Chapter 75: Camilla's guess
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On the night after my meeting with Mr. Delitz, the owner of the Orlando store, I received a report from Fred, who was out scouting for Rustock.
'Camilla........is concerned about the presence of the tamer.......'
'Is that because Pawl saw me telling everyone what to do?
'I think so... and I've been collecting information on the tamer.
According to Fred's report, Camilla had invited the guildmaster of Rastok to ask him a number of questions about the tamer.
The types of demons that can be trained, how many heads they can control at once, to what extent they can be made to obey, whether they can be made to listen to the instructions of other humans, and whether there are adventurers in Riesenburg who can perform such tricks....
The tamer is a skill that is mostly passed down from parent to child or master to apprentice, and the number of tamer's is limited in itself.
As far as the Guildmaster knows, there is no one in Riesenburg who meets the conditions Camilla has presented, he says.
I was stabbed and my face was seen during the operation, but Paul didn't seem to recognize my face.
Rather, he didn't seem to remember any of his classmates' faces either, except for the ones that stood out like Funayama and the chairman, and he didn't seem to realize that I was the one who was cut off in the first place.
That's why Camilla seems to have assumed that the ringleader this time was one of the five people who are believed to have died in the first actual battle.
She suspects that there were survivors among the fifty people who participated in the second actual battle, but considering the scale of the rescue operation, she seems to have decided that they don't have enough time to prepare for it.
'So that means Camilla thinks that the old and new duo, the gaseous glasses, and one of the three of them are the ringleaders, right?
'He seems to think so... but I suspect that the tamer is an outside collaborator the second prince's group.
'Does that mean you think the real ringleader is the Second Prince or someone from the faction?
That's right.
Camilla's guess is that some of the five people who participated in the first actual battle survived, and the Second Prince faction came in contact with them.
He believes that it is very likely that the tamer used a demon to assist in the escape so that Camilla would not realize the involvement of the Second Prince Faction.
If we can simply divide the version of the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction, the west side of Riesenburg is the First Prince faction and the east side is the Second Prince faction's sphere of influence.
In other words, Rastock is the power sphere of the Second Princes, and Camilla, the First Prince, is effectively controlling the city in Potts.
If the first prince faction and the second prince faction caused an armed clash, the second prince faction would be caught in the crossfire by Camilla's forces.
Naturally, the second prince seems to fully understand that such a situation exists, and Camilla seems to be aware of the fact that the second prince considers her to be an eyesore.
The reason why the number of knights in Rastock is small is not only because Camilla has only a few pieces at her disposal, but also because she has the intention of not wanting to provoke the second prince.
However, if the training of the 200 men summoned by the second prince will proceed, the war potential will be tripled, so Camilla must have been nervous about the movements of the second prince group.
Even if she suspected the second prince faction of plotting against the second prince, there is no evidence to back it up, so she is trying to see if she can't get proof of it by tracing it back to the tamer.
On the other hand, it seems that Camilla hasn't completely discarded the line of collaborators other than the Second Prince group.
If the third party was a collaborator, the defectors would be pointed at the entire Riesenburg.
In that case, they think that the most likely place to hide is Volzard, and Camilla has also started to prepare to send an emissary to Volzard.
''Reinhardt, what kind of person would a messenger look like?''
''It depends on the contents of the envoy's letter, but in cases like this one, where force is involved, it's common for the messenger to be accompanied by a few knights who act as bodyguards.
'So that means that once the letters of intent are done and the selection is done, the knights of Riesenburg will come to Volzard?
Well, I guess so.
I've heard that the Landshelt Republic to which Volzard belongs was originally a part of the Riesenburg Kingdom, so the relationship between the two countries is delicate.
Since the border of the country is the Demon Forest, it is an environment where armed conflicts are unlikely to occur, and although I heard that trade is still taking place, it seems that the relationship is not close.
''What do you think Camilla is going to write in her letter of intent?''
'Well, the most likely scenario is the return of the slaves.
'Yeah but we're all at Volzard with our braces off. What happens in a situation like this?
''Probably, but as soon as you register with the guild, you are recognized as a civilian. And since there is no slavery in the Landsholt Republic, there are no slaves to return.......''
I see, but that won't convince the Riesenburgers, will it?
Well, they might try to give us a reason to stay longer and explore the city on their own.
'Then I'll have to get everyone to stay in their quarters until the knight returns to Riesenburg.
I don't know how long it's going to be, but it's going to be stressful when you're canned in your quarters all the time.
''No Kent-sama, that's not enough.''
''What, because... well, the knights of Riesenburg might come to the garrison's quarters...''
No, that's not what I'm talking about. No, that's not what I'm talking about. Even if they don't see you, there's still a risk that they'll detect your presence in the city.
Oh I see....
A hundred and fifty boys and girls at a time would be noticeable if they were slithering around and shopping for daily necessities, and most importantly, the appearance of black hair and black eyes is foreign to this world.
''Have you seen a bunch of black hair and black eyes? So, if they ask me what kind of questions, they'll find out all at once.......
'Well, the sight of Master Kent and his men is a bit conspicuous.
If that's the case, I guess we'll have to assume that they'll find out that we're in Volzard.
It would be better to discuss this with Klaus-san at dinner tomorrow and think about a countermeasure.
Suddenly, Delitz-san's words that I heard during the day came to mind.
The man named Klaus Volzard is really a tough guy. Even if we could establish a blood relationship, if he judges that it is a disadvantage to the city, he has the judgment to cut it down.......''
If we are deemed to be a disadvantage to Volzard I don't even want to think about it.
''If they find out we're in Volzard and Klaus-san still refuses to return it, will Riesenburg and Landshelt go to war?
"There won't be a war.
Absolutely?
''I can't say for sure, but in order to start a war, we need to have the forces as a prerequisite. Camilla doesn't have the strength to attack Volzard right now.''
I see, the letter of intent from Riesenburg is just Camilla sending it to me, but it's not the consensus of the Riesenburg Kingdom, is it?
That's right, I completely forgot about the key strength.
