The journey to the Kingdom of Englasia went smoothly.
I summoned
Now, he looked like nothing more than a somewhat large black wolf.
There was no paved road, but the highway was well-maintained, and we occasionally spotted soldiers on horseback making their rounds.
Around here, the rate of monster appearances was low, and the concentration of Magicules was thin as well.
Strong monsters were unlikely to show up. Then again, there were others who took their place instead.
Robbers, highwaymen, and thieves.
But we never ran into any trouble with them.
Well, obviously. There was no way anyone could keep up with Ranga's speed.
He wasn't sprinting at full tilt—just trotting along at a comfortable pace—but he was still hitting around 60 km/h.
That was considerably faster than a normal horse-drawn carriage.
Thanks to that, our travel went well, and in just two days we arrived at the royal capital of the Kingdom of Englasia.
What struck me upon arrival was the sheer level of development.
Not only was the city vast, but a massive outer wall encircled it on all sides.
To enter the city, you had to pass through one of two gates. Just building a wall large enough to surround all of this must have cost an incalculable amount of time and money.
Inside, the sights were even more impressive.
While it wasn't quite a skyline of towering skyscrapers, there were far larger buildings here than anything in Blumund. Five-story structures could be seen dotted around in quite a few places.
Brick buildings, wooden buildings—there was a rich variety.
Most of all, the planned layout of the districts and the white-stone castle standing tall at the center of the city lent the whole place an air of imposing grandeur.
A large lake sat at the city's heart, with the castle built right in the middle of it.
Roads radiated outward from the castle in all four directions, serving as connectors to the rest of the city.
It was a magnificent design that flaunted the nation's power.
My honest reaction was simply: this is incredible!
In terms of security, knights were stationed at key points throughout the city to maintain order.
Committing a crime in this city would take a tremendous amount of resolve.
After all, this was the city where the Council's headquarters was located.
If something happened to important figures from various nations, it would become an international incident. That was why they never skimped on security.
Thanks to having my Guild Card ready, I passed through the gate without a hitch, but apparently normal travelers had to go through three rounds of checks.
First, you were required to present identification. I passed that step, but if you got stuck there, the screening dragged on.
You had to get in a different line and start over.
Since the security was so tight, I probably would have waited even longer than I did at the Dwarven Kingdom.
I was truly grateful to have my identification on me.
Incidentally, if you stumbled at the second check, you were subjected to a third, and at that point you were basically treated as a criminal.
The treatment was so harsh that you wouldn't even want to enter the city anymore.
And yet, plenty of people still wanted in. The line for the third inspection was also a long snake of people.
That was proof of just how attractive this country was.
I walked through the city, marveling at the sights.
Ranga had been sent to hide in the shadows near the royal capital.
Even if I insisted he was just a wolf, people would only ask, "So what?"
It wasn't a matter of that. There was no way you'd be allowed to bring a wolf into a city. I had enough common sense to know that. No worries.
So I left Ranga hidden outside the city and, after half a day of standing in line, finally made it inside.
The city wasn't just impressive in its scenery.
Its culture had also developed wonderfully.
In what looked like a large gymnasium, there were facilities that resembled an outdoor concert venue.
Large paintings were hung in prominent spots around the city—apparently advertisements for theatrical performances.
Paper seemed to be relatively cheap here, as we also saw flyers being distributed.
Truly, a metropolis.
For the first time in a while, I could feel the pulse of a city.
What really blew me away—I mean genuinely shocked me—was that there were buildings with glass fronts.
Merchandise was displayed inside, just like a shop window.
In fact, that was exactly what they were: shop windows.
The difference from my previous world was that what was mainly on display was weapons and armor.
Stores with dresses and fashionable clothing could be found in the upscale district near the center of the city, close to the castle.
They were probably quite different from the common folk's shops.
Living inside these walls alone was probably enough to make someone well-off, but owning a home near the castle was likely only possible for the nobility.
A stark class divide existed there.
Well, sure, that made sense. Differences in tax payments would naturally lead to differences in living conditions.
After touring the city to my satisfaction, I set about looking for an inn.
The city was roughly divided into four districts.
Commercial, Tourism, Industrial, and Residential.
The division radiated out from the castle at the center, and the closer you got to the middle, the more upscale the area became.
Easy enough to understand.
So, I headed to the Tourism district.
Sure enough, there was a section lined with inns. Behind them was the bar district.
I could feel my spirits lift. But today's objective wasn't the bars.
As much as it pained me, I gave up on that and found an inn to secure my lodging for the night.
The Tourism district, the closer you got to the outer wall, was full of sideshows and market stalls. Street vendors were set up as well.
The closer to the center, the more you found diplomatic residences, conference halls, and other major buildings. There was even a school among them.
It was the most heavily guarded of the four districts.
And it was near the center of that district that the Free Guild's headquarters stood.
