—Cole POV—
Taking the nonhumans to Siltvelt's Capital, we got bogged down at the Main Gate by the guards. It was unusual for a human to bring so many nonhumans to the capital so I understood their concerns. Fortunately, after elaborating on who I was…the guards began treating me very well. Having already learned about my involvement with the Shield Hero, they were more than happy to listen to what happened.
"Does the Shield Hero happen to be with you?", the guards inquired.
"Unfortunately not, he rescued a Kitsune and Tanuki from slavery early today. They volunteered to aid him in his journey to extinguish the Waves.", I explained to them, "I know your Leaders is away, but I was hoping you could take these people in. They were trapped in Magic Crystals deep in some ruins to the southwest of here."
"...you mean these are Ancient Ones!?", the guards gasped in shock, "Someone get the Prime Minister immediately!!"
Thinking I may have stepped on a taboo, I readied myself to teleport us away should any problems arise. Offering us seats in the Guard House, the civilians took a seat while my group stood outside to watch the situation. After waiting for nearly an hour for the Prime Minister to show up, a well-dressed Beastman came riding down the road toward us. Clearly of the Bear variety, given his rounded ears and massive hands, the man greeted me with a firm handshake when he arrived.
"It is an honor to meet the Shield Hero's Mentor, thank you so very much for saving him from those treacherous Fiends!", he praised me, "The information we received on you seems to be correct, these must be more of your wives correct? I am happy to see that someone like you is aiding the Shield Hero, a human that cares for his Demi-Human wives is a very rare occurrence."
"Thank you…I think?", I chuckled unsure what to say, "No one has ever thanked me for having nonhuman wives before. Anyways, I assume you heard about their situation from your Guardsmen?"
Nodding his head, the Prime Minister cautiously approached the group we cured. Judging from his body language, he was ready to jump back the moment one of them acted up.
"Is it true you are our ancestors…from before Siltran I mean.", he inquired.
"From what Cole has told us, we pre-date Siltran by several hundred years.", the Succubi told him, "When I was Queen, we called the nation Vitlan."
"Then it is true…", he replied with relief, "It appears that you aren't feral like the others we have attempted to free. The last few Ancient Ones we freed attacked us the moment someone talked to them. Sir Cole, may I ask how you managed to keep their sanity intact."
"I have decades of Magic Manipulation Training under my belt. It's safe to say I am an expert in the field so reviving them was fairly easy.", I told him, "The trick is to restore their body to its original state while also siphoning away all the excess magic they hold."
Nodding his head, he said he'd let his magicians know so they could adjust their process in the future. Turning to the people, the Prime Minister offered them citizenship and work in the capital. Accepting the offer immediately, we ended up moving things to the Castle so they could officially be registered as citizens. Standing outside the Throne Room while they filled out paperwork, my wives and I looked out the window at the city below.
Reflecting on the bustling capitals we built together, this city reminded me a lot of my time as Demon King. When I initially took over, the city was nothing more than ruins with a defensive wall that would have crumbled if I sneezed on it. Not only that…the walkways were rubble, the roads were overgrown, and pestilence was rampant. It took me nearly fifteen years to rebuild it to its former glory, this city reminded me a lot of that place.
'It's a shame I couldn't bring the city to Earth.', I thought, 'Would have been a nice place to call home again.'
Taking some time to enjoy the view and relax, the Succubi woman came out of the Throne Room an hour later. Asking to see a map, so she could fulfill her part of the agreement, she became a bit flustered when she saw the continent layout. Telling us that it looked nothing like the world she knew, she warned us that the locations may no longer be accurate due to shifted landscape.
"These locations are former Holy Sites in our time, you will find structures made of pure white marble when you arrive. Assuming they are intact, the center of the shrine is where the Gods were said to reside.", she told me, "I wish you luck on your journey, hopefully, you find what you are looking for."
Excusing herself with that, she led her people away to sort out housing and meals for them. Once they were gone, I checked the time to see if we should head back to Castle Town. As I was about to teleport, the Prime Minister called out to me.
"You are going back to the Shield Hero now, yes?", he inquired.
"I am", I said with a nod, "I am assuming you want me to have him come visit Siltvelt when your ambassador returns, yes?
"Once the Ambassador returns I can summon the Four Houses together to meet him.", he stated with a smile, "Please continue to watch over and train the Shield Hero, he is our nation's savior."
"How much have your spies in Castle Town told you?", I asked out of curiosity.
Telling me what he knew, the Prime Minister said he was aware that Naofumi had been shunned almost immediately by the castle. Going on to say that Princess Malty was generous enough to offer her services, I quickly shook my head and told him that was far from the truth. Explaining exactly what the Church of the Three Heroes and Malty attempted to do…he became outraged that they'd try to defame him like that.
