Masamune and the other four were visiting the town outside the venue.
This is a temporary town, but the buildings are well-decorated down to their exteriors.
Hotels and stalls are unnaturally lined up in the middle of the grassland area.
It's no exaggeration to say it's a bit of a resort.

The hotel also has a swimming pool.
Who is it for?
That, of course, is for the heavyweights who come from different countries.
These were arranged and made by the academics for their investors.
But some companies have taken it upon themselves to play a role in this event, which attracts a lot of people.
In other words, most of the shops, bars, hotels, etc. that line the streets nowadays were all built by people who wanted to be a part of the event.
As is customary, the same vendor is in charge of the project year after year.
The investors also stay at the same hotel year after year.

And Masamune and the others were strolling through the town, looking at this uncomfortable mixture of "entertainment district" and hotels, stalls and shops.



It's a strange place, isn't it?

'I've been wondering for a while now, when was this one house built?　Is there some kind of magic to it?

'I've heard that building mages are very good at that kind of magic.

Hmm.

So was that house and inn in front of the dungeon also built by a builder?
Well, as the knowledgeable Suffragist says, there is no doubt about it.

This seems to be a relatively "bright" place in this town.
At the end of a narrow alleyway, which I could see from a distance earlier, was a dimly lit area, with a disreputable-looking woman and a modestly dressed woman.
And I could see a woman of dubious appearance and a man dressed in an undisciplined manner.
Perhaps it was that kind of area.

We saw a few bars along the road ahead of us that were persistent.
It's a bit like a fancy Irish pub.
They didn't just build it, they also put a lot of thought into the exterior and interior design.
It's a great reminder of the scale of the competition.
This is how many people this event attracts.

There are a number of hotels surrounding the town.
I wonder if they are called "hotels" or not?
In my world, we call this a hotel.

Hey, that's a hotel, right?

Hotel?

You see those tall buildings standing around?

Oh, it's an inn.　What's a hotel?

It's not called a hotel, after all.

Recently I have noticed that there are differences in the names of things between the world I was in and this world.
But there are some things that are the same.

"Hey, I'll choose this one?

And Toa pointed to a pub that looked like it had a good atmosphere.
A pub in my mind is a relatively small building with an enclosed feeling, but this one is huge.
But this is a pub.
Because the sign says 'The Three Legged Waterfowl Pub'.
Let's not mention the name of the restaurant.

'Then here--'

It didn't matter where.

We went into the restaurant and looked for a seat at random.
It was still around noon, and the place was relatively empty.
Drinking from noon is sloppy, but it is useless to feel guilty about it because there is no such habit in this world.
I drink as much as I want to drink, when I want to drink.
That's what's important in this world.

'I'll take your order!

Then the lady at the restaurant asks us to order.
We order one of their specialty beers, called 'Break Beer'.
It's called 'Break Beer'.

"Which one do you want, Nem?



When I asked the clerk what "Crush Crush" was, he said it was a carbonated beverage that makes your mouth go soft, so to speak.
In fact, there is no custom or law against drinking alcohol, even if he is as small as Nem, although I try not to let him drink alcohol because he is a child.
But just to be safe, we'll keep him juiced until he's a little older.


　We each ask for additional food as we quench our throats.
And as we eat our meat and fish, we answer the two people who asked us about what we just did.

I think we can take off our masks.
If those guys show up here, we'll know by magic before they do.

'So?　Who is that girl?

We've known each other since we were kids.

Oh! .....

I answered honestly, since I didn't feel guilty, but Toa was shocked for some reason.

'You have another childhood friend or two in Toa, don't you?

'He's not here!　I've been alone in the castle the whole time...

I know, she was a boxed-in girl who stayed in the castle since she was little.

I was there. My father, who was worried about me, killed him, but...

The air in the place froze at Sufilia's story.
He smiled bitterly back at Sufilia, who spoke unemotionally about such things in a matter-of-fact manner.

What did this guy's father have to worry about his daughter?
Even if he was the king's daughter, he wouldn't be able to touch her so easily.
But that father.
At any rate, it's not surprising that he would have killed him because he was an eyesore.

''Should I have said that?''

What?

What do you mean, you've been exposed?

Yeah, you'll be fine.　They haven't found out, and besides, I've denied it properly, haven't I?

It's important to deny it.

The little bird said something odd about being able to tell by the voice, but what does it mean?
You'll never know.
We haven't spoken to each other for a long time.
The last time we talked was in grade school, as I recall.
No ... maybe a few times later?　I don't remember...

Are you sure?　He's been crying.　Important person........isn't it?

What is it?
I felt a momentary sadness from Toa.
And also from Sufilia.

'Important?　The only people I care about are you and Sierra. No one else.

Then, instead of the sadness disappearing, the two of them blush with their cheeks.
I don't particularly care for it either, since it's always the same.
Well, as for Toa, I'm glad to see he's improved his mood.
It's a good thing that you're still in a good mood, because as I said, I didn't kill him despite the fact that he was involved, and I don't want him to continue to be in a bad mood.

And you can't hurt someone with temporary feelings for a while.

Toa said, hiding his embarrassment.

'Yeah, I'll be careful,'

He's the kind of guy who says things like Sierra.

'But guys like that don't listen when they're angry - they probably don't even think about it anymore... and they're brave, and they're a brave guy, that's about the extent of it and it's still not enough.

'I always wondered why the Toa deny what Master Nito has decided to do.　The one just now had a very dangerous feeling, and since he was the one who initiated the attack in the first place, wouldn't it have been better to kill him?

Kill?

Then Toa asks back in an exaggerated manner.

'Yes. Since you have been harmed, it is only natural that you should avoid being harmed.'

"But you shouldn't kill him so easily!

