34 Land controlled by demons (1/2)

Shirone the Maiden of Swords

We flew in the sky and headed north.

We were quite late in our departure. The reason is because of the hippogriffs flying behind me.

Kyouka-san and Kaya-san are on the hippogriff flying behind me. Kyouka was late because she took time to prepare for the flight.

If it was true, I was going to head north by myself. I can't bother everyone about Kuroki.

I will definitely rescue Kroki from the Demon King's capture with my own hands.

I'm very happy to be in this world. I'm excited to come to this world of adventure and exploration.

And then there's Reiji, Chiyuki, and everyone else.

Sometimes it's a little bit difficult, but I can get through it because of everyone.

But what about Kuroki?

Kuroki is an ordinary person. He's never had any adventures or explorations or anything like that. He's not like Rage-kun. He's a boring, uneventful, peaceful, everyday person.

After bringing him to this world by force, there's no way I'm going to force him to fight.

That's why I want to help him out of there as soon as possible.

But the speed of the hippogriff is slow. I want to go quickly, but I can't complain about them coming to me.

The only reason the two of us are here is because Chiyuki-san, who was worried about me going alone, asked Kyouka-san to go with me.

I look at the hippogriff. A hippogriff is a magical beast whose front half is an eagle and its back half is similar to a horse griffon.

It's weaker than a griffon, but it's docile and suitable for riding.

The luggage carried by that hippogriff is clearly overweight. Kyouka's luggage is too much.

It would be good if there was another one, but we don't have that many magical beasts for riding. Also, Rage and the others use magical beasts, so there was only this hippogriff.

The hippogriffs are also very tough. It would be better to let it rest.

I went near the hippogriff.

”Sir Sirone!　It's time for us to get some rest.

Kaya suggests.

I nod and go downstairs.

I let the hippogriff rest in an open area of the forest with a few fewer trees.

'We can't go any further today. Let's find somewhere to sleep in.'

'What? We haven't made much progress yet.

'I can't go on any longer. Night will come soon. Hippogriffs can't fly at night.

It's true, though: ......

It's true that hippogriffs are a bird's eye, so they can't fly at night. But I am not. I can fly at night, too. If I fly at full speed, I can reach Argoa and Velos today.

”Lady Cirone: ....... Please don't think foolishly of going alone.

Kaya-san nailed it, as if she had guessed my thoughts.

The reason these two came with me in the first place is because Chiyuki-san, who was anxious about letting me go alone, asked me to go with her.

Incidentally, there was talk of attaching a temple knight together, but considering the incident in Roxx's kingdom and the fact that it's quite far from St. Renaria, we decided not to talk about it.

At any rate, everyone is worried about me. I can't disregard that favor.

'All right, Kaya. But you can go to .......

I say and look at the package.

'Can't we reduce it a bit more: ......

The speed of the hippogriff is slow due to the heavy load on it. It would fly faster if it were reduced.

''Oh, I don't know how long we will be staying in the north country. That's about normal.

Kyouka, I can't say anything to your words.

It is my self-interest to go to Veros and Algore, which are in the north. If I go near Nargol, I may get some information about Kroki.

It is on such uncertain possibilities that we go north. We don't know when that information will be available. I had to be prepared to play a long game.

I would have to thank the two of them for being prepared to come with me for that long game.

And even though most of the luggage is Kyouka's, my luggage is in there as well. I can't complain about it.

''Ugh. Okay. ......

I give up.

'Well, now that you're convinced, we've found human country on our flight to tonight's sojourn, we'll go back and get there.

Shirone the Maiden of Swords

The country was too small to be a country.

The population was small, perhaps less than a thousand. The architecture is crude and reminds me of the thatched huts I have seen in books in the past.

Human country like this village is called Koki, and this is also a country. It's not the first time I've come to a small country like this. I have stopped several times on the way to Nargol with Reiji and his friends.

However, such a small country is often closed, and even if you try to stop by, it was often turned away at the door.

Of course, it is not Mr. Rage to ask such a thing. I was forced to enter the country and sleep in it.

Because I hear that it is not possible to let the girl sleep in the field at any rate. Thanks to that, we didn't have to stay in the camp.

Kaya-san is negotiating with the person who seems to be the head of Koki country. We will be turned away from the gate, won't we?

What will Kaya do then? There is no way I would let Kyoka stay in the field, so I feel like I'm going to push through with force.

The inhabitants were scared of the hippogriff until they came to this chief's house. If we threaten him, we might be able to manage it.

'We are travelers. 'We would like to stay in this country for one night, if that is alright with you? Of course I'll pay you a gratuity.

No, no, no, I'm not getting any gratuity. You can stay at my place for the night, if you like.

