𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟓: 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥

While training my magic, the carriage journey ended. We arrived in the capital of the Wolfeus Kingdom.

This time, the fare I paid for the shared carriage included the toll, so there was no question at the gate, like “Aren’t you an adventurer?”

Well, I’m glad I could avoid that because it would have been troublesome.

ㅤ

The capital we finally reached was noisy, to say the least.

I get the feeling that the residents are buoyant, as if there is a festival going on.

ㅤ

Well, aside from that.

Since we’ve arrived at the capital of the country we’re about to overthrow, the first thing to do is gather information.

It is urgent to understand the enemy’s strength.

ㅤ

“Leif, have you been to the capital before?”

“Yes, a few times.”

“Do you know who is the strongest person in this country?”

ㅤ

If it’s about the strongest in the kingdom, they should be famous, so Leif might know.

ㅤ

“If so, Knight Captain Ivy and Court Magician Randolph-sama are famous.

Both are considered protectors of the kingdom, not inferior to the Demon Lord’s executives.”

ㅤ

Huh?

Ivy aside, Randolph?

Hmm, it seems I’ve heard it somewhere. . .Oh, it’s the grandpa zombie’s name.

Was he the greatest force in this country?!

Well, considering his magic status exceeded that of a Goblin Lord, it’s not surprising he’s a celebrity.

ㅤ

I was living under attack by such a guy. . .

Back then, it was fortunate that the Goblin Lord and the subjugation squad clashed and weakened each other. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had to fight in perfect condition.

I was lucky there.

Just there, I was lucky.

ㅤ

Now, if it comes to this, does it mean that I have already defeated one of the greatest forces of this country?

It means I could easily destroy the country. . .There’s no such sweet story as this.

There’s still one person left who could match the grandpa zombie in his prime, and the reason I was able to kill the old man in the first place was because I was fighting in my home ground, the dungeon, and by good luck, he was weakened.

I don’t feel like I can defeat a monster comparable to him in a situation without any territorial advantage, situational advantage, and without the Living Armor-senpai.

ㅤ

Besides, there are probably still common soldiers and elites like those in the subjugation squad.

I can’t win if I fight them straight on.

If I start a terror in the city and retreat after one blow, I might be able to do some damage.

Fortunately, I have a decent amount of force that can move outside the dungeon, starting with the grandpa zombie.

ㅤ

Coo~

ㅤ

When I had thought that far, I heard such a sound from beside the Automata.

The source was Leif.

He seems to be hungry.

ㅤ

“Shall we go to a dining hall?”

“I, I’m sorry!”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

ㅤ

Feeling hungry is a physiological phenomenon.

Moreover, I do not have a hobby of abusing slaves.

It would be troublesome if they became a burden due to hunger, so I will properly give them at least a meal.

In a way, they are like pets.

ㅤ

“Do you know any diners? Preferably ones that also have lodgings.”

“Yes, yes! This way.”

ㅤ

Leif ran off hurriedly.

I instructed the Automata to follow quickly.

What we arrived at was, well, a diner that you could find just about anywhere.

I don’t know what the default for diners in this world is, but I can tell that this place doesn’t have much in the way of distinguishing features.

ㅤ

“I’ve been brought here by my previous master. That basta. . .pervert. . .the only good thing about being with him was the taste of the food at this shop!”

ㅤ

There was a certain darkness in Leif’s words.

It seemed like he wasn’t blessed with his previous owner.

Well, he’s not blessed with his owner now, either.

But I think I’m better off in that I don’t engage in perverted play.

ㅤ

If I were to seriously do my job, this shop would probably be razed to the ground, but does Leif understand that?

ㅤ

“Welcome~. Please sit wherever you like~.”

ㅤ

With such mixed feelings, I entered the store, and a waitress who looked like a sign girl spoke to me with a line like you’d hear in a chain store.

There really are similarities in any world.

Feeling this way, I casually took a seat.

Leif nervously glanced through the menu.

Apparently, in this world’s diners, the names of dishes are written on slips hanging from the walls.

Just like a ramen shop!

And then, for some reason, Leif is looking at me with eyes like a dog told to wait.

What’s the matter?

ㅤ

“Order whatever you like.”

“Eh?! Really?!”

ㅤ

Is it really that surprising?

Well, considering how slaves are treated, I guess I’m on the more conscientious side.

Here, I feel a difference in sensibilities compared to modern Japan.

ㅤ

So, after getting the go-ahead from me, Leif ordered something like a kids’ meal.

It would be strange if I didn’t order anything, so I ordered some small items at random.

After all, anything that goes into the Automata’s mouth is reduced, so it doesn’t matter what kind of dish it is.

Payment was in advance, so I also paid for the accommodation at this place which also serves as an inn.

Let’s say, for 10 days.

ㅤ

And then the food was brought out.

Leif looked so happy, his long elf ears bouncing as he began to eat the kids’ meal.

. . .It reminds me of Kurosuke, the cat I used to keep at home.

The way Kurosuke was when he was devouring his favorite bonito flakes, it was exactly like this.

He was one of the few creatures I could trust, and I cried a lot when he died of old age.

ㅤ

“Is it good?”

“Yes!”

ㅤ

Maybe it’s because I was reminded of Kurosuke.

I found myself saying those words to Leif.

I hate humans, but Leif isn’t so bad.

Maybe he fits into a pet category after all?

ㅤ

While thinking about this and shifting my mask to feed the Automata, I overheard the voice of a nearby customer.

I ended up hearing.

ㅤ

“The hero’s debut ceremony is finally tomorrow, huh.”

“With this, with this the war will finally end. . .!”

“Oh, your son, he’s gone to the battlefield.”

“I hope the hero defeats the Demon Lord quickly and comes back.”

“Yeah!”

ㅤ

🔹𝕬𝖜𝖊𝖇𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊s.𝖈𝖔𝖒 ― 𝕴𝖓𝖉𝖚𝖑𝖌𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖆 𝖈𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑s 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 “𝖉𝖆𝖎𝖑𝖞 𝖚𝖕𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘” 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖊𝖝𝖈𝖑𝖚𝖘𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖆𝖈𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖙𝖔 𝖆𝖉𝖛𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖉 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘🔹

Such a conversation that I couldn’t ignore.

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