This is Master Bifrons' human farm.
A human farm...?
　I couldn't help but ask back at the unfamiliar words.

''Yes, there are many demon tribes under Demon King Bifrons-sama's command that use humans as their food. That's why they let humans run free inside the ranch where they have built a high wall....... Here, food is provided regularly, but they cannot live for long........ They are eaten by demons and monsters at a young age....
"..............
　I'm at a loss for words.

　I've heard it all before.
　During the Dark Ages, the human race was treated like cattle.
　But.........isn't this cattle themselves.......
　Isn't the situation too desperate?

Is there a city of... humans?
'What?　Ha, yes I've heard there's one out there, but I was born on a ranch, so I've never been there....
　Seriously.....
　A person born on a farm........oh my god.
　While I was in a daze, a girl came gingerly up to me in culture shock.

"Ah, um!　My name is Momo. Could you please tell me your name?
...name?
　A name.....
　Hmmm, can I use my name?
　I'm not supposed to be from this era, but........
　No, the Sun Goddess (Althena) said that.
　Don't worry about the details.

It's Mako.
　I withheld my last name.
　That should be enough.

"Mako-sama...　
　The girl came even closer to me.
　Narrow shoulders.........

'Thank you so much for saving me from a dangerous place. I don't have anything to repay you........ The only thing I can repay you for is to let you do as you please with your body(s)...
　The little girl hugged me and whispered to me.
　Her eyes were moist, and she looked like a puppy about to be abandoned.
　What?
　What did she just say?

'I have a poor body but I've never had any experience with it. It's my first time. If it pleases you would be so kind as to take me under your wing, Master Makoto.
Wait, wait, wait, wait!
　Of course, I didn't save you for that purpose.
　You were simply the first person I've met in a thousand years.
　This is not good.

"What's wrong with my parents...?
　I asked, trying to change the subject.

'My father ... died three years ago.
I see.
My mother died three days ago.
..........
　Oh, man, I can't say anything.

'I have no one to rely on anymore. Lord Makoto saved me, who had no connection to him. My mother's words just before she died were 'live'. I can only do such a shallow thing to live... but still, will you help me, poor me, please?
　I felt my chest tighten at the desperation of the situation.
　A child who looked to be about 10 years old said these words........
　I helped her casually, but I guess this is a commonplace, everyday occurrence in this world.

　

"Momo.
Yes, sir!
　I hugged the girl's shoulders and pulled her away from my body.

'As I said before, I'm looking for someone. I'm looking for someone called Abel the Brave. Haven't you heard of him?
''No, I'm not familiar with the outside world.... I've never heard of it. I'm sorry I can't help you....
　The girl's face darkened and sank.
　She must have thought that she was useless.

Then help me find them.　I'm new to the area, I'm from a far away country and I don't know the area very well. Can you show me around?
What?
　The girl gaped and opened her mouth.
　As if she couldn't understand a word I said.

"Oh, um ... what does that mean ...
'If you show me around, I'll keep you safe. How about those terms?
What?　Yes!　Gladly!　Best regards!
　He smiled and hugged me.



　-- and this is how I had a companion from a thousand years ago.



　◇


　Momo and I wandered around the territory of Demon King Bifrons for three days.

　We met a few local people living in hiding, but they all had lifeless eyes.
　I thought they'd be able to put a link between me and young peaches, but they didn't seem to have the energy to do so.
　I tried to talk to them, but no one knew about the brave Abel.

　The trouble is that the local race of people are dressed in raggedy clothes, and I obviously stood out a bit in my traveler's outfit.
　I dressed as simply as possible and adapted to the local outfit.
　The jacket was given to Momo.

　Food is regularly distributed at the Demon King's territory's 'human farm'.
　Exactly, humans are being raised........
　At that time, there is a high possibility that they will be slaughtered by the demon race and demons.
　So, going to get the rationed food is a high risk.

　I used the area near the river as my base, and caught fish and other things for food.
　The cooking method.........

"Momo, can you use fire magic?
'Yes, a little fire magic and a little earth magic...'
　I decided to grill the fish using the fire magic of peaches.　
　The only tasteless seasoning was the salt I carried with me.

