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TL: ALT
Chapter 145 – Day 37 of the Strategy Life
Early in the morning, I sat cross-legged on the swamp’s edge by myself.
I was practicing what Chel had told me the day before about suppressing my magical powers. I gathered my magical powers below my navel and slowly moved them around inside my body. It was simple but difficult.
First, it wasn’t easy to move my magical powers slowly. Although it seemed that I could control them with my breathing, I wondered if I would be able to calm my breathing in a crisis.
As I watched the surface of the still water, taking deep breaths in and out, I started to feel dizzy. Maybe I was taking in too much air. It doesn’t seem to be about doing it harder.
Furthermore, when I concentrate the magical power in my lower abdomen, it spins rapidly, causing stomach pain. It might be better to practice on an empty stomach.
I tried meditating in the position I saw in my dream about a past life, but I focused too much on my magic power, causing the flow to become too strong.
Chel could do this when she was a child, but she can’t anymore. It may be a technique that becomes more difficult as your magic power increases.
When I concentrate, I can hear the sounds around me.
Gyo-gyo-gyo!
An imp is making a continuous noise in the distance. Haze turtles are active around the swamp, too. It seems that the breeding season in the demonic land is still ongoing.
I heard the sound of Chel baking bread and the footsteps of a large monster approaching the cave. No one seemed alarmed, so perhaps it was a familiar monster. Sylvia and Hel had fallen silent. The monster didn’t stop at the cave but descended the slope toward me.
“Do you want something from me?”
For now, I stretch the muscles around my lungs that I use unconsciously when breathing, and I stand up.
When I look back, the Green Tiger, who has claimed the entrance area as his territory, is approaching me.
“What is it? Did you have another child? Are you still raising them? Did you get a mistress?”
The Green Tiger gently bites my arm. When I stroke his forehead and chin, he licks my hand. He’s almost like a pet cat.
“Well, if you came all the way here, then something must have happened at the entrance. I understand. Let’s go.”
I climb the slope with the Green Tiger and find some meat in the cave.
“Something happened at the entrance. I’ll go take a look. Can you prepare some meat? Anything will do.”
“We have some leftover turtle meat…”
“If there’s enough for the crocodiles, that’ll be fine.”
“It’s okay. They’ve been getting fat lately.”
Sylvia is trying to get the Rock Crocodile to exercise somehow.
Jennifer gave me a barrel of meat still on the bone.
I took the meat and followed Green Tiger. He had made a bed in the middle of the hill and was raising his young. I gave the meat and bones to the mother and went with Father Green Tiger to the small stream at the entrance.
When we reached the stream, a group of monkeys were screaming and threatening the opposite bank. But when Green Tiger appeared with me, they all fled into the forest.
On the other side of the stream, two elves were sitting in the trading hut, soaking wet.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Ah! The Margrave!”
“I’m sorry. I was trying to cross, but the slimes sucked my magic, and I couldn’t move.”
“You must need something.”
I had the Green Tiger wait, waded into the stream, and crossed while the slimes drained my magic. After draining my magic, a few slimes returned to the stream. I didn’t feel like my magic had decreased much.
The two elves looked up at me suspiciously as I stood on the other side of the stream.
“Ah, sorry. I’m practicing how to suppress my magic, but it’s difficult.”
“I see…”
“So, did something happen?”
“Yes, it seems those who went to the Elf Kingdom have returned. The blonde female soldier said she has something to report to the Margrave.”
Come to think of it, the army’s elite went to the Elf Kingdom.
“Didn’t you hear what it was about?”
“No, they wouldn’t tell us.”
“Really? You’re elves, too, so I’d think you’d know something.”
“What? No, we were slaves, so we didn’t have access to that kind of information, but…”
“Hey! Stop it…”
One of them started to say something but was stopped by his partner. Water bags and magic stones were scattered around them. It seemed that they had learned how to defeat slimes on their own.
“What’s the matter? I’m not angry at you for doing your job properly.”
They looked at each other and slowly stood up.
“When the elf commander came before, he told us to investigate the margrave’s movements. Of course, we wouldn’t do such a thing. We have no gratitude toward the elf nobility, nor do we have any connections to them.”
“It’s just that, after years of slavery, I’ve become intimidated by domineering people. I ended up giving a vague answer. I’m sorry! Even if I’m tortured, I won’t betray the margrave.”
