AN: The dialogues in this story that are enclosed in "" are lines like "●●●●" that Satou cannot understand. If I did everything that way, it would be stressful to read, so I left the lines in brackets in regular letters. Please understand that these are words that Satou cannot understand.
"Oh, it's an artifact."
I saw what looked like a stone tower on the other side of the hill.
It's been a day and a half since I left the warrior's fortress, and it looks like I'll be able to reach the human village sooner than expected.
"--Uh?"
As I walked quickly, countless white dots appeared on the edge of the radar.
White dots indicate neutral units that are neither enemies nor allies—in this case, humans.
The white dots grew more and more each time I took a step forward.
"Maybe some kind of parade or festival?"
A huge line of people is flowing out of the city.
I thought it might be a marathon, but the speed of movement was slow for that.
There are other things I'm also concerned about.
I realized that the black smoke that I had been using as a landmark to guide me was not just one.
Originally, I thought it was caused by a fire, but it may be that a forest fire is causing a major disaster.
When I got to the top of the hill, I saw what looked like a fortified city protected by an outer wall, and a line of people pouring out of it.
"Are they evacuating?"
Maybe a war?
The games I was making were SLG and MMO-RPG.
If the dream has a strong element of the former, I think war is one of the possibilities.
At this time, I was still trying to convince myself that the current situation was ``a dream of the game world.''
After wandering for the past few days, I realized that it was too real to be a dream, but at just the right time someone was helping me. Because I had access to food, water, and winter gear, I couldn't say for sure that it was real.
"If it looks dangerous, let's make a U-turn."
I prioritize my own safety and headed to a place where I can see the situation in detail.
It's too far from here, so I can't see it clearly.
"It looks like they're running away from the city..."
I came to the nearest hill from what appeared to be a highway.
From here, I could clearly see the evacuees.
Their clothing is mob fashion, something you'd see in a fantasy game.
People pushing large carts, people pulling large carts, parents leading their children's hands, old people sitting by the roadside - no matter how you look at it, it wasn't an army or a parade.
It seemed like there were about four to six people in soldier-like clothing, patrolling the crowd on horseback, perhaps as guards or monitors.
"--Ah"
Our eyes met.
Several people on horseback pointed at me, their heads circling towards me.
It might have been better to run away, but there was no way I could run away from a horse in such an open space where I was unfamiliar with the area, so I decided to wait there quietly.
To my surprise, all four soldiers on horseback appeared to be women.
"You over there! Who are you! ! "
When I got close, the red-haired female soldier at the front said something in a language I didn't know.
It's a word I don't know. I have no idea what you're talking about.
The redhead was holding a weapon that looked like a stone crossbow towards me.
I drop my bag on the ground and raise my hands to show that I have no intention of fighting.
"Who are you! Give your name! "
What is that language?
The only languages I can speak are Japanese and English, but I can understand at least a few major languages, probably because I spent my time traveling overseas as a student.
However, even I had no idea what words she was saying.
When I glanced at the log, I found that I had acquired the "Shiga National Language" skill, so this unknown language must be Shiga National Language.
Perhaps because I haven't allocated skill points, the "Shiga Japanese" skill remains grayed out.
If anything, I'd like to be able to speak once I acquire the skill.
"Are you listening! Give your name! "
"Sorry, I don't understand what you're talking about."
"What is this language? Are you trying to get into trouble with words you don't know? "
``Lirio, what are you doing in a daze? If you give him one punch, he'll become obedient.''
As if thinking I was being taken aback, the small stone crossbow guy yelled with a displeased look on her face, and the large woman approached with an intimidating look on her face while snapping her fingers.
"Lou, wait. Violence is a last resort.'
A cute girl with sun-colored hair stops a large woman.
``Zena-san, this boy ・・・Could he be a spy from another country? "
The prettiest blonde beauty pulls out a large sword from her back and thrusts it right in front of me.
``If you are not a thief, please come forward! "
I don't understand what they're saying, but it feels like they're asking me to tell them their name or who they are.
"I'm-Satou."
I was about to tell him his real name, Ichiro Suzuki, but then I remembered that the name on the menu was ``Satou,'' so I said that.
It didn't seem to be understood the first time, so I pointed at myself and repeated "Satou" over and over again.
"Satou? It's a kind of unusual name.''
A female soldier with sun-colored hair says.
"Zena-san? What should I say?More importantly, what should I do with this boy? "
A beautiful blonde woman asks a girl with sun-colored hair.
