Volume 3 - CH 27.1

Act 3-27.1: Faraway Kingdom

Algore Kingdom was ruled and inhabited by humans and was located in the farthest part of the north. Its name was inspired by an infamous giant who had hundreds of eyes, and since the giant had so many eyes, even if it fell asleep there were always eyes that were open. It was a giant that could stay vigilant forever. The giant, Algore, had created a meaning for its name because of his powers, which in this world’s language translated to「Surveillance」.

And, it was because they were the kingdom tasked with surveilling Nargol that they had adopted the name of the gian, thus becoming Algore Kingdom.

Initially, Algore was a fortress that was built to oppose the Goblin Kingdom, which was located somewhere in the southern part of the Akeron Mountain Range. Since the fortress would have become Nargol’s first target after initiating such a war, powerful warriors from all over the world had gathered in the fortress, increasing its scale.

The warriors who made that fortress as their base went out to subjugate the Goblin Kingdom first before they could cross the Akeron Mountain Range and invade Nargol, which was their biggest goal.

Yet, none of them had ever returned.

The warriors who were left behind after such a defeat had then decided to establish a country, using the fortress as the base point. Thus, Algore was founded.

Algore, however, had slightly different characteristics compared to the other countries.

Originally, the human countries in this world had to have ramparts in order to allow the humans inside to live in peace. Algore, on the other hand, was built within a fortress, noting that the fortress was initially built on a wasteland just for warriors to inhabit during war. Thus, no land was safe enough for the people to live with ease. It was also for that reason that Algore was not a wealthy country and why the food was scarce.

In addition, maybe due to the influence of their ancestors, Algore’s folks had a rough disposition. It was very natural for internal quarrels to happen in this country.

But, since it was only quarrels, brawls were usually the end of the case, it had never developed into the citizens killing each other.

However, that was before Shirone and the others visited Algore for the first time.

「I can’t believe this! What is wrong with the citizens of this country!!」

Kyouka started complaining after arriving in Algore Kingdom. Currently, she was resting in a guest room with Shirone and Kaya in Algore Kingdom’s castle. They had had an audience with Algore’s current king, also Omiros’ father, when they arrived.

On the surface, it looked like he was welcoming them, but it was clear from his attitude that they were not welcomed in this country anymore. And it wasn’t just the king, all the people in the audience room didn’t welcome them.

Though Shirone could accept the fact that they were hated by the ogres, she couldn’t help but feel dejected upon seeing that some people also hate them. Not to mention that they were now even coming with Regena. They hadn’t even bothered hiding their hostility towards the previous princess.

Algore had just experienced a civil war, and though the fight had ended, traces still remained.

Shirone realized that there were fewer citizens compared to the first time she came to this country. She realized why once she heard that there was a civil war. The gashes on the stone walls told her just how gruesome the war that happened in this country was. She heard that there were numerous casualties.

One of the main culprits for this civil war was Qupis, Regena’s father. Algore’s citizens still hated Qupis even though he had already died. Thus, Shirone and the two other women, who were protecting his daughter, Regena, were uninvited guests to them.

「Seriously, what’s wrong with them! Even though Regena-san has nothing to do with their dispute!!」

Kyouka voiced her complaints again. She was angry with the attitudes of Algore’s citizens.

According to Regena, she hadn’t participated at all in the dispute for Algore Kingdom’s throne. Rather, she had tried to stop her father.

Thus, Kyouka ended up being enraged upon seeing the Algore citizens’ attitude toward Regena.

Regena was currently listening quietly in the corner of the room. She didn’t talk at all after they entered the room.

「It seems you can’t stay in this kingdom anymore, Regena-san…」

Shirone nodded in agreement upon hearing Kaya’s remark.

Shirone had never expected that the internal dispute was even worse than she expected. It was so bad to the point that no one wished for Regena to come back.

Everyone, except for Omiros.

Omiros was the only one who was worried about Regena. But, he alone was far from enough to change the general consensus. If Regena stayed in this country, it was only a matter of time before she would be assasinated.

「If you really are worried about me, then send me back to Nargol immediately! SEND ME BACK TO MY DEAR MASTER!!」

Regena, who had kept silent until now, had finally raised her voice upon hearing Kaya’s remark. She then glared at Shirone and the others.

