Chapter 217 – Preparations for greeting them were completed!

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“This really is amazing…”

Solm said as he looked at the palace and the surrounding area.

The palace was surrounded in a garden, and there were several other buildings, and a hot house.

“Aye. You could play here for years without getting bored…”

The banquet hall, which was the result of combining all of Fendel’s technology and wisdom together… Well, the scale was much too big for a mere banquet hall now.

“In any case, the construction is finished. Now it’s just a matter of running and managing the place.”
“Please leave that to me and the people of Varthburg. I will ask Ylis as well, and have them bring the furniture.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Nobles have their own customs. So we should leave it to humans. As for food, I will have them brought here with horses and donkeys.”

We could not show off our airships to them.

In general, we intended to avoid contact once the royals and nobles arrived. It was more like property that we would be lending to Ylis and the others.

However, that alone meant there was no benefit for us.

And so we would have Ylis tell them that this palace was a gift towards the humans from the Fendel Alliance.

Just as I had spoken to the slave merchants before, I wanted them to think of Fendel as a great and powerful force. While we were already on friendly terms with the kingdom, there were other countries who may have not even heard our names yet.

Of course, the escaped slave hunters and men from the Knights Order would have spread news about powerful demihumans in the south. And we had to show such people that the Fendel Alliance was not hostile towards humans.

By doing this, we could hopefully prevent the humans from attacking Fendel. Furthermore, humans would be less likely to hunt slaves. They would be afraid of angering Fendel, and forcing us to retaliate.

Just then, Iria looked like she had suddenly noticed something.

And before I knew it, she had unsheathed her sword.

Melk’s ears were also pointed up.

“What is it, you two? Ah.”

I understood as well. The magic energy was coming towards us at a great speed.

“This is…”

When I turned my head, I saw a suite of black armor flying in the sky. And on its back were a large pair of wings.

It was capable of concealing itself, so the reason why it wasn’t doing that now, was probably so it would not alarm us.

As it came closer, the surrounding demihumans became anxious. Some of them even raised their weapons, but Iria ordered them to not attack.

Once it was over us, it slowed down and slowly descended.

Then it bowed.

“Please forgive this sudden visit.”
“You came before, didn’t you?”

While it didn’t have wings before, this must be the same armor that came with Grinia. The armor was identical, as was the voice.

It had called itself Sophis, and told me the words of the Demon King, which even Grinia had not known for some reason. It had also asked me to spare Yomotsu and the foxfolk.

And I had promised that I would.
Also, I asked Sophis to tell the Demon King that we were not hostile.

So perhaps my words had already been…

Sophis answered.

“Yes. As you requested before. I have told the Demon King directly.”
“You did? And the answer?”
“The Demon King wishes to meet with you once. And so, would you be able to visit the Demon King’s army campsite in the south?”
“And we can discuss a truce?”
“Yes.”
“Why can’t we meet somewhere in between?”
“That is… I am merely the messenger. Forgive me, but I must return once and ask the Demon King about that.”

Said Sophis. Iria looked like she wanted to say something. It was likely that she felt this was dangerous.

Yes, it was dangerous. However, if I objected now, the Demon King might not try to contact us again… That is what I thought.

This Sophis was clearly special. Different from someone like Grinia.

After returning, Grinia had told the Demon King of what had happened, and Olto was sent to attack us.

This Demon King was now sending this black armor to invite us to their camp… It was all so troublesome.

But if the intention was to kill us, then it would have made more sense to have the black armor call us to begin with.

In my mind, the Demon King that Grinia and Olto talked with was not Sophis’s Demon King.

Was this some kind of conspiracy… Perhaps we should try to send a message.

As Iria and the others looked worried, I nodded to them.

“…It was what we hoped for. However, there is one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Is this Demon King, really the Demon King?”
“There is only one…Demon King in the world.”
“I see. I’m sorry, but I have one other question.”
“If it is in my power to answer it…”
“Why didn’t you show us those wings before?”

As I said this, the armor turned to look at the wings on its back.

And then it slowly turned to face me.

“…I am able to hide them freely. I thought like this, you would be able to see me from far away.”
“I see. You said before that you were created. It is very impressive work.”

It must be hiding something…

However…we now had an opportunity to speak with someone who claimed to be the Demon King.
While it would be dangerous, I could not let this chance pass us by.

“In any case, tell the Demon King that we agree. We will go within a few days.”
“Aye, I shall tell the Demon King.”

Said the black armor, and then it disappeared, and returned to the south sky.

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Seisan Mahoushi no Rakuraku Henkyou Kaitaku - Saikyou no Ajintachi to Howaito Kokka wo Kizukimasu!