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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3

2013-02-28T13:29:29Z

220.255.1.90: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 3: Dracunia's Dragon Princess==
===Part 1===

Upon ascending to the ship's deck, they could see clouds drifting at terrifying speeds.

Actually, the ship was at a speed whereby a person's body would be blown away in a flash by the blowing winds but not even the sound of the wind could be heard thanks to a spirit magic barrier enclosing the ship.

Looking down from the side of the airship, an eerie forest stretched out into the distance.

Kamito was looking down at the forest and—

"Areishia Spirit Academy representative, Kazehaya Kamito, I presume?"

A voice came from behind him.

"......?"

Turning around, a beautiful noble-looking girl with shoulder-length hair was there.

A beret adorned her head. A black surcoat with not a single wrinkle.

She was probably about the same age as Kamito. She was glaring at Kamito with strong-willed-looking pupils.

"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

"You're famous. The only male elementalist on the continent."

She told him while maintaining a rigid expression.


Contrary to her magnificent appearance, her aura was thorny.

"Also, someone who plays around with women and then throws them away."

"Wait, what am I famous for!?"

Kamito yelled that out immediately.

"It's useless to attempt to deceive me. Dracunia's prized intelligence gathering agency is the finest in the continent, after all."

"Yeah, your prized espionage agents are definitely incompetent—wait, Dracunia?"

Kamito asked with knitted brows.

The Dracunia Dragon Duchy.

Located to the west of the Empire, it was a country that employed the strongest magic beasts, the dragons, in their military.

"Dracunia's representative, huh?"

"Yes, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor — Leonora Lancaster."

The bishoujo in military uniform kept her eyes on him as she named herself.

"......Leonora."

Kamito said with a sigh.

He had heard that name from Claire.

''If I remember, «Dragon Princess» was the title given to Dracunia's representing ace......''

By popular opinion, she was the one known as an equal to Velsaria.

[[Image:STnBD V04 065.jpg|thumb]]


"What business does the ace of Dracunia have with me?"

Kamito put up his guard and readied himself.

The Blade Dance was not just a festival.

The «Divine Ritual Institute» would never admit it, but it was also a representative war of knights between nations.

The country whose elementalist or elementalist team won would be granted the Elemental Lord's protection for several years and this blessing would lead to the nation prospering.

The reason many countries trained elementalists was for this reason.

And there were also many countries that had no choice but to use certain methods to grasp victory as a consequence.

"Trying to kill me off before the Blade Dance begins?"

"What a stupid idea."

But Leonora gently shook her head.

"As one not from the home country of the «Silent Fortress», you are not the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's enemy. We will defeat you fair and square in the Blade Dance."

"Then, why?"

In front of the suspicious Kamito, she squirmed lightly with a red face.

"I, well, I, um, that is, your......I came to cut off that."

While averting her eyes from Kamito, she smoothly drew out a large sword.


"Wh-why are you taking out your sword!?"

Kamito backed away.

If her words were true, she hadn't come to assassinate him.

Then, why exactly—

"Or rather, cut what from me?"

"That's, y-your......kuu, you mean to make me say it!"

"Hah?"

"Thi-This pervert!"

Large tears formed from Leonora's eyes—

The large sword carved into the ship deck with a large sound.

Just now, the ship's floor exploded into shards.

"......Wha!?"

Kamito had dodged by a paper-thin margin.

"Aren't you full of the intent to kill me!"

"I won't kill you if you don't resist. Please hold still."

"I'm asking you what you mean—"

And then Kamito realized.


Leonora's gaze was fixed firmly upon Kamito's lower body.

As he noticed her cheeks colored red, she averted her eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me......"

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat.

"Yes, I will have you let me cut off your '''that'''. Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora drew the sword back out from the smashed floor and took a stance.

"It would trouble me greatly if you were to use the commotion of the Blade Dance to lay a hand on my subordinates after all."

"Like I would!"

"You can't lie to me, you perverted brute of a maou!"

She glared at him with cold eyes.

"Perverted brute of a maou, you say......"

......It was too horrible.

He didn't think such shameful rumors would reach even outside of the country.

"W-With that devilish power and sweet words, you trick innocent maidens and do this kind of thing and that kind of thing to them, right!"

"What are this kind of thing and that kind of thing......"

"Th-That is......!"


At Kamito's question, her face burned red.

It seemed that the Dragon Princess was just as pure as the ojou-samas from the academy.

"You know, it's the opposite. You have a huge misunderstanding."

Kamito said this with a sigh.

"......The opposite?"

"Yeah, because I'm always being treated as a slave spirit by Claire."

"Wha? To make a teammate into a toy slave spirit!"

"Listen to what other people are saying for a bit!"

......Or rather, how come this young lady was using such terminology!?

"Do-Don't come any closer, you pervert!"

"Uoo!"

Leonora's blade sliced the air as she swung down.

Kamito drew Terminus Est and stopped that blow.

The high-pitched wail of metal colliding rang out across the deck.

''......This is just like a repetition of my first meeting with Ellis!''

While stopping the large blade, Kamito groaned internally.

"I see, you are truly strong......"


Leonora let out a voice of admiration.

"So this is the «Demon Slayer» that defeated a giant military spirit."

"It seems that your information is correct."

"It makes me want to test which is stronger, that or my «Dragon Slayer»!"

"......!?"

Leonora's sword gave off intense light with her words.

''This is......!''

It wasn't a regular Elemental Waffe. It gave off an impression equal to that of Velsaria's Dreadnought.

''—This person's insanely strong!''

As expected, the title of Dracunia's ace wasn't just for show.

"N-Now, please calmly remove your pants, i-it won't hurt a bit."

"Who's gonna do that! Of course it's gonna hurt!"

Kamito pushed back against the large sword.

Such power was being used against him that he couldn't believe it was coming from that girl's frail-looking delicate arms.

It was most likely a spirit magic for strengthening the body's traits. In a straight power competition, Kamito was at a disadvantage.

"Kamito!"


The sound of the air being cut.

Leonora's sword was gripped by the thing that had drawn a bright crimson arc in the air.

"You, what are you doing to my slave spirit!"

It was Claire who rose onto the deck with whip in hand.

With one hand on her hip, she pointed towards Leonora.

"Claire, thanks for the help—"

In the opening Leonora left by diverting her attention, Kamito jumped away.

"You are—"

Leonora, who had repelled the Flame Tongue, glared at Claire.

"Kazehaya Kamito's toy slave spirit."

"Wha!?"

Claire's face instantly reddened.

And with slow movements, she turned towards Kamito......

"Y-Y-You, don't tell me that's how you see me......!"

"Wait, you know that's wrong, right? I'm the slave spirit, right?"

......Wait, that's strange. It seems like she became even angrier.

The two ladies glaring at Kamito made him want to run away—


And at that moment.

Doooooooon!

With an ear-splitting noise, the ship rocked violently.

===Part 2===
"Kyaaa!"

The floor tilted and Claire lost her balance, falling over.

"—What!?"

Kamito leaned off the side of the ship.

He looked into the flowing clouds below and—

"That is!?"

A giant shadow was present in the clouds.

Like splitting waves, it split the clouds to reveal a gigantic black monster!

"......!?"

It's total length was about 10 metres. Its appearance greatly resembled a stingray swimming in the ocean.

The difference with stingrays was that it had enormous red eyes on its head.


And that it was flying in the sky instead of the ocean.

"A magic beast!?"

"No, that is......don't tell me, it's from the second aerial unit, {{Furigana|Destruction Spirit|Death Gaze|margin=12}}—"

Leonora Lancaster knit her brows and muttered that while looking with suspicion.

"What?"

"Dracunia's main military spirit. It should have been sealed with the end of the Ranbal War, so why is it here?"

"Military spirit......"

A spirit which was comparable to a cooperative force of several elementalists.

He didn't know why such a thing would attack the airship but—

The fact that the ship was currently under attack was undeniable.

The military destruction spirit — «Death Gaze» roared as it glided.

Even if the ship had a wind barrier, it was not a fighting vessel.

If it were to receive an attack from a giant like that, it would be helpless.

The ship's alarm rang out across the deck.


The ship made a quick turn and tried to avoid the spirit.

As expected of a cutting-edge technology ship, it had impressive mobility.

But it was useless in the face of the spirit.

"—It's coming, brace for impact!"

A loud noise.

A fearsome impact rocked the ship and Kamito's body lifted up.

The destruction spirit had rammed into the side of the ship.

"Fuaa!" "Kyan!"

"You two, grab onto me!"

Kamito quickly covered the two girls that had fallen to the ground. His heart thumped at the softness of their bodies once, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

"Claire, are you okay?"

"Fuaaa, y-you, where are you touching!"

Claire's face was bright red.

"......? Where, you say?"

Kamito looked at the spot he had grabbed both of them.

His hands were caught on to both of their chests.


"......S, sorry!"

Kamito quickly withdrew his hand but,

"Th-th-th-this perverted slave spirit! Cinders, cinders!"

"Hey, stop, this isn't the time for—"

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit Kamito with tears in her eyes.

On the other hand, Leonora—

"A-aa-a-a boy, touched my br-brbr-breasts......!"

Poof. Steam rose from her face and she fainted.

"......H-Hey!"

He shook the fallen girl but it didn't seem like she would wake up.

"It looks like she's in shock from you touching her breasts."

"I-It wasn't on purpose!"

"Hmmm, I wonder about that?"

She glared at Kamito like she was unsatisfied.

......In any case, he couldn't leave her here.

And just then. The ship rocked greatly a second time.


The spirit that had rammed into the ship was also attacking with its tail.

"Kamito, the ship will sink at this rate."

"Yeah......"

At the serious face of Claire, Kamito nodded.

Chaos could be heard below the deck.

Even if they were trained elementalists, they were still regular girls. It was a natural result that a sudden attack would cause panic inside the ship.

The long-range attacker, Rinslet, would also have a hard time reaching the deck quickly in this chaos.

"Looks like we'll have to do this alone."

"Looks that way."

With the last attack, it seemed like the engine had stopped. The ship stalled like it had a nail jammed into it and began falling.

"We have about two or three minutes before we hit the ground......"

Until the staff got the back-up spirit engine working, they had to protect the defenseless ship.

Kamito stood up unsteadily and planted each foot on the gunwale of the deck.

"Est, lend me your power!"


He drew Terminus Est from his waist and poured in divine power.

Responding to Kamito's summons, the sword gave off light.

"Kamito, it's reckless to fight with a sword. I'll do it."

"No, I will. Flame Tongue won't work on it."

"That is?"

Claire chewed her lip. Claire's battle style of wearing down her prey was not made for short-term battles. She knew that best herself.

"But what do I do then. I can't use magic to fly like Ellis."

"As long as I cling to it and don't fall off, isn't that fine?"

"Hah?"

At Kamito's carefree words, Claire was stunned.

"A-Aren't you just stupid!"

"Either way, at this rate the ship will sink. It's worth trying."

"B-But......"

