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Volume 1 5, “Pick One of the Two Routes”
Volume 1 Chapter 5, “Pick One of the Two Routes”
—— The Mansion in the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering
The Demon King: “I-is this alright?”
The Chief Maid: “Yes. Hmm, well. You look completely different.”
The Demon King: “What’s with that comment?”
The Chief Maid: “Since the Hero is gone, you haven’t been paying attention to the things you eat.”
The Demon King: “Don’t say such inauspicious things like ‘The Hero is gone.’ He’s just on a short trip.”
The Chief Maid: “Yes, of course. I would spend my entire life never forgiving a person who would be able to simply throw the Demon King aside and go off gallivanting.”
The Demon King: “…You’ve just said something really harsh.”
The Chief Maid: “Today is a beautiful day, Demon King.”
The Demon King: “Hm. I’m not satisfied.”
The Chief Maid: “That being said, you’re going to be doing negotiations. You ought to dress up.”
The Demon King: “Even so, how should I put it…”
The Chief Maid: “?”
The Demon King: “Is this dress not a bit too gaudy?”
The Chief Maid: “Isn’t it amazing?”
The Demon King: “I’m a bit worried that the neckline is way too low.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s called being stylish.”
The Demon King: “Noooo…”
The Chief Maid: “Are you embarrassed of your disgraceful flab?”
The Demon King: “Hey, shut up! I-I’m not that flabby! The Female Paladin isn’t even very glamorous, but no one says anything about her. I’m just very motherly.”
The Chief Maid: “I mean that your non-maternal meat is very flabby.”
The Demon King: “Oooh. You’re really mean today.”
The Chief Maid: “You’re a bit worked up. The defence organizations have been assembled.”
The Demon King: “How is that?”
The Chief Maid: “Horror Ghost and Night Ghost have been activated. Well, will mobilising the soldiers even be enough…”
The Demon King: “Are you worried?”
The Chief Maid: “Our enemies aren’t noblemen or even soldiers, they’re merchants from the Union. This sort of thing is really best left to you.”
The Demon King: “You believe in me too much.”
The Chief Maid: “I’m uneasy with things I cannot help with.”
The Demon King: “It can’t be helped. This is a barrier we can’t surmount by avoiding it.”
The Chief Maid: “At least if the Hero were here…”
The Demon King: “If the Hero were to be useful, then that would mean negotiations have completely failed. In such an instance we should run. Hence, there is no meaning in him being there.”
The Chief Maid: “I’m worried that you won’t be able to bluff the noblemen.”
The Demon King: “Eh?”
The Chief Maid: “Well, that’s fine as well.”
The Demon King: “Don’t mess with me.”
The Chief Maid: “It’s almost time.”
Maid Little Sister: “The guests are in the hall ～ My sister is currently serving tea to them ～”
The Chief Maid: “Please don’t stretch the ends of your sentences.”
Maid Little Sister: “Understood ?”
The Chief Maid: “Demon King? Are you prepared?”
The Demon King: “Ahh. … Umm, Chief Maid, am I supposed to button this button?”
The Chief Maid: “That button is decorative. It is not meant to be buttoned.”
The Demon King: “Then, allow me to wear my lab coat over my dress! At least I’ll look like a scholar!”
The Chief Maid: “You’re not a comedian.”
Maid Little Sister: “Mistress, you have wonderful boobies ?”
The Chief Maid: “This girl. Well then, Demon King.”
The Demon King: “Ahh, there’s nothing for it. Let’s go!”
—— The Demon King’s Mansion, the Guest Hall
Door opens.
Young Merchant: “Ahh, this is!”
Shrewd Accountant: “Hoho.”
The Demon King: “I apologise for the long wait. I am the mistress of this house, but that’s a meaningless position, really. In any case, please call me the Crimson Scholar.”
Young Merchant: “Pleased to meet you. I am the Young Merchant, the Union’s trade manager in the Southern Frozen Sea.”
Shrewd Accountant: “I am an accountant who has come specially to greet you. I hope to make your acquaintance.”
The Demon King: “Ah, such a polite greeting, I am very much obliged.”
Young Merchant: “We truly cannot hide our astonishment! A scholar and an inventor. Pardon my words, but as a person with such in-depth knowledge into agricultural engineering, I had imagined you to be an elderly sage, but to think that you were indeed such a beautiful and exquisite lady.”
The Demon King: “Oh, you praise me far too much.”
Young Merchant: “No, no, to think that the Scholar would be not only brilliantly intelligent but would also have beauty radiant beyond comparison.” Smiles.
The Chief Maid: (The flattery of merchants is truly powerful.)
The Demon King: “It’s my pleasure to be able to meet such a witty and handsome person. I think we will be able to negotiate despite my shallow, female intelligence.”
The Chief Maid: (Oho, the Demon King is well guarded)
Young Merchant: “No, no. …After receiving that improved compass, I had to rush down here immediately.”
The Demon King: “And that took you a whole month?”
Young Merchant: “Hahaha. I’m embarrassed about that. For a novice merchant like myself to begin such a large undertaking with the Union, there are an entire slew of procedures which must first be done.”
Shrewd Accountant: “We are terribly sorry to have made you wait this long.”
The Demon King: “Well then, I believe we should begin negotiations… Please look at this first.”
Young Merchant: “This is…”
Shrewd Accountant: “Some sort of grain? I’ve never seen it before.”
The Demon King: “This is a plant known as maize.”
