Monster no Goshujin-sama

03. Signs of Hope

Three.

The floor used by us staying at Fort Chile is always packed with Allied Knights. Me and Lily, who left the room, were escorted to Siran by one of the knights who was in the hallway.

Continue along the unbroken passage.

Heavy stone walls are collapsed by the way and occasionally crushed walls roll at your feet. We haven't gotten around here yet.

"Ah. Speaking of which,"

On the road, Fu Lili raised her voice.

"Rose said it before I left the room. Your husband asked me for a favor."

"Please?"

"Yeah. He said he wanted to see more demon stones."

The demonic stone we say to Lily here is a stone that can cause magical phenomena such as producing light or water, for example.

It has a unique character engraved according to each application, some of which require special training to be used, but it has the advantage that even the unusable of magic can be used by flushing magic.

Apparently, however, the effect is quite limiting, and, with the exception of some simple demonic stones in circulation, the story was that there were few craftsmen who could carve them and they were very expensive. Some things are substitutes for being out of the door, and some of the methods have been lost, like the demonic stones of the junction that I used to guard the mountain huts I visited.

"Rose... speaking of which, you were showing a bare gesture of interest to the Demon Stone"

Rose, who had returned to the fort together, had shown interest in the Demon Stone after the attack on Fort Chile saw a one-off settlement: the death of the main culprit, the Expedition's Cross, as well as Kudo's escape.

As a magical puppet with the ability to make magic tools, it's no wonder you're concerned about unknown technology. Yesterday, I seemed to be removing the illuminating demon stone that was provided for the room and checking it out.

"He wants to see something of a different kind, besides the demon stone of lighting. He said he'd be happy to have something pre-processed, if possible."

"Before processing? Are you going to give it a try?"

"I'd love to, if that's possible, but he said he could just look at it if he can't. It seemed like something else was bothering me a little."

"For Rose, we don't really get the guidelines."

"It seemed like she wasn't sure yet either. I'd rather ask your husband to verify it because I'm not sure."

I see. Does that make sense, too? I nodded one thing.

"Well, after I've spoken to Silan, I'll ask him to come back."

"Yeah. I did."

While we were talking about it, we arrived in the room at the end of the floor where we were staying.

Different from a few knights who came out in the wrong place.

The girl who dropped them off turned this way. Of the elf girl with the eyelids, she now admitted that she and I were alone.

"You were here, Takahiro. Good morning."

"Morning, Silan. You look busy."

When I exchanged greetings, I laid down my hips alongside Lily in the chair recommended to Silan.

"No. It is the chief who is busy, and I am not. As you can see now, I have finished instructing you for the day.... How are you feeling?

"I'm out of fatigue. What about Silan?

"Thank you for your attention. So far, there have been no particular problems."

Silan smiling like that, but I couldn't be relieved.

We are friends who have crossed the dead line in the same training ground, but the circumstances we have in Silan and I are different. She was murdered two days ago. Going around the dead line, or she's stepping over it, looking at the other side.

She then wakes up as an undead monster from that tough willpower and, although she fell into an unwilled ghoul once, regains her self-consciousness and is laughing like this here.

Carl, the immortal king of tragedies bewitched by the legend of this world, was said to have remained the king of reason even after he became a powerful undead monster known as Rich. It is an anecdote that is now treated as just a gag, but Silan's presence proved that it is a possible case in point.

Silan now exists between Rich and Ghoul… so to speak, he should also be called 'Demi Rich'. Naturally, there have not been such examples in the past, and follow-up was mandatory.

"It's okay. You're right, little spirits can now be called."

On the overhead pointed by Silan, a spirit-like clay doll made by the child floats fluffy.

Among the elves are those called "Spirit Users" who can handle spirits as a special skill of their species. Silan was one of them, and it was one of Silan's covenant little spirits that was floating.

Shortly after Demi Riccification, I thought you said the magic was unstable and I couldn't call the Spirit, but in just two days, they were able to use Spirit Magic again. Sense around here, that's right, was the only knight of the highest class in the northern realm of the tree sea where vicious monsters roam.

"Most of all, I'm ashamed I'm still full of calls, and I'm not going to be able to ask for enemies around me. We need to gradually adjust this."