Claire held fast to Kamito's uniform's sleeve.

"What, are you worried about me?"


"Th-That's wrong, I'm not worried......"

Claire averted her eyes.

Although arrogant most of the time, she was truly gentle underneath that.

"It's fine. I'll clean it up quickly."

Kamito gave a light knock to Claire's head and—

The flash of a silver white blade disappeared off the side of the ship.

"......Jeez, I don't care anymore, idiot!"

With the wind barrier damaged, the groaning sound of the wind could be heard.

On the back of the destruction spirit whose head was lodged in the side of the ship—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito impaled it mercilessly.

Piercing through the outer shell, it dug into the underlying flesh.

The destruction spirit gave off a fearsome cry and began to roll.

On the verge of slipping off, Kamito placed his foot on the outer shell and he gripped his sword with all his might.

In order to smack the bug on its back, the destruction spirit folded its body and tried to hit it with its tail, rocking the boat in the process.


From the giant flailing about, the ship's armor fell off and into the forest.

''The ship won't last at this rate......''

Gritting his teeth, he withstood the force of the bone crushing attack.

''First I have to take care of that tail!''

Kamito drew out Terminus Est with all his strength. Pulled by gravity, he began to fall. However, just before he did, he jumped as hard as possible.

He ran up the spirit's body rhythmically.

This was just a giant body. If he just observed the muscles for contractions and planned his next step, before he began to fall, he could safely reach another foothold. Though it was a technique which required uncommon ability and battle prowess.

"Sorry. I bear no hatred against you."

Jumping using just the giant's body—

The demon slayer held in both his hands cleaved through the spirit's tail.

The tail convulsed as it fell into the forest below.

However, Kamito's body also became airborne at the same time.

Gravity took over and began to pull him — just before that.

Something wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back up.


He was thrown around in the air — the next moment, he slapped onto the ship's deck.

"......Ouch......"

Kamito was assaulted by pain.

"......Rather, it burns, so would you control your temperature output!?"

The ankle that had the Flame Tongue around it was a little charred.

"It's punishment for being reckless. If I had messed up, you'd be a pancake right about now."

"I trusted that you wouldn't mess up, master."

"......You're really an idiot, you know that......"

Mumbled the red-faced Claire unintelligibly.

"—And, here it comes!"

With its tail cut off, the enraged destruction spirit charged towards the ship.

A charge towards the deck with its mouth open, showing off its countless fangs!?

A dreadful shock rattled the ship. Pieces of the deck flew off and scattered.

Kamito took a stance and protected Claire from the shards.

"—As expected of a military destruction spirit, such insane power."

While still onboard the ship deck, the destruction spirit raged.

It appeared that its head had gotten stuck in the ship.


It was a chance. The ship couldn't take another charge.

Kamito took a stance with his Demon Slayer and charged it with divine power.

"Claire, I'm finishing it here!"

"Got it!"

The destruction spirit writhed violently.

As it flapped its fin-like wings and attempted to ascend—

"I won't let you!"

Moments before it succeeded, Claire wrapped the Flame Tongue around it.

The Flame Tongue didn't manage to pierce the outer shell.

But the flame whip had knocked the spirit off-balance and made it crash back onto the deck.

There—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito ran towards it with a large sword.

A shining blade line.

Kicking off the ground, the sword strike cut into the soft underbelly of the spirit.

However—


"What!?"

Even with its underbelly pierced, the destruction spirit had not been defeated.

The spirit opened its jaw to reveal many fangs in front of Kamito—

In that moment. He heard a voice from behind.

"O black-fanged dragon spirit, thou, abiding my command, eliminate my enemies—"

"......!?"

"—Destroy, {{Furigana|Dragon Spirit|Nidhogg|margin=12}}!"

With that dignified voice—

The rough, mad blaze swallowed the enraged giant destruction spirit.

This time the spirit was burned to charcoal and fell from the ship.

On the deck, there was a line of intense black flame.

"......Claire?"

A black dragon with spread wings stood there.

It was small for a dragon but still stood twice Kamito's height.

"Your finish is weak, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora Lancaster stood there beside the black dragon.


He wondered when she had regained consciousness.

"......That is the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's strongest dragon «Nidhogg»."

Claire whispered while looking.

''......I see, it really isn't your everyday spirit.''

Kamito was astonished.

''Looks like this time's Blade Dance will have people of this level......''

"......You're a life saver, thanks."

Kamito expressed his thanks and Leonora shook her head.

"That military spirit was from Dracunia to begin with so it's only natural that we be the ones to finish it."

"......Even though you were passed out the whole time."

"Th, that's because a man to, touched my chest......!"

The glaring Claire and panicking Leonora.

The ship shook slightly and then started gaining altitude.

It seems that the back-up spirit engine had been started.

"At least now we can relax."

"But how did a military spirit that was supposed to be sealed attack us—"


That spirit was not mad.

It had attacked the ship intentionally.

"It was probably someone who wanted to eliminate the Blade Dance competitors. It's impossible to track who used a military spirit."

Leonora analyzed the situation calmly.

"It seems these kinds of attacks are commonplace. It seems that even if we're not there yet, we should treat it as if the Blade Dance has already begun."

While leaning over the side of the ship, Claire pointed at the shadow of the ship.

"Look over there."

"Yeah?"

Kamito took a peek and saw a battleship within the clouds retreating.

"I don't know whose ship it is, but there's no way it's not connected to that attack. To use a military spirit of that class, there must be several elementalists onboard that ship."

"Are we not going to chase them?"

"Without a flying wind spirit, it's impossible to catch up to a battleship going at full speed. And they probably have more military spirits. It's too dangerous."

"......Sealed military spirits, huh."


Something was tugging at the edge of Kamito's mind.

He remembered the battle with Jio Inzagi and his mission at the mine.

''Restia was trying to unseal {{Furigana|the stretegic-class military spirit|Jormungandr|margin=12}}.''

As expected, he might just be thinking too much into it—

"This might be connected to that darkness spirit girl from the other military spirit case......"

But it seemed that Claire had the same idea.

She peered at Kamito with a meek face.

"......"

Kamito stayed silent.

"Kamito, are you unhurt!?"

"All of a sudden, the ship shook......what happened out here!?"

"Kamito-kun, are you okay?"

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna all came up to the deck.

"Kazehaya Kamito, I will retire for today but—"

And Leonora reverted her black dragon to its sword form and turned on her heal.

"Deceiving princess shrine maidens and forming a heavenly harem — that «wish» is something this blade will never allow."


"Wait, I'm not wishing for that kind of thing!"

"Y-You, are you participating in the Blade Dance for that kind of wish?"

Gogogogogogogogo......!

"Claire, don't believe it!"

"A heavenly harem......was it?"

"Kamito-san, what does that mean!"

"Umm, what rank am I?"

"You guys......"

......After that, Kamito was questioned by the ojou-samas for about an hour.

===Part 3===
"Nii-sama, why have you become that weak?"

On the deck of the small battleship—

The girl with ash grey hair tilted her head in a strange manner.

Underfoot were the shattered remains of a ring.


It was the ring of the sealed destruction spirit.

"Muir, you should have been told not to use the «Jester's Vise»."

From the ship's hatch appeared another girl.

A girl with brown skin that looked to be around 15 years old.

Beautiful jade hair. Pure red pupils and pointed ears.

She was a sub-human Elfim with all the traits of one.

"It's not Muir's fault. It's the fault of those military guys for having a weak spirit."

"The mission this time is just to test his power. Just because you wanted to, a precious spirit was lost."

"If it couldn't stand Muir's «Jester's Vise», it wasn't fit to be used."

"Military spirits aren't your toys. They're not something you just throw away."

"Hmph, and that's why Lily is weak."

Muir pouted her cheeks in discontent.

The Elfim race girl — Lily Flame breathed a heavy sigh.

"Well, fine, so how was his power? We lost a precious military spirit. You better at least have that or you'll have no excuse for Cardinal."

"Nii-sama has become weak."


Muir put her index finger to her lips and shook her head in disappointment.

"......Weak? Even though he defeated a mid-class military spirit?"

"The past nii-sama would have done it alone. But this time, the group with nii-sama pulled him down."

"His teammates from Areishia Academy, huh. I really can't believe it......that he's hanging out with that half-baked group."

"Like this, nii-sama will just become weaker."

"......That's true. Eventually a hindrance to Cardinal's plan may appear."

Lily muttered this—

"It's fine. Muir will just kill everyone."

Muir smiled innocently and turned towards her.

"Muir, don't do willful things. We are the Cardinal's tools?"

"Shut up, Lily."

"......!?"

An instant. A shudder ran through Lily Flame's body.

The number two of the «Instructional School» — «Monster» Muir Alenstarl.

She must never be upset.


She had accompanied her for a long time so she knew that well.

"Muir doesn't care about anything other than nii-sama. I'll kill you too if you get in my way, Lily."

"Muir......"

A few breathless seconds.

And then—

"Aha, I'm joking. Lily, what kind of face are you making?"

Muir made a pure smile and turned towards her.

"Lily is my precious friend so I won't just kill you that easily."

"......"

Muir looked towards the far end of the ship and sighed.

"Wait for me, nii-sama. I'll erase the meddlesome onee-chans for you."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Maouyuu:Scroll 02: "Please make us human."

2013-01-06T16:37:29Z

220.255.1.90:

'''-- Winter Kingdom, Wintering Village'''

Hero: “Wow, it’s become cold.”

Maou: “It’s because winter is almost here.”

Hero: “Are you alright? Maou.”

Maou: “Even though I want to say I’m fine... truthfully, it’s hard even to walk. Why am I feeling so tired?”

Hero: “That’s what walking in the snow is like. Then again, your stamina is really bad.”

Maou: “I’m a Maou that specializes in using her brains.”

Hero: “… is it alright, coming to such a remote place?”

Maou: “What do you mean?”

Hero: “It’s just that, as you said, the main diet for people in the Middle continent is grains<ref>'''Cereal grains''': Including wheat, barley, rye and oats etc. Of these, wheat is the simplest to cook and thus the most important. Because it requires grinding into fine flour before use and is difficult to grow in cold places, so in areas like Northern Europe, it is not a common food.</ref> so it’s very important right?”

Maou: “Un. That’s right.”

Hero: “In that case, wouldn’t it be better to go to major agricultural countries like Lake Country or Elm Country, or even Wheat Country?”

Maou: “They have to be willing to listen to me first.”

Hero: “Ah--”

Maou: “I think, it might be better if Hero didn’t show himself for a while.”

Hero: “Really?”

Maou: “Yes. Because you were sent to me for some reason, perhaps someone has something against you.”

Hero: “There’s no such thing.”

Maou: “In any case, no matter what type of revolution, in order to increase persuasiveness of the argument, research and data collection is needed.”

Hero: “That is true.”

Maou: “I plan to experiment with wheat and improving different types of farming methods, the preparation for this step should be complete.”

Hero: “Really?”

