We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The road continuing to the south.
“Hou hou, you have come from the country of the Giant Demon Lord to go south. Then it cannot be helped that you are not familiar with the circumstances of this country.”
“We are an entourage centered around Lady Shooting Star, but for the Human Race, journeys in the Demon Race’s Country are indeed difficult, and we could not easily obtain information.”
“You must have gone through great hardship.”
The stout man introduced himself as Gondo.
Gondo’s slaves also freely called their master’s name, so I’m sure they have always continued their journey together in a harmonious atmosphere.
That Gondo is also mild-mannered, and as a merchant, he talks a lot.
“Then, you are probably not very familiar with the country of His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord either?”
“Yes, I am ashamed to say.”
“If so, I will teach you various things.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.”
It is Listea’s job to talk with Gondo.
Listea skillfully managed to get Gondo to open up and drew out various information.
“As for this country, it has a long territory from east to west. Indeed, you see, to the north, there is the country of His Majesty the Sage Demon Lord, which holds the palace of the Giant Demon Lord, praised as the Oldest Demon Lord, and the true ruler of the Demon Race, the Crimson One, isn’t there?”
Moreover, to the south is the Great Empire of the Divine Race, and to the east is Dragon Peak.
Gondo tells us that the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country has a territory like a gap sandwiched between influential countries and regions.
“To the west, I believe it was the country of the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, was it not?”
“That’s right. You are all continuing your journey until you find the Promised Land, aren’t you? If that is the case, it would be best not to go to the country of the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord or the country of the Fairy Demon Lord, who has moved to the west of that.”
“What do you mean?”
“In the country of the Bewitching Eyes Demon Lord, once one steps foot into its land, everyone is said to be captivated by His Majesty the Demon Lord and become a slave. Perhaps because of that rumor, the western border of this country has been closed for a long time?”
“That is terrifying…”
Given that it’s called Bewitching Eyes, I had imagined it was a terrifying magic eye that captivates and victimizes those who are looked at by its pupils or get into its sight. But really, you get captivated just by entering the country!?
It’s a rumor that’s hard to believe normally, but given that the opponent is a Demon Lord.
We, who have deeply learned that Demon Lords are beings with extraordinary power and abilities, listened to Gondo’s story with bated breath.
By the way, Slaton, Listea, and I have been to the Fairy Demon Lord’s country before!
Moreover, we fought the Demon Lord and even concluded an agreement to become friends.
I couldn’t possibly say that to Gondo!
“Judging from what you’ve told me, it seems best not to head west, hasn’t it? However, even for a traveling merchant like Lord Gondo, are these just rumors?”
“Unfortunately, I have not been very far west of the Demon Capital.”
Why is that? Listea asked, and Gondo looked around at his slaves and said.
“Even within the same country, the treatment of slaves varies by region. In the vicinity of the Demon Capital and this region, slaves are treated relatively well, but in the west…”
Apparently, in the western part of this country, cruel treatment of slaves is commonplace.
Gondo is also kind and gentle to the slaves he keeps, so he probably doesn’t want to go west.
“I see. It seems even more advisable not to go west. But then, I have a question. On our side, where the treatment of slaves is still somewhat decent compared to the west, why did a slave rebellion occur? From our shallow Human Race perspective, it seems more likely that slaves who are treated poorly would rebel?”
“Lady Reiss has a discerning eye. As you say, rebellions by slaves do occur in the west occasionally. However, they are quickly suppressed, so they do not develop into large-scale rebellions like the one occurring in the south.”
We nodded, understanding.
And so we thought:
Indeed, the rebellion of slaves occurring in the south is abnormal.
No matter how many slaves gather to plot a rebellion, they cannot stand against the Demon Race’s army, which has superior abilities. Yet, the rebellion in the south is not only not suppressed but is said to be fighting valiantly against the Demon Race army.
Does this mean that the mysterious people of the Demon Lord’s Office are secretly working behind the scenes?
In the first place, what is this Demon Lord’s Office?
According to the information we heard in advance from the Giant Demon Lord and Charlotte, the mastermind behind the commotion and rebellion in this country is actually the Mad Abyss Demon Lord himself.
Combining this information, the Demon Lord’s Office seems like an organization organized by the Mad Abyss Demon Lord.
Since the Demon Lord himself created it, perhaps it has “Office” attached to it like a government institution?
However, knowing the Great Empire of the Divine Race, such civilian organizations like government institutions overlap with the “Imperial Honored Mansion,” leading to another suspicion.
The Mad Abyss Demon Lord, the Demon Lord’s Office, and the Imperial Honored Mansion.
Are they connected?
Or is it just a coincidence?
I have been constantly thinking about this since I started traveling with Gondo and the others.
“Could you please tell me a little more about the Demon Capital and the western regions? The west seems extremely dangerous, so we will not be going there, but I have become interested in learning more about this country.”
“Yes, I don’t mind.”
Gondo smiled broadly.
But isn’t this also Listea’s trap?
