Objectively, Bathesia was beautiful. Not to mention the succubus. Rather than beautiful, she gave off more of a cute impression, but it was still a rarity in a rural village. The hood was more comfortable.

“Hmm. Anyway, it means I’m beautiful.”

Bathesia smiled, pleased with Karos’s words. The succubus also giggled.

“Speaking of which, Soccu.”

“Yes, my lord… Ah, Master.”

“…Can you do something about that on your head?”

The hood over the succubus’s head was subtly moving. Karos clicked his tongue.

“It’s attracting even more attention. Honestly, it’s scary.”

The bulge in the hood moved unsettlingly. It looked like something bizarre was inside. The succubus adjusted her hood.

“I’d like to, but… the slime brother wants to see outside. Please stay still for a bit? I’ll show you later.”

“…You can communicate?”

“Yes. It’s not perfect, but simple communication is possible.”

“Even the creatures you summon can talk to each other.”

“That’s interesting.”

Slimes that could communicate were extremely rare. This could be useful. Karos stroked his chin, pondering when someone bumped into them.

“What’s that?”

Glancing over, they saw a child exuding a musty smell. Probably around twelve years old, he was so skinny he looked like he could die at any moment. The child quickly bowed.

“Sorry…”

“How dare.”

Bathesia’s face twisted in anger, and murderous intent enveloped her. The child’s face turned pale in an instant.

“How dare a human, with that filthy body, bump into me? Die…”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Karos slapped Bathesia on the head. She grabbed her head, teary-eyed, and screamed.

“Why did you hit me!”

“For trying to kill someone just because they bumped into you. Go on, hurry.”

“Yes! Yes!”

The child ran away as if fleeing. Bathesia gritted her teeth.

“Why let him go?”

“You need to change that attitude.”

Karos clicked his tongue. Bathesia was a typical Demon King, arrogant and disdainful of humans. Not necessarily bad, but not aligned with his approach.

“I’ll have to retrain you later. For now, let’s keep walking. We’re almost there.”

A merchant was selling fruit up ahead.

* * *

“Just so you know.”

Before approaching the merchant, Karos turned and sternly instructed them.

“Whatever I say there, you two keep quiet. Got it?”

“Yes!”

“Do I look like a child who causes trouble everywhere?”

“Isn’t that the case? Anyway, you got it?”

“Got it, got it. Really, you could just leave us and go buy it yourself.”

“Leaving you two might cause trouble. So, you agree?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Karos approached the merchant. Watching them, he chuckled.

“Ah, rare visitors to this place. Travelers, are you?”

“Yes. We’ve been wandering around the continent. Do you sell apples?”

“Yes. Are those two your companions?”

“That’s right.”

Karos nodded and picked up an apple, admiring it.

“Well ripened.”

“You know your stuff. It’s been a bountiful year, so the apples are delicious.”

The merchant laughed heartily, pleased with the praise for his goods. Naturally, he became more relaxed. Karos casually asked,

“By the way, why does the domain have such a tense atmosphere? It feels somewhat uneasy.”

“Um, that’s because…”

The merchant lowered his posture as if sharing a secret and whispered.

“Actually, it’s because of the lord. It’s a bit noisy.”

“The lord?”

“Yes. The new lord is not well-received. You know, the typical arrogant noble. Nothing has happened yet, but the residents are understandably worried.”

“Hmm. That must be tough.”

“Yeah, well.”

Karos fiddled with an apple and muttered to himself about the lord and the uneasy relationship.

The merchant licked his lips.

“It would have been nice if the lady had become the lord, but a woman can’t be a lord, so it’s unfortunate.”

“A lady, was there a daughter?”

“Yes. A kind and beautiful lady who took good care of even us commoners. She’s not here anymore, though.”

“That’s regrettable.”

“But…”

The merchant looked around. His already low voice became even softer.

“This is just between us, but there’s a rumor that the lord has confined her.”

“…Why?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t get along well. There are rumors that the lord confined her because he couldn’t stand it anymore, or she was caught plotting rebellion. Anyway, the atmosphere is tense.”

“I see.”

Although it might just be rumors, it was worth investigating. He wanted to ask more, but that might raise suspicion. This was the limit. Karos picked some apples.

“Well, it’s none of my business as a traveler. How much for these?”

“Four coins will do.”

Four coins. He didn’t know their exact value, but he had a lot of currency with him. It should be enough.

“Okay, Soccu.”

Karos reached out his hand for money. The succubus replied calmly.

“I don’t have any.”

“…You don’t?”

Karos stared blankly. He had insisted on keeping the money himself, so it was all given to the succubus. She liked the feeling of carrying out orders.

But now she said she had none.

“What do you mean?”

“Really, I don’t. The kid from earlier took it.”

The succubus giggled. Karos’s face slowly crumpled. The merchant watched, wondering what was going on.

“…So, the kid who bumped into us took it?”

“Yes.”

“And you just let him?”

“Yes. He took it so naturally. At that moment, I realized! These days, if someone bumps into you, they take your money as compensation! Isn’t it perfect!”

“…”

Karos covered his face as the succubus boasted, expecting praise.

“You too have your troubles. Take the apples.”

The merchant sympathetically shook his head.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!