Demon King

Guild Growth – 8

It would’ve been nice if the surrounding terrain was restored when the dungeon was destroyed, but neither this world nor my abilities were so kind. I didn’t want to be in the spotlight in this ruined farm, so I quickly hid Katsuragi and myself and quietly left.

[Amazing. How can you have so many different abilities?]

“If you look at the way mana flows through your body, you’ll be capable of it too.”

[All I can do is interfere a bit with nature, and I’m physically strong. I’ve been gradually getting stronger, little by little, but there has been no dramatic change.]

“A parent entity from birth.” That was some ridiculous luck, although he wasn’t properly aware of it. Perhaps the Elakatra were similar. He seemed to believe he was quite unlucky, however. If he said that to Cain or Lee Chan-yu, they would be quite upset. At the core, he wasn’t aware of his own situation objectively. He had a human past, but in terms of this new world, he was more or less a newborn. But now, I would be teaching him.

I cast an illusion on both of us and bought a bottle of the most valuable wine still produced in Bordeaux. Katsuragi merely quietly watched me with a smile.

[The world is ruined, but captain still thinks of buying expensive alcohol.]

“It’s a human trait. Alcohol is the most legal and beautiful haven for humanity.” Of course, that was a lie. Not just humans took to alcohol as a refuge. It was a bit far away, but I also stopped by the Cognac region to buy a bottle of famous brandy as well, finally buying two after a brief debate with myself.

[You seem to be choosing out gifts.]

“A gift…perhaps so.” That wasn’t a bad way to think of it; I did owe them quite a bit for everything they taught me. I opened a gate back to the underground in the air.

“First, follow me. I will explain the current situation there.” Unfortunately, the underground was a mess.

“There, don’t break the walls!”

“Captain, they drilled a crater into the expansion area! What should I do?”

“There is a saying about Lizardmen…”

“You ate one?”

“I ate one.”

Reliable dwarves were running about with tools. The walls were farther apart than I remembered and had doubled in some places. Other places, they had even tripled! Monsters from all the dungeons I had conquered were there. There was even an orchard inside, with tree spirits tending to it.

“He is back.”

“Who is?”

“Fate.”

[Captain!?]

“Captain, you’re late!” Cain ran to us, thumping loudly, with Lee Chan-yu astride his shoulder.

“How did this happen?”

“It’s like a sink with unwashed dishes.”

[It’s like a spiderweb in a home without an owner.]

A bitter smile crossed my lips as my initial expectation had been correct. I’d have to be an idiot to not know who was at fault.

“Yes, I was wrong.” I would have to command them now, but the dwarves at the epicenter of this mess were moving more actively than I thought. Cain and Lee Chan-yu seemed like they were also newcomers to the situation, looking at the people around us.

“So who’s that handsome fellow?”

[Katsuragi Yuta. You can call me Katsuragi.]

[You’re a fallen.]

“He’s strong. Why are all the new recruits stronger than me and not the elf girl?”

“He said he was trapped in the boss room of the dungeon.”

“Fate!” Mireina appeared out of seemingly nowhere and jumped toward me. I looked at Katsuragi as she collided with me, but he was staring at her.

“Katsuragi?”

[…]

I didn’t understand why he was silent.

“Captain, if you haven’t seen Lady L yet…”

“Ah.” Well, I supposed the existence of elves had a special meaning to humans. It would be cruel to break his fantasies of the way they were in novels, so I decided to let it go.

“Anyway, you are now a member of Rebellion, so we’ll be counting on you. Let’s head off together.” I headed off towards the busiest looking dwarf, with Mireina clinging to my arm. Katsuragi glided behind us as if he were completed enchanting, followed by Cain and Lee Chan-yu, who wanted to talk to him. The entirety of Rebellion was on the move.

“You’re here, Fate. Help us out here.”

“Alec.” The area had expanded beyond comparison because of my dungeon subjugation. Despite the mass of monsters there, they all seemed to be hitting it off. The problem was that I wasn’t alright with the changes. The monsters needed to be grouped up in divisions for battle, and the walls had to be rebuilt. Fortunately, the dwarves were accustomed to such work. I didn’t think I would need to borrow their powers until the Devil’s Night came, but my misunderstandings had been positively dismissed. Now it was the time to pay for their voluntary cooperation.

“Thanks. Are you the only ones working?”

“Only us, who else…ah, you mean those higher people?” He pointed up to the towering castle, looking exhausted.

“I don’t talk to any other than the man who acts like a butler. If nobles existed in the modern world, that’s what they’d be like. Are they your superiors?”

