We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Ten Clans.
We ride Nimia and descend south at high speed. Before the five Lady Shooting Stars who hitched a ride had time to enjoy their first journey in the sky, we arrived at the southern end of the Forbidden Territory in the blink of an eye.
“Well, somewhere around here, the people of the Ten Clans should be.”
The Forbidden Territory, having been untouched by human hands for about two thousand years, is deeply spread with nature. Therefore, since there are no artificial landmarks, we have to find the place where the Ten Clans are waiting, which Teruru told us about, by looking at the mountain ranges and the treacherous forest.
Even so, we have Nimia with us!
“Meow. I found them, meow.”
Nimia, who had been flying slowly in the sky at the southern end of the Forbidden Territory, seemed to have found the people we were looking for.
We head into the depths of the treacherous forest, flapping our wings and descending. Then, landing skillfully in the gaps between fully grown trees, Nimia lets us down.
“Lord Elnea!”
Immediately, familiar demons rushed towards us. They also know Nimia’s appearance, so there was no hesitation in their approach.
A man with horns growing above his ears. A brave young man with a goat’s head. Those with wings. Two pairs of men and women who looked no different from humans. All of them were demons of the Ten Clans.
A palpable tension ran through Lady Shooting Star and her companions as they disembarked from Nimia, facing demons whose monstrous appearances were evident.
But, please be at ease. They are all good people.
“It’s been a long time, everyone.”
We had gone to the Dragon King’s Capital with our whole family at the end of this summer. But we never expected to meet like this.
“Thanks to you all, Meduria-san was able to keep her life. So, what happened at the Dragon King’s Capital?”
There were seven members of the Ten Clans hiding in the treacherous forest at the southern end of the Forbidden Territory.
That means, what happened to the remaining three?
In any case, we need to hear the story.
Kolindaat, the strong young man with a goat’s head, says.
“It was sudden. I am usually entrusted with the protection of the Lord. But he slipped past the guards of the Dragon King’s Capital and the Lord’s Mansion, and attacked the Lord!”
I hold the control of the Dragon King’s Capital. But since Meduria-san is in charge of its management, when the demons refer to the “Lord of the Dragon King’s Capital,” they are referring to Meduria-san.
Also, the Lord’s Mansion is a mansion that was completed just recently, responsible for the administration of the Dragon King’s Capital.
Kolindaat’s role is to protect Meduria-san while she is on duty. Meduria-san has private escorts as well, but to avoid confusion in the command structure, Kolindaat oversees her personal security during her official duties.
And because he is entrusted with this duty, Kolindaat is an intermediate demon and a capable fighter.
However, someone managed to break through the security of Kolindaat and the Lord’s Mansion and attack Meduria-san.
“It was a terrifying fellow. I heard the Lord’s scream and rushed to the study, but by then, the other escorts were already killed, and the Lord had suffered a fatal wound. Still, I managed to save the Lord…”
Even though it was personal protection, Kolindaat was not by Meduria-san’s side from morning till night. Especially in a heavily guarded mansion.
Meduria-san was working in her study, and Kolindaat was waiting in the waiting room. That’s when the attacker appeared and lunged at Meduria-san.
By the time Kolindaat rushed into the study, it seemed to have already turned into a major disaster.
If you look closely, Kolindaat also had a deep wound on his shoulder. Madurine quickly treated it.
“I heard the scream and immediately rushed to the study, but by then, five escorts had already been killed. I was also too busy saving the Lord…”
Whether they are subordinates or superiors, they are colleagues working together. Kolindaat must have seen the scene where his comrades were killed.
The aura of dejection emanated from him.
We were also acquainted with the other demons guarding Meduria-san, so the report tightened our chests.
“But, thanks to you, Meduria-san was saved, so you should be proud of that, okay?”
Kolindaat saved Meduria-san. During that time, the five escorts were instantly killed.
Then, after that. Were Kolindaat and Meduria-san not pursued?
Sefina, who voiced our question, was answered by Kolindaat.
“He did not pursue us. But that is not because he did not have the opportunity to finish us off, but rather, it is more accurate to say that he deliberately let us go because he had absolute confidence. It’s frustrating, but he was truly strong.”
“Someone who Kolindaat admits is stronger than himself? So, a high-ranking demon?”
“Yes,” Kolindaat nodded.
And he adds.
The person who attacked Meduria-san was covered head to toe in dark red armor.
With only the sharp horns on the eyes and forehead exposed from the dark red armor, his appearance and overwhelming combat power were enough for any demon to know who he was.
“He… he is undoubtedly Juumei, the assassin of the Red Ogre race!”
At the word “Ogre race,” the presence of Lady Shooting Star and her companions, who were quietly observing from behind us, wavered. I could feel their sharp intake of breath through my back.
Perhaps they have fought against the Ogre race in the past.
“The Ogre race, huh.”
