Part 1
Rikarisu Town.
Lots of mories here.
Even now, I rember it like yesterday.
My life as an adventurer in the Magic Continent started here, filled with mories of Ruijerd and Eris.
But in the end, we were chased out, leaving only bad mories behind…
But the experiences I gained here are good.
It's here I learned not to overthink the situation or try to do everything by myself.
We hike down the slope and head towards the edge of the crater until we reach an entrance.
Just as before, here stands a pair of guards.
Back then, in order to sneak Ruijerd in, we ca in disguise…
"Hey, it's guarded. Is that a problem?"
"No. Cities in the Magic Continent basically welco everyone in."
"But doesn't the security feel rather tight right now?"
As Cliff said, the guards look quite alert.
Jet black armor, full face helt.
The armor looks sharp and ominous.
When I was at Rikarisu, the guards weren't so well equipped.
The equipnt has changed over the years I suppose.
"Halt."
Just as we are about to enter, the guards stop us.
"What is it?"
"No, that woman over there…"
The guards stare at Elinalise.
Cliff steps in front of Elinalise as if to shield her.
Elinalise looks unfazed.
"What's wrong?"
"…What?"
The other guard pulls out a piece of paper and looks back and forth between it and Elinalise.
I sneak a peek. Drawn on it is a succubus-like beauty.
Tall, big breasted, long wavy hair.
It wasn't colored, but Elinalise shares so similarities.
But, the chest is off.
"Not her."
"Ah, nope."
With that said, the guard puts away the paper.
"Excuse , proceed."
"Sothing happened?"
"None of your business."
I left quietly after I was refused.
"Looks like they're looking for soone."
"Yeah."
There's an escapee sowhere in town?
Well, nothing to do with us.
But we should be careful.
If we wander into an alley sowhere and et a murderer, that'd suck.
"Well, now what?"
"Let's go to the Adventurer's Guild and exchange so money."
"Got it."
After a simple exchange, we follow the road ahead.
"Wow, amazing…"
Cliff exclaims as he sees the nearby open market.
As usual, it's full of life.
rchants and adventurers of various races.
Lizard-like magic beasts ridden back and forth.
But the things going on are about the sa as those in the markets around the Magic City Sharia:
rchants and adventurers arguing, residents wandering to and forth, a beggar asking for charity from a rchant and getting kicked aside.
Sa sort of things everywhere you go.
Even Cliff should be familiar with this sight, but seeing various races mixed together might be refreshing.
Must be different.
However, unexpectedly, black-clad soldiers are everywhere.
Whenever they spot Elinalise, without a pause, they'll take out so paper.
Since it's obviously soone different even from afar, they never co for questioning.
"Cliff-senpai, your wife is rather popular."
"Eh, Ehh… Is it alright?"
"As long as Elinalise-san hasn't done anything here before, it should be alright."
With that said, I stare at Elinalise.
She shrugs.
"Nothing I feel guilty about."
Elinalise looks unfocused.
She definitely did sothing she felt guilty about.
Part 2
The Adventurer's Guild is the sa as always.
At worst, it has deteriorated slightly due to the ravages of ti.
No, I rember it was always like this.
All eyes were on us when we entered.
How nostalgic.
Last ti after a short act, we had the place in an uproar.
Thankfully, Ruijerd soon got in the act and we avoided a ss.
Soon, everyone lost interest.
A party of Long Ear Race and Human might be exotic, but a few rare specins don't deserve the attention.
We head to the front desk and exchanged so Asura coins with Magic Continent ones.
Around 100 Green Mineral Coins worth, but I collected them without double checking.
Back then, I'd check the contents of my wallet everyday, even if there's only one or two pieces left. I have really changed.
No, I'm just a tad more affluent than before.
Also, we issued a request to the Adventurer's Guild for Kishirika's whereabouts.
"Petite girl, purple hair, bondage wear, self-proclaid Great Empress of the Demon Realm. In particular, she habitually laughs like a maniac."
Since it's a search, ratings are low, but the reward is high.