Maou: “Un. I already sent my servant to infiltrate.”

Hero: “You have this all planned out.”

Maou: “The first step to any action is to prepare.”

Hero: “So in this village...”

Maou: “That’s right, this is a typical village right?”

Hero: “Un, I saw many villages like this.”

Maou: “This is a pioneer <ref>'''Pioneer''':In order to use wild lands for farming, villages are built on empty land. Villagers must also work hard to remove all the boulders and rocks, tree roots, and plow the lands. At the same time, once the land is cleared it belongs to you.</ref>village at the edge of the Southern Kingdoms -- mostly farmers and workers live here, forming a warm community, they center around a compound farming method.”

Hero: “And to think the battle against the Maou’s army is still raging.”

Maou: “Even so, they still hold on to the earth in order to survive, that’s what’s wonderful about humans.”

Hero: “So, where’s your servant?”

Maou: “Un, I asked her to prepare a small place for us. Where is it? I only heard her say it’s somewhere in the village.”

Hero: “Ah~ is that so? It shouldn’t be hard to find, but the sun is setting, I don’t really want to wander around in the cold.”

Maou: “Nn, you’re right.”

Hero: “You agree?”

Chief Maid: Lady Maou~ Lady Maou~♪”

Hero: “This... this... this...”

Maou: “Oo, this voice is...”

Chief Maid: “Lady Maou~♪”

Maou: “Oh, let me introduce you. Hero!”

Hero: “You idiot! This is a human village after all! Stop going around shouting Maou Maou!”

Maou: “Nn, that’s true. Please take care in the future.”

Chief Maid: “Ho ho, of course, Lady Maou.” '''smile'''

Maou: “Nevermind that now, it’s alright. Don’t be so mad.”

Hero: “Ng--”

Chief Maid: “You’ll get wrinkles if you’re so mad.”

Hero: “Who is this?”

Maou: “This is my trusted aide, the head of the maids, Chief Maid.”

Chief Maid: “As Lady Maou introduced, I am Chief Maid. I have cared for Lady Maou since she was a child, I’m so happy for her now that Lady Maou and Hero has become a married couple, I can’t express my emotions properly.”

Hero: “There are so many things wrong with that statement, but most importantly -- we are not married!”

Chief Maid: “Is that the case?”

Maou: “We made a contract without time limit to become each other’s”

Chief Maid: “Oh, isn’t that marriage?”

Maou: “The difference is like the difference between a clover<ref>'''Clover''': Or trefoil. It is a leguminous plant, with nitrogen fixing abilities to replenish soil that has been depleted of nitrogen. Other than that it can attract bees for honey farming and also used for animal feed.</ref> and a trefoil.”

Chief Maid: “Aren’t those the same thing?”

Maou: “Calling it a different name gives it a different kind of appeal.”

Chief Maid: “Ah, so that’s what it is! Like the difference between maid, servant, lady in waiting and body pillow.”

Maou: “Is that appealing?”

Hero: (... are these two for real?)

Chief Maid: “Appeal is very important. You can even say that the slightest interaction between a man and a woman is formed 80% by appeal.”

Maou: “What! That means there is almost no other ingredients?”

Chief Maid: “That’s the beauty of it.”

Hero: “Erm~ it’s cold~”

Chief Maid: “Oh, that’s no good.”

Maou: “Hero is cold, can you do something about it?”

Chief Maid: “This way please. I’ll lead the way.”

Maou: “Oh, how did things go?”

Chief Maid: “I fixed up an old mansion in the outskirts of the village, even though it’s not all that big.”

Maou: “Well done, Chief Maid.”

'''--Old Mansion'''

Hero: “What were you talking about, this is quite big.”

Chief Maid: “How is that true, it’s not even a hundredth of the Demon King’s Caslte.”

Hero: “That’s called a dungeon<ref>'''Dungeon''': Originally stands for the cells of a castle, now it means a vast labyrinth underneath the castle. Then further evolved to various underground labyrinths that sets the scene for various adventures.</ref> right? Don’t use it as comparison.

Maou: “But I lived there.”

Hero: “Ah, that’s true.”

Chief Maid: “Please wait a moment, I will prepare some tea.”

Maou: “Thank you~”

Hero: “So she is your trusted aide, what is the relationship between you two?”

Maou: “Un, though she doesn’t look it, she’s a relative of mine.”

Hero: “She’s a scholar as well? I remembered you saying that your whole tribe were like that?”

Maou: “Un~ it’s not exactly accurate to call us scholars. Rather than a scholarly tribe, it might be better to say ‘a tribe that can’t control their curiosity’. And the type that likes to specialize in certain areas of studies. Even though she seems older than me, for some reason she chose to pursue something called ‘the way of the maid’.

Hero: “Um.”

Chief Maid: “It’s rather similar to men who chose to pursue knighthood.”

Maou: “That was fast.”

Chief Maid: “Please have some tea, I’ve added some honey.”

Maou: “In any cause, that’s how it is. Not only did she grow up with me, sometimes, I entrust her to lead the Demon Lord’s army.”

Hero: “Hey hey hey, are maids supposed to be able to do that as well?”

Chief Maid: “I can do whatever my master requests, that is my ‘way of the maid’.”

Maou: “So, about this house?”

Hero: “Yes, I am very curious.”

Chief Maid: “It seems that this building originally belonged to a certain noble, it was his vacation home, but the heir of the family died in the war, so they gave up the mansion.

Maou: “You got this through the proper channels right?”

Chief Maid: “Yes, of course. Even the money used to pay for the workers to come fix the mansion was legitimate.”

Maou: “Good.”

Hero: “... that seems surprisingly suitable.”

Maou: “One day we will meet an opponent that we can’t help but face with our true skills. As long as the problem can be solved peacefully, there is no need to use force... it wouldn’t do for us to be hated.”

Hero: “?”

Maou: “It’s nothing... now then, we’ll live here at the mansion. Hm~ what should we do about our identities?”

Chief Maid: “I have already greeted all the influential people in the village including the village leader, and told them that you are the daughter of a certain influential scholar from the Theological School of the Holy King’s Capitol.”

Maou: “Will that be alright?”

Hero: “As long as you dress properly you should pass easily enough.”

Maou: “This white coat<ref>'''White coat''': Normally worn by doctors or researcher, for sanitary reasons and cleanliness. They are usually made from cotton, which absorbent properties for protection against chemicals. Normally, economists or other social science researchers do not wear such coats.</ref> and robe<ref>'''Robe''': One piece clothing, similar to a long dress or a loose coat, probably not fashionable wear for women in this story.</ref> won’t do?”

Hero: “No matter how you look at it, it wouldn’t work.”

Chief Maid: “Most probably not.”

Maou: “But it’s comfortable...”

Hero: “Noble ladies wouldn’t care about comfort when choosing their clothes.”

Chief Maid: “True. I think you should wear clothes that would draw people’s attention, it can also arouse a little nervousness.”

Maou: “Are you saying I lack awareness?”

Chief Maid: “I didn’t say that, but...”

Maou: “What is it?”

Chief Maid: “Lend me your ear for a bit.”

Maou: “Uh huh...”

Maou: “Hero, Hero.”

Hero: “What?”

Maou: “Meat that doesn’t provoke nervousness is useless meat, is that true?” '''Tears'''

Hero: “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

Maou: “But she told me so~”

Hero: “A--”

Maou: “It’s useless meat? Is this called useless meat?”

Hero: “Um-- that--”

Chief Maid: “Would you like another cup of tea?”

Hero: “It’s difficult for me to say...”

Chief Maid: “It’s to do with not getting enough exercise during the winter.”

Maou: “Wu wu wu wu...”

Hero: “...that, it’s not bad to dress up once in awhile right? It gives people a pleasant surprise! Erm, it’s appealing.”

Chief Maid: “That’s very true, Lady Maou.”

Maou: “That... if that’s so...”

Hero: “So, what else did you say when you met with them?”

Chief Maid: “Oh, right. I told them that you came here in order to research and teach new farming methods.”

Maou: “That saves a lot of work, good”

Hero: “That’s true, Farming takes a lot of time.”

Chief Maid: “Yes... Lady Maou.”

Maou: “Hum?”

Chief Maid: “What do we tell the Maou army?”

Maou: “Right, how about this...” '''Peaks'''

Hero: “What is it?”

Maou: “Release the rumour, that the Hero and I battled in the throne room, we both become injured; I am now in the Maou Castle healing, we are unsure of hero’s well being, but some say that he escaped.”

Chief Maid: “Understood”

Maou: “Is that alright, Hero?”

Hero: “Un, it’s fine. I am Maou’s now.”

Chief Maid: “O ho ho, fu fu...” '''Smile'''

Maou: “Don’t laugh at me -- this rumour, should give us about a year. The aggressive faction in the army would think that I have some plan up my sleeve, and hold off for a while.”

Hero: “A year huh...”

Maou: “I have other plans. If we really need time, that should give us about three years or so. But if we keep dragging on the rising tension will probably cause an all out war between the humans and demons.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “So, before that happens, we have to find that ‘ending never seen’.”

Hero: “Not just because you want to see it yourself?”

Maou: “... If it cannot be found, then I will be hated by my people.”

Hero: “Ah that. Is... is that so, I see.”

Maou: “In any case, let’s not worry about it just yet.”

Hero: “Un, right”

Maou: “I want to first improve the farming method.”

Hero: “Farming method?”

Maou: “That means the way to farm.”

Hero: “Farming method, isn’t that sowing seeds, growing and harvesting?”

Maou: “I want to improve that method.”

Hero: “Hum~ can that be improved?”

Maou: “If you continue to plant wheat on the same piece of soil the quality of the wheat will decrease, did you know that?’

Hero: “Ah~ I have heard about it. It is because the Blessings of the Earth is gone right?”

Maou: “This area uses the three turn farming method<ref>'''Three Turn Method''': The land is separated into winter section (wheat, rye) → Summer section (barley, oats) → Resting section (allow livestock to wander) and rotated, to prevent thinning out nutrients, to allow farming to continue. In the Middle Ages, it is often seen in Northern Europe, England, Germany and other northern areas. </ref>, thus the farmland is farmed in three sections. One section to be farmed in the summer, one in the winter, one to rest for the year. They are rotated<ref>'''Rotation''': Is to move something in reoccuring succession. In this story it is the farming of the land from summer → winter → resting in this succession.</ref> this way. The section that is allowed to rest recovers the Blessings of the Earth.

Hero: “That’s a lot of work. Wait, why is there a need to rotate? Isn’t it better to just continue clearing up new lots of land? New land would be full of the Earth’s Blessing.

Maou: “Idiot, do you think everyone has monstrous stamina and strength like you do as well as be able to use magic? That would be very wrong.”

Hero: “R..right?

Maou: “Clearing land of stone and plowing takes a large amount of time and energy, and as the cleared area gets further away the distance for harvesting and replanting would also increase; Also, once the farmland becomes larger, the area needed to protect against demonic creatures and wild animals would increase as well.”

