Episode 49: Lost Cat
“Hmm. To think things would turn out like this upon my return.”
“I thought it was to protect master’s secrets, but considering this place, I believed it wouldn’t be too late to make a decision after questioning her.”
“I can’t do anything cruel to a cute girl, you know?”
Since I wasn’t assigned any tasks in the village, I said I was going to play and used spatial transfer to come to the base.
I was told it was just the right time and was taken to what I realized was a jail cell that had been built sometime without my knowledge.
And there, a Beastman girl in shinobi attire was captured. A cat, maybe?
“Let her go.”
“My lord, we can’t just let her go after she’s seen the secrets of this place.”
“At the very least, we must bind her words and actions with that magic.”
“Oh, right. But where did this kid come from?”
“From that direction. She was hiding in the forest while moving, so we captured her.”
“She managed to evade Barbatos-sama for nearly five minutes, you know? She’s quite skilled.”
“Hee, that’s amazing.”
It’s surprising that she has the ability to survive in this forest, but it’s also amazing that she managed to play tag with Barbatos for even a short time.
“Who caught her?”
“Around midday yesterday.”
“She’s not saying anything?”
“No, but she says she wants to speak with the highest-ranking person.”
“Has she eaten?”
“She hasn’t touched it.”
Hmm, this feeling is hard to describe.
“Are you their master?”
“Huh? Master, or rather, representative?”
“He is our master.”
“He is, indeed.”
It seems she’s willing to talk.
“I see. What happened to the castle that was here?”
“Oh, I got rid of it. It was in the way.”
“In the way… I, I see. Why are you in this place?”
“Because it was necessary. I’m developing it now.”
“Developing? This place used to be a Goblin’s nest. The outside is overflowing with Earth Beasts and Dungeon Monsters… yet, you’re developing this place? Why?”
“Why, you ask… because it was convenient?”
“She only asks questions, doesn’t she?”
“She didn’t answer our questions, yet she’s being so convenient.”
“…I apologize to your retainers. I haven’t touched the food you’ve given me, I’m sorry.”
The girl straightened her posture in the jail cell and lowered her head.
“Nuh?”
“Retainers… that has a nice ring to it.”
“Newly established King, please guide us… guide our village.”
““““ King? ””””
“Yes, King-sama. That is.”
Apparently, I’ve been made a King.
“Umm, I’m Cladfield. I’m not a King.”
“A wonderful name fit for a King-sama.”
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“King, King is good too.”
“We shall establish the Claffy Kingdom in this land!”
“Even my allies are confused!?”
I can’t keep up with all the rebuttals!?
“I heard that this place was originally the Highgrand Principality, not a large country, but a peaceful place rich in nature, it was.”
“Ah, yes.”
“But many Dungeons appeared, and many Monsters. The people of the country fled. The King, too, did.”
“O-oh. Did they abandon the capital? Well, it’s located in a place that’s about to be swallowed by the Black Forest, after all. Do you know how long ago that was?”
“How long, many? My grandma said it was her grandma’s grandma’s generation, so many, it is.”
“Ah, I see. Also, you don’t have to force yourself to speak politely, you know?”
“I’m not forcing myself.”
She replied with a very serious face. Why is she so fluent when denying something?
“New King-sama, when you rise, our village will also gather under the King-sama.”
“No, I’m not rising, and I’d be troubled if you gathered.”
“…As expected of King-sama, so knowledgeable.”
“Do you even know what that means? This conversation isn’t really working, is it?”
The girl lowered her head while maintaining her posture.
“I am Asahi. One of the few who can move in the village, I am. If I don’t get out of here, the village will perish. To get me out, what should I do, is it?”
“What should you do, you ask?”
“Well, wouldn’t it be good to have her swear with that magic?”
“Indeed. I also agree with Barbatos-sama’s opinion.”
“I’ll do anything. King-sama, have mercy.”
Since she said she’d do anything, I decided to use the Magic Item for Oath Magic. I’ll have her swear to keep secrets, not to be hostile, and to not divulge information.
After confirming that the effect was properly activated, I let her out of the jail. I gave her water, and she gulped it down.
“Are you going back to that village?”
“King-sama, I have a request. King-sama and the others are strong enough to destroy this place. Give power to the village.”
“Even if you say give power.”
“…Half a year ago, the village was attacked by Earth Beasts. The warriors and Onmitsu fought equally and defeated them, but everyone was seriously injured. The Barrier was also partially broken.”
“A Barrier, huh… I don’t know where it is, but if it’s near this forest, then the Barrier isn’t working properly…”
“Monsters are sensitive to the presence of humans. That village will soon be swallowed by Monsters.”
“The number of people who can fight has decreased. The fields too… my older brother and sister are bedridden. We’re somehow managing with Unicorn Horns, it is.”
“You’re using valuable items, aren’t you.”
“Yes, but there’s a limit. I, I can’t hunt Unicorns, it is.”
A village that has continued to live in the Black Forest, huh. Amazing.
“I understand. I’ll lend you my strength.”
“My lord, is that alright?”
“I can fix a Barrier or two. Then we’ll say goodbye.”
“Fufu. You’re so kind.”
“King-sama, thank you.”
“I’m not a King, though.”
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I am applying for Kakuyomu Con 10.
I hear rumors that following the work and ☆ reviews are related to the ranking, so I want them. Please.