I stick the request on the job board. Suddenly, I noticed at the edge of the job board an aging petition from the Fedoa Region Search Group.
The search group at Milis has already been disbanded, yet this petition still remains.
The contact person is still Paul at the Holy Kingdom of Milis.
At this rate, wouldn't soone end up traveling all the way to Milis for nothing?
I return to the front desk and change the contact to Alphonse at the refugee camp.
They probably will still accept refugees there.
Although my residence could work as well, honestly, I don't want to take care of people I don't know.
"Well, we're done here."
"Now what?"
After Cliff asked, I spent ti thinking about our next move.
Of course, we shouldn't just sit around and wait. It's better if we do so digging ourselves.
We'll spend a week here collecting information.
Look for help and do leg work on our own, search carefully.
Ultimately, the Adventurer's Guild job request is just a safety net in case we missed Kishirika sohow.
"First, collect intel."
I check my surroundings.
A man walks up towards us.
A horse faced man.
I rember this guy well.
It's the guy that trapped us.
It's all his fault that we got kicked out of the city… well, not all his fault.
I know as well, back then, we broke the rules.
"Yo!"
The horse faced man, Nokopara, just like before, cos chatting full spirited.
To a guy like him, making conversation with new faces is part of the job.
Despite what I think, the person he's greeting is not , but Elinalise.
"Long ti no see! You and Roxy split up?"
Elinalise looks at Nokopara in surprise.
Not long after, probably when it finally clicks for her, she claps her hand.
"Ah, from Roxy's old party."
"…Eh?"
Roxy's old party?
What?
"Rudeus, please help translate. This is my… no, Roxy's old buddy."
Elinalise pushes to face Nokopara.
8 years ago.
The guy that clung onto us.
Roxy's old buddy.
Old party mber.
In other words, he was clinging onto Roxy too.
Why have I never heard anything about this?
"Oh, I am Nokopara. Do you understand ?"
He doesn't rember from back then.
It can't be helped, after 8 years, I have grown up quite a bit.
Nokopara has grown old too… well, I can't really tell.
How horse-faces look when older, I can't really tell.
In turn, Nokopara probably can't tell human faces apart either.
"Yeah, Nokopara-san. I understand."
"Rudeus, he should be quite familiar with the situations in this town. Why not ask him to help collect information for us?"
"…"
This guy is good with intel, that I know.
He's very observant of others.
In that case, he should co in handy for us.
We were once pushed into a corner by him.
But we shad him in public as well.
He might still be holding a grudge for that.
Instead of coming clean, I'm better off hiding my identity and taking advantage of him.
"I am Quagmire. Nice to et you."
"Ah, Quagmire huh… Oh? Have we t before?"
"No, that's impossible."
If Eris was here, she'd probably kick his ass.
But I'll let bygones be bygones.
He never did realize that Ruijerd is a Supard.
And it was our misstep that caused the situation.
Besides, now is not the ti to dig up the past.
"We're looking for soone. Will you assist us?"
"…How much you got?"
He pisses off.
Well, I wouldn't want to work for free either.
"2 Green Mineral Coins. 4 if you find her."
"4!? D-done!"
Ah, too much.
It's been a while, I completely forgot about the situation here.
Ah, oh well.
"It's an ergency."
"Oh. If it's for Elinalise, I can do it for half."
Nokopara turns up his nose and smiles to himself.
Part 3
After I provide Nokopara the info on Kishirika, he said [We'll get in touch in half a day] and disappeared into the crowd.
"I'm surprised you held back."
Watching Nokopara leave, Elinalise speaks up.
"Eh?"
"I rember now. That guy tried to shake you down before."
"Wow, you even know about that."
"When I ca by this town, I caught wind of it. Apparently, Nokopara tried to shake down [Dead End] and almost got killed. But I don't think
Roxy heard of it…"
Elinalise knows.
Well, no reason that she wouldn't.
A Supard showing up in town would be big news.
"It's just an unfortunate event."
