Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Shinji and the others were escorted to the castle in Soukai Country. Since they were guests of Iwao, the king of the country, the castle workers treated them with respect even though they were dressed in unfamiliar clothes.
If there was one thing that bothered Shinji and the others, it was the fact that they took off their shoes when they entered the castle. In Shinji’s world, when entering a building, people either clean their shoes with magic or change into indoor shoes. So, this is the first time for them to take off their shoes and walk around without any shoes.
Now, they are led to the middle of the castle. This is the guest room where the lord of the castle meets with his guests. Shinji and the others are greeted by Iwao, the lord of the castle, as they enter the hallway with wooden floors and a tatami mat room made of woven grass. Shinji, the first to be invited, steps forward and bows his head, and Lila and the others follow his lead.
”It’s pleased to meet you and thank you for inviting me. I am Shinji, and I am speaking on behalf of this group.”
”I’m Iwao, the ruler of Soukai Country. Kurou is my confidant. He is absent because I let him do his work. But Kurou told me about you. You’re looking for someone.”
”Yes. It’s a personal matter. I was looking for a demon who might be in this country and I met Kuroumaru-san.”
”I see... please sit down first. It will be easier than talking standing up.”
”Thank you for your consideration.”
Shinji and the others follow Iwao’s lead and sit on the cushions at his feet. Shinji and the others, who are not accustomed to sitting directly on the floor, sit in different ways, but Iwao does not take this as a sign of rudeness.
(After all, they must be from a very distant land... I heard that they did not even take off their shoes when they entered the castle. He might be from the country beyond the sea as I have heard...)
Although it was difficult to judge from Kuroumaru’s story alone, the meeting with Shinji and the others confirmed his suspicions. But in fact, the correct answer is not the sea but another world. However, there is no way that he can predict that. Still, Shinji is hoping that Iwao will understand that he is from another country, and even if he does realize his mistake, he will not try to correct it.
”Now, the reason why I visited the capital is because Kuroumaru-san told me to ask for help if I need it. If I want to look for people, I should start from a town with many people. That’s also why I was planning to visit the capital once.”
”Hmm. Indeed. My people are not only human but also other races. But there should be no demons.”
”I thought I’d look around just to be sure. I originally wanted to go to Getsuya Country where the demon tribe is the lord... but after hearing Kuroumaru-san’s story... I decided to temporarily stop traveling in Tenshou Country...”
Why are there no demon tribe people in Soukai Country?
It is because the territories of Soukai Country and Getsuya Country used to be adjacent to each other, and the people of the demon tribe moved to Getsuya Country where the demon tribe is the head of state. However, they are no longer adjacent to each other.
”No way, they...!”
The image of the missing Shinji and others comes to Iwao and his men’s minds. They might have set the town on fire in retaliation. Just as they think so, another boom echoes through the castle.
”What’s next!?”
The source of the sound is the entrance to the castle. The person who was thrown out of the castle, along with the wreckage of what was once the entrance door, was someone who should not be in Soukai Country. He rolls on the ground and leaps to his feet, wearing a white cloak, the crest of an unforgettable foe painted on his back.
”Tenshou Country...!? Why...!?”
The Tenshou Country soldier’s face is hidden by a mask, and Iwao, looking down from above, cannot see much more than that. All he knows is that the enemy’s blade is at his throat. He can do nothing but be horrified by the sudden attack, and then a cheerful, unnerving voice reaches him.
”Shinji, we can’t teleport yet?”
Following the Tenshou Country soldier was Emily, who had just stood in front of Shinji in the Shinji group that had been right in front of Iwao’s eyes. She was holding a huge club in one hand, which even a grown-up could not carry, and was looking at the Tenshou Countrymen as she continued to talk.
”I asked Freri about it, but I guess it’s still not working. This is a very bad day. I guess nothing but unexpected things are happening.”
”It’s interesting, desu. I’m very curious to know what kind of theory they are using to block the teleport, desu”
Through the window of the castle, Iwao sees Shinji and Iris, the two people with whom he is talking, appear.
The conversation was a rare failure.
He should have gathered information about the other party beforehand. So, we have to be careful about sensitive stories such as the misfortunes of their relatives.
The adventure part continues. Now it’s time to set the stage...!
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.Thanks for reading.