Chapter 82: To the First Destination

“And? Where is the closest village from here?” (Hiiro)

Hiiro asks Silva, who is walking in front of him, while he rides on top of Mikazuki.

Their final destination at the moment is [Xaos] but it was still extremely far away. They aren’t in any particular hurry so they planned to travel at a leisurely pace.

His objective was to reach [Xaos] and visit the [Fortuna Grand Library] so that he could read the books and materials available only to royalty and people of equal social standing.

Aside from his objective, Hiiro also wanted to look around the Demon World1. That is why he thought to visit several villages and other sightseeing places en route to [Xaos]. For that purpose he leaves the duty of guiding him to Liliyn and company, who are much more familiar with the Demon World than he is.

Of course, Hiiro only required Liliyn for achieving his objective. It wasn’t like he approved of her traveling together with him. When he caught sight of her admission permit for the [Fortuna Grand Library], he thought that he could use his connection to her to his advantage in order to increase his chances of being able to read the aforementioned books.

As a result of that thinking, though Liliyn is certainly a troublesome woman, Hiiro decided that he would travel together with her. However, it wasn’t like he was planning on a peaceful journey. He determined that if they were to ever become troublesome or useless he would immediately separate from them.

At the moment Hiiro is traveling together with them to acquire information regarding the Demon World, which is why he
was asking where the closest village was. The one who answers was not Silva, but Liliyn.

“The closest from here would be the [Asura Race] in the [Raohrb Desert]. Isn’t that right, Silva?” (Liliyn)
“You are correct. In my opinion, however, I believe it would be best to avoid that place…” (Silva)

Hiiro frowns at Silva who anxiously said so.

“What do you mean?” (Hiiro)
“The [Raohrb Desert] is an extremely dangerous place” (Silva)
“Hou2” (Hiiro)
“A boundless desert stretches across the horizon, but rather than the extreme heat, there is a slight problem regarding the [Asura Race]” (Silva)
“Hm? The [Asura Race] is a species of [Evila], aren’t they? Is there really a problem?” (Hiiro)
“I’m afraid there is. Their race controls the desert. I have heard that they do not take well to outsiders trespa.s.sing in their territory” (Silva)

Hiiro has heard that the different species of Evila don’t interact much with one another. Of course there are exceptions, but to the [Asura Race] it seems to be an obvious rule. It’s possible that they hate others that enter their territory.

“But they won’t suddenly attack us, will they?” (Hiiro)
“…” (Silva)
“Oi3, what’s with the silence?” (Hiiro)

Silva moves closer to Hiiro and whispers into his ear.

“Ojou-sama4 is also an [Evila]. Well, Ojou-sama is a bit of a special case, but it would not be wrong to basically think of her as the typical [Evila]…” (Silva)

Hearing that, Hiiro inadvertently looks towards Liliyn and remembers when he first met her and the few days that followed after.

“Mu5? What is it?” (Liliyn)

(That’s the typical…? Does that mean that I should be wary of the [Evila] as a whole…?) (Hiiro)

Suddenly being tested by poison, extremely powerful but gets a.s.saulted by her underlings, suddenly forcefully being asked to be her servant. Hiiro understood Liliyn as being an extremely abnormal existence.

Speaking of which, Hiiro also heard that the maid, Shamoe, had also been driven away by the [Evila]. In other words, he determined that he would have to change how he thinks of the [Evila] from now on.

Hiiro believed they wouldn’t suddenly attack without warning, but he would need to be prepared for anything since it wouldn’t be strange for the unexpected to happen.

“Speaking of which, what kind of people are the [Asura Race]?” (Hiiro)

Hiiro thought that having even a little information would be helpful in finding a way to protect himself.

“Hmm, about that…” (Silva)

Silva looks apologetic.

“What? You don’t know anything?” (Hiiro)
“Please forgive me. The [Asura Race] do not leave the desert often, and I hear that their population is relatively low. Therefore there is very little information regarding them. I have only heard that they once forcibly expelled people who had accidentally entered the desert” (Silva)
“I see. So only rumors…” (Hiiro)

If that’s the case, Hiiro can’t completely trust what Silva says. However, there’s no smoke without fire. Even if the rumors aren’t true, something similar probably happened. Either it is exactly as the rumors state, or… they may be an even more problematic race.

“What shall we do? Shall we continue towards the desert?” (Silva)
“I wonder…” (Hiiro)
“Mu? What is it? Getting scared?” (Liliyn)

Hiiro became irritated hearing Liliyn’s words.

“Of course I’m not scared. Fine, let’s go and meet those [Asura Race] or whatever they’re called” (Hiiro)
“Kukuku6, I wouldn’t have it any other way” (Liliyn)

Liliyn welcomed danger. Because that way she’d be less bored.

“By the way kozou7, don’t you think that you’re the only one who’s relaxing?” (Liliyn)
“What do you mean?” (Hiiro)

It seemed like Hiiro truly didn’t understand the meaning behind Liliyn’s question.

“Don’t play dumb. Why are you the only one riding that bird?” (Liliyn)

Liliyn snappily points at Mikazuki.

“Of course I am. Because she’s mine” (Hiiro)
“Kuikuikui!” (Mikazuki)

Mikazuki flaps her wings *basabasabasa* like she’s embarra.s.sed and raises her voice in a happy tone.

“Eei8! Why am I, your master, the one who’s walking while you, my servant, are relaxing on top of that bird!?” (Liliyn)
“Shut up. Who the h.e.l.l’s your servant” (Hiiro)
“Let me ride that too!” (Liliyn)
“I refuse” (Hiiro)
“Let me ride it!” (Liliyn)
“No way” (Hiiro)
“I said, let me ride it!” (Liliyn)
“Walk, Hikikomori9” (Hiiro)
“Who’s a Hikikomori!?” (Liliyn)

Liliyn shouts out without concealing her anger.

“F-Fun10. If it’s come to this I’ll ride it using force!” (Liliyn)

Saying that, Liliyn jumps towards Mikazuki’s back.

*sasa*!11

Mikazuki, however, immediately moves out of the way. Liliyn, who missed her mark, lands gracefully on her feet and glares at Mikazuki. Mikazuki freezes due to her glare, but…

“Oi12, leave it at that. Rather, Akaloli, you’re a rather despicable person to force yourself on someone who doesn’t want it13” (Hiiro)
“Ugu14…” (Liliyn)
“Don’t you think so too, Jii-san15?” (Hiiro)
“Ojou-sama, I cannot condone your actions” (Silva)
“Whaaat!?” (Liliyn)

Liliyn let out a surprised voice hearing Silva’s words. Shamoe, who was nearby, began to act nervously.
With a disappointed look on her face, Liliyn looks towards Hiiro and points her finger.

“I-I’ll definitely make you mine!” (Liliyn)
“Nofofofofo! That is definitely our Ojou-sama!” (Silva)
“I-I-I don’t r-really get what’s going on, but you’re amazing Ojou-sama!” (Shamoe)

Her two servants praise her.

“Instead of fooling around, let’s hurry up and get a move on” (Hiiro)
“Eei! How about you read the mood a little!” (Liliyn)

Hiiro was unsociable as usual.