Young Merchant: “Hoho.”
Shrewd Accountant: “Maize? Not a compass?”
The Demon King: “The special qualities of this food product are detailed in this book. I would like for you to take it back with you. For the time being, allow me to explain this to you personally.”
Young Merchant: “Please do, Scholar.”
The Demon King: “This maize is an annual crop. Its greatest advantage is that it is capable of growing healthily in an environment with little water. In fact, high water environments are unconducive for its growth. Of course, there is a minimum level of water required. And furthermore, temperatures of 30 degrees are required for germination.”
Young Merchant: “30 degrees, huh?”
Shrewd Accountant: “Surely that’s a little high.”
The Demon King: “Yes it is. It will be impossible to replace wheat with this maize.”
Young Merchant: “Hmm.”
The Demon King: “In other words, this maize is something which we cannot grow here, but is perfectly suited for the barren wastelands in the Central Continent.”
Young Merchant: “…!”
The Demon King: “In terms of food preparation, it can be dried and milled into a sort of flour and used to make bread, it can also be used to make dumplings. This flour is fragrant and deliciously sweet. After being dried it stores excellently in the right conditions. In terms of its use as livestock feed, it’s many times more effective than barley or tulips. Furthermore, it has many other uses aside from food. With its high oil content, oil can even be extracted from it.”
Young Merchant: “… Oil, huh.”
Shrewd Accountant: “…”
The Demon King: “Hmm. A cartload of maize will probably only be able to make two bottles of oil. However, this oil can be obtained during the milling process. In other words, you get both of the products. Naturally, the oil can be used for food preparation, alongside a variety of other uses.”
Young Merchant: “It is certainly true… that oil increases in demand year by year. The Union definitely requires it.”
The Demon King: “My friends, I would like you to consider this new business product.”
Young Merchant: “…”
The Demon King: “Of course, this will require a massive startup capital. This capital will be used to send colonists to the wastelands to found farming communities. If this succeeds, then we can begin to turn them into maize colonies. To open a village in a wasteland requires both capital and manpower, this can be achieved if you were to follow my plan. Large scale organized farming that covers the entire area, compared to the present situation throughout the Central Continent where small farming communities form a mosaic across the land, will require a cooperative and organized farming system, but is certainly possible. Moreover, all of these new colonies will be completely under the influence of the Union as a sort of massive market. Beginning with maize, new markets for other commodities and perishables like wood, salt, metal and cloth will arise.”
Young Merchant: “In other words…”
Shrewd Accountant: “…Just what do you want?”
Young Merchant: “This is not about products or agricultural techniques, this is about selling the Union an ideology, is that correct?”
The Demon King: “That is correct.”
Young Merchant: “I understand, I… have heard what you had to say and I understand the price that must be paid. Your words… I don’t think anyone would say anything like that in the cities of the Central Continent… no, I don’t think anyone would say anything like that anywhere in the world…”
The Demon King: “Ahahaha. You’ve got a nice expression.”
Young Merchant: “I’m sorry?”
The Demon King: “You make a very smarmy face when you’re trying to butter me up.”
Young Merchant: “Is that so? Well. In any case, I meant what I said earlier. But is it really alright?”
The Demon King: “Is what really alright?”
Young Merchant: “What you said just now, and the compass which you have given me. All of these are basically ‘theoretical’ things. You have given me neither the technology nor the product. In other words, there is no way for me to manufacture anything which you have mentioned.”
The Demon King: “That’s true.”
Young Merchant: “Have you not considered that we will simply manufacture these for our own profit without paying attention to your plan? Where will you benefit? Do you not intend to protect your rights?”
The Demon King: “I have to surrender to the circumstances.”
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Explanation
Milling: The act of creating flour. This is especially done with grains like wheat or maize, which are ground up into powder. The act of removing the husks of the grains and chaff from the harvest is commonly included in this terminology.
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Young Merchant: “I’m sorry?”
The Demon King: “The technology and the plans are brilliant. It is truly worthy of research. There are also advantages. If there’s money to be made, I would like that as well, because I would like to carry out even more research. However, if I tried to preserve sole rights by preventing technological transfer for material gain, the impact on the world would be limited. What’s important is transfer and penetration.”
Shrewd Accountant: “Is this some sort of theological treatise? It’s too complicated, I don’t understand.”
Young Merchant: “…”
The Demon King: “Does the Young Merchant understand?”
Young Merchant: “…”
The Demon King: “What’s wrong?”
Young Merchant: “In that case… You…”
The Demon King: “…”
Young Merchant: “Need us to make a choice?”
The Demon King: “You came here to make a choice did you not? As I understand, that’s what it means to negotiate something.”
Young Merchant: “But, that’s… Just what is your intention?”
The Demon King: “An early end to the war.”
Young Merchant: “?!”
The Demon King: “Moreover, I am aiming for an end which is neither victory nor defeat.”
Young Merchant: “That’s…”
The Demon King: “As I understand, the Union’s chief involvement in the war with Demonkind is being the primary sponsor to the Central Continent.”
Young Merchant: “Demons are the enemies of humanity. As one wing of the force that opposes the Demons, is it not exceedingly obvious that we would throw everything we have into it?”
The Demon King: “That’s a very politically correct view point.”
Young Merchant: “It’s the correct view point.”
The Demon King: “Whether high or low, whether North or South, whether arid or frozen, working as an intermediary between the competing forces of light and shadow, cooperating and doing business, and in so doing, deriving benefits. Is that not the job description of a merchant?”