Apparently, this girl with sun-colored hair is the captain.
"I agree.... Yes, Lirio! Please call someone who is good at magic.''
"Hop to it! If you go around the gate, you'll probably see someone there! "
At the command of the captain, short guard leaves the squad and heads towards the fortified city.
"Let's head towards the highway too."
Just when I thought the beautiful blonde had put the great sword into the sheath on her back, I was tied up in an instant by practiced hands.
I was carried like luggage on her horse and headed towards the line of refugees.
Horses have more vertical amplitude and impact when they hit the ground than I expected.
To put it simply, the ride quality is extremely poor. There's so much pressure in my stomach that I feel like I'm going to throw up.
"Zenacchi! "
When the refugees were just a few steps away from walking, the stone crossbow user returned.
The two people with her are a green-haired boy with a donkey and an intelligent and beautiful woman. The boy was wearing a fairy-like outfit with the same green color as his hair. Perhaps because he wears a three-cornered hat on his head, he looks even more like a fairy.
``The people who are with Lirio are Nadi-san and the manager of the general store.''
『If I remember correctly, I heard from Nadi-san that the store manager can use magic.』
The beautiful blonde woman and the captain are exchanging words.
"I apologize for the inconvenience, Yusaratoya-sama. Could you please cast the spell of "translation" on me? "
"Uh um. ■■...''
After talking to the captain, the boy makes a sound that sounds like ultra-high-speed playback of audio data.
Where do he get his voice to make such a sound?
"...■ translation"
Finally, like a wizard, he pointed a twisted wooden staff and sprinkled some sparkling light powder onto me.
"Do you understand?"
The boy spoke in a language I understood.
"You don't"
"I-I understand!"
For some reason, I can understand the language the boy speaks even though it's not Japanese.
Was the glitter from earlier a magic spell that allowed them to communicate?
"Now I can ask questions. Thank you, manager."
"yeah"
When the captain thanked him, the boy nodded enthusiastically.
"Where are you from?"
Immediately, the blonde beauty interrogates me.
"This is from the Warrior's Fortress."
I didn't lie.
To be honest, I didn't say that I came from the final map-like "Dragon Valley" because I had a feeling that the interrogation would be prolonged if I said so.
"A warrior's fortress? A suicidal person?"
Was it a famous suicide spot?
Come to think of it, there were a lot of grave markers behind the fort.
"No, I was picking up scales."
I showed him the small dragon scales I kept in my shoulder bag.
Most of the scales are in storage, but I kept a few in my shoulder bag.
"'Dragon scales!'"
The soldiers and store managers stared at the scales with great vigor.
I was surprised by the unexpected reaction.
"I see, you were a daredevil peddler."
The beautiful blonde said so and nodded.
Well, the fact that it has scales means that the giant creature that owns the scales is nearby.
"For the time being, it doesn't seem like he's a spy from another country..."
"Isn't it a bit early to make that judgment?"
"If you were an interloper, you wouldn't dress so conspicuously."
Due to the captain's judgment, I was able to escape from the restraint state.
"Sell me the scales."
It's the store manager who speaks in few words.
"I don't mind that, but-"
"Twenty gold coins"
The store manager cuts in curtly right away.
I don't know the monetary value, but it seems like it will sell for a pretty good price.
"I'll sell"
I don't know if that's a fair price, but I want to get out of my penniless state as soon as possible.
"Nadi"
"I don't have that much money. This jack-of-all-trades is very poor."
The store manager held out his hand to the intelligent and beautiful woman, but she smacked his hand and refused.
"I'm in trouble"
I don't know what kind of store the manager is, but I can kind of guess that an intelligent and beautiful woman follows him around every day.
"Exchange"
The manager takes off the ring and hands it to me.
It's a wooden ring.
"Manager! Isn't that the precious ring you brought from Boruenan Forest?"
"No problem"
No, there's a problem.
"As expected, exchanging something for something so precious is..."
"Need"
"These scales?"
"Yes. But it's different."
What do you mean?
"Translation ring"
--translation?
Does that mean it has the same effect as the magic you cast on me earlier?
I see, it seems that the "necessary" that the manager just mentioned meant equipment that I needed.
Even from the AR display that pops up next to the ring, there is no doubt that the ring is a "translation ring."
"Please to take it."
"Hmm, established."
Exchange rings and scales.
I think it's a little small for my fingers.
"-Oh?"
