Chapter 28: A new City

Posted on May 8, 2022by Soafp

Translator: Soafp

[The skill level of the [Sword of Deprivation] has been increased.]

[The skill level of [Sword of Life] has been increased.]

[The skill level of Automatic HP Recovery has been increased.]

　I took a break after clearing out the “Red Bison,” a demon that had attacked me.

　This monster is a gigantic bull whose head is as high as my chest.

　As its name suggests, its body surface is red and its temperament is very rough. It is so fierce that if it sees me, it will charge at me at once.

　It is a good thing that only one or two of them appear, as they are not the herding type, but they are also very tough.

　Its muscles are well-developed, and a normal slash to the neck would not be fatal.

　After a few moments of playing with it, I found that my winning pattern was to strike it with a blow reinforced by the [“Sword of Life,”] and then attack it with the “[Sword of Deprivation”] at the moment it slowed down.

“It’s fine if there is only one of them, but if there are two of them, it’s a troublesome opponent.”

“It’s going to take us a long time to take them down if it’s just us. …… How can you aim for the neck of someone who’s coming at you at that speed, Quon?”

“Certainly it’s a great speed, but the trajectory is a straight line. It’s easy if you time it right.”

　As I mentioned earlier, this red bison is a tough and troublesome opponent, but its movements are very simple.

　It just runs and hits you, that’s all.

　Therefore, you can easily avoid their attacks by moving to the side. All that is left to do is to strike the blade in response to the attack and you are done.

　However, if you can’t target its weak points, it will instantly turn into a troublesome enemy.

　They are tough and their attack power is high. It is not difficult to avoid its attacks, but it just takes a long time to defeat it.

　Well, it was still a demon worth defeating.

■Red meat: Ingredients and materials

The meat of a red bison.

　Chewy and tasty. It is suitable for stewed dishes.

　Gives a bonus to cooking effects.

　In short, it is beef. At the moment, the player’s restaurant serves basically only chicken and pork.

　Well, not chicken and edible pork, but the meat of avian and boar demons.

　At the end of the day, there is no way to handle beef at present.

　There is a small amount of beef available in the local market, but it is not at a level where it can be used consistently.

　Now, at last, there is a stable source of income for beef.

“I think I can get a good price for it if we sell it to a chef!　We can get quite a bit of it!”

“Well, if it’s that big a cow. I think Eleanor could get a good price for us all together.”

“…… I see that you are acquainted with the Chairman of the Board of Trade, Quon. You have a lot of connections.”

“I only got to know her through Hisana, though.”

　I think we are getting to know each other personally, and I think we have a good relationship there.

　Anyway, the item that no one else would have yet acquired should be a material that Eleanor would like to have.

　I think it is more likely that Eleanor came out to Ribrum with me because she was hoping that I might beat the boss and get the item.

　Well, it’s a story that has a return for me too, and I’m not going to spare her cooperation on that.

　I close the inventory filled with material items and turn my gaze forward.

　What I see in my field of vision is…

“Looks like we’re about to arrive.”

“It stood out from a distance, but as we got closer, it looked quite splendid again.”

“In terms of scale, it’s bigger than Fauskadze. …… I should say it’s the capital of the kingdom.”

　A huge city wrapped in white outer walls.

　Visible even through its high outer walls was a chalk castle with prominent spires.

　The fact that such a conspicuous castle could be built in such a wasteful manner is probably evidence of the peacefulness of this area.

　It is a country just after the start of the game, and the demons are not so strong in relative terms, so there is no need to build such a robust city.

　Even so, the outer walls surrounding the city are still impressive enough to hold back the demons.

　Observing the gradually approaching city, I let out a small sigh of relief.

“There’s still some uncertainty, but …… you never know …….”

“What do you mean, “…… uncertainty?”

“Mu? Aah…..”

　I nod and continue, surprised that the question is being asked by Azami.

　What made me uncertainty was that white castle and its outer walls.

“That castle, is probably more concerned with how it looks than anything else. It’s not wrong in the sense of showing the king’s authority,…… but the outer walls are made of the same building materials, right?”

“Well, maybe?”

