A few days ago.
　This was right after Masamune and his group left Dahms Ardan through the transference magic of Lisa the cat beastman, and later arrived in the demon kingdom of Uruzoura.

　When you pass the town of Mira, which is the beginning of the holy country of Grayberg to the north, you will see a vast area surrounded by trees called the Great Forest that can be seen all around.
　And then, after entering the great forest, this demon kingdom Urszola is located in the northeast.

I heard it was the land where the demon king lives, so I thought the air was somehow more somber, but it's surprisingly normal, isn't it?　Demon race doesn't seem to fit the name, or if anything, it seems more like an elf would live there.

　Masamune and the others are walking in the urban area of the demon country of Ursula.
　The area around it is not so different from the human country, with houses and shops.
　The specifications of the buildings are not that different from human ones.
　However, if there is a difference, it may be that the entire town is surrounded by a large forest.

　Since the country was built in the middle of a forest of countless large trees, large trees could be seen everywhere in the town, and there were many layers of treehouse-like structures visible.
　And at the foot of the big tree - at the roots of the tree, there are buildings lined up again.

　When I looked up, I saw that a bridge had been built between the trees.
　They were probably a way to move from the top of the tree to the next tree and back to the next tree without having to go down each time.
　They blocked the sky, and the sunlight spilling out of the trees illuminated the entire town.

'Yes, it is. The climate is relatively stable, and I think the human country is much more unique.'

Nah, I see...

　However, Lisa herself does not have a deep knowledge of the country outside of the demon country.

　And as for Masamune, the only thing he said was normal was in regards to the shops and residences facing the ground, and those spread out above were nothing but unique.

　Then Nem, who had been watching the town, noticed something.

'There is a cat tribe like Nem's?'

　Nem points to it with a question because he doesn't know exactly what it is.
　Then Lisa explained.

'Even in the demon kingdom, the only place where beastmen live is in the territory of Ursula. There are only demons in Chastain and Laguparos. So please don't get too close to them, okay?''

Yes, sir.

I don't know where that is, though, do I?

I'll let you know when I get a chance.

　Masamune remains transfixed by the treehouse above, wondering how long he plans to gaze at it.
　Apparently, he liked it.

　The Toa looks at Masamune's profile and smiles a small smile.
　It's been a long time since Toa has been in this town.

　Because Toa spent most of his childhood in the grounds of the castle alone.

''But before that, I have one thing to tell you.

　Then, Lisa speaks to such Masamune as if reformed.

''It's a demon kingdom ruled by three nations and three demon kings, but please don't think that just because they are the same demon kingdom, they are never the same.

What do you mean?

'They have very different ideas. The only one who is generous is Lucius-sama. The late Lady Cassandra and especially Ignotus of Lagparos do not recognize any race other than the demon race.

　Apparently, the death of the demon king Cassandra has been transmitted to the demon kingdom - and Masamune learned about it for the first time at this time.

　On that day, Masamune should have killed every single demon tribe, but does that mean there was a typo?
　Otherwise, the demon king's death would never be known.
　But he didn't know the answer to that question, and Masamune didn't dare to ask now.

''There is no understanding of beastmen in Shastain or Ragpalos. And especially towards humans, they refuse to even smell them because they are an 'inferior species'.

Can demons have noses?

Think of it as a metaphor," he says. "Think of it as a metaphor," he said, "but in fact, some people are repulsed by the slightest detail. And discrimination exists in Ursula, if only among humans. Of course, Lucius is not bothered by it, he is a generous man. But if you ask me, is that true of all the people?

...discrimination is everywhere, isn't it?

　Then next to Masamune, who is muttering that, Toa is lying on his face, looking apologetic for some reason.

''Well I'm sorry. I don't know much about it either.......I've never left the castle before.

'It's okay. I'm not that surprised, and it's not wrong that humans are inferior species. And I don't like humans either, you know?　Maybe, but there's a history or something like that.　Lisa, that's what you mean, isn't it?

''How about...?　It is true that wars between humans and demons were frequent in the long ago.......but such stories are not very public since Lucius-sama doesn't like to talk about them. Of course, if you want, you can get books with such history if you want, since there are no restrictions.

Is that true?

　Then, Lisa's last words seemed to catch on, Sufilia.

'What do you mean really?'

　Lisa doesn't seem to know what the question means.

