Chapter 320: Higher――

The area around the mountain castle of the Nameless Kingdom is a forest area with mountains and trees, but there was a woman who walked along a pathless road while squeezing through the forest area leading to the mountain castle.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"The same place again"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti muttered, staring at the markers on the trees. Due to the wandering magic that Russ had cast on the mountains and forests, it was impossible to reach the castle by normal means, or even to pa.s.s through the forest area that led to the mountain. As a mage, one would think that Nephti would be able to fly. Maybe it"s the effect of magic or maybe it"s just her compet.i.tive nature. She"s not in the mood.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"G.o.dd.a.m.n Undead Russ"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

There was a reason why Nephti had to go to the mountain castle. She had already been wandering in this forest area for more than an hour when she separated with Yuu and immediately headed for the mountain castle.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"So, what do you want from me?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What? You"ve noticed?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Along with her voice, the ones who appeared from the trees were the ones who had been escorting Yuu before――the most elite, the captains of the Nameless Kingdom Army.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Pee. Don"t get sick. It"s not like I was hiding from you. If I was serious, I wouldn"t let you notice me"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The male beastman didn"t hide his displeasure and glared at Nephti while spitting on the ground.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Hou....... Even beastmen joke, don"t they?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Ah?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Stop it. You didn"t come here to fight, did you?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Breaking into the swordsman atmosphere is a male beastman wearing heavy equipment suitable for his fine physique――a man of the wild boar tribe who is the captain of the first guard corps.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m sure she"s the one who started the fight! It"s a newcomer´s habit!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Newcomer?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"If you"re not a newcomer to our country, then what are you?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Our country?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti snickered at the male beastman as if he were a fool.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Youu......! What"s so funny!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It was Odono-sama who transformed this island, which was originally a desolate land, into a lush island. What does the beast-like atmosphere that doesn"t stand up say in a big way!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The people around yawned and watched the situation, saying, 「Here we go again」.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Beastmen arent useful!?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"That"s right. Who prepared the water, food, clothes, crops and livestock for the dwelling? Who gave the art of war? Who built the rock wall that surrounds this island? Who built the great forests, mountains and castles on the road to the city from the eastern sh.o.r.e, the only way in? It must have been Odono-sama!　Don"t tell me you owe it all to yourselves?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

It was all true. The male beastman, unable to say anything back, could only groan and say, 「Guuu......」.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Oh, don"t get c.o.c.ky because you"ve been given a weapon by the king!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Are you jealous of me?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Haah!? I got one too!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

That said, the male beastman hits the two short swords on his waist with his hands.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"They are made of Mithril alloy, but I use the same black dragon horns as Odono-sama"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti stroked the magic spear that Yuu had given her, as if to show it to everyone. With that alone, the curse of the magic spear deprives Nephti"s body of physical strength.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Guuuu! That"s pretty much it! When did you become the captain! I don"t know if you were the self-made mother-in-law, but no one here admitted that! And you call yourself the king"s bodyguard!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s the demon hood group! You fool! It seems that the Kingsguard is dissatisfied with it, but what is wrong with the demon clan, led by me, the strongest and most loyal, calling themselves the guards of Odono-sama?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Already unforgiveable――guwaaa!?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The moment the male beastman tried to touch the handle of his short swords, he got hit on his head. It was the boarman who dropped his fist. His entire body was covered with heavy equipment made of mithril alloy, so even a mere fist blow was extremely powerful. The beast man is rolling around on the ground holding his head.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Wh, What you"re doing~!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I told you in advance not to get into any stupid fights"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Because this guy!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"That"s enough. You"re complicating things. Shut up for a minute"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman glared at the beastman who was still trying to protest and silenced him.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You know what you"re doing, Nephti"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Huh. What do you want? I"m a busy woman, even if I look like this. If you want to talk to me, you"d better make it quick"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s about what you were talking about with Namari. I want to know more about it"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Why do I have to talk to you guys?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"We"re all captains here. If it concerns the king, shouldn"t we share it?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I don"t think so"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

