Chapter 221 – Pioneer Village
Now that the biggest problem, Glinda’s physical condition, had been resolved, there was no reason to hesitate any longer, so we passed through the Vulcan Mountains at lightning speed.
We were on edge for several days, fearing that the elves, who had suffered such a crushing blow, would send a pursuit force after us, but seeing as we didn’t even see a snout until we left the border, it seems like the chain of command had broken down, and they had no intention of doing so.
“Well, a meteorite fell right on top of my head.”
Considering the terrible devastation caused by the meteorite impact, it will take quite some time to restore the front-line guard post.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“No, I’m just talking to myself.”
After giving a vague answer to Dorothea’s question that followed me, I left the Vulcan Mountains, which I had already visited twice, and set off on the long journey home to the Demon King’s Castle.
***
After a day and a half of forced march, we barely set foot in the pioneer village formed at the foot of the Vulkan Mountains. We asked a passing resident for directions and headed to the only tavern and inn in the village.
“Why do you think the eyes looking at us aren’t kind?”
When Hild looked back and muttered incredulously, it was Glinda who answered her doubts.
“The direction we came down is towards the Vulcan Mountains. Moreover, there are humans and elves that cannot be seen in this area.”
“Indeed.”
When Hild nodded her head in understanding, Glinda said, “You have to be careful what you say and do in this town,” And cautioned Margaret and her mother beside her.
As we entered the inn with our companions, the eyes of all the demons inside instantly turned to us.
“…”
A strange look.
Because it was a village on the outskirts, and everyone here was familiar across the bridge, there was an atmosphere of ostracizing strangers.
Meanwhile, when Dorothea, who had an oblivious personality, confidently took the lead, Lamia, who was leaning on her table and drinking, muttered.
“Oh my, what a naughty little boy.”
Then Dorothea looked towards Lamia and said indifferently.
“What are you saying, old lady?”
“Ouch!”
Perhaps because she gave in return and received in return, her forehead wrinkled.
Anyway, since we couldn’t stand at the entrance forever, we followed Dorothea into the inn.
I don’t know if it’s because there are a whopping nine people, but just because our party entered, the entrance to the narrow inn felt full.
As the representative of the group, I went to the counter and ordered.
“Three comfortable rooms, and prepare dinner according to the number of people.”
Then the orc who appeared to be the owner put down the plate he was cleaning and said.
“…10 silver.”
“Oh, the prices are steep for an old inn.”
“If you don’t like it, it doesn’t matter if you leave.”
“Who said no?”
After saying that, I opened my wallet and paid.
Originally, 10 silver was enough to stay at a fairly good inn in the royal capital, but since there were so many people and this was a suburban area, I decided to understand.
Jalgrak-
“Go upstairs and use the three rooms at the end of the hallway.”
“Okay.”
After receiving the key, something suddenly occurred to me, so I asked.
“Owner, how long does it take from here to Yongsan?”
“Where is Yongsan?”
“Ah, Dragon Mountain.”
“… Walking for a day is enough. But if you value your life, do not enter the realm of the demon dragons.”
“Thanks for the information.”
I said that, smiled, and went up to the second floor with my companions.
***
As expected, the condition of the room was not that good.
A creaking door, a blanket with missing cotton, a bed with straw sticking out.
Honestly, I felt like our barn was more sophisticated.
Still, it was much better than sleeping on a blanket in an igloo, so I jumped into bed with my exhausted body.
Fluffy!
“Keuuuuu-“
How long has it been since this was a proper bed?
As she was stomping her feet and enjoying the bed with her whole body, Camilla, who was standing next to her, spoke.
“It’s a shared bed, so don’t get it too dirty.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
I got up quickly, apologized to Camilla and Sofia, who had decided to share the same room today, and then started to unpack.
At that time, Sophia, who was quietly standing in front of the door, asked a question.
“But Kaldrashu, what do you plan to do now?”
“What?”
“This is what happened after returning to the Demon King’s Castle.”
“That’s…”
I was momentarily speechless.
It was all good until he went on a mission for a peace agreement, got stabbed in the back and ran away from Elven Wood.
So what do we do now?
The fate of the elite soldiers of the Demon King’s army who went with him is no longer known, and no diplomatic results were obtained from the one-on-one conversation with the 5th Archon.
