New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (4/5 chapters)
Chapter 40
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(POV switch – Volt)
“Here, I bought something for you!” (Volt)
Kicking the poorly-hinged door open in a fit of anger, a chair flew away for some reason.
Upon entering the room, I found the traveling merchant I had passed earlier. He had asked for a handshake and was crying tears of joy, so I remembered him well.
“Who are you? Answer me, or I will cut you down.” (Volt)
I placed my hand on the sword at my waist and unleashed my killing intent. The presence of this merchant was similar to the one I just passed, but there seemed to be something mixed in. Even with my killing intent, there was no reaction. I had a hunch that he was quite strong. I never expected to meet another strong person after Nobunaga. My fighting spirit ignited in an instant, but it quickly extinguished.
“What? Is that you, Volt?” (Nobunaga)
The voice sounded just like that merchant, but there’s only one person who could look disinterested and turn his gaze back after seeing me.
“What is it, Maou? I’m disappointed. If it were someone from here, it would have been a bit troublesome, so it’s good that it’s you.” (Volt)
“Ah, that’s true.” (Nobunaga)
The Demon King replied with a somewhat deflated response and returned to his original Haniwa form, crossing his arms.
Is he worried about something, or is he just making a difficult face? It’s difficult to read his expression because he’s a Haniwa.
“Could it be that your stomach pain has affected your head…” (Volt)
“How dare you worry about my head when all you can think about is killing people!” (Nobunaga)
Oh, what a pity. I thought it would be better to have an easy life than to suffer like that.
“…So, Volt is quite famous, right? You have a decent reputation.” (Nobunaga)
“That is true, but what brings this up all of a sudden?” (Volt)
Certainly, if I used the name “Sword Saint”, I could get a free room at an inn, and if I asked a blacksmith, they would prioritize my request over others.
“It seems the nation states might be moving their armies. Not just one or two city-states, but a coalition.” (Nobunaga)
“Hmm, a coalition. It could form an army of at least 5000 if small, or over 10000 if large.” (Volt)
“Is it really that much? However, the direction that army is heading might be towards the Great Forest of Owa.” (Nobunaga)
Among the nation states, the countries located to the west that border the Great Forest of Owa would likely want to eliminate the Demon King due to the disadvantages they’ve faced from not being able to enter the forest since the Demon King’s birth. However, would this lead to a coalition?
“It’s a possibility, but are there other factors?” (Volt)
“This is a speculation based on a traveling merchant’s knowledge, but it involves six for the kingdom, three for the Great Forest of Owa, and one for the Demon King of the nation states.” (Nobunaga)
Excluding the northern empire, of course.
“What’s the reason?” (Volt)
“The main target is the kingdom, which is simple. The weakening of the Margrave Hauster’s troops defending the border. With the elite knights’ annihilation, it’s the perfect opportunity. There’s no reason to let it pass. The counteracting force from the Great Forest of Owa is based on requests from several city-states. Or it could be a show of strength from the nation states. They don’t want to be seen as foolish countries that can’t even hunt the Demon King. Now for the wild card, they might have pinpointed the location of the Demon King. That’s why they’re gathering an army to be fully prepared.” (Nobunaga)
I see. While I still have questions about the ratios, I understand the reasons.
“So, what do you want from me?” (Volt)
“Please let it be known that I was defeated. If that happens, there will be no reason to advance into the Great Forest of Owa. It doesn’t matter to me if you go to war with the kingdom or hunt other Demon Kings.” (Demon King)
For someone from the kingdom, it’s quite bold of you to say that. Well, I personally don’t care whom the kingdom goes to war with. However…
“That’s impossible.” (Volt)
This Demon King seems knowledgeable but lacks common sense. Well, it can’t be helped if he’s never left the Great Forest of Owa.
“The Main Religion is present. You might not know, but the priests of the Main Religion have sensed the birth of the Demon King through divination. Similarly, it seems they would know if a Demon King had been defeated. I haven’t heard any stories of a birth or defeat being misreported.” (Volt)
Thanks to that, I haven’t encountered anyone I wanted to cut down. They’ve reduced my targets and insist on demanding money for every little thing. How many times have I thought about cutting them down? I didn’t because I thought I’d end up covered in grease.
“Then, can’t you talk to the higher-ups of the country? To let them know I have no hostile intent?” (Demon King)
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible. First of all, I don’t want to talk to such rotten people. I have no connections with them. Furthermore, I can guarantee that the Main Religion would interfere. Their only actions are either to extort money or report on Demon Kings. If a Demon King is deemed non-hostile and harmless, they lose their reason to extort money.” (Volt)
Just imagining it disgusts me. The sight of the powerless seeking unseen power and fighting in a hideous manner. It truly makes me want to cut them down.
Upon hearing my words, the Demon King pondered, crossing his arms… probably. Since he was a Haniwa, it just looked like he was blankly staring upward.
“Then, it could be said that after a fierce battle with the Demon King, he was cornered but managed to escape. However, the Sword Saint has not given up on defeating the Demon King and will return to the royal capital to prepare for another assault. That’s the story.” (Nobunaga)
“Hmm, I see.” (Volt)
That could be effective. Gathering an army and moving it isn’t free. If they gather, the soldiers in other areas will decrease, and a large amount of food will be needed to move the army. Moreover, if there’s no army, it will become difficult to deal with the two Demon Kings lurking in the nation states if they start moving.
If they hear that the Sword Saint, who has dealt a serious blow to the Demon King, is heading for another expedition, they will likely postpone their campaign. If they succeed in defeating the Demon King, the problem will be resolved, and even if they fail, they could just ambush the wounded Demon King with their army. There’s no reason to incur losses.
And if they have raised an army against the Demon Kings of the kingdom or nation states, then that’s no problem. It would just lead to war. I don’t care about it, and the Demon King likely feels the same. I just have to prepare and wait for him to truly come. In that case…
“That sounds good. However, there are conditions.” (Volt)
“Conditions? You’re not going to say I have to let you cut me, are you? I don’t want that.” (Nobunaga)
The Demon King began to back away as if to distance himself from me.
Honestly, I’ll cut you down even without such a condition.
“It’s a simple thing. Is it alright if you bring your disciple next time? She may not be as strong as Alice and lacks talent, but I think she has decent skills. I want to show her what kind of combat the demons engage in.” (Volt)
And I want you to show the Jigen style. I can mimic it to a degree, but I’m not particularly skilled. Unfortunately, my wavelength doesn’t match the Jigen style. However, among my disciples, there should be someone who fits the Jigen style better than my own.
And if they become strong as swordsmen of the Jigen style, it should allow for a different kind of duel than with Alice.
My heart dances at the unseen future. I can’t help but long for that time to come soon.
“Well, that much is fine. Oh, but I have one thing I’d like to say.” (Nobunaga)
What is it? Are you not going to teach the Jigen style? Or are you going to keep the location a secret…?
“I need to go to the toilet soon. Can we end the conversation here?” (Nobunaga)
“Oh… I see. Understood. It’s a good time, so let’s have dinner as well.” (Volt)
The look he gave me seemed to say, “Do I look like I can eat?” but I ignored it.
Like I care about that.
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