Inside Riesenburg, the first and second prince factions are in a dark battle, and even if Camilla could draw additional strength from the first prince faction, it would be difficult for them to pass through the eastern side of the kingdom controlled by the second prince faction.
If that's the case, as far as whether the second prince faction will lend their strength, they won't be involved in reducing their own strength in the middle of a faction battle.
''That said, we'll make sure they don't find out that we're in Volzard, but when they find out.......''
''Yes, with our current strength, Volzard has the advantage, and in the first place, Volzard's walls will not be able to be crossed by Camilla's hand alone.
Even though I was in a hurry when I heard that the messenger was coming, I think I was a little too worried about it.
No matter how much you say you left the negotiations to the teachers, you can't be floating around on this level of detail.
''Kent-sama, we've decided on how to deal with the messenger, it's time for you to get some rest.
'Yes, and I've been invited to Klaus's house tomorrow.
Tonight, on the bed with more boxes spread out, Meisa is smiling and sleeping on the bed, surrounded by Malt and the others.
Yeah, I hope she doesn't drool tonight....
I ducked into the spot Milt had vacated for me, and Meisa, who had turned over, slithered in for a cuddle.
It doesn't matter if it's fluffy or not.
''Ummm.......Kent, great.......''
Hmph, I wonder if she's remembering what it was like in the guild during the day in her dreams.
That's right Meisa, I'm pretty awesome.
''Kent........great, dirty.......''
Buh-oh...
Well, it's okay........that's just how I am anyway.
But I would forgive myself if I saw Meisa, who hugged me, smiling and laughing in her sleep.
Fortunately, I didn't drool until the next morning, but I still woke up to find myself being pillowed by Meisa.
After we all ate breakfast together, we went to the garrison's quarters and talked to Oda-sensei about Fred's report.
Oda-sensei also had concerns about the Riesenburg emissary, but we decided to consult with Klaus-san before deciding how to deal with him.
The only thing we can do is to make sure that they don't leave the garrison's quarters.
At the same time, I'll hand over the materials I asked Reinhardt and the others to negotiate.
What? I thought you were enjoying throwing it all together? No, no, no, I just asked because I'm in charge of the paperwork and I'm in danger of making a mistake.
Even Reinhardt and the others were happy to hear that it's been a while since they've had paperwork done.
"Hm, this is helpful because it's easy to understand and organized.......
Yes, Reinhardt and his team are former knights, so they're very good at that kind of report.
Well Kokubun, you'd better learn how to put this material together.
'Well yes, I see.................'
Kokubun you were thinking of throwing everything together in the future, weren't you?
''No, no, no, it's not without its consequences but yes, I'll study it.
Hmmm, well, it's a good time to get some time off, it's not like you're very busy.
Huh....
Maybe I'm referring to the chairman and Manon, but the problem today is Beatrice.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to invite her to dinner, but I can't just let Beatrice have free rein in the absence of the chairman and Manon, can I?
But that doesn't mean I can't just coldly refuse her, either... Is tonight's invitation an unexpectedly tight spot?
After finishing the meeting with Oda-sensei, we left the garrison's quarters and headed to the clothing store.
In this world, mass-produced goods don't exist, so the clothes that are used for formal wear are basically custom-made.
There are some so-called ready-made clothes, but they don't have anything that can be used as formal wear, and most of them are everyday clothes.
From what Amanda told me, formal attire is the norm at gatherings of the aristocracy, but when citizens are invited, it's fine as long as the clothes are clean and not shabby.
However, the clothes I have were given to me by a carriage that was attacked by an evil creature, and they are quite worn out, so I came here to buy new clothes.
''Ko, hello........''
Welcome! Hey, that's not Kokubun-kun.
What, Mr. Sagara?
When I entered the clothing store Amanda told me about, the clerk who greeted me was my classmate Sagara.
Hehe, I'm working here because I'm interested in the fashion industry.
'Oh yeah, maybe Motomiya-san is with you?'
No, Aoi is more of a foodie type than a s*xy one, so she should be in the food business.
From the jobs posted on the guild's bulletin board, Sagara-san chose this shop's apprentice shop assistant job.
The owner of the shop didn't seem very interested in hiring her at first because he heard that she might go back to her country sooner or later, but when Sagara-san drew a picture of Japanese fashion, she changed her attitude.
It is true that the clothes we see on the streets of Volzade are simple at best and uninteresting at worst.
'Takako, are you a customer?'
Yes, Miss Flavia.
Huh?
I couldn't help but shout when I saw the woman coming out of the back of the store.
The woman Sagara-san called Flavia was about in her late twenties, with straight silver hair, triangular ears peeking out of it, and a thick, fox-like tail that was slightly blackened at the tip.
She's not very tall, but she has an uneven figure and is quite fleshy.
Flavia-san is dressed in a moe arrangement of a miko costume, as if she might be in an anime, with all sorts of revealing outfits, which makes me scream.
So the scarlet hakama is hot pants! It's short enough to make you want to plunge into it, and the pure white knee socks give it a neat and whip-smart look.
The white vest is stitched with red thread, the sleeves are furisode, and the chest is shallow enough to show the cleavage of the twin balls.
If I were to put it in one word, it would be the cosplay of a naughty priestess.
Mr. Flavia, he's the demon hunter they say he is.
'Well, well, well ... this girl? Really...?
After being told that I was a demon wielder, Flavia-san walked around me and looked back and forth from the top of my head to my toes and back again and again, looking at me dutifully.
Hmmm........you're a witchcatcher.......
'Ha, ha I think that's what they call me...'
Flavia-san, who came around to the front, folded her arms and bent forward slightly, glancing up to face me.
No, Flavia-san, that's a poor stance, I feel like I'm going to spill my contents.
''Ufufu, you're a boy........''
Ugh, you know, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm getting absolute zero stares from Sagara-san.
If you do anything here, they'll report you to Manon and the chairman of the committee, right?
''Ufufu, so what are you looking for, Demonslayer-kun?''
'Oh, well Mr. Claus invited me to dinner this evening, but I didn't have any clothes to wear...'
'I see, I see... well, we make clothes that can be used for formal wear too, but they won't be ready by tonight, so yes, I guess I'll have to do it awesome adventurer style... for now, let me get my measurements.'
