Vol 1 Chapter 6 (1/2)
Chapter 6: I Choose the Route that Leads to the Other Side of the Hill
—- The Demon World, the City of the Gate, a darkened Inn
The Hero: “Innkeep!”
Innkeeper: “What’s up, bro You’re covered in so dirty”
The Hero: “Hmph What does it matter? This is one of those inns that don’t even bother with cleaning”
Innkeeper: “Hahaha! Nope”
Human Soldier: “Gyahahahaha!”
Hu over some drink, Demon!”
Huirl!”
Human Soldier: “Can we eat your meat?”
The Hero: “…”
Innkeeper: “Ahh, they’re ood”
The Hero: “Really? … Aren’t humans the masters?”
Innkeeper: “Well, you could say that”
The Hero: “Hmm”
Innkeeper: “If you just want to drink, you can buy wine and then drink it outside That’s the cheapest way as well An inn sells food and atmosphere as well This sort of commotion is really bad for business”
Human Soldier: “Hurry up!”
Demon Girl: “Kyaaa!”
Human Soldier: “Do a lap dance as well, won’t you?”
The Hero: “…”
Innkeeper: “Ugh, I guess there’s no choice”
Innkeeper: “Dear custohts, could you perhaps head to the brothel just behind our inn?”
Hu, old man?”
Human Soldier: “Just who do you think you have to thank for the security of this city!?”
The Hero: “Oi, are you alright?”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes I’m sorry Please don’t hit me”
The Hero: “I’ to do that”
Innkeeper: “No, it’s not like that I understand She is always thankful to whatever Gods that may be”
The Hero: “Always?”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes…”
The Hero: “Are there still a significant number of Demons left in this place?”
Demon Girl: “That’s…”
The Hero: (She’s really guarded)
The Hero: “Take a look at this” Slides
De!”
The Hero: “So how is the situation in the city?”
Demon Girl: “Yes… Your Majesty”
The Hero: “Call ht”
Innkeeper: “Ah—oh dear Business is going down again”
The Hero: “Has so happened?”
Innkeeper: “Ahh, I’m sorry for the commotion”
Demon Girl flinches
Innkeeper: “Are you interested in that girl?”
The Hero: “We’re just talking”
Innkeeper: “Hehe”
Demon Girl shudders
Innkeeper: “Well, whatever, this girl’s too scared to work properly Oi! Go wash the dishes with my wife”
The Hero: “You have a real beauty here”
Innkeeper: “I don’t care if she’s a Demon or whatever, she’s a valuable employee who eats the same food as us I won’t allow anyone to break her, and I’ve never allowed anyone to bully her”
The Hero: “…”
Demon Girl: “Well then…”
The Hero: “Oi, innkeeper Lend irl for a bit, won’t you?”
Innkeeper: “What?”
The Hero: “I’ll tip Here” Coins clinking
Innkeeper: “Hmm…”
Demon Girl flinches
Innkeeper: “Seeirl Ah—whatever At any case, she can’t work, and if she were to go out she ht run into those people from just now and that would be really troublesome”
The Hero: “Ahh, I just need to talk to her about so”
Innkeeper: “Hahaha, talk to her Well, whatever This girl lives in the dormitory at the back, she pays her rent monthly If you really want to ‘talk to her,’ then you should go over there”
The Hero: “Ahh, good idea”
Innkeeper: “Hoill your accoht be?”
The Hero: “Do you have a room? Get one ready for me when I return”
Innkeeper: “I understand When it is tiet you I’ it up for you”
The Hero: “Huh? Yeah, don’t worry, I’ll be dohen I’ry”
Innkeeper: “Hahahaha Well, it’s good to eat lots while you’re still young! Hahaha”
—- The Demon World, the City of the Gate, at a Low-Class Brothel
The Hero: “Well then”
Demon Girl shudders
The Hero: “Ah Why are you so nervous?”
De?”
The Hero: “No I’m not”
Demon Girl: “… Eh”
The Hero: “We onally from your roo us”
Demon Girl: “I’m sorry”
The Hero: “Ah, it’s okay Would you like so to drink?”
De…”
The Hero: “Don’t ht even if you don’t drink”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes…”
The Hero: “Then, I suppose we could have some tea”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes…”
The Hero: “Uuess that’s it for now”
Demon Girl: “Yes”
Hu to hurt you”
Demon Girl: “Eh, that’s … Sobs”
The Hero: “Why are you crying?”
