◆ Noibranz Castle, Audience Chamber ◆
“Centuries ago, even before the founding of Noibranz, this continent was teeming with various nations, both large and small. However, not everyone was able to live a satisfactory life. There were many reasons for this, but the disparity between the rich and the poor was severe… In some regions, people fell into food and water shortages, to the point of biting each other’s limbs.”
I could feel my eyelids growing heavy as the king’s speech dragged on. I didn’t want to hear such a long-winded tale, but I was growing up. Even though I didn’t care for the king’s story, I had to pay attention. More importantly, the guards around us looked like they might stab me at any moment—though I was fine with that.
“Such was the case in our nation as well. Even now, the land of Noibranz struggles to produce crops. Among such nations, those who wield power exploit the common folk, seizing their food, and it had reached a breaking point. As a ruler, I could not turn a blind eye; the first king of Noibranz made a fateful decision.”
“…To invade other nations and steal from them, is that it?”
“Even before the Demon Continent War, our nation had been invaded numerous times, as recorded in history. With our nation lacking the strength we have today, we could not withstand such invasions repeatedly. It was clear that we were destined for ruin if things continued as they were.”
The king nodded at Kurinka’s question but continued without pause. I wondered if his voice was growing hoarse from speaking for so long. He seemed to tremble slightly; perhaps speaking was painful for him.
“Can you imagine seeing your beloved family and friends kill each other? It is the same for me; as a king, I do not wish to witness such a sight among my people.”
“But if that’s the case, why not ask for food to be shared?”
Exactly! Why did he immediately resort to stealing? Even I could tell that was wrong. Yet, it seemed the king anticipated my response, quickly drawing out his words.
“I told you, other nations are the same. If there were enough food to live, wars would not occur. Nowadays, nations are seen as pure and righteous, but back then, many were no different from barbarians.”
“Indeed, the Comet Wolf Brigade claimed they would create their own nation… If such people still exist today, then back then…”
“Of course, not all were like that. However, it has always been the case that the good are devoured by the wicked; the result is brought about by power.”
It was pointless to ask the Comet Wolf Brigade for help. If they couldn’t produce food, what could be done? In the Royal Capital of Avangarde, there was plenty of food, but I had never thought about such things before. I had heard that they were friendly with the Nation of Normitz and often received vegetables, but in such dire conditions back then, that would have been impossible.
“What do you think those without power should do?”
The king suddenly locked eyes with us, as if he could see right through us. I had a feeling that whatever answer I gave would align with his expectations. Perhaps he knew that and was asking us anyway. As I pondered what I would do, the image of Ikana Village burning flashed through my mind. I could only watch helplessly as the villagers struggled. Eeks confronting the One-Winged Demon, Tiferia. If only I had had power back then… Yes, power.
“The only option is to grow stronger and protect.”
“Lua-chan…”
It was only natural for Kurinka to have her own thoughts on the matter. We both understood the harsh reality that left us with no choice but to respond this way. The king seemed to see through us, and as proof, he smiled faintly.
“Even now, our nation has accumulated considerable strength, but back then, we were weak. We began by employing Servants and did whatever it took to grow stronger. After enduring repeated invasions, we began our own campaign. The Demon Continent War had already begun.”
“But you attacked other nations one after another, didn’t you?!”
“Enough.”
The guards had once again assumed a combat stance. Despite the king’s repeated warnings to stop, their murderous intent was palpable. Kurinka had taught me many times to use honorifics with those in higher positions, but I still struggled to get used to it. If it weren’t for me, I would have been killed long ago, and Kurinka had scolded me for that.
“The royal guard has always said that any disrespect should be met with execution. Today, I have allowed it, but they seem to be on edge.”
The royal guard had a different aura from the soldiers outside. Their faces were completely hidden behind their armor, silently surrounding us. But I didn’t care about that.
“Didn’t invading other nations solve the food problem?”