Hero: “If you put it that way, it makes sense.”

Maou: “So right now farmland is separated into three areas and rotated.”

Hero: “Uhhuh.”

Maou: “My goal right now is to improve that method, increase the amount of food produced.”

Hero: “The goal I understand. But, how would you achieve that goal?”

Maou: “I plan to preserve the rotation method.... the idea of rotation that is, and change that to a four turn method.”

Hero: “Uhhuh”

Maou: “That is to say, separate the land into four sections with barley, clover, wheat and turnip as one grouping, using a four year cycle to utilize the land.

Hero: “Is that a big difference?”

Maou: “The mystery of the difference is things other than cereal. That would be the turnip.”

Hero: “Those taste good after roasting, but it’s not possible to eat so much.

Maou: “Of course it’s possible for consumption by people, and always eating wheat is not good for the health either. The turnip is really used for fodder for the livestock... in other words, feed for the pigs.

Hero: “”It’s for the pigs?”

Maou: “As everyone knows, in such cold and poor areas, meat is the most important source of nutrient in the winter. It is difficult to collect wild fruits and vegetables in the winter, and often there is not enough game. Of course it is possible to eat pork, but raising pigs will require food. In winter, there isn’t even enough food for the humans, right?”

Hero: “Un, that’s right. So before winter, everyone would leave only the barest number of pigs, using the extra meat to make sausages, jerky, ham or other things to stock up for winter. In the Southern Countries, if you see these sort of scenes it means winter is here.”

Maou: “Livestock is supposed to be for the winter... that means that in a time when there is not enough crops it should be used as provisions, but in the end it is controlled by the seasons the same as the crops, don’t you think it’s inefficient? So much energy spent on raising livestock, but because it is not possible to last through the winter, therefore the numbers cannot be raised.”

Hero: “..If you put it that way, it’s true.”

Maou: “This is where the clovers and turnips come into use. In the summer, clovers can be used as pasture for the sheeps and pigs. At the same time as raising livestock, the nutrients in the source can be replenished. Turnips can be fodder during the winter.

Hero: “--- So that’s it”

Maou: “Yes. This method has three major advantages of ‘not resting the farmland’, ‘not losing the nutrients of the land’ and ‘increasing things other than crops’ all at the same time.”

Hero: “That’s why this village was chosen, your plans are very well thought out Maou.”

Chief Maid: “Why is that?”

Hero: “This village raises both crops and livestock, in a certain sense it is a self-sufficient system, most suitable for this type of farming method; it is the same in an experimental view. In the city, or warm areas where wheat could be mass produced, there is not much purpose in doing this. In other words this is an idea to save ‘cold and impoverished areas’.”

Chief Maid: “So that’s the reason!”

Maou: “There are a few other experiments. Like using fish in the Southern Ice Sea as fertilizer, improving farm tools and such.”

Hero: “There is a lot to do.”

Maou: “The difficulty, is the cooperation between farms and the villages. When using the land as pasture, it would be difficult to control the sheeps and other animals. In this dangerous situation, the competition for getting ‘development rights’ could easily turn into conflict over profit.”

Hero: “I can imagine that happening.”

Chief Maid: “But Lady Maou said before that the Earth is important for humans right? Can they solve this by negotiating?

Maou: “This is where demons come in.”

Hero: “?”

Maou: “Let the demons attack the village. There’s not any sort of great army here right? So a small attack is fine, letting them give a little threat is not going to be too extreme.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “Wait until the villages run away, the demons or the Maou’s army will fight the knights that come to the rescue, then retreat. The pioneer villagers would be able to come back, but at the same time they would be under the protection of the land lord. This way, whether we need to organize the farmland or combine the villages, that should not be a problem.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “Are you disillusioned?”

Chief Maid: “...Lady Maou...”

Maou: “Of course, we would hold back during the plan. But truthfully, if this plan is to be used, in the Kingdom...or at least the knights, there will be a reaction, perhaps there would be someone who understands my plans. But there will always be problems in this sort of plan, there wouldn’t be zero casualties.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “But I have already decided to do this. If this goes on, the world will continue to be embroiled in the war for a hundred years, and I don’t plan to let anyone be pushed to that point of no return. I want the see ‘the story after the end’.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “Giving up on me? Do you hate me now? But..but that can’t happen! Hero is mine, I won’t let go!”

Chief Maid: “...”

Maou: “Or have you decided you want my head after all? If that’s so, then it can’t be helped... I am Hero’s after all, I can’t avoid your sword.”

Hero: “Ha, your voice is shaking Maou.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “Even so, there will still be people saved right? There will be people saved because of this three year secret ceasefire? Plus if the four turn farming method is successful, every year tens of thousands of starving children will welcome the spring --- And humans will have the chance to stop the war right?”

Maou: “Yes.”

Hero: “Then, I am still Maou’s”

Chief Maid: “...”

Hero: “Anyways, even though Maou’s words are harsh, you are still trying hard so there will be no sacrifices right?”

Maou: “Wu...”

Hero: “What should I do... um, truth to tell I can guess already.”

Maou: “As you guessed, I want Hero to act as ‘the righteous side’, become the vanguard of the Southern Kingdom’s army, repel the demon forces.”

Hero: “This will all be a laughable act.”

Maou: “Un. Having you talking about something like this with an evil mastermind for half a day is already a laughable act.”

Hero: “Even if I go to Hell a hundred times it would not be enough to absolve me.”

Maou: “I know already, you don’t need to bring this up again.”

Hero: “But, without ‘this type of character’ it would be impossible to start.”

Maou: “In any case, this only needs to be acted on in the most desperate circumstances. First is the increase the personal production of food. Getting rid of hunger is the most important job.”

'''Wintering Village, On the way from the village leader’s house'''

Hero: “I can’t believe them!”

Maou: “It’s more difficult than I imagined.”

Hero: “Uh, yes.”

Chief Maid: “I didn’t think they would be so hard to persuade.”

Hero: “It can’t be helped, even if we tell them the experiment has a purpose, to poor villages in this type of snow country, just one year of bad harvest will cause people to starve to death.”

Chief Maid: “That is true...”

Maou: “Thinking about it, compared to this side, the winter in the demon world is easier to live in.”

Hero: “True enough.”

Chief Maid: “Has Lord Hero traveled around the demon world?”

Hero: “Un, I could possibly be the first human expert on the demon world.”

Chief Maid: “However, with the village leader’s attitude, would it be hard? To improve farming methods....”

Maou: “Mm... he didn’t decline exactly, that makes it harder to deal with.”

Hero: “In the eyes of the villagers Maou is a noble princess, they can’t decline to your face.”

Chief Maid: “Then just...”

Maou: “No.”

Chief Maid: “But Lady Maou, in order to achieve our goals we must use whatever means...”

Maou: “In order to revolutionize farming, we have to remove those lords and landlords who fight for profit and self gain. In order to increase production, that is a necessary step. But that is not until agricultural development has already reached a certain point, to a point where intensive agriculture is possible. In an area for experimentation such as this, getting rid of the landlord would only cause harm with no benefits.”

Hero: “That’s right.”

Chief Maid: “Then this is a headache.”

Maou: “Un... if only education was at a bottleneck.”

Hero: “Education?”

Chief Maid: “This has something to do with education?”

Maou: “Yes, there’s quite a bit of connection. Originally I planned on tackling this in the next stage, but from the looks of it we can’t continue, if we don’t first lay the foundations.”

Chief Maid: “What do you plan to do?”

Maou: “Think about it, even if we increased production in the village, if these technique isn’t spread to other such villages in the Kingdom, then there still would not be whole scale change. But , if we need to teach these place by place, whether economically or time wise, that would not be possible.”

Hero: “What you say is true.”

Maou: “So, we need able people --- who can learn new techniques and then spread these techniques to professionals in every country. Ah, servants or guild members work too.”

Hero: “Un.”

Chief Maid: “That’s why education is necessary right?”

Maou: “On that matter, how does education in the human world work?”

Hero: “I don’t know even if you asked me... what is ‘education’ anyways?”

Chief Maid: “Oh...”

Maou: “Uh....ah....”

Hero: “I said~ don’t sigh so matter of factly.”

Maou: “Education, refers to passing on knowledge to your children or to those younger than you.”

Hero: “So thats it, if you said that earlier I would have understood. Isn’t it simple? Of course human society knows about these sort of things! Babies aren’t born knowing how to talk after all? Using this example, first children would be left with their grandparents, asking the elders to care for the child. When the parents are out farming or hunting, the elders will take care of all the children of similar age from other families as well.”

Chief Maid: “That’s fairly efficient, that way the elderly would have something to occupy their time.”

Hero: “After a few years, the children will be able to help out at the farm. even though they don’t know the difficult things you talked about, but things like when to plant what, predicting the weather, how to avoid wild beasts, as long as they have worked in a farming village for five years, these will come naturally.

Also, the winter in this area is very cold, sudden snow or storms aren’t a rare sight. In villages in areas like this, winters are mostly spent indoors. During this time, farmers would make crafts, knit woolen clothes and the like to pass time.

During the long winter, those elders with wisdom would tell stories for the children.

There would be legends about heroes, stories about Kingdoms, stories about the Spirits and so on. Ah, there are also stories about demons! Also, the smarter youths and the children of the village leaders would learn to read and write.”

Maou: “Un un.”

Hero: “In the cities, that would be different. In the cities education would be done by the Order’s sermons or private tutors. Do you know what tutors are? Um, they will tell stories, teach reading, writing and numbers, a little like private storytellers. In richer merchant or noble families, the parents would hire private tutors to teach their children various knowledge and skills.”

Chief Maid: “Did Lord Hero grow up like that?”

Hero: “Um, that... in my situation, Gramps is like a tutor I guess... nevermind, let’s put that aside first.”

Hero: “So? Is education something like that?”

Maou: “Un, that’s exactly it.”

Hero: “If it’s about the human society then ask me!”

Maou: “Uh, so education in the human society is still uncivilized.”

Hero: “Uncivilized?”

Maou: “Um, my use of words is not accurate enough. I should say ‘in terms of the stage of development, it is still at the beginning stages.’”

Hero: “That’s the same thing!”

Maou: “I’m just joking.”

Hero: “Ng...”

Maou: “But, that is a natural way of education. It is a very accurate thing to do.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “Back to the topic at hand, although I desire an unnatural developmental growth, then I would have to be unnaturally serious about education...but, education costs a lot of money.”

Hero: “Money? I’m the Hero, leave it to me! If you sell Hero’s gears, would that give us a lot of money?”

Chief Maid: “Um... Hero’s sword, Hero’s shield, Hero’s armour... should sell for 18,000 gold coins.”

Hero: “See, a lot right?”

Chief Maid: “How much does education cost?”

Maou: “Uh. That, I’ve thought out several fluid financial plans for the year, the simplest proposal costs about two hundred and sixty thousand gold coins?”

Hero: “My..my..Hero...gear...”

