Chapter 219 – We Were Tested!?

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“So that is the camp of the Demon King’s army. Though, it’s more of a…”

Iria muttered as she looked at the campsite in front of us.

There were tents of various shapes and sizes, and colorful banners.

“It feels like a city that goes on and on.”

When we went to see Ylis about the Emperor’s expedition, we were surprised by the number and scale of the campsites surrounding the royal capital.

However, they did not compare to what was sprawling ahead of us now. There were over a hundred thousand soldiers gathered here.

Around us, there were numerous kinds of monsters on guard or training. And if they attacked, we would stand little chance against them.

As for the sky, there were also monsters on patrol. Most of them were wyverns.
But I also saw cockatrices, harpies and other monsters that I had never seen in Fendel before.

Eventually, one cockatrice seemed to notice us, as it let out an eerie cry.

And the monsters who were guarding started to move towards us.

However, as if to move past them, something else came down from the sky.

The black armor…it was Sophis. It was flying towards us, but without wings this time.

Sophis then landed in front of us and bowed deeply.

“I am sophis. I have come to greet you, Sir Joshua and Lady Iria. The Demon King is waiting. Please follow me.”
“Aye, thank you. However…”

I started to say, and the black armor tilted its head in puzzlement.

“…Uh, nevermind. Take us there.”
“Yes.”

And then Sophis started walking.

As for the other monsters, they then dispersed as if nothing had happened.

Even if they knew we were not enemies… They lowered their guard so quickly…

Not only that, but you would think that they would at least show some curiosity towards us… But it was almost shocking how little interest the monsters showed in us.

Unable to hold it back, I said to the black armor,

“You really are more than you seem.”
“I am merely a messenger of the Demon King. The others are paying the respect you two deserve as the Demon King’s quests.”
“It seems more like indifference than respect.”

As if we are not even here…

Even when we entered the campsite, the monsters acted naturally.
Groups of goblins drank something like beer as they talked and laughed. And even when we passed them, they showed no interest at all.
The orcs talked loudly about killing humans, but did not even turn their head in our direction.

Something was definitely strange.

And the first thing that came to my mind was Kyuby.
According to Yomotsu, the Demon King was their master. So it would not be strange if the Demon King and other subordinates were able to use the same magic as them.

The magic that Kyuby used to control the minotaurs and priests… It was likely that it was being used now.

Of course, we had drunk some of the potion made of Ent leaves, so that it wouldn’t happen to us. And I had also mixed herbs with various other effects into the potion as well. And I had more stocked in magic workshop.

Furthermore, the minotaurs, who had been hypnotized, told me to be careful of a red light. It was probably the sign that the magic was being cast.

As I waited for such a thing to occur, the black armor muttered.

“Do not worry. This is to ensure that they are respectful. I swear, nothing shall be done to you two.”
“…Normally, one would be more cautious if they heard that.”
“Is that so? I am sorry… Human emotions are difficult to understand.”

The black armor muttered as we walked.

“Then I shall tell you the truth. The Demon King means to test you first.”

I never trust someone who declared they were now going to speak the truth.
However, I doubted it was lying at this moment.

“Test us for what?”
“You will know if you keep going. However…”

The black armor stopped and turned to face us.

“No matter what happens, the Demon King will not hurt any guests. If something happens that puts your lives in danger, you will be carried out of the campsite. But negotiations…”
“We will have to give up.”
“Yes.”

The black armor bowed its head ceremoniously.

I then turned my eyes to an especially large, mountain-like tent up ahead.

Above it was a black banner that was raised higher than the others.

“So the Demon King is in there…”

Iria and I turned to each other.

“Let us go then.”

Iria said in a reassuring voice, and I nodded.

And like that, we made our way to the tent.

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