Magic: 0
I should have noticed if I'd been paying more attention.
Even in games, no matter how powerful your magic gets, no matter what legendary equipment you obtain, in the end, if your character's stats are trash, you're helpless.
Best gear, best party, best circumstances—you still need to level up to match them. What I'm trying to say is...
I'm apparently the weakest Demon Lord in history.
That evening, I sat down to dinner with Paimon, Tile, and Elefan. Not a word was spoken.
Elefan was always quiet, and Paimon and Tile had read the room and stayed silent. I didn't need to say anything either.
We'd tried everything after that. I couldn't even manage the slightest spark of magic. And without magic, my only combat option was swinging my shotel around, with my strength and speed both in the single digits.
I was beyond crying at this point—it was actually getting funny.
"What the hell am I even supposed to do!?"
"I already went and built a dungeon!!"
"I already declared war on the whole world!!"
"This is like picking a fight with the protagonist of a martial arts manga—instant death flag!!"
Haha!
Funny, right?
I didn't even taste dinner. When it was over, we decided to take a bath.
If I soaked in hot water, maybe this gloomy mood would lift a little.
Well, it's just a small comfort though.
There was a time when I thought things like that. But I'm doing great now! In fact, I'm doing so great I can't even get out of the bath!!
Why, you ask?
Isn't it obvious!?
Right now, I'm in a bath surrounded by beautiful women!
What more could anyone possibly want!!
Paimon's usual slim frame. Those legs—the curve from her waist to her thighs made a perfect shape. That plump, perky rear end.
And Elefan, with proportions so perfect they seem to have gathered all the beauty in this world. Silver hair against violet skin—what a beautiful match! Chest, waist, the dip of her back, legs. Every single thing about her is perfect!!
And Tile, a happy surprise—while their frame is youthful, their familiar human skin, their faint yet developing curves, and those mysterious jet-black wings combine with their boyish cowlick to make them utterly adorable.
Truly, a feast for the eyes.
Huh?
Ah, never mind all that. Who cares anymore.
Weakest, strongest—it's all ridiculous.
Whether it's a fantasy world or Earth itself—
Mixed baths are the ULTIMATE power!!
This is fine, right?
"Ahahaha! Bro, you sure perked up all of a sudden, Amduskias-kun!"
The pretty boy turned pretty girl, Tile, flashed me a cheerful grin.
Hmm. Still taking some getting used to...
"Haha—yeah, when in doubt, a bath's the answer! Like, suddenly all my worries just fade away!"
"Fufufu. You're right, this bath is literally amazing. That 'shampoo' and 'rinse' are incredible. Elefan's hair was already beautiful, but now it's sooo glossy and smooth..."
Tile's gaze locked onto Elefan, studying her. A hint of envy shimmered in their eyes.
"Hey now, your own blonde cowlick's pretty adorable too. Take a look after we get out—I swear it'll be so silky and shiny, even the finest silk would, like, run away barefoot."
"S-so what if you compliment me! N-nothing's gonna come out of it, y'know! I-I'll have you know, I'm way older than you! Trying to sweet-talk me with flattery? Bro, you're a thousand years too early for that!!"
Huh. For all that bluster, she's pretty flustered.
"A-and you mustn't lick it, Elefan-sama!"
"Mmm. Paimon, you're so mean. Smells nice. Sweet. It's gotta be sweet."
Paimon and Elefan seemed to be having a good time too~
"Hmm."
I'd been watching Paimon and Elefan when Tile fixed me with an intrigued stare.
"What?"
"Nothing—just, you're fascinating, you know that? Like, low-key fascinating."
I tilted my head, not following her meaning.
"I mean, normally, if someone told you you're 'the weakest Demon Lord in history,' you'd get angry, or depressed, or sad. Like, you probably wouldn't look too kindly on the people who told you that, right?"
"But you invited us to dinner—and on top of that, you're just casually hopping into a bath with us with zero defenses. Like, what if we'd actually come to kill you? That'd be kind of insane, right?"
"Please—armor or naked, it wouldn't make a difference against you lot. If you wanted me dead, you've had plenty of chances. No reason to wait 'til now."