Assuring him that no harm would come to Naofumi, from Melromarc or the Church, I told him to keep a sharp eye on two specific people.
"Keep an eye on the Faubrey King and a man named Takt…both of them will spell disaster for this world. Takt is a reincarnated person with the ability to steal the physical manifestation of the Hero's Weapon. He will use it to sow chaos in Shieldfreeden and ultimately lead them to support him if you see him before I do…kill him onsight.", I warned him, "As for the Faubrey King, given his heritage, he believes himself to be the True Hero. When the opportunity presents itself, he will try to join the world under one banner forcibly."
"I was aware of the Faubrey King, but this Takt fellow…I know nothing about him. You say he is a reincarnated person, what do you mean?", he replied not understanding what I meant.
Explaining what a reincarnated person was, I went on to elaborate on his connection to the Waves and the organization that was causing them. Giving me a skeptical look, he asked how I knew all of this as it all sounded crazy to him. Opening a portal to the Special Zone, I told him exactly who I was since I wasn't trying to hide anything here.
"I am an Otherworld, and I am here hunting down several Rogue Gods that are hiding in this world.", I admitted, "I am helping Naofumi because I know he will go through hell if I do nothing, and he doesn't deserve it. The knowledge I am giving you is what I know of your world, it isn't necessarily everything that will happen but a starting point."
"That explains why we haven't found any information on you…", he said looking at the people in the Special Zone, "Where is this exactly?"
"This is a special region under my protection in my world. The races live here in relative harmony free from any outside threats.", I told him.
"I see now, so does this mean you are not human then? Surely feats like this aren't normal in your world.", he remarked.
Chiming in before I could answer, Leona told him that I was a Demigod. Watching his face pale, the Prime Minister fell to his knees and pressed his head to the ground in reverence. Telling him not to bow to me, I assured him that I still thought of myself as human no matter what I had become.
"Use the information I have given you as you will, I trust you will use it wisely.", I stated closing the portal, "If Siltvelt ever needs any assistance, please let me know and I will do what I can to aid you."
Thanking me for the generous offer, the Prime Minister picked himself up off the floor and shook my hand. Teleporting my group back to Castle Town, we hung around the Guild Hall waiting for Naofumi and company to return from their questing.
—Several Hours Later—
Staggering into the Guild Hall with exhausted expressions…Naofumi and Raphtalia looked ready to pass out. Seeing Senko walking gracefully behind them, it was clear she ran them through the wringer today. Falling into open seats, they let their heads crash into the table.
"I hope today was a success?", I asked Senko.
"We managed to complete all the quests we took today.", she said with a smile, "The only problem was…we didn't pack lunches."
"You forgot to buy lunches?", I chuckled.
"I didn't think about it when we were getting gear…we have only had a few pieces of fruit for lunch.", Naofumi groaned.
Suggesting we have dinner after they turned in their quests, Naofumi forced himself to stand and walked over to the counter. Hurriedly submitting the quest completion forms, he got his money and made his way to the entrance to join us. Telling me he wanted a cold drink, I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and said that a cold beer was just what the doctor ordered.
Walking out onto the street, a wagon pulled up to the Guild from the castle. Stepping out of the carriage, a messenger hurriedly brought a message to me.
"The King would like an audience with you as soon as possible.", the messenger stated.
"Can it wait till after we eat, or is it an emergency?", I replied.
"Eh…well he'd probably say it's an emergency.", the messenger answered.
Nodding my head, I handed Leona a bag of gold and told them to find a nice place to eat. Telling them that I would rejoin the group after this meeting, she told me to be careful before walking away with everyone else. Getting in the carriage, I found three guards sitting opposite the messenger and me.
'He was going to try and use force to bring me to the castle…what a moron.', I thought as the carriage began to move.
Sitting in silence as we rode back to the Castle, I tried skimming the men's minds to see why I was being called back. Unfortunately none of them had been told why, they had simply been told to bring me to the castle as soon as possible.
When we returned to the castle I was immediately led to the Throne Room. As we walked passed servants, all of them gave me pitied looks as if I was being given a death sentence. Opening the doors once we arrived at our destination, I saw Malty standing beside the King with dozens of guards lining the walls.
"How can I help you?", I said as I strolled in, "I assume something is pressing if I am being asked to skip dinner to meet you."
"My apologies, I will keep this brief…I have received word that Malty is to be married off to the King of Faubrey as repayment for breaking the International Agreement my wife struck with the other nations. As I can't stand idly by and see Malty be killed by him…we require your assistance.", the King stated.
"Asking me to kill a Foreign Leader is a bit excessive, not to mention ballsy isn't it?", I remarked with a chuckle.
"No, I don't seek to start a war with Faubrey.", he assured me, "I want you to marry Malty, and sire a child with her to secure her freedom."