We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Preparing for our journey to the Divine Race’s empire was completed immediately.
After all, we are seasoned travelers. We never carry excess luggage, and this time, we even have plenty of travel money. This is because we received a request from the ruler of the Demon Race. We were given a generous travel allowance!
“Elnea-kun, aren’t you taking your usual weapon?”
After finishing our travel preparations and taking a breather while gazing at the countryside spread out before Ruilala’s mansion, Ruilala, the feudal lord of this land, approached me.
“Yeah. I left my White Sword with Grandpa, so I can’t just take it back. Besides, I believe not having a weapon will help us maintain self-control.”
I can no longer charge headlong into battle bravely with weapons in both hands like I used to. But because of that, I have to be more sensitive to danger, which in turn makes my own actions and everyone else’s more cautious.
Furthermore, we are going on reconnaissance, not to cause a commotion.
However, Ruilala, who has always lived on the verge of danger as a demon, did not seem entirely convinced.
“But still, if you do fall into danger, won’t it be irreversible without a weapon? If you’d like, I can pick out a weapon for you from mine. Elnea-kun, you can take whatever you like?”
“I’ll accept the thought, thank you. Besides, not everyone is unarmed. Mistral has a Katatekon, and I plan to bring Nimia along.”
Unfortunately, the conspicuous Revalia will be staying behind at Dragon Peak. However, she said she would come to the southern region, so she can fly over immediately if anything happens.
What’s more, even without weapons, we can still use Dragon Arts.
Even if we have to face the Divine Race, we should have enough power to avoid danger with this setup.
“Hmm? Well, if Elnea-kun says so, then it’s fine.”
“More importantly, Ruilala, you’re going to Kusharilla’s country, aren’t you? What are you going there for?”
“Me? I’m also on reconnaissance. And an errand, I guess.”
“An errand?”
“Yes. A bothersome but unavoidable errand.”
“I see, I see?”
Ruilala was also given orders by Charlotte.
You’re going into the territory of the Fairy Demon Lord Kusharilla to conduct reconnaissance, and if necessary, you might have to extend your travels even further, right?
Ruilala kindly explained to me, who was tilting my head in thought.
“I’m going to the Fairy Demon Lord’s country to investigate the internal situation, just like you, Elnea-kun. The Fairy Demon Lord always has ambitions.”
“During the Demon King subjugation war, did the Giant Demon Lord sense something from Kusharilla?”
“Maybe?”
“So, what about the story of going to the Winged Tribe’s country and the Human Race’s country? Crossing the Heavenly Mountain Range?”
The vast land sandwiched between the western Heavenly Mountain Range and the eastern Dragon Peak is the dominion of the Demon Race. And further west, beyond the Heavenly Mountain Range that Momo-chan is guarding, lies the cultural sphere of the Human Race. However, I’ve never heard of a hidden city-state of the Winged Tribe, have I?
In response to my question, Ruilala drew a simple map on the ground with a twig he picked up.
“The Fairy Demon Lord’s territory is located in the southwest among the Demon Race’s countries. You know that the western side borders the Heavenly Mountain Range, right?”
When I nodded, Ruilala added to the map he drew on the ground, south of Kusharilla’s country.
“The Heavenly Mountain Range is also a mountain range that stretches north to south, like Dragon Peak. And there’s a small blank area to the south of the Fairy Demon Lord’s territory, between the Divine Race’s country.”
Just as there are Demon Race countries, the Divine Race’s country also extends to the south.
There seems to be a Divine Race’s country south of Kusharilla’s ruled territory, but it appears that due to the complex terrain of the Heavenly Mountain Range, a blank area has formed in some parts. And it is in this area, sandwiched between the Demon Race and Divine Race countries, that Ruilala told me a hidden city-state of the Winged Tribe exists.
“A Winged Tribe country, huh? I suppose everyone living there can fly, right?”
“I wonder about that. I hear there are many slaves, though?”
“Slaves…”
“That’s right. The Winged Tribe actively conducts slave raids, sells them to demons and divine races to earn foreign currency, and indirectly secures the continued existence of their city-state from the demons and divine races.”
