To the Human City
Two weeks have passed since we let Youmu’s group in.
Contrary to what you’d think, the frontier garrison members are rather hardworking.
The city’s monsters are dutifully upholding the rules, and are unexpectedly friendly towards the humans.
Probably, since they used to be ruffians and hooligans, they are trying to change.
He has an aura of charisma about him.
We have goblin riders on guard and lookout duty around the city, but there’s simply too many of them.
For the humans that assistance was something they wouldn’t even dare to ask for, so they happily accepted.
Among those was a rather popular survival skills that were bound to increase our food variety.
Thus our relationship kept improving.
And once we more or less came to trust each other, the garrison had a proposal… no, a favor to ask.
They asked whether we could maintain their equipment. It seems the fact that our equipment is far superior to theirs has been bothering them.
「In the first place, it’s plain cheating for monsters to use high level equipment!」
One of their members said, speaking on behalf of the entire group.
Since getting the Dwarfs’ technological assistance we’ve been able to create equipment far above what I would consider ideal.
「Fufun! Well, hey. Dwarf armor is the best in the world!」
Kaijin merrily replied,
「No, no… that being so, why is even master Garm in this city? That I find strange!」
Cabal also expressed disbelief.
Our city’s smithy would easily match that of any capital city.
If people learned of this, there would bound to be plenty of buyers; however, we don’t plan to sell any.
Even with Kurobee’s copy skill – the one he got from『Researcher』- it takes a while to finish an item since its not accelerated by『Great Sage』like mine.
Thus, he’s been employing artisan-wannabees from among the young men and women to become his disciples; and has been producing all items at the factories for them to see.
So, considering the possibility of future experts, Kurobee’s current actions are for the best in the long term.
「Whatever, it’s fine–your request! Ask me to look at your equipment any time I’m free!」
Kaijin lightly accepted.
He might look like a big softy, but he’s actually an extremely prudent old man.
「Uooooooo! As expected of Kaijin-san! Look at him talk!」
「In that case, look at mine too!!!」
He was surrounded in other similar joyous shouts.
I guess I should feel relieved at his kindness.
*Dosu, Zusha, Boko, Bokon!*
That was the sound that accompanied our fall.
By “our fall” I mean mine, Benimaru’s, Souei’s, and Shion’s.
「Wahahaha! You suck, you suck, you suck, you suck!!!」
Our opponent exclaimed while laughing loudly. Who? Demon Lord Milim of course.
And she’s even using her dragon knuckles. She always wears them. Once at mealtime I made her take them off causing her to sulk the rest of the day.
I’m glad I had her wear them this time.
As if receiving a lesson, I spar daily with Milim.
Ridiculous power. A cheat-like ability. Bottomless stamina.
We also had Hakurou spar with her once. Unfortunately, not even his attacks reach her. However he can put up a fight, which is impressive in itself.
The difference between them is far too great. That much I understood after being beaten down in succession here.
But that kind of thing is meaningless before Milim. It’s not a match of skill or trick.
Thus thrice a day. As a result, we’ve all gotten much stronger compared to two weeks ago.
As for us, our skills were so lacking, that we managed to improve greatly these past two weeks.
「You’ve gotten pretty good! If Rimuru decided to become a demon lord now, I would be totally for it!」
Milim happily exclaimed.
Besides, we didn’t even last twenty minutes today. Complete failures.
Benimaru, Souei, and Shion return to practice after getting instructions from Hakurou.
While watching them spar,
「By the way, Milim, why did you become a demon lord?」
I suddenly got curious and asked,
「Yeaaaah, about that… what was the reason again? There was a bunch of sad things and messed up things, right?」
「No reason. Can’t remember it well. It’s been too long ago; I forgot!」
Milim looked as if she didn’t want to remember the grief and horror.
「I see. Well, if you forgot, there’s no need to remember!」
Though she looks like a child, she is an ancient demon lord.
That would be my enemy Leon Cromwell. My prey.
Milim belongs to the old generation.
Chances are, she doesn’t have many friends. She’s been living for so long that she must have lost many good friends by now…
「Hey, do you have family or someone who worries about you?
Is it okay to stay here without letting anyone know?」
Suddenly growing worried, I asked her.
When I did,
「Ah!!! I forgot. Right… I’ll be right back!
Though this might take a while. But, I’ll be gone for 2~3 years at the longest. I’ll be back!」
She suddenly exclaimed.