Demon Girl: “I- I- I-”
The Hero: “Calm down”
Deood… at…”
The Hero: “I don’t understand”
Demon Girl: “I may not… be able to… perform as you’d like I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry”
The Hero: “?”
Demon Girl: “If… If it hurts… Then I’m sorry…”
The Hero: “Hm? … Ah! Ahh!”
—- The Demon World, the City of the Gate, at a Low-Class Brothel
The Hero: “I’m sorry if I was intrusive before, would you please calm down?”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes…”
The Hero: “No, really This is thirty tion Lord”
Demon Girl: “I-I’m sorry”
The Hero: “If you keep apologizing, we’re not going to get anywhere”
Demon Girl: “I-I’m sorry”
The Hero: “…”
Demon Girl: “…”
The Hero: “Well, to sum it all up simply… The people who run the city are currently the Crusaders and the City Garrison, They control everything from the center of the city to the residential areas… Well, not really control, more like plunder”
Demon Girl: “Yes…”
The Hero: “How many are there?”
Demon Girl: “…A lot …I’m sorry”
Human Soldier: “How many are there outside the city?”
Demon Girl: “…Outside?”
Huuards and lookouts”
Demon Girl: “A lot There are four divisions”
The Hero: “Hmm”
De to the city When they return, they do violent, scary… horrible things”
The Hero: (Hht be stationed at the four fortresses that I saw on th that will oppose the irredentist efforts of the De forces of the City of the Gate are in the middle of the city Well, it’s to be expected They don’t need that arrisoned here to preserve order The main battle power is on the outside of the city— Most of the Demons here have been reduced to slaves so a police force is all that’s needed to preserve the peace
— Even though theunits seeraded Each fortress can probably hold about 2000forces in the city probably have 1000 men, on top of that there are probably another 1000 reserve forces and recuperating forces)
The Hero: “Hmm”
Demon Girl flinches
The Hero: “What’s the difference between the units in the city and the units co back from outside the city? Is there a difference?”
Demon Girl: “Umm, that’s, the difference is…”
The Hero: “You can speak slowly”
Deher social status …I think they’re the relatives or children of the nobility”
The Hero: (So the nobility form the core… They put them in safe places like the City Center)
Deather up money… and liquor… and become rowdy at the inns… They arrest a lot of demons as well”
The Hero: (This is a fairly bad situation… If I felt like it, I could probably annihilate one or two thousand of these stupid, useless noblemen’s children, but— That could cause the close to ten thousand soldiers garrisoned in the fortresses nearby to do so horrible to the people On the other hand, if I wiped out the entire human military, the Dee There’s just no way to save the humans…)
The Hero: “How many humans are there like the old man from the inn who aren’t soldiers?”
Demon Girl flinches
The Hero: “Hmm Are there a lot?”
Demon Girl: “…There are The inns, the butcheries, the tailors, the greengrocers, are all owned by humans… There are probably only half as many Demons as humans”
The Hero: “Are the Demons all slaves?”
Demon Girl: “Slaves… I don’t know… But the hard and painful things, the hich no one wants to do… That’s… what… we…”
The Hero: “I see”
Demon Girl: “It’s because we lost…”
The Hero: “…”
Demon Girl: “Because the Demons lost, we have to face this evil”
The Hero: “Demons really live in hell, huh”
Demon Girl: “…There is no choice Because we lost”
The Hero: “That’s…”
Demon Girl: “…”
The Hero: “Is this what I’ve been fighting for as a Hero…? We fought the Earth Dragon King and the Fairy Queen for control over this vital City of the Gate for this? If the Humans win, this is what the entire Demon World will look like, and if the Demons ill it not be the same?!”
Silence!
Demon Girl flinches
The Hero: “No, I’m sorry”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes” Shudders
The Hero: “…”
Demon Girl: “B-but”
The Hero: “?”
Demon Girl: “The people in the East Fortress aren’t as… violent Even though they don’t really come to the city… It’s said that… If you’re a Demon and you need to escape, you should escape to the East”
The Hero: “Hmm”
Deht?”
The Hero: “Hm?”