Young Merchant: “Y-you…”
The Demon King: “Yes?”
Young Merchant: “Are you a friend or a foe of the Union?”
The Demon King: “I am a business partner.”
Young Merchant: “…”
The Chief Maid: (Demon King, you can do it!)
Young Merchant: “You are asking me to pick between two routes.”
The Demon King: “What do you mean?”
Young Merchant: “As a human, your previous statements are a betrayal. Even from the Church, they are still contradictory. I should probably just capture you and take you back to stand trial.”
The Chief Maid: (Demon King, we have Black Ops units positioned in the forests awaiting an ambush.)
The Demon King: (Keep it under control.)
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The Demon King: “It’s too depressing to split the world simply into friends and foes.”
Shrewd Accountant: “… We have forces standing by.”
Young Merchant: “Fine… Allow us to test you.”
The Demon King: “…”
Young Merchant: “Has it been this way previously?”
The Demon King: “Of course. In the arid regions of the Central Continent, we have begun to replace water wheels with functional windmills. Though it does deplete some of the forestry, we have also begun to introduce paper as a replacement to vellum and hide as writing material.”
Young Merchant: “Just what is your focus?”
The Demon King: “I am a scholar, specializing in Economics.”
Young Merchant: “Economics…?”
The Demon King: “I’m sure that’s a word you have not heard often. I specialize in the flow of goods and money, the calculation of revenues and costs, the production of goods in a society and the transfers of said goods both historically and for the future.”
Young Merchant: “Revenues and costs, huh.”
The Demon King: “That’s right. My focus is but the same as yours.”
Young Merchant: “For this, you intend to betray humankind? Your dream may be to put an end to this war, but just what makes you think this benefits me?”
The Demon King: “I have faith.”
Young Merchant: “What do you have faith in? Me? The Union? Humanity?”
The Demon King: “Profit motive is a vocabulary we both have in common. This is the second strongest bond in all the world.”
Young Merchant: “—Ahahahahaha!”
Shrewd Accountant: “What?”
Young Merchant: “No, it’s true. It is just as you say. Before being a human, I am first a merchant. Before being an adherent of the Church, I am first a merchant. This is truly the motto of the Union.”
Shrewd Accountant: “That’s…”
Young Merchant: “What an unexpected surprise, even for me. Hmm… Let’s do it. Let’s sign a contract to bring light to tomorrow.”
Shrewd Accountant: “That’s…”
Young Merchant: “Yeah, you can back out of it if you want.”
The Demon King: “You’re really breaking into cold sweat, Young Merchant.”
Young Merchant: “Oh my. I’ve never experienced such a level of nervousness even when dealing with Eastern Merchants. What a relief that you are a scholar and not a merchant.”
The Demon King: “I am but a powerless and weak existence.”
Young Merchant: “No, no, as a member of the nobility, you do have some level of power even here.”
The Chief Maid: (Of course. The Demon King is still royalty even here!)
Young Merchant: “But, that’s… The second strongest bond, eh?”
The Demon King: “…”
Young Merchant: “When can you begin shipping the corn?”
The Demon King: “I apologise, but as we are still experimenting, we have yet to begin cultivating the shoots. We will ship them to you next Spring.”
Young Merchant: “That’s early enough. After listening to your plan, it seems I must try to get a strong footing in the core territories of the Union. For this huge profit, it would be easy to ship the goods but we must control the rights over the profits. No matter what, in order to see your dream to fruition, you will need much more power.”
The Demon King: “It’s great that the compasses came into use after all.”
Young Merchant: “Allow me to make use of them as much as possible.”
—— The Mansion in the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering, at the Door
The Chief Maid: “The day is drawing to a close, please take care.”
The Demon King: “You have a caravan waiting nearby, do you not?”
Young Merchant: “A ‘caravan’ eh, hahaha.”
The Demon King: “I have also made some precautions, for us both.”
Young Merchant: “Wow, today is just a series of surprises.”
The Demon King: “I have heart problems. Also, my clothes are too revealing.”
Young Merchant: “That’s right… You said we share the second strongest bond. What is the strongest?”
The Demon King: “As I’m sure you know, Love.”
Shrewd Accountant: “—That’s…”
Young Merchant: “Ahahahahaha. Yes! Amazing! Splendid. You’ve given me this feeling twice in one day!”
The Demon King: “This is something even little children know.” Smiles.
Young Merchant: “Definitely! I am now lost on those two routes of which I spoke to you about earlier. I’ve given up on killing you. Now… I can only ask for your hand in marriage.”
The Demon King: “Wh-wha… what the hell?!”
Young Merchant: “What do you mean? It’s a marriage proposal.”
The Demon King: “Don’t say such things so lightly! Know your place!”
Young Merchant: “My, my. Because you keep looking at the obvious, you lose sight of the subtleties in life. Really. Do you think I would earnestly ask for your hand in marriage without first preparing some sort of dowry?”
The Demon King: “I, I, that’s…”
Young Merchant: “No, no. These sorts of things require more effort to tackle. Cultivating a strong relationship will be the deciding factor, it’s an important weapon for any merchant.”
The Demon King: “No. The answer will still be the same no matter how long you take.”
Young Merchant: “Well then, till we meet again! Perhaps in the city or on a boat. I will send you the contract as soon as possible, Beautiful Lady. Hahaha… Do you mind if I call you that?”
