Chapter 5

In front of me, the slime is lying limp.

It's due to the side effects of [Perfect Imitation].

If it weren't for this, it would be a waste that Sie would be invincible without question.

Even so, her current power can still be considered at a level that defies the rules.

Considering Sie's current state, perhaps I should release other monsters from [Storage]...

No, I'll hold off on that.

It might unnecessarily frighten the current landlord.

"Duke and the others are probably looking for me too."

I recall the city I created.

Avalon, a city where humans and monsters coexist.

One of the most prosperous cities in the world, it imports wonderful things from all over the world using a transportation network powered by monster abilities, creating an attractive market.

The excellent market attracts talented people, leading to further development, and as the city develops, more people and goods gather, creating a virtuous cycle.

...And underground, the military is being strengthened to protect the crystal, the core of the Demon King, by constantly consuming the emotions of the tens of thousands of humans living in the city.

Thus, Avalon's military power is beyond standard.

"That's why the Demon Kings think: If they want to take down Avalon, now is the time when I'm absent."

When I'm not around, the dungeon's functions are significantly limited.

Such an opportunity doesn't come often.

Still, I believe it can hold out for half a year.

Duke, my strategist, remains there.

Duke can give appropriate instructions to the remaining monsters to protect Avalon.

Probably, Duke will create a fake me to show that Procell is still around, deterring other Demon Kings.

It won't be seen through for two or three months.

In other words, it will be noticed in three months.

However, even in an unfavorable situation, my monsters can hold out for three months.

That's why I have half a year.

I must return within half a year.

"...In reality, I have only two chances."

Currently, besides the Evolved Slime Sie, there are nine other monsters in [Storage], but they won't be of much help in returning.

If that's the case, I need to create a monster that can do such a thing.

If the star or world is different, S-rank power is required to cross over.

Considering this, I need to use the [Creation] medal.

"The problem is what to combine it with."

Normally, creating a monster requires two medals.

However, my unique [Creation] medal can create a monster with three medals.

By consuming one more medal, a more powerful monster is born.

Additionally, while the monster that is born is random, [Creation] can attract the desired possibilities from all the monsters that can be created with the used medals.

With that power, I can create a monster specialized in transfer.

However, [Creation] only allows me to choose the possibilities. It's meaningless unless the combined medals have the potential to create such a monster.

...I can't afford to make a mistake in the combination.

After all, an original medal can only be created once a month.

"Pyuuuuu, recovery! Pyui, revival."

Sie, who had turned into a liquid after using her power, transforms back into a blue-haired girl.

"Sie, let's go back to the room once. It might help me think better over there."

"Understood! In two weeks, when I can transform again, I'll decide and return."

...Well, that's probably impossible.

The current situation is that bad.

◇

I return to the Fox sisters' house.

The older sister bows, and the younger sister, who wasn't there before, is now present.

The younger sister hides behind the older sister, pulling at her clothes.

I hadn't noticed before, but she seems shy and has a strong sense of caution. She reminds me a bit of Rorono.

"That person is a benefactor, but there's another one. We don't have much food... I'll refuse."

She whispers so we can't hear, but unfortunately, our hearing is good, and we can hear everything clearly.

Thanks to Sie transferring the information, I understand the content.

Sie sends a telepathic message.

"In this village, all the harvest is entrusted to the village chief and distributed according to the work done. In this case, the parents of the sisters are dead, and the older sister rejected the village chief's son, so they are being harassed with reduced food. Moreover, this year's harvest is poor, and from the feeling of the tail fur I just took, they are on the verge of malnutrition. The older sister is reducing her own share to feed the younger sister."

"Say that first. Then, you didn't eat the porridge I received earlier."

Exactly, what kind of feeling did they have when they served me the porridge?

Even though they don't have enough to eat themselves.

I am, after all, the benefactor who saved the younger sister's life. But in such a situation, most people would abandon them. If I had left them in the forest, I wouldn't have had to take care of them.

...I'm just too kind. But I don't dislike such people.

"Rest assured. I won't take your food."

"I'm sorry. My sister said something rude. Please don't mind it. At that time, I was calling out to anyone, offering everything I had and doing anything to be saved. I meant it. So, I will serve you with all my heart."

She's even more kind.

She should have just kept quiet.

She must have known that we couldn't understand her words.

"No, I feel uncomfortable taking the food you should eat in front of that child glaring at me from behind. Besides, there's no need to share it."

I take out a monster from [Storage].

A blonde elf.

Typically, elves are tall and slender with no chest, but she is beautiful and carries a massive anti-tank rifle on her shoulder, which is as tall as she is.

It's not just any anti-tank rifle; it's a masterpiece created by Rorono, an S-rank monster and the world's best blacksmith, exuding a cold killing intent that chills the onlookers.

One of the ten monsters I stored for emergencies, a B-rank monster, the High Elf.

Though inferior to the S-rank Ancient Elf Aula, she is a natural sniper and, equipped with the modified anti-tank rifle, can even defeat A-rank monsters.

She is also skilled in reconnaissance and is very useful, so I brought her along.

"Master Procell, what are your instructions?"

She bows respectfully.

S-rank monsters tend to act freely and individually, but B-rank and lower monsters often behave like obedient servants.

"Turn that vacant lot into a field and grow something edible."

"Yes, securing food. Right away."

The wind blows.

The ground is dug up and lifted.

Then, the soil returns to its original position, and weeds and stones are removed, instantly tilling the land.

The wind blows again.

Dozens of barley grains are carried by the wind from the house and planted in the softened ground.

The High Elf chants like a song, and a localized rain falls.

It's not just any rain; it's a rain of blessings from a high-ranking elf.

She prays with her hands together.

The barley grows rapidly and is ready for harvest in a few minutes.

"That's why. As a thank you for letting me stay, I'll gift you this field with its crops. Crops grown on land blessed by an elf will thrive."

This field will surely help the sisters in the years to come.

The younger sister, with her fox tail wagging, is staring at the barley field with shining eyes.

"Sister, there's so much food! We can eat until we're full. And the grains are so big, we can trade them for other things!"

She runs into the barley field and starts picking the ears.

"I can't believe it. Crops growing in an instant. It's like a god."

"I'm not a god. I'm a Demon King."

Sie is beaming as if it's her own achievement.

"Are you the Demon King, the Demon King!?"

"I don't know which Demon King you're talking about, but I am a Demon King."

"...I'll do anything to you. But please, spare my sister, only Anri, please!"

She kneels in a full prostration, her fox ears trembling with fear.

Hmm, there's a Demon King here too.

What kind of Demon King is it?

It might be worth meeting.

...No, I definitely should. Meeting them might give me a clue on how to return.

"There are various types of Demon Kings. I was sent to that forest for a reason, but originally, I was creating a city where humans and monsters coexist in a distant place. Tens of thousands of humans live there, happier than in any other city. That's the kind of city I made. I'm a Demon King who makes people happy."

I chuckle as I say this.

To someone who thinks of Demon Kings as symbols of terror, it sounds absurd or like a lie.

"I believe you."

However, the answer was the opposite of what I expected.

"Because you saved my sister. ...Besides, if you were a bad Demon King, it would be over anyway. It's better to believe."

She's a reliable person.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to protect her sister and survive after losing her parents.

"I saved your sister. Now, I'll ask for a price. How about... staying here for up to half a year and providing information?"

At least, this girl knows about Demon Kings.

I'll use her as a bridge. If I meet them, I want to gather as much information as possible beforehand. She must know something, given that she was frightened.

Sie probably has her knowledge, but it's better to hear it directly from her.

Besides, for a Demon King who feeds on human emotions, she is