With a click of his tongue, someone else interrupted their conversation.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"If you listen silently from earlier, what"s going on? You should just talk!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Everyone"s eyes were drawn to the one who spoke up.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"This Zen.o.bia is not as lenient as the others!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

A female elf――Zen.o.bia glares at everyone, leaning against a tree in a cool position. Beside her, her younger brother, Chris, who looks like a pretty girl, apologizes with his head hanging down.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What"s with that face?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti looked at Zen.o.bia with a quizzical look.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Hou....... I didn"t know you were a captain"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"As a descendant of the great Bailey clan, it was only natural that I should be chosen as captain"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Aside from Zen.o.bia, who smiled and said, 「Did you know that?」, Everyone was noisy around her.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Hey. When did you become the captain?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Dunno"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What do you mean?Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Did you know?Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I don"t know, either"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Are you sure she didn"t just claim to be a captain herself?Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"No matter what, you"re not going to do something so shameless......, are you?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia is in tears at the words of everyone who doesn"t mind and she begins to quiver. She breathes because she"s small, as she scratches her head, saying, 「I can"t help it」, when everyone sends her gaze to the boarman.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Zen.o.bia. You"re talking about being a captain, you see, what. You don"t have any troops, do you?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

""I, I do!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman glanced sideways at Chris.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"D, Different! Of course Chris is one of the troops I"m leading, but there are other soldiers!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"By 「Soldiers」, you don"t mean Hende, Inpika and the little ones from the demon tribe, do you?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Yes! They are the soldiers of the glorious Zen.o.bia Archers!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Soldiers......kids. And you"re the only one who can handle a bow"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Then she is!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia pointed at Nephti.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"There are a hundred soldiers in my demon hood group. It"s not young children led by Zen.o.bia, but a carefully selected elite"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia"s face turns bright red to Nephti´s ridiculous phrase.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You! You"re insulting me!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m just telling you the truth"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I know you! I know that you were caught by that little dark elf when you tried to take a bath with Yuu for questionable purposes! How dare you call yourself a captain over me with that level of skill!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Sister, you need to use a respectful t.i.tle"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

When Chris rebuked her, people around her said, 「That"s right」, blaming Zen.o.bia, but Zen.o.bia refused to listen, saying, 「Shut up!」.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m not going to let you get away with your disgusting insinuations. Although the ignorant elves may not know it, since ancient times, many royalty and masters have been a.s.sa.s.sinated while bathing or sleeping, when they were exposed to the elements. I was only trying to be by his side for fear of his safety"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Then there would be that little dark elf girl! She´s a cheeky dark elf, but she"s always on the lookout!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia"s words made Nephti look deeply uncomfortable.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"That"s...no good. You´re not fit to serve beside Odomo-sama"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Huhahaa! Do you hate it because you lost?That"s not all!　I know your shameful secret!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What are you talking about? I have nothing to be ashamed of"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

It was Nephti looking at Zen.o.bia with a stunned face, thinking she would be defeated, but Zen.o.bia had a snorting, triumphant look on her face.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Spoon"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia muttered and for some reason, Chris shivered.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Spoon? What about it?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Don"t play dumb. I saw with my own eyes that you secretly stole Yuu"s spoon at the dinner party after the meeting at the demon tribe"s house the other day!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti smiled a smile that would give anyone who saw it a chill and walked past the laughing Zen.o.bia to Chris. Nephti walked up to Chris and put her hands on his slender shoulders. At first glance, it seemed to be just a gentle hand, but the pressure was so strong that Chris didn"t think he could get rid of it.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Second time..."Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti whispered in Chris"s ear. Chris immediately guessed that it was the number of times Zen.o.bia had called Yuu"s name.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Normally, I would have torn you to pieces right here and now. Unfortunately, Odono-sama has taken a liking to you"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The fingers on Chris" shoulders gradually bite into it.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"The ability to grasp s.p.a.ce by raining down your magic and the ability to share information obtained through magic with oneself and others. I"ve been trying to get those under my command who are skilled in magic to learn it, but no one has been able to master it yet"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Chris understood the nature of the eerie pressure that was being applied to him from earlier. It"s not anger, it"s not killing intent――Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m jealous"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