Flavia took my measurements and laid out some jackets, vests, pants, etc., but frankly, I have no idea which ones I should combine.
I thought that cargo pants with lots of pockets would be good, but if I think about it, I can use the shadow storage, so basically I don't need pockets.
So I bought a pair of comfortable pants, a plaid shirt, a thicker jacket and a stylish leather vest because the temperature is going to go down from now on.
After paying, I put the wrapped items into the shadow storage, to the surprise of both Flavia and Sagara.
"You don't chant, demonslayer?
'Yes, I was able to use magic before I learned to chant or anything...'
''To begin with, there aren't many people who can use dark-attribute magic, but I see.......that's why it's a rumor.
No I'm not good at standing out too much, you know...
Ummm, things are changing more and more, most adventurers are just people who stand out from the crowd.
If you stand out too much, it's just going to cause you a lot of trouble...
It's called the fame tax, so we'll just have to give it up.
Huh........is that so.......
I can't help but sigh at the thought of getting tangled up with people who look like small fry or beer barrel sisters in the future.
The next stop after leaving Flavia's shop was Marcel's, who rents a warehouse between us from a friend.
Most of the goods in the shop and storefront have burned, but most of the tools in the workshop in the back have survived the fire, and Marcel-san should be making things to sell by the time the shop is rebuilt.
I don't know if they have shoes that fit my feet because it's only been about five days since I resumed work, but I've decided that Marcel's shop would be my first choice when buying shoes.
Following the map Herman had drawn for me, I walked down the back street and found myself in what looked like a warehouse district.
We walked down a row of similarly shaped buildings, looking for the number we were given, and we finally reached the warehouse we wanted to visit.
Looking at the situation from outside, I could hear some sounds as if they were working.
''Hello........''
Who's there? It's open. Come on in.
I called out to him from outside, and I heard the familiar voice of Mr. Marcel.
I opened the poorly constructed door, creaking it open, and I saw Marcelle looking at me from behind her workbench.
'Oh, look who it is, it's Kent,'
'Hello, Marcel, sorry to bother you.
Wow, you're a long way from home. You were pretty good at it last time.
No, no, I wasn't the only one who was able to defend the city, but it was also because of the work of the garrison and the adventurers.
Really? I heard that the demon king's family members were reaping the goblins like crazy.
Well, my people did their best, but we still couldn't protect them on our own.
Well, we'll put it that way. So, what's up with you today?
'Yes, as a matter of fact, I've been invited to Mr. Klaus's residence tonight...'
Oh, yeah, I see...
The shoes I'm wearing right now were given to me from the carriage that was attacked in the Devil's Forest, and they're quite stained.
Yes, please.
I had my feet measured and got out what I thought would fit.
'With Kent's size I think this one and this one will work.
I'll take that one, then...
Wait, wait, wait, don't try to buy them before they're ready.
As for the shoes, it is said that the expensive ones are meticulously measured and made to order, but most people choose their size and make fine adjustments to fit their feet.
What do you think...?
''They're a little tight in width...maybe I'll get used to them if I wear them...''
Hold on. We'll figure it out.
Marcel brought out a tool with a handle and inserted it into the shoe and began to widen the width of the shoe by turning the handle with a grimace.
'This way, the leather should stretch and give you a little more room,'
When I was in Japan, I bought things in my size without even wearing them properly and adjusted them to fit my feet as I wore them, but when I had them carefully adjusted like this, I felt like I had become an adult.
What do you think?
'Yes, it's a perfect fit. It's like a part of my leg.
Well, that's good.
Well, how much do I owe you?
No need to pay for it. Kent's been great to me.
No, because it was a classmate of mine who caused all this trouble in the first place...
So it's not Kent's fault, you know? After the shop burned down, I was desperate and it helped me get back on my feet, and I'm grateful for that. So I'd like to have that guy...
Mr. Marcelle I understand, I will wear them very carefully.
Oh, and if you ever have a problem with your shoes, you can always come to me and I'll be happy to help you.
Yes, thank you.
We talked for a bit afterwards about shoemaking and the shop we were rebuilding, and then we left the warehouse.
Now, let's go home and get ready to go out, shall we?
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
On the night after my meeting with Mr. Delitz, the owner of the Orlando store, I received a report from Fred, who was out scouting for Rustock.
'Camilla........is concerned about the presence of the tamer.......'
'Is that because Pawl saw me telling everyone what to do?
'I think so... and I've been collecting information on the tamer.
According to Fred's report, Camilla had invited the guildmaster of Rastok to ask him a number of questions about the tamer.
The types of demons that can be trained, how many heads they can control at once, to what extent they can be made to obey, whether they can be made to listen to the instructions of other humans, and whether there are adventurers in Riesenburg who can perform such tricks....
The tamer is a skill that is mostly passed down from parent to child or master to apprentice, and the number of tamer's is limited in itself.
As far as the Guildmaster knows, there is no one in Riesenburg who meets the conditions Camilla has presented, he says.
I was stabbed and my face was seen during the operation, but Paul didn't seem to recognize my face.
Rather, he didn't seem to remember any of his classmates' faces either, except for the ones that stood out like Funayama and the chairman, and he didn't seem to realize that I was the one who was cut off in the first place.
That's why Camilla seems to have assumed that the ringleader this time was one of the five people who are believed to have died in the first actual battle.
She suspects that there were survivors among the fifty people who participated in the second actual battle, but considering the scale of the rescue operation, she seems to have decided that they don't have enough time to prepare for it.
'So that means Camilla thinks that the old and new duo, the gaseous glasses, and one of the three of them are the ringleaders, right?
'He seems to think so... but I suspect that the tamer is an outside collaborator the second prince's group.
'Does that mean you think the real ringleader is the Second Prince or someone from the faction?
That's right.
Camilla's guess is that some of the five people who participated in the first actual battle survived, and the Second Prince faction came in contact with them.
He believes that it is very likely that the tamer used a demon to assist in the escape so that Camilla would not realize the involvement of the Second Prince Faction.