But contrary to expectations, the head of Koki readily agreed.

The head of the Koki was a well-dressed uncle, smiling and laughing.

And there was something strange about his smile.

''Well then, please come this way. That magical beast will be in the barn, I'll show you later.''

But Kaya shook her head at the words.

'No, we'll all be in the same barn, if you don't mind. Would you mind showing me around?

Kyouka and I are surprised by those words.

'Ha ...... yes, then come here.'

The head of the Koki seemed as surprised as we were. He's a little stumped for words.

Then we are led to the barn.

'What do you mean, Kaya?'

Kyouka questions Kaya.

I don't want to sleep in the barn when Kyouka-san is there too. I don't want to sleep over, even if it's a hippogriff, but I don't want to sleep over.

'Miss. Can I ask Shirone-sama a question about that?

What, me?

I'm surprised when he suddenly turns the conversation around.

'Did you feel any discomfort from the man you just spoke to?'

Kaya asks me and I think about it.

'Yeah. From my uncle, who I think is the head of this country, I get the feeling that the demons looked at us the same way they looked at us.

I said and Kaya nodded.

'Yes, I felt the same way as Shirone-sama.

That uncle's eyes were caught in my enemy detection. That uncle had the same eyes as the demon's eyes, which were aimed at us as prey. It was only a few things, so I thought it might be my imagination, but if Kaya felt it too, it wasn't my imagination.

''It seems that the head of this country has some bad thoughts about us.

Kaya laughs a little. That smile is a little scary.

'What do you think?　Out of this country?

If this country has harmful intentions towards us, then it is better for us to leave this country as soon as possible. But Kaya shook her head.

'As much as I'd like to do so ......, it's almost nighttime. It's hard to find a place to camp now.'

Hippogriffs can't fly during the night. None of us are capable of night vision or decent lighting magic. To some extent, they can move in the dark with object detection. But there was a limit to how much we could rely on that.

As Kaya-san said, they wouldn't be able to move now.

''Then what are we going to do, Kaya?''

Kyouka asks. There's a bit of frustration in his voice.

''Of course, we'll take care of it by force. I don't know what the people of this country are up to, but if we beat them up, there won't be any problems.''

Kaya brings her fists together.

I sigh. The people of this country are going to have a terrible time with this.

But I also think it can't be helped.

If all you have to do is chase them away, Kaya-san wouldn't have done anything so terrible. But if she attacks them, it's a different story.

At that time, I could feel more than one person gathering around the barn we're in.

I look out the barn window. The barn is surrounded by people with weapons.

Among them was the chief of this country. It seems that he had kept us in place and was gathering his friends with weapons.

'It seems that he has arrived. Let's give them a little punishment then, miss.

Saying that, Kaya clasps her fists together in front of her chest.

◆Deputy Ethigos.

Mr. Ethigos!　Please, please, for the love of God!　Forgive me!　Don't take my daughter away from me!

The man in front of me rubs his head against the ground.

'I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I've decided that the daughter I'm going to give to Master Zeng is your daughter.

'Make it happen!　Preferably a daughter from another house!

'You're just another man who can't help it. You don't care what happens to other girls if you save your own.

It makes me laugh a little. Other people's misery is the taste of honey. That's why I can't stop doing this job.

'Dad!

Someone walks into the room. The face was familiar. It's the man's daughter, kneeling unceremoniously in front of me.

'Matime!　How did you get here!

Dad, stop it!　I just need the ogre to eat me, that's all!　That way we won't have to sacrifice any other kids!

”But if you do that, you'll have to go to ...... and you'll have to go to ......

'No, dad ....... I was lucky to be born your father's child. ......

The father and son hug each other saying so.

It's a story that will make you laugh ...... and cry.

I'm sure it's a very auspicious thing to do, daughter. Then you are ready to go.

I say to my daughter with a divine look on my face as I stifle a laugh.

'Yes, Mr Ethigos: ......'

she says with a nod.

'Brave girl,' she says. I would touch her if it weren't an offering to Master Zeng.

This country is under the rule of the ogre, Xeng. The men of this country are ogre chattel.

This girl is the daughter I chose as an offering for the ogre deng who rules this land.

Last time Zeng asked me to choose a daughter to bring to his mother for her birthday, I chose one that looked good based on her looks and flesh.

I'd really like to choose another girl who is not as good looking, but if Zeng doesn't like her, I'm in danger. So it's a shame, but I'll have to let this girl die.

''Ethigos-sama!

Someone comes in again.

'What is it this time, it's noisy?'

The one who came in was under my command.

'A traveller!　Three girls are coming!　She's quite a beautiful woman.

A beautiful woman.

I couldn't miss those words.

”Are you a traveler?” ”Take me to .......

