Maoyuu:Volume 19
Middle Continent, Gate
Volunteer Soldier: Ah, right. I'm going to join the Southern Ice Sea Campaign.
Young Mercenary: Then I'll go as well, if you're heading to the Southern Ice Sea let's travel together.
Touring Knight: Me too. I'm counting on you guys.
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Gate Guard: That's a lot of people, 15 already passed through here today.
Gate Guard: Yeah, why the sudden interest?
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Volunteer Soldier: The campaign this time round is rumored to be headed by that young hero, Winter King.
Young Mercenary: Yeah, every generation of the Spear Valiant King's descendant are brave. I heard that the king himself raised the army.
Touring Knight: Not only that, from what I've heard the general is that young and beautiful, legendary Female Knight.
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Volunteer Soldier: Yeah! She's well known as the Hero's right arm!!
Young Mercenary: I've heard of that too!
Touring Knight: With the Hero's left arm, "Black Mark Shooter", Archer and Knight on par with one another. It took only 4 of the Hero's companions to take down Demon King's generals. One of the legendary 4!
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Volunteer Soldier: Actually, my family would be following me later.
Young Mercenary: Really? That's a coincidence, mine too.
Touring Knight: What's the matter with you guys, why bring your family to the battlefield?
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Volunteer Soldier: No, you got it all wrong.
Young Mercenary: Eh, actually, they say the Winter Kingdom have abundant harvests, even commerce is propering.
Touring Knight: There's such a rumor?
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Volunteer Soldier: Yeah, even the tax on serfs are no longer paid using hard labor or harvest, you only need to pay them some money.
Young Mercenary: I've heard of that too, it's good if you only need to pay money. That way, they can afford mercenaries. My family can finally be released from serfdom, we might even get a land to ourselves if we migrate to Winter Kingdom.
Touring Knight: Is it really as good as you say?
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Volunteer Soldier: Even if it's bad, the results would only be dying in battle. For people like us who can't fight and can't farm, there's nowhere else to go.
Touring Knight: Well, you're not wrong.
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Young Mercenary: The priests at the Lake Shore Order even gave me a letter of recommendation.
Volunteer Soldier: Letter of recommendation?
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Young Mercenary: Yeah, with this you can start growing potatoes.
Volunteer Soldier: Grow potatoes? What's that?
Touring Knight: I'm not familiar with it too.
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Volunteer Soldier: Sounds similar to wheat.
Volunteer Soldier: If only we had some now, there would be no fear of starvation on our journey.
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Young Mercenary: Well, I heard if you bring along this letter of recommendation, and start farming after you tell them you want to grow potatoes. My family has wanted its own plot of land for a long time.
Touring Knight: I can relate to your feelings.
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Volunteer Soldier: Hey, how about getting one of those letters for me?
Young Mercenary: Sure, the priest who wrote this letter for me, he told me to bring more people to him. How about we go drop by with my family later?
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Fuyugoshi Village, Monastery at night
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>Some sound effects
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Female Knight: This is good now. Damn luggage!
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Female Knight: Why doesn't this fit in?
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>Knock on door
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Female Knight: Please open the door yourself, sorry, my hands are tied currently.
Maou: Sorry to bother you so late at night, can I come in?
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Female Knight: Ah? S-sorry, oh it's Scholar.
Maou: No, I have something to ask of you.
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Female Knight: What is it?
Maou (uneasy): ...
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Female Knight: Does it look that bad?
Maou: It looks like you're already packing for the trip.
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Female Knight: Anyway I'm not really ladylike in the first place. Normally when I go traveling I simply rearrange my stuff like that.
Maou: Is this... fine?
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Female Knight: Ah, sorry for the mess everywhere. Please sit on the bed.
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: ...Hey! How's that?
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: Is something the matter? Scholar-sama.
Maou: No, I'm just a little nervous.
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Female Knight: Ah, is it about my journey?
Maou: Yes.
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Female Knight: Well they asked for me. It's a little messed up. You need not worry, I'll not halt the operations at the monastery. In the first place the monastery would still run smoothly without me, I'm not cut out for managerial work.
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Maou: It's not that.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: I don't think it's like that.
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Female Knight: What's the matter? Why are you slurring?
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: No need to worry about me. It's true that I'm not as strong as Hero, but I've trained enough not to be defeated by demons. Ahahahaha, I'll swim all the way back even if my boat is sunk, yeah.
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Maou: ...
Female Knight: What is it?
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Maou: Well... You've helped me a lot during this year.
Female Knight: Are you talking about the potatoes? Or that crop cycle? As I've said before, those things coincide with the ideals of our monastery, that's why I offered my help. Don't worry about it, everyone in the monastery thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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Maou: There's also those training conducted by the monastery.
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Female Knight: You mean those sword training and military training~
Maou: Yes.
