We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Let’s go sightseeing in the Demon Capital.
The next day.
I tidied myself up and left the rented guest room.
There, Shooting Star Sama was already waiting, her preparations complete.
“Good morning, Elnea-sama.”
“Good morning, Liz-san, Serica-san.”
That’s right. Today, the two who had won my exclusive rights were Shooting Star Sama, Liz and Serica.
“Ruisaine-sama, Serica-sama, good morning.”
“Ruisaine-sama, good morning.”
Of course, the wife representative is also here.
The one who won the fierce competition among the wives was Ruisaine, who saw through everything. … You don’t need to use your Demon Eye at full power here, do you?
Liz and Serica greeted Ruisaine, who came out of her room a little later.
Yesterday was tough.
The bestowing ceremony and the subsequent celebration were tough, but the real event happened after we returned to our rooms.
The battle of the women that unfolded in Shooting Star Sama’s room continued until well into the night.
For some reason, Shooting Star Samas also joined in halfway through, and it was fun spending the long night busily.
And in the end, two from among the Shooting Star Samas and one from the wives were chosen.
“Since it’s for Shooting Star Samas’ sightseeing, shouldn’t Shooting Star Samas take everyone?”
Of course, the remaining Isabel and Michelle and Annie will also go sightseeing.
However, it is the role of the remaining wives to guide these three.
When a large group moves, it’s bound to attract too much attention. We are scheduled to act in three groups.
Under the guidance of Mistral, Laira, and Sefina, Annie and Michelle will be sightseeing.
Isabel is also scheduled to go out with the guidance of Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine.
We decided to go sightseeing with this determined group division.
“Elnea-kun. Mist and the others have already departed?”
“That’s fast! Well then, shall we depart as well?”
And so, we left the Demon Lord’s Castle energetically.
Is it my imagination?
The high-ranking demons saw us off without seeming to mind our free behavior, but the demons like guards and servants had rather complex expressions.
I suppose it’s a mixture of feeling that mere humans should not be allowed to, and yet knowing our position and therefore being unable to say anything contradictory.
It would be good if there was no longer racial discrimination among demons, not just for Shooting Star Samas, but for everyone. However, that is a problem within demon society.
Even though I have been granted a special title like “Grand Duke,” I cannot interfere unnecessarily.
I had also told Shooting Star Samas about these kinds of things.
“Your position is complex. As someone in the clergy, I believe everyone should be treated without discrimination, but when those with power act unscrupulously, it creates unnecessary waves, doesn’t it? When I think about it that way, are our thoughts just the selfish desires of the weak?”
To Isabel, who had clouded her expression, Madrine said resolutely.
“Forgive my presumption. That is a grave mistake. Whether one is strong or weak, what is important is a heart that loves all beings in the world without discrimination. Elnea-kun’s way of thinking is precisely because it is Elnea-kun. The reason you refused the Demon Lord’s Seat and declined the thrones of the Armēdo Kingdom and Yorttenitos Kingdom is because you have the noble thought that if you were to take such positions, you would not be able to extend your reach to more people. Therefore, it is not that the thoughts of the weak are wrong, but rather the weakness of one’s own heart is distorting the Goddess’s teachings.”
There was some content that may have been slightly, or rather, greatly misunderstood, but I thought Madrine was right.
I am aware that I lack the ability to manage demon or human society. Although I possess personal power, I am not a splendid person who can command others or spread teachings.
With my disposition, I cannot become a king. Furthermore, I believe that if I were to be bound somewhere, I would cease to be myself.
From the wilderness ruled by the Giant Tribe in the east, to the Heavenly Mountain Range in the west. The reason I have been able to engage in various activities in a wide region until now is because I was not bound by anything.
Isabel and the others nodded honestly to Madrine’s words.
They understood that what is important is not one’s position or power, but the heart of compassion that one must uphold as a miko.
Speaking of which, Madrine still hasn’t adopted a surname. I thought that if she adopted the surname Valetie, she would be looked upon with respect by Shooting Star Samas, but…
Madrine seems to attract the hearts of the older Shooting Star Samas without needing to adopt a surname.
And so, those conversations took place.
Now, it is time for sightseeing!
We departed from the Demon Lord’s Castle.
The area surrounding the Demon Lord’s Castle is a vast plaza.
The Demon Lord said.
“If fools were to attack the Demon Capital, having buildings densely packed around the castle would give the enemy places to hide. Well, in reality, no one has ever attacked this castle.”