Demon Girl: “Have I been useless…”
The Hero: “Ah, no no no You’ve been very useful Thank you for the invaluable information”
Demon Girl: “Y-yes And…”
The Hero: “Even so… Just thiswill probably want to know about ate? Maybe I’ll find out more in the city”
Demon Girl: “This… May be a little rude, but, if you’d like… Black Knight…”
The Hero: “Don’t, spread, your, legs!”
Demon Girl: “Eep! I’m sorry!”
The Hero: “Agh, why does this keep happening to !”
—- The Boarding House at the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering
Disciple nobleh”
Disciple Soldier: “…Ugh”
Disciple Merchant: “I’ to die I’m in the middle of death”
Disciple Soldier: “Don’t say such heartless things”
Disciple Merchant: “Are you feeling alright?”
Disciple Soldier: “Hahaha This is nothing” shi+vers “Gyahahaha”
Disciple Merchant: “As expected”
Disciple nobleh How can our spirits be crushed by such a s”
Disciple Soldier: “Ohh, you’re unexpectedly strong-willed, Disciple nobleman”
Disciple Merchant: “Yeah! What a surprise”
Disciple nobleman: “At least let us wash our faces And our hair… and perfume…” spaces out
Disciple Soldier: “…”
Disciple Merchant: “Still strong willed?”
Disciple Soldier: “Well, a lot -willed than when he started”
Disciple Merchant: “Even though I’ve already gotten used to it”
Disciple nobleh…”
Disciple Soldier: “It can’t be helped that the training is tough This is what it means to have an elite education”
Disciple Merchant: “At any rate, I never thought I would ever meet someone like the Female Paladin in a place like this”
Disciple noble from the Hero’s expedition to the Demon World, the three heroes seee…”
Disciple Soldier: “You’ve noticed that? If you’re feeling faint you should just stop”
Disciple nobleman: “If I don’t at least break out into sweat, how can I maintain the pride of us nobility”
Disciple Soldier: “Here, use this” Passes weights
Disciple nobleman: “Thank you”
Disciple Merchant: “The Female Paladin and the Heroas well”
Disciple Soldier: “Huh? Is that so?”
Disciple Merchant: “Yeah, it is Because I cos like financial ement and math since I was a little child, but the theories the Scholar uses are fundas from the macro perspective”
Disciple Soldier: “Macro perspective? I don’t understand Youmoney?”
The Disciple Merchant throeights angrily
Disciple noble, what a soldier-like thing to say Is your brain filled with miso soup?”
Disciple Soldier: “What!?”
Disciple noblerow the wheat, that’s just imported from one or another country, isn’t it?”
Disciple Merchant: “That’s right Trade and economy are the fundamentals of the world”
Disciple Soldier: “It’s two against one, this is a bad situation But even if you say that, Disciple noblerow the wheat either, Disciple Merchant, neither do you And you don’t even have the strength the hold up this longsword”
Disciple Merchant: “That’s…”
Disciple nobleman: “That’s why I tried to pick words that wouldn’t start a fight That’s the brilliant advice frorandma’s the one who put me in this school”
Disciple Soldier: “Ho”
Disciple Merchant: “Is that so?”
Disciple noble her by accident”
Disciple Merchant: “Heh! Then she made the choice for you to come here I come from a Merchant family, my eldest and second brothers will continue the company, but a third son like me has no place to be It would be scandalous if they just threw h they say it’s for dom of Winter”
Disciple nobleman: “Hmm Everyone has different circumstances”
Disciple Soldier: “Indeed—“
Disciple Merchant: “How about you?”
Disciple Soldier: “Nothing”
Disciple Merchant: “Heh?”
Disciple Soldier: “I don’t have any circuful or deep circu It’s just that ht be unable to achieve honour before we collapse into a coht’s family To prevent that, I intend to train myself up”
Disciple Merchant: “…By yourself?”
Disciple nobleman: “Don’t tell me, you want to?”
Disciple Soldier: “That’s right Rather than staying at home, isn’t it better to be somewhere comfortable?”
Disciple Merchant: “Of all places ould you pick here?!”
Disciple Soldier: “I could not afford to travel to the Holy Empire”
Disciple nobleman: “Ah—“
Disciple Soldier: “It was a great success If I learn from the Female Paladin, I’ll be able to become an official anywhere I want I can really take up this path of the warrior”
Disciple Merchant: “…”
Disciple Soldier: “What’s wrong?”
Disciple Merchant: “What a waste”
Disciple Soldier: “What do you mean?”