If we can simply divide the version of the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction, the west side of Riesenburg is the First Prince faction and the east side is the Second Prince faction's sphere of influence.
In other words, Rastock is the power sphere of the Second Princes, and Camilla, the First Prince, is effectively controlling the city in Potts.
If the first prince faction and the second prince faction caused an armed clash, the second prince faction would be caught in the crossfire by Camilla's forces.
Naturally, the second prince seems to fully understand that such a situation exists, and Camilla seems to be aware of the fact that the second prince considers her to be an eyesore.
The reason why the number of knights in Rastock is small is not only because Camilla has only a few pieces at her disposal, but also because she has the intention of not wanting to provoke the second prince.
However, if the training of the 200 men summoned by the second prince will proceed, the war potential will be tripled, so Camilla must have been nervous about the movements of the second prince group.
Even if she suspected the second prince faction of plotting against the second prince, there is no evidence to back it up, so she is trying to see if she can't get proof of it by tracing it back to the tamer.
On the other hand, it seems that Camilla hasn't completely discarded the line of collaborators other than the Second Prince group.
If the third party was a collaborator, the defectors would be pointed at the entire Riesenburg.
In that case, they think that the most likely place to hide is Volzard, and Camilla has also started to prepare to send an emissary to Volzard.
''Reinhardt, what kind of person would a messenger look like?''
''It depends on the contents of the envoy's letter, but in cases like this one, where force is involved, it's common for the messenger to be accompanied by a few knights who act as bodyguards.
'So that means that once the letters of intent are done and the selection is done, the knights of Riesenburg will come to Volzard?
Well, I guess so.
I've heard that the Landshelt Republic to which Volzard belongs was originally a part of the Riesenburg Kingdom, so the relationship between the two countries is delicate.
Since the border of the country is the Demon Forest, it is an environment where armed conflicts are unlikely to occur, and although I heard that trade is still taking place, it seems that the relationship is not close.
''What do you think Camilla is going to write in her letter of intent?''
'Well, the most likely scenario is the return of the slaves.
'Yeah but we're all at Volzard with our braces off. What happens in a situation like this?
''Probably, but as soon as you register with the guild, you are recognized as a civilian. And since there is no slavery in the Landsholt Republic, there are no slaves to return.......''
I see, but that won't convince the Riesenburgers, will it?
Well, they might try to give us a reason to stay longer and explore the city on their own.
'Then I'll have to get everyone to stay in their quarters until the knight returns to Riesenburg.
I don't know how long it's going to be, but it's going to be stressful when you're canned in your quarters all the time.
''No Kent-sama, that's not enough.''
''What, because... well, the knights of Riesenburg might come to the garrison's quarters...''
No, that's not what I'm talking about. No, that's not what I'm talking about. Even if they don't see you, there's still a risk that they'll detect your presence in the city.
Oh I see....
A hundred and fifty boys and girls at a time would be noticeable if they were slithering around and shopping for daily necessities, and most importantly, the appearance of black hair and black eyes is foreign to this world.
''Have you seen a bunch of black hair and black eyes? So, if they ask me what kind of questions, they'll find out all at once.......
'Well, the sight of Master Kent and his men is a bit conspicuous.
If that's the case, I guess we'll have to assume that they'll find out that we're in Volzard.
It would be better to discuss this with Klaus-san at dinner tomorrow and think about a countermeasure.
Suddenly, Delitz-san's words that I heard during the day came to mind.
The man named Klaus Volzard is really a tough guy. Even if we could establish a blood relationship, if he judges that it is a disadvantage to the city, he has the judgment to cut it down.......''
If we are deemed to be a disadvantage to Volzard I don't even want to think about it.
''If they find out we're in Volzard and Klaus-san still refuses to return it, will Riesenburg and Landshelt go to war?
"There won't be a war.
Absolutely?
''I can't say for sure, but in order to start a war, we need to have the forces as a prerequisite. Camilla doesn't have the strength to attack Volzard right now.''
I see, the letter of intent from Riesenburg is just Camilla sending it to me, but it's not the consensus of the Riesenburg Kingdom, is it?
That's right, I completely forgot about the key strength.
Inside Riesenburg, the first and second prince factions are in a dark battle, and even if Camilla could draw additional strength from the first prince faction, it would be difficult for them to pass through the eastern side of the kingdom controlled by the second prince faction.
If that's the case, as far as whether the second prince faction will lend their strength, they won't be involved in reducing their own strength in the middle of a faction battle.
''That said, we'll make sure they don't find out that we're in Volzard, but when they find out.......''
''Yes, with our current strength, Volzard has the advantage, and in the first place, Volzard's walls will not be able to be crossed by Camilla's hand alone.
Even though I was in a hurry when I heard that the messenger was coming, I think I was a little too worried about it.
No matter how much you say you left the negotiations to the teachers, you can't be floating around on this level of detail.
''Kent-sama, we've decided on how to deal with the messenger, it's time for you to get some rest.
'Yes, and I've been invited to Klaus's house tomorrow.
Tonight, on the bed with more boxes spread out, Meisa is smiling and sleeping on the bed, surrounded by Malt and the others.
Yeah, I hope she doesn't drool tonight....
I ducked into the spot Milt had vacated for me, and Meisa, who had turned over, slithered in for a cuddle.
It doesn't matter if it's fluffy or not.
''Ummm.......Kent, great.......''
Hmph, I wonder if she's remembering what it was like in the guild during the day in her dreams.
That's right Meisa, I'm pretty awesome.
''Kent........great, dirty.......''
Buh-oh...
Well, it's okay........that's just how I am anyway.
But I would forgive myself if I saw Meisa, who hugged me, smiling and laughing in her sleep.
Fortunately, I didn't drool until the next morning, but I still woke up to find myself being pillowed by Meisa.
After we all ate breakfast together, we went to the garrison's quarters and talked to Oda-sensei about Fred's report.
Oda-sensei also had concerns about the Riesenburg emissary, but we decided to consult with Klaus-san before deciding how to deal with him.
The only thing we can do is to make sure that they don't leave the garrison's quarters.