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Female Knight: Those are good exercise, and I can relieve my boredom and nervousness. And enough exercise can burn up those extra fat and fat meat, fat~
>stare~
Maou: Uuuuuu.... Uuuu.
Female Knight: You're not snapping back? Like you flat woman and so on, you're no fun. That bespectacled maid is better at this.
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Maou: Well, Female Knight.
Female Knight: Hmmm?
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Maou: I... When I was really small, I've always... When I grew up, though my family wasn't small, but I was always alone... By myself.
Female Knight: You're part of the nobility.
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Maou: Something like that...
Female Knight: And then?
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Maou: That's why, I don't have close friends of the same gender, though I have a Head Maid.
Female Knight: Hmm.
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Maou: And, Female Knight, to me, it's like...
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: Like the closest in a circle of friends. This is my speculation, from yesterday, I made that conclusion.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: Of course, whatever goes on in Female Knight's mind, it has nothing to do with my speculation. This is all thinking on my part, though this kind of subjective classification is a little ambiguous.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: Even myself, I'm still wondering, there are still many things I don't dare to attempt. I'm that foolish and weak, and this feeling slowly invades my daily life. -Like, these saltpeter and black powder.
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Maou: I understand if I employ those, the battle will turn in our favor. There's also the possibility that the death toll increases by 20%. And honestly, I've secretly gotten alchemists to research those. But, I can never make up my mind. If I hand these over, we might win the battle. I can hand these over, but we can never turn back. I've always thought that I'll just make a smile when it comes to that, but my hands cannot stop trembling.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: Though I've already made an oath that day. If I could get the Hero's help, no matter what I'm facing, if my wish can come true, regardless of this body or this life, even if I end up rotting on the side of a nameless street, if I can see, those other things that I've never encountered in my studies throughout my life, I don't mind making any kind of sacrifices. But, I wonder why, I'm becoming a coward, if only I hand over these technology, and watch the world change. But then I've lost that courage.
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Maou: From now on, my friend...is heading to the battlefield. I feel it's a cruel experience, like a terrible betrayal. I never made a pact with Female Knight, and only exchanged information technology with the monastery. So, I believe this sense of guilt stemming from Female Knight, should not hold water. It should be like this, but I can't let go of this feeling.
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Female Knight: So, all in all.
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: You're saying that blackish powdery thing is something akin to a huge AoE anti-personnel magic?
Maou: Yes.
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Female Knight: Extremely powerful, extremely easy to use. Even if you're an amateur you can master it in no time, that kind of thing?
Maou: Yes.
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Female Knight: I won't lose even if we don't have those things.
Maou: Not only that... Me.
Female Knight: ...?
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Maou: Me, I actually lied to Female Knight.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: I've always been deceiving everyone.
Female Knight: ...
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Maou: That's why, I came here tonight. This is what I'm expecting. I want to witness "what is beyond that hill", that's why I... Female Knight. I'm actually... I'm actually the Demon Queen.
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Female Knight: ...
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: You do know I'm the abbess of the Lake Shore Monastery right?
Maou: Of course.
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Female Knight: Then, I, Female Knight. As a worshiper of the Spirit of Light, and as the abbess of the Lake Shore Monastery, Maou, I accept your repentance.
Maou: Eh?
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Female Knight: Although you lied to your friends, but you already confessed to your friend and the Spirit. So you're free of sin now, there's no problem from now on.
Maou: Even if I'm the Demon Queen...?
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Female Knight: Your repentance is because you lied right? Or what? Because of your identity as Demon Queen?
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Maou trembles.
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Female Knight: Or are you reflecting on the fact that you snatched away Hero?
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Maou is trembling.
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Female Knight: Then let's just leave it at that. The Lake Shore Monastery has troublesome and strict rituals.
Maou: B-But!
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Female Knight: Isn't this good, ending it early.
Maou: Is that so... then Female Knight.
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>Flashback of Female Knight's conversation with Hero
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>Eh~ So sorry, Female Knight. I'm busy nowadays, I have to make a trip to the demon world!
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>I'm sorry about this, but can you replace me as the sword instructor? If you find teaching them a hassle then make them run everyday. Learning how to escape battles is important too.
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>I say.
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>Ah~ This is difficult to explain, eh, ah that, you should be able to see.
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>Hmm, yeah, yeah, she's the Demon Queen~. Ouch!? W-W-Wait are you doing this for real? P-Please stop!? Put down the sword!
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Female Knight: I don't have a problem with that.
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>What, god. I'm saying the truth, I'm kneel in front of you. Although she's the Demon Queen... But she's not a bad person. She's really clever, and lack common sense, but she sees the importance of ties, she won't easily break a promise.
>End of flashback.
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Female Knight: So I don't have a problem with that.
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Female Knight: Hey, Demon Queen!