Disciple Merchant: “The lessons of the Scholar The Scholar’s lessons are biased towards things like econoraphy”
Disciple nobleman: “She’s only an expert on those issues She doesn’t know anything about military tactics, doesn’t she? History and the records of warfare are cos”
Disciple Soldier: “Is that so…?”
Disciple Merchant: “I want…”
Disciple nobleman: “…”
Disciple Merchant: “I want to stop being a third son”
Disciple Soldier: “?”
Disciple Merchant: “I am currently a third son My clothes are old My desk is old My stationery is old too Everything I own has been handed down to me from my brothers It’s what happens when you have two older brothers
…But, it’s different here Everything I have here isn’t old Fros which aren’t old And, I get to do business as well”
Disciple Soldier: “On your own?”
Disciple nobleo home?”
Disciple Merchant: “Yeah, I don’t go back I can’t tell er close to o back, there won’t be a share for me
Since that’s the case, it ht be better to just start a new business I don’t haveto learn more about business while I can”
Disciple nobleman: “I see…”
Disciple Soldier: “That’s… I don’t know a lot about doing business, but…”
Disciple Merchant: “?”
Disciple Soldier: “It’s great that you’re doing well”
Disciple Merchant: “Yes So by Well, that’s because I’old pieces a month for et along in this manner Because I have small dreams, I definitely fulfill them”
Disciple nobleman: “I want to be part of the Central Continental society, and dance with pretty girls I’ll get to do soto plays, concerts, operas and balls”
Disciple Soldier: “You really are the prodigal son”
Disciple Merchant: “Hahahaha”
Disciple noble word I’ in a courtyard”
Disciple Soldier: “That analogy hurts my head”
Disciple Merchant: “Hahahaha The Disciple nobleirls”
Disciple Soldier: “Is that so?”
Disciple nobles! I’ for me out there!”
Disciple Merchant: “Eh〜 That’s…”
Disciple Soldier: “Ahahahahahaha!”
Disciple nobleirls that you like?! Spit it out! Spit it out!”
— The Shore City’s Merchant association, association Hall
Young Merchant: “Hmmmm”
Middle Aged Merchant: “What’s up? With the increased precision, even the craftsdom of Copper are amazed”
Young Merchant: “That’s great —How is the production side?”
Middle Aged Merchant: “We’ve been able to ets With the cooperation of three workshops, we’ve been able to produce ten units a month”
Young Merchant: “Hmm, that’s not bad”
Middle Aged Merchant: “It’s hard work Everyone’s really gushi+ng with interest in this new gadget, but it’s really just for boosting pride, really”
Young Merchant: “If I may”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Huh?”
Young Merchant: “If I may, is it possible to raise production to fifteen units a month?”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Are you serious?”
Young Merchant: “Yeah”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Why?”
Produces paper
Young Merchant: “This is a report frodoms”
Middle Aged Merchant: “This is… War, huh”
Young Merchant: “So it would seeht”
Middle Aged Merchant: “The Holy Capital?”
Young Merchant: “The Holy Capital, and this time, the Church too”
Middle Aged Merchant: “…”
Young Merchant: “The Church is an organization which incurs a lot of expenses Without a ith De the people has reached a nadir That seems to be the case”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Donations and alms too”
Young Merchant: “The issue of the Papal Election is also a factor”
Middle Aged Merchant: “A naval battle, eh Well, there’s an opportunity for business”
Young Merchant: “Of course”
Middle Aged Merchant: “And that’s why you want to raise production of compasses?”
Young Merchant: “Well, compasses yes, but the production of warshi+ps also needs to be raised We’re pressuring the drydocks of the Kingdom of Waves”
Middle Aged Merchant: “We’ll get them somehow”
Young Merchant: “Well, it would be great if on”
Unrolls large scroll
Middle Aged Merchant: “A naval map?”
Young Merchant: “If we can secure the Isle of Light, the Westbound trading route would be open This route would be far cheaper than our current land route for the transportation of goods”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Yes it would”
Young Merchant: “Currently, the productive capacity of the Southern Kingdo”
Middle Aged Merchant: “You guys had a hand in that”
Young Merchant: “Yeah” Smiles “I wouldn’t want to ruin that”
Middle Aged Merchant: “Hmm”
Young Merchant: “Moreover, an infor fronificant”
Middle Aged Merchant: “How ?”