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TL: ALT
Chapter 102 – Michelle’s Stay in the Demon Country Part 2 (Chel’s Chapter)
“Oh no! The king has changed in the three months I’ve been researching magic. I’m thinking about what kind of character I should be.”
I wanted to go into the city and ask people walking around, but Sekito stopped me as I was making an excuse.
“If you’re thinking about it, that’s fine…”
“Does Sekito really think I’m an idiot? Well, it’s okay. I’m not the same person I used to be.”
“I see. Then how about we make the research period for magic one year or three years? If it’s only three months, people might think I just ran away.”
“Hmm… oh, I see.”
My face is unknown in the port city far from the royal capital, so I can ask people anything I want. If I sulk in a bar during the day, even the bar owner will talk to me out of concern.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I’m just surprised that the Demon King and the city have changed while I was researching magic in the mountains.”
“Is that so? The area around the capital may have changed, but in a port city like this, far away from the capital, not much has changed. It seems that since we officially started trading with the Cliff Garuda, strong alcohol and magic tools that were previously forbidden have become available for sale. How about a drink?”
I ordered a strong drink when it was offered to me. It was indeed strong, but not so strong that I couldn’t drink it. The taste was also refreshing. Next time, when Jennifer’s alcohol ban is lifted, I’ll stock up on some in demonic land.
“So things haven’t changed that much?”
“Yes, the power relations between the clans may have changed a bit, but I don’t think it will have much effect on the lives of the common people. On the contrary, I heard from a peddler that the nobles in the east are in trouble because they were caught collecting taxes illegally.”
From now on, the tyranny of the nobles may be exposed by the Demon King’s eyes.
“Don’t you feel like you’re being watched?
“There is no way that the Demon King’s men would be in a bar on the outskirts of town like this. They don’t have that much free time. You can’t commit many crimes here. At most, you can make a small bet or something.”
“Oh, I see. Well, that’s good. I’ll go back to the mountains and hide again after I buy some food.”
“When the spell is complete and the nobles are courting you, come and have a drink with us.”
“Thank you!”
The tavern isn’t that harsh. It’s only been three months since the Demon King took the throne, so maybe the effect hasn’t been that great, but maybe the Demon King is doing surprisingly well.
I went to the Adventurers’ Guild and told them about my success in defeating the rock crocodile in the river. I turned in the skin, fangs, and magic stone for appraisal and received my reward. I also earned some money in the arena the other day, so I won’t be short of cash for a while.
There are also a few requests for monster kills on the bulletin board, but they’re mostly for strong monsters or difficult locations. There also seem to be a lot of people in the Adventurers’ Guild.
“Are there more adventurers now that the Demon King has changed?”
I asked the person in charge of accepting requests.
“Yes, that could be it. There are probably more people with bad manners these days. You know, it’s probably because the people who used to be mercenaries have become regular soldiers and are going around to the bandits’ strongholds and fortresses. They’re trying to make gains easily, but it’s troublesome because the end result is that the burden falls on the people at the bottom.”
It seems that the bandits who have been overlooked are coming down to the cities and trying to become real adventurers.
When you try to do the right thing, things that were unclear before become clear, and this has a negative effect. No matter who becomes the Demon King, things like this will happen.
“The former bandits only take easy jobs, so it’s hard for us.”
A man who looked like a lightly equipped adventurer received a bundle of paper from a clerk.
“And you?”
“I am in charge of training new adventurers. If I only taught them how to fight to a certain extent, they would have grown up on their own, but now they have to be taught according to the remaining requirements, or else they’ll die immediately.”
“Won’t that make them grow up faster?”
“That may be true. But because they have little experience, they take a long time to make decisions in a situation. It looks like there will be more injuries for a while.”
The bandits have gotten used to the city, and the new adventurers are probably still getting used to the mountains.
“Was there anyone with outstanding talents?”
Maybe there’s someone like Makyo.
The staff and the instructor looked at each other and laughed at my question.
“Only you. The one who defeated three rock crocodiles the day after you destroyed the arena. You were researching magic in the mountains, right?”
“That’s you, right? How about it? Would you like to be hired by the Adventurers’ Guild as an instructor?”