“No, it’s fine. You can tell me anything before you’re tortured. Don’t worry about betraying me; just focus on surviving. That’s the way of the demonic land.”
“Now that you mention it, I can’t betray you…”
“Well, it’s easier to live honestly. Do as you wish. I no longer think of you as the elves’ slaves. You are the gatekeepers of the demonic land. If you’re willing to work, you can stay as long as you like. Let me know if you hear about any money-making opportunities.”
“Understood.”
I filled my water bag with water from the stream and headed west along the path they had made.
The path to the training facility stretched halfway through the forest, and I could see the elves’ handiwork. It wasn’t paved with stones, just grass that had been cut and leveled. However, there were no stones or rocks buried in it, so it looked like a cart could pass through.
Sasha and the others were near the training facility. I’ll ask them to show me the way.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Margrave! I tried to call you yesterday, but I just got back and you were already here.”
It seems they spent the whole day looking for me.
“I’m already here. The gatekeeper of the demonic land built the road, so you’d better use it properly.”
“Even using that road, it usually takes this long! We’re not even using horses. It’s impossible to get through this forest dressed like you’re going for a walk in the countryside like the Margrave.”
Come to think of it, that’s probably true. If they’re not using horses, then it can’t be that urgent.
“So, are the guys who went to the elf country back? How was it? Will the dwarf engineer come?”
“Please ask the captain directly.”
For now, I’ll head to the training facility with Sasha and the others. Everyone is wearing iron armor, which makes it difficult to move in. What will they do if monsters appear? As for me, I’m wearing shorts and sandals. Indeed, I look like I’m going for a walk.
“Oh, by the way, my shoes are broken. Can I trade you for some supplies?”
“I’ll give you some when we get to the facility. You can be a little more selfish as a margrave.”
“Then can you send me some of your subjects?”
“That’s a bit difficult…”
“I knew it…”
“What does the margrave usually do? Oh, I’m sorry! That just slipped out.”
Suddenly, another soldier asked me. Was there some kind of rule that no one else was allowed to speak?
“No, I’m glad you asked. Usually, well, the other day, I was exploring a dungeon and almost died. Now, I’m practicing how to suppress my magical power. Do you understand what this is?”
Even as I said it, it didn’t make much sense, and I was just as confused as the soldiers were.
“No, I found the remains of a royal family member who was an explorer. I’ve been thinking about how to make it easier for soldiers to train in the demonic land. I’ve been making paths and such.”
“You’re going to build a training facility in the demonic land!?”
The soldiers were in an uproar when they heard that a training facility would be built there.
“But maybe it’ll be selective…”
Looking at the soldiers’ spotless iron armor, I was reminded of the demon nobles.
“Does it require some kind of skill?”
“No, I think it’s more about determination.”
“We all have determination! Right?”
Sasha asked her companions. All the soldiers nodded.
“If we say we trained in the demonic land, our names will be known throughout the army.”
“Ambition, huh…”
I don’t think any of the inhabitants of the demonic land feel that way. It must be a desire to survive at any cost.
“…It’s difficult.”
By the time we realized it, we had already arrived at the training facility.
Instead of the trading hut, I was led to the facility’s reception room.
“I’m sorry, There have been a lot of unnecessary reports, and it’s been a hassle.”
As I sat and waited, the captain entered the room with documents and made excuses.
“I’m glad you came, Makyo-kun. Now we won’t be interrupted.”
“You seem busy. Shall we do this another day?”
“No, I’ve been urged to submit reports on the demonic land. They’re late, and I’ve only received petitions regarding trade with the demonic land. Makyo-kun’s visit is my top priority.”
“I see. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
The pile of documents that the captain brought with him were probably things that I was supposed to look over myself, but the captain was taking care of them for me.
“No, I’d like to help out with this much.”
With the tea and my new shoes finally having arrived, we got down to business.
“So, did you hear back from the elf kingdom?”
“Ah, the dwarf engineer. They said it would be possible if Makyo-kun cooperated. However, they demanded a criminal named Helgen-Turoon in exchange. Do you know anyone by that name?”
That’s Hel’s real name.
“Unfortunately, Helgen Turoon is dead.”
“Apparently, someone saw her alive on the other side of the river.”
“The only Hel we have here is an elf magic tool craftsman.”
