"Cheers~~~!"

In honor of successfully completing the order, we were drinking in a bar. We were celebrating under the pretext of having made sure the goods were safely delivered.

Well, I did tell them that it wasn't a necessary thing to do...But they said...

"Now now, there'll be plenty of pretty ladies there!"

"Yeah yeah!!! Young pretties and mature ladies! It's just the right place for

gentlemen to visit!"

"Hey now! If Master Iblis doesn't go, the party won't begin?"]

I didn't want to, but there was no choice! These guys were really a handful!!!

Man~, my sincere image of a refined man will go to waste~! This was really troubling!!!

I was told the name of the establishment was, Naughty Succubus.

Would there really be Succubus? I wouldn't forgive them if there are Dwarves there.

...No no, it's not like I'm interested in that, okay?

And while thinking these thoughts, we entered the shop.

"Oh my~! Welcome, ~!!!"

"Welcome to our shop~~~!!!"

Extremely beautiful women were standing all lined up!!!

Ohhhhhh!!! Those long ears!!!

Demons! No I mean, those are elves~!!!

On my body a sensation of Puyon Puyon!

On my back, it was Boyon Boyon!!!

Was this paradise?

"....... Eh, uhm...although you seemed discontent at first, it looks like you're having a great time of it?"

Gasp!

Oh no, for the great me to be like this...

"Eh?...no, not that much?"

I guess that was a bit too forced...

Not a single one of them believed in me.

However, I couldn't help it. What could I do!

I mean, right now an elf is sitting on my lap and one is hugging me from

behind...

My heart is so deeply moved!!!

Ahh...if only my classmate were here, they would be so jealous...

We were passing away the time and enjoying ourselves when someone interrupted us,

"My my, isn't this Demure? That's no good at all, to bring a vulgar barbarian into such a refined establishment as this!"

A provoking voice had called over to where we were.

Who was that? Who was this old man?

All of a sudden, our surroundings had quietened down.

As if they disliked that old man, the serving girls all had a hint of dislike on their faces. But it was hard to notice unless you carefully observed them.

Unusual for people here, that person was really slender and rather tall.

"Hey, madam! Do you permit the entering of barbarians into this shop?"

"N-, no, even though he's an Easterner, He didn't seem that dangerous..."

"Huuh? It's still an Easterner! Am I wrong? Do you mean to say that we can trust them? Why don't allow all of them to enter our country and make us slaves again? Who knows maybe he is a spy of Republic."

Do I really look that suspicious? I know I am wearing rag-like clothes but still.

And what about me being an easterner. I visited a bunch of republic cities and none of the people there look anything like me.

"No...it's not like that, I never meant..."

Owner of the club had replied non-committally in an evasive manner, trying to avoid those angry words, but the old man paid no further attention to her.

It was plain to see that the old man's objective was us.

"This isn't good...that's the Duke...."

So that was the rumored Duke Gabe?

I see...how should I put it, his face had a high strung and obstinate look about it.

At that moment,

"Hmph! For a barbarian, this would suit you well!!!"

Saying such nonsense, he splashed my face with water.

That really got on my nerves, but I firmly put up with it.

Since my opponent was the Duke of a nation, I couldn't let my quick temper get the better of me and make trouble for others. I can't even face him right now. I didn't have Mineka with me and Malena and Lambli had left for the camp to prepare it.

Also To be banned from this shop or something like that, I didn't want to experience such a sad thing!

But just when I had resolved to endure it all,

"Oi.... Just because we were nice and quiet, you get full of yourself!"

Demure kicked the table flying with a 'Bang!', and stood up.

"Hey, Gabe! Bastard, acting so rudely to my guest, are you ready for what's coming to you?"

...Eh? Hang on, Demure...the other party is the Duke, is that okay?

Duke had become stiff from astonishment, and I was also jumping up and down in a panic!

"Yo-, you bastard! To dare to use such words towards myself...!!!"

Duke couldn't even properly speak due to his anger and surprise.

"Isn't it about time you became silent!!!"

Bellowing in a fury, Demure sent an unhesitating fist flying towards Dukes's face....

"Iblis, you were searching for skilled craftsmen right!? Would I be lacking?"

You would be far from lacking but...I should say, will this be alright? But well, after hitting the Duke, there would be no place for him in the country now.

However.

In a man's life, there would be times, when words were unneeded.

"I'll take you up on those words! I look forward to working with you,

Demure!"