He said so!
By the way, I wonder.
It’s true that no one can push the Giant Demon Lord to the brink. But, if someone were to attack the Demon Lord’s Castle. The Demon Lord and Charlotte would unleash indiscriminate magic around the castle without question, even if there were buildings, wouldn’t they!
The conclusion drawn from that is.
“It’s a pretense for unforeseen circumstances, but in reality, it was built as a place of repose for the people living in the Demon Capital!”
When I thought that, Charlotte smiled at me, and the Demon Lord glared at me.
Putting that aside.
“Well then, where shall we head first? A restaurant? At this hour, there’s a delicious skewered food stall on the main street. On the side street, there’s a shop selling high-class sweets! And over there, there’s a place to eat high-class meals…”
“Elnea-kun, thanks to Priscilla-chan, everything has become food!”
“Huh! The terrifying Priscilla-chan.”
Liz and Serica are laughing.
“If you wouldn’t mind, could you first guide us to the Great Shrine of this capital?”
Both I and Ruisaine nodded without hesitation.
“Yes. Since it’s sightseeing, let’s go to the places we want to see first!”
“I know where the Great Shrine is. Of course, you know too, don’t you, Elnea-kun?”
“Eh? Uh, yes! That’s right! Hahaha.”
“Elnea-kun, your eyes are darting around. And the direction is not that way.”
“Ugh.”
Pulled by Ruisaine’s hand, we turned our course to the north.
Liz and Serica, and I and Ruisaine.
We moved together as a group of four.
Except for me, everyone else is a cleric, so there’s little worry of being bothered by ordinary demons who don’t know our appearances, but still, we are now in the midst of a world ruled by demons. We can’t afford to let our guard down.
As it was still early in the morning, there were not many figures in the vast plaza surrounding the Demon Lord’s Castle.
There were only a few people working busily from early morning and a few enjoying a leisurely walk.
And those working busily are slaves, while those walking leisurely are demons.
Seeing the stark difference between rulers and slaves like this is painful.
But I cannot interfere.
As Shooting Star Samas progressed through the plaza, they also watched with interest the social structure woven by ordinary demons who had no connection with us.
“Everyone, if you keep looking around aimlessly, you’ll miss what’s important?”
Then, Ruisaine urged us on, pointing towards the end of the plaza.
“What’s important?”
Hmm, I wonder what it is? Rik and Serica and I gazed in the direction Ruisaine was pointing.
And then, we saw it. Splendid buildings lined up at the end of the plaza, and beyond them, a stone building with a particularly tall roof peeked out.
“Ruisaine, is that the Great Shrine?”
“Elnea-kun, you know the Great Shrine, don’t you?”
“Ugh…”
“Fufufu, just kidding. I’m sorry?”
Ruisaine gently stroked my head. My exclusive rights today belong to Ruisaine. She can do whatever she wants with me!
While Ruisaine gently stroked my head, I refocused my attention on what lay ahead.
“It’s big, isn’t it? And, surprisingly close to the Demon Lord’s Castle?”
This is a place ruled by demons. Moreover, demons do not believe in Temple Religion. On the contrary, human slaves are seen as nothing more than expendables, worse than livestock, so I thought that facilities for humans would only exist in a perfunctory manner.
Therefore, I had assumed that the Great Shrine would be built in a remote location in the city or in a small, dirty corner.
But it was different.
The Great Shrine was built facing the northern main street, and it appeared larger than the surrounding luxury residences and splendid administrative facilities.
“Is it because this is the Giant Demon Lord’s country?”
“Yes, Elnea-kun, you are right. His Majesty the Demon Lord regards the humans as citizens living in his country and treats them courteously.”
Well, as slaves, though.
Still, to care for those slaves. That must be the magnanimity and broad-mindedness of the Giant Demon Lord.
“Elnea-kun, your feet are unconsciously heading towards the stalls, but it’s this way.”
“Oh, why could that be?”
“It’s surely because of Priscilla-chan’s influence?”
“Priscilla, you’re a terrifying child!”
Speaking of which, Liz asks.
“Weren’t you taking Priscilla-chan sightseeing today?”
Liz-san, you’ve noticed something good!
That’s right. Priscilla-chan is not participating in today’s sightseeing.
So, what are they doing?
“Um, Priscilla is making sweets with Charlotte.”
“Nyan is also participating, nyan.”
And so, Priscilla-chan and Nimia will be staying behind, having succumbed to the sweet temptation of the demons, making sweets.