At the same time, I'll hand over the materials I asked Reinhardt and the others to negotiate.
What? I thought you were enjoying throwing it all together? No, no, no, I just asked because I'm in charge of the paperwork and I'm in danger of making a mistake.
Even Reinhardt and the others were happy to hear that it's been a while since they've had paperwork done.
"Hm, this is helpful because it's easy to understand and organized.......
Yes, Reinhardt and his team are former knights, so they're very good at that kind of report.
Well Kokubun, you'd better learn how to put this material together.
'Well yes, I see.................'
Kokubun you were thinking of throwing everything together in the future, weren't you?
''No, no, no, it's not without its consequences but yes, I'll study it.
Hmmm, well, it's a good time to get some time off, it's not like you're very busy.
Huh....
Maybe I'm referring to the chairman and Manon, but the problem today is Beatrice.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to invite her to dinner, but I can't just let Beatrice have free rein in the absence of the chairman and Manon, can I?
But that doesn't mean I can't just coldly refuse her, either... Is tonight's invitation an unexpectedly tight spot?
After finishing the meeting with Oda-sensei, we left the garrison's quarters and headed to the clothing store.
In this world, mass-produced goods don't exist, so the clothes that are used for formal wear are basically custom-made.
There are some so-called ready-made clothes, but they don't have anything that can be used as formal wear, and most of them are everyday clothes.
From what Amanda told me, formal attire is the norm at gatherings of the aristocracy, but when citizens are invited, it's fine as long as the clothes are clean and not shabby.
However, the clothes I have were given to me by a carriage that was attacked by an evil creature, and they are quite worn out, so I came here to buy new clothes.
''Ko, hello........''
Welcome! Hey, that's not Kokubun-kun.
What, Mr. Sagara?
When I entered the clothing store Amanda told me about, the clerk who greeted me was my classmate Sagara.
Hehe, I'm working here because I'm interested in the fashion industry.
'Oh yeah, maybe Motomiya-san is with you?'
No, Aoi is more of a foodie type than a s*xy one, so she should be in the food business.
From the jobs posted on the guild's bulletin board, Sagara-san chose this shop's apprentice shop assistant job.
The owner of the shop didn't seem very interested in hiring her at first because he heard that she might go back to her country sooner or later, but when Sagara-san drew a picture of Japanese fashion, she changed her attitude.
It is true that the clothes we see on the streets of Volzade are simple at best and uninteresting at worst.
'Takako, are you a customer?'
Yes, Miss Flavia.
Huh?
I couldn't help but shout when I saw the woman coming out of the back of the store.
The woman Sagara-san called Flavia was about in her late twenties, with straight silver hair, triangular ears peeking out of it, and a thick, fox-like tail that was slightly blackened at the tip.
She's not very tall, but she has an uneven figure and is quite fleshy.
Flavia-san is dressed in a moe arrangement of a miko costume, as if she might be in an anime, with all sorts of revealing outfits, which makes me scream.
So the scarlet hakama is hot pants! It's short enough to make you want to plunge into it, and the pure white knee socks give it a neat and whip-smart look.
The white vest is stitched with red thread, the sleeves are furisode, and the chest is shallow enough to show the cleavage of the twin balls.
If I were to put it in one word, it would be the cosplay of a naughty priestess.
Mr. Flavia, he's the demon hunter they say he is.
'Well, well, well ... this girl? Really...?
After being told that I was a demon wielder, Flavia-san walked around me and looked back and forth from the top of my head to my toes and back again and again, looking at me dutifully.
Hmmm........you're a witchcatcher.......
'Ha, ha I think that's what they call me...'
Flavia-san, who came around to the front, folded her arms and bent forward slightly, glancing up to face me.
No, Flavia-san, that's a poor stance, I feel like I'm going to spill my contents.
''Ufufu, you're a boy........''
Ugh, you know, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I'm getting absolute zero stares from Sagara-san.
If you do anything here, they'll report you to Manon and the chairman of the committee, right?
''Ufufu, so what are you looking for, Demonslayer-kun?''
'Oh, well Mr. Claus invited me to dinner this evening, but I didn't have any clothes to wear...'
'I see, I see... well, we make clothes that can be used for formal wear too, but they won't be ready by tonight, so yes, I guess I'll have to do it awesome adventurer style... for now, let me get my measurements.'
Flavia took my measurements and laid out some jackets, vests, pants, etc., but frankly, I have no idea which ones I should combine.
I thought that cargo pants with lots of pockets would be good, but if I think about it, I can use the shadow storage, so basically I don't need pockets.
So I bought a pair of comfortable pants, a plaid shirt, a thicker jacket and a stylish leather vest because the temperature is going to go down from now on.
After paying, I put the wrapped items into the shadow storage, to the surprise of both Flavia and Sagara.
"You don't chant, demonslayer?
'Yes, I was able to use magic before I learned to chant or anything...'
''To begin with, there aren't many people who can use dark-attribute magic, but I see.......that's why it's a rumor.
No I'm not good at standing out too much, you know...
Ummm, things are changing more and more, most adventurers are just people who stand out from the crowd.
If you stand out too much, it's just going to cause you a lot of trouble...
It's called the fame tax, so we'll just have to give it up.
Huh........is that so.......
I can't help but sigh at the thought of getting tangled up with people who look like small fry or beer barrel sisters in the future.
The next stop after leaving Flavia's shop was Marcel's, who rents a warehouse between us from a friend.
Most of the goods in the shop and storefront have burned, but most of the tools in the workshop in the back have survived the fire, and Marcel-san should be making things to sell by the time the shop is rebuilt.
I don't know if they have shoes that fit my feet because it's only been about five days since I resumed work, but I've decided that Marcel's shop would be my first choice when buying shoes.
Following the map Herman had drawn for me, I walked down the back street and found myself in what looked like a warehouse district.
We walked down a row of similarly shaped buildings, looking for the number we were given, and we finally reached the warehouse we wanted to visit.
Looking at the situation from outside, I could hear some sounds as if they were working.
''Hello........''
Who's there? It's open. Come on in.
I called out to him from outside, and I heard the familiar voice of Mr. Marcel.