“What do you think happens after an invasion? The people living in that land become subjects as well.”
“So it just goes on endlessly…”
“Yes, nothing was resolved. In our desperation, it escalated into a great war that shook the entire continent, and there was no turning back.”
“…That sounds…”
“Foolish, do you think?”
“No.”
I did think so. Kurinka must have felt the same but denied it. Yet, we couldn’t truly blame Noibranz. After all, we had no idea how everyone could be happy. If those from back then couldn’t come up with a solution, how could I?
“Noibranz invaded out of selfish desire; that too is part of the true history. Even in desperation, the desire to live is still a form of greed.”
I wondered how the king would respond to the issue of Divils Bacteria. Even though we were no longer poor, he was still attempting to invade. There was also the incident where Gaster’s squad attacked the Nation of Negesta. While it was retaliation against the Beastkin, it was excessive.
“However, regarding Negesta…”
“The actions of Gaster’s squad have been dealt with. We have already reached an agreement with Negesta.”
So, was he telling me not to speak further? Even though there was a peace treaty in place and reckless actions were not permitted, I still felt a sense of dissatisfaction.
“I will allow tourism. Opportunities for foreigners to view our nation’s streets are rare; if you wish, a stay of several days will be permitted.”
The king concluded his speech with the topic of tourism. I didn’t care about that at all; I was more worried about Platiu. I tried to voice my concerns despite the intimidating presence of the royal guard.
“Understood. Thank you for your consideration.”
“I will arrange accommodations that provide the highest level of hospitality within the country. Normally, it is nearly impossible for anyone other than royalty or nobles to stay, but I will grant special permission.”
Such lavish treatment was overwhelming. But no matter what we did, soldiers would accompany us, and it didn’t seem like it would be a pleasant experience.
◆ Royal Capital of Noibranz ◆
“The hotel was impressive in many ways.”
“The castle was the same, but it was filled with portraits and statues of the king. It was so gaudy!”
I almost let slip a rude comment about the king but caught myself just in time. I felt the soldier accompanying us glare sharply, and I was relieved that I hadn’t caused any trouble. This wide street was bustling with people, and while I had faced no consequences in the Kingdom of Avangarde, it seemed that here, I could be punished for such things.
“It feels somewhat lonely. The Royal Capital of Avangarde was much livelier.”
“Oh, but look! There’s a food stall that Kurinka loves!”
But it was already gone. The guard had completely lost track of it and was looking around in confusion. Still, this town felt old-fashioned overall. The buildings seemed to have been constructed ages ago. The plain, square houses with their shabby walls made of bricks and wood haphazardly shoved together were particularly dreadful. Of course, not all buildings were like that, but compared to the beautiful Royal Capital of Avangarde, it felt impoverished.
“Ugh…”
“Kurinka, what’s wrong?”
“This… it doesn’t taste good…”
Even in a whisper, I was sure it could be heard. The intimidating vendor shot us a glare, and I realized that people like us were likely a rarity here. I popped a meat-like dumpling into my mouth, pondering this.
“Yuck…”
“That’s rude, Lua-chan.”
“You just said it didn’t taste good yourself…”
“What is this? It’s neither potato nor anything else; it’s dry and earthy, and it dries out my mouth as I chew.”
“That is a mixture of potato peels and Morimori Bugs, ground into a dumpling. It’s a popular food in Noibranz due to its low cost.”
The guard’s sudden explanation was unwelcome and made me feel even more nauseous. What on earth were Morimori Bugs? I had never eaten bugs, not even when I was starving in the Abyss Cave. Why was such a thing being sold so casually?
“The Morimori Bug resembles a caterpillar and has four thin legs to support its body. When it matures, it can fly.”
He explained without me even asking; was he doing it on purpose? I didn’t care about bugs, but when it came to eating them, that was a different story. Even Kurinka wouldn’t eat bugs.
“Why potato peels?”
