Chapter 608 - Chapter Six: The Four Great Dragons IV
(There is a reaction. It is likely a lower-class Demon Race.)
Sense Living picked up a reaction. They've probably come to confirm the result of the battle.
After subjugating the Demon Race, I waited a bit before performing the funeral rites. This was to account for the approach of allies or other lower-class Demon Race.
(Is it from the front? I don't sense anything.)
That was Gwyn-sama. If a skilled scout can't sense their presence, does that mean the opponent is in serious mode?
(No, it's not the front, but to the left. Did they bypass the area frozen by Glaciate?)
They've drawn close, but there's no movement. I can't see it, but there must be a shrub or something. They are likely hiding in its shadow, observing the situation.
(Shall I go? Sianya, step outside the Magic Reflection.)
Receiving the words of the Wetlands Priestess, Sianya backed away three steps in silence while remaining crouched, then extended her right hand. The area from her right wrist forward glowed pale blue, and the Priestess slipped out. She then flew off, glowing as she drifted away.
◆◆◆◆
"Where are you?"
I can hear a ghost's voice. Looking in the direction of the voice, I can see a pale blue glow gradually approaching. Does that mean the humans won?
It's okay. There's no sign of humans nearby.
"H-Here."
She'll at least tell me the result of the battle. The fact that I trapped the humans shouldn't matter to a ghost.
"So you were here."
Behind the shrub. However, having been informed by Jeanne, I already knew the general location.
"The Demon Race member is dead. The humans took them down."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. Want to see the body? Their head's been cut off, though."
Honestly, I wanted to see it. I can't be at ease until I confirm it myself.
"Are the humans there?"
"They are. Every one of them is unharmed."
Every one of them, unharmed... That's impossible. They should have been hit by a surprise attack. The Teleportation Circle was an Illusion created by a high-level Demon Race; humans shouldn't have been able to see through it.
"Listen, it's natural for the Demon Race to deceive humans, right? So, they outsmarted you."
"O-Outsmarted?"
"Yes. I mean, an upper-class Demon Race was involved, right? If they fought head-on, the damage would be huge, so normally both sides would set an ambush, right?"
In other words, they were used by the humans?
"Well, yeah. But for the Demon Race, that's a daily occurrence, isn't it? This time, the humans were just better at it."
"Well, that's true, but... it's frustrating."
"Frustrating? For whom? For you? The one who should be frustrated is the subjugated upper-class Demon Race. Isn't it strange for you to be frustrated when you've been released from your contract?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
"Listen, your opponents include two humans who have subjugated a Demon Lord. I hate to say it, but even for an upper-class Demon Race, those weaklings who can't even become executives are no match for them."
"Gah!"
I could feel the blood draining from my face. It wasn't just a bad match. I never imagined I'd be involved with humans of the strongest class...
"I-I see. Then, then, it can't be helped. Well, I'll be going now..."
Anyway, I have to run away from this place.
Just as I thought that and turned around—
"I apologize, but could we speak a little longer? I will guarantee your safety."
A human voice came from right in front of me. Even though there was nothing but empty space...
No, the scenery in front of me blurred.
Three humans appeared.
"Sorry, we've already surrounded you."
Turning toward the ghost's voice coming from behind, there were two more. They're all women. I can't manipulate them...
The Demon Race girl slumped to the ground on the spot.
◆◆◆◆
The Demon Race girl we caught feels different from Keira or Difodor. She's still charming, but she has a sort of wildness to her. There's power in her eyes. I wonder if she possesses cats or something more aggressive rather than rabbits or field mice. Right now, though, she's just acting timid.
"There is something we would like you to cooperate with. If you do, I believe we can offer appropriate compensation."
Eleanor-sama began the negotiations. The Demon girl's body gave a sudden, sharp flinch.
"Th-There are things I can do and things I can't."
"I understand. However, I don't think it will be that difficult for you. There are two things. Either one is fine. If possible, I'd like you to accept both."
"Two things? The compensation is separate for each, right?"
She's surprisingly calm. Does she normally engage in these kinds of exchanges?
"Of course. First, please tell us where there are many Scorpions."
"Scorpions?"
She made a puzzled face. It must have been unexpected. Normally, this would be an interrogation about the upper-class Demon Race.
"Yes. Giant Scorpions that have turned into monsters."
"What are you going to do with that information?"
"It's for your own sake that you don't ask. You just need to tell us the places where you often see Scorpions."
If she speaks to humans about things related to the Demon Lord's army, she'll die from the Demon Lord's curse. We have to keep the answers as unrelated as possible.
"Will you tell us? Or rather, can you speak of it to humans?"
"What's the compensation?"
