Chapter 64

――Monsters are evil.

This is a "common sense" that doesn't need to be restated. It's a shared understanding known even to children. I, too, was raised being taught this.

The term "monster" is a general term for all beings that are enemies of humanity, belonging to the realm of evil. This includes not only goblins and orcs but also the "demons" that are the natural enemies of humans living in the demon territories, and the "demon beasts" that resemble animals and inhabit various parts of the world. In a broad sense, they are all called monsters.

Some scholars argue that each should be correctly referred to by a different name, but to me, it doesn't matter. The fact that they are all equally threatening remains unchanged. They are enemies of humanity, heartless monsters, savage and cruel beings, and terrifying, abhorrent creatures. That is what monsters are.

...At least, until recently, that was undoubtedly true.

But why has it come to this? I still can't understand. No, I shouldn't be in a position to say such a carefree thing, but the gap between the common sense I've held and the reality before my eyes is so great that I am still bewildered.

The Demon Nation Alkymaira.

A nation of monsters that claims to be a foreign country.

A terrifying demon nation where, with one exception, all its inhabitants are monsters.

It seems that even elves and beastmen live there, but in the nation's common sense, they are also referred to as "monsters." It's a story that makes one realize just what common sense is. If I told this to the scholars who were raised in the safety of the city, they would surely react with amusement.

"Alright, once we clear away those rubble, we'll move to E8. We'll finish all the work around the castle today."

"Roger that. ...By the way, where should we dump this rubble?"

"Don't dump it, you fool. Take it to the collection site. Our craftsmen are waiting with bated breath."

No, more than that, I should show them this scene outside the window. They might go into a frenzy, but it's mostly human scholars who engage in debates that are neither helpful nor harmful. Whether they go mad or not, I don't care. I'd rather they just die.

But even if one is not a scholar, seeing this scene would make one doubt one's own sanity.

After all, outside the window, a giant, larger than a house, is talking to a kobold sitting on its shoulder.

Generally, it is said that monsters have few connections between different species. While they may live in groups, it is usually at the level of tribes or herds, and it is extremely rare for them to form sophisticated organizations involving multiple species. This is why humans, who are weaker as living beings, have been able to prosper through the weapon of "civilization," as everyone knows.

Nevertheless, outside the window, the giant, known for its dull and violent nature, is being given instructions by a kobold, which is smaller than a human. It's hard to believe, but the kobold on its shoulder seems to be of a higher rank, and is even hitting the giant's head.

"Ah, and be careful not to bump into the castle with that big body of yours. We're here to help with reconstruction, not to destroy buildings."

"Got it, supervisor."

The giant, urged on by the kobold, grabbed the rubble and debris around the small castle and left. They, who exchange light-hearted conversations that make one forget the barriers between species, are the monsters sent from the allied nation Alkymaira to assist in our country's reconstruction.

What is particularly astonishing is the work of the giants. What would normally require a team of a dozen people and specialized equipment to remove, they pick up and carry away with just two fingers. The cleanup around the small castle, which should have just begun today, is almost complete after just a few hours. Considering how many days it would have taken the people of Ratestwood alone, I can't help but laugh dryly.

Moreover, despite their massive size, they have an incredibly efficient metabolism.

Well, given their size, they should eat a lot, but they turn into humans during meals.

When I think about it again, it's absurd, but it seems that all the citizens of his country have been given the ability to transform by that king. Using this ability, they can take on the appearance of humans or even become completely human. This means that even a giant over twenty meters tall can eat within the range of a human's diet.

They have been asked to take care of the meals of the dispatched personnel as a form of compensation, but considering the labor they provide, it's a trivial price to pay. In fact, it seems too light.

...Perhaps, this is a favor from his king.

I no longer suspect any hidden motives. At first, I mistakenly thought he was a demon king who would force us into a nominal subjugation, but that misunderstanding has already been dispelled.

After all, that king not only refused to take Lady Reifa as a hostage but also transferred autonomy and even healed all the injured before our eyes, at the cost of his own body.

Judging from the reactions of the Alkymaira officials present at the meeting, it was probably a very dangerous act. It seemed that his life was even in danger. Clenching his teeth, suppressing his groans of pain, and convulsing in both legs, he still stood until the end. That image is still burned into my mind.

I am a stubborn half-elf, but I am not blind or shameless enough to still think of him as a demon king after seeing such a sight. His words, "I do not seek subjugation; I wish to be a good neighbor," were genuine. His king truly desires a friendly relationship with us.

...That's why I can't understand at all.

