204 So, smile.

'Yup, we're at Tarz!

I open the lid of the barrel, crawl out of it, and stretch wide. My brother Jestaff's idea was to hide us in the cargo and transport us. The merchants that Jestaff's brother owns regularly exchange goods with Taze. We could hide in there and not be noticed. The recipient is Mr. Vann, a merchant of Taze whom the brothers trust. This is in the trading post that Mr. Vann manages, so the Rhaetys won't be able to sneak in here.

Thank you for the long journey, Mr. Harkdock.

"It was really cramped, Mr. Van. I'm also very hungry. Do you have anything for me?

Of course I've got something. How about you?

Oh, I'm Masetha, a Yugoslavian priest.

Oh, where's the bathroom?

It's just outside here on the left.

Masetta's looking very desperate as he leaves. I told him to keep his water intake to a minimum since he'd be in a barrel for a few days. That's what's wrong with Morgana's adventurers, isn't it? Well, thanks to his magic, it was reasonably cool even with the two of us in the barrel, so I'm grateful for that.

I can't stay like this. You can't let this happen.

About that, I have a message from His Majesty.

"What?

What the heck, just before I arrived at Taze, Miss and the others went to the Taze Demon World where the Blue Demon King is to heal their brother. It's not like they left me behind.

I've heard that the other Demon Lords are all on their way.

I see. That's why they're leaving me behind.

If you're always on your toes, you might be able to see one of them, but not three. You can't take an unconscious person with you to the Tarzian demon world, which is rumored to be an extraterrestrial demon world. But lonely is lonely, duh. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

"Oh ......, that was close. ......, I almost lost everything. ......

You can lose something, but you can't lose it, can you?

You can lose a lot. So, are we going to get to her?

No, that's the thing.

I'll tell Masetha what happened. This guy freezes up a lot.

So we've wasted our time coming here?

Yeah, that's probably it.

After all we've been through, ......

No, actually, His Majesty has a separate request for the two of you. I have this letter for you.

Then Mr. van handed us the letter. He's using very good paper. ....... The letter states that the ringleader who seriously injured the brothers is the Archbishop Serraes, and outlines King Taze's next move.

I see, I'll have to contact him directly. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do to get back to your brother in a hurry. ...... Well, there's a lot to wrap your head around. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

Masetta froze again. I guess I'll just have to stuff it in a barrel. I'm not going to have to put up with that this time.

I'll be fine.

The dragon's onslaught continued, and it made its way to the center of Taze's world. As well as its size, its strength as an individual is gradually getting stronger. It's already stronger than a normal unique class, and yet it's used to moving and fighting. Even though the magical power of the Daruagestia is powerful, the pressure from the individuals that outweigh their size difference is considerable.

How many of them are there ......?

I don't know. I shudder to think if this were a land route.

You're flying on the back of a giant Dall'Agestia, so the only thing you're facing is a dragon. If they were traveling by land, they would have been attacked by numerous wyverns and other demons that could prey on a human-sized creature. If such a large number of demons were to follow the voice of the Demon Lord and invade human territory, .......

I think I see something up ahead.

I responded to Ecdysium's voice and turned my attention forward. There, you see a single tree, far more massive than the surrounding trees. In addition to its size, there seems to be some sort of structure buried within it. Perhaps it's the castle of the Blue Demon King.

We've finally found our destination! Dar'agestia, speed up and let's go at once!

"Rororo!

Dal'Agestia flew through the crowd of dragons. Daruagestia flies through the crowd of dragons, and the dragons follow her as she speeds up.

"Hey, Ao? It's good that you're in a hurry, but how are you going to get down?

We'll know something when we get closer. If we can get inside, the dragons won't be able to follow us and Dal'Agestia will be able to hide in the ground.

Didn't you consider the possibility that Blue might intercept?

...... But we'll figure it out! You can't afford to take on this many dragons at once!

In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. I'm not sure what to make of it. We should be on the lookout.

We're almost there. If we keep going like this, ...... wait, isn't something wrong?

What's that, Exduk, the surrounding area is already a screaming dragon house?

The dragons. The number of dragons following us is decreasing.

As you look backwards, you can see that the dragons that are chasing you are slowing down and beginning to stay in place. The hostility towards us has diminished, is this more of a ...... fear?

It's true. It's a great opportunity. Let's just--

At that moment, the huge forest transformed into a mountain. The trees around the castle grew up and became a huge wall blocking our front. No, this is .......

"Well, there are, aren't there? A unique class of dragon?

If Dal'Agestia is a small mountain, the dragon in front of us is a huge mountain range. It's not even flying as it's eye to eye with Dal'Agestia, who must be at a considerable altitude. Its back is covered with the Tarzian forest of the demon world, and its entire body is as rugged as a hewn mountain.

"Ro...... Ro......

"How can a creature this big exist?

"Wow, ...... big is the right word for this.

This is not the time to be impressed, Lakra. It's doubtful that our attack will work on this scale. I'd like to get around it somehow. ......

"Goooooool!

A unique class of dragon roars. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It seems to have recognized us as enemies. With such a huge body, it can't move too fast. We'll just have to maneuver around it.