We are indeed heading south.
However, the mission given to us by the Giant Demon Lord is to investigate the circumstances of this country, and we do not believe that simply collecting information about the rebellion in the south will achieve our goal. In some cases, we may head to the Demon Capital, the stomping ground of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord, or even venture west afterward. This is Listea’s intention to extract as much information as possible from Gondo regarding those directions.
“His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord is still young. He is the youngest and newest among all the reigning Demon Lords of each country.”
The reign of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord is said to be only about a hundred years.
Speaking of which, the one who once ruled this region was the Verdant Demon Lord, wasn’t he?
The Verdant Demon Lord was greatly active in a war with the Divine Race and became a Demon Lord. Although he ruled the region where he was active when he was first enthroned, he was relocated by the true ruler of the Demon Race and moved to the southwestern territory.
“I fear that what I say may be frightening, but perhaps because His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord is young, the country’s administration is not going very well.”
“Indeed, many regions in this country have various problems, don’t they? We were surprised by this, coming from the country of His Majesty the Giant Demon Lord.”
“Hahaha, compared to the most prosperous country of His Majesty the Giant Demon Lord, His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord must feel quite inferior.”
Gondo tells us that various problems constantly occur in the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s country.
However, the vicinity of the Demon Capital is surprisingly peaceful.
Is it because a Demon Lord with overwhelming power is watching over it?
However, once one moves away from the Demon Capital, the prosperity quickly fades, and various problems, large and small, reportedly occur in different places.
“But you know? I have finally come to realize something recently.”
What is that? Listea asked, and Gondo, with a slightly serious expression, said.
“The countries ruled by the six Demon Lords each have their own characteristics. For His Majesty the Giant Demon Lord, it is stability and prosperity, and for His Majesty the Sage Demon Lord, it is economy and diplomacy. Thus, the territory reflects the ruler’s characteristics and personality, doesn’t it? When I think about it that way, His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord…”
“Prefers problems and disturbances over stability?”
“Yes, that’s exactly right.”
This is valuable information that I can agree with.
Although the Mad Abyss Demon Lord has only been on the throne for about a hundred years. However, one hundred years is actually a long time by Human Race standards.
If we compare a hundred years of history to a Human Race country, it would be long enough for several generations of kings to change.
And as generations change, national policies shift, and cultures change rapidly.
When it’s a tyrant’s generation, the country is in chaos, but when it’s a wise ruler, it prospers. Even if the previous king was a tyrant, if the subsequent king is competent, the country will usher in new prosperity in a few decades.
While the Human Race has recorded a hundred years of history in this way, this country has been ruled by a single ruler, the Mad Abyss Demon Lord. Considering that, it’s strange that this country is still unstable, even if it is the newest Demon Lord among the Demon Race’s countries.
Thinking this way, we empathize with Gondo’s idea.
This country is not experiencing various problems because it is new.
Rather, it clearly shows the ruling policy of the Mad Abyss Demon Lord, the ruler of this country.
And what is that ruling policy? It’s not stability or prosperity, but constant commotion and disturbance!?
By our common sense, that is a very troublesome and abnormal ruling policy. But that is what is allowed for a Demon Lord, and it is the true ruler of the Demon Race who selects those who do not adhere to such common sense as Demon Lords.
“The countries of the Demon Race are indeed terrifying.”
“It’s so different from the common sense of the Human Race.”
Lady Mine and Lady Anna’s expressions clouded over after hearing Gondo’s story.
“If His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord prefers disturbances, then the situation in this country makes sense. However, if that is His Majesty the Mad Abyss Demon Lord’s ruling policy, aren’t you, Lord Gondo, who are his subjects, suffering greatly?”
“No, no, that’s not the case. While it is certainly a noisy country with constant commotion and rebellions wherever you go, that is enjoyable in its own way for the Demon Race.”
This is truly a difference in racial values.
We absolutely prefer peace and tranquility, but many in the Demon Race prefer conflict and disturbance.
However, for the slaves, it is nothing but a nuisance.
Gondo’s slaves are fortunate to have him as their master, but undoubtedly, the slaves in this country are living difficult lives every day. Thinking about it made my heart ache.
“Now, now, the village has come into view. I would like to tell you more about this country, but as we are merchants, I apologize, but please allow us to conduct our business.”
“If there is anything I can help you with, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“I am grateful for your words.”
Today is the third day since we started traveling with Gondo and his group.
A small village came into view in the direction that the carriage horses were heading.
The slaves in the back of the carriage began to prepare something.
Come to think of it, according to Slaton, who peeked inside the carriage, Gondo and his group handle clothing and daily necessities for slaves, as well as small accessories, and modest food items.
Slaves, too, must want to buy clothes other than those provided or gifts for their loved ones. There must be people who want to fill their stomachs with food other than the minimum meals. Gondo is a traveling merchant who caters to such small demands.
“Alright, everyone, let’s do our best to conduct business!”
When Gondo called out, the slaves replied energetically.