I was offered employment by the staff.
“I’m still traveling. I’ll think about it when I get back.”
“We’ll be waiting for you.”
The shops on the street are not all empty houses, and they are open for business as usual. I often see peddlers, so perhaps there is no such effect on the economy.
“No, it’s already hard. New magic items are coming in from Cliff Garuda, and we have to declare everything, including how much we pay our employees and how many slaves we use. I understand that it’s to reduce the crime rate, but it’s added to our workload.”
It seems that small shops and peddlers are having a hard time.
On the other hand, the slave laborers who carried the goods were always fed and no longer had to worry about where to sleep.
“Even if I’m sick and have to sleep, as long as I explain why, I can rest, and I don’t have to sleep by the river anymore. Thanks to the former Demon King.”
It seems that the promises made by the previous Demon King are being fulfilled now that the Demon King has changed.
“So far, there seems to be no problems.”
I said to Sekito as I returned to the place where I had camped and packed my things.
“The western side is being treated relatively well. There are complaints from the powerful families in other regions.”
If you go to the southwest, there is a port that trades with the Cliff Garuda, so I guess they are doing well.
“Is the east side terrible?”
“Yes, there are nobles who have lost.”
“That’s right…”
My parents also fled to the east. From the Demon King’s point of view, she would want to weaken them as much as possible. She might have raised taxes and even issued an order to destroy weapons.
“The East… Sekito, can you keep up with my movement speed?”
“I can prepare a horse, but are you serious about running like you did from the port to the plaza?”
“Yes, that’s right. In the demonic land, we will run through the desert and cross it. I think a normal horse would be too slow.”
“So you want me to get a flying broom from the Cliff Garuda?”
“No, it’s not that fast either. Do you think you can do it, Sekijin?”
“No way. It takes a while for the old men to move around because there are so many of them.”
“Then let’s meet in the capital. You should go directly to the capital. I’ll go to the capital after I see my parents for a while.”
“No way! Then who will protect Michelle-sama…”
“There are many guards. There are familiars as well, so is there a problem? Those of you hiding there should contact your comrades.”
I spoke to the Adventurers’ Guild instructor, who was hiding in the tree.
“You’re a tricky one, aren’t you?”
Sekito cut a branch, but the Adventurer’s Guild instructor easily dodged it and landed in front of me.
“How long have you known?”
“You’ve been following me ever since I left the Adventurers’ Guild. Are you one of the Demon King’s Eyes?”
“Yes, I am one of the King’s Eyes.”
Sekito was swinging his sword behind me, so I threw a water ball at his face to distract him.
“Sekito, you’re in the way. Besides, former royal guards aren’t good at hiding in the forest. Their hiding methods are too unnatural.”
With that, I used magic to create a water ball above where the former royal guards were hiding. This isn’t a game of hide and seek for children, so I want you to at least get rid of the smell.
“I have no intention of hiding or concealing anything.”
“Even though you’re camping?”
The King’s Eye asked.
“I’m only camping because it would be a nuisance if so many people came to the inn.”
“Why did you use a fake name in the arena?”
“It is not a false name. My real name is Chel. The name Michelle is only used in the Meiju Kingdom. So will the King’s Eye follow me?”
“Can’t even a horse catch up with her?”
The King’s Eye turned around and asked Sekito, who was soaked to the skin.
“Even if you call the Griffon, it’s impossible. Give up.”
“Then it’s impossible. It’s faster to send the bird monster.”
“Then can you write a letter for me? I think I’ll probably get there faster than the bird if I don’t rest.”
“…..! Michelle-sama is under our surveillance.”
The king’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Like I said, I have no intention of hiding.”
“Well, no, that’s not it…”
He seems quite confused.
“Are you going to lose your job? That’s okay, you can earn money as an instructor at the Adventurers’ Guild. Or will you lose face if you’re treated like this? I’m sorry, but you have to accept reality. The reformation of the demon race’s consciousness comes before your pride.”
“W-what do you mean?”
“The difference in our combat strength is too great. The Lord of the demonic land is much stronger than me, and while I’m baking bread for breakfast, he could probably reduce a port city like that to dust. If he wanted to, he could wipe out Cliff Garuda’s royal castle tomorrow. In other words, the balance of power between the various countries is completely out of whack right now.”