Chief Maid: “Lord Hero, please don’t feel down.” '''Pats head'''

Maou: “Chief Maid, I forbid you to initiate further contact.”

Chief Maid: “Understood, Lady Maou ♪”

Maou: “This is a difficult problem to solve.”

Hero: “It is.”

Chief Maid: “But it’s almost winter now. The real farming experiment doesn’t start until spring right? Just use this winter to prepare properly.”

Maou: “That’s true but...”

Hero: “It’s difficult to wait, there’s only three years after all.”

Chief Maid: “Alright, alright, today I specially prepared roast turnip and pork.”

Hero: “That sounds tasty.”

Maou: “Right, it won’t do to be always worrying.”

'''Wintering Village, the bought mansion, warm room'''

Chief Maid: “Then, I must prepare dinner, please excuse me. It will be an hour before dinner starts, I shall inform you when it is about to begin, please wait by the fire until then.”

Maou: “Good, thank you.”

Hero: “Fu....”

Maou: “Are you tired, Hero?”

Hero: “Un~ my body isn’t tired at all, but contemplating things I normally would not think about, made my mind feel very tired.”

Maou: “Ho ho, I’d expect so.”

Maou: “That’s right, Hero.”

Hero: “Hum?”

Maou: “The fireplace is very warm.”

Hero: “Yes. It’s very warm... the fire banished much of the chill here~”

Maou: “That’s right, Hero.”

Hero: “Hum?”

Maou: “That... if you don’t mind, do you want to sit beside me?”

Hero: “Why?”

Maou: “It’s warmer at this angle, it feels nice.”

Hero: “Is that so?”

Maou: “Yes it is, come, it’s a prime seat!”

Hero: “Ah, it’s true, it’s very warm~”

Maou: “How is it?”

Hero: “Don’t look so smug, Maou.”

Maou: “Ng... nevermind, the fireplace isn’t really any of my doing.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “....”

Maou: “Hero?” '''Carefully'''

Hero: “Hum?”

Maou: “Can... can I touch you?”

Hero: “Of course you can... what... what is it?”

Maou: “I’m not planning anything! It’s just that Hero’s hair is so dark, I want to touch it. Ah, it’s soft.”

Hero: “Because one of my ancestors was a bushi.”

Maou: “What is that?”

Hero: “A warrior from the east. According to the stories they have the skills to split armour and helmet in two.”

Maou: “They sound like formidable warriors.”

Hero: “My clan are all warriors.”

Maou: “Really? But Hero has many many other good points.”

Hero: “Do I~”

Maou: “Of course! For example, you’re not scared even though you’re beside me.”

Hero: “That’s because Maou is weak, and a woman. Plus you don’t get enough exercise.”

Maou: “But I’m still Maou!”

Hero: “Is that so?”

Maou: “That’s so.”

Hero: “I think that you are very gentle.”

Maou: “That’s... that’s a strategy.”

Hero: “?”

Maou: “Right now, I’m going to negotiate with Hero. That’s it.”

Hero: “Negotiate what?”

Maou: “If I say it, it’s not a negotiation.”

Hero: “If you don’t say it how will I know?”

Maou: “That’s a complicated question, I want to explain in detail to prevent misunderstanding.”

Hero: “Then let’s hear it.”

Maou: “That is, it’s very cold outside right? Because the winter storm is here. And the room is very warm and comfortable, also we both have free time before dinner, with nothing important to do right? Of course there will be mountains of work in the future, but right now Hero’s mind is tired, in this situation, it is difficult to work efficiently.”

Hero: “Ah~”

Maou: “Of course, this is my personal though, it’s not even a treaties, it can only be called selfishness. But estimating Hero's state of tiredness, I think, even if it's an urban legend or an old wive’s tale, we can’t disregard that it might be effective. The old texts say, even warriors will relax in this type of sweet garden. Although Hero doesn’t have this type of habit.”

Hero: “So, what do you want to do?”

Maou: “I want to try having Hero lay on my lap.”

Hero: “No problem” '''Flop'''

Maou: “Ah...ah uh... Hero...”

Hero: “I am Maou’s, there is no need to be polite.”

Maou: “Hero.”

Hero: “Hm...”

Maou: “Hero’s hair is really soft.”

Hero: “Don’t play around.”

Maou: “I’m just touching.”

Hero: “Maou smells very nice.”

Maou: “That’s because I take a bath properly everyday.”

Hero: “You’re serious.”

Maou: “I’m very serious. Since leaving the Demon world, Chief Maid has been merciless. In the past I’ve been so engrossed in my research that one time I forgot to change my clothes for a whole week.”

Hero: “Maou’s legs are very smooth.”

Maou: “Re...really? Not too fat?”

Hero: “It feels very good laying on them.”

Maou: “Really? Thank goodness. Hero is a very generous master.”

Hero: “Ah~uh~um.... but is also a perverted master.”

Maou: “?”

Maou: “That... Hero?”

Hero: “What is it~?”

Maou: “Before you said ‘no need to be polite’.”

Hero: “?”

Maou: “Is it true?”

Hero: “Un, it’s true.”

Maou: “Re...really?” '''Shyly'''

Hero: “....what is it?”

Maou: “Uh... wu....”

Hero: “Don’t be so silent, it’s scary.”

Maou: “I think it’s a little scary too!”

Hero: “Ha?”

Maou: “No, how can I back out? ‘To seek things never seen’ isn’t that my life’s goal?”

Hero: “??”

Maou: “Uh, Hero...” '''Stares'''

Hero: “Oh, just relax and say it.”

'''Clack'''

Maou: “What is that noise?”

Hero: “Back yard? …. the stables?”

'''Tap tap tap'''

Maou: “Hey! I said don’t run!”

'''----Stables'''

???: “................................................”

Hero: (There’s human auras?)

Maou: “Wait a moment, light spell...” '''Lights up'''

Big sister: '''Shiverng'''

Little sister: '''’Shaking uncontrollably'''

Hero: “....what? It’s children?”

Maou: “What is it? You’re just wearing underclothes!”

'''Clack'''

Chief Maid: “Oh, what is going on?”

Maou: “Chief Maid.”

Chief Maid: “They become lost and snuck in here again. Ha....”

Maou: “Who are they?”

Chief Maid: “Escaped slaves. This mansion has been abandoned for a long time and is not in ruins, and the ownership is different from the surrounding farms. Places like this, will often be the top choice for escapees.”

Hero: “Slaves?”

Chief Maid: “Yes, that’s exactly so.”

Hero: “Where are there slaves nearby?”

Chief Maid: “Not around here? Most of the humans around this area are slaves aren’t they?”

Hero: “No, they’re not slaves!”

Chief Maid: “Oh, did I misunderstand?”

Hero: “The slave system is too cruel. We do not allow it.”

Chief Maid: “Even if you say that...”

Maou: “These are serfs<ref>'''Serfs''': Farmers that do not have the freedom to choose their jobs or move away. They are allowed to have family, house, farm tools and other possessions. However they are required to work on and give rent for the land, and sometimes they will be sold along with the land they farm as merchandise, can be said to be half slaves. </ref>.”

Hero: “Serfs....?”

Chief Maid: “So they are slaves.”

Maou: “Serfs and slaves are not the same thing.”

Hero: “See! The Southern Kingdoms does not have slaves.”

Chief Maid: “Is that really the case?”

Maou: “Serfs are not the same as slaves, they can have personal belongings. They have their own home, farming tools and can live with their family.”

Hero: “Un, of course.”

Big Sister: '''Shivers violently'''

Little Sister: '''Shaking uncontrollably'''

Maou: “On the other hand, these people do not have the freedom to choose their own occupation. Most serfs are found in estates<ref>'''Estates''': Land owned and ruled by the landlord. In the estate, the lord has the higher power (like a ruler) to be the land lord, king, and judge. The estates include the land directly belonging to the lord, free farmer’s land and serf’s land. The land directly belonging to the lord and land belonging to the serfs, he receives income from.</ref>... as the work force in farmlands of landlords, they do not have the freedom of choice, they can only obey orders.”

Hero: “...”

Chief Maid: “...different from slaves~” '''Cold smile'''

Hero: “...” '''Grits teeth'''

Maou: “Chief Maid, don’t say anything more... perhaps the slave system is a tragedy, but it is still a social system that has economic values, that is the truth.

Chief Maid: “Is that really so?”

Maou: “Chief Maid.”

Chief Maid: “... I am out of line. My apologies.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “...”

Little Sister: '''Shaking uncontrollably'''

Big Sister: “...Ex...excuse me... we will leave when the sun comes up. We...we won’t give you any...trouble... so please, just one night is fine.”

Chief Maid: “...”

Maou: “Chief Maid, this isn’t the first time right? How did you deal with this in the past?”

Chief Maid: “Harbouring escaped slaves... it’s serfs right? Is a crime. Plus the relations with the neighboring powers will become bad. Therefore I would immediately contact the authorities, ask them to retrieve them.”

Maou: “I see.”

Hero: “...”

Chief Maid: “Lord Hero, you don’t look too happy?”

Hero: “... isn’t it too cruel?”

Chief Maid: “Those who could not control their own fate, are just bugs. I hate bugs, I have no desire to see bugs with their wings torn off being hurt.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “Hey, you!”

Chief Maid: “Compared to what’s in front of us, this is only a small problem isn’t it? I think, wasting all our efforts in such insignificant problems, will not help our future plans any.”

Maou: “True... very true...”

Hero: “Maou...”

Chief Maid: “Then I will immediately...”

Maou: “No, wait till tomorrow before contacting the outside. Go heat some water first. Also, there should be some proper clothes around here? Don’t argue, do as I say this once. I’ve already decided.”

'''---Maou’s Mansion, small room'''

Maou: “Ah~ what should I say?”

Hero: “... why are you so hesitant?”

Maou: “I’m just a Maou who is also an economist, not suitable for this sort of things.”

Hero: “I’m also just a Hero who is also a swordsman, I’m not suitable either.”

Big Sister: “Um, thank you very much.”

LIttle Sister: '''Quaking with terror'''

Hero: “It’s no big deal, don’t worry.”

Big Sister: “Such rich clothing...this is the first time we’ve ever worn something like this.”

Little Sister: '''Nods'''

Hero: “Really? It seems like old clothing left around in the mansion”

Maou: “Ah~ are you full? Is the bed alright?”

Big Sister: “Yes. The bed is very soft, and the room is warm and clean”

Hero: “Such small and dirty room is...”

Maou: “Their previous experiences are just that tragic.”

Big Sister: “Um, I’m very thankful for your kindness, but...tomorrow morning... um...”

Maou: “That...”

Hero: “...”

Big Sister: “Please, don’t tell the landlord. No, that’s not...”

Little Sister: '''Teary eyes'''

Big Sister: “We’ll run away, just let us stay for a little, the moment the sun is up we’ll leave, so please just wait a little.”

Chief Maid: “What are you talking about? You have no shoes, your clothes are no different than garbage, you carry no money or luggage. Do you plan to become beggars?”

