Kanzaki Demon Lord, Retry! Volume 3

1. Auflage 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7183-6302-1
Verlag: J-Novel Club
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, Band 3, 388 Seiten

Reihe: Demon Lord, Retry!

Leaving the village of Rabbi in the care of his advisors, the Demon Lord heads north with the adventurers Yukikaze and Mikan in search of an anti-magic solution. However, he enters the Bastille Dungeon during his search to find an unimaginable sight. At the same time, the village development steadily becomes an international success with the help of the influential Madame. Get ready for the third volume of the mistaken-identity fantasy, where a game developer plays a Demon Lord of his own creation!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kanzaki, Kurone

Weitere Mitwirkende

Iino, Makoto

Seacord, Adam

Leseproben

Side Story: An Outcast from the West, Part 2

With outcasts in tow, the parade from the Tzardom of Light continued down the highway. Despite their incident in the New Kingdom of Xenobia, they had some pep in their step. After leaving Xenobia, they went around the land of Myrk, which was controlled by fearless nomads, and passed through another small nation before regaining their strength in the Republic of Edogawa. Their conduct was unbecoming of followers of the Light, as they had caused a ruckus everywhere they went, from high-end bars to brothels, and ceremoniously whipped their prisoners to demonstrate the ruthlessness of the Tzardom.

“We are almost at Euritheis, Bishop.”

“Hm. Our pilgrimage nears its end.”

“I am speechless.”

“The Light will be pleased.”

While all they had done was torture their prisoners, taste local wine and delicacies, and sleep with prostitutes along the way, they had somehow convinced themselves that their mission had a higher purpose.

“Bishop... Are we safe in this country?”

“You really don’t know anything about the politics around here, do you?”

“I’m ashamed to say it, Bishop... I apologize.”

“No need.”

The bishop nodded with glee, betraying his disdainful choice of words. In his eyes, military leaders were a lowly species reliant on violence. This commander seemed somewhat redeemable, given his sense of shame of his own ignorance.

“Monarchy fell quickly here. Then, a colosseum fighter rose up and eventually took control of the national army.”

“Incredible...!”

In the war-torn north, there were always nations springing to life, ceasing to exist, being swallowed up, or getting flipped upside down in coups. At times, a man would wake as a king one day only to end up nailed to a cross before sundown. This country, Euritheis, seemed to have suffered that sort of turbulent fate as well.

“His name is Jack. Now he has started some business and does very well for himself.”

“I-I see...”

“Something the matter?”

“N-No, Bishop... It’s just...”

In contrast to his attitude in Xenobia, the bishop’s tone was not critical. In fact, he seemed to find it amusing. This Jack, in fact, seemed like just the kind of man the bishop would have normally insulted as some lowly ape.

“Fret not. Unlike the girl of Xenobia, Jack understands how the world works.”

“I-I see...”

The commander could only nod uncertainly at the bishop, but he soon understood what he meant. As the parade approached the capital, many citizens poured out onto the streets to welcome them. This was a huge difference from the nations they had passed through. The welcoming ceremony climaxed when they entered the castle in the capital. Soldiers in lavish armor lined up in formation, as a band dressed in flashy costumes cheerfully played their instruments. As the commander watched in shock, one stunning woman after another came up to the parade to greet each man.

“B-Bishop...? What’s...?”

“As I’ve told you, Jack understands the way of the world. He recognized the reign of our Tzardom.”

While the commander seemed nervous at this degree of welcome he had never experienced before, he couldn’t help but grin at the wave of gorgeous women trotting towards them.

“Sir High Knight, won’t you visit me at my inn, tonight? I would love to have you over!”

“Let me touch your sword, Sir...!”

“W-Wait a minute... I’m no knight...”

Many of the women went as far as to hand him a piece of paper with their address on it. Even as the commander struggled to react, his expression became more elated with every interaction.

“T-This is troublesome... The women here think I’m a High Knight...”

Catching the bishop’s glance, the commander hurriedly cleared his throat and straightened his back, but he received no scolding.

“No harm in it. Our journey is nearing an end. Once we return to our homeland, we will each be another step closer to the almighty Light. Nothing to fear.”

“I-Is that true, Bishop...!?”

The bishop’s words implied an upcoming promotion. The bishop must have assessed this commander to be a pawn he could easily handle.