Things were going so well that I got carried away and fell on my face.
The way Nokopara takes advantage of others disgusts , but I'm no saint myself.
Since Nokopara doesn't realize who I am, all is well.
"Anyways, I don't plan on settling the score with Nokopara. But if he crosses us again, that's a different story."
What's past is past, but I am not that generous.
Cross again, and I'll make sure that's the last ti.
"Say, Nokopara and Roxy in a party together, what's up with that?"
"Ah, about that-."
I feel a little troubled after hearing the story of Roxy and Nokopara.
Ah, such a nice guy back then, yet look at how he turned out.
Part 4
There's lots of stuff to get done in half a day's ti.
First, securing accommodation.
This town has plenty of inns open for adventurers.
Simple inns for rookies, and luxury ones for high-rank.
This ti, we selected one for high-rank adventurers.
I picked a high class inn mostly for its security.
It's a little pricey, but since prices are generally low at the Magic Continent, it wasn't very painful.
On the way there, we walked past Wolf Claw Inn.
That's the place we stayed in long ago.
By chance, we passed by three young rookies, chatting as they walk out of the inn.
It's a little late to head out for work right now, so they're probably going shopping.
Say, the other adventurers that lived here back then… Kuruto and people, what are they up to now?
Because of my misjudgnt, one of them died. How are the other two doing?
No. It has been 8 years already.
They might already be dead.
But if we can et again, I'd like to talk about old tis with them.
Oh yeah.
I should go et with the P-hunters.
Jalil and Veskel, right?
The petty criminals that specialize in lost pets.
Although I'm not looking for a pet this ti, Kishirika is basically an animal. Maybe they can find her.
"Before that, let drop by this place I know."
"As expected of Shisho, to be so well connected."
"I just know a few people."
Thinking about that, I head towards P-hunters' pet store.
It should be around here sowhere. Following vague mories of the area, I went ahead.
My mories are dubious, and the city changed.
Despite that, after spending so long in the area and following the landmarks, I can still recognize this place.
The location is right, but the store has changed.
It's a butcher's shop.
A guy with hedgehog head looks after the store. I went to check it out.
"Welco."
"I rember this was a pet shop once. Do you know what happened?"
"Ah, Jalil? That guy's dead. Got killed 2 years ago taming a magic beast."
Eh, he died?
Seriously?
"And Veskel?"
"Veskel? She left a year ago. With Jalil dead, she can't do work no more."
Veskel is gone too.
Really, Jalil, dead?
I know that the Magic Continent is a cruel place, but hearing that an old friend has died is still rather depressing.
In the end, he did betray Ruijerd.
Even so, we did work together once.
I'd like to remain as friends.
"I took over the shop from Veskel. Do you know her?"
"Yeah, we t."
"Well then, let give you a discount."
I also asked about Kishirika, and as pay, bought so Great Land Turtle jerky and left.
Great Land Turtle at still tastes as disgusting as always.
Part 5
For half a day, we busy ourselves in collecting intel.
Collecting intel by hand is not particularly efficient.
Particularly because I'm the only one that speaks the Demon God language.
So basically, only I could ask around.
If only Roxy were here.
Still, searching a town, one or two people won't make much of a difference.
When it cos to intel, let's count on the expert Nokopara instead.
With those thoughts, I continue to ask around…
"Petite, purple hair, bondage wear, self-proclaid Great Empress of the Demon Realm, habitually laughs like a maniac. Have you t that girl
before?"
"Ah, that kid. I have. But that was almost… a year ago."
Turns out I got a lot of responses.
Unexpected.
Truly unexpected.
With this, maybe it won't be too long before we find her.
"Score!"
Cliff raises his voice happily.
As if we already found her.
But Elinalise shakes her hand.
"But no one saw her recently?"
It's true.
They're all [About a year ago.]
Well, so also said [About half a year ago.]
Maybe she left already.
In that case, we should start asking [Where did she go?]
Rikarisu Town sits on the northeast corner of the Magic Continent.