I am taken by my men to see the woman.

And then I meet the three of them.

Hou ......

I couldn't help myself. She was more beautiful than any woman I've ever met.

Probably the leader of the three of them was the woman in the middle, who looked very haughty. The clothes she was wearing were also quite fine, and she could be a princess from some other country.

I wanted to keep this woman in this country at all costs.

And behind the three of them was definitely a hippogriff.

I had heard of a demonic beast that could be tamed before, but I never thought I'd be able to see that hippogriff.

Perhaps they bought a bred hippogriff.

If so, this hippogriff should be quiet to humans.

I'm also lucky to get a tame hippogriff as well as a woman.

We are travelers. We are travelers and would like to stay in this country for one night. Of course I'll pay you a gratuity.

A woman standing to the left negotiates with me.

No, no, no, there's no way I'm going to pay you anything. If you'd like to stay at my place, you can have it for the night.

I respond.

Of course, we're going to take off all our clothes anyway. I don't need to get a gratuity now.

I feign composure and look at the three of them with my prey eyes.

''Well then, please come this way. That demonic beast will be in the barn, I'll show you later.''

I try to show the three of them around.

'No, we'll all be in the same barn, if you don't mind. Would you mind showing them around?

However, the woman on the left shakes her head and asks for directions to the barn.

The barn is not suitable for a human being to stay in as much as it is covered with straw. I don't know why, but the maid's voice is a little scary.

The first thing you need to do is to go to ...... yes, then come this way.

I lead them to the barn with some doubt.

I lead the three men into the barn and call my men to gather the warriors of this country.

The most important person to watch out for would be the woman with her hair pulled back with a sword. I'm sure she's skilled enough to guard a woman of high status.

”Looks like a good-looking one came in, Ethigos.

A voice called out to me from behind my back.

When I turned around, I saw a man with a large sword on his back. He has a large body with muscular arms and canine teeth in his mouth. The appearance is that of a man who stands up for himself with violence.

And the presence of this man is also one of the reasons why no other demons have come into this country.

''Well, well, well, Mr. Daigan. As you said, it's a moderately high ball.

You want to trick these women into letting their guard down?

'Yes, of course, sir. Gufufufu.

Oh, my dear Ethigos, you are evil.

No, no, you're no match for Mr. Daigan. Gufufu.

Daegan laughs.

Yes, with this man, there is nothing to fear from any opponent.

While traveling as a peddler, he was grabbed by the ogre Zeng.

However, with the wagging of his mouth and tail, he managed to become the keeper of Zeng's human breeding grounds.

The Daigans were loaned to me by Zeng to make the breeding process work at that time.

The people of this country are so afraid of them that they are at my mercy.

I was a mere human merchant, but now I am the king of this country. With Zeng's power, I can do anything I want.

And what should I be afraid of when I'm dealing with three women?

The only thing I'm afraid of is the possibility of hurting the girl when I catch her.

Besides, it would be fun to have at least one of them before giving them to Zeng.

I couldn't help but laugh.

◆Deputy Ethigos.

'Master Ethigos. The woman is in the barn.

The guards report to me.

There are fifty armed men around me.

It seems like too many against just three women, but it's a reasonable force, since the goal is to dissuade them from resisting by showing off their absolutely unbeatable strength.

Now how shall we step in?

But before I stepped in, the barn door was opened.

There were the same three people there as when I met them. In other words, they are still armed.

'Should I ask them why, just in case?'

The uppity woman who would be their leader asks me.

What shall I tell her?

Oh, my daughter would be better off if you replaced me!　I'm sorry, but I need you to take my place!

I was about to say something, but the man who had just bowed his head replies instead.

The three women look at each other at his words. And they seem to be discussing something.

It sounds like you have some kind of situation. I'll listen to you and then you can talk to me.

The proud woman asks again if the conversation has been settled.

But she had no intention of talking any more in vain.

''That's not going to be enough, ladies. If you don't want to get hurt, I'll ask you to lay down your weapons.'

I warn you.

What are they going to do by listening to me in the first place? Humans are no match for ogres.

If you're quiet, I'll let you have a good time until you give it to Zeng.

I looked at the woman with that in mind. Then the woman with the sword glares at me.

The look in her eyes almost makes me squirm.

''If you resist, you will be in pain!

I shout, but the women's attitude doesn't seem to change. Why is it that they are surrounded by so many people?

'I don't care! Get the girl!

The men under my command approach the woman as I give the order.

'Apparently, some of you have to be in pain to understand. 'Kaya! Mr. Cyrone! Let's give him a little punishment.

The women on either side nodded as the proud woman said.

'Miss. Please step back.'

Kyouka-san, stay back.