Little Sister: “Wa....wu...”

Hero: “Can’t...can’t we do something?”

Chief Maid: “That’s different. The lives of slaves are tragic, they can’t do anything, and does not have a shred of hope. They can only lie and tell themselves ‘I am guilty, so I can only live like this’ in order to live. Perhaps it’s hell on earth. But...”

Hero: “...”

Chief Maid: “What they do is no different than what I do. We both receive orders from our masters, listen to their wishes, sacrifice ourselves in order to fulfil our masters dreams --- in this sense I am no different than a slave.”

Maou: “Chief Maid, I have never thought of you as a slave!”

Chief Maid: “Yes, Lady Maou, I have never thought you treated me like that. It is because of that, that I can’t watch this. They do the same thing I do, and yet they are so weak they cannot hold their fate in their own hands --- I think, these type of people should just die in remorse.”

Little Sister: “That’s not it! It’s not it at all! Glasses Wearing Sister is mean! We escaped didn’t we, we’re not unable to do anything! Big Sis and I will go to the city, and live there together!”

Hero: “That...”

Chief Maid: “Day dreams.”

Little Sister: “But, we’ll do it!”

Chief Maid: “Let’s say I go back a few steps, and consider your passion as hard work. But, you hide in someone else’s house and take advantage of their kindness; other people provide for you a bed and food, now you cause them difficulties by running away. Not only that but you validate yourselves. Is that how you serfs treat others?”

Little Sister: “But, but!”

Chief Maid: “I’ll say this again. Those who can’t hold their own fate are bugs. I really...really hate bugs. I will not view those who are bugs as humans.”

Big Sister: “...”

Chief Maid: “Do you understand?”

Big Sister: “Yes...”

Chief Maid: “Your apology?”

Big Sister: “We have given everyone in the house... the Lady Noble trouble, sorry.”

Chief Maid: “Good”

Big Sister: “...”

Little Sister: “Wu...wu wu...”

Chief Maid: “...” '''Glare'''

Big Sister: “...”

Chief Maid: “...is that it?”

Little Sister: “No... I don’t want to go back.. I’m scared...”

Big Sister: “... Little Sis, be quiet.”

Chief Maid: “...”

Big Sister: “Please make us... into human. I think --- you are... our fate.”

Chief Maid: “When bowing, don’t prostrate on the ground like that. Since you are wearing a dress, take the dress lightly with your fingers, display your drapes<ref>'''Drapes''': Elegant folds in dresses. In the middle ages fabric is more expensive than in current times, thus drapery that requires a large amount of fabric shows the wearer’s wealth. </ref> and at the same time curtsey gracefully.”

Big Sister: '''No...nods'''

Chief Maid: “... Lady Maou. Even though compared to the Maou’s Castle this house is but a small wooden shack, but I will be too busy to tend to it all just by myself. Why not hire a few maids?”

Hero: “Is that alright, Chief Maid? You just said you hated them, have you forgiven them in the end?”

Chief Maid: “What I hate are bugs. Maids are not bugs, but an existence that pleases people. There is no one in this world that hates maids, even if that maid is a novice.”

Maou: “Allowed. Train these two well.”

'''--- Wintering Village, Snowy Forest'''

Little Sister Maid: “Lord Hero~ Lord Hero~”

LIttle Sister Maid: “Lord Hero where are you~ I brought some tasty bread~”

'''Yo---'''

Hero: “Hey, good work messenger!”

Little Sister Maid: “Wah! Where were you just now?”

Hero: “It’s teleportation magic. Your voice was all over the forest.”

Little Sister Maid: “He he~♪”

Hero: “Never mind, it’s safe in this area so it’s alright. You certainly are reckless.”

Little Sister Maid: “I’m here to deliver something for Lord Hero.”

Hero: “Oh!”

Little Sister Maid: “It’s lunch~! There’s walnut bun, and egg rolls with onion and bacon.”

Hero: “That sounds really good.”

Little Sister Maid: “Big sis made it.”

Hero: “Looks like she’s learning fast, that’s impressive.”

Little Sister Maid: “Is it good?”

Hero: “Very good! And the tea is warm, I’m so touched I’m close to tears. You ran over here didn’t you?”

Little Sister Maid: “Un.”

Hero: “Finished with one gulp!”

Little Sister Maid: “Un”

Hero: “Even though it’s day, but working outside is still tiring. Honestly, I’m feeling more and more discouraged.”

Little Sister Maid: “Ah, that’s right. I have a message from the manager sis.”

Hero: “Oh, why didn’t you say earlier.”

Little Sister Maid: “‘Today’s goal is 6 wild boars. You can also substitute one bear for two boars. Also, take a look up river, if there’s any flooded areas, see if you can use destruction magic or whatever to fix it.’”

Hero: “She sure knows how to order people... by the way, how is school?”

Little Sister Maid: “Afternoon is physical training.”

Hero: “You don’t need to train?”

Little Sister Maid: “Because there’s still very few students, and no children my age. Helping deliver lunch to Lord Hero is afternoon exercise~”

Hero: “Ho, you learned to use the word ‘age’?”

Little Sister Maid: “The manager sis is teaching me how to read~”

Hero: “Even though Maou is busy, she hasn’t neglected your care.”

Little Sister Maid: “And Math~”

Hero: “Math eh.”

LIttle Sister Maid: “She said if I learn math well, I can make lots of money.”

Hero: “That economist, are words like ‘making money’ all she knows?”

Little Sister Maid: “She also taught ‘break-even point’<ref>'''Break even point''': Determines whether a business is making or losing money. Although the cost will increase as the sales does, in normal circumstances the sales would increase faster than costs. So once sales reach a certain point then money is made rather than lost. </ref>!”

Hero: “These lesson materials are too one sided!”

Little Sister Maid: “He he~ how is Lord Hero’s work going?”

Hero: “If we change to boars, there still two left to go.”

Little Sister Maid: “Hot pot---” '''Excited'''

Hero: “Why so excited suddenly?”

Little Sister Maid: “Pork hot pot?”

Hero: “Un, that tastes really good!”

Little sister Maid: “Let’s cook pork hot pot~!”

Hero: “You do like to eat.”

Little Sister Maid: “Lord Hero will help everyone prepare dinner~” '''Smile'''

Hero: “...Un, that’s right.”

Little Sister Maid: “Having a full stomach, will make people feel happy!”

Hero: “Yep.”

Little Sister Maid: “No one arguing, no need to bow to the village leader’s son. Everyday is warm, fluffy beds, wearing pretty dresses, being able to stay with Big Sis. That is happiness.”

Hero: “...”

Little Sister Maid: “What is it?”

Hero: “Nothing, I just feel that the so called Hero is useless.”

Little Sister Maid: “?”

Hero: “I have no great wisdom, no sense of money, and I don’t know how to farm or care for livestock. As to being a teacher... all I can teach is swordsmanship. Lately I’ve slowly started to notice --- I keep talking about peace like it’s a mantra, but what is peace? How do we get peace? Also, once there is peace, what should I do? I’ve never thought about these things before.”

Little Sister Maid: “So difficult~”

Hero: “It really is difficult.”

Little Sister Maid: “Bacon is really yummy.”

Hero: “You like bacon?”

Little Sister Maid: '''Nods'''

Hero: “Then, brother Hero will go hunt a few more wild boars~”

'''--- Large Room in the Mansion, Lesson in session'''

Maou: “... according to the current economic status of the Southern Kingdoms, this is the largest effect that the war will have.”

Noble Student: “...” '''Writing notes'''

Merchant Student: “Uh...that...”

Soldier Student: “...”

Maou: “The following topic isn’t in my area of expertise. In the ancient times, what is the loss rate<ref>'''Loss rate''': Refers to the number of soldier lost on the battlefield (death, sickness, deserters). Loss rate is separated into daily loss rate, the loss rate from the beginning of the war and others. They are referring to the latter. </ref> before the army is considered defeated?”

Soldier Student: “Until the last man is left standing!”

Maou: “It is said to be 30%<ref>'''30%''': Once the troops have casualties, people must be sent out to transport the injured to the back lines. Also, in the army, there would still be soldiers who have yet to join in the fighting, they protect communications and other supporting positions. Thus once the number of casualty reaches 30%, there are not a lot of people left to fight.</ref>. That would be three tenths. Thus to overcome this difficulty, the standing army<ref>'''Standing Army''': Means that they are at a warlike state even under normal circumstances, and can be deployed at any moment. The Standing Army is formed by professional soldiers who have daily training, so even if the numbers are the same, their fighting and execution of fighting, are stronger than temporarily recruited soldiers.</ref> and mercenaries<ref>'''Mercenaries''': Soldiers that are moved into fighting by possessions/money or an army consisting of these type of soldiers. As these people will fight for money, if they don’t receive payment they will not fight. So once the contract ends, they could sign on with another country, so today’s comrade can be tomorrow’s enemy.</ref> can be hired to maintain the war front<ref>'''War front''': The first line in the war. Normally when two armies meet it will be created, so it’s stretched between the area ruled by either side. If force is not applied to that front, then the enemy army could invade in defenceless areas freely. </ref>, the war with the Maou army right now is mainly sporadic confrontations and stronghold fortification battles<ref>'''Battle''': The army in two camps form large forces separately, and clash in one single meeting. Countries without a standing army, will often arrange a time and date to battle, the winning side will be the winner of the war.</ref> .

Maou: “Are there any questions up until this point?”

Big Sister Maid: “What about the Holy Crusaders?”

Maou: “Un, they are an exception.”

Maou: “Tell me, how much do you know about the Holy Crusaders. Um~ Noble Student over there, how about you.”

Noble Student: “Ah, yes. The holy crusaders are a sacred expedition troop, formed by the Middle Continent Crisis Council, whose main goal is to eliminate the evil demon race and end the war. In these 15 to 16 years, they have launched a total of two expeditions. From the Gate at the edge of the Southern Continent, destroying two important demon strongholds<ref>'''Stronghold''': Can be the originating point of certain activity. In military terms, can refer to important cities and fortresses. The army can prepare, ready supplies, rest and take care of gear.</ref>, advancing to the Maou’s Castle, but the unholy Demon King used cowardly tactics to destroy the supply lines<ref>'''Supply lines''': The route to transport goods to the army (food, ammunition and so on), and is the area of activity of what is collectively referred to as supply forces. Once the route is compromised or the supply forces are destroyed, troops that have lost their supplies will not be able to continue fighting.</ref>, forcing the crusaders to retreat. “

Maou: “Very good, close to full marks --- this type of expedition relies on a large number of military power. The first thing necessary for an expedition, is the passionate desire of a large number of people to end the war. If it is possible to end the war in one large successful expedition, then there is value in the sacrifices. It is because people in this world desire this, that there are people willing to join the war.”

Soldier Student: “The virtuous Spirits will bring us victory in the war!”