For the ti being, she would probably head southwest.
There's a mountain range to the southwest, in that case maybe… No, this is Kishirika after all.
Not that I know Kishirika very well.
But I got a feeling she's capable of anything.
If she doesn't follow the roads, then who knows where she could be.
"Let's go check in with Nokopara."
"It's only been half a day. I doubt even he could have found much…"
Regardless, we head back to the Adventurer's Guild.
We picked a table, and just when we were about to grab sothing to eat, Nokopara shows up.
"Yo. Waited long?"
Just like how he left, he ca back smiling and full of energy.
No, I can't tell how happy a horse face is.
But he seems pretty happy to .
"Sorry, I have yet to find the person, but I've got so intel for you."
"What did you hear?"
Only half a day for the eagle to land.
Basically, we already know all the information Nokopara found.
But as expected of Nokopara, he was able to summarize all the most common sightings, as well as where she was last spotted.
Not bad for half a day's work…
Rather, as part of his daily routine, he knows all the right people to ask.
Then, based on what info is needed, he picks the best candidates to ask, sothing like that.
That's talent too.
"Demon King-sama seems to be looking for the Great Demon Empress as well."
"Demon King?"
"Yeah. About a year ago, the Demon King from the adjacent territory traveled here."
Apparently, a Demon King currently resides at the center of Rikarisu Town, at Old Kishirisu Castle.
So all the black-clad soldiers here are her personal army. The riders too are basically her private guards.
"Don't tell that Demon King is Badigadi?"
"No, not Badigadi-sama. It's Atofe-sama, older sister of Badigadi-sama, a very terrifying Demon King."
Badigadi has a sister?
A black amazon?
"Really scary?"
"Ah, she's a Demon King that fought in the Laplace Campaign after all. If you accidentally offend her, she might execute you on the spot."
I can't even imagine that when Badigadi is so easy going.
But if that's the case, then I should probably avoid her.
No, if she is related to Badigadi, then she might also be immortal too.
If she has lived since a long ti ago, then maybe she knows of the cure to Doline syndro.
I should try to get an audience with her and ask…
Whether she will see is another question.
"Say, has Badigadi returned?"
"He has yet to return… Hey, watch your language when you talk about the Demon King-sama."
"Apologies."
Badigadi hasn't co back.
Who knows where he's wandering the world right now.
He's been gone for 8 years already.
Maybe wandering the world is a hobby of his.
I summarized the details to the others.
Zanoba, with a hand to his chin, says,
"The portrait looks nothing like her."
Now that he ntioned it, that portrait does look completely different from the Kishirika that I rember.
I know Kishirika was a kid.
I didn't notice when I checked the portrait, but that vixen looks quite like Kishirika.
Maybe once Kishirika grows older, that's how she will look.
Maybe Kishirika has grown in the past few years?
No, no.
We have witness reports of that girl.
In other words, that Demon King doesn't know that Kishirika is a kid?
Oh…
Maybe Nokopara would know.
"That portrait that the private guards have looks different from the actual Kishirika. What do you think?"
"Demon King-sama doesn't concern herself with petty details. So maybe she thought any age would do."
"Ah, I see."
Badigadi is whimsical as well.
Maybe Atofe is the sa.
"Then, let's all check with Atofe-sama?"
I declare and get up.
But Nokopara starts to panic.
"Hey, hold on, forget it. Atofe-sama is really dangerous. You're better off not going."
"No, I must. I'll be careful not to offend her."
No problem?
I hope there won't be.
If sothing happens, then Zanoba will stand guard while I attack.
Just like with Badigadi, I'll hit and run…
Then, once I find Badigadi, he can diate for us.
Well, that'll do.
"If we should et, then allow to help."
Zanoba stands up smiling.
He's a royalty as well, so arranging a eting should be possible right?
If that's the case, then maybe we should've gotten Ariel to co instead…
Hold on, maybe like with Perugius, Zanoba is easier to get along with.
Since Ariel is always thinking about networking, she might be exposed and hated.