「What? So suddenly. Hey. Right now?」
「Mu, yeah. Well, it’s not like we won’t meet again！So I’m off!」
She said, and immediately changed into her Gothic Dress.
I would have asked her to teach me, but I can do that naturally myself, so there’s no need.
After she finished changing, she looked at me with a smile,
「Well, be right back!」
She flew off after saying just a few words.
She left as suddenly as she had arrived.
「Hmm? Has Milim-sama gone off somewhere?」
Shion asked.
「Yeah. She had remembered some unfinished business. She’ll be back in 2~3 years at the latest, she said.」
「But, to someone with her lifespan, surely it’s but 2~3 days?」
「Maybe she’s gone off to show off her clothing and dragon knuckles to her friends…」
Shion muttered that last line much to the approval of the other oni.
If she went showing off her gifts to her friends around the world, she might just need 2~3 years for that.
Solemn expressions don’t suit Milim.
What a strange demon lord she is.
But there’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves.
We must go to a human village right now. After checking it out, if there are no problems, I’ll take Milim there next time.
The three idiots were planning to stay for two weeks, secretly gathering monster body parts.
Well, it’s not really my problem, but I’ll have them buy my silence by guiding me to a human city.
「And so, you’re showing the way.」
I said in response to their troubled expressions,
「We understand, danna!」
「I know how to get around the back alleys, you know?」
They accepted.
I decided to leave in two days.
And after using the magic circle to get to the cave, I had Gabil show me to our medium grade medicine stash.
「Oh, Rimuru-sama! We have been waiting!」
「My, Rimuru-dono! I am ecstatic that you let me work in such a wonderful environment!」
While on our way there we ran into Bester’s laboratory.
So this must feel like heaven to him.
「You are eating properly, right? Not forgetting to sleep?」
I asked, worried.
「Of course. While the meals are not very diverse, they are very delicious.
As for sleep: I am frugal with it, but had a bed prepared here.
Besides, it’s good for your body not to sleep for a while!」
No it’s not…
I thought, but he’s doing what he really likes. So I decided to leave him with a “don’t over do it” line.
「Oh by the way, between Kurobee copying them and being produced here, which is more efficient?」
I asked,
「We are getting faster here.
Once we get more workers and proper equipment, we’ll be able to continue production without relying on Kurobee-dono.」
Is what he said.
Since it takes some time to grow Hipokte grass, we don’t need production speed to increase too much.
「In that case, should I have five people or so come as lab members?」
Since I want to be rearing successors as well, you see.」
Current production speed is three hours to dilute one pill. Kurobee can manage the same in a single hour.
Thus, they’ll be able to manage without me in emergency situations.
Along that would be very difficult, so he has Gabil’s men help him. After evolving into Dragonewts they learned to use some simple magic, it seems.
Working on a single pill every hour. In other words, they’ll be able to create twenty medium grade ones. So in a single 8 hour working day, they’ll add 160 pills to our stock.
If they fail at growing more, they’ll be stuck with other chores while Bester will continue his research. Which makes sense.
Approving of their plans, I left to let Rigurdo know.
Until now Bester has been working without sleep, producing more than eighty pieces a day.
These I plan to sell in human city and purchase some magic stones.
We’ll figure out the price with Kaijin later.
「Well then, continue as you have. As for Bester-dono, please do not overexert yourself!」
「I’ll leave the matter about ten people to you!」
They saw me off.
Low quality medicine is called potions here and sells for about 3 silver coins a piece.
However, this medicine can treat 20% of most injuries and even grave ones.
So our medicine is twice as effective. High grade medicine can restore 50%, but I digress. What should we set the price at?
「Listen, danna. Don’t set the price twice as high. Sell no lower than 15 silver coins a piece.
It’s alright to raise the price even more! Aim to sell at about 20 silvers.」
Kaijin fervently explained.
If we don’t make a profit we can’t buy magic stones. So aiming for 20 silvers a piece is smart.
After I acknowledged his words, we ended the meeting.
And thus finished our preparations.
The next day, I met up with the three idiots.
If we take the highway we’ll run straight into Farmas Kingdom. The Count’s domain that Youmu has spoken so much about.
So, we’ll be walking through the forest.
To meet with Freedom Association’s guild master and decide on a course of action.
And I am finally heading towards a human city.