――It was jealousy.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You! Get away from Chris!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Whoa"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia shoots her knife at Nephti"s wrist, but Nephti lightly avoids and jumps back.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Do something to my younger brother and I"ll shoot through your eyes!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia put her hand on her bow and threatened Nephti. But Nephti cowered lightly, as if to mock Zen.o.bia.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I, I!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Don"t be so angry. I suddenly remembered that when I tried to sneak into the bathhouse where Odono-sama was bathing, there was another person who was caught elsewhere. Who do you think it was? Kuhahaa. It"s your brother. Now that you"ve just called me out on my dubious intentions, I a.s.sume you"ve confirmed what your brother"s intentions were when he tried to sneak into the bathhouse?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia froze like a stone statue at the sudden revelation. She turned to Chris, who was guarding his back with awkward movements――Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Older sister, Leravalle Bailey, the ancestor of the Bailey clan, was once taken by surprise while bathing in the water and was severely injured. This was not the case only for Leravalle Bailey. Many of the great achievers and heroes have lost their lives to a.s.sa.s.sins in places where they were unprotected. Nephti-san seems to be misunderstood, but the king is of the opposite s.e.x. It seemed that she was avoiding bathing with him, so I wanted to give back with a little effort by keeping my same s.e.x by my side. You can understand what I"m saying, right?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"O, O......u? That"s right......?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

She"s never seen her younger brother Chris, who is usually timid and a man of few words, be so eloquent, so instead of pursuing him, Zen.o.bia was upset and her head was in confusion.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

""Kukku....... I see. Then I must be mistaken"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Thats right. It"s Nephti-san"s mistake"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Chris is right! My younger brother would never do something as disreputable as you!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What about forks and knives?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Why are you talking nonsense――"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Did you know that I had my spoon taken away from me by that nasty Dark Elf and that someone had the good sense to steal the fork and knife that Odono-sama had used?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Why are you saying............haa? C, Chr, Chriss......n, no, no way......who stole it"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia asks Chris, quivering her legs like a newborn fawn, asking him to say 「No」. Chris smiled at Zen.o.bia, his older sister. It was the usual smile of a timid but kind brother who loves his sister.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You know that our ancestors carried the hair of Leravalle Bailey, the founder of the Bailey clan, or, if that wasn"t possible, some of his clothes, right? This was to benefit from the power of the great Leravalle and also to serve as amulets. I borrowed the fork and knife used by the King. It was because I wanted to have a strong and confident king and a talisman"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"U, U~h......so it"s not strange, then?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m glad. I believed my sister would understand"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Hou. So, Chris, was there a reason why you were licking the fork and knife?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

