Chapter 49

After setting up camp for the second time in the Demon Forest, we, with Zae and the other Undead Lizardmen as our guards, finally reached a place where we could see the walls of Volzard Castle.

This morning, not long after we set off, a group of over thirty orcs attacked us, but Zae and the others swiftly took them down.

The moment I gave the go-ahead, Zae and the others accelerated and charged at the group of orcs.

I think Fred might be faster in terms of pure speed, but Zae's movements are just within the range of what the eye can follow, which might make them seem even faster.

As usual, every time the pitch-black kukri knives, made of some unknown material, were swung, the orcs' limbs and heads would fly into the air, and before they could realize their mistake, they were all wiped out.

"Hey, those are orcs, right?"

While watching Zae and the others in action, I was asked by Sagara.

"Yeah, they're quite impressive up close."

"Last time, because a group of orcs appeared, the knight leading the group abandoned you guys and ran away, right?"

"Yeah, but a skilled adventurer can handle about three orcs alone, they say."

"Those aren't just three orcs, are they? Are the skeletons just as strong?"

"Yeah, probably even stronger..."

"Wow... I'm starting to see you, Kunitake, as a real demon lord..."

Sagara sighed and walked back to the others.

That's rude... I'm working hard for everyone, and to be seen as a demon lord is really unfair.

After lunch, I talked to everyone about what we would do once we arrived in Volzard.

First, I made it clear that any trouble was strictly forbidden, and I also told them that we were registering with the guild and preparing for the rescue operation. I emphasized again that they must not cause any trouble.

"Kunitake, you don't have to worry so much. We know better, so it'll be fine."

"I'm actually more worried about you, Takayama... Seriously, don't cause any trouble."

"That's insulting. With my magical talent, there's no way I'd get into trouble."

"Actually, that makes me even more worried..."

Anyway, once we arrived in Volzard, the boys would be grouped with Kondo and the old-new duo, and the girls with Honmi and Sasaki, forming the Odd Couple Sisters.

At the city gate, as expected, Kaltz was waiting for us.

Just like last time, we had to disarm at the gate, and our swords and knives were collected.

Just like last time, when Bart came to collect our weapons, he whispered in my ear.

"Kent... I've been waiting for you..."

"Ah, yes, thank you..."

I thought the five we rescued earlier were eagerly waiting for us, but to my surprise, the person waiting for us at the gate was someone unexpected.

"Welcome to the fortress city of Volzard. I am Beatrice Volzard, the daughter of the lord, and I welcome you all with open arms."

Though not a dress, her pure white one-piece with frills and lace was a typical lady's outfit, and all fifty of my classmates, both boys and girls, were captivated by her.

But don't let your guard down; she's a carnivorous rabbit.

"Mr. Kent..."

"Y-Yes... What is it?"

Oh no, was my thoughts showing on my face? Beatrice is walking towards me confidently.

Her confident stride, radiating an aura, made the classmates step back, clearing a path for her.

"I heard you were rescuing your classmates. It must have been difficult to get through the Demon Forest. Thank you for your hard work."

"Ah, thank you."

I bowed my head involuntarily at her sincere words.

After all, I'm a timid Japanese person.

"Welcome back, Mr. Kent..."

Just as I was about to raise my head, I felt a kiss on my cheek.

"Kyaaaaa! Local wife, Kunitake has a local wife!"

"Damn you, Kunitake, I won't forgive you, I won't forgive you!"

The girls let out excited cheers, while the boys groaned in envy.

Beatrice wrapped her arm around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder.

"Reiche was lonely..."

Along with her whisper, a pleasant scent, perhaps perfume, wafted over.

Then, I felt it, the piercing gaze of the twenty-seven boys... Why is even Takayama looking at me like that? He had a good time, didn't he?

"Um, um... Let's take everyone to the dormitory..."

"That will be done by those five over there, won't it?"

Seeing the grinning Odd Couple Sisters, the girls cheered and ran over, while the old-new duo and Gase-megane sent hateful glares.

There's Manon too.

Not in her usual loose clothing, but in a pantsuit with a beautiful color scheme and a slim silhouette, anyone could tell she was a girl.

Taking a deep breath, Manon walked straight towards me.

It was almost November, yet sweat was pouring down my head.

Beatrice stared at Manon, tightening her arm around my back.

This is bad, is this what they call a love triangle?

The girls were watching with interest, the boys with anticipation of my pathetic state, and even the guards were watching.

"Welcome back, Kent."

"Y-Yes... I'm back, Manon."

I braced myself for a slap, as I had before, but Manon was calm.

"Beatrice, don't interfere with Kent."

"Ugh... I understand..."

Confronted with the truth, even Beatrice had no room for argument and released her grip on me.