The ring expands and contracts to fit the thickness of my finger, making it the perfect size.
It's more like a fantasy or a game.
"That's right. I still have scales, but is it enough to just have one?"
It would be bad if I only paid for the ring, so I'll add two more.
"You still have more?"
The captain was surprised to see the additional scales that I had brought out.
"sufficient"
"Hmm?"
"The manager says one piece is enough."
An intelligent and beautiful woman translated the store manager's short words.
The horse the store manager was leading snorted.
"go"
"Okay, everyone, we'll take our time now."
"Good luck"
The store manager said goodbye with a mysterious gesture and left with the intelligent beauty.
◇
"That's it!"
As I was seeing off the store managers, the captain seemed to have thought of something.
"Lirio, can you find the court magician or the magician Ursula-sama?"
"Leave it to me! I don't know where the ice hag is, but if you're a court magician, there should be some of them sealing the main gate."
The rought girl runs her horse towards the fortified city.
"Zena-san?"
The beautiful blonde questioned the captain for her intentions.
"Dragon scales are a necessary material for the Seryuu Earldom from now on. We don't have the money to pay for it, but I'm sure Ursula-sama and the court magicians can."
I could tell from the store managers' attitude that dragon scales were a valuable item, but I didn't think it was that important of a material.
"Huh? What are dragon scales used for?"
Since I had some free time until the dispatched girl came back, I asked the captain.
"You don't know?"
"Unfortunately, I'm uneducated."
"It's used for things like barriers. It's especially perfect for warding off demons and for consecration, so no matter how expensive it is, the earl's family will buy it."
Hey, is that so?
If that's the case, let's sell only a little so the price doesn't drop.
"Zenacchi!"
The stone crossbow tomboy has already returned.
Behind her is an old woman with white hair riding a donkey.
"I brought Her because the Ice hag was there!"
The moment she uttered the word ``Ice hag,'' the old woman hit her on the head with a wooden cane.
Apparently, you shouldn't say that name.
"Ursula-sama, please to meet you-"
"It's okay to say hello. Is that kid the one with the dragon scales? Show it to me as soon as possible."
Prompted by an impatient old woman, I shows her the scales.
"It's small, but it's definitely an adult dragon's scales. How many scales are there?"
"Five pieces."
There were only two in my shoulder bag, but I secretly took them out of storage and into my bag to increase the number.
"They're all adult dragon scales. The red and black scales must have been dropped when the young red dragon and black dragon, who had just become adult dragons, got into a fight. Well, that doesn't matter. It's more than that--"
After saying that, the old woman turned the conversation back to the transaction.
"I don't have a lot of gold coins. I'll have to buy most of it with jewelry. This is a magic item: item box. If you don't have any skills or magic bags, wouldn't that be better? "
"Yes, that would be helpful."
I can use gold coins since I have storage, but I won't be forced to stick to gold coins.
I will receive 20 gold coins and jewelry worth 100 gold coins as compensation. The two gold coins were made up of fine coins such as silver and copper coins. I was told that it was bad because it was getting heavier, but I was just looking for small amounts of money, so I am rather grateful.
"If we have this many adult dragon scales, we can quickly releave Earl Seryu who remains to seal away the demons!"
"really?!"
"Oh, I'll guarantee it. I'll make sure to convey your accomplishments to the people above you."
The old woman speaks happily.
I think Earl Seryu is the most important person in this Earl Seryu territory, but he seems to be doing something to keep the demons away.
"That's right. If you're at that level, you probably wouldn't feel comfortable traveling."
The old woman said that, and she took out two scrolls and several small bottles from the baggage on the donkey's back and handed them to me.
Apparently she can see other people's levels.
"Scrolls and potions for self-defense. Scrolls are only effective at scaring away wolves and bandits, but they should buy you some time to escape."
An AR display popped up next to the scrolls and vials.
The scroll is discharge network sparking net"or" short stun bullet.It was a scroll that contained a spell called `Short stun`, and the small bottle seemed to be a low-grade physical strength recovery potion that healed injuries.
"Thank you very much. I appreciate it"
When I tried to pay for it, I was told that it was a bonus and she didn't need it.
What a kind old lady. I can't help but feel like offering a prayer.
"That's my line. Once Earl Seryuu territory calms down, show your face. The Earl will give you a reward."
The old woman said so and dashed off.
"Zena-san, we have to get back to our mission."
"I agree"
Encouraged by the beautiful blonde woman, the captain turns her horse around.
