリーンの指摘に、ジャスパーが虚をつかれた顔をする。
お世辞にも個性的とは言えない禍々しい廃城の前庭には、まだジャスパー以外誰も到着していない。集合時間まであと三十分はあるから当然と言えば当然だが、アイリーンは仁王立ちで待ち構えていた。
「まあ......俺は独身で守る家族もいねぇし、なんつっても特ダネの匂いがしたら飛びこんじまう記者の性みたいなもんっていうかよ......」
「第五層の人間は魔王に感謝している。――そう教えてくれたのはあなたでしょう」
「え、俺のせいなのか!?」
「そうは言わないわ。......ただ、クロード様が」
本当に為政者の器なら、見てみたい。
希望的観測も混じったその言葉をアイリーンは自ら閉ざした。
それは自分の命を救ったあとの話だ。
「こなかったなら、また別の手を考えるわ。平民落ちがかかってるんだもの、必死よ」
「平民なぁ......お嬢様が無茶する理由は分かったけどよ。ドートリシュ宰相も無茶言うよな。意外にお嬢様なら生きていけるだろうけどさ」
「無理よ。あなたの情報に賭けるような世間知らずのお嬢様だもの」
笑ったアイリーンに、ジャスパーは舌打ちした。
「だったら絶対くるって言わないといけなくなるだろうが、情報流した俺としては」
「ふふ、でしょう? これでも信頼してるのよ」
「――セドリック様は馬鹿だよな。こんないい女、手放すなんて」
きょとんとアイリーンはジャスパーを見返した。
「あら、お世辞? らしくないわね」
「平民になっちまったらすぐ連絡よこせよ。仕事も住む場所も探してやっから」
アイリーンの視線から逃げるように、ジャスパーが深くベレー帽を被り直す。
二人の間をざわりと、風が吹き抜けていった。晴天の空に不似合いな強い風だ。
「......まあ、どうせ俺の手には余る女だけどな」
「おい、娘! 状況を報告しろ!」
上空から翼を広げて現れたベルゼビュートに、ジャスパーがぎょっとしてあとずさった。
「ま、魔物......!」
「安心していいわ、扱いやすいから。......ベルゼビュート様、集合時間はまだ先でしてよ」
「では、上空から魔物達を引き連れて飛翔して現れるのと、あたり一帯を焼き払って力を見せつけてから一人で出てくるのと、どちらがより王の右腕としてふさわしい?」
「それなら上空からの方がまだまし――いえ、かっこいいと思いますわ。人間は空を飛べませんもの」
「なるほど。ではそのように王に進言する。それと、そこの人間」
「はいっ!? 俺ですかね!?」
声をひっくり返したジャスパーに、鷹揚にベルゼビュートは頷く。
「そうだ。貴様は我々の敵か?」
「め、滅相もない! 俺はアイリーンお嬢様の使いっ走りの、しがない記者で」
「ならばこれ以上、王を不快にするな。結界内のことを王はすべて把握しておられる――王の風は、人間など軽く吹き飛ばすぞ」
目を白黒させるジャスパーを置いて、ベルゼビュートは城の向こうへ飛んでいってしまう。
(風? 不快って......ジャスパーに?)
さっき突然吹いた風のことだろうか。しかし、考えても心当たりがない。
「ジャスパー、あなたクロード様に何かしたの?」
「いやいやいや、魔王様なんて顔も見たことねぇよ!」
「そうよね......一体なんなのかしら? 天気が悪くなるのは困るのだけれど......」
「あー、魔王様の心の乱れが風とか雨とか雷になるってやつか。......って」
同じように首をひねっていたジャスパーが、ふとアイリーンの顔を正面から見る。
「......そう言うお嬢様は、魔王様と面識があるんだよな?」
「当然でしょう」
「――えー......じゃあまさかさっきの? そういうことなのか? ええー......」
首をひねりながら何故かジャスパーが、アイリーンから一歩分距離を開けた。
「......。何? 何か分かったのならおっしゃい」
「いや、確信のない情報を流すのは正義の味方として主義に反する。なんか今もさわさわ風が吹いてるしな......これって魔王の圧力か......!?」
「クロード様は意味もなくそんなことをされる方ではないわ」
そう言った途端に風がやんだことに、アイリーンは気づかなかった。
待ちかねていた人影が見えたからだ。
明るい森の小道を歩く人影が増えてく。ジャスパーが口笛を吹いた。
「きたかぁ。さすがお嬢様。敵が多い分、味方は少数精鋭だねぇ」
[Yeah, you see, I had a thought that Ojou-sama isn't just an ordinary person?] 
Jasper yelled while lifting his beret with his fountain pen.
[But, even so, normally, how can you do repair work for the Demon King's castle!? By humans!? Is it okay!?] 