"That would be fine if things went well...... if you need anything. Maybe there's something I can do."

Silan, an undead monster, had one personality as a human from the beginning. Things are a lot different from the Lillies, monsters of the same will, and no way can I describe her as my own family.

At the same time, however, the fact that her presence was homogeneous to my family monster was a fact. There may be something I can do to help you when things go wrong.

And even where she wasn't my family, this feeling of wanting to help her doesn't change. To the extent that it seemed so, I preferred this noble elf girl.

"Thank you"

When Silan thanked him for his mouth, he cut to the point.

"So, Takahiro was here today to talk to you about the current state of the fort... Are you sure?

"Oh. I think what I asked the captain yesterday was that by today we would have consolidated our general policy. Can we have a conversation?"

"Okay."

Silan nodded and talked to me about what was going on at Fort Chile right now.

"First, it's about burying the dead, but it's going to take a few days, as planned. Mainly because people in the military are on the job, but we really have to watch out for the presence of ghouls, even though there are only a few people we can move."

"There's no other way around it.... Was there a ghoul outbreak?

"Two of the things that made me gool yesterday. Both disposed of. Immediately the Allied Knights rushed, so the damage could only be done by a few"

"Right."

The idea of what would have been different if I had been on the spot was overwhelming.

... It will be difficult. That can't be the case with examples like Silan. Not to mention, if you try to eat the ghouls away without disposing of them until I rush, the damage will increase to the prank. Then it's the end of the line.

The Silan case is an exception. I didn't seem like I'd give up thinking about it that way.

"The incidence of ghouls is known to rise over time, so we must reduce the number of mothers as soon as possible. As much as I'm sorry I can't give him a proper funeral..."

"Can I help you with anything?

"No. It's..."

Clouding his expression, Silan clouded his words.

Lily next door pokes me with her elbow. Apparently, I've said something far-fetched.

"Bad. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

"... sorry"

"Don't apologize. It's not that Silan's bad."

I scratched my head. Just because you don't care, doesn't mean they do either. This was a bit of a reflection.

"And you are. It would be important to know the current situation. It's just fine, can you tell me?... what is the sentiment for the survival of the fort against me?

People in this fort know that I have the ability to lead monsters.

We naturally know the Allied knights who fought with us, and there were a few who watched us move the fort. It wasn't the kind of situation that I could hide.

For humans in this world, monsters are the greatest enemies.

It is an object of fear rooted in human instinct in a long history and of anger and hatred that has actually deprived loved ones.

That is why there has been a history in this world of persecuting a species called Elves, who produce spiritual uses, as a subspecies of monster use, as traitors to humanity.

There can be no reluctance on the part of the inhabitants of such a world for monster use itself, and such awareness cannot be changed overnight.

I guess Silan, an elf spiritual user, knows best about the circumstances around here. She made a grin that lowered her eyebrows.

"To be honest, I think it's the truth that you're confused. I've never heard of the ability to keep monsters company, even though it was a brave man descended from another world."

To the expression of confusion, I thought of the balance. It is unstable and shaky.

If you do something bad to stabilize it, you might pull back. You can't get your hands on the detour......

Around here was another reason I undertook to dispose of the monster's body.

Regardless of the Allied Knights whose Commander's will is constant, we could not do the same work side by side with the soldiers of the Imperial Army.

It's not just VIP treatment that we rent out one compartment and the Allied Knights protect it. In other words, the Alliance Knight was a buffer between me and the soldiers of the fort.

"In the long history of the transferees of this world, it is the only ability I and Kudo possess. It is also impossible not to accept it easily. It's something I've been prepared for from the start, and in that sense, it's as good as I thought it would be."

If I say so, this world is not ready to accept the existence of Lily and her family monsters.

Humans are not mindless robots. They have their own values, too. When I tell you to follow the township when you get into the township... the nuances are slightly different, but I was just trying to force you to accept it, and there will just be confusion. We just get unhappy with each other. Such a thing would only be my own.

At least, unless this one does something odd, they stay out of it. Then that was enough.

"... I thought you had a little more rejection."

"Many were rescued by Takahiro and his men after that battle."

As Silan said, two days ago, we confirmed that Kudo had left, and together with the Allied Knights, we were hitting the rescue for the survival of the fort. Some Lily did with restorative magic, and some Gabella pulled it out of the rubble. Naturally, I was screamed at.