I opened the poorly constructed door, creaking it open, and I saw Marcelle looking at me from behind her workbench.
'Oh, look who it is, it's Kent,'
'Hello, Marcel, sorry to bother you.
Wow, you're a long way from home. You were pretty good at it last time.
No, no, I wasn't the only one who was able to defend the city, but it was also because of the work of the garrison and the adventurers.
Really? I heard that the demon king's family members were reaping the goblins like crazy.
Well, my people did their best, but we still couldn't protect them on our own.
Well, we'll put it that way. So, what's up with you today?
'Yes, as a matter of fact, I've been invited to Mr. Klaus's residence tonight...'
Oh, yeah, I see...
The shoes I'm wearing right now were given to me from the carriage that was attacked in the Devil's Forest, and they're quite stained.
Yes, please.
I had my feet measured and got out what I thought would fit.
'With Kent's size I think this one and this one will work.
I'll take that one, then...
Wait, wait, wait, don't try to buy them before they're ready.
As for the shoes, it is said that the expensive ones are meticulously measured and made to order, but most people choose their size and make fine adjustments to fit their feet.
What do you think...?
''They're a little tight in width...maybe I'll get used to them if I wear them...''
Hold on. We'll figure it out.
Marcel brought out a tool with a handle and inserted it into the shoe and began to widen the width of the shoe by turning the handle with a grimace.
'This way, the leather should stretch and give you a little more room,'
When I was in Japan, I bought things in my size without even wearing them properly and adjusted them to fit my feet as I wore them, but when I had them carefully adjusted like this, I felt like I had become an adult.
What do you think?
'Yes, it's a perfect fit. It's like a part of my leg.
Well, that's good.
Well, how much do I owe you?
No need to pay for it. Kent's been great to me.
No, because it was a classmate of mine who caused all this trouble in the first place...
So it's not Kent's fault, you know? After the shop burned down, I was desperate and it helped me get back on my feet, and I'm grateful for that. So I'd like to have that guy...
Mr. Marcelle I understand, I will wear them very carefully.
Oh, and if you ever have a problem with your shoes, you can always come to me and I'll be happy to help you.
Yes, thank you.
We talked for a bit afterwards about shoemaking and the shop we were rebuilding, and then we left the warehouse.
Now, let's go home and get ready to go out, shall we?
On the night after my meeting with Mr. Delitz, the owner of the Orlando store, I received a report from Fred, who was out scouting for Rustock.'Camilla........is concerned about the presence of the tamer.......''Is that because Pawl saw me telling everyone what to do?'I think so... and I've been collecting information on the tamer.According to Fred's report, Camilla had invited the guildmaster of Rastok to ask him a number of questions about the tamer.The types of demons that can be trained, how many heads they can control at once, to what extent they can be made to obey, whether they can be made to listen to the instructions of other humans, and whether there are adventurers in Riesenburg who can perform such tricks....The tamer is a skill that is mostly passed down from parent to child or master to apprentice, and the number of tamer's is limited in itself.As far as the Guildmaster knows, there is no one in Riesenburg who meets the conditions Camilla has presented, he says.I was stabbed and my face was seen during the operation, but Paul didn't seem to recognize my face.Rather, he didn't seem to remember any of his classmates' faces either, except for the ones that stood out like Funayama and the chairman, and he didn't seem to realize that I was the one who was cut off in the first place.That's why Camilla seems to have assumed that the ringleader this time was one of the five people who are believed to have died in the first actual battle.She suspects that there were survivors among the fifty people who participated in the second actual battle, but considering the scale of the rescue operation, she seems to have decided that they don't have enough time to prepare for it.'So that means Camilla thinks that the old and new duo, the gaseous glasses, and one of the three of them are the ringleaders, right?'He seems to think so... but I suspect that the tamer is an outside collaborator the second prince's group.'Does that mean you think the real ringleader is the Second Prince or someone from the faction?That's right.Camilla's guess is that some of the five people who participated in the first actual battle survived, and the Second Prince faction came in contact with them.He believes that it is very likely that the tamer used a demon to assist in the escape so that Camilla would not realize the involvement of the Second Prince Faction.If we can simply divide the version of the First Prince faction and the Second Prince faction, the west side of Riesenburg is the First Prince faction and the east side is the Second Prince faction's sphere of influence.In other words, Rastock is the power sphere of the Second Princes, and Camilla, the First Prince, is effectively controlling the city in Potts.If the first prince faction and the second prince faction caused an armed clash, the second prince faction would be caught in the crossfire by Camilla's forces.Naturally, the second prince seems to fully understand that such a situation exists, and Camilla seems to be aware of the fact that the second prince considers her to be an eyesore.The reason why the number of knights in Rastock is small is not only because Camilla has only a few pieces at her disposal, but also because she has the intention of not wanting to provoke the second prince.However, if the training of the 200 men summoned by the second prince will proceed, the war potential will be tripled, so Camilla must have been nervous about the movements of the second prince group.Even if she suspected the second prince faction of plotting against the second prince, there is no evidence to back it up, so she is trying to see if she can't get proof of it by tracing it back to the tamer.On the other hand, it seems that Camilla hasn't completely discarded the line of collaborators other than the Second Prince group.If the third party was a collaborator, the defectors would be pointed at the entire Riesenburg.In that case, they think that the most likely place to hide is Volzard, and Camilla has also started to prepare to send an emissary to Volzard.''Reinhardt, what kind of person would a messenger look like?''''It depends on the contents of the envoy's letter, but in cases like this one, where force is involved, it's common for the messenger to be accompanied by a few knights who act as bodyguards.'So that means that once the letters of intent are done and the selection is done, the knights of Riesenburg will come to Volzard?Well, I guess so.I've heard that the Landshelt Republic to which Volzard belongs was originally a part of the Riesenburg Kingdom, so the relationship between the two countries is delicate.Since the border of the country