The Demon King: “Don’t call me that!”
—— A Small Room in the Mansion on the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering
Maid Little Sister: “～ ? ～?”
Maid Elder Sister: “You’re in good spirits.”
Maid Little Sister: “Yep. I really enjoy scrubbing these pots.”
Maid Elder Sister: “We’re really lucky to have been able to find such warm and productive jobs.”
Cicadas chirping.
Maid Little Sister: “Yep. Just last autumn, we were so terrified of nightfall.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Yeah.”
Maid Little Sister: “This time I want to study real diligently like everyone else.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Really? Good luck with that.”
Maid Little Sister: “Are you not doing that as well?”
Maid Elder Sister: “I am, and you’re starting to use some difficult words.”
Maid Little Sister: “It’s alright. Remembering words is for, umm…”
Maid Elder Sister: “‘The whims of the nobility’?”
Maid Little Sister: “Yes, that’s right! That’s what the Spectacles Sister said.”
Maid Elder Sister: “The Chief Maid really takes care of us.”
Maid Little Sister: “But she’s scary and gets angry real fast.”
Maid Elder Sister: “She’s not angry. She’s just scolding us… She’s actually a really kind person.”
Maid Little Sister: “Is that so? My ass hurts because she made me sit on the chair in that painful position.”
Maid Elder Sister: “That’s because you ate food that fell on the floor.”
Maid Little Sister: “You used to do that too.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Don’t they give us enough food?”
Maid Little Sister: “Yeah.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Then don’t do such embarrassing things.”
Maid Little Sister: “What are you going to do for the New Year’s Festival?”
Maid Elder Sister: “What do you mean?”
Maid Little Sister: “It seems like you’re going to dance in the center of the village?”
Maid Elder Sister: “With whom?”
Maid Little Sister: “The boys and girls of the village, lots of them.”
Maid Elder Sister: “I think I’ll pass.”
Maid Little Sister: “Really?”
Maid Elder Sister: “There’re lots of chores to be done.”
Maid Little Sister: “But the Spectacles Sister said we could go and dance, didn’t she?”
Maid Elder Sister: “True…”
Maid Little Sister: “The mistress isn’t very lively. How fun it will be when the Hero returns.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Hmm. —Oh right.”
Maid Little Sister: “?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Let’s prepare some presents for everyone in the mansion for the New Year’s.”
Maid Little Sister: “Let’s!”
—— The Mansion in the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering, the Master Bedroom
The Demon King: “Write, ’I would like to increase the number of experimentation grounds. I would also like to increase the amount of available manpower. In return I will offer some gold from the Holy Empire.’”
The Chief Maid: “…” Scribbles.
The Demon King: “Seal that with Beeswax.”
The Chief Maid: “As you desire.”
The Demon King: “Hm— What’s this?”
The Chief Maid: “It is a letter from the Huntsman.”
The Demon King: “Oh yes, I remember, I passed him the Telescope.”
The Chief Maid: “Yes.”
The Demon King: “What’s this, what’s this, ‘It is convenient and extremely useful.’”
The Chief Maid: “It seems to be of great use to him.”
The Demon King: “I was disappointed by its low magnification, but its fixed zoom seems to contrarily make it even more useful.”
The Chief Maid: “Yes.”
The Demon King: “Well then, reply as such. ‘I am glad for your speedy report. One’s work in the forestry is indeed difficult, but this house has interest in developing a map of the surrounding areas. As we greatly desire a conversation with you, kindly pay us a visit when it is convenient.’ Send that out.”
The Chief Maid: “Kindly read this as well.”
The Demon King: “This is the report from the Holy Order.”
The Chief Maid: “My, my.”
The Demon King: “The potato harvest is increasing as planned.”
The Chief Maid: “That appears to be so.”
The Demon King: “However, experiments on the soil samples have shown that nutrients in the soil tend to dry up in high temperatures. This causes the immune systems to falter and raises the risk of Infestation.”
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Explanation
New Year’s Festival: Since ancient times, the Europeans have celebrated a festival at the end of the year to mark the Winter Solstice. This is the day when the days begin to get longer and it celebrates the rebirth of the sun. The Christian religion involved themselves in it by designating December 25 to January 6 as Christmas.
Beeswax: Wax created from the hives of honey bees. It is used for making candles in religious functions. It is also used as a lubricant and as medicine. In this instance, it is used to seal the letter by heating the wax and imprinting it onto the envelope.
Telescope: The inventor of the telescope remains unknown. While it’s earliest recorded patent appears to have been in the 17th century, it was likely already in existence in the latter half of the 16th century, and hence the patentee was likely not the inventor. It is prominent as one of the few European inventions of the pre-Renaissance period.
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The Chief Maid: “Hmm…”
The Demon King: “This matter will need to be reassessed for the Holy Order.”
The Chief Maid: “Shall I write a letter?”
The Demon King: “No, we’ll settle this when I visit them next. Make a note of it.”
The Chief Maid: “As you desire.” Scribbles.
The Demon King: “How is the Paper coming?”
The Chief Maid: “It’s much easier to write on than vellum.”
The Demon King: “Yet mass production has yet to take off.”
The Chief Maid: “It’s quite simple to be produced, but to create it in bulk creates other problems…”
The Demon King: “What’s that stack?!”
The Chief Maid: “This stack comes from the Union. Patents, receipts, clarifications, reports…”
The Demon King: “Ah? Copper, lenses, glass, sand? Even pepper, silk and nails?”