Asking about the compensation means she can probably tell us where the Scorpions are.
The first compensation Eleanor-sama proposed was guaranteeing the Demon girl's safety.
"Once a contract has been made with the Demon Race, if the deceased party is resurrected, won't you be targeted so they can employ you again?"
"If I change my location, I won't be found easily."
"Territorial disputes with your own kind might occur as well."
"Th-That has nothing to do with you people, right?"
When Eleanor-sama pressed her, she replied with a look of shock.
We live with Keira, so we're a bit knowledgeable about the Demon Race, you know.
"If you cooperate with both proposals, we will guarantee your future safety along with daily food, clothing, and shelter."
"Eh?"
Eleanor-sama's second proposal was for her to act as an interpreter for the Water Dragon. This was Gwyn-sama's suggestion. There are actual cases in Sertoria and Northern Gram of people living together with spirits and the Demon Race. It seems he's envious and wondering if something can be done in Finis as well. I think it's incredibly extravagant considering he already coexists with a multitude of ghosts and three types of dragons, but Finis originally has a deep-rooted belief in spirits. In this case, 'spirits' includes other non-human races. It seems he wants to develop that further. In particular, it's a strong wish of the King and Queen, who can hardly interact with any dragons other than the Water Dragon near the Royal Capital. Gwyn-sama is the only one having all the fun. Besides, the Priestess of the Water Dragon's temple would understand. Around the Water Dragon's temple, the same things as in Northern Gram could be done. That's what he's thinking. He might even be planning to move there after retiring.
As expected, the Demon girl took on an expression of despair.
"Is it that unpleasant?"
"Because, because, I was forced to monitor the Fire Dragon in such a scary place, and just when I thought I was finally free from the contract, now it's a Water Dragon at a human temple? Nothing's changed at all..."
Oh dear, she started crying.
We gave her some wine to perk her up, had her eat some Highway Cookies, gave her more wine, and by the time she was gnawing on some dried meat, she had calmed down.
"The Water Dragon is kind... ah, the other dragons are kind too... but the Water Dragon is the kindest and a pacifist, so you don't have to be afraid."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's true. I am a priest, so I do not tell lies."
As I said that, she stared intently at the Wetlands Priestess.
"Did you lie to me?"
"I didn't lie. I just said I didn't know the details."
She says something that's just barely on the safe side.
"What about that weird dragon doll thing? You said it was a new weapon for defeating upper-class Demon Race, didn't you?"
"It actually defeated them, didn't it? It served as a decoy to lure out the upper-class Demon Race."
"I didn't hear that it was pre-arranged with these humans!"
"You didn't ask."
"Y-You trapped me by saying it was for my own good or something!"
"It is a good thing. I mean, your contract with the Demon Race has been cancelled, and from now on you'll be an interpreter for a dragon. If you become friends with the Water Dragon, neither humans nor the Demon Race will be able to touch you. Because the Water Dragon will protect you."
The Priestess was dispatched as the sole cleric for the Wetlands Fortress. She's not the type to be easily defeated in an argument. Against the loudly complaining Demon girl, she replied smoothly and calmly; even to a bystander, it was obvious who was stronger in a verbal spat.
The Demon girl began to pant heavily, so I handed her a wine canteen.
"Thanks."
As soon as she said it, she gulped it down. She shouted too much.
"How about it? Why don't we go see the Water Dragon once? We can decide on the contract after that."
"See the Water Dragon?"
"Yes. I think you'll understand once you meet it."
"It's okay to say I haven't given an answer yet, right?"
Eleanor-sama nodded as well, so it was settled. After having her inspect the body of the subjugated Demon Race member, we performed the funeral rites to send them off and decided to actually go see the Water Dragon.
"Oh, Young Master. You really brought her."
Obaba-sama was surprised by the pre-dawn visit, especially with a member of the Demon Race in tow, but she showed understanding toward Gwyn-sama's request to hire her as an interpreter. Or rather, it seems she had been indirectly informed by the Finis Royal Family.
"I have made some preparations just in case. I am considering two locations for her to live; what shall we do?"
Since she's of the Demon Race, she can't live in the temple where barriers are erected.
Obaba-sama mentioned that one location is a hut near the waterworks cave, and the other is the small island temple where the Ancient Priestess used to live. A new shrine should have been built there, but the ruins themselves have been preserved.
"I don't like being near a temple."
Well, that's expected. However, it's not right next to it. It's a short walk away. It's the place where the Water Dragon was treated in secret when it was weakened. I thought it would be just right, but well, a member of the Demon Race can't suddenly be near a temple. We had her take a look, but she just said "Hmm" and seemed uninterested.
"The food will mainly consist of bread, cheese, fish, and nuts; is that alright?"