'Is it true that there are no regulations?　It's not normal. There are some things that cannot be made public as long as we are a country, and no matter how tolerant we are, it's foolish to have no limits.

　Sufilia shows her clearly speaking ill of the Demon King Lucius even though the Toa is by her side.

''Hey Sufilia, the Toa is here, come on!''

'Nito, it's okay. I'm not worried about it.

　Then Sufilia, who looked down as if she was remorseful, said, ''I'm.......sorry. I misspoke,'' she continued.

''It's true that there are no regulations, right?　The Demon King's Castle has a large library that holds such history books and books on magic called Grimoire. Any citizen or traveler can use it, as long as they apply for it. But the people of Urszola are not very interested in it.

　Apparently, that large library, which is located in the Demon King's Castle, is only occasionally used by visitors.
　But as a result, no one uses it because there are few things that come close to the demon kingdom to begin with.

　After hearing Lisa's story, Masamune changed his image of Toa's father.

'A demon king who doesn't reject both humans and beastmen... is Toa's father a strange demon race?



o



　We found ourselves in an endless forest, past the city center.
　It's a common forest with no big trees and can be found anywhere.
　It's surrounded by the kind of miscellaneous trees that can be found anywhere without having to come all the way to a large forest.

　Is it called a sea of trees?　Someone is going to be hanging around.

'Master Nito, that's not the case, is it?

　Then I heard Lisa's voice and I realized that the road had suddenly split in two.

　When I say split, I don't know if someone goes through it often, or if the dirt on the ground has been gouged out and there's a natural pathway, and it's just split in two.

'Oh, sorry. I was a bit fuzzy. By the way, what's going on over here?

You're...

　Lisa's eyes shifted unnaturally from me to another place, and her explanation was cut short.
　I follow the tip of her gaze - there was the figure of Toa staring alone at the edge of the forest.

'Toa?　What are you doing?　I hear it's different over there?

Uh-huh.

"Master Toatrica, let's move on. We're almost at the Demon King's Castle. Isn't Lucius waiting for you?

Well ... yes.

　The Toa seemed to be interested in what was bothering him down the road for some reason.

'Lisa, as I was saying earlier, what the hell is going on beyond that?'

...the lake.

A lake?

Yes this is the lake of origin where the first demon Rosefs is said to have been born.

　The first demon tribe or was that what bothered the Toa?
　As he turned back to look at the situation, Toa seemed somewhat restless.

'Toa, I heard there's a lake out there, right?　Did you know that?

'What? I don't know. Why?

　"I don't know," Toa shook his head, "I don't know," and then asked back curiously, "No, you looked like you cared about something, so....

"No, you seemed to be concerned about something so why don't you come with me sometime?

Master Nito, I'm sorry.

　Then Lisa interrupted the conversation between Toa and I.

'Yes?'

'It's forbidden to enter the lake of origin...'

'Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that.

　What is it?　This funny conversation.....
　Somehow, but I feel a vague sense of discomfort.
　"There are no regulations," I felt that kind of vibe, as if she was hiding something from me, from Lisa, who was supposed to have said that this is a country with no hidden agenda.

　When I searched for my emotions, I felt something dark for some reason. Is this.........sadness?　What is it?

　That's all I could think about for a while as I walked through the woods.
　Normally it wouldn't be so tricky.
　But something about me feels off.
　Was it about Lisa, whose tone of voice suddenly changed when she saw Toa's condition? ...I don't know.

'Is it something to do with Toa's problem?'

What?

　I found myself asking that question.
　Then Lisa's eyes widen and she chokes on her words, as if she's figured out.
　Her emotions are also severely upset.

''........I see.''

　That's what I mean.
　Lisa is hiding something.

　Apparently, there's something about Toa that I don't know.
　Maybe, just maybe, this person knows about it.
　According to what Toa says, this person has been with Toa for a long time, hasn't he?
　Well, how could he not know in the normal course of things?
　I've only been with him for a few months, and even I've noticed it.

'You mean you can't talk about it?'

　I asked as close to Lisa-san as possible so that Toa wouldn't hear me.

''It's ... you should ask Lucius-sama. I can't offer it to you.''

I will.

　Is it because I'm reading your emotions?　I knew most of the answers that would come back to me.

　We just walked through the unfamiliar territory, surrounded only by trees and vegetation, with no further conversation, especially as we walked.

