Jiro Tanaka, 28, Married
Wife: Suella Handelberg
Memoria Tris
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee)
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class)
Position: Warrior
The Demon Lord’s Army’s base, Anatalis.
Within it lies a military city called Bakkna.
That’s the name of the town I visited.
As expected of a city bearing the name “military city,” its structure resembles a fortress designed as a military stronghold. This teleportation circle is one such military facility. There are also horses for patrols, a landing and takeoff area for flying dragons, and security soldiers. Even now, various species related to the Demon Lord’s Army are coming and going around the surroundings.
However, on the other hand, it seems to have proper urban functions as well. Away from the central military facilities, there are shops, inns, and an Adventurer’s Guild, though humans are not present. There are merchants and adventurers. And there are commoners.
My impression of the place I visited was that it was closer to the “relatively peaceful” fantasy world I imagined than Isal, where I had gone on a business trip before. Beings like Oni and Demons, often depicted as enemies, are present, but for someone like me who knows works where such species are the main characters, the sense of dissonance is not that significant. Instead, being constantly shown scenes filled with power, like in Isal, felt too much like being crudely exposed to the social structure of Modern Japan, making me think this wasn’t fantasy at all. You might think, “What are you saying, considering you were involved in espionage-like activities?” But that’s how harsh reality is compared to imagination.
All I can do is be grateful for the situation of being able to come to this otherworld peacefully. Unfortunately, it seems I won’t have much time to leisurely enjoy sightseeing.
“Jiro-, the procedures for leaving the fortress are complete. We will now head to the main city district.”
“……”
While leaning against a pillar, losing my nerve, and quietly listening to the surrounding sounds, I was gathering the information I had observed. It seems the procedures to pass through the fortress gate had finished. Mait and Gray had come to meet me.
“Possession of weapons is permitted, but please be careful about drawing your sword in town. Even if the other party is at fault, in some cases, it will be considered our fault.”
“Is that because the standing of humans is so low?”
“Unfortunately, that is the case.”
“……”
Mait and Gray were both kind to me, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are kind to humans in general. It was a trust that came from the indirect trust of Suella and Memoria. They are probably just personally favorable towards me. In fact, although I haven’t waited even ten minutes, two-tenths of the emotions from the gazes I’ve received from those around me are curiosity, three-tenths are indifference, and five-tenths are malice.
I wasn’t just staring blankly at the giant moon, you know? Thanks to that, even while waiting quietly, I understood that I was being subjected to stares brimming with dislike, wondering why a human was here. I need to properly recognize that trouble could be lurking anywhere. Still, it’s a relief that I don’t need to hide my identity, unlike in Isal.
I answered with a wry smile, indicating there was no problem, and Gray, looking unconvinced, said no more. Mait also understood the reactions of those around us but seemed unable to accept them. After sharing a slight wry smile with me, he began to lead the way, saying, “Let’s go.” Mait walked diagonally ahead to my right, and Gray followed behind me to my left. It’s not a mistake to think they are walking as if to escort me. In fact, I sensed that adventurers, who likely had business at the fortress, moved away with snorts of displeasure. If I had just wandered around carelessly, I would have undoubtedly encountered an event that starts with the “adventurer’s baptism” of “Why are you here?” I have no intention of losing, but I want to avoid unnecessary trouble. It was the right decision to wait quietly.
“By the way, where are we going?”
“To my shop.”
“Gray’s?”
“Yes, we’ll procure a dragon there and head south.”
“South? What’s there?”
“This continent has many dungeons created by past Demon Lords. Unlike those in Isal, they retain their function as dungeons. Dungeons, if managed properly, circulate magic power and endlessly release resources.”
“Are they reusable? If so, wouldn’t it be less costly to utilize them rather than create new dungeons?”
As we walked, I asked about our destination and learned we were heading to a dungeon south of this city. It wouldn’t be strange to have dungeons in the Demon Lord’s Army’s territory, but I heard that dungeons serve as keystones connecting worlds. Naturally, the cost of creating one would be immense. Reusing one should be more cost-effective than creating one from scratch, especially if it still functions.
“Of course, dungeons that rarely remain with their functions intact are heard to be dismantled and converted into resources. However, most of the dungeons that are created are destroyed by Heroes, so it’s rare for their functions to be intact. Even if the function remains, it’s not complete, so dungeons that are still usable in part are recycled for resource recovery like this. That’s the dungeon we’re heading to.”
“I see.”
So, they’ve got that aspect well managed. I shouldn’t have spoken based on my amateur thinking.
“Halt! Present your identification and permit!”
As we were talking, we arrived at the gate to the main city district. Naturally, we were stopped by the guards, but thanks to having completed the procedures in advance, we were allowed to pass smoothly. It seems my presence is known to the guards, as I overheard someone mutter, “You.” Is the existence of Testers not a secret?
“Wow.”
Although the guards’ remark caught my attention, I was captivated by the scene beyond the gate. The magic streetlights, shining brightly, illuminated a scene as beautiful as an illumination display. It’s likely only on the main street, but with this much light, it’s no different from daytime.