“So, you might be heading to the hidden city-state when you’re investigating Kusharilla’s country?”
“The Chancellor probably wants me to gather information on slaves.”
While our request came from the ruler of the Demon Race, Ruilala’s orders came from the Giant Demon Lord.
This means the Giant Demon Lord likely has some issue with Kusharilla regarding the slave trade and related matters.
Also, I can’t help but suspect the movements of the Divine Race. The fact that the Giant Demon Lord is sending Ruilala on a long expedition as we move might indicate some hidden connections.
“And then, as for where the Winged Tribe conducts their slave raids…”
Saying so, Ruilala extended the map he drew on the ground further south.
“You all seem to recognize that the Human Race’s cultural sphere only exists west of the Heavenly Mountain Range, but I’m telling you, there’s one on the eastern side too.”
“What!?”
“However, it’s quite difficult to get there from the Demon Race’s country.”
The place Ruilala indicated was the southern part of the Heavenly Mountain Range, further south of the complex mountain terrain where the Winged Tribe built their hidden city-state.
And that area no longer bordered the Demon Race’s country; instead, it was adjacent to the Divine Race’s country.
“There’s just one Human Race country here.”
Ruilala indicated the eastern foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range.
“The Human Race seems to consider it the last bastion to protect their cultural sphere, and thanks to the supplies and soldiers sent from the west across the Heavenly Mountain Range, they are somehow enduring the invasion of the Divine Race. Also, I heard a story a few years ago about them repelling a large army of the Divine Race with a saint’s miracle?”
“I had no idea such a place existed! Momo-chan didn’t mention anything, so maybe that area isn’t something she pays much attention to?”
Momo-chan is, after all, the Eastern Magician who watches to ensure the Demon Race doesn’t cross the Heavenly Mountain Range. Therefore, she probably tolerates the movement of humans or doesn’t pay much attention to the southern region, which is not under the Demon Race’s rule.
“So, the Winged Tribe conducts slave raids in that Human Race country, right? That’s a terrible story.”
“Well, from the perspective of those being raided, it would evoke such feelings.”
Even in a world of the strong preying on the weak, one still sympathizes with their own kind. However, that doesn’t mean we can intervene. Their problems are theirs to solve.
If we don’t draw the line somewhere, we’ll get bogged down by various issues and sink into a bottomless swamp.
That’s why we don’t meddle in the “system of slavery” that exists even in the Demon Race’s country, and we don’t mention the Demon Lords or Charlotte.
It might be heartless, but that is our position.
Well, it seems there are forces rebelling against the system of slavery, so we just have to let them do their best.
The one confronting the system of slavery head-on is Toris-kun, a retainer of Astel, known as the Cat Duke, who possesses mysterious Black Arms.
Toris-kun and his companions also participated in the Demon King subjugation war, didn’t they?
“That’s right. It might be good to have Wender and the others aim for Astel’s territory. Toris-kun would definitely cooperate, and with Astel’s abilities, you might be able to get convenient travel gear?”
“Hmm, I think that would be difficult?”
“Is it because they are from the Demon Race and the Divine Race?”
“No, before that. I just heard from the Chancellor that they, like you, Elnea-kun, received reconnaissance orders from their superiors, so they probably won’t be in their territory?”
“Is something big starting to move?”
It seems that not only us, but even Toris-kun and his group are starting to move. I’m sure many others we don’t know are also being mobilized under the instructions of the Demon Race’s ruler or those acting in the shadows.
“But why did they suddenly start moving on such a large scale? I understand that war is imminent, of course. But from what I’ve heard so far, the Demon Race’s ruler didn’t seem interested in ruling at all?”
The ruler of the Demon Race rules the demons through their absolute power and fear. However, they seem uninterested in managing the country or invading, which is why they divided the territory and appointed Demon Lords to govern each region.
Yet, this sudden activity feels off.
Then, Ruilala explained the internal situation of the Demon Race.