The Chief Maid: “It’s all in the list of procurements you have submitted.”
The Demon King: “I understand. I almost couldn’t recall. Do we know who it is from?”
The Chief Maid: “Let me check the accounts book. Oh my.”
Flipping pages.
The Demon King: “What a complete mess.”
The Chief Maid: “Don’t tell me we’ve got our work cut out for us again.”
The Demon King: “It can’t be helped. Let the Maid Elder Sister do it.”
The Chief Maid: “Her?”
The Demon King: “Why not?”
The Chief Maid: “Nothing.”
The Demon King: “…?”
The Chief Maid: “It’s alright. I’m sure she’s up to the task.”
The Demon King: “Is that so.” Smiles. “In that case, the maintenance of the accounts will be her task from today.”
The Chief Maid: “We’ve really managed to assemble a functional maid corps.”
The Demon King: “What have you done?”
The Chief Maid: “Nothing. … That’s right, would you like some tea? The fresh orange leaves have just arrived from the Holy Empire.”
The Demon King: “Hmm, I’m tired.”
The Chief Maid: “Indeed.”
The Demon King: “I’m so tired.”
The Chief Maid: “You can’t just go around collapsing like that.”
The Demon King: “Hmm—“
The Chief Maid: “Are you sulking?”
The Demon King: “It’s already autumn.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s right, it’s the season of fruition. The chestnuts are delicious. And this year’s bacon has been prepared as well.”
The Demon King: “Even though it’s already autumn!”
The Chief Maid: “Sorry?”
The Demon King: “I haven’t heard his voice in half a year.”
The Chief Maid: “Well, well, my, my.”
The Demon King: “When I speak to you it’s like all my frustrations pour out.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s the special ability of a maid.”
The Demon King: “Why can’t he just send word?!”
The Chief Maid: “Hasn’t he?”
The Demon King: “All he talked about was helping the fairies and beating the Three-Headed Lion.”
The Chief Maid: “He seems to be lively and doing fine.”
The Demon King: “He’s the Hero. What if in this period, he comes to meet a pretty, ditzy village girl… No, what if he’s doing pervy things with a Siren?!”
The Chief Maid: “Really? He’s a virgin isn’t he? That means he’s got really strong convictions about this sort of thing, I’m sure it will be fine.”
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Explanation
Infestation: The devastation of crops due to insects. Potatoes are particularly affected by tiny 1cm long insects known as potato weevils which destroy the roots. In the event of an infestation, yields can fall to lower than 50%.
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The Demon King: “I can’t even remain calm.”
The Chief Maid: “If you keep worrying, you’re going to have permanent wrinkles between your eyebrows.”
The Demon King: “If he causes that, I’m going to bite him.”
The Chief Maid: “Now, now. Let’s get warmed up by the hearth. I’ll make some sweet red tea and we can call it a day. Just wait here for a bit.”
The Demon King: “But—”
The Chief Maid: “There are many books here that require your attention, make sure you take good care of your body.”
The Demon King: “Hmm. I understand. Thank you for the tea.”
The Chief Maid: “As you desire, Demon King ?”
Door Opens. Footsteps…
The Chief Maid: “What… The Demon King was just talking about you.”
The Hero: “Ah, I’ve been discovered.”
The Chief Maid: “It’s the maid senses.”
The Hero: “I get discovered every time.”
The Chief Maid: “And your letter this time?”
The Hero: “I’ve written it here.”
The Chief Maid: “In that case, please wait for the tea over here.”
The Hero: “Sorry.”
The Chief Maid: “No, no, it is my job as a maid.”
The Hero: “Well then, do you have an inkwell and some vellum?”
—— The Mansion at the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering, the Master Bedroom
Door Opens.
The Chief Maid: “I am sorry for the intrusion. How is everything?”
The Hero: “Ah, I’ve just finished my report.”
The Chief Maid: “Is that so… Here is some tea and some light night snacks. This time we’ve made some things using potatoes. This here is boiled in sweet cream.”
The Hero: “It looks delicious.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “It’s hot. Delicious! This time, I had to fight with the Fire Dragon Tribe, but through this, I somehow managed to prevent them from retaking the Gate City.”
The Chief Maid: “… Hero.”
The Hero: “?”
The Chief Maid: “This time as well?”
The Hero: “Ah? Yeah.”
The Chief Maid: “Are you hiding from the Demon King?”
The Hero: “Uhh—“
The Chief Maid: “Are you hiding from the Demon King?”
The Hero: “Y-yeah.”
The Chief Maid: “… I may be overstepping my boundaries as a servant, however, while I have proceeded without question, I am unclear of the extent I am to do so. I will continue to keep this a secret from the Demon King, hence if you have any issues, I would humbly request that you share them with me.”
The Hero: “Yeah…”
The Chief Maid: “That’s some sort of attitude you’ve got there. It’s that, isn’t it? You’ve gotten to know some pretty barmaid, or perhaps you’ve been whispering sweet nothings to a ditzy, well-endowed dairy maid?”
The Hero: “No!”
The Chief Maid: “Then what is it?”
The Hero: “I can’t say it isn’t that, but…”
The Chief Maid: “Technically, since you can teleport, even if it’s difficult to come back everyday, you should still be able to come back every week, no?”
The Hero: “Yeah.”