"Even so. Like, no matter how gutsy a guy is, he can't relax with a sword at his throat. You'd be on guard, keeping your distance as much as possible."
I mean, yeah, I get that.
But that'd just be exhausting.
This way, we bathe together, get to know each other, and become friends.
Yeah. Peaceful. Very Japanese-style communication, really.
"Just get in the bath yourself—all that complicated stuff'll wash right off."
"Ahaha... yeah, you're right."
Tile chuckled warmly and lowered themselves down beside me.
"...Ahhh... okay, you're right..."
A genuinely contented sigh drifted from beside me.
"Kiasu! Bitter!! It's bitter!!"
"See? I told you it would be. Now come on, let's get in the bath."
Ahhh... this is happiness...
Summary:
Amduskias discovers his status as the weakest Demon Lord and spirals into despair, only to pivot when he realizes he's sharing a bath with his beautiful companions. The bath scene becomes a philosophical turning point where he redefines strength as finding happiness in the moment. Tile's probing question about whether he trusts them reveals the genuine bond forming beneath the comedy, leaving the question of what truly makes someone "strong" unanswered.
Trivia:
Amduskias's status as "weakest" is established through failed magic attempts and single-digit stats.
The "death flag" reference connects to classic shonen/martial arts tropes.
Elefan is described as having silver hair and violet skin with perfect proportions.
Tile transforms from "pretty boy" to "pretty girl" with developing curves and jet-black wings.
Paimon has a slim build with notable leg and hip curves.
The "shampoo" and "rinse" products are from Earth, highlighting the isekai setting.
Tile claims to be significantly older than Amduskias despite their youthful appearance.
Amduskias's philosophy of "mixed baths are the ultimate power" represents his coping mechanism.
The bath scene serves as "naked communion" (bare no tsukiai) building trust.
Paimon reacts with embarrassment to Elefan trying to lick her.
Tile's flustered reaction to compliments reveals their tsundere-like tendencies.
The chapter ends with Amduskias achieving contentment through simple pleasures.
Notes:
• Elefan - Silver long hair, violet skin, perfect proportions. Mysterious and usually quiet. Described as having gathered the essence of beauty. Enjoys bath products. Gentle demeanor with occasional playful moments. The First Demon Lord and considered the strongest being in existence. Has an appearance of a tall, beautiful woman with long silver hair but speaks and acts in a blunt, childlike manner. Able to perceive Amduskias's lack of power without him demonstrating it. Has a history of destroying nations five hundred years ago.
• Paimon - An orphaned, shy ogre companion serving Amduskias with deep deference. Appearing as a 190cm tall, handsome female with an ash-gray body, a single jet-black horn, golden eyes, and a voluptuous yet muscular build, she mimics the protagonist's posture. Knowledgeable and polite, she acts as a guide on local threats and monsters, often stammering nervously while providing essential supplies and information.
• Tile - A Demon Lord acquaintance of Amduskias, appearing as an androgynous figure with fluffy, unruly hair and a perpetual smile. Has a pleasant, easygoing demeanor and speaks in a casual, somewhat gender-ambiguous tone. Travels alongside Elephan and appears curious about Amduskias. Initially described as a "pretty boy" who becomes a "pretty girl." Boyish cowlick, jet-black wings, youthful frame with developing curves. Acts cheerful and curious about Amduskias's behavior. Claims to be older than him. Voice carries youthful energy with occasional flustered reactions.
• Amduskias - A newly reborn Demon Lord and Dungeon Master, he appears as a slender, boyish figure in a gakuran and sneakers. Pragmatic, self-deprecating, and prone to procrastination, he designs complex traps and bathhouses while seeking allies. Accompanied by his smartphone advisor Andras, this modern isekai figure values sincerity, dreams of companionship, and warmly welcomes the protagonist to his new dungeon.
• Kiasu - Job: Dungeon Master; Relationship: Master to Paimon; Item/Magic: Smartphone with Creation ability; Note: Zero years old, self-deprecating, clings to civilized lifestyle.