Maou: “Another important point, is the financial support behind this. I have mentioned this many times in the lesson, if there is no financial support, things such as society, war efforts and so on will not be established. After all, starvation will kill humans.”

Noble Student: “There are things more important than food and money.”

Soldier Student: “You can’t fight if you just keep crunching numbers, Teacher.”

Merchant Student: “...really?”

Soldier Student: “Hunger is the excuse of the weak.”

Noble Student: “Anyways, people under the protection of the lords don’t suffer from hunger.”

Big Sister Maid: “...so no one in this world ever starves huh.”

Maou: “... next let’s talk about the Southern Arctic Sea, that is the sea that surrounds the Southern Kingdoms and Continent. There is great economic and military importance to this sea. Currently, 25% of the battles with the Maou’s army is staged at the sea.”

'''Ring~ ring~ ring~'''

Chief Maid: “My Lady, it’s time to end the lesson.”

Maou: “Is it time already? Then let's end this here, we’ll continue tomorrow. Also, the Swordsman will be here tomorrow afternoon to instruct you.”

Soldier Student: “I’ve been looking forward to that!”

Maou: “Dismissed. I still have to go to the elder’s home tonight for an agriculture seminar.”

'''---Mansion’s corridor'''

Hero: “Yo, good work.”

Maou: “So tired.”

Hero: “You look exhausted.”

Maou: “Why did I have to be mouthy and mention education... I never thought teaching human children would be such hard work. They’re more like little animals? Reason and negotiation doesn’t work with them.”

Hero: “Ah--”

Maou: “Why is their pride so strong?”

Hero: “Because they are the sons of soldiers, nobles and rich men?”

Maou: “Maybe I should just turn them into frogs and be done with it.”

Hero: “That doesn’t sound like a joke at all!”

Maou: “I’m not joking.”

Hero: “Don’t do it.”

Maou: “Fine.” '''Collapse'''

Hero: “Aren’t you going to the village leader’s home? I’ll go with you.”

'''---Leaving the Mansion gates, towards the inner village'''

'''Yo---'''

Maou: “Ng, it’s cold.”

Hero: “The snow’s already stopped.”

Maou: “It’s freezing, Hero.”

Hero: “Have I not been hunting boar in this weather the whole day? You’ve been inside the house the whole time, what are you complaining about?”

Maou: “That’s not it. It’s cold~”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “...no?”

Hero: “Alright, come here.” '''Wrap''' “There, is that warmer?”

Maou: “Un, very warm.”

Hero: “You seem very happy.”

(...as long as I’m with Hero, I’m always happy, no matter what.)

Maou: “Ho ho, it’s not a bad feeling.”

Hero: “As long as you’re amused.”

Maou: “It’s so good that Hero is mine.” '''Rub'''

Hero: “Ah~hem hem”

Maou: “?”

Hero: “Likewise.”

Maou: “There’s something that should be mentioned, the plan was started after so much effort. Is it strange that they are just now complaining about what they have or don’t have?”

Hero: “Yah.”

Maou: “It’s sad, that in the end we still had to rely on power... It’s because I accepted nobles as my students, that the farmers become willing to try the new farming methods. Once spring arrives, we should be able to start the large scale experiments.”

Hero: “But, the Southern Kingdom’s nobles can already be considered to be close to their subjects. Compared to the Central, the class separation can be said to be almost non-existent.”

Maou: “That... is already considered to be minor...”

Hero: “But, we just made our first steps. Don’t be so impatient, after all, it might take a few years before we see any results.”

Maou: “No, we’ll see results next year.”

Hero: “Can it be done?”

Maou: “Because I have a secret weapon.”

Hero: “What secret weapon?”

Maou: '''Rustle rustle''' “This”

Hero: “What is this hard thing?”

Maou: “It’s called potato<ref>'''Potato''': Originated from the Andes in South America, spread to Europe in the 16th Century, became staple food in the 17th Century. Is cold-resistant, can be harvested several times in the year. Adam Smith once wrote “The production of potatoes is three times that of wheat”.</ref>, a crop.

Hero: “?”

Maou: “This is a plant. Normally, this round part is under the earth, once dug out you’ll be able to see this.”

Hero: “Oh?”

Maou: “Not only is this tasty it is also high in nutrients. Not only that, because the edible portion is underground, it won't be affected by birds<ref>'''Bird Damage''': Birds will cause harm to crops. Such as fruit trees, if care is not taken, birds will consume all the fruits; Because potatoes are underground, birds cannot get to them</ref>. Also, it even grows in poor soil<ref>'''Poor soil''': Ground where plants are unable or difficult to grow. There is very little number of microorganisms in the soil so even if fertilizers are used, it still cannot be made into nutrients that crops can use. Thus things like composts are needed to increase the number of microorganisms and improve the soil quality.</ref>, cold areas and hard earth. Other than that, roughly estimating the harvest<ref>'''Harvest''': The amount of products that can be harvested in a given area of farmland. Now, one hectare of land can produce four tons of wheat, thirty tons of potatoes or five tons of rice. Production of potatoes can reach eight times that of wheat. As the agricultural development of this world is still in the beginning stages, that production is less than half of what is capable now</ref> is three times that of wheat.”

Hero: “Is it true?”

Maou: “Un. it’s true”

Hero: “Is this granted by the heavens?”

Maou: “No, it’s a demon world product.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “That is what is great about contact with different cultures and technology. Even if the method of contact is a little unfortunate but contact is contact in the end.”

Hero: “That feels complicated.”

Maou: “Back on topic, potatoes aren’t without their own weaknesses.”

Hero: “What is the problem?”

Maou: “Firstly, it’s poisonous <ref>'''Potato poison''': Potato contains a poisonous substance, it becomes more concentrated when the skin begins to sprout. Due to its poisonous nature and strange shape, and has never been mentioned in the bible, in the earlier times it was considered a demonic food and rejected.</ref>.”

Hero: “Then it won’t do at all!”

Maou: “No, it’s not a strong poison to begin with. Second it only becomes poisonous if left in the sunlight and starts to sprout. As long as it’s harvested and stored well that’s not a problem. If stored in a dark cool place, it should keep for a year or so.”

Hero: “Un...”

Maou: “Also it is a continuous cropping obstacle<ref>'''Continuous Cropping Obstacle''': If a crop is planted repeatedly, substances will accumulate to inhibit growth, and would also decrease the nutrients in the soil and inhibit the growth of plants. Therefore fertilizers or the rotation method should be used to prevent continuous cropping obstacle. </ref> crop. If the conditions are right, in a year, potatoes can be harvested three times.”

Hero: “It sounds more and more amazing. It’s a plant worthy of the demon world.”

Maou: “Yes. But also because of that it will absorb a large quantity of nutrients from the earth, that would be the ‘Blessings of the Earth’. As it only uses up the Blessings that it requires, if planted multiple times on the same piece of earth, the quantity will decrease, and become sick easily.”

Hero: “Un un”

Maou: “Closer”

Hero: “Ha?”

Maou: “Come closer. The gap is making it cold.”

Hero: “Ng, um.... ah~ there will be some problems for me if we’re too close.”

Maou: “...does my body make you feel uncomfortable?”

Hero: “No no no, that’s not what I mean.”

Maou: “Never mind. All in all, this plant should be able to meet the needs of hunger in cold places. As long as care is taken about the poison, there shouldn’t be big problems. Truth to tell, the continuous cropping obstacle is more of a serious problem.”

Hero: “I think my understanding of this sort of problems are better...”

Maou: “Even though the Blessings of the Earth will return with time, but if a solution is not found, then no matter how long we stay here, it won’t increase the production rate enough, past a certain point.”

Hero: “Should we pray to the Spirits that protect the land?”

Maou: “That, can be a certain type of prayer.”

Hero: “Maou, aren’t you an Atheist<ref>'''Atheism''': To deny the existence of God, the belief that birth and evolution in the world has nothing to do with the divine. “No religious belief” means that there is no set religion that someone follows, that does not mean denying the existence of God; In comparison, atheism is to actively refute God’s existence. </ref>?”

Maou: “This has nothing to do with if I’m an atheist or not, if something can be useful then I will use it without hesitation, without modesty, that is a true economist.”

Hero: “You are some kind of devil aren’t you?”

Maou: “To give sacrifice to the land is the proof of contract. This type of sacrifice is common in the human world. For example, burning food or animal bones, animal secretions, left over food, that type of thing.”

Hero: “Ng, that doesn’t sound much like sacrifices<ref>'''Sacrifice''': This refers to fertilizers, can increase the nutrition in plants. Modern fertilizers have three important components, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. Fertilizers refills these important elements, allowing crops to grow successfully.</ref>.”

Maou: “I’ve decided to use fish from the Southern Arctic Sea<ref>'''Fish from the Southern Arctic Sea''': Refers to herring. After squeezing the residue oil from dried herring, it can be crushed into powder and is the best type of fertilizer. Other than fertilizer, it can be used as food for chickens.</ref>.”

Hero: “Why?”

Maou: “Fish are suitable for sacrifice.”

Hero: “Want me to go buy some? I can get there in a moment using teleportation magic.”

Maou: “That is very touching, but the amount I need, you probably can’t bring back. Every piece of farmland needs fifty fish, and it’s required every year. Shocked?”

Hero: “Wow, that...”

Maou: “Can’t be done right?”

Hero: “Un.”

Maou: “But, there’s also a big problem.”

Hero: “Why? Is there a problem with the Southern Arctic Sea?”

Maou: “Yes, there’s two, one of them I’m sure Hero knows of, it’s the Southern Arctic General<ref>'''General''': Commander of the troops. In the Middle ages there is no titiles such as Corporal or Colonel, most of the time names are added to the title ‘XX General’. One example is Japan’s Sei-i Taishōgun (Commander of force against the barbarians).</ref>.”

Hero: “...that geezer huh.”

Maou: “Right, that man is difficult even among the warlike Fang tribe. According to rumor, even though this Maou is in hiding, he still provokes the border areas. He commands the Silver Scale tribe, Flying Shark tribe and Metal Tortoise tribe, he is a notable powerhouse among the demons.”

Hero: “I’ve fought him several times. He is insanely huge and wields that fish spear with surprising skill.”

Maou: “If we want to move in the Southern Arctic Sea, clashing with him is inevitable.”

Hero: “Un...”

Maou: “Another problem is the ‘Union’<ref>'''Union''': A gathering of merchants after they have received permits from lords of sell goods, and they have enough power to stand against a Kingdom. A classical example is the Hanseatic League in Europe in the Middle Ages.</ref>”

Hero: “What’s that?”

Maou: “I didn’t want to mention this until a later time... I’ll take this chance to say it now though.”

Hero: “Un.”

Maou: “The official name is the ‘Economic Union of free merchants and independent Southern cities’. But now just say ‘Union’ and everyone will know it.”

Hero: “I think I’ve heard of them, are they famous?”

Maou: “Many people have heard of the name, but those who know the details are not many. To those who are not merchants, the existence of the ‘Union’ is not significant.”