Maou: Oh, Female Knight...
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Female Knight: I hope that you don't address my name with honorifics from now on.
Maou: ...What do you mean.
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Female Knight: Though Hero made a pact with you. Maybe you and Hero have a special bond with each other. This... Though I hate to admit it, I have no choice but to recognize it.
Maou: ...
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Female Knight: But, there are different kinds of bonds. Between Hero and me we trust each other, that's my treasure. At least... I will never betray Hero.
Maou: Female Knight...
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Female Knight: So you have nothing to worry about. This kind of small battle can't even harm my fingernail. I'm not as weak as that.
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Winter Kingdom, Goods Distribution Harbor
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Pioneer: Heave~ho! Heave~ho!
Pioneer: Yoo~sho! Yoo~sho!
Pioneer: Open it up~! Open it up wider~!!
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Winter King: How does it look?
Officer: Yes! Why is the king doing the inspection! I would submit a report when you ask for it.
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Winter King: I haven't aged so much till my legs are unable to move.
Officer: Everything is going smoothly thus far.
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Pioneer: Heave~ho! Heave~ho!
Winter King: Yo~!! Use more strength!!
Pioneer: That's! It's the king!
Pioneer: My king~!
Pioneer: Winter King~!
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Winter King: I'm really sorry, but I need everyone to work harder! When the sun sets we'll have hot wine in the dormitories for everyone!
Pioneer: Leave it to us, my king!
Pioneer: Heave~ho! Heave~ho! We'll have to clear the trees faster for the king!
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Winter King: Everyone's working so hard.
Officer: It's all due to your presence.
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Winter King: It's good if I can help out in any way. Oh, you're back just in time.
Fisherman: Oh, my king, you're back.
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Winter King: How does it look?
Fisherman: Almost, we'll be ready this year.
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Winter King: How long do you think it'll take?
Fisherman: Probably after the new year, around 2 weeks.
Winter King: I see.
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Officer: There's still the review to enlarge the camp.
Winter King: It's not enough?
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Officer: The volunteers... We're getting more than expected from the middle continent. If this goes on we might not have enough accommodation even if we enlarge the camp twofold.
Winter King: I see, let's get started with that first. If you need more Pioneers, put up a notice.
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Winter King: Don't forget about windbreakers and gloves if you're doing that. We can't achieve anything if our hands are frozen.
Young Merchant: Allow me to handle this issue, under the name of the "Union".
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Second Aurora Island Recovery Campaign, Temporary Headquarters
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Butler: Hahaha, long time no see. Female Knight, you still don't look like you're used to this occasion.
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Female Knight: Old geezer you didn't change at all.
Butler: Hohoho, and your bust size hasn't grown any larger.
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Female Knight: I'll cut you!
Butler: Nyohohoho, nyohohohoho.
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Female Knight: Can you stop doing that disgusting action?
Butler: Nyohohoho, this is an Archer's special ability so we move stealthily in forests, nyohohoho.
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Female Knight: Sigh, you've always been so hard to deal with. You remember this, one day I'll shave off your beard smooth and clean.
Butler: Oh? Are you still "smooth and clean"!?
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Female Knight: ~~Gah!!!
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Butler: Nyohoho! That's not all I can do.
Female Knight: Hey~! Don't use your hips shaking to create an afterimage!!
Butler: I can still create more!
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Winter King: Ah~ So, you guys are really on bad terms?
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Female Knight: I-Isn't this Winter King?
Butler (serious look): Prince, it isn't nice to spy.
Winter King (stares): ...
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Butler: Ahem. Female Knight, the person standing here is the Winter King of Winter Kingdom.
Winter King (leers): ...
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Female Knight: ...Why did you suddenly change into another person?
Butler: Is something the matter?
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Winter King: Has the old geezer always been like that?
Female Knight: No, it can't be helped, please educate him properly.
Butler: Prince!
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Winter King: Anyway, please let me thank you for responding to my call with such haste, Female Knight.
Female Knight: Please lift up your head, aren't you a king?
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Winter King: No, we owe you too much. Because of that, I had Butler contact you so we can end this.
Female Knight: Is that so?
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Butler: I think we have given you enough time for your breasts to grow to ponder over this.
Female Knight: I'll cut you.
Butler: Nyoho... cough, cough.
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Winter King: Although this is a little early, but please come over.
Female Knight: Okay, the earlier the better.
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Winter King: This is a map of the vicinity.
Female Knight: That's really well drawn.
Butler: I personally saw to the operations for map-making.
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Winter King: Yeah, that's true.
Female Knight: No wonder it smells like an old man.
Butler: What!?
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Winter King: Now, let's come up with a strategic overview.
Female Knight: I'm all ears, I'd like to take the place of my two other friends and see if the rumors of a new hero are true.
