Chapter 48
Towards the beastkin village, the story of the hero was handed down. It was like that for any village.
The evil Demon King was eliminated, repelling the cruel demon tribe. Villages would definitely hand that down.
Therefore, Maals mind was blank.
She wasnt able to resist the absurd truth like Serge.
But Maal still kept listening to the developments.
I dont understand.
Serge muttered in a small voice, but he still had some composure.
Youre telling me Demon King-sama was a good person? So, he defeated the previous Demon King
Still, that was in range of what he could understand. Knocking down his previous lifes memories, where he read stories like that
Intelligence was included in increased ability scores. Information was sorted and inferences were derived.
Ummm, Dark Elf-sama, is it fine to call you that?
The one Serge called out for wasnt Valis, but the Dark Elf. He spontaneously added the -sama.
The Dark Elf turned towards him with a look of being uninterested, but still responded.
What?
That, the Demon King-sama, what sort of person is he?
He spoke politely. He could be killed if he offended her. Though Serges level had raised with a wave of Valis hand, he still didnt think he could defeat the girl in front of him.
Serges question seemed to satisfy the Dark Elf.
Hes a wonderful person.
With intoxicated eyes, she began to speak.
Tender, yet strict at times. Unconcealed dignity, while friendly. He brought peace and order to the demon tribe with his great knowledge
Well, wait.
Valis was the one to stop her.
It is good you came here to speak. Fortunately, there are vacant seats.
Yeah, the Dark Elf had still been kneeling near the entrance.
She was a distance away. If push came to shove, he could use the distance to launch a preemptive strike with magic.
And Valis was trying to shorten it.
Maal was afraid. Though Serge also felt fear, if he used the Skill he just obtained a moment before, he could probably escape.
No, even that was no good. He wouldnt be able to include Ria. Though Valis felt like she would protect Ria, Maal probably wouldnt want to part with her.
Either way, Serge had no alternatives.
Excuse me, Dark Elf-sama.
Wait, first off stop with calling me Dark Elf-sama.
Though it seemed like a strange thing to fuss about, it would probably feel weird to be referred to as Human-sama or Beastkin-sama after all.
Then what should I call you?
Rei. No need for honorifics. You are neither my vassal nor my subject.
She was amiable. If that was the case, this talk may go on better than he thought.
Even so, he needed to be polite. Since she had introduced herself as a Demon General, she was probably part of the upper echelons of the demon tribe.
Before anything, tell me your names.
Ah, Serge.
Come to think of it, I hadnt introduced myself. I was impolite.
Maal.
She gave a small bow.
You guys, human tribe and beastkin tribe together? How old are you?
It was a somewhat normal conversation.
Just turned thirteen.
Twelve.
Young huh. Then that magical power? Hey, feel like serving His Majesty?
It suddenly turned into her scouting us.
Umm, Im with the human tribe though
There are humans in demon territory too. His Majesty doesnt discriminate between races. His Majesty was a human to begin with.
Humans!?
Though Serge retorted in his mind, it was probably normal for a former hero to be accompanied by humans.
Even so, she said he doesnt discriminate between races. Wait, wasnt it a better society than human society?
There are cat beastkin too. I have a lot among my subordinated.
So cat beastkin too?
Ah, though hes human, Demon King-sama is a thousand years old?
A humans life span, even assisted by magic, would max out around three hundred.
Then again, the Great Sage of Sacred Mountain, Azelford had exceeded one thousand years of age.
Ah, thats my power.
Listening in, Valis intervened into the conversation.
That mans wish was for immortality.
Thats though Im happy for your invitation, and though its an attractive one I still have a lot of things I want to learn.
That so? There are a lot of schools in demon tribe territory, so please come if you feel like it.
Not compromising, she suddenly threw the thing in her hand over to him. It was a dagger with a seal on it. Ria also had something like it.
If they see that, members of the demon tribe generally wont make a move on you. Though since there are a lot of hot-blooded tribes, you should take care.
Too friendly. It was a very sweet invitation.
Serge was actually becoming worried.
Umm, is it alright to give this away?
Itd be bad if it leaked into human society.
Apart from that beastkin, I dont feel any negativity from you.
Though she did feel some fear, she continued.
Although Serge definitely thought Reiwas a threat, it could have just been prejudice.
Of course, since he was thinking Booby Dark Elf arrived! the whole time, she might have sensed it as good will from him.
A human like you would very likey become our comrade. Its called a [speculative recruitment].
Serge instinctively smiled wryly at Rei, who had used Japanese.
He couldnt come to dislike this Dark Elf-san.
So then, lets continue.
Ah, yeah. Lets see for the Millennium, why does the demon tribe invade to begin with?
With that question, Reis eyes narrowed as she let out a breath.
The feeling of a candid Onee-san from before disappeared. What was left was a member of the demon tribe who held a frightening strength.
How much do you know?
Overawed, Serge decided he would just say what he felt on it.
Umm, with what I heard from the story a moment ago with Demon King-sama, if humans and the demon tribe didnt fight, I feel like they could get along.
Right, that was what he felt.
To begin with, the ones invading during the Millennium were the demon tribe.
But hearing Reis story, he felt like the Demon King was the exact opposite of an evil existence that wanted to slaughter everything.
If that was the case, they didnt need to prepare for the Millennium. Rias one worry would be lost.
Reis expression softened.
However, she shook her head.
Wait.
The one to stop her was Valis.
The one to call out was the owner of a godlike power, so Reis body stiffened. If she had committed a taboo here, she would lose her life instantly.
But Valis words were contrary to her expectations.
Ill give you a blessing as well.
Valis waived. A moment later, Reis magical power increased.
The reward for traversing the labyrinth.
Lost for words, Rei embraced her body closely for a short while.
Before long, she bowed deeply. She put up the hood of the cloak she was wearing and started to walk toward the entrance.
Want to be sent outside?
Valis called out again.
Then, just outside town.
Umu, good bye then.
With that, Reis figure disappeared.
Umm, was that alright?
After a while, Serge spoke.
Was what?
One week later.
Serge had been striving to master his new Skill.
The Skill was powerful, and in exchange for supplementing the weak points of mages, it was difficult to control.
Unexpectedly, Valis would sometimes show him an example of a method to control it.
Maal was playing with the infant Dragon.
You could call it playing.
This Dragon that had been born a relatively little time ago was still a child mentally, so it was delighted.
It told Maal that it was much more happy now than it had ever been sleeping so far.
Then, while the two people and one dragon were absorbed amongst themselves.
Its about time.
Everyone gathered around the egg due to Valis voice.
The black shell cracked, spreading across it.
Uu
Ria-chan!
Her black hair waving, Ria made her appearance.