Hero: “So in other words, it’s a gathering of a large number of merchants.”

Maou: “Correct. This group was created about fifty years ago by a free city by the coast of Wheat. The original purpose of its creation is ‘as a merchant group to protect the trade privileges<ref>'''Trade Privileges''': Advantages that can be received during trade. For example, lower tax rates, use of harbor not accessible to other merchants, removing opposing merchants etc.</ref> of the group members.’”

Hero: “Trade privileges?”

Maou: “Un. Taking goods from one city to another requires permits, these ‘permits’ would naturally be difficult to obtain right?”

Hero: “That’s common.”

Maou: “Merchants want these ‘permits’, and once gained they hold onto them tightly. Of course that’s natural, without these permit, you will not be able to do sales, it can be considered a life and death matter.”

Hero: “Uhuh.”

Maou: “As time passed, taxation systems are revised, under the same system taxes can be increased or decreased. In this way, royalty and nobles can experience economy through taxes; on the other hand, it also means economists --- merchants, can come into contact with the ruling class.”

Hero: “Whoa, this topic is very difficult to understand.”

Maou: “The ‘Union’ is the largest of these types of merchant gatherings. Their scope is much farther than you would imagine.”

Hero: “Oh? How large? Are there a thousand people?”

Maou: “The important thing isn’t the number of people.”

Hero: “It’s not?”

Maou: “As the Union is an economic organization. The amount of money they can move around and the power to insert themselves into the economic flow, is their true weapon. This has nothing to do with fighting skill or numbers.”

Hero: “Logically that’s true. So, how large are they?”

Maou: “Their area of influence includes the Southern and Central Kingdoms all over the continent. Even though no one knows how much their capital is, I’ve given an estimate according to their involvement in history, I can be certain that it’s an astronomical figure.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: “Either way, at least they have the ability to buy the Southern Kingdoms five times over and still have change left.”

Hero: “Ha?”

Maou: “They are this type of organization.”

Hero: “What and what now?”

Maou: “By the way, 60% of the circulation of wheat in the Southern cities relies on the whims of the Union. If the Union is determined, they could exchange the King for a landlord.”

Hero: “That’s like a big monster!”

Maou: “Unquestionably it is a monster. Human livelihood is built upon the back of that monster<ref>'''Human livelihood built on the back of a monster''': In his work the <<Leviathan>> the philosopher Thomas Hobbs sees the government as a political monster. They use their rights to transfer power, using it as an excuse to protect themselves and cause harm to others. It is common term, to refer to large organizations as monsters. In this text, the Union is seen as a monster that is needed by the humans. </ref>.”

Hero: “I’ve received requests from the Union in the past, and made several motivational speeches.”

Maou: “Really?”

Hero: “Un, things like ‘Stand up and defeat the demons!’ and such. The ladies in pretty clothes would stand on the battlements and sing, and will even give victory signs.”

Maou: “That’s probably political propaganda<ref>'''Political Propaganda''': To send a certain message directly into the heart of the mass. Originally this type of propaganda is to validate one’s own correctness, the information might be twisted or coloured, in order to lead people to make certain wrong assumptions.</ref>, you could probably make a few thousand gold coins.”

Hero: “My payment was only fifteen coins! Wuwuwuwu, I... how can I...”

Maou: “Don’t be so down, Hero.”

Hero: “I’ve been duped by them.”

Maou: “That can’t be helped, economy isn’t your strong point.”

Hero: “That pretty lady looked at me with teary eyes, and said things like ‘I’m a fan of yours!’, so I rushed to the demon world all excited.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “The young man who commissioned me said he’d wait for my return to hold a feast, and also elbowed me twice and said ‘you’re really popular with the ladies’, I was ecstatic... now that I think about it, that young man is probably a merchant.”

Maou: “...”

Hero: “Wuwuwuwuwu, I’m such a stupid Hero.”

Maou: “Humph, looks like I’ll have to be more strict with you.”

Hero: “So those people are the enemy!” ''' Draws sword'''

Maou: “Ah~don’t go scaring people like that.”

Hero: “No, they are the enemy. I’m going to use the highest order area lightning spell to take care of them.”

Maou: “Don’t use siege level spells to nuke one or two people!”

Hero: “But they tricked me!” '''Streaming tears'''

Maou: “Are you a kid? Anyways, the Union doesn’t have a collective will. They are merchants who gather for the sake of their own profit, thus in the end the only that that keeps expanding is the organization, the personal will are not involved. Although you feel you’ve been tricked, but the other did not mean to lie to you. Even if you take revenge, the Union will only be hurt superficially if at all.”

Hero: “The more I hear about it the more angry I get”

Maou: “They are neither an enemy or a friend, more like a wild beast.”

Hero: “...”

Maou: (Or is it...)

Hero: “Un~ I’ve never heard of anything like this before!”

Maou: “Don’t whine”

Hero: “Fine, at least I’ve improved from the past of fighting constantly.”

Maou: “... I will always be by your side.”

Hero: “Un--- me too ---”

Maou: “Ah--- ah---” '''Panic'''

Hero: “What is it?”

Maou: “Look, the village leader’s house is just ahead. I...today I’m giving a lecture on how clover crystallizes the Earth’s Blessing<ref>'''Crystallizing the Earth’s Blessing''': Legume plants such as clover have specific bacteria called Rhizobium in their roots that can convert the nitrogen in the air to nitrate. Fields that legume has been planted in, can provide rich nutrients for crops.</ref>.”

Hero: “I...I see.”

Maou: “Um...”

Hero: “Un.”

Maou: “I’ll be back in about four hours.”

Hero: “I know”

Maou: “Then... then I’m off!” '''Hug'''

Hero: “Ok! Good luck!” '''Hug'''

==References==
<references/>

Kamisama no Memochou:Volume 1 Chapter 1

2011-09-08T15:45:54Z

220.255.1.90: /* Chapter 1 */

"It's a primitive response to gratitude. To give pleasure. You see, our normal hosts are quite mindless; they can be thanked only by physical sensation"

"Thank you for accepting transporting me. Thank you very much."

*from "The Only Neat Thing to Do" by James Tiptree, Jr.

==Chapter 1==
On the winter when I was sixteen, I actually met many different types of people – there was a boxer, a soldier, a gigolo, a detective and a yakuza member. They were all NEETs – just of different varieties. The term ‘NEET’ occasionally surfaces on the news or in the newspapers, and I thought it merely referred to unmotivated and unemployed youths, but in reality there are actually many different sides to them. There is no all-encompassing reason as to why they remain jobless or do not go to school.

“The term ‘NEET’ refers to neither ‘useless people’ nor ‘lazy people’.” That is what the detective said to me. “The only difference lies in the rules. While everybody else uses the board to play checkers, we use chess pieces instead.”

“I don’t really get it. Does that mean you’re just getting in the way?” I naively questioned. The detective thought for a moment, pursing her cherry-like lips which eventually gave way to a silent smile.

“I suppose it would indeed seem that way to those who merely want to rush ahead. I understand that society wishes to group us all up and label us thus, and fling us out into the rubbish dump; I also understand that they wish to point at us and laugh mockingly. Let them laugh all they want. No matter how you may want to argue it, that we are a negative influence to the society at large is an undeniable truth.

The detective gazed at her opened hands, eventually raising her head again. This time, her smile wasn’t the sarcastic, bitter smile – but one that was comparable to the sun’s rays on a freezing winter’s day. “We will never laugh at ourselves. Just as the earthworms do not fear darkness, a penguin will not be ashamed of its inability to fly. That is the meaning of what it is to live, is it not?”

I couldn’t give her any answer, because I had never thought so deeply about such matters. Regardless, no matter how many bombastic words you use, isn’t the fact that you are all useless people the main gist of it?

However, it was also that winter when I first saw a dead corpse, and when I first assaulted another person. It was the first time in my life that I personally contemplated about what it means to be alive. I suppose anybody who has witnessed another person giving up his life or giving up seeking death will feel the same way as I have.

Yet, that is a story for much later. For now, I would like to talk about the winter when I first met all these people, and the story of a non-NEET, normal girl.

<span style="font-size: 300%;"><center>*</center></span>

Near the end of November, I met Ayaka for the first time.

After school ended on Tuesday, I sat on the water tower on the roof of the southern campus, staring into empty space facing the tall buildings far away. Normally once school ends, I would go report in at the computer room and focus on club activities that only consist of one person. But on afternoons with computer lessons, even after school there will still be a lot of students staying back to play with the computers that they usually don't come in contact with. I am unable to bring myself to walk in just like that, so every Tuesday and Thursday I always come up to the roof to waste time. Staring at the computer room on the second story of the northern campus, giving off a huge amount of "Get Lost Already!" waves, and sighing as I look down onto the streets.

The streets I currently live in can be separated into two colors, the long thin river that flows like the artery of a patient is the divider of the colors. The side closer to me has rusted roofs of factories, cheap housing lying back to back to each other, then high school. I am not sure why, but there are a lot of shrines and graves in this area; My house is also on this side. On the other side is a tall flyover bridge for a highway to the capital, a gigantic train station with countless railways, tall buildings packed along complicated slopes, shopping malls and television stations. On sunny days, you can even see the shadow of the government building far away. Tokyo is an amazing place to let boring housings that can be found anywhere in Japan and tall modern buildings to co-exist peacefully here.

Looking down from the roof, the train station is like a scene in an advertisement on TV, without realism. Probably because I don't want to get close to that area? As we can wear our school uniform and just go out and play immediately after school, I heard that our school is rather popular in Tokyo; If the sailor costume has bright colors, it might even increases its attractiveness by around 40%.

It is a cloudy day that day, just nice enough that you can examine closely the glass panels of the tall buildings that are normally not possible due to their bright reflections. But talking about it, it is just a bunch of glass windows that are cut by similar methods. I always fill those glass squares with colors in my mind, sketching pixel art.

I've gotten used to killing time like that. I think it's because I'm always transferring schools because of my dad's work. At the beginning of October, when I transferred into my current high school, I joined the PC club just because there was no one else active there, and went about my school life without being noticed by anyone. I've often thought that there's no point in me going to high school. I don't go to classes either.

As I was gazing at the building, I suddenly heard a clattering sound below me, causing me to raise my feet. The water supply tower was set on top of the stair room jutting out from the roof. It was the sound of someone who had climbed up the stairs opening the door.

"Is someone there?"

I heard a girl's voice. When I carefully leaned forward and and peered directly below, she turned around, meeting my gaze.

She had short hair, and strong-spirited eyebrows, contrasting her eyes, which gave off a cute, friendly impression. I felt like I'd seen her before. As I moved to get up, she made a surprised face, letting out a "Wah!" I tumbled down from the water supply tower.

It was lucky that I fell from my feet, but because the backs of my hands scraped roughly against the concrete wall, the first thing she did when we met was wash my wounds with water from the watering can she had.

"Why would you climb up a place like that, it's dangerous!"
<~~5% Completed~~>

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