“The fact that ‘those people’ are moving means they’ve sensed something that concerns the entire Demon Race. Something that, if things go wrong, could lead to the destruction of the Demon Race?”
“Wender also said something similar before, didn’t he? He said the Emperor of the Divine Race Empire is trying to destroy the Demon Race.”
They don’t want domination, they want annihilation.
Is that why the ruler of the Demon Race has started moving?
But still, the feeling of unease doesn’t go away.
Would someone who has only ruled demons and shown no interest in governing the country for so long finally bestir themselves simply because they are in danger of being destroyed?
Rather, wouldn’t someone who finds pleasure in manipulating others try to use even the survival of the Demon Race for their own ends?
“If you lose your curiosity, all that awaits is death.”
The Giant Demon Lord once said that.
Uncle Luludodo, who is also a messenger like us, actually wanted to die because he lost his interest in the world.
So, what about the ruler of the Demon Race, who has lived for thousands of years? It’s hard to imagine those people are on the brink of death. If that’s the case, how do they gain interest and stimulation in the world?
Perhaps they create it by disrupting the world and manipulating others?
“The ruler of the Demon Race is trying to disrupt the world, even using the demons themselves…?”
“Perhaps? That’s why their Majesties might be moving independently.”
“To avoid being caught up in the schemes of the Demon Race’s ruler and being manipulated?”
A chill ran through my entire body, and I shivered.
I was trembling from the depths of my soul, having glimpsed a sliver of the terrifying power and thought of the ruler of the Demon Race, who does not even bother with Demon Lords.
“Then, we should accept our orders but also be careful to protect ourselves.”
“Be careful. Just as the Demon Race has its internal issues, I’m sure the Divine Race’s country also has various problems and circumstances.”
“Yes. Ruilala, you be careful too. If you get caught by Kusharilla, I’ll come to rescue you, okay? Let me know when that happens?”
“No, no, Elnea-kun. If I get caught by the Fairy Demon Lord, there’ll be no way to contact you?”
“You’re right! Then, how will we know if Ruilala has been captured?”
“Elnea-kun, that’s harsh. Isn’t that assuming I’ll be captured?”
“But it’s Kusharilla, isn’t it? If the Giant Demon Lord’s subordinates enter the country, I’m sure they’ll target you like before. So, I think Ruilala will likely be taken prisoner.”
“Personally, I’d find it more enjoyable if Elnea-kun became a captive of the Divine Race, and I came to rescue you.”
“The Giant Demon Lord and Charlotte would probably eagerly jump in as well, so that’s a definite no!”
We came to visit, but ended up being forced into making plans for our next move. Ruilala also seems to be returning to work after his short period of recuperation.
“Alright, things are about to get busy!”
However, we’re not heading directly to the Divine Race’s country, you know?
That’s because Uncle Luludodo is waiting for us in the Forbidden Territory, and we have to inform Old Man Sleigsta about another long journey.
“Huh? Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen Lily for a while.”
Lily, the next Guardian Dragon of the Dragon Forest, was supposed to be training under Old Man Sleigsta. However, I haven’t seen her since the Demon King was defeated.
Is the Black Dragon Lily also busy with various things?
“Lily? I heard she returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle.”
“Why would she do that?”
Hmm. I wonder what Lily is doing.
Before she became a disciple of Old Man Sleigsta, she seemed to have been kept by the Giant Demon Lord.
“Maybe I’ll go take a look on my way back.”
My thoughts accidentally slipped out. Then, the extremely wicked Great Demon, who had stealthily approached behind me, smiled and interrupted our conversation.
“In that case, we await Your Majesties’ arrival.”
“No, thank you! Also, if Charlotte is here, why don’t I just ask her about Lily’s condition right now?”
“Fufufu. The price will be high.”
“Damn! I asked the wrong person.”
Charlotte, not planning to return on her own, was waiting for our travel preparations to be complete. This means she wants us to escort her, doesn’t it?
With a sigh and a shrug, I resigned myself.
Well, Nimia will be escorting us anyway.
I’ll make sure to let Nimia have her fill of demands next time as a way of thanking her.
“Mew.”
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