The Chief Maid: “You have been lucky that the Demon King hasn’t noticed this yet, but…”
The Hero: “Yeah……”
The Chief Maid: “Just what is going on?”
The Hero: “No. It’s just. Well.”
The Chief Maid: “Yes?”
The Hero: “… The Demon King doesn’t really rely on me very much.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “From the beginning it was always about ‘Becoming Mine’ or ‘Things I Haven’t Seen Before.’”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “I thought that she intended to use my powers for the purpose of purging all the rebellious elements in the Demon World, for instance by closing the gate and hence ending the war.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “But in the end, she has barely used my combat abilities, in fact, we haven’t been fighting anyone at all.”
The Chief Maid: “Yes.”
The Hero: “It’s almost like I’m important and beloved to her.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “Wasn’t this the contract? I belong to her and she belongs to me. If either of us feel it is necessary, we can put the other’s life on the line. Wasn’t this the contract? …Because of that, I agreed to become hers.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “But somehow, it’s not.”
The Chief Maid: “The Demon King, she—“
The Hero: “I know. I’m not that stupid. I have no intention of giving the cowardly excuse that because I don’t believe she truly likes me, I cannot like her in return.”
The Chief Maid: “Then why?”
The Hero: “Because, I’m dead.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “Whether or not we succeed at this, I am still a human, and will die before the Demon King.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s.”
The Hero: “Moreover, I’m a Hero. …In the end, all I know how to do is fight. If my emotions towards the Demon King were to pile up, it would really interfere with my work.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s not true.”
The Hero: “Is that so?”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “But, somehow…”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “Recently, all I’ve been able to think about is the Demon King’s worried expression, like she’s going to cry.”
The Chief Maid: “That’s…”
The Hero: “I’m surprised myself. But I feel frustrated just thinking that this is how the Demon King feels. Maybe being a Hero is a profession which means you will never attain happiness… That’s how I feel.”
The Chief Maid: “…”
The Hero: “I don’t really feel like a Hero right now!”
The Chief Maid: “This problem differs from being a maid, except for one thing.”
The Hero: “Yeah.”
The Chief Maid: “You belong to the Demon King. You are completely the Demon King’s, and I am completely my master’s.”
The Hero: “Yeah, that’s right.”
The Chief Maid: “Please do not forget that.”
The Hero: “Yes.”
The Chief Maid: “In that case, all of your nervousness, your worries, your desires to suppress your feelings, your excitement, your hopes and your prayers, are all emotions directed at the Demon King. They all belong to the Demon King as well.”
The Hero: “…”
The Chief Maid: “Your happiness and misfortune all belong to the Demon King. If you say you are unable to be happy, then that is the fault of the Demon King. At the same time, the happiness of the Demon King is also your—“
The Hero: “Yes.”
The Chief Maid: “Please do not forget that.”
—— The Kingdom of Winter, the Royal Palace
Prince of Winter: “Ahh, how annoying.”
Butler: “Yes.”
Prince of Winter: “I’m so angry.”
Butler: “Is this about the United Southern Kingdoms Council?”
Prince of Winter: “…”
Butler: “What else has happened in the Holy Capital?”
Prince of Winter: “It was just a lot of fluff.”
Butler: “…Is that so?”
Prince of Winter: “You know most of it already, don’t you?”
Butler: “Indeed. The Intelligence Division was already in place.”
Prince of Winter: “To put it simply…”
Butler: “It was about arms.”
Prince of Winter: “Yeah.”
Butler: “Since last year, the offense of the Demon Race has slowed down. In this period, the cost of the Imperial Troops guarding the Human World has fluctuated and many people have been thinking about this as well.”
Prince of Winter: “It seems that by appealing to the thought of the evilness and terror of the Demon Race in the absence of a human victory, they have been able to raise their price. There’s also been a directive for another expeditionary force.”
Butler: “Is this about the Holy Crusaders?”
Prince of Winter: “It’s a directive from the United Kingdoms. However, the Central Continent has shown no interest in this. No matter how you try to disguise it, the previous Crusades have been failures. After expending so many troops and supplies, all we have manage to take are one or two Demon cities. Furthermore, the Crusader vision of ‘Taking the Demon Capital and Restoring Peace to the World’ is not even compatible with what the Central Continent wants. If the war were to end, they would face their own internal troubles.”
Butler: “…”
Prince of Winter: “However, this is something we have in common. If the war ended, we would stop receiving gold subsidies. Countries would fight each other over small change. Countries themselves would become mercenaries. It would be terrible.”
Butler: “Young man…”
Prince of Winter: “However, this time…”
Butler: “What happened at the meeting?”
Prince of Winter: “There was still no conclusion.”
Butler: “I understand… It became a situation of ‘Let’s get rid of the Demons, but we can’t afford to send the Crusaders.’”
Prince of Winter: “It’s going to be the sort of war where the military might of the United Kingdoms is used and yet it is the Central Continent which gains the splendid fruits of the war. How could we just lamely agree to such a proposal?”
Butler: “How did the Kingdoms of Ice, White Night and Metal react?”
Prince of Winter: “Well, they were all deeply conflicted. Ahh, the Kingdom of White Night agreed eagerly.”
Butler: “Their new queen is a lady from one of the noble families of the Holy Empire. They are trying to strengthen their connections with the Central Kingdoms and hence form allegiances with strong countries against the rest of the Kingdoms.”
Prince of Winter: “So that’s the way it is.”
