20demayo Chapter 188
Chapter 188
Side Eugene 2 (Part 2)
And so, we ran for about five days. It reminds me of that story where a man runs to fulfill a promise with a friend, to be killed by his own will... I remember reading it many times with my daughter when I was in Japan. I’d like to discuss these kinds of things with Meg.
Actually, this journey is far harsher than that story, but it’s frightening how this body no longer knows fatigue. Well, I do get a little tired. We do take breaks at least once a day.
“Looks like we’ll reach the central capital tomorrow.”
“Hmm, then just a little more before I turn the culprit into charcoal...”
“Demon King-sama? Please stop trying to resort to force at every turn.”
When I said that in the evening during a break, Ash muttered as if he couldn’t wait any longer. Even Adol’s remarks are starting to show some fatigue. And this fatigue isn’t from the journey, mind you.
Actually, I think he’s doing a great job of restraining us three hotheads. Well, Gil isn’t quite like that, but he’s the type to quietly burn with anger. You never know when he’ll explode, which is a hassle that’s wearing Adol out. I know, but I can’t really control myself either, so it can’t be helped. Sorry, Adol.
“We’ve gathered quite a bit of information. A big city sure is different. The ladies will spill everything if Ash asks.”
“I don’t get it. Gil would have been fine too, right?”
“I refuse.”
Having a handsome guy sure is advantageous when gathering information. There’s the downside of standing out wherever you go, but they’ll often tell you things you didn’t even ask, and they’ll give you extra service during meals. In that sense, Gil would of course be perfect too, but... he hates people, especially women.
Although he had beautiful parents, his father died early, and he was raised by his mother who abused him, which is quite rare on the Demon Continent, so it’s understandable. Afterwards, the demi-humans who took him in and acted as his parents gave him a lot of love, but... it seems that the trauma instilled in childhood doesn’t disappear that easily.
“We’re finally starting to see the enemy.”
Gil, taking off his mask and hood, and lightly rolling his neck, muttered that. His eyes are bloodshot. He seems to be really pissed at the ones who took Meg. I feel the same way.@@@@
“I understand how you feel, but... please behave yourself when we talk to the emperor tomorrow. In the first place, we don’t even know if we can meet the emperor, the head of this country, without any notice...”
Adol, still in his beast form, flapped his black wings and pleaded. I waved my hand at him, saying “I know, I know.” ...Probably.
“We can meet him. No, I’ll make sure we meet him, so don’t worry, Adol. ...I am the Demon King, you know?”
“Ah... that’s the line to enter the capital.”
“W-We have to line up that much to get in!?”
“It can’t be helped. I read in a book that those of high status can enter immediately through a different entrance.”
“Then let us go through there as well.”
Ah, well, I guess Ash is of high status, in a way. But he’s from the Demon Continent. The question is whether the human gate guards will accept that.
“Well, we won’t know until we try. We’re short on time too.”
“You are a representative of the continent. I think we can expect something, right? If they contact the castle from there, the emperor might hear about it and meet with us quickly.”
That makes sense. If that’s the case, let’s head for that other gate right away. ...But there’s one thing that worries me.
“...Just because they don’t understand, don’t go releasing pressure recklessly, okay?”
If they faint, there’s no point. Worse, we might get caught as suspicious individuals and get into trouble. Well, there’s no way we’d get caught by human soldiers, but I want to avoid anything that would hinder our search for Meg.
“Of course, I won’t make the mistake of going overboard. But a little is unavoidable to make them understand, right?”
“...You’re planning to use it?”
“Then, Eugene, do you think the humans will understand with just our words?”
Unfortunately, I don’t really think so. Unlike the noble humans, we don’t have any identification. I could only sigh.
“We’ll manage somehow. Adol will negotiate for us, right?”
“...You’re dumping it all on me? I don’t mind, but it’ll change how easy it is, so please be really careful not to release any pressure, okay!?”
I have nothing but worries, but we have no choice but to go. With curious eyes from the surrounding humans, we moved to the front of the special gate. Haa...