If my fears are correct, the demon king could very well be another reincarnated individual that met Mirabel.
But then why wouldn’t she know who it is? And I’d have to ask her why she kept quiet about it.
Worst case scenario, I’ll lose the one person I can talk to.
No, wait. I can think of a reason why Mirabel doesn’t know the demon king.
“Can I confirm one more thing, Durandal? Is this demon king not the first demon king?”
“Yes, it is not. The current demon king is the fifth one, sealed by the previous hero.”
So they do change. And what I just heard happened a long time ago.
Since they live longer than humans, I was thinking that demon king was still alive, but no.
“It’s said that the first demon king was poisoned by elves and died.”
“Poisoned…”
“The son of the first demon king became the second, but anger over the death of his parent meant battle with the demons became more fierce.”
The elven queen was murdered in a similar way two years ago. No one knows who did it, but it’s suspected it was demons.
Considering what happened to the first demon king, it could be payback.
“But knowing the circumstances surrounding demons doesn’t mean we can just let them destroy us.”
“It was your very distant ancestors who did it, master. It would not be fair for you to shoulder that responsibility.”
“That’s right.”
I have things I want to protect. I can’t just lay down and die.
“The demons’ numbers went down significantly after fighting for so long. Going into hiding after they were left without a demon king was a consequence of that.
There are fewer demons compared to the past, but they are all survivors of great wars, so they are powerful.”
“Their race has been fighting since the time of the revolt. No wonder they’re strong.”
“But they are terribly outnumbered. That is why they resort to tactics such as sneak attacks, poisoning, and kidnapping. Do not let your guard down!”
“Thanks Durandal. I won’t.”
I understand why demons are strong. It’s no exaggeration to say they are a fighting race. Although the reason why they keep fighting is sad.
But let’s not fool ourselves. Demons are crafty, and I should never not be careful.
Their numerical inferiority means they fight by any means, and since they see no future other than winning this fight for survival, they’re more desperate than us.
Even if they’re cornered, they shouldn’t be underestimated.
Demons who are friendly to humans like Berial are rare.
“Oh. It seems you are being called from the first floor.”
“Really? I didn’t hear anything.”
I didn’t hear any voices… But I’ll open the door and focus just in case.
“Kyle! Are you there!? You have a visitor!”
It’s the innkeeper.
“I’m coming!”
I respond loudly. So I really was being called.
“I’m surprised you heard that.”
“I have surprisingly good ears.”
Would it be crass to ask what ears?
Anyway, I guess I have a visitor. I’ve been talking to Durandal for so long that it’s evening, so it’s pretty late.
With that in mind, I grab Durandal and go down to the first floor, where I see a guard with the innkeeper.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Not that it really matters, but we’re staying on the second floor. The first floor has a few rooms, a reception desk, and a space where people can eat.
The innkeeper’s wife used to be a chef, so the food is pretty good here.
We each have a room on the second floor, because if nothing else, we don’t have money problems.
“Thanks for waiting.”
“Kyle Grapheme of the hero’s party, correct?”
The guard says after a bow. I’ve had this back and forth many times before.
I know what’s going on. One of my fellow party members caused problems.
Normally when there’s a problem with the hero’s party, it falls on me to solve it.
Sometimes money solves it, sometimes I have to accept a request to smooth things over with the other person.
Thankfully, nothing all that serious has happened so far. And there’s also the fact that people are counting on us to defeat the demon king. People are scared of what might happen if the hero’s party is gone.
And in the process, word has spread among guards that they should come to me when there’s a problem.
I’m not too happy about being perceived like that.
“Tora Vilkas Healthim Nozenkazura was caught performing inappropriate acts with a boy playing in the park. Can you please deal with it?”
“I see. I will.”
So it was our fighter who was arrested.
Her full name is Tora Vilkas Healthim Nozenkazura F Tiger White Silverback. It’s too long, so we call her Tora.
Also, Nozenkazura is actually her first name, and everything else is a family name.
Tora is the member of the hero’s party with the most arrests.
Apparently this time it was acting inappropriately with a boy. Part of me wants to just let them take Tora, but Tora’s powerful and an important part of the party, so I’ll deal with it.
Even if I think this tiger should be thrown in jail after the demon king has been defeated.
I go get my things from my room, and then follow the guard to the station.
The sympathetic look on the innkeeper’s face as I walk away hurts.
“Ooh! Kyle! You came for me!?”
Once we reach the station, I hear the familiar voice of a happy beast person.
Tora, a tiger beast person.
Let me give a quick explanation on beast people.
To the south of the continent, there is a country called Jungle Empire, where ninety percent of the population are beast people.
It started out as a small country, but as the power of elves and humans shrunk due to the conflict with demons, the country grew.
Beast people are known for having very high physical abilities, and most of them are better at using their bodies than magic.
Tora was born in the Jungle Empire, to a family that is known for producing many fighters.
I think her physical appearance could be described as a tiger turned into a person.
Tora walks on two legs like us, and stuff like the number of fingers on each hand are the exact same as a tiger’s. Like a tiger brought down to human size.
Tora’s body is muscular, with arms and thighs are thick as logs. It’s like Tora’s wearing armor made of muscles.
Since we’re on a break, Tora’s wearing a white shirt and black pants instead of armor. And the muscles are visible through the clothes.
When humans or elves are half beast in most anime and manga, they tend to have animal ears and tails, but look otherwise human. But Tora is an actual beast person.
When Tora’s silent, that face looks grave, but it looks like a big friendly cat when it’s smiling at me like this.
Also, Tora’s strong low voice suits that appearance.
“What did the victims say?”
“The parents say they will let it pass if they are paid reparations, since it stopped at an attempt.”
“I see. Please take this. And this bail money.”
“Yes, very well. I will be responsible for taking it to the parents.”
I ignore Tora and talk to the guard.
It looks like this is one of those problems that can be resolved with money, so I grab the amount designated by the victims from my bag and hand it to the guard. Along with a bail that includes nuisance money.
But just as I’m thinking it went smoothly this time, the guard gasps like he just remembered something.
“By the way, the boy had a favor to ask the hero’s party.”
“Considering the trouble, I will take it.”
“Very well. I will tell them that when I deliver the money. You can hear the details from the boy, but it seems goblins have been appearing in the playground.”
“Taking down goblins? Can you tell them I will come by tomorrow morning?”
“Leave it to me.”
The guard writes down the location, and I put the paper in my pocket.
The guard bows and leaves. Since he has a message to deliver, he’s heading there right way. Good work.
“You’re helping with that tomorrow, Tora.”
“Ooh! Are you asking me out on a date? I just happen to be free!”
Tora sounds happy, but it’s definitely not a date.
But now I have things to take care of tomorrow. Goblin hunting isn’t hard work, but I should keep my guard up.
After apologizing to the other guards, I take Tora and leave.
“You really have a nice butt, Kyle! How about it tonight?”
I regret going to get the person who touches my ass on the way back to the inn.