　Then we saw a large gate in front of us.
　The material is probably different, but it's a black gate that looks like it's made of iron.
　It was decorated with flamboyant decorations suitable for the gates of a demon king's castle, with statues that resemble some kind of monster standing on either side.
　The gate itself also had an unfamiliar pattern painted on it.
　There was a three-dimensional pattern in the center that looked like some kind of tail, and the gate was opened to cut both sides of that tail, and we stepped into the grounds.

　However, it looks strange that there is just a tail in the middle.
　What is the meaning of this tail?

　Then a straight pathway with greenery on both sides leads to the front door.
　Then Lisa, who was about to open the door, seemed to hesitate there and turned back to us.

''Huh ... once you're inside, please don't leave me and follow me in silence. First, I will show you to Lucius-sama's study.

　Lisa's face looked serious, as if she regretted bringing us here.

''I understand. I'll follow you without a word, so don't worry about it.

Thank you.

　Lisa then opens the front door.
　Then, in front of her, she suddenly saw a person.
　But it wouldn't be a person.
　I only say that because there was no other way to describe it.

　The person was dressed in a light black dress that clearly showed his shape and had the same light pink hair as Toa's.
　It reminded me of the Toa I'd seen at a dinner party for an inter-school game.

　Like Toa, she was clear-skinned and beautiful.
　The long, wavy hair, with its fluffy waves, seemed to exude a demonic s*xiness.
　I don't know what the demon race is...I don't understand it well either, but for now, I felt a s*xy, inhuman s*x appeal.
　Then she clasped her hands together in front of her, smiled gently and stared at us without any warning, as if she was welcoming us.

'Mother!'

Tor!

　Suddenly, Toa appeared from behind her and, in what she said was an emotional reunion, jumped to the ample breasts of the woman in front of her.
　They embraced each other and looked at each other again and again.

　Hmm? ...Mother?　Oh, I see. This is Toa's mother, or something like that for sure.

'I'm sorry, Lady Electra. I mean...

'Welcome home, Lisa. And thank you for your hard work, you brought Toa home with you?　Wasn't it hard?

'No!　It's not like that....

It's okay, don't worry about it, she knows everything.

　All of them? ...what does that mean?

You're Nito the Adventurer, aren't you?　I am Electra, Toa's mother.

'What? Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you, my name is Nito.

　I haven't even told him my name yet, but suddenly he called me by my name. How did he know?

And you guys....

Nems are nems!

My name is Sufiria.

'Well by the looks of it, Mr. Nem is a cat person and then Sufilia is a human, right?　Mr. Nito, you're human too, aren't you?

Yes, yes....

　Hmm?　Which of these questions do you mean?　You mean it's not good to be human?

'There's no need to be alarmed. He doesn't care about his species.

Who the hell is that guy you're talking about?

'The Demon King of this country. My husband and the father of the Toa. Now that we've been introduced, can you please follow me?　I'll take you to that man.

　I don't know what it is ... but he's a strange man.
　His eyes are clear and powerful, yet his tone is calm and gentle.
　Even if you read his emotions, there's no hostility.

　Then we were led by Electra-san through the castle to that man (...).

　The Demon King's castle was different from the image I had in mind.
　Compared to the exterior, it was quite bright inside.
　When I say bright, I don't mean the number of lights, but the colors are gorgeous.
　I had clearly expected the floor, walls and ceiling to be covered with gray tiles.
　The exterior of the building was like that, but inside it was quite different: a long, wide corridor with a red carpet, soft white walls, and I don't know if it was Electra's taste, but there were many brightly colored flowers and other decorations.
　And the corridor was brightly lit with many windows and sunlight shining through the trees.

'Here it is,'

What?

　Then Electra suddenly answers that. I noticed that I was in front of a certain door.

He's waiting for you inside. Toa, can you make sure you apologize to him?　You're sorry for worrying about me?

Yeah okay.

　Is this the Toa at the castle or am I the only one who thinks it's new?

'And, Mr. Nito, I would recommend that the man use his real name and not an alias.

What?

　But my question is drowned out by the sound of the door being opened slowly and vigorously.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to be able to get your hands on a new pair of shoes.

'Lucius, I've brought the Toa to you. Then this one is the one who was protecting the Toa.

　A demon tribe with black hair hardened into an all-back.
　His skin is white and he has no eyebrows. And the eyes are clear and blue.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''Welcome back ... toa.''