“I tell you, potatoes are a precious commodity. If commoners want to eat them, they have no choice but to go to the top-class restaurant in the Royal Capital, the Hakutsuru-tei. The skins you see here are just leftovers that the restaurant and other places have kindly given away. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”
“Indeed, it’s a truly generous offer,” he replied.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he really believed that. In front of these soldiers, he couldn’t speak the truth, so he was probably just forcing a smile.
“Normally, we wouldn’t even be able to eat, but thanks to the kindness of King Braamd, we can live like this. When I think about the hardships faced by the soldiers fighting for our country every day, it feels a bit awkward, you know?”
“Well, if you’re a citizen of Noibranz, that’s just how it is. You have nothing to worry about.”
Watching Uncle bow repeatedly with a forced smile to the soldier on watch, I felt a sense of discomfort that went beyond mere unease. There was no way he could be happy making such terrible food that no one wanted to buy. I couldn’t understand why potatoes, which had been so plentiful in the Kingdom of Normitz, were now considered so rare.
“Hey, Kurinka, what’s going on here?”
“It seems the food situation is pretty dire.”
“I don’t think it’s just the food that’s terrible.”
“Hey, you little brat!”
A child reached out from the stall and ran off with a dumpling in hand. A thief, that little one. The boy, dressed in nothing but a thin shirt, sprinted away at full speed, but he couldn’t escape the adults. Within seconds, he was caught by the scruff of his neck.
“You! You did this the other day too! I won’t let you get away today!”
“I-I was just so hungry…”
“That’s no excuse!”
“Wait, please! I’ll pay for it, so let him go…”
I managed to calm the agitated Uncle, and the child was finally released. Upon closer inspection, he was swaying on his feet, and his arms were quite thin. Yet, he was munching on that awful dumpling as if it were a delicacy. The soldier’s claim that it was a popular food seemed to hold some truth.
“Today, I’ll let you off the hook because of the young lady,” the soldier said, “but there won’t be a next time.”
“Stealing is definitely wrong, but that child looked like he was starving, right? He probably hasn’t had a proper meal…”
“Everyone’s in the same boat!”
After raising his voice, Uncle hung his head and fell silent. The soldier glared at him, eyebrows furrowed.
“Closing up for today.”
Uncle hurriedly began to pack up. There were other stalls, but they had so little to sell, and everything looked like wilted vegetables. As I watched the people passing by the stalls filled with junk, I noticed another unsettling feeling.
At first glance, it seemed bustling and lively, but it was anything but. The shops were in such disarray, and there were hardly any customers. The people passing by looked gaunt and weary. It was only because we were in the Royal Capital that it appeared prosperous; the rumors I had heard about there being no food at all were proving to be true.
“…Even the Royal Capital is in this state. The countryside must be even worse.”
“What do you think we should do, Kurinka?”
“What do you mean…?”
“We can’t just ignore this.”
“Is it something we can do anything about?”
Kurinka was still being passive. She had said before that this wasn’t our responsibility, and I certainly agreed with that. But couldn’t she feel the urge to do something, even if just a little? She had always been shy and not very proactive, but what if that child had been from Ikana Village? What would she have said then?
I understood Kurinka’s point. I wanted to live peacefully too, and maybe it was meddlesome of me. But I couldn’t suppress the feeling that this was unacceptable, and perhaps it was necessary to feel that way.
“I guess… we can’t do anything.”
“Hey, don’t be so down. Besides, we need to figure something out with Platiu first.”
“Oh, I see those two! Rua and Kurinka!”
Suddenly, a girl with twin tails and a dumpling hairstyle appeared, breaking the strange atmosphere. I recognized that unique way of speaking; she was the girl from the massage parlor, and one of the Ten Destroyers of Noibranz. Her red dress stood out starkly in the shabby Royal Capital.
“Sh-Shiny!”
“Are you here for a massage?!”
“Me! I was here first!”