is the Demon Forest, it is an environment where armed conflicts are unlikely to occur, and although I heard that trade is still taking place, it seems that the relationship is not close.''What do you think Camilla is going to write in her letter of intent?'''Well, the most likely scenario is the return of the slaves.'Yeah but we're all at Volzard with our braces off. What happens in a situation like this?''Probably, but as soon as you register with the guild, you are recognized as a civilian. And since there is no slavery in the Landsholt Republic, there are no slaves to return.......''I see, but that won't convince the Riesenburgers, will it?Well, they might try to give us a reason to stay longer and explore the city on their own.'Then I'll have to get everyone to stay in their quarters until the knight returns to Riesenburg.I don't know how long it's going to be, but it's going to be stressful when you're canned in your quarters all the time.''No Kent-sama, that's not enough.''''What, because... well, the knights of Riesenburg might come to the garrison's quarters...''No, that's not what I'm talking about. No, that's not what I'm talking about. Even if they don't see you, there's still a risk that they'll detect your presence in the city.Oh I see....A hundred and fifty boys and girls at a time would be noticeable if they were slithering around and shopping for daily necessities, and most importantly, the appearance of black hair and black eyes is foreign to this world.''Have you seen a bunch of black hair and black eyes? So, if they ask me what kind of questions, they'll find out all at once.......'Well, the sight of Master Kent and his men is a bit conspicuous.If that's the case, I guess we'll have to assume that they'll find out that we're in Volzard.It would be better to discuss this with Klaus-san at dinner tomorrow and think about a countermeasure.Suddenly, Delitz-san's words that I heard during the day came to mind.The man named Klaus Volzard is really a tough guy. Even if we could establish a blood relationship, if he judges that it is a disadvantage to the city, he has the judgment to cut it down.......''If we are deemed to be a disadvantage to Volzard I don't even want to think about it.''If they find out we're in Volzard and Klaus-san still refuses to return it, will Riesenburg and Landshelt go to war?"There won't be a war.Absolutely?''I can't say for sure, but in order to start a war, we need to have the forces as a prerequisite. Camilla doesn't have the strength to attack Volzard right now.''I see, the letter of intent from Riesenburg is just Camilla sending it to me, but it's not the consensus of the Riesenburg Kingdom, is it?That's right, I completely forgot about the key strength.Inside Riesenburg, the first and second prince factions are in a dark battle, and even if Camilla could draw additional strength from the first prince faction, it would be difficult for them to pass through the eastern side of the kingdom controlled by the second prince faction.If that's the case, as far as whether the second prince faction will lend their strength, they won't be involved in reducing their own strength in the middle of a faction battle.''That said, we'll make sure they don't find out that we're in Volzard, but when they find out.......''''Yes, with our current strength, Volzard has the advantage, and in the first place, Volzard's walls will not be able to be crossed by Camilla's hand alone.Even though I was in a hurry when I heard that the messenger was coming, I think I was a little too worried about it.No matter how much you say you left the negotiations to the teachers, you can't be floating around on this level of detail.''Kent-sama, we've decided on how to deal with the messenger, it's time for you to get some rest.'Yes, and I've been invited to Klaus's house tomorrow.Tonight, on the bed with more boxes spread out, Meisa is smiling and sleeping on the bed, surrounded by Malt and the others.Yeah, I hope she doesn't drool tonight....I ducked into the spot Milt had vacated for me, and Meisa, who had turned over, slithered in for a cuddle.It doesn't matter if it's fluffy or not.''Ummm.......Kent, great.......''Hmph, I wonder if she's remembering what it was like in the guild during the day in her dreams.That's right Meisa, I'm pretty awesome.''Kent........great, dirty.......''Buh-oh...Well, it's okay........that's just how I am anyway.But I would forgive myself if I saw Meisa, who hugged me, smiling and laughing in her sleep.Fortunately, I didn't drool until the next morning, but I still woke up to find myself being pillowed by Meisa.After we all ate breakfast together, we went to the garrison's quarters and talked to Oda-sensei about Fred's report.Oda-sensei also had concerns about the Riesenburg emissary, but we decided to consult with Klaus-san before deciding how to deal with him.The only thing we can do is to make sure that they don't leave the garrison's quarters.At the same time, I'll hand over the materials I asked Reinhardt and the others to negotiate.What? I thought you were enjoying throwing it all together? No, no, no, I just asked because I'm in charge of the paperwork and I'm in danger of making a mistake.Even Reinhardt and the others were happy to hear that it's been a while since they've had paperwork done."Hm, this is helpful because it's easy to understand and organized.......Yes, Reinhardt and his team are former knights, so they're very good at that kind of report.Well Kokubun, you'd better learn how to put this material together.'Well yes, I see.................'Kokubun you were thinking of throwing everything together in the future, weren't you?''No, no, no, it's not without its consequences but yes, I'll study it.Hmmm, well, it's a good time to get some time off, it's not like you're very busy.Huh....Maybe I'm referring to the chairman and Manon, but the problem today is Beatrice.I'm sure I'm not the only one to invite her to dinner, but I can't just let Beatrice have free rein in the absence of the chairman and Manon, can I?But that doesn't mean I can't just coldly refuse her, either... Is tonight's invitation an unexpectedly tight spot?After finishing the meeting with Oda-sensei, we left the garrison's quarters and headed to the clothing store.In this world, mass-produced goods don't exist, so the clothes that are used for formal wear are basically custom-made.There are some so-called ready-made clothes, but they don't have anything that can be used as formal wear, and most of them are everyday clothes.From what Amanda told me, formal attire is the norm at gatherings of the aristocracy, but when citizens are invited, it's fine as long as the clothes are clean and not shabby.However, the clothes I have were given to me by a carriage that was attacked by an evil creature, and they are quite worn out, so I came here to buy new clothes.''Ko, hello........''Welcome! Hey, that's not Kokubun-kun.What, Mr. Sagara?When I entered the clothing store Amanda told me about, the clerk who greeted me was my classmate Sagara.Hehe, I'm working here because I'm interested in the fashion industry.'Oh yeah, maybe Motomiya-san is with you?'No, Aoi is more of a foodie type than a s*xy one, so she should be in the food business.From