250 - - Ninth Episode Town

The town they arrived in was built on the side of a river that flowed to the Principality of Six.

Imports from other countries would enter this town, and wheat, lumber, and slaves from the racial kingdom would be exported.

This town is the closest to the capital of the racial kingdom, but not as large.

Originally, distribution centers where such goods are gathered and exported flourish because they attract people, goods, and money. However, the people are basically poor and cannot afford to buy goods because they are struggling to survive.

They can only afford to buy daily necessities and groceries, and cannot afford to buy luxury goods.

Imports to the town are scarce, and exports are very unprofitable because they cannot set their own prices.

As a result, despite being a distribution center, the town has not developed into a "city" and has settled down to the town level.

I entered one of the racial distribution centers for the first time as Lilith's escort, but it didn't seem very "lively" (......).

The most important thing to remember is that the people are there, but it's almost dark, and it's almost dinner time, and there's not a lot of activity.

I can't say ...... I feel like they are just going about their lives without emotion. It's a little creepy."

Gold and Nemmu each observed the town and shared their impressions.

I agree with their words.

After the king's party was met at the gate by the mayor who governs this town, the mayor led the party to the mayor's mansion where they will stay tonight.

As they move, they are observing the whole town.

The mayor's mansion is an extremely common aristocratic mansion.

The king, Lilith, and some maids are staying at the nobleman's mansion with them.

On the other hand, the guards and soldiers, including us, are taken to the barracks built near the mansion.

Since they always do the same thing whenever there is a meeting of the Six Principality, the receiving side, including the soldiers of the town, seems to be accustomed to it.

The maid from the mayor's side offers to show them around, but she calls out to Lilith just to make sure.

She has never worked as an escort during the "Gathering of the Tribes" period, so she does not know what she is doing.

Lilith-sama, may we move to the barracks?　I think it would be better to leave Nemum alone with you."

......Thank you for your concern, Mr. Dirk. But you are already safe in town. There is no need for an escort.

...... understand. My apologies."

No, I hope you don't mind."

Lilith glances at the mayor before speaking.

The mayor is greeting the king and is unaware of our conversation.

Certainly, if we were to have a conspicuous escort throughout the town, even inside the mansion, people might think that we are questioning the security of the town and the safety of the mansion, which the mayor is in charge of.

Lilith, as royalty and as a guest, was concerned about the mayor, the owner of the mansion.

After seeing Lilith and the others enter the house after greeting them, they moved to the barracks, guided by the maid of the mayor's side.

The barracks is a one-story building with large rooms for sleeping together, but in consideration of the presence of women, a private room reserved for captains and important persons was rented out to the "Black Clown" party.

This was a nice gesture, as we could not unmask ourselves in front of the soldiers.

After putting down our luggage, the mayor's housemaid who guided us told us that there was a banquet to welcome us in the barracks dining room and she would show us around.

I am sorry, but I have a terrible burn on my face and cannot take off my mask in public, so I must be excused.

If Master Dirk won't go, I won't go either.

If so, I will attend in place of the Lords, and I will explain the reasons for my absence. I'm very good at getting soldiers, mercenaries, adventurers, etc. excited!

Gold looks thrilled and moves to the dining room, guided by the mayor's side housemaid.

For some reason, he loved to drink and revel with the ruffians in the taverns and other places. As Gold said, in his hands, those who had tried to get close to Nemmu at the welcome party would be able to get things going again, even if they felt awkward when they learned of her absence.

On the other hand, in direct contrast to Gold, since going above ground, Nemm has developed an aversion to making noise in bars and other places.

In the lowest level of the Abyss, she had been enjoying herself with the fairy maids, chatting and having a good time.

It seems that he became tired of the fact that on the ground, he was often approached by people attracted by Nemmu's good looks.

Hearing the faint sound of the soldiers' excited voices, Nemmu and I also enjoy the welcome party food brought to us by the maids of the mayor's side of the house.

Nemmu clearly scowled.

He said, "...... really, the food on the ground tastes bad. It's disrespectful to feed this kind of food to Light-sama."

But it would be a shame to leave it uneaten, and we wouldn't want anyone to be suspicious.

I take a seat in front of Nemum and sip the light-flavored soup.

The bread is hard, the meat is stale, and the mashed potatoes that accompany it are tasteless. Nemmu takes a sip of the wine, but her mouth is twisted in distaste.

Compared to the food in the cafeteria at the lowest level of the "abyss," the food is by far less flavorful, less broad, and lacking in seasoning.

In my adventuring days, I would have never seen this feast.

I'm sure the food Lilith and her friends are eating now is a bit more to Nemum's palate."

Still, I think it's terrible compared to the food in the "abyss. How can the races on earth be satisfied with a life of eating such food? ...... I don't think I could stand it.

Haha, I think we would all have the same attitude as Nemumu if we knew what the food in the "Abyss" was like.

I can't help but laugh at her thoughts.

After I finish laughing, she starts talking about Lilith.

Speaking of Lilith, she just refused to be escorted, but just in case, would you like to be escorted behind her back?

...... No, as she said, it wouldn't be a problem if it were in town. She's level 100, and I've given her poison-disabling items, emergency magic items, and an "Infinite Gacha" card, so she should have no problem when the time comes.

It's frustrating that Lilith didn't make it past level 100 by the Six Principality Conference, but ...... we didn't have time this time, so the "Infinite Gacha" card made up for her low level. I got it.

Rather, the problem is this town."

I shred the hard bread and chew it in my mouth.

Nemmu waited silently.

...... this town seems to represent the present and future of the race."

Since they could not set their own prices for exports and were bought out, the racial workers had to work for low wages.

Life is hard because of the low wages, and when illness, injury, or sudden problems occur, they have no choice but to give up and die, or sell their children and others into slavery to make money.

There was no future out of this poverty, and the adults of the race had to work with dark eyes and no feelings.

I understand this because I am the son of a former poor farmer. I understand the pain of this stagnation. ...... That is why, in order to make the future of our race a bright one, we need to have Lilith ascend to the throne as queen and rebuild our nation as a healthy one that can stand firm against other nations.

On our side, we are not passionate enough to be devoted to winning the future of our race, because our priority is to know the truth about revenge and "Master" who almost killed us. Furthermore, a temporary intervention is meaningless.

However, if Lilith can do it on our behalf, we only need support.

I am also a racial person, so if his or her future will be brightened by Lilith's accession to the throne, and if we can become independent as a nation, I will at least support them from the shadows.

For that reason, I need Lilith to be inaugurated as queen at the Six Principality Conference. And Diablo, who will be attending the conference this time, must be given his revenge.

What a wonderful idea!　I would be happy to help in my own small way!"

Nemmu looks excited and assertive, her large eyes widening and sparkling even more.

I listened to her response and nodded in satisfaction.

Just imagining that I would soon meet Diablo, one of my avengers, as well as Queen Lilith's accession to the throne, made my heart, like Nemmu's, hot with excitement, droll vengeance, and hatred.

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