Chapter 34

I have pledged new loyalty to the Demon King, but two questions arise.

Why did she come to this mansion?

And why did she realize I am human?

I asked her about these matters.

"Because I had noticed that you carried memories from your previous life. I thought you might know how to make 'gunpowder,' so I came here. --I didn't expect you to be human inside."

So, it was because of the bath earlier, I see.

This mansion is protected by a barrier, but it can be broken by a Demon King's level of magic.

It wasn't that I was careless; I was just unlucky.

Or perhaps, it was the wrong person.

However, does she not mind that there might be humans hiding in the Demon Army?

This girl remained calm even after discovering I am human.

She didn't change her expression or attitude when looking at me.

"Does it not matter to you that I am human?"

"My previous life was also human."

"But now, you are the Supreme Commander of the Demon Army, are you not?"

"That is true."

However, she continued.

"Even though I was born as a demon, it seems I still retained a human heart."

"…I see."

I know of a few demons who were human in their previous lives, but they all lost their human hearts.

It seems that when they are reborn as demons and gain inhuman 'power,' they lose their human hearts.

She was called 'Demon King' in her previous life.

Originally, she was a historical figure who was between human and demon.

Perhaps because of this, she managed to retain her previous life's 'heart' even after obtaining a demon's body. That's just my guess.

--But, this makes me curious about her purpose.

"Why did you entrust me with this matchlock gun?"

"I thought you could handle it. This matchlock gun is called a 'drift object.' Occasionally, things from other worlds drift here."

"…I see."

So, that can happen.

However, it's quite a coincidence that a 'matchlock gun' drifted to Nobunaga.

Perhaps something related to this person drifted here.

"However, the crucial part is that there is no gunpowder for the matchlock gun. There are a few bullets, but they drifted here with the gun."

"Gunpowder becomes damp over time."

"That's true."

"So, you want me to make gunpowder?"

She nodded.

"……"

"…What's wrong? Why are you silent? Can't you make gunpowder?"

"---No, I have the knowledge to make gunpowder."

I had gathered that kind of knowledge in my previous life.

I have the knowledge to make gunpowder.

But there was something that bothered me.

"---I am honored to be noticed by the Demon King, but what is the Demon King's ultimate goal?"

"…Ultimate goal?"

"Yes."

In other words, what I want to know is, after getting the knowledge of making gunpowder from me and using it to defeat Bastio, what do you plan to do next?

Of course, the Demon King is the Supreme Commander of the Demon Army.

So far, she hasn't oppressed or massacred humans or shed unnecessary blood.

But what about the future?

No, after interacting with her, I realized she is not a cruel or cold person, but obtaining the strongest weapon in this 'other world'—gunpowder and guns—might change her.

I wanted to confirm this.

I asked the Demon King.

"Demon King---What kind of world do you wish to create if you conquer this world?"

I swallowed hard.

I just pledged new loyalty, but if this person becomes the 'Sixth Heaven Demon King' as in her previous life, I cannot cooperate with her.

I am human.

I cannot lend my strength to the extermination of humans.

If her ultimate goal is to exterminate humans and seek the prosperity of demons, or even her own, I might have to oppose her.

I glanced at Sati.

I was born as a human.

I cannot completely abandon the fact that I am human.

Meeting this girl, Sati, made me even more aware of my humanity.

I asked the Demon King again about her true intentions.

Her answer was---

"I aim for the coexistence of humans and demons."

Her tone and expression were resolute.

I decided to believe her words.

†

Matchlock gun---

It is one of the earliest types of guns invented in the West.

The two matchlock guns brought by the Portuguese who drifted to Tanegashima during the Warring States period quickly spread throughout Japan and brought an end to the Warring States period.

The matchlock gun itself is not a particularly powerful weapon.

No, it is powerful, but it cannot be fired rapidly.

Of course.

Each time, you have to load gunpowder and a bullet into the barrel.

The advantage of the matchlock gun is that "anyone can use it."

There is no need for training like with a bow.

Even a farmer or a goblin can match a seasoned knight.

That is its greatest and best advantage.

However, I only have 10 matchlock guns at the moment.

And there is no gunpowder.

I need to figure out the gunpowder first.

If saltpeter, the raw material for gunpowder, can be mined in this other world, that would be ideal, but I don't have the time to search for it.

The only way to make gunpowder is to use scientific methods.

"Scientific methods?"

Sati, who brought tea to the office, asked.

"Basically, it means using alchemy."

"I see."

Sati understood.

There is not much difference between alchemy and science.

Science is the descendant of alchemy.

This is true in this world as well.

Boiling water with fire turns it into hot water, and continuing to boil it turns it into steam.

Fermenting grapes turns them into wine.

That is what science is.

In other words, it should be possible to artificially create saltpeter even without having it on hand.

"Then, how do you create saltpeter?"

Sati asked a simple question.

"First, gather a large amount of completely dry hay."

"That should be fine if we ask Jiron and the others."

"Add water from an old pond, rotten fish guts, and animal carcasses."

"………………"

As expected, Sati started to look uncomfortable.

It's not a topic for a girl.

But Sati said,

"I'll take care of the fish."

And rolled up the sleeves of her maid uniform.

"…Thank you."

I thanked her.

Actually, I also need "ammonia," which is human urine, but it would be too much to ask Sati for that.

She might provide it if I asked, but I am a gentleman and cannot make such a request.

I will ask the residents of Ivalice for that.

Incidentally, it is possible to create saltpeter using the above method, but it takes a considerable amount of time.

--However, this is a world of swords and magic, and accelerating the process is easy.

"Mix this with charcoal and sulfur, and you have what is known as black powder."

I said this, loaded the gunpowder and a bullet into the matchlock gun, and used the "Ignition" magic to light the matchlock. Then, I pulled the trigger.

Boom!

A huge explosion echoed outside the mansion.

Sati covered her ears with both hands.

But guns are indeed incredibly powerful.

With this, even if a knight is encased in heavy armor, it means nothing.

On the contrary, the weight makes them slow and a good target.

I might have created something incredible.

I might have witnessed a moment that will change the history of this other world.

Thinking this, I decided to head to the duel location with the Demon Army's 3rd Legion Commander, Bastio, at the Demon Castle Dovolberk.

I told Sati,

"I'm going out for a bit."

Sati said, "Please wait a moment," and returned to the mansion.

What does she want to do?

There's no problem since there's still time.

As I was thinking this, Sati returned.

She said, out of breath,

"This is something I just learned from the Demon King..."

She prefaced this by striking the flint stone, "click, click," twice.

It's something you often see in period dramas.

It's a superstitious ritual performed when the master goes out, especially for important battles.

(---Indeed)

I didn't expect to see a long-abandoned custom from my previous life in this other world.

The Demon King taught Sati a strange trick, but it's not unpleasant.

To respond to the Demon King's and Sati's feelings, I tightened my resolve and headed to Dovolberk.