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Explanation
Intelligence Unit: Intelligence refers to the gathering of data from rival countries or organizations with regards to politics, military and economics. To achieve this, spies may use non-legal methods. However, in real life, apart from these, things like assassinations or sabotage, which cannot be exposed or spoken of may also be conducted.
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Butler: “Indeed.”
Prince of Winter: “The meeting is going to continue.”
Butler: “…”
Prince of Winter: “It is likely that the Isle of Light will be the next battle ground.”
Butler: “Is that so?”
Prince of Winter: “The Isle of Light on the Southern Frozen Sea is the only Demon Territory in the Human World. It is there that the gate to the Demon World is open, if we were to fight the Demons, that would be the only place to do it.”
Butler: “Yes.”
Prince of Winter: “It is certainly a blow to the Humans that the Demons are allowed to occupy the island.”
Butler: “Well, at present, I do not believe this impacts us greatly. Please consult your father on this.”
Prince of Winter: “Yes, I will.”
Butler: “…”
Prince of Winter: “However, because of the Demons’ control over the area, naval transport and the Southern Frozen Sea fishing industry have suffered serious setbacks.”
Butler: “Indeed.”
Prince of Winter: “Ahh! At the time, my father and the other Kings, in their bravery and wisdom, decided to prioritize the defense of the island over the taking of one or two Demon Cities.”
Butler: “It could not be helped. What was the composition of the forces like?”
Prince of Winter: “Since it’s an island, the navy formed the backbone.”
Butler: “Mmhmm.”
Prince of Winter: “There were about 200 warships and 7000 soldiers.”
Butler: “How did that turn out?”
Prince of Winter: “I would not have done it. The advantages of our Human armies are repeated offensives and maneuverability as well as communications. And above all of these, numbers. Our navy has already lost the crucial numerical advantage. From the point of view of the Demons, they do not need to kill the 7000 soldiers, merely sink the 200 ships. It was a sad verdict.”
Butler: “And if it had been you?”
Prince of Winter: “I would not have fought. If possible, I would have waited until after the Demons had taken the island before engaging in a small naval battle to apply military pressure. From the beginning, there was never a chance that we would be able to achieve victory over them. On top of that, there is no meaning to this war. Are we not merely sending troops to fulfill an order from the Holy Empire which merely covets security for the Central Continent? Even if we win, who will benefit?”
—— The Mansion on the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering, the Central Courtyard
Disciple Nobleman: “It seems it will soon be decided.”
Disciple Soldier: “This winter?”
Disciple Nobleman: “I have an uncle in the Palace of Ice, and he’s just told me that it seems it will be settled with a massive naval battle.”
Disciple Soldier: “Is that so! There haven’t been any great battles recently. A naval battle! Doesn’t that mean that we will be affected as well?”
Disciple Nobleman: “Yeah, of course. My uncle didn’t tell me in detail, but it seems like there will soon be a draft order.”
Disciple Soldier: “It is time to bring down the righteous hammer of the Holy Light on the evil Demonkind!”
Disciple Nobleman: “Will you be going too? I will be on my uncle’s ship.”
Disciple Soldier: “Of course. If there is to be a battle, then I will serve with pride.”
Female Paladin: “Attention!”
The Nobleman’s Son: “Y-yes, ma’am!”
Disciple Soldier: “!”
Footsteps.
Female Paladin: “What a tense atmosphere.”
Disciple Nobleman: “Master! Have you been listening to our conversation!?”
Disciple Soldier: “My blood is boiling!”
Female Paladin: “Well, I heard a bit, —the Isle of Light, then.”
Disciple Nobleman: “The Isle of Light!”
Disciple Soldier: “It is the stronghold of the maggot-like Demons who have infested the Human World. The world has no need of the Demon Race!”
Female Paladin: “Oi, you.”
Disciple Soldier: “Yes, ma’am!” Stands at attention.
Female Paladin: “Neither ridicule nor contempt for the enemy have a place on the battlefield. It is far better to understand the enemy if you want to survive.”
Disciple Soldier: “Ugh.”
Female Paladin: “Allow me to ask you a question.”
Disciple Nobleman: “…”
Female Paladin: “Why is it that your fathers have entrusted you to this academy in the countryside?”
Disciple Nobleman: “That is obviously because of the presence of highly skilled individuals like the Crimson Scholar and the Female Paladin!”
Disciple Soldier: “It is to train us up to be heroes on the battlefield!”
Disciple Merchant: “Is it not to entrust us troublesome children to someone else’s care without paying too much?”
Female Paladin: “All wrong.”
All Three: “?”
Female Paladin: “The reason why your fathers have placed you in this academy—not in an institution in the Central Continent or with a Holy Order, but this particular institution—is definitely not for you to become mere government lackeys or rank and file soldiers.
The reason why you are here is to learn from that — annoyingly well-endowed — Scholar about economics and other very strange theories. From the Templars, you will learn fundamental medical and agricultural skills, and from me you will learn not just swordsmanship, spearmanship and horse-riding but also basic battle strategy.
After learning all of these, your capabilities will far exceed that of a normal soldier. These are skills and knowledge that belong to people who stand at the sides of Kings or at the helm of battles. — Do not forget this. That is the value of the skills you have mastered or will come to master.
At institutions in the Central Continent or Holy Orders, you will come to polish other skillsets. You will master theology from the Church. You will certainly come to master social and interpersonal skills from splendid parties. These are also undoubtedly useful skills. However, your parents have chosen this academy. To tell the truth, it is undeniable that it was a large gamble on their part to enroll you in a completely unknown academy.