"Is Atofe-sama interested in the arts?"
"Eh? Arts? Em, who knows. Well, Demon King-samas all seem to have those sorts of interests."
Badigadi's interests… like what?
I don't think he has anything of the sort.
No, he's interested in beer?
Like really expensive beer?
Even though Atofe is a very scary Demon King, if she's anything like Badigadi, then we might get along.
"Anyways, let's go give it a shot."
With the talk over, Elinalise and Cliff stood up as well.
Part 6
An hour later.
We stand looking at the castle.
Conclusion?
Failure.
Zanoba takes the crest of Shirone. I translate for him to request an audience with Demon King.
"Never heard of that country. Atofe-sama is busy! No one is allowed!"
Denied.
Door slamd in our face.
Maybe Asura Kingdom, or Kingdom of the Dragon King, or Holy Kingdom of Milis would have been different.
But Shirone is a small kingdom, so it's impossible.
It's like expecting a Japanese to know the na of so country in Africa.
Especially when there was no appointnt.
It's only natural.
"I'm sorry. My ho country lacks the prestige."
Rather than getting angry at the blatant breach of etiquette, Zanoba is apologizing to instead.
"No, I was inconsiderate."
"I thought this might happen…"
Zanoba said as he frowns.
Zanoba isn't much of a patriot, but to hear his country mocked in such a matter, I doubt he'll let it go.
"…Sigh, let's take a break."
Cliff leans on a wall nearby and sighs.
I still have so gas in the tank but…
"True, I'm a bit tired too."
Looking around, Zanoba is sweaty too.
It might miss, but he's also an indoor type. A day's exercise is hard on him too.
I also feel like my head is running slow.
Let's rest.
"Alright. Then let's go grab so grub."
We didn't have ti for lunch.
The jerky was lacking as well.
Well, food here is hard to eat, so I don't have much appetite.
"Shisho, there's an open-air stall there. Let's just eat there. Is that alright with you two?"
Now that you ntion it, for a while, we could sll barbecue in the air.
Following our nose, there's a heavily spiced Magic Continent specialty, open stall spicy barbecue skewers.
With a crowd of… 3 custors waiting in line.
"I don't mind, but eating while standing… isn't that against the rules?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
As they argue, Elinalise has already taken her place in the line.
"I'll hold a spot. Rudeus, go set up a place to sit sowhere."
"Will language be a problem?"
"For numbers, we can just use our hands."
That's true too.
There are ways to get around without knowing the language.
Following her instructions, with magic, I set up so chairs on the side.
Although eating standing up is fine, since we need to rest, we might as well sit down.
Although to be honest, I don't mind sitting on the ground either.
"I'll line up too."
Cliff and Elinalise line up together.
I finish with the preparations and sit down with Zanoba.
"Phew."
After sitting down, a day of exhaustion rushed onto .
But sitting here like this, I start to feel like the entire day has been a waste of ti.
We still don't know whether we can find Kishirika.
Even if we find her, we have no clue whether she knows anything useful.
Rather, I have a feeling the chances that she does is nigh.
Badigadi as well, although they have long lives, I think they rarely get ill.
"…Shisho, don't be too hard on yourself."
"Eh?"
"Nanahoshi's illness, Shisho doesn't have to feel so responsible for it."
I'm not responsible.
Right. That's true.
But, this is not an issue of responsibility.
This is what I want to do.
"That's true."
"But feeling hosick and wanting to go back, I can understand that a little. That's why I want to help."
"Really? I thought you were happy with the life you have now."
"Of course. But sotis, I feel nostalgic for ho. That's also true."
Zanoba feels hosick sotis.
I thought he only had dolls on his mind, but I guess Zanoba is also soone's flesh and blood.
"…Nanahoshi tries so hard. Her ho is definitely sothing important to her."
"The boy she likes, and her family too… They're all there."
Both are ordinary, but both are important.
Very, very important.
"Both of them are beyond ."
"For you, it's dolls."
I absentmindedly watch the other two while chatting with Zanoba.