I never thought I'd have to listen to such advice in the body of Dal'Agestia, ...... but I guess I have no choice. Daluagestia! I'll be standing around trying not to get caught!

"Lo, lo, lo!

Daruagestia turns to escape the sight of the unique class of dragon. The speed of the dragon should be quite fast, but the unique class of dragon catches her without difficulty with a slight turn of its head. Then it opens its mouth, and you feel a dense concentration of magic.

"You're going to spit out a breath! I'm not sure what to do.

"Dal'Agestia! More speed!

"Rorro!

Daruagestia increased her speed even more, but the unique class of dragons only followed her movements as if they were fine tuning. This is not good, I must try to prevent this attack as much as I can--

"Yes, yes, stop, stop. You can't just wipe out a customer without a fight.

A strange voice sounded. It's a gentle voice that reaches our ears clearly, even though we're not near it. Is this a voice on the wavelength of magical power? As if reacting to the voice, the unique class dragon released the magic it had been concentrating on and slowly closed its mouth.

"Did you hear that ...... voice?

Yes, I did. I can't see who it is.

If it's me, I'll be right here.

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman standing still in the air. She was dressed in the sloppy clothes of a male aristocrat, but more noticeable was her dark hair and eyes, the same as his. He has the same black hair and eyes, and his skin is sallow and burnished.

"Demons!

I'm not going to deny it, but I do miss being called by my race's name. My name is Neillertes, and I am a subordinate of my king, the Blue Demon Lord.

Neillertes bowed with a cheerful smile. However, the appearance of the Blue Demon King's demons has caused a sudden increase in tension among the people around him. I also feel my grip on my sword getting stronger than necessary.

I didn't expect a welcome, I didn't expect the Blue to send one.

My king told me to show you to the castle when I got there, but I didn't think it would be a good idea to make you fight with her, so I came for you on my own. Whether you win or lose, a battle with too much to lose will only make you sad.

......

You don't have to be so defensive, gentlemen. I'm not a demon who attacked Taze, although your knight in particular seems to be exerting himself.

I'm not a demon who attacked Taze.

So, you're going to show me around, right?

"Yes. I'm not sure if it will be a good stimulus to meet other demon lords for the first time in a while,.......

I don't think so. I'm sure he'll try to kill you depending on the content of your conversation.

You can't deny that.

You can't deny it. ......

I'll show you around. Can I ride on the back of this bone dragon?

Well, sure.

After getting the approval of the Blue Demon King, Neil Ryates landed right in front of us. I'm not sure if I'm the type of person who's good at rough stuff.

It's been a while since I've been in the air and I'm tired. Then please move towards the castle. The demons around here won't attack if I'm here, so you can just keep moving as you descend.

"Are you sure you're okay? Are you sure the dragon isn't going to attack us?

"She is a dragon born only to eliminate those who disturb the sleep of my king. He is a dragon born only to eliminate those who disturb my king's sleep. He looks quite clever .......

I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you're not lying about what he's saying, are you, Lakra?

Yes, he's not lying about anything.

Oh, you're from Yugoslavia, aren't you? I'm grateful to have someone like that here to help me explain things quickly.

The Blue Demon King was wary, but let the Daluagestia lower its altitude. The two-color landscape of the sky and the forest is now replaced with only leaves and trunks. Neil Ryates is touching the spine of Dal'Agestia with a curious look on his face.

"...... Neil Ryates, can I ask you one question?

Anything.

You said you're not the demon who attacked Taze. Then you know who they are?

Yes, I do. They're my king's demons just like me. But he's not in this world now.

Then where is he?

Is that an important question?

Of course it is.

Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Is it a more important question than getting an audience with my king?

Neil Ryates' face remained smiling. But unlike before, there is a hint of horror in the air.

"Is it--

No, it's not. Our purpose is to meet and negotiate with the Blue. What more do you want?

Before I can reply, the Purple Demon King intervenes. It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

That's good. I'm glad to hear that, because I would have had to take care of you all if you were the kind of people who put off my king.

"You seem quite confident, don't you? Do you really think you can take on all these people by yourself?

I'm not saying you can win. I'm not saying you can win, but anyone who insults my king must be made to pay for his crimes, even if it costs him his life. That's my job.

As far as I can tell, Neillertes is not that powerful. As well as the magic that I can feel, I don't feel that he has a lot of combat experience in his appearance. But I can tell you that he is not afraid of us in the slightest.

"I asked you an unnecessary question. I'm sorry.

"No, no. This is my advice as well. You're about to have an audience with my king, so you should concentrate on that. My king is merciless in eliminating anyone he doesn't like in front of him. Even if it's a demon who has sworn absolute allegiance to him. I can't tell you how many times I've been almost killed, isn't it wonderful to be alive?

Neil Ryates smiled with amusement. Isn't it wonderful to be alive? It's a good-natured smile, but now it feels like madness.

No one opens their mouths, and all eyes turn forward. The daylight has diminished drastically as we dive into the forest, and the darkness takes up a large percentage of the scene. The castle, eroded by the trees, comes into view.