''Isn't that great, then you could fight an attack by a demon, right?''
What?　There are many people who can use magic and skills far more powerfully than I can!　But no one is a match for the Demon King's Army demons........ Even if we are lucky enough to win, the Demon King's army leaders will kill us in a flash.......
"Executives?
''The Sixteen Immortal Generals and the Nine Blood Demon Generals. They are the supreme executives 'Balaam the Giant Demon', 'Shuri the Bewitcher' and 'Seteker the Demon Eye' that unite them. The Supreme Executive is a fearsome demon race that even the brave master is said to be unable to match...
'Uh....'
　Two of the highest officials were people I knew.
　And there was a lot of history.
　Yeah, that's why they would come here after the transition.

''Well Makoto-sama, you're always reading books. What is that book about?
Hmm?
　Since I came here a thousand years ago, I've been practicing 'Sun Magic, Elementary' and 'Destiny Magic, Elementary' in the intervals.
　I don't need to say anything about water magic.
　And I'm reading 'The Legend of Abel the Brave' while I'm training.
　Momo was curious about that.

''It's a book from back home. I got it from someone dear to me before the trip.
　I could picture Princess Sophia's face just before she left.

''I see. I can't read, so I envy you for being able to read...''
　Momo was dreading it.
　This is why I can read Abel the Brave's book with impunity.
　I have no problem with being seen.

I'll teach you how to read one day. But first you'll need to practice your magic. But first, we need to learn how to do magic without chanting.
Yes.....
　I'm with Momo now, but it can't be forever.
　So I tried to teach her magic as much as possible.
　At least enough to survive on my own........

　I looked down at the picture book while using the water magic method.
　The Legend of Abel the Brave--Chapter 1.

　It's the story of a boy who grew up in a small village and awakens to the power of a brave man.
　And the story of growing up with his mentor, the brave man of fire.
　At the end of the chapter, Abel the Brave joins forces with other brave men and defeats the king.

　That's right, the first demon king to be defeated by the brave Abel is the immortal king (Biflonsu).
　That's why I'm going to wait here for Abel the Brave to come to me.
　In fact, I was going to go to the big city to gather information.
　I'm afraid of looking around in the dark and wasting my time, so I decided to put up a stake at a point where I would be able to meet for sure.

　I ask Momo to tell me a story from a thousand years ago and I teach Momo magic.
　There are demons and monsters hanging around, but if you use water magic fog to obstruct their vision and use your 'covert' skills, there is little chance of finding them.
　I'm not happy about the fact that the food is bad but I'm not going to be extravagant about it.
　And although I'm not dissatisfied, something troubling is happening.

　Every time night, Momo would make me crawl at night.

　When I'm asleep after I've finished my training, he'll crawl into a small travel blanket.
　When I met him, he was dressed in rags, but I washed his body with water magic, gave him a change of clothes, and now he's cleaned up a bit.
　I thought when I first saw her, but the beautiful girl stood out even more.
　Whether she understood it or not, the peaches were cute as they pressed on with their eyes upward.　

(I wouldn't touch her, though...)
　You get there a thousand years ago, and within a few days you're messing with a local little girl....　
　If Lucy and Sa-san find out, they'll kill me.

'Momo, go to sleep. If a demon comes, I can use my 'danger-sensing' skills to recognize it.
Yes, yes....　
　Momo went to sleep, dreading the fact that I wouldn't touch him again today.



　◇



　One day, a strange boy talked to him while he was fishing in the river.
　Momo quickly hid himself.
　'You look like a cat.

"Hey, Ni-san.
　The boy approached familiarly.

'Hey, how are you doing?'
Not even close.
Hmm.
　I was wary of him, but he didn't seem to have any particular hostility.　

''Well there's nothing good about it at all. I just heard the worst rumors earlier.
Yeah, what's the story?
Hmm?　... well, you can say it, but you know what?
　He's glancing at the fish we're grilling.
　This is what you want.
　I give her a piece of my fish.

"Well, thank you," I said. I heard that a lot of brave people are going to be executed. The one who captured the demon eye, Master Setaker. It seems that the brave men's goal was to defeat the Demon King Bifrons. I've never even heard of it. This is ridiculous........ The execution is to be held in the main square of the Demon King's Castle as an example. This world is dead, you know. Goodbye. So long.
　The boy left in a throwaway tone.
　I shuddered at the mention of it.

　The execution of the brave men?
　What if one of them is Abel...?


(Isn't the oracle of the Sun Goddess (Altena) a confirmed failure!


　While I was taking it easy, things were getting outrageous.