“I see. I understand.”
The captain understood my intentions and wrote “Death: eaten by a monster” on the document.
But it’s a trade. I suppose that’s normal in diplomacy.
“Are there any other conditions for the exchange?”
“Do you know anything about a material called dragon bone?”
I think Hel mentioned it, but I don’t know anything about it.
“You mean dragon bones, right? I can get wyvern bones right away, but I haven’t seen any dragons yet. There are baby dragons and fire-breathing lizards, though.” [T/N: Kodomo dragon.]
“I hear they’re an excellent material for weapons, but even the weapon shops in East Kenya didn’t know about them. It must be a rare item.”
“In ancient times, magic circles were used more often than dragon bones…”
With that said, I reported on my recent explorations to the captain.
“I see. Our ancestor’s explorer died in a dungeon. Please continue to prioritize exploration.”
“Yes, sir. Oh, and have there been any reports of magic power depletion in certain areas?”
“Magic power depletion?”
“It seems to have happened a few times in the demonic land.”
The captain didn’t even know there was magic power underground. Perhaps it’s something that can only be understood in areas like the Great Forest of Cliff Garuda.
“Even if they’re not dragon bones, we can use monster materials. Especially since we’re building a crocodile ranch, I think we can regularly exchange hard crocodile leather from Rock Crocodiles.”
“Got it. I’ll let them know. Is there anything else you need in the demonic land?”
“I got the shoes, so I guess it’s the villagers.”
“The villagers, huh?”
“Yeah. What we’re building now is more like a training facility or survival camp for the demonic land.”
“That’s great for the army. Are there any issues?”
I told him about when I summoned the demon clan, the Kajuu. I told him how the nobles couldn’t hunt monsters. I also mentioned how the sailor Pete defeated a Field Boar cub.
“So you’re saying that the demonic land is a place where people fight for their lives? It’s not suitable for people who want to show off their training in magic and skills?”
“That’s right. You have to deal with the monsters of the demonic land yourself. Your superior skills won’t work against their hard fur and shells. Observing, making judgments, and exploiting weaknesses are basic skills for defeating monsters.”
“You’re not saying anything difficult, but it’s hard to do.”
“But this is the demonic land. If you don’t do it, you’ll die. The monsters there are different from those in other regions, so you have to observe them to know how to respond.”
“If you’re bound by common sense, you’ll die when you’re caught off guard.”
“That’s right. The sailor who was able to let go of everything was actually better at responding.”
Perhaps those who can fight using their experience are better suited than trained soldiers. I understand. I’ll select soldiers like that.”
“I’ll leave it to you.”
The captain put the documents on the table and fell deep in thought.
Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed in the reception room, and the door opened.
“Captain, Margrave, the elite soldiers who went to the elf kingdom are on their way here. Would you like to meet them?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve realized that there’s no point in their meeting Makyo-kun right now.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, when we say ‘elite,’ we’re talking about the military. There’s no need for a frog in a well to meet a whale in the ocean.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the shoes.”
“Yes, take care.”
Sasha saw me off, and I returned to the demonic land.
It was past noon when I returned to the cave, but Hel was awake.
“I’m sorry, Hel.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Things turned out that way, and I ended up killing Helgen-Turoon.”
“Eh!?”
Hel, who had been sitting down helping Sylvia make armor, stood up.
“The elves demanded that we hand over Helgen Turoon in exchange for a dwarf engineer, but I refused and negotiated different conditions.”
“…I see.”
“I’m sorry, but from now on, we’ll have to rely on you, the only magic tool maker in the demonic land.”
“I understand. I’m going to clean the bath.”
With that, Hel went down the slope to the open-air bath by the swamp.
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
Sylvia stopped Jennifer, who was about to chase after Hel.
“J-Just leave her alone.”
“But… she was crying.”
“Sometimes names can be curses.”
Said Chel, the demon lord Michelle.
“It’s Makyo’s fault for making her cry.”
“I’m not going to force the villagers to go somewhere they don’t want to go. If they want to come back, they can come back on their own.”
“That’s ridiculous. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter what I say, since I’m just a golem.”
Ka-Ryu said this, looking up at the sky and trembling. Seeing that, everyone laughed.
“I’ll go hunting for dinner.”
“I’ll come too!”
I took Lipa with me and headed toward the northwest forest.
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