"Satou-san, if you'd like, have this."
The captain took out a piece of paper from her pocket, wrote something on it, and handed it to me.
"It's a simple identification card. Please use it when entering the town of Earl Seryuu territory. It won't work in other countries, but within Shiga Kingdom, you should be able to use it when crossing the border."
Oh, that helps.
The translation ring that the store manager gave me seems to allow me to read text, so I was able to read the contents of the ID card that the captain gave me.
According to the signature, the captain is the captain of the territory's magic squad and her name seems to be Zena Marientale.
"Thank you for your kindness, Dame Marientale."
According to the AR display, she seems to be from an aristocratic class, the daughter of a knight, so I thank her in a polite tone.
"It's about time we go too. Since Seryuu City is on lock-down, I think it would be a good idea to go to the mining city with the refugees, or to the town of Sabile, which is close to the neighboring Kageus Earldom."
"Okay then. If you want food, buy it from the merchant. If you steal it, we'll have more work to do!"
"Mr. Lu, please excuse me."
Dame Marientale and the others leave in a lively manner.
When I somehow checked the menu screen, I noticed that in the short period of time since I met the girls, I had acquired skills such as not only ``Shiga Japanese'' but also ``Magic,'' ``Excuse,'' and ``Negotiation.'' Like the others, it was grayed out, so I wanted to level up or something as soon as possible to get skill points.
In a world like this game, it seems like you can accumulate experience points even without fighting, and I was already two-thirds of the way to the next level.
I'm looking forward to leveling up.
As I walked with the refugees until sunset, I saw people camping for the night at a fork in the road.
People who looked like merchants were running a soup kitchen for a fee, so I paid a few copper coins and had them share the meal with me.
The same crusty black bread that was in the bag I got at the warrior's fortress, The cloudy and thin vegetable soup is tonight's dinner.
"Boy! Come here and sit by the fire."
The person who said that and invited me to the bonfire was a man who looked like a merchant.
While we were talking while eating, the merchants told me that they had come north from the royal capital to Seryuu City to sell.
"Speaking of which, what happened in Seryuu City? The soldiers were talking about demons, but..."
Once I had gotten used to the conversation, I asked him what I was curious about.
"That's right. It's a demon. And it's not a low-class or small demon. A middle-class or higher-level dangerous demon has appeared."
One of the merchants told me with a pale face.
The mighty demon summons demons that seem to be his followers one after another, and uses the flames of darkness. It seems that Seryuu City was partially destroyed.
"I never thought a demon would appear in the middle of a city."
"Not at all! I barely get out alive."
"Oh, it was hell..."
The merchants were lucky to be safe, but the person they were negotiating with was burned in the dark flames right in front of their eyes, turning to ashes in an instant.
"Lord Hassan, you, as a nobleman, saw the whole battle inside the inner wall, right?"
"Ah, I saw it.While Lord Kigori and Roshi-sama, the strongest in the territory, were desperately trying to hold down the higher demons, His Excellency the Earl used hsi lord power to trap the demons in a stone pillar.''
The person who called out to as Lord Hassan was the first person who spoke with a blue face.
I thought he was a merchant, but it turns out he was a nobleman.
"Even now, His Excellency the Earl continues to seal away the demons in the ``Inner Room.'' The reason we were able to escape safely like this is thanks to His Excellency and the sacrifices made by Lord Kigori and Master Roshi."
Lord Hassan looks towards Seryuu City and prays.
This story also matches the story of the old woman who bought the dragon scales.
If it were a game or something, the pattern would be that as the scenario progresses, the demons would revive and a huge commotion would ensue.
After talking with them, demons seem like dangerous monsters like demons, and I want to make sure we don't end up fighting even if I make a mistake.
"Are you all going to a mining city?"
"No, we will go through the Kageus Earldom and head north to the Kingdom of Yowok. Will Lord Hassan go to the mining city like other nobles?"
"I will rely on my wife's family home in the Kageus Earldom."
"I see, that's good. It's better to stay as far away from the demons as possible."
I wasn't sure where to go, but the merchants recommended it to me, so I decided to head towards Kageus Earldom.
I am deeply moved when I think that this decision led to the encounter between those children.
That day, I slept wrapped in my fur, satisfied with the simple yet warm meal I had had for the first time in a while.
AN: This time, the Zena team, the store manager, and Nadi appeared.
Satou arrived late, so by the time he arrived, it seems like the black greater demons had rampaged through Seryuu City.