In no time, a crowd began to gather around Shiny, who had quickly become popular in the Avangarde Royal Capital. Even though no preparations had been made, people swarmed around her. I was nearly crushed in the throng; her presence was overwhelming. The eyes of those who had seemed so weak were now filled with hope.
“I never expected to run into you here,” she said with a grin.
“I can’t believe you’re one of the Ten Destroyers…”
“We were enemies back then, spies. But things are different now. What brings you two to a place like this?”
“W-Well, we’re just sightseeing, right, Kurinka?”
“Yeah!”
“Sightseeing?”
She scrutinized us suspiciously, comparing us to the soldier on watch. Ignoring the crowd, she effortlessly held them back with just a flick of her finger. With a gentle tap, she had them swaying and subdued. Her skill in massage was more formidable than I had imagined.
“Well, whatever. I’m going to make a fortune today!”
“W-Wait, you’re charging money? But these people look so poor…”
“Rua, be careful with what you say. And of course, it’s business. If you want to do it, you get paid. What’s the problem with that?”
“Maybe, but… doesn’t Shiny feel anything about this country? With so many people starving and struggling?”
“That’s not my concern.”
She dismissed me with a cold, unfeeling gaze. I was taken aback by her sudden shift from her usual cheerful demeanor to this dry attitude.
“Earlier, that soldier said there’s food at the high-end restaurants, right? So why is it that everyone else is suffering?”
“If you can earn money, you have power, and you can be wealthy. That’s just how it is. If you have no money and no power, you’re poor. That’s just as natural. Power is everything.”
Her words struck me hard. As an S-rank adventurer, Shiny was undoubtedly wealthy. Why was I the only one thinking this way? It made me question if I was the one who was strange.
—You can only grow stronger to protect.
I had just said that to the King. If you have power, there are things you can do, things you can protect. Conversely, if you lack power, you can do nothing. I had learned that lesson through my own experiences. Shiny wasn’t wrong. But then, why didn’t she feel the urge to help? Lord Hast had said that if you have power, you should break through injustice.
“Whether to help or not, that’s up to you. Helping is one way to live, not helping is another. If you criticize the way of life that doesn’t help, then it’s only natural to criticize the way of life that does.”
“I’m not blaming you, Shiny.”
“Not angry? Okay, okay, let’s massage!”
“Ah…!”
Suddenly, she began to massage my shoulders, and my legs felt weak. I could understand why everyone was drawn to her; the sensation was incredible. It was becoming addictive.
“Please only do that for those who pay!”
“It’s a service, a service.”
When we had practiced massages before, we had both been frustrated. In the end, it hadn’t gone well, and I could understand Kurinka’s feelings of anger. I couldn’t help but worry about what would happen if Kurinka were the one being massaged. It seemed like it could become an addiction, but I thought it might be better for both of us if I didn’t receive her massages.
“Red Devil sighted in the sky! Evacuate indoors immediately! Repeat! Red Devil sighted in the sky! Evacuate indoors immediately!”
A group of soldiers rushed in, announcing the arrival of the demon. But even that warning came too late; a streak of red was already racing across the sky. Now it was diagonal, spreading like a melon pattern. It had formed due to its high-speed flight, and I sensed that something was different this time.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Hmm, this country is really struggling.
I didn’t expect such drama in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
I’m so moved that tears are welling up.
Or so I thought.
Those two fools might be getting caught up in it, but I’m always calm.
However, judging by the state of the Royal Capital, the food situation is serious.
Especially those dumplings—they’re not just bad; they’re beyond terrible.
We shouldn’t be here; we need to leave soon.
Yes, it’s only natural for those with power to help, but there’s a limit to that.
That old man Hast has been spreading unnecessary ideas.
If the Red Devil hadn’t come, those awful dumplings would have ended up on my dining table.
Staying here for days is no joke.
I can’t seem to gather my thoughts; it’s all because of those dumplings.
Insects and potato skins…
Ugh!