“This way.”
Gray seems accustomed to this dazzling sight, perhaps it’s a familiar sight to him. In fact, for Gray, a vampire, this brightness might be too blinding, as he lowered his eyes slightly and began walking at a brisk pace. Again, we were led by Gray.
“Haha, humans do stand out, don’t they?”
“You’ll get used to it after a while.”
“I hope so.”
On the way, children pointed at me and were pulled away by their mothers, making me feel like I was doing something wrong even though I didn’t intend to. Just as I started to wonder if I should wear a cloak, we reached our destination.
“Here.”
“This place?”
Standing before the shop Gray had brought me to, I couldn’t help but look up. To be frank, I didn’t expect such a large store, assuming it was privately owned. However, contrary to my expectations, the shop Gray led me to was a large store, about the size of a supermarket, facing the main street.
“When you said ‘Tris,’ I had a feeling, but it was the Tris Trading Company. I see, it makes sense that you can open a store under the Demon Lord’s wing.”
“Is it that big?”
As I followed Gray, who entered the shop without a moment’s hesitation, Mait, who was beside me, asked in surprise. When I asked him, my father-in-law promptly nodded and replied.
“Welcome back!”
“Mm.”
“Lord Gray, how is the young lady doing?”
“She’s fine.”
“Lord Gray, regarding the delivery of goods…”
“I’ll look at it later.”
And so, Gray truly seemed to be the head of a major trading company. Behind the counter, in the office, he was constantly being addressed by employees. Perhaps due to their long association, the employees continued to speak to him without concern, even with brief replies. Well, thanks to that, I’ve been subjected to constant gazes since a while ago, but for some reason, they are all friendly.
“Lord Gray, those people behind you… no way.”
“This is my son-in-law. The Dark Elf is my son-in-law’s adoptive father.”
“As expected!”
Well, with that explanation, you only understood the first half, right? Did you skip the latter half? Or rather, is it because polygyny is commonplace in this world that you don’t mind? However, it’s strange. Why are the employees here so friendly towards a human? Even this vampire, who clearly looks like Gray’s right-hand man, was looking at me with a sense of expectation.
“Ugh, the young lady is finally getting married… We, all the employees, have been eagerly awaiting this day!”
So that’s it. Memoria is loved so much that the members of the trading company are eager. Seeing the elderly vampire wiping away tears and nodding in agreement with the surrounding employees might put pressure on me as a marriage prospect, but conversely, it makes me happy.
“You see, the young lady has never shown any interest in men! At first, we thought she would eventually become interested, but that tendency never manifested! Even when we tried to arrange blind dates to improve the situation, she skillfully dodged them with excuses, and when we heard she was opening a store in another world, we resigned ourselves to her remaining single. But I never expected it to be so soon!”
Hey, Memoria, you’re saying some outrageous things to the employees at home. And what did you do? All that emotion instantly deflated. In reaction, my desire to shout “Give me back my emotion!” surged. Given Miruru’s personality, she probably keeps things in check, but they must be close. There’s no hesitation. From the fact that Gray is listening silently, this kind of conversation must be usual. Besides this vampire, a few other employees have tears in their eyes.
“Rou.”
“Yes! I was simply overcome with emotion. Lord Gray, what is the reason for your early return today? You were scheduled to return in three days, weren’t you?”
“Mm, my son-in-law will challenge a dungeon for wedding preparations.”
“Oh! You mean for material procurement! In that case, the trading company can also procure them, can’t it?”
“My son-in-law is a fighter.”
“What! Then he will obtain the materials himself! How magnificent!”
I think I understand why this trading company is thriving. What is it about this perceptiveness? Is this what they call telepathy? With just a few words, the vampire called Rou nods in agreement, carrying on the conversation by understanding Gray’s intentions.
“I need transport.”
“I see, so that’s the matter. In that case, we will prepare a dragon. Also, we will procure information on recently popular materials from the ornamentation department.”
“Please do.”
“Not at all! For the young lady’s once-in-a-lifetime grand entrance, I, Rou, will support it with all my might, as if I were grinding my bones and crushing my flesh. Of course, we will also gather information on materials suitable for the daughter of that Dark Elf gentleman!”
“Mm.”
This competent vampire, what can I say? I wish I had worked under a boss like this at my old job.
“Well then, please wait here until the preparations are complete. I will bring you some tea right away.”
“Mm.”
Before I could even say “wait,” the arrangements were finished. I bowed my head, but I wondered if I seemed unapproachable. I think it’s fine since they left after I gave a smile and returned the bow.
“Aren’t you going to sit?”
Seeing Gray’s unhurried behavior, which made my worries seem foolish, I felt my shoulders relax. Mait and I exchanged glances, offered a wry smile, and then sat down opposite him.
Jiro Tanaka, 28, Married
Wife: Suella Handelberg
Memoria Tris
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee)
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class)
Position: Warrior
Today’s word: It was a day of agreement and understanding.
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