At first, I didn't know where it was, so I asked a knight standing on a street corner for directions.
"Which guild do you have business with? The nearest one is right over there."
He pointed it out as he spoke.
I could see a large, splendid building.
Standing right next to it was presumably the Western Holy Church's Englasia branch. A holy cross symbol stood atop the roof.
"Next to that church?"
"That's right. Hard to miss, isn't it? Even a young lady could find her way there without getting lost."
That's what he told me. Apparently there was another guild building too, but I decided to head for the closer one.
It was quite a large building, visible even from a distance.
Having secured my lodging for the night, I made my way to the Free Guild's headquarters.
So, I had no business at the church. Besides, as an atheist, I intended to spend my whole life without anything to do with churches.
After all, I'd heard that the church here was dead set against monsters. I didn't want to attract their attention either.
And yet, the fact that it stood right alongside the Free Guild was unexpected.
Well, as long as I didn't emit any Demon Aura, I figured I wouldn't be found out.
No point worrying about it. If it happened, it happened.
The entrance to the headquarters was glass-paneled. That had to have been expensive.
Honestly, I never expected to see glass doors in this world. This was a place where "Otherworlders" existed, after all.
They probably sweated the details in all sorts of unnecessary places like this. It seemed I still had a lot to learn about attention to detail.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
It wasn't about whether you could or couldn't—it was the resolve to try that mattered.
I wanted to learn from this.
And just as I was about to step inside, I felt something scanning my body.
The door opened automatically.
Seriously?! A sensor detected a person and opened the door on its own. They were deploying unnecessarily advanced technology.
I was amazed they had reproduced this level of detail. The church next door had wooden doors that you naturally opened by hand.
There was something about this place that was completely different from next door—a sense of stubborn determination, almost obsessive.
When I stepped inside, all eyes turned toward me.
The young woman standing by the door greeted me: "Welcome! How may I help you today?"
It was like a first-class hotel. For a headquarters, the level of refinement was clear to see.
"Yeah, I'd like to meet with the Director. Here's my letter of introduction."
I handed over the letter as I spoke.
"Let me verify that. Please wait here for a moment."
I was escorted to what looked like a waiting room.
As expected of headquarters. The instant I sat down on the sofa, a staff member brought over a cup of tea.
Truly first-class service.
I grew curious and asked: "Hey—this might sound careless, but is it really okay to just let anyone in this easily?"
To which I received the explanation: "Oh, this must be your first time at headquarters.
Only Guild members of B Rank or above are permitted to enter this building.
At the entrance, the Guild Card is scanned, and the door will not open for anyone who lacks clearance.
Those below B rank—C+ and under—complete their reception at the building near the city entrance."
I see. The sensor served that purpose as well.
And the other guild building the knight had mentioned was probably that one.
To an outsider, you wouldn't know that your rank determined where you could go.
They would have processed my letter of introduction regardless, but it was a good thing I came here from the start.
Raising my rank to B had been the right call.
While I was thinking about all this, I heard a knock at the door.
It opened, and a man walked in.
He had black hair and dark eyes, with an appearance that still looked almost boyish.
His features were reasonably well-formed, with a youthful air about him.
He looked young enough that you could believe someone calling him a high school student.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kagurazaka Yuuki.
I'm the Director of this Free Guild.
Pleased to meet you, Rimuru-san! I've heard all about you!"
He said this with a broad, friendly smile.
An approachable-looking young man. That was my first encounter with Kagurazaka Yuuki.
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− BAAANG!
The door was thrown open with brute force, and Milim burst into the room.
In the first place, with such an overwhelmingly powerful Demon Aura approaching, there was no possibility of it being anyone other than Milim.
The moment Milim came striding in, she announced: "Hey, Frey! Nice weather again today!"
She said this with a beaming smile.
She was conspicuously running her hand through her beautiful silver hair. On that hand, she wore something unfamiliar.
Not a ring. A pair of one-of-a-kind knuckle-dusters with intricate dragon designs, fitted over four fingers.
They were clutched in her small hands, looking perfectly natural.
"Hmm~. It's a bit warm, don't you think?"
She said this while fanning her face with her hand.
Normally, she wouldn't care about the heat in the slightest…
"Oh my, Milim. It's been a while. You seem to be in a wonderfully good mood today.
Did something nice happen?"
"Mm, you can tell? Actually, here—look at this!"
So saying, she proudly showed off the dragon knuckle-dusters on both hands.
She was practically preening, puffing out her chest.
Frey, inwardly sighing at the tiresome display as only someone who had known Milim for years could: "Oh my, my! Those suit you perfectly. What are they?"
She asked the question she figured Milim wanted to hear.
Milim fidgeted and fussed: "Wanna know? Hmm, I dunno~. I guess I could tell you…
Hmm~, what should I do~"
She was being deliberately coy.