I didn't care about the minor details.

If Demure wanted to come with me, I was just fine with that!

Pretty words can go to hell! I'll be satisfied with living the way I want! Demure and I, passionately nodded to one another.

And so, our promise was fulfilled!!!

But still...from here on, how should we escape the country?

As expected, when in society, if you didn't act with prudence, a mountain load of problems would come about...

Now... then.

Of course, hitting a Duke is very bad.

Of course...

"Sir... what have you done? It is just your first day and you already have been involved in two different incidents"

So said Gibi, having brought in the soldiers.

He was the same guard who was responsible for my investigation in the morning. It is really a coincidence that we have again met with a new incident.

"And I will repeat the same thing I said in the morning. It isn't my fault, He was the one calling me an Easterner and bullying Demure."

I replied while pointing at Duke who was being nursed by four soldiers.

Gabe, on the other hand, was so shocked and surprised that he couldn't even stand. Blood was dripping from his nose, he glared stupidly at me.

Not even in his wildest dreams had he imagined being punched. Thus, he was so surprised, that he probably didn't even feel the pain.

"Oi oi.... It isn't going to be as easy as the morning. Making an enemy of the Duke is very bad..."

Gibi muttered with a foreboding sigh.

"Anyways... I'll have to restrain the people present."

He said and gave his subordinates an order.

But, only audible to us, he added,

"We won't harm you, so please come peacefully!"

He mumbled.

Of course, I had no intention of causing further trouble. So, I followed behind them quietly as I handed over some money to Bar owner for causing trouble.

So the five of us were brought into the royal palace.

But I may have exaggerated a bit–we weren't restraint with much force. Felt more like we were coming voluntarily. Well, were coerced into doing so...

As a result, we spent two days in prison.

"My short temper got you in this mess... forgive me!"

Demure came over to apologize.

However, no one gathered here particularly minded in the first place.

"Demure sir, we're fine! Don't sweat it!"

"Exactly. Don't worry about it, pops!"

"Hmm! We will be alright!"

All three seemed to be of the same opinion.

"That aside, once we're freed, we intend to come along with Demure!"

"Iblis, would our presence be a bother?"

"Alright! I guess I'll say it again: you'll be in my care! However, I plan to work you hard, so be prepared!"

"Yeah!"x 3

And, well, that's the kind of discussion we had.

During our stay in the prison, I learned more about Demure Brother past and their rivalry with the Duke.

Demure and his brother were apparently high ranking military officers and Royal blacksmiths. When Demure brother was serving as captain in Kingdom military. Duke Gabe approached him with an offer to betray the king in the favor of king's sister.

"Duke wanted to make princess as a puppet queen and marry her. We brothers were always thought never to betray the kingdom so he followed his instinct and decided to tell the King about Duke plan..........

Unfortunately, before he can report the betrayer....... A bunch of his subordinate were already bought and were presented as a witness against my brother for corruption. Military records were forged and false shreds of evidence were planted to frame him. The punishment for Corruption is death in the kingdom but the generous king strip us of our ranks and we were forced to leave the military. "

In short, Gabe is a stereotypical villain. And in some sense, he's easy to understand.

"I always waited for the chance to return back to the military but Gabe always stood in my way like an obstacle."

It seems mood has become grimed from his story

"It should be fine, probably. Although retired, my position as a captain did earn me the rank of Baronet.

Had it been a case of a commoner hitting a noble, I probably wouldn't be able to avoid the death penalty!"

Having said that, he laughed loudly.

I couldn't laugh at all, though...

It seems the earlier story about not makinaDuke an house was a lie after all. The reason behind grudge was bigger than that. I couldn't escape from here easily.

Worst case scenario, Demons came here searching for me and I got to escape. Until then, I will just act like a regular merchant.

~And, the day of the trial came.

We were led before the king.

The Hero King.

Though in front of him, you couldn't feel that overpowering aura.

The current king–Gamil Diega.

He sits deeply on the throne.

Looking like a typical Warrior, he had a sturdy build. His armor concealed his excessive energy.

Though he could easily be distinguished by his darker skin, and jet black hair swept back.

He's strong!

Been a while since my instincts last cried out in alarm.

To both of his sides, the Knights stand at attention. Though I feel that those two are strong as well, they seem dull in comparison to the king.

As that guy is just a monster.

