The Existence Named Leona (2)

"I want to become the [Final Boss]."

Perhaps because it was that important, Leona said it a second time.

I was about to ask what she meant, but she continued before I could.

"I want to use my power however I please, freely, selfishly, mercilessly, irresponsibly, without caring about apologies, reasons, compensation, inconvenience, circumstances, or anything else at all. Purely for my own enjoyment, that single point alone… In other words, I want to become the Final Boss, the one who can do whatever she wants most freely in this world."

Fufufu, Leona laughed happily. And she still wasn't finished.

"These days, the Final Boss side always has their own circumstances too, like 'actually a good guy,' 'had no choice,' or 'humanity was the real villain.' That's no good. Not my style. A Final Boss should wield their power as their desires dictate. Trample opponents into the dirt, ravage them, violate them, plunder and devour them, leaving not even foxtail grass growing in their wake. I want to become that kind of absolute being."

In other words, a crystallization of pure selfishness. That was what Leona meant by Final Boss.

"This world has a Demon King, and gods too. Well, the Demon King is just a Dungeon Core, the Destruction God is the Light God, the Evil God is the Dark God, and the Creation God does nothing. None of them give off any Final Boss vibes, right? So it should be fine if I take the role. That's how it is."

So that's how it is. Well, it's probably better not to understand.

… Wait, the Light God is the Destruction God, and the Dark God is the Evil God? First I've heard of that. There's even a Creation God? And they actually exist? Don't just casually drop something that insane.

"Oh, but I do have my own policies. A few self-imposed restrictions make games more fun."

"… I suppose I should ask. What kind of restrictions?"

"Ufufu, there are several, but to put it simply… I pamper the children I take a liking to. I would never kill them. In fact, I even place blessings on them so they won't die."

I'm pretty sure those are curses…

"I spend time and effort educating them so they grow strong and wise. Hoping they'll someday be able to kill me. And when they've grown strong enough to kill me, I harvest them… Ahh, I can't wait! My dream is to take my favorites, the ones who've grown strong enough to kill me, and turn them into pets that can't do anything but hurl grudge-filled curses at me! I want to see what happens when I smother them with doting love after that… Hah, hah…"

"That's some crazy twisted love. Repulsive. Is that what they call yandere?"

"Keima-san, if you volunteer to become my pet, I'll make you as strong as possible. How about it, want to sign the contract?"

"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline."

"I see, too bad. You'd be surprised how many people would sell their soul to a demon to get stronger. The rate of people signing a contract after I make the offer is about 80%. Oh, and I do keep my promises. That's another one of my policies."

"… Leona, are you a demon?"

"Oh my, calling such a lovely and delicate human maiden a demon. I'll take that as a compliment. Well, some heretics do worship me as the [Chaos God] or something, so demon might not be wrong."

She's hopeless. I need to do something about her, fast… But there's nothing I actually can do, is there?

"Now then, it's your turn, Keima-san. You're in a similar position to me, so what do you desire in this world? If you want half the world, I might even make you my companion."

By similar position, she probably means being both a Dungeon Master and a Hero, two roles that should normally be hostile toward each other.

But my desire? That's already decided.

"I don't want something outrageous like half the world. I just want to sleep peacefully."

"Oh, how lovely. A simple, nice dream, if you ignore how incredibly boring it is."

"Thanks for that. Your dream is also excellent, if you ignore how ridiculously troublesome it sounds."

"Now that you mention it, you're right. We could really be friends! In fact, we're already best friends!"

"I'm not paying any friend charge, and I'm not signing any contract."

"Aw, too bad. Well, Haku-chan is diligently paying it, so that's fine. This place is one of Haku-chan's favorites, so I've promised not to wreck it."

So Haku-san is paying a friend charge… Ah, could it be that when she said before that dungeons get hunted if they don't attack, maybe that was… no, let's stop there. That's just my imagination running wild.

"Well then, I'll be borrowing that place and living there for a while. I'll come out and wander around like this sometimes, but you don't have a problem with that, right?"

"… You look more or less human, Leona, so walking around is fine, but don't say anything unnecessary that could cause trouble, alright? Same goes for your grandchildren."

"The Succubi can pass for human too if they hide certain things. Like that waitress over there… Oh? Zero attack power? What's with that girl? She looks super interesting!"

"I'm not handing her over."

With that, Leona snapped her fingers again. The surrounding noise returned.

"Well then, thanks for the meal. I'd like rice included in the provisions next time, okay?"

"I'll consider it."

Leona carried her finished dishes to the return counter and left the dining room.

"… Phew, I thought I was going to die…"

Sweat burst out of me all at once.

If I'd had [Faint Resistance] set to OFF, I might have collapsed.

… I'll need to keep [Super Transformation] active even inside the inn from now on. I finished my now-cold dinner and headed back to my room.

By the way, Setsuna and Nayuta, who'd become the Succubi's meal, were found the next morning lying in front of the dungeon with vacant eyes. Well, our Golems were the ones who dumped them there. Try not to catch a cold, alright?