Towards the beastkin village, the story of the hero was handed down. It was like that for any village.
Therefore, Maal’s mind was blank.
But Maal still kept listening to the developments.
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re telling me Demon King-sama was a good person? So, he defeated the previous Demon King…”
Intelligence was included in increased ability scores. Information was sorted and inferences were derived.
The one Serge called out for wasn’t Valis, but the Dark Elf. He spontaneously added the ‘-sama’.
“What?”
He spoke politely. He could be killed if he offended her. Though Serge’s level had raised with a wave of Valis’ hand, he still didn’t think he could defeat the girl in front of him.
“He’s a wonderful person.”
“Tender, yet strict at times. Unconcealed dignity, while friendly. He brought peace and order to the demon tribe with his great knowledge—”
Valis was the one to stop her.
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.
Maal was afraid. Though Serge also felt fear, if he used the Skill he just obtained a moment before, he could probably escape.
Either way, Serge had no alternatives.
She then sat at the position farthest away from Ria’s egg.
“Excuse 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.
“Rei. No need for honorifics. You are neither my vassal nor my subject.”
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.
“Ah, Serge.”
“Maal.”
“You guys, human tribe and beastkin tribe together? How old are you?”
“Just turned thirteen.”
“Young huh. Then that magical power? Hey, feel like serving His Majesty?”
It suddenly turned into her scouting us.
“There are humans in demon territory too. His Majesty doesn’t discriminate between races. His Majesty was a human to begin with.
Though Serge retorted in his mind, it was probably normal for a former hero to be accompanied by humans.
“There are cat beastkin too. I have a lot among my subordinated.
“Ah, though he’s human, Demon King-sama is a thousand years old?”
Then again, the Great Sage of Sacred Mountain, Azelford had exceeded one thousand years of age.
Listening in, Valis intervened into the conversation.
Immortal, but would eventually seek for death.
Enduring, not living.
If his state of mind was a problem, she wouldn’t have been able to consent.
“That’s… though I’m happy for your invitation, and though it’s an attractive one… I still have a lot of things I want to learn.”
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.
Too friendly. It was a very sweet invitation.
“Umm, is it alright to give this away?”
“Apart from that beastkin, I don’t feel any negativity from you.”
Although Serge definitely thought Ray was a threat, it could have just been prejudice.
“A human like you would very likey become our comrade. It’s called a [speculative recruitment].”
He couldn’t come to dislike this Dark Elf-san.
“So then, let’s continue.”
With that question, Rei’s eyes narrowed as she let out a breath.
“How much do you know?”
“Umm, with what I heard from the story a moment ago… with Demon King-sama, if humans and the demon tribe didn’t fight, I feel like they could get along.”
To begin with, the ones invading during the Millennium were the demon tribe.
If that was the case, they didn’t need to prepare for the Millennium. Ria’s one worry would be lost.
Rei’s expression softened.
“We will attack the human’s territory. This was decided.
“No. However, it will be revealed eventually.”
Valis supplemented from the sidelines again, but what did she mean by ‘necessary’?
“Is that so… There are other things I’m wondering though…”
Saying that, Rei stood up. It was the end of the conversation.
Maal got in her way on reflex. Rei gave a wry smile.
There were no lies in her words. Destroying his concept of the demon tribe, he felt she was trustworthy. Not just Serge, but Maal too. They both felt it.
Meeting with Rei was fruitful. Though she cut away from them, they felt like they obtained something big.
“Wait.”
The one to call out was the owner of a godlike power, so Ray’s body stiffened. If she had committed a taboo here, she would lose her life instantly.
“I’ll give you a blessing as well.”
“The reward for traversing the labyrinth.”
Before long, she bowed deeply. She put up the hood of the cloak she was wearing and started to walk toward the entrance.
Valis called out again.
“Umu, good bye then.”
With that, Rei’s figure disappeared.
“Umm, was that alright?”
“Was what?”
According to Valis’ story, that person could have been an enemy.
“It’s already over.”
“Still, God Dragon-sama can’t be resurrected?”
“It’s possible, but the price would be too great.”
Then what price would be too large?
Afraid, the neither of them asked.
One week later.
Serge had been striving to master his new Skill.
Unexpectedly, Valis would sometimes show him an example of a method to control it.
Maal was playing with the infant Dragon.
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—.
“It’s about time.”
The black shell cracked, spreading across it—.
“Uu…”
“Ria-chan!”
Her black hair waving, Ria made her appearance.