We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 949

We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.

The schemers from the west.

Kusharilla showed a seemly interested presence at our extent of surprise.

“Do you know them?”

“It’s not that I know them… During the disturbance I got caught up in before coming here, the Imperial Honored Mansion was also acting in the shadows. But, isn’t it strange?”

The country ruled by Kusharilla is at the southwestern edge of the territory ruled by the demon race. Further west are the Heavenly Mountain Range, beyond which the demons’ control does not extend. To the south, beyond a mountainous region stretching from the complex foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range, lies a buffer zone between demons and the divine race. Beyond that, there are small human living areas and regions ruled by the divine race.

However, a question arises here.

The country of the divine race spreading beyond the buffer zone isn’t Alex’s homeland, the Berisalia Empire, which we visited, is it?

From what I heard during the Demon King subjugation war, there was the Karmaar Divine Kingdom, which resisted the invasion of the Berisalia Empire.

The Karmaar Divine Kingdom is a country of the divine race that was once protected by Mila Jewel, a Seraph with one wing.

However, Jewel was killed by the betrayal of her companions.

Still, there should have been no story about the Karmaar Divine Kingdom being destroyed by the Berisalia Empire after losing its undefeated Divine General.

What’s bothersome is that “Imperial Honored Mansion” isn’t the Divine King of the Karmaar Divine Kingdom, but rather a folk ideology that reveres the Emperor of the Berisalia Empire as supreme.

Despite that, the Imperial Honored Mansion is acting in the shadows in this distant land, far from the empire’s territory?

Not only I, but my entire family exchanged puzzled glances.

Upon hearing my summarized explanation, Kusharilla’s presence wavered.

“You guys, did you get involved in another disturbance?”

“Ah! Even the Fairy Demon Lord has heard our misunderstanding? It’s not like we get involved in disturbances by choice!”

Setting us aside!

“Why is the Imperial Honored Mansion active in the southern part of the Fairy Demon Lord’s country?”

As I tilt my head, Balbia adds an explanation.

“Let me tell you, they are not active inside this country.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Of course. If mere gods set foot in His Majesty’s domain, we will show no mercy. We would have lopped off their heads before they could act.”

“That’s true. Then, the story about the Imperial Honored Mansion…?”

“It’s about the buffer zone that exists between the countries of the demon race and the divine race.”

I was under the impression that the Imperial Honored Mansion had infiltrated the demon race’s country.

But, if that were the case, the demon race wouldn’t remain silent. As Balbia says, if the divine race were to enter the country, they would be eliminated without question, and it wouldn’t even be an issue.

Speaking of which, I ponder.

I wonder if Wender and Jewel are continuing their journey safely? Rueilala, being a demon and a confidante of the Giant Demon Lord, was able to move quickly and easily to this place. However, Wender and Jewel, even if they possess a pass issued by the demon ruler, are a divine race and a Seraph, natural enemies of demons, so they wouldn’t be able to travel as easily as Rueilala. Therefore, they should still be struggling somewhere in the demon race’s country.

“I also understand the meaning of the buffer zone.”

No matter how much the demon race and the divine race are natural enemies, they don’t try to annihilate each other for millennia. Of course, if conflict arises, they would go to war risking their very existence, but in peacetime, they would prefer to avoid interference as much as possible. Therefore, the buffer zone in the south is an important region for both the demon race and the divine race, and Kusharilla seems to understand that.

“However, the gods are showing signs of unrest.”

“The Imperial Honored Mansion has started acting in the shadows in the buffer zone, haven’t they? So, it’s our turn, right?”

Balbia provides the details in place of Kusharilla.

“Even if the gods start to stand out in the buffer zone, if the demon race also intervenes, the matter will escalate. But for you humans, there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“In other words, we should enter the buffer zone, investigate the Imperial Honored Mansion’s activities, and, if necessary, interfere?”

“There’s no need to investigate their activities. Kill all those gods.”

“No, no, I can’t possibly do that!? We are peace-loving people, you know? However, the Imperial Honored Mansion’s activities are indeed concerning, so I will cooperate.”

The Imperial Honored Mansion, which proclaims the might of the Berisalia Empire’s Emperor. Why on earth has this Imperial Honored Mansion appeared in the buffer zone at the foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range, bypassing the Karmaar Divine Kingdom? Considering this, it likely relates to future invasion plans, doesn’t it? However, the Imperial Honored Mansion is merely an organization based on a folk ideology, not an official organization of the imperial court. If so, have ordinary citizens gone rogue and extended their reach to a place like this? Perhaps the ideology of the Imperial Honored Mansion is beginning to spread within the Karmaar Divine Kingdom as well!? In any case, we won’t know anything without investigating.

“When you drive out the gods from the buffer zone, we will release Rueilala and the human gladiator.”

“Since the Fairy Demon Lord asked for our cooperation, we have no reason to refuse.”

“Hate you, Dragon King.”

“Why?! Let’s cooperate!”

“Hurry and quell the troublesome matters and go home quickly.”

“So, you are confident that we can resolve this? I’m happy that the Fairy Demon Lord trusts us.”

As I was joking around, a killing intent filled the Jade Hall.

“Hahahaha! Elnea-sama, it’s dangerous.”

“Damn it, I went too far.”

Balbia, beyond being displeased, directed a killing gaze mercilessly at me.

“Let’s finish the jokes. Well then, we will investigate and eliminate the Imperial Honored Mansion in the buffer zone. After that, as promised, you will return Ruilala, and you will permit Toris-kun and Sheria to pass through the country.”