However, the techniques you will learn here are far more meaningful than just learning how to defeat the enemy. Your fathers probably have a great deal of expectations from you, maybe even because of this. At the very least, the Scholar and I also expect a lot from you.”
All Three: “Yes, ma’am!” Shocked.
Female Paladin: “And so? For this knowledge and this pride, just to see what battles are like, you’re going to throw tantrums like little children?”
All Three: “…”
Female Paladin: “Open up your eyes, clean out your ears, learn the knowledge that will allow you to win the entire world. Ask yourself if this is really the correct thing to do. On top of each of your shoulders, above each of your lives are countless other lives and lands that rely on you. Demons are evil? This sort of thinking is not war. This is nothing but the division of winners and losers.”
All Three: “…”
Female Paladin: “If you really insist on going to war, I will not stop you. I have no right to stop you. However, I have no intention of allowing you to die. It is not yet the time for you to die. If you were to die, up to that very moment of your death you would still not know the mistakes you have made, and would pass away with a very serious face. I have no intention of letting that happen. …Well then, let’s commence with training. Today is going to be three times tougher than usual. It’s time to wake up!”
—— The Mansion on the Outskirts of the Village of Wintering
Female Paladin: “Why is it like that—“
Maid Elder Sister: “I’m sorry?”
Female Paladin: “Even though I told them” Grumbles.
Maid Elder Sister: “Well…”
Female Paladin: “Even though I tried to say something amazing. In the end, I’m just a substitute teacher with no real powers.”
Maid Elder Sister: “I don’t think that’s true.”
Female Paladin: “Really?”
Maid Elder Sister: “I too, would like to…”
Female Paladin: “?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Do things like running, and…”
Female Paladin: “Ahh. Martial arts.”
Maid Elder Sister flinches
Female Paladin: “Ohh, so you would like to train as well?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Umm… That’s…”
Female Paladin: “That being said, you do attend the other classes, don’t you?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Yes I do.”
Female Paladin: “You’re really becoming a scholar.”
Maid Elder Sister: “That’s really not…”
Female Paladin: “I was just really shocked by those guys.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Really? I thought the Hero has been away on a very distant, highly important mission?”
Female Paladin: “The Hero really needs to cut it out.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Yeah.”
Female Paladin: “It’s fine that he never sent word. But after one year of thinking he was dead he suddenly appeared. And then when I moved over here he went on another trip for another year.”
Maid Elder Sister: “…Yes.”
Female Paladin: “It seems like I don’t think I can rely on him.”
Maid Elder Sister: “But you do think so, don’t you?”
Female Paladin: “That’s… Yeah.”
Maid Elder Sister: “How splendid.”
Female Paladin: “…”
Clunk.
Maid Elder Sister: “Right. How about something sweet?”
Female Paladin: “What’s that?”
Maid Elder Sister: “It’s Cocoa Tea. It’ll perk you right up.”
Female Paladin: “Hot! But it’s quite sweet.”
Maid Elder Sister: “This is another one of the Mistress’s experimental plants.”
Female Paladin: “Is that so?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Yeah. She said that ever since the Greenhouse was completed, she’s been able to experiment with a whole range of new plants. The whole place is filled with plants.”
Female Paladin: “That shiny structure? It really surprised me. It was like walking into a glass sauna.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Plants from warm climates can be grown in there as well.”
Female Paladin: “But to build that structure, she’s emptied out the purse of the Holy Order. Ahh, it’s really outrageous.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Really?”
-
Explanation
Cocoa Tea: This is made from the fruits of the Cocoa plant from the tropical parts of Central South America. Cocoa was first brought to the Old World by Columbus in 1502. By the 17th Century, Cocoa was widespread in Europe and was also grown throughout Africa.
Greenhouse: This is typically a warm room made from glass and a metal skeleton. As the temperature inside the structure can be raised, plants from tropical regions can be grown. A massive model was built for the 1851 1st World Expo.
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Female Paladin: “It’s really outrageous.”
Maid Elder Sister: “?”
Female Paladin: “Apart from the construction costs, that thing consumes an absurd amount of fuel.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Ah…”
Female Paladin: “It burns firewood to keep warm in mid-Winter.”
Maid Elder Sister: “That’s true.”
Female Paladin: “Just thinking about it makes me shudder.”
Maid Elder Sister: “How troublesome.”
Female Paladin: “Well, at least we’re able to eat some tasty food, and that makes me a little bit happy.”
Maid Elder Sister: “But you’re not making a happy face?”
Female Paladin: “…That’s not true.”
Maid Elder Sister: “It would be great if you could.” Smiles.
Female Paladin: “You’ve really come to resemble the Chief Maid.”
Maid Elder Sister: “Really?”
Female Paladin: “Yeah, you’re really alike now.”
Maid Elder Sister: “That’s not true. I have a long way to go.”
Female Paladin: “Hmm, you behave in exactly the same way.”
Maid Elder Sister: “…”
Female Paladin: “What’s wrong?”
Maid Elder Sister: “I’m not sure myself. I’ve become able to read words, and to do math. The number of things I can do increases every day. Even cleaning and washing. I’ve come to know more about the people in the village and the Mistress has entrusted me with more things. —But, I…”
Female Paladin: “?”
Maid Elder Sister: “Perhaps I’m not yet used to being human……”
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