"Is the information on Cantus Magna prepared?" Master Epinhauser asked, and I was unable to respond for a while.
Epinhauser was a member of the Black Order. He did not press for an answer. It seemed as though he thought it was surprising enough that I would need time to calm my mind.
The Black Order had seen me with Lord Vampire.
It turned out that Master Epinhauser knew I was not a mere Temple student ever since the death of Aaron Mede.
Did that mean that someone in a black robe who contacted me back then was actually Epinhauser?
It wasn't a fitting concern given the situation.
Were you the one who called me a pretty boy?
Despite such thoughts, it felt as if a knife was pressed against my neck.
With just one word from Master Epinhauser, everything could have come crashing down long ago.
He may not have known until recently that I was the successor of the demon realm, but figuring out who I was in relation to the current state of the empire wouldn't have been difficult once he saw me controlling a vampire.
It seemed my true identity had already been exposed.
Master Epinhauser, known as a patriot, had left me alone.
What was the Black Order, and what did they want?
I realized a simple truth: I knew less about the Black Order than I did about Cantus Magna.
I had experienced many instances of fear.
The fear of losing something, the fear of dying – I had felt them all.
But.
Although I thought I could lose everything I had at any moment.
Realizing that everything I had could have vanished at the mere decision of the Black Order sent chills down my spine.
In the midst of a fear unlike anything I had ever experienced before, I stared intently at Epinhauser.
"Why… did you leave me alone?"
"We do not act recklessly."
In every moment of attending ordinary classes, training, and bustling around during festivals, I could have lost everything.
The Black Order had been watching me.
They must have known that I was the next Demon King.
"Is there information on Cantus Magna?"
What would they do without it?
Would they forcefully take it? Or would they threaten me by saying they would end my Temple life?
I had approached the Black Order on equal terms, not using any honorifics.
But in front of Epinhauser.
Somehow, I felt suffocated, like a mouse in front of a cat.
He wasn't particularly oppressive, nor did he show any signs of interrogating or intimidating me.
Just as when I first met his eyes, he gazed at me with a cold expression and calm eyes.
And that plunged me into endless fear.
The one thing I knew for certain: The Black Order wanted information on Cantus Magna.
"I have it. I'm not sure if you already know…"
"Is that so?"
I possess the information they desire.
What I have been seeking is information about the dimensional gate to another world.
"Unfortunately, we do not possess any information or magic related to the dimensional gate that leads to another world."
The Black Order is unaware of the magic I desire.
However, they can force an answer out of me, or I must be prepared to expose the whole truth and leave the temple.
It has been possible since the Black Order learned that I controlled a Lord Vampire, not because Epinhauser was a member. Yet, I had a strange certainty that they would not choose such an option.
"You have the information we need, but there is nothing we can give you in return."
Then, the negotiation must fail.
"Let me ask you this. We don't have the information you truly seek, but if you provide us with information about Cantus Magna, the Order is willing to fully cooperate with you. Through that, you might find what you really want."
"…"
The Black Order has no knowledge of the magic related to the dimensional gate to another world.
However, they are willing to take my side if I provide information about Cantus Magna.
"What will happen if I refuse?"
Epinhauser gazes at me quietly.
"Nothing will happen."
"However."
"We will be watching you."
At those words, I felt a chill run down my spine.
They know my true identity.
Yet, they say they will merely watch without acting on it, not revealing my identity or anything.
What could it be?
What kind of organization is the Black Order?
Are they seeking the destruction of Cantus Magna?
Or something else?
Magic fanatics are indifferent to worldly affairs, remaining loyal to their own principles and goals.
Nevertheless, they say they will quietly withdraw if they cannot obtain information from me.
What does it mean that they will continue to watch me even after that?
I am the Demon Lord who infiltrated the Temple Royal Class. The fact that they will continue to watch me, regardless of the negotiation, suggests that the Black Order is not indifferent to the world.
"What is the Black Order's purpose?"
Upon hearing my question, Epinhauser remains silent for a moment, then finally speaks.
"I have not yet determined whether I should tell you that or not."
He has no intention of telling me.
"However, we have not yet deemed you an enemy."
They haven't decided whether to act against me since they are a group that does not move hastily. That means they still have doubts.
From the moment I made contact with the Black Order, I entered their domain. I had always been prepared for such a dangerous situation. After all, I cannot only deal with safe matters in safe places.
Little did I know, however, that the truth of Master Epinhauser being a member of the Black Order was concealed.