Immediately after, Manon leaned in and kissed my cheek.

"Hey, what are you doing, Manon-san!"

Beatrice protested, but Manon tightened her arms around me, refusing to let go.

"Kyaaaaa! Second local wife, love triangle, love triangle!"

"Alright, let's kill them... Skeletons and Lizardmen are strong, but we have no choice..."

"Of course, we'll get our weapons back."

Hearing these ominous voices, and knowing this wouldn't end well, I patted Manon's back to get her to let go.

She had turned bright red, her eyes spinning.

Seeing Beatrice glaring at me with tears in her eyes, I quickly stopped her.

"Stop! Really, stop! We still have to take everyone to the dormitory and talk about the plans for tomorrow, please..."

Beatrice, pouting, reluctantly agreed.

From her, I no longer sensed the lady's aura, but rather a cute, age-appropriate charm.

"Shall we go, Kent?"

"Wh-What, Manon...?"

Manon held my left hand and wrapped her left arm around me.

Manon also smelled good, perhaps from perfume.

"I will accompany you as well."

Seeing Manon's actions, Beatrice quickly wrapped her right arm around me.

"Huh? Wait, Beatrice?"

"Reiche!"

"Ugh... Reiche is coming too?"

"Ugh... Am I that much of a bother?"

"No, no, not at all..."

If it weren't for the audience, this would be a blissful moment, but with the girls' warm gazes, the boys' murderous glares, and the guards' curious looks, it was extremely uncomfortable.

I hope the rumors don't reach the mischievous old men.

Anyway, I need to take everyone to the guard dormitory's cafeteria and feed them.

When you're hungry, you get even more irritable.

After dinner, I explained the plans for the future.

The room assignments for the temporary dormitory have been taken care of by Yagi and the others.

After this, we'll just take a bath and go to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll get registration cards from the guild.

When I brought the five, we went to the guild to register, but this time, with so many people, Otto will come to us.

After registration, I plan to give each person 5,000 helts for immediate expenses and have them buy daily necessities.

Yagi and the others asked for money for themselves, but of course, I refused.

"Kunitake, if we don't have money, it'll be a problem for us, won't it?"

"Wait, Yagi, what do you mean you don't have money? I gave you 15,000 helts. It's only been ten days, right?"

"Kunitake, we can't use powerful magic like you. We have to make up for it with weapons..."

"Wait, what do you mean, weapons? Where and for what?"

"Kunitake, we're going to start the rescue operation in earnest, right? We have to go through the Demon Forest again, don't we? We need weapons, right, Nitta, Furuta?"

"Of course..."

"Yagi is right, there's no room for argument..."

"Ah, we used it all up on the first day, of course we have nothing left."

"Right, right, girls need to look good, you know."

I collapsed to my knees in disbelief.

"So, 5,000 helts for us..."

"Rejected!"

"Wait, since we just reunited with Aoi and the others..."

"No! If you can't do it without money, I'll ask Manon to guide us."

"Then, 3,000 helts will do..."

"Rejected!"

"Don't be so cold, just a little... please?"

"Rejected!"

"Fine, then 2,500..."

Yagi and Kobayashi, unusually working together, were incredibly persistent.

"Fine... 500 helts, no more, no less."

"500... That's it?"

"If you don't like it, I won't give you a single helt..."

"Wait, wait, I understand, 500 helts, I'll make do with that..."

"You know, a day of potato moving in the warehouse only earns 350 helts. If you keep being extravagant, I'll kick you out of the city walls."

"Alright, alright..."

Leaving the rest to Yagi and Kobayashi, I needed to report our arrival to Donovan.

"Manon, Reiche, I'm going to report to the guild, so come with me, I'll take you there."

Calling out to the two, who had been watching the money battle with wide eyes, we left the guard dormitory.

Immediately, Manon grabbed my left arm, and Beatrice my right.

We were getting a lot of looks from passersby, but I decided to ignore it.

On the way to the guild, Beatrice asked me a question.

"Um... Is Mr. Kent paying for everyone's living expenses?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Does Mr. Kent have a special position?"

"No, I don't have any special position."

"Then, isn't it unnecessary for Mr. Kent to pay? Fifty people at 5,000 helts each is 250,000 helts... That's not an amount that someone our age can easily come up with."

"Well, yeah... But Reinhardt and the others are killing a lot of monsters, and the Gigawolf sold for a good price, so financially, it's fine."

With the orc's magic stones, the Gigawolf, and the reward from the named request, I have about 1.7 million helts in savings, and I still have the Rock Ogres' magic stones, so I have no financial worries.

Even if I rescue another 150 people, I only need 750,000 helts for immediate expenses, so I can cover everyone's food costs.

However, both Beatrice and Manon look unhappy.