With a nasty smile, Nephti stuck out her tongue and moved it vulgarly.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Chri――"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Yes!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"――s?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Older sister, it is said that, Leravalle Bailey, ate some of the pieces of flesh left behind when the incarnation of the spirit of the earth, Gaia Lurubialunga, manifested and took its power into her body. Yes! In other words, the reason why I licked the dishes used by the king was because of that reason. You understand this, don"t you, sister?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"U, Umm. I understand what Chris says......but did you think! You! How dare you plot against your great sister! On behalf of father and mother, I"ll retrain your rotten guts!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Waaaaa~! Sister, please forgive me~!!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Wait, don"t run away!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Zen.o.bia chased after Chris, who was running away deep into the forest, with a devilish look on her face. Nephti holds her belly and laughs as she sees them off.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You know, don"t make too much fun of those siblings"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman tries to poke Nephti on the head, but Nephti ducks without even looking at him.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"So, is it all right?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What is it?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s about Namari"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"The truth is, I don"t really understand it either. Because I don"t know enough about what Namari´s words are. The only thing I know is that the fake hero who calls himself Roy tricked Odono-sama into a trap and that the sc.u.m of Jardalk attacked Odono-sama with a huge army"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The captains shouted in surprise at Nephti"s words.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Fake hero Roy!? Is that the 『Hero of Pandora』?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Jardalk――Jardalk of the Five Great Countries!? How many? How many of them trapped the King?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What"s that? I haven"t heard anything about that. Anybody know?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"No, it"s my first time hearing"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman shouted at the boisterous captains, 「Shut up!」.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"So?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"According to Namari, Kuro and the others were involved in the battle. Originally, I would like Kuro to talk about the details, but now he"s diving with Nina and others in the labyrinth. However, I"m very reluctant, but I decided to meet and talk to Russ-dono"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman snorted as he crossed his arms and said 「Uuh」.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I also have a question for you. Why are you in the service of Odono-sama?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Yes, yes!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Why are you alone with the king?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s not fair, you boar!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The captains, who had been silent at Nephti"s words, started screaming again.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"No matter what I say, when the general is absent, I"m in charge and I"m told to escort the king"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s not too late. I"ll take your place"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You can"t do that. You"ll be scolded by the general later. More importantly. Don"t be too soft on the king, everyone"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"m not spoiled by Odono-sama. It"s different from the elephant and non-elephant flies there"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The captains overflow with murder intent, but the boarman controls them by hand.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"No, let me tell you something. Nephti, how much do you know about beastmen?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I don"t know. I have no interest in them. I"m not interested and I doubt I ever will be"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"There are different kinds of beastmen, diurnal and nocturnal, eating and defecating in different places"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"What are you trying to say?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"ve noticed it because I"ve been serving the King for the past few days. No, I knew he was busy, but once again I was amazed at the amount of work he does. The king keeps detailed records of the customs and habits of each race, the symptoms of certain diseases and how to treat them and figures of height and weight"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Why should Odono-sama do such a thing? Just leave it alone"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti couldn"t understand why Yuu had to go through so much trouble for other races, including the demon race.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"The king has asked his merchants to order books on laws and court cases from various countries. I was allowed to look at it once, but I had no idea what it said. What do you think it"s for?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Stop the roundabout wording"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Did she get frustrated gradually? Nephti"s wording also gets rough.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It"s all for us. The King is seriously trying to create a country where various races can live without dissatisfaction. Besides――"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

The boarman fumbled with his mouth as if he was having a hard time saying it.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"And what is that?"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

When prompted to continue, the boarman continued.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I"ve never seen the king sleeping"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Huh. What is the matter with you? I will not allow you to sleep in the bed of Odono-sama!"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"You idiot! What the h.e.l.l is wrong with you! I"ve checked with the maids who work in the castle and no one has ever seen the king sleeping there"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"It must be a coincidence"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I asked Namari. Namari told me that the king never sleeps. How is that possible? All creatures need sleep. It"s the same for you, isn"t it? No matter how much rest you get, if you don"t sleep, your body will go crazy"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Odono-sama doesn"t need sleep"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"Are you serious? What I"m trying to say is, don"t add any more burden to the king"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I am saying that the burden should be reduced. In the first place, don"t talk to me as if you know anything about Odono-sama. Your fears about sleep are also unfounded"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

"I hope you"re right"Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Despite his words, the boarman had a horrible thought running through his mind. It"s not that Yuu doesn"t need to sleep, it"s that he can"t sleep.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

----------------------------------------Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Author note:Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Boarman: the captain of the first guard corps. He wears heavy equipment made entirely of mithril alloy.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Nephti: The captain of the Demon Hood GroupSeveral dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

This spear was given to Nephti by Yuu.Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Magic Spear Ma.s.sacre (Grade 3): Curse (reduced life, no luck), Black Dragon CannonSeveral dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Meteoremp, Parthios94"s Thoughts

Good Day:)Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

Hope you enjoy the chapter:)Several dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.

ParthiosSeveral dragons looked at the human girl in amazement.