The next day, just after noon.
"Delivery service! Your package has arrived!"
"Thank you for your hard work."
After lunch, Miaha knocked on the front door cheerfully.
She was carrying a number of packages in her arms, as Allen let her through into the living room.
There was a small cloth bag and a huge rectangular wooden box that looked like it could fit a person. Anyone can tell from a glance that it was a large load, but Miaha was not even breaking a sweat and there was even a calm and composed expression on her face.
Then, she handed the cloth bag to Charlotte, who was watching from the side.
"Here you go. These are the daily necessities that Charlotte asked for."
"Thank you very much."
Charlotte accepted it timidly.
Before long, Miaha had somehow changed the way she addressed Charlotte from 'maid' to her real name, but Charlotte did not seem to notice. It seemed she was rather reserved around Miaha.
"Here are the items ordered by the "Demon King."
"Thank you. Now, let's see... "
The huge wooden box was placed in front of Allen.
The top lid was opened like a coffin and the contents were gently inspected.
Charlotte was curious, too, and tried to peek in with interest, but... before she could, Allen slammed the lid shut. He felt it was a good idea to hide the gift until the very last minute.
"It's a fine piece of item. Well then, this is the reward for this time."
"I'll check it then. Hey... Err...What's this...?"
Miaha, who was counting the silver coins, tilted her head.
"That's quite a sum of money. Please wait while I prepare the change--"
"There's no need for that. The balance is your tip, you deserve it."
"Wow! You're so generous, Demon King! Thank you!"
Miaha shoved the silver coins into her pocket with a big smile on her face.
It can be said that it was a kind of hush money. If this could protect Charlotte, it would be a small price to pay.
While Allen put away his wallet, Miaha stared fixated at the wooden box.
"Anyways... What is the Demon King planning to do with this?"
"Obviously I'm going to use it?"
Miaha cheekily pointed out that he was lying.
Then, Allen patted Charlotte on the shoulder.
"No, no. It's not for me, it's for Charlotte."
"What, me?"
Charlotte widened her eyes in surprise. She probably did not expect the attention to be suddenly directed at her.
"I'm surprised that Charlotte is such an active girl."
"What on earth did you buy...?"
"Hahaha... Don't be too surprised when you finally see it..."
Allen said that and snapped his fingers.
Then, the wooden box shattered with a crack. The contents of the box, in the midst of scattered pieces of wood, were--
"... Sandbags?"
"That's right!"
Despite Charlotte's confusion, Allen said it proudly.
It was literally a sandbag, suspended by a metal pole. It was a sports equipment used for practicing boxing and training oneself.
"I was surprised that you are able to deliver such a thing. I am very impressed with Satyr Transport Company. Please keep up the good work!"
"Of course, you can count on us! If it's the Demon King, I'll give you priority in delivery."
"Hey, no... please wait a moment!"
Charlotte interrupted Allen and Miaha..
As if she could not understand what was happening, her eyes alternated between Allen, then the sandbag and then back to Allen again.
"What would I need this for? Oh! Is it for exercising...?"
"Good guess, but not quite."
It was as if she could not understand it. Looking at Allen and the sandbag alternately, and head back again.
Allen slapped the sandbag and declared.
"This would be your mischief for the day!"
"Oh. The mischief..."
Charlotte gulped her throat audibly.
Miaha, on the other hand, looked at Allen speechlessly.
"What is this? Is that how you play?"
"No, you've got it wrong. It's a long story..."
When Allen briefly explained the situation, Miaha shook her head with a sullen look on her face.
"Demon King, your choice of words is truly terrible... be that as it may, why is punching a sandbag considered a bad thing?"
"Well, if it's just this, it's only normal exercise..."
Then, Allen pulled a newspaper clipping out of his pocket and stuck it on the sandbag. Now, it was ready for some action.
"Now it's time to relieve some stress! Hit him as hard as you can!"
"What?!"
Charlotte screamed hysterically.
What Allen had pasted directly onto the sandbag was a portrait of a stern-looking middle-aged man and a cold-eyed young man.
It was the hateful faces of her father and her former fiancé.