Cliff and Elinalise.
Those two have changed so much from when we first t.
Cliff can't read the mood, but now he's more considerate of others.
Elinalise too, I'm fond of the ti when she was busy chasing after boys.
If they ever split up, they probably would return to their true forms in a hurry.
"…"
The custor before Cliff ordered his skewers.
Probably to ask for change, a beggar in hood and rags went over, but that custor kicked him away.
Cliff looks angry when he spots this.
But Elinalise stops him, so no fight broke out.
Cliff is kind-hearted. He definitely will get sothing for the beggar.
As I expected, he bought an extra skewer and handed it to him.
The beggar devours the skewer as he thanks him.
Nom, nom.
Soon after he finished one, he brazenly begs Cliff for another, so Cliff bought a new one for him.
So moved that he's trembling, the beggar holds Cliff's hand.
Eh?
Deja-vu.
Say, that beggar, is he thanking Cliff in human language?
In that mont, the beggar suddenly laughs with a voice so loud that it can be heard from even over here.
"Faahahahaha!"
Throwing off her rags, she loudly declares!
"This one is called Kishirika Kishirisu! A.K.A. THE GREAT EMPRESS OF THE DEMON REALM! You have saved this one's life! It's fine if you ask
for any one desire!"
I feel dizzy.
Part 7
Great Demon Empress Kishirika.
She looks just as how I rembered her.
Those knee-high kicks, skin-tight hot pants, and blouse.
Her pale skin, collarbone, waist, navel, and thighs.
Her characteristic thick, purple, wavy hair with goat horns.
Well, she's dirtier than before.
But without a doubt,
That's Kishirika Kishirisu.
"Faahahahah! Faahaha! Faahahahaha!"
Cliff looks dumbfounded.
Elinalise's eyes turn into dots. That's a first.
too, what just happened?
The only one calm is Zanoba.
Only him, with his hand on his chin said, [Oh, so that's Badigadi's lover.]
"…"
Pay it forward.
That idiom floats in my mind.
I think Cliff is the proof of those words.
Helping a beggar sounds easy, but not everyone would do it.
Ultimately, the other person's a beggar.
Raggy clothes, a strong stench whenever he approaches, skin covered in dirt, and blackened teeth.
You feel sorry for them, so you ought to buy them food. But do you really want to?
I won't.
I won't go as far as kicking her, but I don't have that kind of universal love.
But Cliff, he does.
The first ti we t, I thought he was a petty bastard.
But in the future, he probably will beco a great priest.
Viva la Cliff!
Okay, that's enough praise for Cliff.
Anyways, why is Kishirika begging here?
"Co! Don't hold back! Anything you desire! But before that, state your na!"
"Eh? Eh…? C-Cliff Grimoire."
Looking at the beggar turned Kishirika before him, Cliff looks to for help.
anwhile, Kishirika makes a pompous pose and continues.
"Cliff! Treating this one to food is a great deed. This one hasn't ate for half a year already!"
I walk by and join the conversation.
"In that case, how about so more?"
"Oh! Really! You are truly generous! Truly a generous man!"
Then for a while, Kishirika continues to wolf down Great Land Turtle skewers.
Devouring everything, who knows how she managed to fit everything into that tiny body.
Nom, nom.
"Phew, this one is full! With that, this one can last a whole year!"
Kishirika slaps her tummy in satisfaction. She has wiped out the entire stall.
Selling so well, the stall owner must be happy too.
Next…
"Long ti no see, Kishirika-sama."
"And you are!"
I bow in respect. Kishirika stares at .
"Eh? Oh?"
Then her pupils spin, and she claps her hands.
"Oh! You! The human boy with the disgusting amount of magic power! This one rembers! This one gave the boy a demon eye. The na is, oh
yeah, eh… Ru, ba, Rumba… Rumbaus. Long ti no see!"
"It's Rudeus Greyrat."
I'm no robot vacuum cleaner.
"Long ti no see, Rudeus… You sure grew. How was it, after that, how was life?"