“They’re just collaborators.” I couldn’t tell Alec all the details, so I just smiled.

“If those monsters add their strength to yours, will it end quicker?”

“If you can control them, we can make this place perfect and set up some traps.”

“Good.” As soon as Mireina was removed from my arm, Katsuragi naturally followed Cain and Lee Chan-yu.

“I’m working.”

[Ah, I see.]

Rain basically didn’t work. His job was cleaning glasses, serving me alcohol, and managing the store. Except for when interacting with me, he never moved energetically. The greatest effort he put in was during the Devil’s Night. In other words, he was a fairly passive person.

“Is it human brandy?”

“It’s a special one among them, called cognac.” I delivered the bribe and began to apply pressure.

“You can tell with a glance it is of exceptionally good quality. Compared to any of Hater’s liquors, it doesn’t fall behind.”

“I’ll give it to you.”

“You’re giving it to me?” I saw Rain’s excited face for the first time.

“Cognac…what an excellent addition. Thank you.”

“How long is left until the next attack?”

“I think it’s about two weeks. The scale of the fortress has grown immensely, so the next one might be rather intense.” He let out a brief sigh.

“It’s stark proof that the underground has begun to connect with Earth. I don’t know what the outcome will be. It’s really unexpected. There are too many uncertain factors. It might be better to just leave it to me this time…”

“I have no intention of running away.”

“I didn’t mean that, but…” His gaze turned away.

“Please help me a bit. I want to use those monsters.”

“I’m a bit skeptical. Will those inferior beings really be of help…”

“They will.” I spoke confidently.

“And those who don’t will become experience for others.”

“…If you say so, we will help them out. The area in which I can exert my power has increased a bit.” It wasn’t possible for them to freely use their power in the expanded areas yet.

“Then I’ll go ask A and L first.”

“A is waiting for you to talk to him. His pride will not budge for anyone other than you.”

“I figured as much.” I knew where A was; he had no intention of hiding his presence. It was close to L.

“You really like her.”

“Shut up.” He reached toward me.

“Give me what you’ve prepared.”

“Wait, you knew?” He accepted the cognac without a change of expression, but my relief was an illusion.

“I know what you’re talking about. It’s not enough, but reluctantly, I will agree with you and play along as you please.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on the dwarves.” I didn’t even want to know what would happen if A and the dwarves faced off. But whether or not my words were unpleasant, A responded firmly.

“Pressure is what those who don’t believe in their own strength do to bring their enemies down. I never want my opponent to weaken, I rather they be as strong as possible.”

“Yes, let me fix that. Give them a friendly smile so they don’t get scared.”

“Your jokes are always the worst.” With a cold gust of wind, he was gone. Hearing screams already from the outside, it seemed he thought I was joking. I let out a sigh and walked towards where the last person, L, was waiting.

“No.” I even handed over the wine, and that was the answer that came back. Before I could even ask why, she continued.

“Not all are like you, Fate.”

“Did I make a strange request?”

“Whoo.” She let out a sigh.

“You know well enough that strength and reason are not always proportional.”

“Of course.”

“All of them.” I looked out the window, seeing the chaos of the monsters below. A lizardman was running on the wall, a moth monster was wandering in the air, the spirits were tending to an orchard…too much was happening to keep track of.

“All of them will just go crazy with this charm I can’t control.”

“…I see.” I recalled her overwhelming power I had seen on the Devil’s Night. Now, however, it was a double-edged sword.

“In a combat situation, I could let that excitement pour into the battle, but now it’s impossible. I don’t want to volunteer for such an unpleasant thing.”

“I know what you want to say. Surely your power doesn’t suit the situation.” I stood still.

“The wine is a gift. I’ll ask again on the Devil’s Night.”

“Sit down.” I was gripped by her words.

“The traces of a fierce battle are evident in you. Who did you fight?” Only

“Marcocias. She was on the elves’ side.”

“It looks like you didn’t acquire her ability. Well, it’s not that great.” Her remark felt rather uplifting, despite being a bit sloppy.

“Rest. Don’t overdo it.”

“My wounds have healed, and I have much work to do.”

“Fatigue may have served to help you grow before, but not now. Take a break. A and Rain will fill in for you.” She patted the sofa and opened the cork of the wine she just received, pulling out two wine glasses.

“Actually, I just want to spend time with you. So stay by my side.”

“Whoo…” I laid on the sofa as told, unable to resist.

It was unlikely we would be able to get L to help out for the time being.