''Considering the amount of magic he has, he's a very powerful mage. It might be easy for Nito-sama to do it, but I'm sure we would have had a hard time doing it ourselves. We should have killed a person with such a dangerous atmosphere in order to ensure his safety.

It's all right, right?　I've already given her a warning. And if they provoke me again, I will make sure to kill them next time. Above all, they're brave men....

What do you mean, "more than anything else"?

Hmm? Well it's not a problem. At any rate, if it's going to hurt us, we'll take care of it accordingly. We don't have to think too hard about it.

Toa seemed to be caught up in my words.
I didn't mean to answer him with any particular meaning, but....


After a while, we started to see glimpses of customers other than us in the restaurant.
However, there were still plenty of empty seats.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that I'm stronger than those guys, and there's plenty of room for that, but if something happens when I'm not around, there's no way to do it, right?　Of course, we all have the rings, so we can sense if anything happens, and then I'll be there as soon as I can in transition, but there are limits.

The time it takes to get there from the time you notice it to the time you get there. That's the problem.
This is a problem that no amount of magic can compensate for.

"We kill everyone who's harmed us. It's the right thing to do. Besides, isn't that what this world is all about?

'Yes, sir!　Master Nito is right!

'But that doesn't mean we have to conform to the way the world is, does it?　Because I can make my own choices?

'That's true too. Then the time will come, or I'll let you make your own choice before that...

The Toa didn't seem to be convinced by my argument.

Maybe it's because Toa is a demon race, but compared to women of other races, she has something else to offer apart from her attractiveness as a woman.
Whether it's the Empire or not, it's always the Toa who are targeted.
But it's only been twice, and it's not helpful, but it's clear that there's a 'charm' to it.
That's probably why Kyogoku chose Toa instead of Sufilia.
That's what worries me.

Excuse me!

Let the bad stuff go down with a drink.
I ordered another beer.
If you still can't flush it, kill me.

-- 'Excuse me, sir...'

Just then, a man suddenly spoke to me.

'Yes? .....

The Toa turned back toward the voice.

The man had two horns, and his skin was pale.
But it's not unhealthy, it's probably this color to begin with.
And most importantly, this height, which looks like it could be two meters tall.

In other words, this guy is not human.

But what is this guy?　What species is it?

'Hello! ........Isn't it Lady Toatrica?!

The man asked, half-excitedly.

Toa again........what now?

'Yes, yes, but ... what about you?'

Toa asks, puzzled.
Then the man looked relieved and reformed, a look of relief on his face.

''I'm sorry I'm late. I am from the demon kingdom of Chastain. My name is Kaiser, the messenger.

Witchland?

I couldn't help but ask.

I've traveled a few times so far, and I've heard the word "demon country" a few times.
I didn't check with Toa much, but I suspect that's where he's from.
And then a man who claims to be from the demon kingdom appears in front of me and says something about Toa as if he knows him.
So does that mean that Toa is from that demon kingdom of Shastain?

'Excuse me, sir, but what is your relationship to Toa?　Apparently you know the Toa?

Don't talk to me!　The human touch!

...What?

What's the reaction?
I just talked to him like a normal person, okay?
The dignified man's expression instantly became grim.

'Toatrica-sama, King Cassandra is waiting for you in the Demon Kingdom. We are determined to make you the next king--

'The king?　What does that mean?!

What does it mean to show up out of nowhere and make her king?

'Will Toa be queen?'

Nem asks, meat in one hand and soda juice in the other.
'Why don't you just drink it or eat it?

'It can't be! I'm not ... a queen.

Nem is startled by Toa's sudden loud voice.

Then what does it mean?　Toa's expression grew darker and darker.
It's as if he's losing his energy.
Does he not want to be king?
What are they pining over?
Honestly, this is the first time I've ever seen Toa's face like this.

No, no, I'm not talking about that right now--

You?　Didn't you just say something about a magical kingdom?　Does that mean Toa is from a demon country?

Didn't I tell you not to talk to me, human?　Master Toatrica-sama is of the venerable Demon King's blood. He's the kind of person who shouldn't be in a place like this!

At that time, Sufilia blurted out.

''I see........Toa was a demon race.......No wonder the magic wave is so extremely strong....

'Oh, by the way, you didn't tell the Sufiria, did you?

No, I don't mind, but, well, the name Chastain reminds me of a story I heard about the three kings who ruled the Demon Kingdom. I remember the story of the three kings who ruled the Demon Kingdom--

What?　Three demon kings?

Three kings to rule over the Demon Kingdom.
What's that? ...that's a f*cked up story.
There's usually only one king, right?
Is it good to have three demon kings?

'I don't have time to answer your human questions!　I'm busy!　Let's go!　Lady Toatrica!　King Cassandra is waiting for you!

'What?　Hey! --

And then it grabbed Toa's hand.

"Let go of my hand--

I immediately interrupt him.

Forced means.....
Even if he was of the Toa's own kind, he couldn't overlook that, even if he was a member of the Toa's family.

''The human wind ... who are you talking to!　I'm a demon!

Just then, I heard the sound of plates cracking at the counter.
When I look at it, I see that the face of the female waitress is twitching.
Just hearing the word "demon race" is enough to get this reaction.

It seems that the demon tribe is a special existence in this world.
If that's the case, then I understand the meaning of this demon race's word.
But until now, no one has ever reacted like this when they found out that Toa is a demon race.
That's a bit concerning, but....

Then that guy let go of Toa's arm and walked up to me like a big man.

--Big!

It's well beyond my height.
It feels like I'm twice my size.

"Do you want to die, human?　I'm a demon, okay?

'I've heard it all, but I have something to say to you...'

Oh?

Who do you think you're talking to?　Do you want to be killed?

I aimed my killing intent at the demon tribe that called itself Kaiser.