“The white building material was not strong enough to be used as an exterior wall, and that is why there was some concern. If they were dealing with a mere monster, that would be one thing, but when you’re dealing with a demon?”

“…… I see.”

　If a powerful demon like Romperia appears, will that outer wall really be useful?

　Well, before that, she was flying in the sky, so the outer wall would be meaningless.

“Well, there is a possibility that the castle is made sturdier because it is a royal castle, and it is an unknown building material. It’s not worth thinking about now.”

“…………”

Azami nods silently and remains silent.

　I thought she was getting somewhat used to me, but she still seems to be bad at socializing.

　It’s not that I want to force her to get along with me, and there’s no need to force her to do so.

　While we were talking about such unimportant things, we finally arrived at the front of the royal capital.

The gates were wide open, and several soldiers were standing in front of the gates.

　From the way people were coming and going, it seemed that they were checking people who were entering the city.

“I wonder ……if we can get through the checkpoint? “

“If we don’t get through, the game is up. It’s not like I’m PKing or stealing anything.”

“I’d rather be the one who beat them up!”

Well, if we can’t get into the city, we can’t go on, and if we can’t get through, the game doesn’t go on.

　From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem to be policed that strictly, so it should be no problem to get through.

　As we approached the gate, a soldier noticed us and opened his eyes, followed by a smile.

–He’s being careful, this one.

　I held Kurage back, who looked delighted at the sign of welcome, with my hand, and I stepped forward and raised my voice.

“Hi, thanks for your service.”

“Haha, thank you very much. Are you travelers?”

“Yes, Foreigner, it goes on my head.”

　As I said that, I put Lumina back on my shoulder, which had been on my head.

　Lumina, who looked like she was in a daze, waved her hand at the soldier in front of her, although she didn’t seem to understand the situation.

　The soldier looked surprised at the sight of such a fairy, who was usually invisible.

　They say that fairies are only visible to innocent people. If so, this should be a good marker to show them that they are not bad guys.

　Sure enough, the soldier was less cautious than before and raised his voice.

“I didn’t realize you had a fairy with you. …… Do all foreigners make a pact with fairies?”

“No, I’m in an unusual situation. So far, I don’t think there’s anyone else out there but me.”

“I didn’t know that. Are you from Ribrum?”

“Yes, we got here by defeating the demons that were blocking the road.”

“That’s great news!　I was not expecting you to defeat that demon!”

　From what I’ve heard, apparently that demon had caused a distribution bottleneck.

　Well, that’s what happens when a road is blocked by something like that.

　I thought that we could get by if we went around, but if we went off the road, the number of demons would increase drastically.

　The risk would be too much for a peddler.

　The soldiers are overjoyed that the demon is dead. It must mean that the demon was an irreconcilable enemy for them as well.

　Well, the knights had been sacrificed, so it was inevitable.

　I thought about it and decided it would be better to tell them about the knights, so I pulled out a sword from my inventory.

“The undead that those demons ruled over had something like this. Does it ring a bell?”

“This is ……”

　He seemed nervous when I suddenly pulled out a sword, but when he realized that the sword belonged to the Order, he immediately changed his gaze to a sharp one and accepted the sword.

　He immediately checked the emblem on the sword —– he must have understood who it belonged to, and muttered a few words.

“Schrade, Captain …….”

“…… knew it, after all.”

　It may have been a small unit, but he was still the captain of a knight squadron.

　With such a person, it is not surprising that he had a good name for himself.

　Worst of all, I thought it would be enough to prove that it belonged to a knight, but this would make it easier to get the story straight.

“The bodies of all the knights who were turned into undead have been brought here. Please, we ask that you mourn them respectfully.”

“…… Yes, of course. Please, come this way.”

　The friendly smile on his face disappears, and the man with an honest, knightly expression invites us into the city, leaving the checkpoint to another soldier.

　The four girls looked at each other a little puzzled, but decided that they could enter without any problem and started walking after me.

　Inside the royal city, the streets have an atmosphere somewhat similar to that of Fauskadze.

　No, rather, that one may have used this city as a reference. This one is larger in scale, and it is not impossible.

Well, since there were only locals and I was the only foreigner, the impression I got was quite different from the one I had in Fauskadze.

“It’s a vibrant city!”

“Too many …… people.”

