Chapter 814: Bareback’s Travel (2)
A young demon leaving his village for the first time.
That is my state of mind when I arrived at the big city of Village Five.
Well, it’s quite a spectacular city.
And it’s very lively.
Ramen is delicious!
I like that there are different types of it.
The underground shopping street also offers a variety of fashions!
Sake here is good too!
It’s so much fun!
However!
The acting village chief is Youko, the mythical fox spirit.
I don’t think anyone should even go near her.
-0-
I liked the liveliness of Shashaato City.
The food called curry is delicious.
The food called katsudon is also good.
There was also a bakery that’s selling strangely tasty bread.
……
But, why is a royal guardian of the ancient kingdom(mercury) here?
Could it be that Governor Ifrus is a royalty of the ancient kingdom?
No, I think Governor Ifrus is also my relative.
A distant one though.
My elder brother’s……no, was it the son of the son of my elder sister’s son……or is he the son of the daughter?
Whatever it is, a royal guardian is stronger than generals.
You shouldn’t let your guard down just because she looks like a little girl.
Best thing to do is not to get close to her.
Yeah.
-0-
And the royal capital.
……
When I meet the demon king, I will tell him to put a little more effort into the culinary affairs of the kingdom.
I spent time in Village Five and Shashaato City and the only thing I was satisfied with in this place was the restaurant where the maids were serving you.
No, maybe I would be satisfied with the food in the royal castle……
Even so, I won’t go to the royal castle since they seem to be busy preparing for the parade.
If I go there when they’re busy, I’ll just cause some unnecessary trouble.
I won’t go to the royal castle until after the parade.
I’ll be joining the parade though.
-0-
The parade will start in Village Five so I moved to Village Five.
The transfer gate is really convenient.
You can go from one place to another fast.
I am not surprised at the function of the gate because I have used an operational gate several times in the past but I still think of it as something impressive.
Especially when I thought that the current demon king can utilize teleportation gates that are said to be an extinct technology.
He is someone that no one can be underestimated.
I wish he would put one to where I live though.
It would make my traveling easier.
Also, I will be able to go to Village Five and Shashaato City frequently.
-0-
After a few days of parading, I finally went to see the demon king.
Ah, I am no longer accompanied by those who were sent to watch over me.
The number of those who had been watching me had been gradually decreasing, seduced by the charms of Village Five and Shashaato City. Those who remained in the end all were all thrashed during the military exercise in the royal capital at the end of the parade.
They took their chance and went straight to the demon king that time.
I would like to commend them for going to him head on but unfortunately, the difference in ability is so high that they weren’t able to do anything.
Why did they even think they could win when they saw the demon king?
No, I don’t think they did.
They went straight to him to formally apply for a duel.
The demon king must accept all challenges.
In any case, I hope they will concentrate on recuperating and get better when it’s time for me to return.
They’re the ones who were paying for my travel expenses.
Even though they were supposed to watch over me, it would be a shame to leave them behind.
-0-
I met the demon king right away.
It didn’t seem like he had much time on his hands so I wonder if I pushed him too much.
「Bareback-sama, it’s been a while.」
Yeah, it’s been a while.
I think the last time we met was when you were crowned as the demon king.
「No, we met when Yuri was born.」
Yuri?
Ah, your daughter.
Right, we met that time.
Sorry.
I’ve been forgetful lately.
「No, no. So, how’s the parade? You joined in, right?」
How was it?
Well, what should I say?
I could tell you’ve done your best.
「Did I? 」
Yes.
You’ve done well being with all those people.
「Ehto……」
Don’t play the fool.
You made it look like you had them under your control but they’re definitely not.
「……the way you say it…….is terrible.」
Hmp.
There is no way the proud ancient dragons would follow a mere demon king.
If you’re against a young one, you might have a chance of winning but that’s it.
There is no way the ancient dragon will follow your command just because you luckily defeated a young one.
On the contrary, they will mark you as someone dangerous.
I don’t know how you did it but I was surprised to see a bunch of ancient dragons lining up to participate in the parade.
I don’t even know how many times I doubted my own eyes.
In addition, I saw several familiar faces though I don’t really want to remember any of them.
I’m talking about the godkins and the ancient devils.
I don’t think the freewheeling ancient devils would follow you let alone the scheming godkins.
And then, there are inferno wolves too.
The inferno wolf pack didn’t care about you at all.
What they cared about was a carriage at the rear.
Specifically, the man who was riding the carriage that transformed into a humanoid.
I guess that person must be the one controlling the inferno wolves.
Ah, I see.
The ancient dragons, the godkins, and the ancient devils should be following that one too, right?
I see, so that’s why they were arranged like that in the parade.