I had planned to run away if needed, but with this...His mere presence forced my distracted mind to focus. He has a similar presence to that of Jacob. I would love to see both of them fight it off in 1v1 match.

There was one man kneeling before the king as if confirming something. Having received the king's permission, he stood, and,

"The trial shall now begin! Silence your voices!!!」

He informed us of its beginning.

Taking up an hour, both sides' stories were presented. The parties in question–ourselves–were not permitted to speak. The only ones who could freely speak are nobles rank "Count" and above.

The rest must wait for the king's explicit permission.

If I had to speak, what would I say?

Speak out of turn, and your guilt shall be confirmed. Moreover, we'll also include a free "Insult the King" special!

Even if the charges against you were false, the rules stay the same. No choice but to leave everything to your representative. That representative, these past two days, has shown his face many times. If I had to say, he's kind of like our lawyer.

I wonder if he's any good?

Those kinds of worries tend to prove true too often...

"Thus, in this way, the drunk and relaxed Sire Gabe, while making his way into another shop, was assaulted!

Such action must not be pardoned easily!!!"

"Is that the truth?"

"Ay! I, more than listening to Demure, have investigated with the shop owners!All my previous statements are, in fact, completely true!!!"

... Huh? Umm... what did he say?

Someone we thought to be our ally had unexpectedly betrayed us?

Isn't this... bad?

When I look at Demure's face, it first turned bright red but slowly paled. Well, that's to be expected.

I mean, he can't even complain.

Oh and by the way... the representative is not allowed to lie.

If his lies get revealed, he gets the death penalty. So without some extreme circumstances, to lie is unthinkable...

Thus the system that forbids those of lower birth (in this case, the accused) to speak in front of the king, is being abused in the worst of ways. It was against the very foundation of Shallow kingdom welcoming policy.

"Your Majesty! Have you heard enough? Please bestow a harsh punishment on them!"

High with excitement, Gabe proposes thus to the king.

Moreover, while looking at us, he shows a triumphant smile.

That bastard... I really should have killed him... Only if I had Mineka or Demons with me.

The king, with his eyes closed, refuses to move a muscle.

Seeing this, those close by announcing his decision.

"Silence!!! We shall now announce the verdict!

The assailant, Demure! You are sentenced to 20 years of forced labor in the mines. The rest, accomplices! You are sentenced to 10 years of forced labor in the mines. That, concludes this..."

.....

What 10 years!!!

For a crime, I didn't commit. 10 years of hard labor. I can't accept it. I Won't. If I don't return by Tomorrow. Demons will come for me and they will wreak havoc in the city.

I still have a lot to do. I have to return to them. I have to help N....

"Wait!!!"

My deep, heavy voice resounded through the hall.

The king opened his eyes and looked at Demure.

"It's been a while, Demure! Are you in good health"

"...Yes! More importantly, I am happy to see his Majesty in good health!"

Thus Answered Demure. King completely ignored me.

"Those with you are the real question! Do you have an intention of returning to service?"

The hall immediately filled with noise.

Gabe's face turned blue.

The representative who betrayed us turned deathly pale.

"I fear, your Majesty, I already have a master!

That pledge has become my treasure. This treasure, even if it be his Majesty's order, I shall never part with!!!"

Angry words resounded in return.

The Royal Guard directed their killing intent at Demure.

Even then, Demure faced the king without a hint of fear, but rather with a grand price.

Seeing this, the king closed his eyes again.

"Is, that so... So that person with you is your new master."

Having so muttered,

He ordered his attendant to call silence again.

And,

"I'll declare the verdict. Steel your hearts!!!

Demure, I deport you from the kingdom. You shall not be permitted to remain here even a single night longer. While Punishment for other remains the same.

That is all. Now, begone from my sight..."

What? I turned to look at the Demure who is as surprised as me.

What is the king thinking? I didn't hurt the Duke. Why the hell is he punishing me? Demure should be punished.

I have to do something.

I look at my trembling hands.

King may not what is waiting for him if he punished me.

According to the legends, Demons could kill 500 elite soldiers...... with ease. I was a first hand witness of their strength.

They will come searching for me and without me controlling them. They will attack others. People of this city will suffer because of me. The soldiers at the guard station, the girls at Naughty Succubus and all other uninvolved citizens could be dead because of me.

I am the demon lord, Afterall.....

I have to prevent it!!! No matter what!!!

"Your Majesty!!!...., I request the right of Sacred Audience."

The room darkened with my words.