Well, Priscilla-chan has gone out to play many times in the past, so this is nothing new to her, I suppose.
And with that, I, being pulled by Ruisaine’s hand, head towards the Great Shrine visible beyond the buildings.
Of course, Liz and Serica are also with us.
“The districts near the Demon Lord’s Castle are home to many administrative buildings and residences of high-ranking demons.”
As we entered one of the northern main streets, I provided some sightseeing commentary. The giant Demon Capital has many main streets extending horizontally and vertically.
It’s amazing!
In human kingdoms, there is only one main street connecting east and west and one connecting north and south, and beyond that, there are only larger back alleys. But in the Demon Capital, even the back alleys and side streets are organized into many wide roads that rival the main streets of human kingdoms.
“Although there are differences in race, the principles of urban planning are the same, aren’t they?”
“Are the places where you, Serica-san, came from also divided into such districts?”
“Um… Our homeland is a bit special, so it’s not a good reference, but it’s similar. The most important place is in the center of the city, and facilities of lesser importance are arranged around it. That way, people naturally gather in the center.”
“Is it the same for Elnea-sama’s homeland?”
When Liz asked, Ruisaine and I talked about the Armēdo Kingdom.
Liz and Serica listened with great interest to our hometown.
“Then, what about Mistral-sama’s birthplace?”
“Mistral is of the Dragon Race, you know. The people of Dragon Peak have cultivated a different culture from us who live on the plains.”
And then, the conversation shifted to Dragon Peak.
The Dragon Race, who do not have a country, live simply, forming settlements by clans.
Although there is interaction between settlements, even going to the next settlement can be a life-threatening journey.
Therefore, those who travel Dragon Peak are respected, and the Dragon King, while not a “king,” is revered as a leader who guides the people.
“Elnea-sama, so you are that Dragon King.”
“Amazing!”
“Hahaha, I’m embarrassed?”
“Fufufu. Liz-san, Serica-san. Elnea-kun is even more than that. After all, he is the Meishu of Dragon Peak, who has united the Dragon Race and the Dragon People of Dragon Peak.”
“What?!” Liz and Serica exclaimed in surprise.
“What is the Meishu of Dragon Peak?”
“Please tell us in more detail.”
These Shooting Star Samas are too curious! Liz and Serica bombarded me with questions, getting so close they were practically clinging to me.
Even Ruisaine was surprised and hugged me tightly, not wanting to let me go.
“I’ve been meaning to ask someday. How did Elnea-sama, a human, and Mistral-sama, a Dragon Person, meet and nurture their love?”
“How did Ruisaine-sama and the others become involved with Elnea-sama? All the Shooting Stars are wondering. To be united with Ruisaine-sama and Madrine-sama, one must overcome a trial from the Goddess, shouldn’t they?”
Whoa!
This has taken an unexpected turn.
We were supposed to be sightseeing, but here we are, already lively at the Demon Lord’s Castle’s grand plaza.
However, there were those who poured cold water on our fun.
“Hey, you lot!”
With a deep voice filled with killing intent, Liz and Serica trembled visibly.
Ruisaine and I positioned ourselves to protect the two and looked in the direction of the voice.
There, led by a giant demon man, several individuals glared at us.
“What are you humans making such a racket in front of me this early in the morning?”
The giant demon sneered down at us from far above.
He looked about twice my height.
His skin was dark blue. His muscular body was covered in fine clothing. His arms, thicker than my thighs, were long, and he held a medieval mace in his large hands.
And on his dark blue forehead, a single horn grew.
Is he of the Blue Oni tribe?
The Blue Oni man and his retinue of demons surrounded us.
“We are miko.”
Ruisaine said to the Blue Oni man with a resolute attitude.
However, the Blue Oni man scoffed.
“Huh? I don’t know about that. Besides, that kid over there isn’t a cleric, is he?”
“Huh? Just by the clothes, you’re assuming all the women are miko and I’m an ordinary person? That excuse doesn’t work, does it?”
At my remark, the surrounding demons suddenly became hostile.
“Mere humans!”
“How dare you speak to a demon lord patronizingly!”
“It seems you wish to die?”
“You look too weak to even be used as a slave.”
“I don’t know whose slave you are, but I’ll make you regret how you speak.”
Damn it!
I blurted out my usual retort without thinking, but it was reckless towards demons who didn’t know who we were!
Now, what should I do?
Ruisaine and I tensed up, facing the surrounding demons and the Blue Oni man.