To secure the freedom of Ruilala and Toris-kun. To stop the schemes of the Imperial Honored Mansion. And to build a friendly relationship with Kusharilla, we accepted the request.

“Alright, let’s get started right away! But… it’s getting dark, so I think I’ll spend tonight in the demon capital? Can you recommend a good inn?”

Staying at the Demon Lord’s Castle? No, thank you. I don’t want to be mentally exhausted before departing. So, I’ll find an inn somewhere in the demon capital and rest soundly tonight. That’s what I thought…

“Hey, Elnea-kun. Welcome back.”

“I’m back, Ruilala.”

The place we were guided to was the mansion where Ruilala and Toris-kun were being held under house arrest.

“You’re not planning to put us under house arrest too, are you?! No, if you did, we couldn’t accept the request, so that’s not it. So, it’s easier to monitor us all at once while we’re staying in the demon capital, isn’t it?”

“Oh? Elnea-kun and the others received some request from His Majesty the Fairy Demon Lord?”

“We accepted it on the condition that Ruilala and the others would be released. So, after one night, we’ll start our activities tomorrow.”

While Toris-kun said his thanks with an apologetic expression, Sheria, a black cat demon, yawned nonchalantly.

“So, what kind of request did you receive?”

Before explaining the request, I realized I had to first convey about the Imperial Honored Mansion and how we were involved with them previously for it to make sense. I opened my mouth, then looked around cautiously.

There were no obvious guards or skilled watchers deployed in the mansion. But, doesn’t that mean that there are informants mixed in among the slaves and servants? Therefore, if I casually speak about anything, various things might leak to Kusharilla’s side.

Servants preparing dinner, slaves carrying our luggage to our rooms, and people of various other positions were working within the mansion. I would only reveal necessary parts, things that could be heard by such people. Otherwise, secrets about Amira-san and contact with the Voluptuous God Teyu would be revealed to Kusharilla’s side.

We shared, punctuated by dinner, about our brief trip within the Berisalia Empire, where we not only learned about the existence of the Imperial Honored Mansion but also got caught up in trouble. Toris-kun listened intently, his eyes sparkling at our adventure tales. Ruilala also envied, saying, “Elnea-kun always has fun adventures.” Well, in reality, the world was on the brink of collapse, and we witnessed the incident where the Seraph’s paradise disappeared, so it was tough.

“The Imperial Honored Mansion, huh? I’ve scouted the divine race’s country many times, and they were indeed troublesome people. But, in my memory, they weren’t the type to act in an organized manner.”

“That’s right. That’s why it’s even more concerning. Why have they started to be spotted in the southern buffer zone?”

“If I or Sheria-sama had entered the buffer zone without knowing anything, we might have been caught up in unmanageable trouble. Thinking about it, was being held under house arrest here the right choice?”

“Fool. Such people should be turned to ashes the moment they are seen.”

“Sheria-sama, that won’t do!!”

When companions gather, it becomes lively. Even after dinner, we continued chatting in the living room. We laughed at the banter between Toris-kun and Sheria, and were astonished by the sabotage operations Ruilala had carried out in the divine race’s country in the past. Before we knew it, it was late at night, and the servants had also started to rest.

“Well, is it about time?”

“Ruilala?”

When the number of servants who refilled our drinks and prepared tea snacks became limited, Ruilala cautiously read the surrounding atmosphere and changed the topic.

“Elnea-kun. You can act freely from tomorrow, right?”

“I don’t think there will be surveillance? After all, it’s Nimia and Revalia who will be accompanying us.”

“Then, that’s convenient.”

Saying so, Ruilala took out a letter from her inner pocket.

“What is that?”

The letter had a seal indicating the Giant Demon Lord.

“Actually, His Majesty gave me one difficult task. But, for you, Elnea-kun, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Ruilala smiled as she handed me the letter and told me who it was for.

“If you’re going on a trip this way, I was ordered to deliver a letter to the Eastern Magician on the way. But, I’m a demon, right? So, I was wondering how to contact her.”

Even though we were being vigilant of our surroundings, we didn’t know who might be eavesdropping. Ruilala intends to insist it’s just a trip.

“The Giant Demon Lord, a letter to Momo-chan?”

What could it be? I showed interest, but since it was sealed, we couldn’t check the contents.

“Still, a letter from the Giant Demon Lord. How did you avoid it being confiscated by Kusharilla?”

“Well, you see. I’m treated as a guest, after all, and I carried it on my person at all times. They couldn’t forcefully take it from me.”

“I see. So, instead of Ruilala, who can only go out under surveillance, we should deliver the letter to Momo-chan, right? That’s an easy job.”

Momo-chan lives in the Heavenly Mountain Range to fulfill her duty as the Eastern Magician. However, her whereabouts are a secret. This is a precaution against demon attacks. Therefore, while Ruilala, being a demon, has a high possibility of being attacked by Momo-chan with remote magic, the possibility of meeting her is extremely low. Thus, she wants us to deliver the letter.

It may be a detour, but with Nimia and Revalia’s flight abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem. Moreover, with Nimia and Revalia, even if demons try to secretly follow or ambush us, they will definitely notice, so it’s safe.

“Alright, then tomorrow, let’s first fly to the Heavenly Mountain Range and then head to the southern buffer zone.”

“Elnea-kun, please give us your best effort!”

Instead of Sheria, who had already fallen asleep, Toris-kun bowed deeply. What kind of orders did Toris-kun and Sheria receive from the demon rulers that they are heading south? As the topics were endless, before we knew it, it was midnight. We went to bed in a luxurious, fluffy bed, preparing for our next journey.