The soldier walking in front of us breaks into a slight smile at the sight of the two little kids, who are as opposite as ever.

Although the soldier seemed a little shocked by Schrade’s incident, in general he seems to be a good-natured person.

“Isn’t that so?　This white city of Bergsady is the pride of my kingdom of Alphatia.”

“It must be a source of pride to have such a beautiful castle!”

“Yes. As a foreigner, it must be your first visit to this city. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

　So far, everyone has only reached Ribrum, and this will be the first time any of the players have been to this city.

　It must be quite fun for the soldiers at the checkpoint to see everyone’s fresh reactions.

　Muttering these things in my heart, I followed the soldiers while looking at the cityscape.

　Soon after, we were led to a facility with a large site.

　It seems to be the knighthood’s staff room, and after a word or two to the desk clerk, the soldier invites us into one of the rooms.

　From the layout of the room, it appeared to be a room used for meetings.

“Please come in. Also, I would like to take this sword with me temporarily.”

“Yes, that would be better. …… Oh, one thing, please.”

“Yes, what might that be?”

“It is the last will and testament of the sword’s owner. He wanted me to pass it on to the Commander.”

“I understand. …… Please wait a moment.”

　The soldier nodded at my words and left, closing the door behind him.

　I watched him go and pulled out a suitable chair and sat down.

　The four girls looked slightly puzzled, but sat down alongside me.

　Lumina, who was flitting around the room as if she was unusual in the room, was left untouched, and I finally let out a sigh of relief.

“At any rate, we were lucky that the conversation went so smoothly. Lumina’s identity really helps.”

“I was wondering what was going on when you suddenly started talking so politely.”

“Even I use honorifics with some people. You know, they are a state power, right?　And in a situation where you have to earn trust, you can’t make a bad move.”

We don’t want to get into an acrimonious relationship with someone who is backed by a quintessential country. It is troublesome in many ways.

　Well, in some cases, we may have to pick a fight, but that depends on the situation.

“Well, more than that, it depends on whether or not the Commander will honestly come. I don’t even know if he’s here in the first place.”

“…… is that okay?”

“I would tell them in person if I could, but the worst that could happen is a message. It’s not like there’s anything important to pass on, and I’m sure it will get through.”

　I would like to see where the will is conveyed if at all possible, but I suppose that’s not a luxury one can afford under the circumstances.

　We are not in a position to choose the means to do so.

　I wondered in my heart which way things would turn out, and then narrowed my eyes at the presence of someone approaching me.

　I get up from my chair, free my right hand, and look at the door. At the same time, a large man emerges from the door.

“Hoo ……?”

“…… Fumu”

We exchange values, and the man and I both smile at the same time.

　Apparently, he is a moderately competent man. He seems like a fun opponent —- but, well, I’m not so hungry as to carp here.

　The other side, perhaps not intending to make matters worse, had lost his sword spirit for a moment and was holding out his hand to me.

“You are the man who delivered that sword to me? I am Christoph Stoner. I am the Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Alphatia.”

“I am very pleased to meet you for the first time. My name is Quon, a Foreigner. These women are my companions in defeating the devil.”

“Unmo K-Kurage

“My name is Reno. Pleased to meet you.”

“My name is Kuu!”

“…… Azami”

　Christophe’s amusement at the sight of the girls standing up one after the other and saying their names made him lose his composure.

　In times like this, a group of beautiful girls can be very useful.

　As I was muttering this to himself, Lumina, who had been looking out the window, came back to me and waved her hand in an appealing manner.

　She waved her hand as if to say, “Don’t forget about me.”

“I understand. And this other fellow, her name is Lumina. She’s the fairy that’s been following me.”

“Hoo ……I had heard that a person was recognized by the fairies, but this was the first time I had seen it with my own eyes. Nice to meet you, ladies.”

　I thought he must be a nobleman, since he is the head of a knighthood, but he is surprisingly frank.

　Well, I appreciate that. It was much easier than dealing with a hard man.

　After exchanging greetings, Christophe again suggested that we sit down.

　I obeyed and sat down, and he sat down facing me as well, placing the sword on the desk.

“Then …… let me tell you a little bit about what we’re going to talk about.”