When it comes to the Ogre race, I recall the “Black Ogre race” which served as the confidantes of the Sage Demon Lord Vastrade, and General Balvria, who was under the authority of the Fairy Demon King Kusharilla.
Ruilala provided some additional information about the Ogre races.
“The Black Ogres are those with strong loyalty. They are proud individuals who consider it an honor to serve and devote themselves to those stronger than themselves, such as Demon Lords or Primogenitor races. The Blue Ogres primarily make their living as mercenaries. Since their high combat power can be obtained for money, they are highly valued by nobles and the wealthy. And as for the Red Ogres. They are assassins. They start by wearing pure white outfits, which they gradually stain with the blood of those they assassinate. Therefore, those with white parts remaining on their fabric are beginners, and those whose entire outfit is stained red are professionals. Furthermore, those with a murky, dark red outfit are of a higher rank than those with a bright crimson one.”
“Well, not all demons have red blood, so it’s not an absolute rule,” Ruilala says with a cheerful laugh, but we turn pale.
The thought of staining one’s clothes with the blood of the assassinated sends shivers all over my body.
That means the Red Ogres are a cruel and fearsome race.
And Juumei, who was covered head to toe in dark red armor, is indeed a terrifying assassin.
“Even so. How were you able to survive when facing Juumei the assassin?”
Asked with a smile by Ruilala, Kolindaat adds to his explanation.
“By chance, Old Man Jangario was also present in the study. And he fought against him…”
“Hahaha. So you’re saying you’re weaker than that retired old man?”
“Ruilala?”
“That’s going too far.”
Old Man Jangario is a high-ranking demon with the head of a spider. He retired from active duty and was running an inn.
However, he got caught up in the war and came to the Dragon King’s Capital with us. We’ve known each other since then, and that old man is truly a “demon.”
Old Man Jangario views humans and other races besides demons as nothing more than slaves. However, since he lives in the Dragon King’s Capital, he properly follows the rules I set.
This is because he acknowledges me as being of a higher rank than him. Otherwise, a retired high-ranking demon like Old Man Jangario would not meekly obey the commands of a human like me.
And that Old Man Jangario fought against Juumei.
Because of Old Man Jangario’s resistance, and Juumei the assassin’s absolute confidence, Kolindaat and Meduria-san were deliberately left alive.
But, is that really true?
What if Juumei’s objective was not really to assassinate Meduria-san?
In the first place, there is little reason to target Meduria-san.
Meduria-san is the Lord of the Dragon King’s Capital. However, I hold the control over it. In other words, even if Meduria-san were assassinated, the person who commissioned the assassination would not gain “control of the Dragon King’s Capital” or “dominion over the surrounding area.”
After all, the position of Lord depends solely on my decision, and the dominion cannot be taken without defeating me.
The Ten Clans nod in agreement with my reasoning.
“We know well how excellent a human Lord Elnea is. Therefore, we are well aware that eliminating the Lord who is favored by Lord Elnea would yield nothing, and on the contrary, would endanger our own standing.”
“I don’t favor her!”
“Hahaha. Elnea-kun, you are loved, aren’t you? By the way, you call yourselves the Ten Clans, but there seem to be fewer than ten people? Old Man Jangario fought Juumei, right? That means that old man won’t die easily, so… what about the remaining two?”
Geldra, the winged demon, answers Ruilala’s question.
“All of us, the Ten Clans, were at the Lord’s Mansion. Then, the scream informing us of an intruder’s presence echoed.”
The members of the Ten Clans, who are central to the operation of the Dragon King’s Capital, were originally people who had escaped after their towns, villages, and cities were attacked by those vying for the Demon Lord Seat.
Although there is the special case of Old Man Jangario, a former high-ranking demon, most of them are demons not particularly skilled in combat.
Thus, the Ten Clans also fled from the Lord’s Mansion and escaped.
The Ten Clans bow their heads in shame, but I shake my head.
“That is not so. Your choice was correct. Because if something were to happen to you all first, the subsequent operation of the Dragon King’s Capital would be impossible.”
Some might boast that a representative should fight to the very end. However, I believe differently.
Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, those who are not good at combat but excel at city management are allowed to flee from battle. The rebuilding after the war is their battlefield.
Nevertheless, there were still members of the Ten Clans who bravely remained at the Lord’s Mansion.
Geldra says that these were Old Man Jangario, who confronted Juumei, and the remaining two.
“Lord Zeke is also a high-ranking demon. He charged at Juumei along with Old Man Jangario. Lord Forarde went underground, saying he would protect the treasure entrusted to us by Lord Elnea.”
An assassin broke through the Dragon King’s Capital’s security and infiltrated the Lord’s Mansion.
However, several questions arise.
Even if Juumei is a top-class assassin, the current security of the Dragon King’s Capital is handled by the Black Winged Demon Race directly under the Giant Demon Lord. Can that surveillance network be so easily bypassed?