the jobs posted on the guild's bulletin board, Sagara-san chose this shop's apprentice shop assistant job.The owner of the shop didn't seem very interested in hiring her at first because he heard that she might go back to her country sooner or later, but when Sagara-san drew a picture of Japanese fashion, she changed her attitude.It is true that the clothes we see on the streets of Volzade are simple at best and uninteresting at worst.'Takako, are you a customer?'Yes, Miss Flavia.Huh?I couldn't help but shout when I saw the woman coming out of the back of the store.The woman Sagara-san called Flavia was about in her late twenties, with straight silver hair, triangular ears peeking out of it, and a thick, fox-like tail that was slightly blackened at the tip.She's not very tall, but she has an uneven figure and is quite fleshy.Flavia-san is dressed in a moe arrangement of a miko costume, as if she might be in an anime, with all sorts of revealing outfits, which makes me scream.So the scarlet hakama is hot pants! It's short enough to make you want to plunge into it, and the pure white knee socks give it a neat and whip-smart look.The white vest is stitched with red thread, the sleeves are furisode, and the chest is shallow enough to show the cleavage of the twin balls.If I were to put it in one word, it would be the cosplay of a naughty priestess.Mr. Flavia, he's the demon hunter they say he is.'Well, well, well ... this girl? Really...?After being told that I was a demon wielder, Flavia-san walked around me and looked back and forth from the top of my head to my toes and back again and again, looking at me dutifully.Hmmm........you're a witchcatcher.......'Ha, ha I think that's what they call me...'Flavia-san, who came around to the front, folded her arms and bent forward slightly, glancing up to face me.No, Flavia-san, that's a poor stance, I feel like I'm going to spill my contents.''Ufufu, you're a boy........''Ugh, you know, I'm sorry.I'm sorry, I'm getting absolute zero stares from Sagara-san.If you do anything here, they'll report you to Manon and the chairman of the committee, right?''Ufufu, so what are you looking for, Demonslayer-kun?'''Oh, well Mr. Claus invited me to dinner this evening, but I didn't have any clothes to wear...''I see, I see... well, we make clothes that can be used for formal wear too, but they won't be ready by tonight, so yes, I guess I'll have to do it awesome adventurer style... for now, let me get my measurements.'Flavia took my measurements and laid out some jackets, vests, pants, etc., but frankly, I have no idea which ones I should combine.I thought that cargo pants with lots of pockets would be good, but if I think about it, I can use the shadow storage, so basically I don't need pockets.So I bought a pair of comfortable pants, a plaid shirt, a thicker jacket and a stylish leather vest because the temperature is going to go down from now on.After paying, I put the wrapped items into the shadow storage, to the surprise of both Flavia and Sagara."You don't chant, demonslayer?'Yes, I was able to use magic before I learned to chant or anything...'''To begin with, there aren't many people who can use dark-attribute magic, but I see.......that's why it's a rumor.No I'm not good at standing out too much, you know...Ummm, things are changing more and more, most adventurers are just people who stand out from the crowd.If you stand out too much, it's just going to cause you a lot of trouble...It's called the fame tax, so we'll just have to give it up.Huh........is that so.......I can't help but sigh at the thought of getting tangled up with people who look like small fry or beer barrel sisters in the future.The next stop after leaving Flavia's shop was Marcel's, who rents a warehouse between us from a friend.Most of the goods in the shop and storefront have burned, but most of the tools in the workshop in the back have survived the fire, and Marcel-san should be making things to sell by the time the shop is rebuilt.I don't know if they have shoes that fit my feet because it's only been about five days since I resumed work, but I've decided that Marcel's shop would be my first choice when buying shoes.Following the map Herman had drawn for me, I walked down the back street and found myself in what looked like a warehouse district.We walked down a row of similarly shaped buildings, looking for the number we were given, and we finally reached the warehouse we wanted to visit.Looking at the situation from outside, I could hear some sounds as if they were working.''Hello........''Who's there? It's open. Come on in.I called out to him from outside, and I heard the familiar voice of Mr. Marcel.I opened the poorly constructed door, creaking it open, and I saw Marcelle looking at me from behind her workbench.'Oh, look who it is, it's Kent,''Hello, Marcel, sorry to bother you.Wow, you're a long way from home. You were pretty good at it last time.No, no, I wasn't the only one who was able to defend the city, but it was also because of the work of the garrison and the adventurers.Really? I heard that the demon king's family members were reaping the goblins like crazy.Well, my people did their best, but we still couldn't protect them on our own.Well, we'll put it that way. So, what's up with you today?'Yes, as a matter of fact, I've been invited to Mr. Klaus's residence tonight...'Oh, yeah, I see...The shoes I'm wearing right now were given to me from the carriage that was attacked in the Devil's Forest, and they're quite stained.Yes, please.I had my feet measured and got out what I thought would fit.'With Kent's size I think this one and this one will work.I'll take that one, then...Wait, wait, wait, don't try to buy them before they're ready.As for the shoes, it is said that the expensive ones are meticulously measured and made to order, but most people choose their size and make fine adjustments to fit their feet.What do you think...?''They're a little tight in width...maybe I'll get used to them if I wear them...''Hold on. We'll figure it out.Marcel brought out a tool with a handle and inserted it into the shoe and began to widen the width of the shoe by turning the handle with a grimace.'This way, the leather should stretch and give you a little more room,'When I was in Japan, I bought things in my size without even wearing them properly and adjusted them to fit my feet as I wore them, but when I had them carefully adjusted like this, I felt like I had become an adult.What do you think?'Yes, it's a perfect fit. It's like a part of my leg.Well, that's good.Well, how much do I owe you?No need to pay for it. Kent's been great to me.No, because it was a classmate of mine who caused all this trouble in the first place...So it's not Kent's fault, you know? After the shop burned down, I was desperate and it helped me get back on my feet, and I'm grateful for that. So I'd like to have that guy...Mr. Marcelle I understand, I will wear them very carefully.Oh, and if you ever have a problem with your shoes, you can always come to me and I'll be happy to help you.Yes, thank you.We talked for a bit afterwards about shoemaking and the shop we were rebuilding, and then we left the warehouse.Now, let's go home and get ready to go out, shall we?