I tried to organize my thoughts by writing this diary, but it's no use. I can't understand that king's thinking at all.

I am trying my best to discard my preconceived notions and prejudices, but perhaps my mind is too rigid. However, seeing the other ladies-in-waiting also look bewildered, I don't think this is just a personal issue.

...Ah, it's no use. I still don't understand. I can't understand at all. For what reason did his king send such a person as the overall supervisor?

"――Aaaaaaaah!!!"

A scream like a tearing silk.

A high-pitched, anguished cry filled the small castle, piercing through the wooden door and reaching the room.

Wenli, the queen's aide and the head of the ladies-in-waiting, stopped the hand that was moving the pen.

However, she did not rush out of the room in a panic.

Nor did she freeze in response to the sudden scream.

She simply placed the pen she was using on the desk and held her head as if to bear a headache.

Then, with her head bowed, she took a deep, deep breath, exhaled it all, and the head lady-in-waiting Wenli whispered weakly.

"...It's begun."

Her voice was tinged with unmistakable fatigue.

---

The Seventh Legion, one of the eight great legions that Alkymaira boasts.

Some of its members are currently in Ratestwood's capital and villages to assist in reconstruction, having been dispatched from Alkymaira.

The Seventh Legion, in peacetime, is responsible for the main production activities in Alkymaira. It is a legion composed of craftsmen from various fields such as blacksmithing, woodworking, engraving, sewing, leatherworking, and all other areas related to production. They hone their skills daily and form the foundation of the secondary industry.

While other legions also have craftsmen, the Seventh Legion is home to the leading figures in each field. In particular, they possess a highly advanced technology in the field of magic engineering, surpassing even the major powers of [World No. 3].

The leader of this group of skilled individuals is the youngest of the eight great legion commanders, a monster.

He is a born craftsman and pioneer, a hybrid of the dwarf and gnome races.

He loved freedom above all else.

He detested constraints more than anything.

He was a being that embodied the concept of a child who is innocent, cheerful, always enjoys life to the fullest, and never forgets to have fun. That is the Seventh Legion Commander, Robin.

--That's right.

He was a boy who loved freedom more than anyone, like the wind blowing across the grasslands, unbound by anything.

"Hyaahaaaaa!!!"

And he was a bit too free.

"Blue, 60 points! Cyan, 5 points for design, 65 points! White, good for sticking to the basics, 70 points! Oh, black, a high score for the contrast with a gentle face, 85 points! Yaaahhh!"

Robin ran down the corridor and, upon spotting a lady-in-waiting, quickly dove under her feet. He hooked his small arms under her dress and lifted them up as if in a victory pose. Naturally, the contents of the dress were fully exposed. He quickly scanned them with his hunter-like eyes.

Color, shape, and decoration are the basics. But Robin, being an expert, doesn't stop there. He evaluates over ten criteria, including harmony and contrast with the wearer's face and personality, and instantly announces the score in a loud, childlike voice before moving on to the next target.

The lady-in-waiting, who had no idea what had happened, was left behind. As soon as her skirt, which had been flipped up, returned to its original shape, she came to her senses and let out a high-pitched scream. Such scenes were happening in chain reactions all over the small castle.

"......sigh"

Wenli, walking heavily down the corridor, couldn't help but sigh. On the first day, she had rushed out into the corridor at the sound of a scream, but now it has become a daily occurrence.

The lady-in-waiting crouching nearby had short hair. If Wenli's memory served her correctly, this was the second time she had been a victim.

It was silly to seriously consider this, but it seemed that his actions were not random. To prevent the ladies-in-waiting from getting used to it, he seemed to select his targets on a daily basis. However, for some reason, Wenli, as the head lady-in-waiting, was an exception and was a victim every day. She couldn't react like a novice anymore, and Wenli sighed for the second time.

The lady-in-waiting, who was holding down the hem of her skirt and crouching, saw Wenli come out of the office and spoke in a weak voice.

"Wenli, Chief Warrior...?"

"I am no longer the Chief Warrior. I am the head lady-in-waiting. ...Again, is it?"

"......Yes, again. Head lady-in-waiting."

As expected, Wenli put her hand to her forehead and looked up at the ceiling. It has been six days now. She no longer has the energy to be angry.

The ladies-in-waiting who work in the small castle all wear the same uniform.

A navy blue dress with a white apron with frills, a ribbon at the chest, and a white brim on the head. This outfit, known as a maid's uniform, was a gift from the dispatched Seventh Legion as a symbol of friendship.

At first, Wenli