It was incredibly annoying—annoying enough to make even Frey, long accustomed to her ways, grimace internally.
"Oh come now, we're 'friends,' aren't we? You can tell me."
That word made Milim's eyes light up.
"You're right! We really are friends, aren't we!
Alright, I'll tell you. So, here's the thing!"
And so Frey found herself listening to Milim ramble on about a town of monsters.
Milim spent ages bragging and showing off all sorts of things.
The way Milim carried on—something Frey had never seen before—it was enough to make her unable to hide her bewilderment.
When the conversation finally reached a lull: "Oh, that's right, Milim. As a 'friend,' I have a present for you.
Would you accept it?"
Saying this, Frey signaled to her attendant.
What the attendant brought over—there it was. Resting on a purple cloth, a beautiful gem radiating a gorgeous luster.
The gem was set in an exquisitely crafted pendant.
Even an amateur could tell that its value was immense.
"Hm? Is this a pendant?
Can I really take it? But even if I take this, I'm not giving up these knuckle-dusters!"
Frey let out a wry chuckle at those words: "It's fine, Milim. A token of our friendship. A present for my 'friend.' Would you try it on for me?"
Frey answered with a gentle smile.
Leave it to me! Milim put it on with a wide grin across her face.
〈Curse Art: Dominate Demon Lord — Activated… Successful〉 In that instant, Milim's expression—so full of life—froze over.
Her eyes reflected nothing, revealing not a trace of will.
The dragon knuckle-dusters slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.
Frey watched the scene, let out a single breath, and spoke: "It's done,
She called out toward the shadows of the empty room.
From that spot, the shadows deepened for a moment, and a man materialized.
Demon Lord Clayman.
The man known by the alias Puppet Master.
"Kukuku. Splendid work, Frey. Now I have the strongest puppet in my hands!
Ku—ha ha ha ha ha ha!!
You underestimated me as one of the new Demon Lords, and look at you now—how pathetic, Milim!"
He sneered and then struck Milim.
Milim's plump cheek swelled red, and her lip split.
Without her usual multi-layered defensive magic barriers, Milim's durability wasn't particularly impressive.
She was sturdier than an ordinary girl—no, sturdier than the human race in general—but taking a blow from a Demon Lord was bound to cause damage.
Ku-hahahaha! Laughing uproariously, Clayman moved to follow up with another strike when— "You might want to reconsider."
"Hmph, this isn't some curse that breaks from a little damage!
You've been lorded over plenty too, and I'm sure you had plenty of frustration built up, didn't you?
That's why you agreed to this plan! Am I wrong?
Then there's no need to hold back. She can't resist anymore.
Well, she's unnecessarily tough, so I'll heal her before she breaks!"
Eyes bloodshot with excitement, Clayman kicked Milim.
Frey observed his behavior with cold detachment: "Hey, Clayman. You might not know this, but Milim has a self-defense mechanism?
It's called ' berserker mode'—a state with no limits on her abilities.
You're free to get yourself killed by it, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't drag me down with you. Do you understand?"
Those words brought Clayman back to composure.
"Tch. What a thoroughly exasperating Demon Lord. So much for being one of the oldest. They look down on me…
Whatever. If I use her, I'll increase my influence among the Demon Lords.
Frey, you're an accomplice too. The least you can do is not betray me!"
"Oh my? I thought we had an equal partnership?"
"You fool! I'm the one who set up this plan! You're already my pawn.
You don't want to provoke Milim into killing you, do you?
Ku-hahahaha! The moment I obtained Milim, you lost the ability to defy me!"
At those words, Frey wore a displeased expression.
She had been offered a deal: become the Sky Queen, the ruler of the skies. With Milim out of the picture, that dream could become reality.
That was how she had been recruited into this plan.
Along with information—Clayman had obtained it from somewhere—that Milim was vulnerable to the keyword "friends."
"I understand."
"That's all I need to hear. Just make sure you don't do anything foolish like betraying me.
Don't worry—I won't give you orders like I do with Milim. I'll just be asking nicely from time to time!"
Clayman laughed on and on.
Now, including himself, he had three Demon Lords under his control. A force that could no longer be ignored even at a council meeting.
At the very least, he had pulled ahead of the younger Demon Lords.
Milim and Frey. If he could manipulate these two skillfully, he could bring the young Demon Lords to heel as well.
And if that happened, even the veterans wouldn't be able to ignore him anymore.
He would prove it through his manipulation!
After all, he was the Puppet Master! He would live up to his name and bring the Demon Lords under his control.
His next target would be Demon Lord
Clayman plotted on.
Frey watched him coldly.
On the floor, the dragon knuckle-dusters that had slipped from Milim's fingers lay glinting with a cold light.
The eyes that gazed upon them held no light at all.
The gleam of the dragon knuckle-dusters reflected emptily in Milim's vacant stare.