“You mean he could destroy a country by himself?”
“Yes. And it’s growing at a frightening rate. The demonic land is located to the east of the Kingdom of Estinia. It’s sandwiched between the Cliff Garuda Kingdom and the Elf Kingdom to the north and south, and if he crosses the sea, he’ll be in the Meiju Kingdom, so it’s easy for him to attack any of the countries. On the other hand, if he goes too deep into the demonic land, it’ll be hard for any of the countries to attack him.”
“If he can attack any country at any time and has enough military strength, he’s nothing but a threat…”
“Only the Cliff Garuda are aware of this. That’s why you have to accept reality with a sense of crisis. Fortunately, I have become a resident of the demonic land. As a member of the demon race who has seen Makyo’s growth up close, I ask you not to make waves over small matters of pride and status if you do not want your homeland to become a lost country.”
“Even if you ask me to believe that…”
Sekijin, who had been listening to the conversation, came out from behind a tree.
Splash!
I release the water ball at the former royal guards who are hiding, Sekito and the king’s eyes.
I continue to aim the flaming spear at everyone’s chest.
“Will you understand if I kill you a few times? The water ball and the flaming spear have become the same for me. I, who was no match for even a recruit, have changed so much in only three months, just by becoming an inhabitant of the demonic land. I think I can handle a battalion of former royal guards on my own.”
In the dark forest, the bitter faces of the former royal guards were the only ones illuminated by the flaming spear. The cold sweat dripping from their chins was burned by the flaming spear and disappeared with a sizzling sound.
“I don’t want to threaten you either. Face reality and accept the difference in our fighting strength. At least with the people in this forest.”
As I said this, the King’s Eye whistled to his familiar, a pitch-black eagle.
“Please take the black eagle with you. I think that will be enough for the King’s Eye to understand.
The King’s Eye is everywhere in this country. If I can just find someone who is familiar with it, maybe they will help me.
“Thank you for your help. I’ll see you in the capital.”
After loading my backpack and undoing the magic on the flaming spear, I began to run east. The black eagle rested in my pack.
Neither monsters nor humans can follow. At night, there’s no danger because the plants don’t attack, and I can use light magic to illuminate the area. Even if a monster is waiting for me, I can blow it away with a light push. I remember Makyo using his back fist. It’s probably easier to run at speed with the back fist because you don’t have to kill the momentum.
I ran through the forest, across the river, and along the empty road. I passed several towns and wheat fields and finally arrived at the territory of the relatives to whom my parents had fled.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and spoke to the sleepy gatekeeper.
“Could you tell them that Michelle has returned?”
“Huh? You mean Michelle-sama? I heard she was crushed by the sea to help her parents escape.”
“You must be sleepwalking. I’m Michelle. Can I come in?”
“If you want to come in, go ahead. I’ve already locked the door, so I’ll hear the story tomorrow morning.”
The gatekeeper was fast asleep, leaning on his spear.
“Sleeping while standing is a disqualification for a gatekeeper.”
There was no choice, so I jumped over and let myself in. Even though it was called a gate, it was so high that I had to jump over the house, so it didn’t really serve the function of a gate from the perspective of the demonic land’s inhabitants.
Beyond the gate, the city spread out, and I made my way to the noble district in the distance.
I knocked on the door of the largest mansion in the noble district.
A guard dog came over, but it must have recognized me by my scent because it turned around and asked me to stroke its belly. It was a magnificent guard dog, but it still had the personality of a child.
“Who is it so late at night?”
I heard the head maid’s voice.
“It’s Michelle. Could you please tell my parents that their daughter has come to visit?”
The door opened slowly.
The maid looked at me suspiciously with narrowed eyes.
“Oh my, a servant of the Demon King can turn into a young lady very well, huh?”
She seemed to think it was a hallucination.
“Hold my hand and check.”
I held out my hand, and the head maid took it. The head maid, having seen my ability, fell backward with a stiff body.
This is no different from the king’s minions who have infiltrated.
“Father! Mother! The head maid has collapsed!”
The homecoming has failed.
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Wow. Such a difference in power
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