From the beginning, it felt like he sent me to Elven Wood with the feeling that he was trying to catch a trick that even the Demon King couldn’t handle, but looking at the results alone, I completely failed the mission the Demon King gave me.
‘… You won’t be attacked with this, right?’
There are forces within the Demon King’s army that still look at me unfavorably.
This is probably because a guy who joined the Demon King’s Army for only about two years rose to prominence too quickly.
Still, so far, I’ve performed all my duties perfectly and haven’t given them a reason to attack, but in this case, I felt like I needed to calm down for a while because there were some corners that could be caught.
I was immersed in my own world, making future plans in real time, and came to my senses when I heard someone knocking on the door.
Bang bang!
“Hey! Let’s go eat!”
No matter who heard it, it was Dorothea’s voice.
“That guy isn’t a nobleman either.”
I got up from the bed with a bitter smile and told the two maids, who were resting in their own way, to come down with me.
***
After unpacking and going down to the first floor, the inn was more crowded than when we just checked in, perhaps because it also doubles as a bar.
“Here are two more beers!”
“Yes~”
“Bring me more steak and sausage!”
“Yes~ I’ll be there soon~”
A demon waitress jumping around while answering in a loud voice.
From orcs and kobolds pouring meat and alcohol into their large mouths, to imps and joiners obsessed with board games.
It may be because the places where people live are all the same, but on the outside, it doesn’t look much different from a bar run by humans.
We sat at the largest table on the first floor.
Because there are so many people, it is difficult to eat unless the table is large.
Naturally curious gazes pouring in.
Among them, there was also a sexual desire for beautiful women, which was rare in such a rural village.
But I didn’t necessarily get involved.
After all, everyone has the power to protect their own body.
“Can I leave the food here?”
“Yes.”
Soon, various foods start pouring out of the kitchen.
Perhaps because we paid generously for accommodation, the quality of the food served on the table was quite good.
“I will eat well.”
Since Mt. Geumgang was like an after-dinner sight, I couldn’t hold back any longer, so I cut the steak in front of me into large pieces with a fork and knife and took a bite.
Munch!
It looked like it was cooked to medium rare, brown on the outside and bright red on the inside.
It was juicy and quite flavorful, although I don’t know what animal it came from.
As I looked at the other party members while eating, it seemed like everyone was eating with a satisfied look on their faces.
Well, I couldn’t even eat a decent meal in the mountains, so whatever I eat will be delicious.
Everyone had forgotten to say that while everyone was concentrating on eating.
“Oh my!”
With a sound that seemed to be made on purpose, yellow beer poured over my head.
“…”
Looking at this situation, did you say it was a lightning strike in a dry sky?
No, actually, it was good.
It’s been a while since I had a delicious meal, and I’m just annoyed that my meal was interrupted by random people.
As I was playing with my beer-soaked hair while eating, the black-skinned demon who had just spilled the beer laughed and waved his palm.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I accidentally spilled my beer. Furthermore, I’ll buy you a beer as an apology, so please forgive me.”
He’s laughing so obnoxiously.
Grumble!
I put down the utensils I was holding and stood up.
“What? Let’s give it a try? You’ll get hurt, right?”
Then the demon clenched its fists as if it had been waiting.
Behind him, other demons who seemed to be friends were looking at me with curious expressions.
It’s a situation that looks like it’s drawn from a painting, so I can’t help but laugh.
Other people sitting at the same table also stop eating and look at my behavior.
Normally, in cases like this, I would tell you to hold on –
“What are you doing? Kaldrassh? You’re not doing anything when those idiots are making fun of you right in front of you?”
Dorothea, who is usually hot-tempered, says if you don’t do it, I will do it? He said and lifted his fork.
Of course, I had no intention of losing her player to the girl I loved, so I punched the bastard who was arguing with her straight in the face.
Cradangtangtang!
“A fight broke out!”
“Get behind the table!”
Other guests were enthusiastic about the sight, making a fuss as if they had been waiting.
No matter how I look at it, it feels like I was forced into a well-planned game, but honestly, I liked it.
“Don’t attack one person at a time like you idiots, attack them all.”
Because I will be the final winner anyway.
