We walk through the royal capital of Bestieth, guided by a deer beastman.
　This man is also apparently in charge of the checkpoint.

　It's still noon, but there are not many people walking around.

　There are many shops that are not open, and it is very lonely even though it is the royal capital.

''Is it always like this here?''

''No, it's usually more vibrant. ........In fact, about a month ago, this country was attacked by a demon.

By a witch?

　According to the story of the deer beastmen, a demon man suddenly came to the place where the national army was training and destroyed his company.

　That demon was managed to be repelled by the king of this country and ten of the strongest beastmen in this country, called Beast King Soldiers, but when the demon was retreating, he put a curse on the Beast King, which caused the king to not be able to get up.

''Many of those who belonged to the national army died in the demon's attack. And those who survived were badly injured and are still being treated.

Oh, really?

　There is no television or newspapers in this world.

　This means that very little information about other countries comes to us unless it comes from people.

　I heard that the kings of each country have their own information network and get information from other countries, but even so, there is a time lag in information, and that information is never passed on to the general public.

　A lot of beastmen were killed by the demons, and I didn't know about it at all.

　The fact that I don't know and am not aware of it makes me a little scared.

　If I were to say that this happened in the land of beastmen and that it had nothing to do with me, that would be the end of it.

　But what if this had happened in Glendale now?

　My dear family is in danger and I don't even know it.

　Well, my family is all together at the Ifrus Magic Academy right now, with the wise Luano at my side.

　And I've given all my family members protective bracelets, so even if the magicians who attacked this country attacked Glendale, I don't think anyone would be hurt.

　However, just in case of an eventuality, I thought I should consider a way to get information in real time, even if it's in another country.


　I asked the deer beastman about another thing I was wondering about.

''I was told that the demons attacked about a month ago, but what are the demon's footsteps since then?''

'I don't know. I heard that the king's attack put a big hole in his stomach, but it didn't take much to kill him. The people of the city are being kept indoors as a precaution, as they are recovering and may attack us at any moment.

　Okay. So it's the main street of King's Landing, and yet there aren't many people here.

　Isn't the demon who attacked this country the same demon who attacked us?　I thought it was a good idea, but it seems that it's not.

　The witch I captured didn't have a hole in her belly.

　If that's the case, that means there were two witches on the side of this country.

　Compared to the human race, the beastmen are far more physically capable.

　Furthermore, even if the strongest of them are said to be the strongest of them, there may still be demons lurking nearby that they have not been able to defeat even if they were bunched together.

　.........you'd better be a little cautious.

　I secretly released my magic power and activated some magic.


　─ ─ ─ ─ ********──.

　After a short walk, we arrived at the royal castle.

　While the royal castle of the elven country of Alheim was an elegant castle, the royal castle of this country was rugged and practical.

　It was here that we parted from the deer beastmen.

　There was another screening process to enter the royal castle, and even the deer beastman, who was in charge of the royal city's checkpoint, couldn't help him.

''Who are you?''

　I was stopped by a wolf beastman who was guarding the gate.

　As expected, I can't say that I'm a tourist after coming to the royal castle.

　I'll be able to get a glimpse of Meldi, who was behind me.

''Yeah, our team will take care of things from here.

　Meldy steps in front of me.

'Hmm?　What is this smell?

　Something startles the wolf beastman.

　Oh, did I smell that?

　As I was thinking about this, Merdi took the hood.

'Master Merdi!'

　The wolf beastman kneeled in front of Meldy.

　Good.
　It seems I didn't smell it.

　I mean, this reaction of the gatekeeper - I knew Merdi was royalty or something, right?

I just came back to find out that my father fell under a curse. Can you take me into the castle?

Of course I do!

　...yes. Merdi is a princess, after all.

　I mean, the one who was cursed was the king, right?
　Calling it my father means I'm definitely a daughter.

　Did I dress a princess from another country to serve her in a maid's uniform without her knowing it....

　I'm sorry, Merdi.
　And to the Bestiary.

　Thinking about that, I followed the wolf beastmen with Merdi to a room guarded by several soldiers.

　When the wolf beastman announced Merdi's return, the soldiers all kneeled in front of Merdi.

　Then we entered the room.

　In a bed surrounded by beastmen who looked like doctors, a beastman with a very large body was lying on the bed.


'Father!'

　Meldy ran to the bottom of the beastman.

"Father, my home is here. Meldi, can you understand me?

　Tears are flowing from Meldy's eyes.

　I stand a little behind Meldy and check on the beastie sleeping in his bed.

　His entire body was covered in black patterns.

　Maybe it's a Black Death Curse.

　A black death curse is a type of curse that leads to death, at first only a small black pattern appears, but gradually the pattern spreads all over his body.

　Every time the pattern spread, it was like a nail was pierced through his entire body, causing intense pain.

　And after about a month or so, when their entire body turned black, they would die.

　By the way, if you die from the Black Death Curse, it depends on your aptitude, but there is a possibility that you will become a demon tribe or a demon man by calling it a demon(s) fall(s).

　Also, since this curse has formed some sort of connection with the sorcerer, there is no way to break the curse except for the sorcerer to break it or defeat the sorcerer.


'Meldi, huh?'

　I hear a weak voice.
　It's as if the sleeping beastman has woken up.

'Father!'

'....Haha, I didn't want you to be the only one to see me looking so weak.

That's not important.

But thank goodness you're back. I'm a little embarrassed that you cursed me, and I had a hard time getting the word out... I'm sorry.

　The red Letterbird could fly between Glendale and Bestiary in about two days.

　However, the Letterbird only came to Merdi today. In other words, this beastman hadn't tried to inform Meldi until just two days ago, even though the curse had progressed to this point.

''But not when your body is weak. I really wanted to see you one last time. I honestly didn't think I'd make it in time.

Don't say that you're the last one. Halt brought you here.

　Then Merdi looks back at me.

'Nice to meet you. My name is Halt-Elnor.

The humans.... how do you know Meldi?

　He stared at me with a look in his eyes that didn't seem to be weakened by the curse.

　This, is this what it feels like to ask a father to give his daughter to you?　It's a bit scary.

"I'm an alumnus of the Magical Academy.

　I did my best to keep my composure and replied.

''Oh, right, so Merdi joined the magic academy. So you're a friend(...) of Merdi's.

　The beast seemed somewhat relieved, too.
　And the word "friend" was emphasized.

　If he found out that I'm making Meldi wear a maid's outfit to serve him in my mansion, he'd be mad at me.

Aah!

　Suddenly, the beastman lying down began to suffer.
　The patterns all over his body spread out a bit.

''Your Majesty!　Snap out of it!
No, I can't stop the curse from progressing.
Hey, give me some more painkillers.

　The doctors around me start to panic.

　However, the pain of the Black Death Curse wouldn't go down even after the painkillers were applied, and the heal (recovery magic) wouldn't make sense either.

　The Beast King endured the pain for a few minutes and managed to hold on, but perhaps if the pattern spread two more times, he would die.

''Halt, we'll do anything. So I'm going to need you to save your father.

　Meldy pleaded with me, tears spilling out of her eyes.

　If I could help, I would too.
　But it's usually impossible to break the Black Death Curse.

　Yes, it's normal.

　If possible, or rather, a method that I would normally never want to do, but I know a method that allows me to break any curse other than the curse on the evil gods' fixed status genetics.

''Merdi, you said you'd do anything?''

　I confirmed Merdi's intentions.

　Meldy heard my words and nodded indeed, though he looked a little confused.