"In the sense that we defeated Tatsuya the Cross and left Kudo Lu, I can tell you that everyone in this fort was helped by the Takahiro lords now... after all, the feeling that they saved lives directly must have been a big one. I just can't say enough that there are no people hostile to Lord Takahiro, but you can consider that to be a very small number. Enough, it's within our grace. I'm not saddened that I can only do this."

"I'm grateful enough.... Speaking of which, aren't there any disgruntled human beings in the Alliance Knights?

"The Third Alliance Knights were elected by that commander, and because I, the elf, was the deputy commander. No human being seems dissatisfied from the beginning. … thanks to you, the captain treats some elf-loving strangers."

"I see. So both Shiran and Kanahiko are attracted around here?

I shook my shoulder.

Expressing his consent, Silan smiled and stared at this one with a quiet eye.

"What does Lord Takahiro intend to do now?

"... What do you mean?

"As soon as the dead are buried, we will abandon Fort Chile."

To the words of Silan, I breathed small.

"Right. You've made your decision, Captain."

"Yes. As things stand, the number of survivors who can move properly is about two-thirds at best. Who can fight, even half of them? As I said earlier, in fact, we are all so depleted that we don't even have the strength to do harm where we were malicious to Lord Takahiro."

Recovery magic is not universal either.

For example, Lily's restorative magic of the third staircase can also stick a thousand severed limbs, if conditions permit. But there's nothing you can do about that, either, being eaten by a monster for a thousand cuts.

And this third staircase is the highest class of magic that can reach people in this world. They can only use as much silane in Fort Chile, and now that she's an undead monster, she's losing her healing magic. In many cases treatment was too late, and many people needed rehabilitation instead of fighting.

"Besides the brave ones...... there was still something big about Tatsuya the Cross Letter of the Expedition, whose face was well known to the soldiers as well. Some parts are confused that brave men can't do that."

"But it's true."

"Yes, we see it with this eye, and a few survivors on the inner wall, but we're in the army. That's why so many are being beaten down."

We transferees are treated as brave men in this world.

A brave man is the hope of this world and the support of an almost religious heart. The reality of this other world is so harsh that you cannot live without believing in a certain hope in the name of the brave man.

If that brave man wielded mighty power on himself for selfish reasons, he would be stunned, and confused. I can't help it if it breaks my heart.

There's still excess heat in the fight right now, and it's holding up somehow because of the immediate threat of a ghoul outbreak, but I don't know what happens when that's over.

Think about it that way, it's probably more amazing that they're doing their job right now. Around here, it must still be by the hand of the captain who commands them.

She was exhorting the soldiers to "be one of those warriors who still protects the world" without even giving them time to get down on their knees. She must be trying to take the soldiers to the retreat at once while they can move.

"The fort's facilities are also almost completely destroyed. Major repairs are needed, but this will require thousands of personnel and years, a close reconstruction plan. There's nothing we can do here right now."

"... there's no way a hundred people can protect this vast fort full of holes there"

"Yes, I've already sent the envoy for the rescue request, but even the horse will take three or four days to reach the nearest city. Then reinforcements will come, it will take even longer. If you keep staying like this, you'll only be harmed more by the prank."

"So when you retreat,"

The grieving shadow had fallen on Silan's nodding expression.

Until now she has fought with her life to defend Fort Chile, the wall of the human world. to renounce it, so this decision must have been a disconnect thought for the knights, including her.

"Fortunately, only at this moment are monsters in this neighborhood declining dramatically. In less than ten days, new monsters will arrive from the surrounding area, but now we should still be able to evacuate in time."

"Kudo came together and hit the monster. Does it count less?"

"Yeah, we won't even have a reconstruction plan if the fort becomes the residence of the undead monster, so at least we'll finish the burial of the dead, but as soon as that's done, the captain decided to leave the fort"

Ugh, Siran breathed. A slight nervousness is stiffening her expression.

"In doing so, we would like you to come with us."

"If you want me to give you a hand, of course, I'll cooperate"

I see, so I was convinced from the bottom of my heart that you had heard my policy for the future.

In the survival retreat of Fort Chile, nearly five hundred human beings will move.

