Chapter 45

And so, Astares and his two subordinates came to live in my settlement.

The two female subordinates, it's rather pitiful to keep calling them by their titles, so I should call them by their names.

One is Bati.

The other is Barena.

Including Astares, I had these three work on the farm alongside Gob-kichi and the others.

I thought they would give up quickly, but surprisingly, they worked hard.

Perhaps the notion that they have nowhere else to go if they are kicked out of here has made them desperate.

By the way, what kind of beings are the demons in this world?

An evil race?

A human enhancement?

The answer is that they are a different race created by a different god.

Humans were created by the Sky God Zeus.

Demons were created by the Underworld God Hades.

And the merfolk were created by the Sea God Poseidon.

Each race was created by a different god, so they are different races. There are no other significant differences.

There is no superiority or moral difference between races; the only difference is their origin.

They have been fighting for thousands of years over this alone.

To me, it doesn't matter, so as long as they don't fight, I welcome anyone to my settlement.

"Sir... I'm sorry."

Plati suddenly apologized.

She chose a moment when no one else was around to do so.

"...What are you apologizing for?"

"Because, most of the recent troubles have started with me. I feel really bad about it...!"

It was an unusually humble line for Plati.

Such a serious attitude doesn't suit her.

"Troubles can be good sometimes. Peace is the norm, but without a little excitement, life gets boring."

"That's true! I've been supplying you with troubles, Sir!"

She immediately got carried away.

That's how we spent our days.

* * *

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

Astares and his group, being former elite demons, are the most skilled in combat.

So, they naturally took on the job of entering the dungeon and hunting monsters.

Today, they planned to head to the mountain dungeon early in the morning and bring back a lot of meat from beast monsters.

Meanwhile, Plati, as usual, was holed up in the brewery, researching and manufacturing magic potions and fermented foods.

Viel, as usual, was lounging around in her room.

The goblins, including Gob-kichi, were diligently working in the fields.

And I was working with the orc team, led by Oakbo, on a plan to build a large kiln for pottery.

It was during this time that a guest arrived.

"Guest?"

The only two people who would come here are the teacher who lives in the nearby cave dungeon and Plati's brother, Prince Aruana.

But this guest was neither of them.

He was someone I had never seen before.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

At first glance, he was clearly not an ordinary man.

A towering figure, I suppose.

A giant, towering over us with a well-built, muscular physique.

Yet, he didn't exude an oppressive presence; instead, he had a deep, commanding presence that enveloped those who saw him.

The most significant difference between this visitor and the others who had come before was that he didn't immediately attack.

He was very polite and showed no rash hostility.

That's why, when Gob-kichi and the others first encountered him, they didn't argue much and smoothly led him to me.

"I apologize for coming unannounced. Our side is in a hurry, so we had to rush this time."

"Ah...!?"

"First, let me confirm. Is this the residence of the Saint Kidan?"

"Yes, it is, but...?"

What's this, a feeling of being cornered step by step...?

"I am the Demon King Zedan."

"?"

The Demon King?

Did you say the Demon King?

"Excuse me... I know this is a basic question, but is the Demon King a high-ranking person?"

"High-ranking... I suppose so. The title given to the king who leads the demons. That is the Demon King."

I knew it!

Of course! The Demon King can't be anything but great!

"However, that title does not reflect my own greatness. The title of Demon King has been passed down through generations, increasing in value. I am merely a young successor to this heavy responsibility."

And he's a person of character!

He remains humble despite his high position!!

"If we're talking about greatness, there is someone truly great who far surpasses this Demon King. The Saint Kidan. You."

"Me...?"

"You, who command the Dragon and the Non-Life King, the two most fearsome beings in the world, and carry the lost Evil Holy Sword Droyshvartz, can be called the greatest threat in the world."

It seems my reputation in the world is on a different level.

This is probably because of what Viel did outside.

She apparently intimidated people quite dramatically. My bad name has spread throughout the world.

"No, but wait a minute? Just because this is the Saint's residence, it doesn't mean I'm the Saint...!"

I tried to deny it, even though I knew it was futile.

"No, you are the Saint Kidan, without a doubt."

It didn't work.

"The reason is that we resonate with each other. The Evil Holy Sword Droyshvartz you possess... and the Wrath Holy Sword Einroth I possess."

With a swish, he drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist.

The aura or presence emanating from the blade... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before.

"Saint, I have a rude request. I want you to accept my challenge. Let's determine which is superior, my Wrath Holy Sword or your Evil Holy Sword, right here and now."