Kishirika slaps on the thigh once she got close enough.
Like a manager from sowhere.
"Ah yes, the demon eye Kishirika-sama gifted has saved my life many tis!"
"Faahahahah! Is that so, is that so!"
Kishirika nods happily.
How simple.
So easy.
"But, this one can only reward one person! Just one!"
Kishirika points at Cliff.
"You, Cliff Grimoire. State your desires."
"…"
Pointed out by Kishirika, Cliff swallows.
Suddenly I rember.
The reward from Great Demon Empress Kishirika Kishirisu, a demon eye.
This is sothing well known in this world.
Cliff has his own goals in the future.
A demon eye will surely help with his magic tool research.
If it's , I would think so too.
Of course.
Unless?
"T-then, please tell the cure to Drain Syndro."
"Eh?"
"A friend of mine fell ill to that. She's stable right now, but probably won't get better. If you know, please tell ."
Phew.
My mind wandered. I'm really sorry.
When we get back, I'm definitely treating Cliff to a big al.
"Em, Drain Syndro eh? That na sure is nostalgic. People still getting sick from that, now that's shocking!"
I glance at Zanoba and nod.
Looks like Kishirika has heard of it before.
"Then, what about the cure?"
"Of course. For that, just take so leaves of Sokasu Grass and make tea with it. Then it'll co out with poop."
I can feel a smile growing on my face.
Good.
Even though Kishirika might be wrong, but we finally have sothing.
Make tea with Sokasu Grass leaves.
Basically make a concoction.
"Sokasu Grass? Never heard of it before. Where can we find it?"
"Em… Phantom Capital Maio."
"Phantom Capital Maio?"
Crap.
Any city with the word Phantom in it is basically impossible to find.
Like a place you can only visit in your dream, or can only find in the shifting desert…
"North of the Red Dragon Mountain Ranges, at a valley nad Red Dragon Tail in Dragon Tail Cave. Sokasu Grass grows in the deepest reaches
of that cave."
"Dragon Tail Cave."
With that, we have more work to do.
No, that's good.
Not bad at all.
Better than not finding Kishirika and wandering the world for years.
Eh?
But is there even a place called Red Dragon Tail on the Red Dragon Mountain Ranges?
"Where is that place?"
"Oh, during the second Human-Demon Great War, Dragon God and Fighting God cut a hole in the ground and it disappeared."
"…Eh?"
In other words,
It's gone.
Say, that differs from the story I knew.
The hole in the ground, isn't that because of the battle between Kishirika and the Golden Knight?
No, but Kishirika doesn't look particularly strong…
Well, forget it.
When it cos to tales and legends, the truth often gets twisted when convenient.
What's important is the Sokasu Grass.
"Say, is Sokasu Grass extinct?"
"No, the Dragon Tail Cave is only where it was originally discovered."
Kishirika shakes her head slowly.
Originally discovered, so it may still be growing sowhere?
"Sokasu Grass grows in the depth of caves where the sun never shines."
Depth of caves where the sun doesn't shine.
Like Labyrinths?
Another Labyrinth?
In that case, then I'll get enough bodies this ti.
20… No, I might place enough bounty to assemble 100 adventurers or so.
"Thus, under this one's instruction, Demon Kings everywhere have been growing them under their own castles."
"…"
"After all, Sokasu Grass is delicious. Moreover, drinking them leads to long life. Even Immortal Demons drink them. Faahahahaha!"
"…"
In other words.
That's it?
They're growing under the castle?
Not only that, but as ingredients for high grade tea, then we can probably find them everywhere.
"Faahahaha! You thought you wouldn't find them? Did I guess right? Too bad! Even Kishirisu Castle has them! Faahahahaha!"
This guy, I really want to kick her.
As I thought so, Cliff takes a step forward with clenched fists.
"You!"
"Hold on Cliff-senpai! Wait until she's told us everything!"
"Oh, okay."
Sheet, the truth ca out.
Besides, if the castle has it, then it's fine.