[We won't be caught by the law. I stayed up all night to do some research on the regulations and all, so please don't worry] 
[Including the previous laws as such, right!? Ah heck, are you sure we won't be eaten!? Are you really sure that it's okay?] 
[Those who are afraid will not come, right? If so, then it can't be helped. But, there are also people who will come. Someone like you] 
When Irene pointed that out, Jasper made a face as if she caught him off guard.
No one other than Jasper has arrived yet at the front yard of the ominous abandoned castle, which could be called neither flattering nor unique. Irene was waiting with an imposing stance, so it was reasonable to say that her agitation was justified since only 30 minutes left before the time for their appointed meeting.
[Well......Since I'm single I have no family to protect, even if I said that, it's like the reporter's nature to end up jumping into it if there's a smell of exclusive news......] 
[The people in the fifth level were grateful to the Demon King.----The one who said that to me was you, right?] 
[Eh, is it my fault then!?] 
[I didn't say that.......But, Claude-sama is] 
I want to see if he really is the ruler's device. (1)
Irene personally blocked those words that were mixing with her wishful thinking.
That is a story after I saved my life.
[If they don't come, I'll have to think of other ways. It's a thing in which I'll be demoted into a commoner; I'm desperate] 
[A commoner......I understand the reason why Ojou-sama is being reckless. D'Austriche Prime Minister as well told you something reckless. But maybe if it's Ojou-sama, you can unexpectedly live as such] 
[That's impossible. It will be similar to you taking a risk with your information while I am being the Ojou-sama who is ignorant with the ways of the world] 
Jasper clicked his tongue at the laughing Irene.
[If that's the case, as for someone like me who spread information around, I have to say it won't ever happen] (2)
[fufu, right? Still, I have faith in this] 
[----Cedric-sama is stupid. To think that he let go of such a good woman] 
Jasper stared back at Irene who was staring at him in puzzlement.
[My, a compliment? It isn't like you] 
[If you ended up being a commoner, immediately get in touch with me. 'Cause I'll find you a job and a place to live] 
As if avoiding Irene's gaze, Jasper pulled his beret lower.
The wind roughly blew through in between them. It was a strong wind that didn't match the clear sky.
[......Well, in any case, she's just too much for me to handle] 
[Oi, girl! Give me a status report!] 
Beelzebub appeared from the sky with his wings spread. Jasper took a step back after being startled.
[Mo, monster......!] 
[You don't have to worry because he is easy to deal with.......Beelzebub-sama, it's still too early for the appointed meeting time, you know?] 
[Then, between appearing from the sky by flying while being accompanied by the monsters and coming out alone after showing off my power by reducing the whole area to ashes, which one do you think is more fitting for the King's right-hand man?] 
[If that's the case, flying from the sky is still the----no, I think it's cool. Humans can't fly in the sky, after all] 
[I see. Then, I'll make a proposal to the King to do it like that. And then, the human over there] 
[Yes!? Are you talking about me!?] 
Beelzebub coolly nodded his head at Jasper's nervous voice.
[That's right. Are you our enemy?] 
[N-nonsense!! I'm Lady Irene's gofer, an insignificant reporter] 
[Then, don't displease our King any more than this. The King knows everything that's happening inside of the barrier----The King's wind can easily blow away the likes of a human] 
Bewildered, Jasper was frozen on the spot while Beelzebub flew back towards the direction of the castle.
(Wind? Displease he said......towards Jasper?)
I wonder if he was talking about the sudden blow of wind just now. However, no matter how I think about it, I still have no idea why Claude-sama would be displeased.
[Jasper, you, did you do something to Claude-sama?] 
[Nonono, I haven't even seen the Demon-King-sama's face, you know!] 
[Of course......I wonder what is it about? If the weather turns bad, I'll be troubled, but......] 
[Ah-, If there's a disturbance in Demon King-sama's heart, there's going to be wind, rain, and lightning?......eh?] 
Similarly, Jasper casually turned his head to look at Irene's face directly.
[......So, Ojou-same is acquainted with Demon King-sama, right?] 
[Obviously] 
[----Eh-......Then don't tell me just now was? Is that how it is? Eeh-......] 
While turning his head, for some reason Jasper took a step back to distance himself away from Irene.
[....... What? Tell me if you understand something] 
[No, it'll violate my principle as the Hero of Justice to spill information without conviction. Somehow, even now the wind blows rustlingly......Is this the pressure from the Demon King......!?] 
[Claude-sama is not someone who will do something meaningless like that] 
Irene didn't realize the wind stopped blowing as soon as she said that.
Because she saw the figures of the people she's been impatiently waiting for.
The figures of the people who were walking on the bright forest's trail were increasing. Jasper whistled.
[They're here. As expected from Ojou-sama. You have many enemies, and your allies are selected few]
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