GalaxyTL
“…Huh? C-Could you say that again?”
Just as I thought, since we didn’t arrange a meeting, we were having trouble explaining ourselves to the gate guards. Unlike among humans, where most are familiar with famous nobles, we were new faces. They have a right to be wary. Which is why Ash went to the front, to state his name… but…
“I have already said that I am Zahariash, Demon King of the Demon Continent. Have you not even heard my name?”
“N-No, well, I have heard your name…”
“Hmm, you do not believe me. Well, I do not have proof that I am the Demon King… Should I use my pressure then, Eugene?”
I’m not really up for it, but it’s getting annoying, and just as I thought we had no other choice, Adol stopped him.
“Demon King-sama, how about transforming into your half-beast form? I’ve heard that humans are more likely to believe a change they can see. It’s much better than having them sense some incomprehensible pressure.”
“Hmm, I see. Gatekeeper, is that acceptable?”
“Eh, ah, yes, certainly…!?”
That’s right, they can transform into their half-beast forms. It was a blind spot for me because I can’t. Ash transformed without even waiting for the gatekeeper’s reply.
…Come to think of it, this is my first time seeing Ash’s half-beast form. He mostly stays in his human form, to prevent magic power from leaking out, after all. Even in his half-beast form, the magic users around him would be intimidated by his magic power. And his beast form, a gigantic dragon, would make even humans faint. His human form completely seals it, so I’d completely forgotten.
“Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been like this. It feels strange.”
“…Normally, the human form, the one that suppresses magic power, is the more difficult one. The half-beast form should be easier.”
“It’s scary how quickly you get used to things. If anything, I’m more worried about losing control of my magic power.”
“Make sure to control it, Ash.”
Ash’s half-beast form, he has horns growing from his head, and parts of his skin, his face, arms, etc., are covered in scales. He also has a thick, long, tail that’s swaying, which is a bit amusing. It doesn’t seem that different from dragon-type demi-humans. Well, Ash is a dragon.
“Ah, i-it’s… real…!? I-I apologize! I’ll confirm this with the castle right away!! P-Please wait here for a moment!”
The gatekeeper hurriedly said that and then ran inside. Hey, hey, is it really okay to just leave us here? What if we barge in and start causing trouble? We wouldn’t do that, and nothing would change whether we were here or not, but…
“They only know he’s a demi-human, they’re not sure if he’s really the Demon King.”
“…I guess those who belong to the Demonic Realm are rare here. They reacted that way.”
Gil muttered that at Adol’s words. Demi-humans rarely come to this continent. They didn’t even cross over when the monsters went on a rampage. Or rather, they couldn’t, is the correct way of saying it. I’ve heard that during that war, a long time ago, the few demi-human slaves they have on this continent went on a rampage. Well, even that’s something only a select few would know. Basically, normal people have no chance of seeing a demi-human.
“That’s right. They might have reacted the same way even if Gil or you were in your half-beast forms, Adol.”
“No, we’re bird-type, so it wouldn’t be that bad.”
Come to think of it, I’ve seen Adol’s, but I’ve never seen Gil’s half-beast form. I glanced over at him, but…
“I don’t use it. It’s a waste of magic power.”
“Stop reading my mind…”
Gil, even though he has a considerable amount of magic power, though less than Ash and me, is incredibly serious. To conserve even that tiny amount… Well, we’ll be starting our search for Meg soon, so it’s definitely better to conserve magic power.
It seemed like the gatekeeper had returned. He was breathing a little heavily, but… hey, is he out of shape? To be panting after such a short distance… No, maybe I’d be the same, if I was a normal human. But I wish he’d exercise more, since he’s a gatekeeper.
“W-Well then, for now, we will let you through… but this is a bit too much for us… The captain of the Central Knights, along with several knights, will be waiting ahead to escort you to the castle. Please explain everything to the captain…”
“Ah, so humans cannot use magic or magic tools to contact those above. How inconvenient.”
Ash furrowed his brow at having to explain things to various people. Ah, it’s definitely annoying. But if they were to use a game of telephone, the story might change along the way.
“That’s not all. It’s difficult for humans to directly talk to those in charge. Unlike the Demon King, the strongest isn’t the one at the top, you know? There’s even the possibility of being attacked when you go to talk to them directly.”
“Hmm. I am used to assassins, but if you do not have any means to defend yourself, it is easy to lose your life.”
“That’s why they have those knights as escorts. I think they have separate knights to protect the country, and to protect the royals. Right?”
The gatekeeper, when I asked this, hurriedly answered, “Yes.” Apparently, the one who’ll be escorting us to the castle is the captain of the knights that protect the country, and then more knights, who protect the royals, will join us when we arrive at the castle. This is so damn annoying.
“W-Well then, please follow me. Ah, do you see them? The one standing at the front is the captain of the knights, Freed.”
The gate opened, and when we followed the gatekeeper, after just a few steps, the inside of the gate came into view. Five men, in red armor, were lined up, and in front of them, a particularly well-built man was standing at attention. That must be the captain.
“Captain Freed, these are the Demon King and his… entourage.”
“Ah, I’ll take it from here. You can get back to work.”
The gatekeeper called out to the captain, and the captain gave a brief instruction in a low voice. The gatekeeper then bowed to the captain, and to us, and returned to his original position. And entourage, huh? Well, we haven’t introduced ourselves, but still…
“We apologize for the wait. Could you state your names once again? It’s protocol.”
The captain gave us a shallow bow, and then continued, his tone formal. Ash and Gil seemed puzzled. This kind of custom isn’t really a thing on the Demon Continent. We can usually tell who someone is from their aura and magic power, and if you’re in the same organization, all you have to do is tell someone, and it’ll quickly spread.
“Hmm, well, if it’s protocol, I suppose I have no choice. I am Zahariash, Demon King of the Demon Continent. I have come to inquire about something from the emperor of this country.”
“The Demon King himself…?”
For the ruler of a continent to personally visit… that’s inconceivable for a human, I’m sure. And with three members in his entourage, as if bodyguards. Though they’re not really bodyguards.
I could see a hint of suspicion in the captain’s eyes. I’d expected this. And so, I finally spoke up.
“I’m Eugene. I’m acquainted with the previous emperor. Didn’t he say something to you? To hear me out, if I ever came calling.”
“! Eugene-sama…! F-For confirmation, the name of the previous emperor…”
“Ethan, right?”
“…’Tortiga is in darkness’?”
Oh, as expected of the captain. He knows the password, something only the ruler of the country would know. He whispered it to me.
“’Be the guiding light for the people.’ Contact the emperor.”
“…I have received your message. I’ll escort you there immediately.”
The captain, Freed, finally bowed his head. The knights behind him all bowed simultaneously. I felt the sharp stares of those behind me, demanding an explanation. I got it! I’ll explain later!