If they were to join me in tracking down Cantus Magna, they would become my allies.
Otherwise, they would watch over me and possibly label me as an enemy and attempt to eliminate me based on their judgment.
The hand of the Black Order.
Is it truly the right decision to grasp it?
But my identity has already been exposed, and the fact that Master Epinhauser discovered it is merely a surprise; I was somewhat prepared for this situation.
After all, I have created many allies with uncertain identities.
There is no reason not to accept an ally with an unknown intention.
It's not a situation where I can be picky about who I join forces with. Time is running out, and the gate crisis is approaching moment by moment.
Their intention to join hands with me is clearly for surveillance purposes as well. Otherwise, there would be no reason to say they would watch over me.
"Very well. Let's cooperate."
For now, I will join forces with the Black Order and track down Cantus Magna.
What comes later is, after all, a matter for later.
After the important, yet empty, negotiation had concluded, Master Epinhauser looked at me with his usual expression and spoke seriously.
"Alright, let me ask you again."
"…Yes."
Do I have to reveal the secret of Cantus Magna?
But what if the Black Order just takes the information and then leaves me high and dry?
Master Epinhauser asked me.
"Why did you dress in drag?"
No.
Please stop tormenting me!
——
Master Epinhauser and I took a walk in an uneasy atmosphere.
He didn't ask me why I needed the magic to open a dimensional gate.
The setting I wrote must be true.
Master Epinhauser is a patriot. That's a fact.
If there is a connection between Master Epinhauser being a member of the Black Order and being a patriot, is the Black Order an organization related to the empire?
It doesn't seem likely. The Emperor, Charlotte, and Bertus don't know my true identity. So, the Black Order may be related to the empire but not to the royal family.
Somehow, I only feel like a mouse in front of a cat when I'm with him.
I've formed a strange alliance with the Black Order and the remnants of the demon world, but fundamentally, I see this man as my teacher.
However.
The Black Order has already discovered my identity, my life hangs in the balance, and I decided to cooperate because I ultimately need their power.
But instead of asking about Cantus Magna,
Why do they keep asking why I dressed in drag…?
Are they just trying to torment me by asking that instead of focusing on something more important?
The Demon Lord infiltrated the Royal Class, barely surviving in hiding, and even won a cross-dressing contest?
Wow…
Even I think it's curious…
What crazy thought drove me to do that?
But.
There are positions and situations for each of us, aren't there?
But why do they keep asking about my reasons for participating in the cross-dressing competition, rather than asking for information about Cantus Magna?
Epinhauser didn't press for an answer, and I walked silently beside him, a dying expression on my face, not knowing what to say, as if I were a sinner.
I want to die.
This is a whole different dimension of embarrassment from being found out by Bertus.
At least Bertus only discovered that a fellow student had cross-dressed.
Black Order, capable of inciting a continental-scale war, discovered that I had the audacity to kill Riverrier Lanze and participated in a bizarre cross-dressing competition before that incident.
"Do… do I really have to tell you?"
"If possible."
"But why?"
Teacher.
I think I'm going insane.
Can't you just say things like, "What's your wicked intention, what are you trying to do by opening the gate, I've already figured out your dirty schemes and true identity?"
Damn it.
Why on earth do I have to explain my reasons for cross-dressing to a suspicious, mysterious member of a secret organization like you? And why are you even curious about it?
Epinhauser looked at me and spoke.
"Are you embarrassed?"
"…"
"I asked if you're embarrassed to explain why you cross-dressed."
"Of course, I am!"
If this is how it's going to be, just kill me! It feels like I'm being mentally murdered!
"That'll do."
"…Pardon?"
"I said that'll do."
I was wondering why I had to explain my reasons for cross-dressing, but if it's embarrassing to talk about, it's fine.
What on earth does he want from me? Why is this question so important?
"Why… are you doing this to me?"
"I was just curious about what you thought of your life at the temple."
"…Excuse me?"
Could it be?
Did he want to know if I had discarded my identity and dignity as the Demon King, and cross-dressed solely for personal hobbies and desires?
Was he curious about whether I was genuinely committed to my life at the temple?
Somehow.
I'm not sure about the details, but…
Did participating in something like cross-dressing make the Black Order think I wasn't a very dangerous person, or something along those lines?
He's the Demon King, but he's a pervert who's genuinely into cross-dressing, so he doesn't seem to be that dangerous.
Something like that?
If that's the case, it's a good thing.
But why…
Why does it feel so humiliating?