When Keira possesses a rabbit, she eats grass and such. Anything should be fine. The Demon girl says it's no problem.
"Then, all that's left is the Water Dragon. Let's have her actually meet it. Jeanne, could you?"
When I flashed Light toward the lake, the Water Dragon emerged.
Watching with its diamond-shaped eyes, it let out a kuon-kuon cry. It extended its neck, so I stroked it.
"Hmm, you're really adored by the dragon here, aren't you?"
A voice called out from behind. Since the Demon girl is bad with Light magic, she has Fireflies out near her stomach.
"It seems so. Can you tell?"
"I guess."
After giving a blunt reply, she began speaking to the Water Dragon with a somewhat grating vocalization. For a while, they exchanged kuon-kuon sounds. At first, she was hesitant, but eventually, she seemed to relax. She must have realized the Water Dragon's kindness. Before long, she asked me to turn off the Light. When I did, she moved closer and began stroking the Water Dragon.
"It says it will guide us to the ruins on the island."
"Obaba-sama, is that alright?"
She gave her consent with a smile, so Obaba-sama, Sianya (who had merged with the Wetlands Priestess), the Demon girl, and I decided to ride on the Water Dragon's head to go there.
"There is a fortress on the opposite shore, but basically, no one will enter without our permission. Usually, the Water Dragon keeps watch to see if anyone approaches. Especially now that the Water Dragon provides transportation like this."
"What kind of building is it?"
"It's a building made five thousand years ago by a human priestess who actually existed, so she could live with the Water Dragon. It's quite old, so living there might be difficult. Instead, there is a recently built shrine. It has a prayer room where a stone statue of the Goddess is enshrined and a room for a guard post. There are no barriers, so if you bring in some furniture, it will be perfectly livable."
I also crossed over to the island when we broke the Water Dragon's curse. It's not a very large island. However, it's sufficient for living alone. The Ancient Priestess apparently traveled between the shore and the island in a small boat, but I wonder what the Demon girl will do.
When we actually crossed to the island, a new shrine had been built. It was larger than I thought, and its size wasn't much different from the tower where Dune lives. As long as food is taken care of, she should be able to live there. Next to it are moss-covered ruins. Those could also be used if she wanted.
"It's cramped. There's no forest either."
The island itself is certainly small. Forget a forest, there are only a few groves of trees. Other than that, only grass grows. A human would probably make a field, but a member of the Demon Race wouldn't do that. There are no animals... well, there might be frogs and insects, but no furry types.
The Demon girl consulted with the Water Dragon, and while nodding hun-hun, she said a single word: "Okay."
"I can live here. But, since it's inconvenient in various ways, can I also use the hut near the temple?"
Quite extravagant. Does she have a second home?
"That's fine. We'll make it so you can stay in either one."
"Thank you. Also, I heard about the guarantee of food, clothing, and shelter, but what is there for clothing?"
Usually, she doesn't wear clothes. Because she's covered in fur.
"Um, if you take on a human form and wear clothes, it's fine even if people see you. The Demon girl living with me does that. Though she also possesses a rabbit."
"Eh? You're living with one of the Demon Race?"
Oh? Had I not mentioned that?
In the end, the conversation with the Water Dragon was the deciding factor, and she decided to enter into a contract with Gwyn-sama. Regarding food, the Royal Family decided to provide support as well. From the Royal Palace, they suggested it would be better if she could possess some animal, so a cat was provided, and she began living with it.
The cat is a pitch-black one.
"How is it? A black cat possessed by the Demon Race—even if I say so myself, it's a good idea, isn't it?"
"Truly. This is exactly like a wizard from a fairy tale."
The ones who brought the cat from the Royal Palace were the Queen of Finis and the Crown Princess of Finis. They're having her possess it immediately. Both of them can use magic. A wizard and a black cat familiar is quite a hobbyist's dream, but in a sense, it is something to admire. Of course, since the contract is between equals, one can't really call it a familiar.
Lunch was trout that the Water Dragon caught. Obaba-sama, the Queen, the Crown Princess, and then Gwyn-sama took turns holding her on their laps and feeding her grilled fillets. She's being treated completely like a pet. The Demon girl doesn't seem to mind, as she's purring goro-goro. After that, the temple priestesses and apprentice priestesses took turns holding her. Because they gave her wine even though they shouldn't have, she must have gotten drunk because, despite being a cat, she sat in an 'old man sit' with her hind legs thrown forward. That was also popular for being cute.
She completely captivated the royalty of a nation and everyone associated with a single temple. I wonder if she even needs Charm. Or is she just fully playing the part of a cat?
When I stared at her, she winked at me. She's definitely not just a cat.