「………as expected of you.」
If you don’t pay attention to things like that, you won’t be able to live long.
I don’t know what happened that you and the Demon King’s Kingdom managed to suppress that person……no, it should be that the kingdom has already succumbed, right?
The Demon King’s Kingdom is already in the hands of that man.
This parade is to show what is inside and outside this kingdom.
Is it his intention not to make a big deal of it?
Well, as long as those who must understand understand, that’s enough.
Furthermore, the declaration of victory against the human countries at the end of the parade.
Creating a new nation at the forefront……
Have the human kingdoms already collapsed?
Have they collapsed to the point that there’s no longer conflict?
Don’t tell me that the human kingdoms haven’t realized it yet?
It looks like the Demon King’s Kingdom is now in charge of restructuring and protecting the world.
You should be struggling, aren’t you?
All in all, I think you’re doing a very good job.
「………」
Hey, what’s the matter?
Why are you suddenly crying?
You surprised me.
「N-no, I’m just so happy that you understand.」
Is that really worth crying about?
No, well, that’s what happens when you’re dealing with people like that.
「That’s not what I mean. Village chief……the person who was riding the carriage that transformed into humanoid. He has no intention of doing anything to the kingdom or the world. He is a good nature person.」
I also heard a rumor about him being the great demon king.
「That was when I attempted to push him up to be the great demon king but it failed in the end. The rumors are the remnants of that.」
I-I see.
As the elective parliament, should we formally prepare for the position of Great Demon King?
「Bareback-sama, that might be unnecessary. I think it would be best if we leave village chief alone.」
Hahaha.
Who would dare touch him?
The best course of action anyone could do is to stay away from him.
I don’t even want to have anything to do with him.
「……you really think so?」
Yes.
Just look at him from afar……
No, just looking at him is already poisonous.
I’d like to limit myself to just hearing rumors.
「If that’s what Bareback-sama, the one who is said to know the best move the Demon King’s Kingdom could ever make, says so, it must be right. Unfortunately, it’s already too late for me………」
That’s a real shame.
「Well, there are many times where I enjoyed it.」
Like what? That bone whale?
Areh, is that what they call it?
「Ahaha……」
I guess you have no shortage of stimulation.
「Yeah」
I guess you’re still young to be able to enjoy those kinds of things.
I envy you.
「What are you saying? Bareback-sama is still young.」
Hahaha, don’t flatter me.
Just seeing that from afar is too much stimulation for me.
It shortened my lifespan.
「Is that so? Then, you only have 1500 more to go?」
No, only around a thousand more.
「Ahahaha, as expected, you’re still young. Would you like to meet village chief? I can arrange it.」
Phew.
I would be lying if I say I’m not interested.
I am very curious to know what kind of person can lead the herd of ancient dragons and pack of inferno wolves.
However, I’ll say it again, I won’t.
He’s like an active volcano.
Don’t go near it.
Don’t even think about using it.
It’s something that you can only pray at to not erupt.
「………I really wanted to introduce you.」
Give me a break.
Besides, there are godkins around him, right?
I saw Malbit, Ruincia, Suarurou, and Raz Maria.
And there’s even Reginleif.
I don’t want to get involved with anything related to the godkins.
There are too many bitter memories.
I can’t do it.
Or else, I might do something.
I’ll leave the affairs of the kingdom to you.
I’m counting on you.
「Yes. I’ll do everything within my power.」
What are you saying? Even if it perishes, we’ll just go back to the old days.
Just do as you please.
「……thank you very much. How long will Bareback-sama stay here?」
I want to enjoy the food in Village Five and Shashaato City.
I intend to stay for a while.
「Understood. I can arrange a place for you to stay. I can even reserve a store for you.」
I appreciate your offer but I’ll pass.
I’m not traveling without money this time.
I won’t give you any trouble.
I will stop by to say hello before I leave.
With these words, I left my seat and left the demon king.
-0-
I think it was around a month ago that I had such a conversation with the demon king.
I told him that I don’t want to get involved with anything related to the godkins but somehow, I had been captured by a little godkin girl.
When I asked her who she was, she said she is Ruincia’s granddaughter.
No, she was emphasizing that she’s the daughter of the village chief who led the herd of ancient dragons and pack of inferno wolves.
……
I said I didn’t want to get involved with them!
How did this happen?
In any case, I have sent out a request for help.
Let’s hope that the demon king can find me.
Ah, little boy with a little horn on your forehead.
Don’t mind me.
Yeah.
Don’t.
-0-
The store where maids serve = Earth’s café
Bitter memories with the angels = Beaten to a pulp on the battlefield. Lost many times in battle. When he thought he finally won, was overturned by force.