It seems that streets running through the tree sea are sometimes used by the military, with some maintenance and safety guaranteed, but it would still be difficult to eliminate any encounters with monsters. In the first place, the danger on the road cannot be denied, given that it was the force of Fort Chile that kept it safe. With us, we might be able to reduce that damage by one.

But Siran, hearing my words, smiled with a troubled smile.

"Of course, I'd love for you to cooperate, but that's not what I'm saying right now"

Siran told me what it meant.

"The captain said he wanted to invite Takahiro to our country"

"... eh?

"If Fort Chile is to have fallen, this is a major incident. From now on, the captain will have to go around people to explain things. So, I plan to return to my home country once first. At that time, Takahiro wants you to come with him."

...... not sure yet.

It was true that the captain talked about being a princess of a small country. I guess what Silan is referring to as a country is that small country.

"What's the point of me going there?

"Do you need more than a reason to invite and welcome guests from different worlds? Besides, Lord Takahiro is a benefactor who saved our lives by fighting that crossword Tatsuya, and a comrade in battle with the battlefield. Regardless, if you have other plans for Takahiro, I don't mean impossible."

"No. Nothing like that..."

"It is customary for brave men from different worlds to be invited by the imperial capital to be treated with generosity. The other metastasized people will be. But Takahiro won't go to the Imperial City, will he?

"Oh, given my abilities, it's going to be hard to live as a brave man, and in the first place, I'm not going to end up like that."

There is no lie in the dialogue I told Kudo two days ago. The most important thing for me is to be with the Lillies as their Lord.

"I wish I had a place in this world where I could live in peace with the lilies."

"Then I don't think this is a bad story for Lord Takahiro. While you're staying, why don't you take the time to consider your future policy in consultation with the Head of Mission on how best to proceed"

What an attractive invitation that was.

My purpose is to find a safe place to live with the lilies.

Nevertheless, it involves difficulties to operate in different worlds without any handwriting. Worst of all, I was also thinking of living in a tree sea if I could only secure a procurement route for supplies.

If I could consult with the head of the delegation that he is also the princess of a small country, the choice would be widened. At least there's more to the Empire than relying on people who don't even know if they can be trusted.

The rest is, how far can you trust the chief's judgment...

If you turn a blind eye to Lily, a smile will return. I nodded.

"Okay. Let's take that offer. Since I talked to my buddies, but I don't think there's anything against it."

"Good. Now, I'm going to talk to the captain like that."

I asked Siran, who gladly lowered his mouth.

"Speaking of which, what's Silan going to do now? Looks like you're going back to the country with the captain."

Silan's current position is very delicate.

The fact that she is now an undead monster is not something you can see all the time. All I know about her is that, with the exception of us, the knights of the Allied Knights were watching her revive and rampage around as a ghoul.

There will be no such thing as them bragging about the secrets of Silan, the deputy chief they can count on. Nevertheless, it would be tricky if I got slapped by some applause.

"Honestly, there was a stray...... thankfully, the captain tells me to keep knighting. He said he would know at a time when he had not relieved himself of his duties as deputy chief. I've been scolded."

"Sounds like a story."

I know in that battle that there is a bond between them as comrades of war, more than an upward and downward relationship between the commander and the deputy commander.

She should not let go of her trusted men because of her unclear future anxiety.

"Fortunately."

Siran said in a biting tone and took what hung at the end of the chain lowered to his chest.

It was a red stone fitted ring.

It was a ring that was a testament to the knight, that she could never wear again in public, and still not just throw it away.

"As always, I am a knight. I can fight for what I need to protect. How much do you thank the captain, if not enough?"

The demonic stone nestled in the knight's ring has the function of showing man as blue and ghoul as yellow. Neither of those reds indicates that she is Demi Rich.

But before that, she was a knight.

Silan is strong. I'm still looking at what I'm supposed to do without shaking, even though I won't be anxious because I've become an undead monster.

Supporting her like that must be her consciousness as a knight.

"Regardless, I also thank Lord Takahiro. Nice to meet you."

"I'm the same. We'll be together for a while to come, but thank you."

"Yes."

To my words, Silan gave a half hidden face with his eyelids, a full grin.

Thus, after leaving Fort Chile, we went to a small country, the homeland of the Syrans.