“What’s up, Bishop? I’ve been itching for you to get here...”

Eventually, a fearsome man appeared with numerous advisors in tow. Seeing the bishop dismount his horse, everyone else hurriedly followed.

“It has been too long, Jack.”

“...You said it. You’re looking a lot more criminal than you did last time. You’d fit right in with my chief officers, here.”

“In your dreams, Jack.”

The two shared a familiar laugh and patted each other on the shoulders as they entered the castle gate. One could catch a glimpse in this interaction of how close Jack’s ties to the Tzardom of Light were.

As the band carried on the fanfare, a man standing atop the castle gate muttered to himself:

“Heh... That’s the party of the Light...? What is the world coming to?”

Wearing worn-out armor, he seemed to be an ordinary man in his 30s, save for his exceptionally sharp glare. Perhaps from lack of funds, he had a piece of leaf in his mouth instead of a cigar, moving it up and down.

“They’re from the Tzardom we’ve heard so much about, Eyze. They look like they’re loaded!”

“Heh, I bet they are. The Light’s a rather business-savvy god, it seems.”

Eyze chuckled with sarcasm. He was one of the guards who guarded the gates of Euritheis, tasked with picking out any dangerous figures among those who passed through. The young man next to him was a new hire.

“Oh, but what about the crowd behind them? They look pretty beat up...”

“Slaves about to get sold. That’s what happens when you lose a war.”

“Wait, doesn’t the Tzardom worship the Great Light...? T-They sell people!?”

“They’ll sell anything for a coin. The Great Light’s the light reflecting off of those gold and silver coins.”

“N-No...!”

Eyze had a good laugh at the expense of the newbie’s naive reaction. Soon, he was sure, his green compadre would become as jaded as he was.

“Judging by how cheery the boss is, there’s going to be a good deal.”

“W-What’s the deal...?”

“The thing. The one that gets you high above the clouds.”

“You mean...”

“I guess they’d call it a pain reliever.”

The new guard’s face turned green, as he apparently had heard enough. In the castle, the lavish party continued in welcoming the Tzardom’s troupe, but Jack and the bishop had excused themselves at a certain point and began their secret meeting in a glitzy room.

“You’ve prepared the goods?”

“No duh. I’m not about to disappoint one of my best customers.”

“We’re taking the sea route this time.”

“Smart move. Less chance and risk of getting caught.”

There was a large chance of bandits striking at night when traveling along the main road. Often, entire militias would turn bandit. Depending on the goods, they could have very well been attacked by some mercenaries, too. On the other hand, the sea route was relatively safe, and allowed for transporting much more of the goods at once.

“Hellion territory, huh...? That’s devotion if I’ve ever seen it.”

“With the Light’s guidance, it is our duty to face any tribulations that may come our way.”

As Jack spat out some sarcasm, the bishop took it as if it were breeze in the wind.

“...I hear one of your prisoners is a demi-human.”

“News travels fast.”

With a chuckle, the bishop recited the pre-meal prayer. While it was almost inaudible, Jack curiously watched the bishop’s mouth. After his prayer, the bishop solemnly took a bite of the ground veal. It was an extravagant take on the dish, with bread crumbs and egg yolk mixed in, seasoned with sugar and spice.

Eating a piece of fruit from his plate, Jack muttered lowly, “What if I told you that I wanted it...?”

After chewing the bite of meat in his mouth thoroughly, the bishop grimaced.

“You do like your elaborate meals, don’t you? This is one I’ve never seen before,” he remarked, ignoring the question. On their plates were many thin slices of apple peel, which were (peculiarly) all buttered, fried, and sugared. “Hm. The sweetness of butter and apple melt together in your mouth.”

“Hmph! No rush. Answer me when you’re ready.” While Jack raised a brow at the bishop’s attitude, he didn’t show any sign of anger. He was expecting a giant payload for this deal, after all. The bishop’s thoughts seemed to be in a similar place, as he appeared to be nothing but pleasant, unlike how he acted in Xenobia. The Tzardom troupe would purchase a large quantity of dangerous drugs here before heading to Hellion territory by ship. They would sell the flock of prisoners in Hellion territory before heading home. This was one sinister parade in the shadows of the Great Light’s glorious title.

“You performed one interesting prayer just now.”

...