Or rather, it's perfect.
I'm not happy that I'm being toyed with.
This is an area I have to improve on.
But stay calm.
Keep my head down.
"Then, Kishirika-sama. That Sokasu tea. Can we have so?"
"Sure! But there's just one problem."
"Problem?"
"Um. Right now, in Kishirisu Castle is an annoying person. She's an idiot, but an annoying idiot. This one has been hiding from her for half a year already… Ah!"
Kishirika looks behind .
"Em?"
I look up and behind .
Over there, black-clad soldiers.
5, 6, 7… over 20 in all.
Even more from the street and alleys…
Almost 30 in all, and we're surrounded.
Part 8
The soldiers watch us intimidatingly.
Elinalise takes a step forward with a hand on the sword on her waist.
There's cold sweat on her forehead.
No matter what, there are too many enemies to deal with.
Crap, we have nowhere to run.
Do I grab Zanoba and Cliff and fly away?
Do I leave Kishirika and Elinalise behind?
What do I do?
The front-most soldier among them steps forward.
With a hoarse but forceful voice he said,
"We are the Gaslow Region Immortal Demon Lord Atoferatofe's Private Guard."
In fluent Human language.
So we will work with them, probably.
"Atofe-sama commands: Hand Kishirika-sama to us, and head imdiately to the castle."
Hearing him, the black-clad riders behind him compare the portrait with Kishirika the person. Eh? They seem riled up.
As Nokopara expected, the portrait was wrong. The one that ordered it was sloppy.
But, even if the portrait was wrong, if she yells out Kishirika like that, she will probably get exposed.
"What if we don't?"
The mont Elinalise asked quietly, all the soldiers drew their swords.
The sound of swords unsheathing clatters.
The chorus of sounds becos ear-deafeningly loud.
"Kill them all."
I can't tell the strength of an opponent just by looking.
But even I have quite a bit of experience under my belt.
Even I can tell when an opponent is obviously strong.
The private guards are, without a doubt, full of incredible people.
Far stronger than the typical rider group can match.
"No, don't. If they catch this one, then who knows how they'll treat this one? Atofe is the most stupid among the the Demon Kings!"
Hearing Kishirika makes frown.
If Atofe doesn't have a plan for dealing with Kishirika after capturing her, then why capture her in the first place?
Besides, I have no reason to et with Atofe anymore.
I should just run…
But the dicine is under the castle right?
Then maybe we should go along… But I've never seen it before. I have no idea what it looks like.
While I'm hesitating, the soldier removes his helt.
"Please."
A white-haired, battle-wary old man.
With a gentle smile, he bows his head.
"If everyone doesn't co, then we'll be punished by Afote-sama. We definitely won't hurt you, so please…"
I'm a Japanese man that can say… no.
Not like before.
But after such a humble request, I can't help but feel soft-hearted.
"No, don't listen to him. He's Atofe's dog."
Cold sweat dripping down from Kishirika's face.
Seems like she's hiding sothing.
"I overheard your conversation. Sokasu Grass is grown in Gaslow Region, and we also know the cultivating techniques. If necessary, we can even prepare saplings for you. So please co with us…"
The old soldier bows his head.
I can feel his sincerity.
Even though he can move us forcefully, instead, he requested so humbly.
I'm not too close with Kishirika, but I do know of Demon Kings like Badigadi.
These underlings must have it tough.
"Say, why does Kishrika-sama hate Atofe-sama so much? There must be a reason that you've been hunting Kishirika-sama for half a year. Can you tell ?"
"A year ago, here, Atofe-sama was supposed to receive a shipnt of wine from Gekura region, but Kishirika drank them all."
"Oh."
The old soldier continues.
"Atofe-sama was really looking forward to that wine and got really angry. She ordered the private guards from our ho country here to investigate and capture her. We don't know what Kishirika looks like, so she gave us this portrait, and we have been searching for her ever since…"
"So that's what happened, I understand."
I knocked out Kishirika with magic myself.
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