Also. When an assassin moves, there must be a client. Who is that client? What is their objective?
Was the assassination of Meduria-san the goal?
However, as I wondered earlier, there is no clear reason to target Meduria-san.
Therefore, could the real target be something else?
The Ten Clans thought so.
Forarde believed that Meduria-san’s assassination was a diversion, and the real target might be the treasures of the Dragon King’s Capital.
The Dragon King’s Capital stores quite a few treasures.
Magic swords and tools received from the Giant Demon Lord, but of no use to us. Various furnishings and artworks. We provide these generously so that they can be used in the operation of the Dragon King’s Capital.
Among these treasures, there are some that are of no value to us but are priceless to demons. Forarde thought that the target might have been those.
And the other member of the Ten Clans, Zeke, seemingly went to fight the assassin Juumei together with Old Man Jangario.
If Juumei could be defeated here, the future threat would be reduced.
Conversely, if Juumei were to escape, we would be in a situation where our lives would be constantly threatened by a top-class assassin.
Zeke, I believe, was skilled in magic. Nevertheless, he has a gentle personality and dislikes conflict, not even participating in arguments. Knowing that he willingly joined the fight makes me a little happy.
At the same time, I am concerned about the current state of the three members of the Ten Clans who remained at the Lord’s Mansion and the Dragon King’s Capital.
“So, Elnea-kun. What are you going to do now?”
Asked by Ruilala, I think for a moment.
“Honestly, the reason Meduria-san was targeted is unclear. However, if the real target of the assassin was not Meduria-san, but someone else… But if even a top-class assassin cannot easily lay a hand on that person, then it is conceivable that they would target Meduria-san first…”
“Is the assassin’s target your life, Elnea?”
Sefina’s remark seemed to be what not only I, but all the demons were thinking.
“Lord Elnea is usually not in the Dragon King’s Capital. However, if something were to happen to the Lord, Lord Elnea would undoubtedly rush back immediately.”
Just like now.
My principle of action is simple, even to others.
I will do my utmost to ward off any danger that befalls myself or my kin. To do so, I myself will plunge into the problem and push forward towards its solution.
As we recognize this ourselves, anyone who knows about us among the demons would likely imagine it!
“If I were the target, why don’t they just challenge me honestly!”
When I grumbled this, Ruilala laughed and said, “That wouldn’t be very demonic.”
“So? If Elnea-kun is the target, wouldn’t it be more interesting and thwart the mastermind’s intentions if you don’t go to the scene yourself?”
“No. I absolutely abhor that. I will never forgive those who hurt Meduria-san and everyone else and caused such a disturbance in the Dragon King’s Capital! I will go there myself and crush the mastermind’s scheme head-on!”
At my surge of anger, the Ten Clans’ expressions brightened.
“That’s our Lord Elnea!”
I don’t enjoy conflict either. However, if you don’t fight back when someone picks a fight, you’ll be looked down upon. I know that’s how demon society works.
“Alright. Then, let’s decide on our future course of action.”
First, I look at everyone in my family.
“Sefina, Madrine, and I will ride Nimia and rush to the Dragon King’s Capital. I’m worried about the situation there!”
Then, I look at Ruilala and the Ten Clans.
“Members of the Ten Clans, please return to the Dragon King’s Capital with our Lady Shooting Stars. By the time you all return, I will have resolved the situation! And Ruilala. Can I ask you to escort everyone?”
“Hahaha. Elnea-kun is probably the only one who can casually ask me to escort lower-ranked individuals like this?”
“Please consider it!”
“I can’t help it. Elnea-kun, you wouldn’t want to hear that everyone was killed in an ambush the moment we left the Forbidden Territory, would you?”
“You know me so well, my friend!”
“Your voice is cheerful,” he says, but Ruilala accepts with a smile.
The members of the Ten Clans also nod, without hesitation looking at the humans behind them.
Then, at long last, I turn to the five Lady Shooting Stars who had been quietly observing the situation from behind.
“Lady Shooting Stars. Although this is a trial, I cannot take you to a dangerous place immediately. So, first, please make your way to the Dragon King’s Capital on your own. The Ten Clans here, although demons, are people I trust. I want you to learn about demons through them. And to the Ten Clans, please take care of our Lady Shooting Stars?”
“If they are those brought from the depths of the Forbidden Territory by Lord Elnea, we shall treat them with utmost respect.”
Lady Shooting Star and her companions watch with curiosity as the demons of the Ten Clans bow respectfully towards me. However, there seem to be no objections, and all of them nod in agreement with my plan of action.
“Well then, let’s depart anew! Our opponents are assassins, so everyone, let’s not let our guard down!”
“They are more than enough for us!”
“We will show no mercy to those who dare to lay a hand on clergy!”
“We will attack with all our might the moment we find them, meow!”
Leaving behind those who would travel on the ground, we once again ride Nimia and rush to the Dragon King’s Capital.