「What shall we do, Shirone-sama?」

Kaya asked for Shirone’s opinion.

「Uhm. I wonder… what shall we do now?」

Shirone was troubled. They had already extracted enough information from Regena. Honestly speaking, Shirone didn’t care even whether they sent Regena back to Nargol or not. The only reason she was hesitating was because of Omiros. She couldn’t bring herself to send Regena back upon considering his feelings towards her and his constant worry.

「U~hm, we also have Omiros-kun’s feelings to consider…」

Shirone muttered.

「… In short, it’ll all depend on Omiros-san.」

「If Shirone-san says so, then I have nothing to say.」

Kyouka and Kaya nodded in unison.

Regena at the side was slightly dissatisfied.

「Shirone-sama, there’s something that we have to consider too.」

Kaya added.

「What is it, Kaya-san?」

「It’s about the ogres. They seem to be spreading Myulmidons around Algore. I think it’s about time for them to attack.」

Shirone nodded upon hearing Kaya’s remark.

The ogres were just a puny hindrance to them, their main focus was Kuroki.

「Kaya, can we do something about those ogres before they come to this place?」

Kaya shook her head upon hearing Kyouka’s question.

「According to the people of this country, no one knows the exact location of the Sweet Castle, where Kujig, the Queen of the Blue Forest, resides. But, they told me that they always have to escape as fast as possible as soon as they encounter a place with a sweet smell. We might be able to locate the castle if we retrace where those ants come from, but… It honestly will take a lot of time. I’m worried that Kuroki-san might arrive in this country during our search.」

「You’re right…」

Kyouka seemed to be dejected.

They might end up missing Kuroki if they look for Kujig’s whereabouts. That’s why they couldn’t go look for the ogres.

Their original plan was to ask for more information from Echigos, but he, who was force fed with a bug by Kujig, was currently under the herbalist of this country’s medical care. He wasn’t in any state to hold a conversation.

In addition, someone else in this country might also have the same bug buried in their stomach.

But then, they couldn’t afford to check every single person in this country.

「What a really troublesome opponent.」

Shirone ended up cursing the ogres for making this matter more complicated.

「But still, we cannot just ignore them. That’s why leave them to me when the time comes. You should focus on Kuroki-san, Shirone-sama.」

「Sorry for the trouble, Kaya-san…」

Shirone apologized to them.

「Are you sure that you can handle all of them by yourself, Kaya?」

「I alone am enough to crush them, Milady. I think Shirone-sama is in bigger trouble than me. That’s why, please don’t overexert yourself, Shirone-sama.」

「Understood, Kaya-san.」

「HUMPH, WEAKLINGS LIKE YOU WILL BE SENT FLYING BY MY DEAR MASTER!!」

Regena, who was listening to the trio’s conversation from the side, cursed at them.

Shirone and co heaved a sigh upon hearing that.

（She must be getting irritated after being restricted for so long. I think we might have to do something about her too…）

Shirone pondered.

She by no means had any ill will towards Regena. It was purely by accident that things had developed this way.

「By the way, there’s something I want to ask you, Regena-san.」

Kaya then turned towards Regena as she spoke.

「What is it?」

Regena replied with an angry look on her face.

「How long are you planning to stay in Nargol?」

「Eh?」

Regena was clearly bewildered upon hearing Kaya’s question.

「What do you mean?」

「According to your story, Kuroki-san seems like he wants to send you and your tribe back to the human realm, right?」

Shirone, who listened from the side, had the same opinion as Kaya.

Nargol was the realm of monsters. It was by no means a realm suitable for humans to live in. Regena being able to live there was purely due to Kuroki’s influence. That’s why Shirone had also noticed that Kuroki wanted to send Regena and her tribe back to the human realm.

「Is something the matter with that? My dear master did try to look for a safe place for us in the human realm. But, finding a country that is willing to accept us isn’t that easy.」

Regena replied to Kaya as if it was common sense.

In this dangerous world, gaining a proper citizenship without parents being natives of the country was tough. The land where humans could live was limited.