"What's wrong?"

"Kent, you said you could only earn 350 helts a day in the warehouse, right?"

"Yeah, it was the Garm potato warehouse, and it was pretty tough."

"Then, why are you giving 5,000 helts so easily?"

"But, they don't have any clothes or anything, and they need to buy daily necessities. Besides, they won't use it all in one day..."

"Tomoko and Akemi used it all up."

"Ugh... You're right..."

As Manon said, if I give money to the girls led by the Odd Couple Sisters, they will spend it like water.

"2,000 helts would be enough, but if you insist, 3,000 helts. Any more is too much."

Beatrice nodded in agreement with Manon.

Thinking about it, since coming to Volzard, I've been wearing hand-me-downs and eating at the boarding house, so I haven't really shopped and don't have a good sense of the price level.

It seems I should listen to their opinions.

"Alright, 3,000 helts per person."

"Huh? Kent, aren't you going to report to the guild?"

"Yes, I'll do that after I drop you two off. Donovan works late, so it's fine."

"Mr. Kent, you know Donovan works late, which means you also work late, don't you?"

"Ugh... Yes, but not every day."

Beatrice is sharp, as usual. In fact, I almost always work late.

"It seems like Mr. Kent is always the one doing the hard work..."

"Yeah, Kent should delegate more to others."

"Hmm... Maybe you're right..."

After dropping Beatrice off at her mansion, I got another kiss at the gate.

Please, gatekeeper, don't report this to Klaus, I beg you.

Then, I took Manon to her house and got another kiss.

"Ah... Could it be that the headbutt before was because..."

"Ah, that was because Kent suddenly turned around... The distance was..."

"So, I don't have to worry about getting headbutted anymore?"

"Ugh... Kent, you idiot..."

Manon pouted but kissed me again.

After parting with Manon, I used shadow travel to get to the guild, where Donovan was, as usual, working late.

"Good evening, Donovan."

"Hmm, Kent..."

"Yes, I'm reporting late, but we brought all fifty people safely. Please take care of them from now on."

I emerged from the shadows, bowed deeply in front of Donovan, and made my request.

"Hmm... Manon and Beatrice seem to be quite active..."

"Huh? Where did you hear that from?"

"Be careful not to run into Klaus."

"Ugh..."

It seems the rumors have reached the mischievous old men.

Is a confrontation inevitable?

"The guild registration will be handled by Otto as planned, but if time permits, I'll be there too."

"Thank you. Also, I need to register a few more people..."

"The Undead Lizardmen, right?"

"Yes, Zae, can you come here for a moment...?"

Calling out, Zae immediately appeared from the shadows.

I had already reported the Lizardmen attack to Donovan, but this was the first time he was meeting Zae.

"Hmm... You've made some dangerous friends again."

"Indeed, a strong one. I leave it to you."

"Ah... He can speak human language, I see. Let's go through the same procedure as with Reinhardt and the others."

Zae shook hands with Donovan and returned to the shadows.

"Also, this morning, we encountered a group of over thirty orcs."

"What? Last time, it was fourteen, right?"

"Yes, it seems the orcs are increasing in number."

"I don't know, but with the Rock Ogres and Lizardmen, the Demon Forest seems to be becoming more active. It's quite possible."

A typical orc group is about twenty, so a group of over thirty is quite large.

"Let's raise the alert level just in case."

"My forces have increased, so I'll leave someone in Volzard."

"That would be a great help, thank you."

"I also need to ensure Volzard's safety."

If someone stays in Volzard, they can alert us immediately if something happens, and we can prepare reinforcements.

"Will the people you brought this time start training as drivers right away?"

"Yes, we'll select the members, as it wouldn't make sense for everyone to go."

"Kent, wouldn't it be faster to increase the number of Undead Lizardmen and have them pull the carriages instead of training them?"

"Ah... Right... I'll go back and..."

"Phew... It's too late, they've probably been eaten to the bone by now."

Skeletons and Undead can only be created if bones or corpses remain.

Reinhardt and the others can exist as skeletons because the enemy, likely other knights, burned the bodies and buried the bones.

"If you bury the bodies without burning them, goblins or kobolds will dig them up and eat the bones, preventing them from becoming skeletons or Undead. You left the Lizardmen's bodies with their magic stones removed, didn't you? It's too late."

"Ah... If I had gathered five more, we could have started the rescue operation immediately... No, wait, I can go hunting..."

Muttering to myself, I was reprimanded by Donovan.

"Kent, it's good to be focused on the operation, but you also crossed the Demon Forest. Take some time to rest your body."

"Yes, but that's hard to say coming from you, who stays late every day."

"Hmm, you've got some nerve. Then I'll retire early and hand this chair over to you."

"Absolutely not!