Chapter 230 – A Welcome!?

---

When the doors were opened, there was a sound of an explosion.

It wasn’t as if it took me completely by surprise. I had detected the immense amounts of magic energy from behind the door, which was coming from the Demon King.

And so I was ready to activate magic in an instant if necessary…

Ahead of the open door, the Demon King was pointing a spotted cylinder in our direction. Smoke was rising from it, and something like paper tape had flown out.

At first, I thought it was a new type of weapon, but it looked much too weak for something like that…

Iria also looked puzzled. Her hand was on her sword, but she had not unsheathed it.

Melk and the others were also tilting their heads, but Mette alone raised her voice in great surprise.

Sophis had a serious expression as she turned to the black armors. And then she turned to us silently.

The atmosphere became very awkward.

I suppose…this was some sort of welcome.

Maybe it was like a firecracker. She was trying to surprise us.

But our reaction was not what she was expecting… Well, except for Mette, anyway.

Eventually, it seemed to become unbearable for Sophis. And she looked towards the ground. Perhaps she was embarrassed about it.

And while things felt uncomfortable, Mette finally opened her mouth.

“Oh, what a surprise… What was that?”
“…A magic tool. It is used to surprise people who you want to bless during a celebration… At least, I heard that humans and demihumans use such things.”

Replied Sophis, but Mette looked confused.

“I’ve never heard of that…”

Said Mette, and Asuha and Melk nodded as well.

Sophis now had an apologetic expression, if she had made a mistake.

And so I quickly said,

“Ye-yes, humans do have such ways of greeting people…or so I have heard. In any case, thank you for welcoming us, Sophis.”

Melk also muttered.

“Children would probably like it.”

Sophis looked a little relieved.

“If that is the case, I will have more of them brought here. And you can take them back with you.”
“Grateful. It will be a gift. After looking at the city, there were other things as well. Want to learn how to make them.”

Asuha told Melk that she was being too greedy, but Sophis nodded without hesitation.

“We will tell you anything you like, once the gate is made. Though, there are many things that we cannot make, even if we know the method.”

Sophis said as she looked at me. Perhaps she was hoping that I would be able to make them.

After that, Sophis took us to the great hall, where the Summoning Stones were placed.

The hall was heavily decorated. There were decorated trees and drapes hanging from the ceiling. They would surely get in the way if this was a place for everyday activities.

Iria must have noticed it too, as she asked Sophis while walking next to her,

“…Did you return early in order to prepare all of this?”
“Yes… We have not had guests in a long time.”

While it was probably not as effective as she was hoping, it was clear that the Demon King had put in quite some effort into greeting us.

In the city, there had been other slaves other than Villian, but they seemed to have a certain living standard assured to them.

Which seemed a little odd…since the Demon King was supposed to wish for humanity to go extinct.

Well, perhaps it was just Sophis that was different.

Were it not her duty as Demon King…Sophis might have been able to make peace with the humans. But then again, humans also felt that fighting against the Demon King’s army was their duty.

In any case, it seemed that Fendel at least, could trust Sophis.

Eventually, a mountain wooden boxes and barrels came into view. And it continued on into the far back.

Sophis stopped and turned towards us.

“Here, I have gathered all of the Summoning Stones in my territories. Well, except some that were carried directly to the construction site, as it would be faster.”
“There is so much… With this much, we will surely be able to make it.”

I muttered, but Mette looked concerned.

“But, can you really carry all of this…”
“I’m not sure…”

Well, if I couldn’t, then we’d have to take several trips by airship.

Thinking this, I raised my hand towards the mountain of Summoning Stones.

“…What.”

Mette and Asuha gasped. Because in an instance, the Summoning Stones had vanished.

Even the Demon King’s people were stunned.

Iria and Melk must have believed that I could do it, as they were not surprised at all.

Sophis then turned to me.

“While it may sound rude…I did think that if you couldn’t carry all of them, then you would not be able to make the gate.”

Indeed, Sophis was probably right.

A gate that connected to another world would be very big. And as Sophis could also use production magic, she knew how important the size of a magic workshop was.

“Aye. However, there is only so much that I can do alone. It will require the help of everyone in Fendel… Also, Sophis. I want your help as well, as someone who can use production magic.”
“Of course. I shall do what I can. Besides…”

Something started to say something but stopped.

“What is it?”
“No… Nevermind.”

Melk told her that she did not need to hold back, but Sophis shook her head.

“More importantly, let us eat.”
“I can already smell something delicious…”

As Mette said, the smell of food had wafted into the great hall.

It was then that Sophis noticed something.

Apparently, she had noticed the black armor that had rushed into the hall.

“What is it? If it is not urgent, then it can wait.”
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. However, I have come here directly because it is related to the matter of the gate and Fendel.”

Sophis turned to look at me.

“…Very well then. Make your report.”
“Yes. A letter has just arrived from the human empire.”
“Empire? And who sent it?”
“It is…the Emperor.”

And then the black armor handed Sophis the letter.

…The Emperor had written a letter directly addressed to Sophis?

Did this have something to do with Kyuby?

Sophis read the letter and then turned to me.

“…Sir Joshua. The Emperor…”
“What did he say?”
“My previous plan… He wishes to cooperate with it.”
“He says that?”

The current Emperor was known as being a wise ruler.

Would he really agree to a plan that involved the deaths of so many people?

Of course, even the Emperor would have people that he wished to meet again…

Sophis nodded.

“It is definitely strange… Perhaps he has been brainwashed by Kyuby. Apparently, he has taken some of his best knights and gone south, ahead of his army, so that he can speak to me as soon as possible. He is probably just a few days away from Fendel now.”

It was possible that Kyuby just wanted the two armies to clash.

Sophis then continued.

“If he is being controlled by Kyuby, then he may have Fendel attacked first…”
“Indeed. If he heard about what we did in the capital, then he may try to rescue Yomotsu.”

Iria then said,

“While our defenses are strong, we don’t know what will happen when it comes to Kyuby. And while it’s unfortunate that we’ll miss lunch, we should hurry back to Fendel at once.”

I nodded at her words.

Sophis must have also felt that this was no time for such things, as she also nodded.

“I will go with you. If he wants to speak with me, then Kyuby may come as well… And I will tell Kyuby about the new plan.”

But would he trust us after hearing it? Well, he would at least listen to the Demon King’s words.

Regardless, it was best to talk first.

“Aye… That would help. Now, let us head back to Fendel.”

And so we hurriedly boarded the airship, and returned to Fendel.

Next Chapter

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