𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏𝟑: 𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲
“But there was no sign of the devil, wasn’t there, mom?”
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Miliaria said while walking along the highway.
Fenrir staff taps along the poorly maintained road.
Leaving Galangran, we embarked on a journey to the Grand Duchy of Shumok.
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“Indeed. Even after the inauguration of His Excellency Gladstone, there was no sign of it.”
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In the end, we, [Hope], stayed in Galangran for about ten days.
It took some time to eradicate the slave traders who had been basing their nefarious operations in the city.
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The number of slaves we were able to rescue exceeded a hundred.
Such a surprising number highlighted the extent to which nearby villages had been devastated by the bandits.
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Those who wished to return to their homes did, while others were protected and educated by the new leader, Gladstone, who also gave them a trade.
While doing so, ten days passed, and during this time, no devil appeared.
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“Now everyone sees the light of hope in the new leader,”
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Salieri casually remarks, basking in the warm sunlight, walking as if asleep.
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It’s surprising to find she’s been listening to our conversation, but as our association grows, it becomes clear that while she may seem to be spacing out, her brain cells are actively at work.
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Of course, she listens to and understands our conversations.
Contrarily, Asuka appears to listen attentively, but in reality, she doesn’t comprehend anything.
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“If the devil were to sneak up on us, it would be when people begin to express dissatisfaction with Gladstone’s governance.”
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Overthrow the wicked king. I’ll help you.
It tempts people this way.
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No matter how good a ruler, this world will never become a utopia. People will always have complaints, to a greater or lesser extent.
That’s just the way it is.
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Even at an individual level, a job that is easy, provides plenty of free time, and pays well doesn’t exist.
Adventurers like us may hit it big, but we are always in danger of death.
Easy jobs usually offer little in return.
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People are prone to discontent, and that’s where the devil sneaks in.
It tells you that all your troubles are because of that person, that if you kill them, everything will be fine.
It spreads chaos in this way.
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“Now, while burning with hope, if the new leader, Gladstone, were assassinated, I think it would be a cauldron of confusion.”
“Milimili has a point. But, if they fail, human solidarity only becomes stronger.”
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That’s what’s so annoying about the devils.
They don’t gamble on all-or-nothing situations. They don’t take risks that could put them at a disadvantage if they fail.
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Even the devil Fleuretti was like that. If he had just kept pulling strings from behind the scenes, we would never have been able to reach him.
It was only because Luke lured Fleuretti out with a once-in-a-lifetime performance, appealing to his sadistic pleasure, that he showed himself.
Just to see the face of the one who killed his almost brother-like friend twice.
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“What a truly detestable enemy.”
“But, Neldan-san, we did rescue the slaves in Galangran.”
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Meg tapped my slumped shoulder.
She suggested that lamenting the absence of the devil was pointless.
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“You’re right. We achieved a lot.”
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Our actions saved dozens, if not hundreds, of people. We should be satisfied with that.
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“I’m looking forward to the feast in the city by Lake Mikasa. I’m tired of the simple meals.”
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Meisha looks out over the distant lake, tapping her metal staff.
The food served at the new leader Gladstone’s mansion was indeed plain. She truly is a bishop that does not waver.
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After feasting at the inns of Marida and Amul, six days of journeying through the city by Lake Mikasa, we crossed the territory of the Winter Rose City-State Federation and entered the Grand Duchy of Shumok.
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“Wasn’t it the noble territory thought to be the first to declare independence due to Lintrite’s weakening?”
“Yes, but it declared independence after Gaillia.”
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I answer Miliaria’s question.
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The Grand Duke Shumok, which is also a country name, is inherited by the Sumeria royal family, the predecessor of Lintrite.
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Despite possessing the nominal title of Grand Duke as a testament to his lineage of the former dynasty, he’s been ill-treated, having no involvement in politics or military. So it’s not surprising that he would rebel against the declining Lintrite.
It’s been 120 years of neglect, after all.
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The reason why this didn’t happen was largely due to the character of the current Grand Duke Shumok, a man named Karls.
He particularly despises disputes and harbors no resentment towards the Lintrite royal family that usurped the former dynasty, acquiescing to his state of neglect.
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His nickname, given by Morrison, is the Literary Duke.
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This would mean something like a weak duke who loses himself in academics and arts.
It’s rather impolite.
And not just to him, but also to academics and arts.
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Lintrite fell precisely because they didn’t value these aspects at all.
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