Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: The Warrior Makes Friends
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After the demon Rahel finished his brief opening remarks, the various races gathered in the grand banquet hall began chattering and reveling.
Of course, they all wanted to talk to the hottest stars right now—the three brothers.
But to let Balrak's group relax here, the higher-ups had warned everyone not to approach unless it was essential.
So as everyone enjoyed the feast while stealing glances,
Bellesa, who was acquainted with Balrak's group, guided them over to her close friends.
"Bellesa, who exactly are you introducing us to?"
"Come on~ Lord Balrak, it wouldn't be fun if I spoiled it beforehand, right?"
"I suppose that's true..."
Why was the succubus dragging this out like this?
This is really getting me excited!
My brothers and I followed the succubus's lead through the massive banquet hall, and in the distance, we spotted someone intriguing.
"Hey~ Ella~"
"Bellesa, you've been working hard, huh?"
"A... a human?!"
"Why is there a human here?"
"Hehehe... That's exactly the reaction I was hoping for!"
The person we encountered was a black-haired, black-eyed human woman whose black dress really stood out.
In a place full of diverse monster races, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
Soon, the succubus grinned broadly beside me and introduced the woman ahead.
"Let me introduce this beautiful lady here—she's the Great Witch Ella."
"Nice to meet you all~"
Ah, a witch!
But all the humans outside wield magic anyway.
So aren't humans and witches pretty much the same?
After the succubus introduced us to the witch, I asked about witches.
"Just think of us as a race that split off because of the demons."
"It's a pretty old story, though. Well... if I summarize our race's origins..."
From what the witch ahead explained in summary, witches were living weapons created by demons to oppose the gods.
"So the humans outside hate us a ton."
"From my perspective, you two don't seem all that different, honestly."
"Pfft, thanks for saying that. Anyway, next time you all visit here, if you see what looks like a human woman on the city streets, just assume it's a witch."
"Ooh... Got it."
"Oh, and they're all my little sisters too, so they're just as pretty and cute as me—feel free to look forward to it."
*Wink*★
She's saying it with her own mouth?
But the other races around us started dry-heaving when they saw the witch ahead winking at us.
What's with the reaction right now—like an older woman acting all cutesy... huh?
Wait a second?!
Come to think of it?!
The succubus called this witch the Great Witch!
So just how old is this witch—!!
"...Did you all just have some weird thoughts?"
"Nah, I was just pondering what to eat at this feast tonight. You guys too, right?"
"As a chef, even I consider dining a noble act that greatly enriches life."
"I feel the same as my big brothers."
After that, the narcissistic witch glared around, and everyone backed off with hushed whispers.
Now that the witch had joined our group, she said there was someone else she wanted to introduce us to, just like the succubus.
Wondering who we'd meet this time~, my brothers and I chatted as we walked, and in the far corner, we spotted someone.
But... a kid?
A blonde with red eyes, and... elf ears?
Her ears were smaller than a full elf's, but she was definitely a little girl.
*************
As Balrak's group, now joined by the Great Witch Ella, approached the blonde girl huddled in the corner, the girl panicked and tried to flee.
"Serena~ Where do you think you're going?"
"Yeah, where are you off to!"
"Gyaaaaah!! Let me go!!"
But her attempt was blocked by Ella and Bellesa, and she ended up being dragged to Balrak.
Ella and Bellesa presented their adorable friend to Balrak's group.
"Everyone, this cute girl here is Serena Mortis, known as the progenitor of the vampires—the true ancestor."
"Grghhh... I am Serena."
"Ah, a vampire, huh. Nice to meet you. I'm Balrak."
""""Huh?"""
The women were puzzled, seeing Balrak show no reaction to Serena's appearance.
Balrak, too, got a question mark floating over his head at their reactions.
"Did I miss something I was supposed to react to here?"
""Um...""
Leaving the two women behind as they pondered how to explain this to Balrak without upsetting their friend, Serena cleared her throat awkwardly and asked him back.
"You... don't think I'm a bit small?"
"What's the problem with that?"
"For a being on the level of a race's progenitor to look like this is just pathetic..."
That's right! Serena had a complex about her appearance!
On top of that, due to a prank by demons long ago, her current form was permanently fixed, so she couldn't even change it.
Moreover, this era was the medieval age.
For a progenitor-level being of a race to look like this little girl!
She got constant disdain from her own kind and even outside the dungeon—it was Serena's daily life, the poor thing.
That's why she'd been holed up in the corner sipping booze alone, but now dragged out by these I's who didn't know her heart, the girl was worrying Balrak would look down on her.
But who was Balrak!
He came from beyond the PC age, from an information era where he could access countless media.
"I believe essence matters more than appearance, no matter what."
"Ooh~ As expected of Lord Balrak."
"And from my perspective, you look pretty average."
"I-Is that true?"
"Of course."
That was Balrak, who in his previous life had encountered way too many loli vampires.
*************
Ahh! Just what kind of existence is a loli vampire anyway!
In his previous life's otaku world, wasn't it basically a guaranteed box-office hit!
Because of that, it became a super clichéd staple in all sorts of fantasy media—something they threw in when they had nothing else.
So the vampire in front of him was surely here due to adult circumstances in this world.
"Th-Thank you for looking at me without prejudice."
"No problem."
And this vampire's speech pattern?
Ahh... is this what they mean by 'All characters appearing in this work are adults'?
It was the epitome of a stereotypical character template.
Anyway, my brothers had been around me long enough to become politically correct ages ago.
"I'm Ferguson."
"I'm Orek."
"Nice to meet you all."
"See, Serena? Worth meeting them, right?"
"...Can't deny it."
After that, since standing around like this felt awkward, we sat at a corner table and chatted idly.
That's when I suddenly realized my friend was super late.
"Hmm..."
"Lord Balrak, what's wrong?"
"You wouldn't happen to know a skeleton mage named Carian? He said he'd be here too, but he's running late."
"""Ah... Carian."""
These women knew Carian too?
Especially the succubus, who said now wasn't the time and offered to introduce another friend.
"Guess that means moving again."
"But this time, even Lord Balrak will be satisfied with the meeting, I bet?"
"Who the heck could it...?"
"We have to go meet Carian's boss! Oh, and someone else first."
Carian's boss?!
That means we're off to see that super competent branch manager.
"Have fun with the branch manager, everyone~"
"Enjoy yourselves."
"Nice meeting you."
From the reactions of those two powerful beings we'd met earlier, they knew the branch manager too.
Competent beyond belief, and with killer connections to boot...
Now I'm really looking forward to this meeting.
Soon, after bidding farewell to the vampire and witch, we set off again.
We took another look around the bustling grand banquet hall.
On the way to meet Carian's boss, we spotted another of the succubus's friends.
So the one we met this time was!!!
"A Qu-Qu-Quadraling?!"
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
It was a blue-skinned Quadraling man with bulging muscles.
No way!
To think such a race actually exists—how shocking.
As I marveled at the man ahead, the succubus promptly introduced him.
"Ahem! This guy here is Siren of the demonkin race."
"Nice to meet you, Lord Balrak."
"Same here—thrilled to meet you!"
Soon, we exchanged silent looks and nodded.
Also, seeing the demonk... ahem, the demonkin silently extend one hand, I took off my gauntlet.
"Hah, works for me."
"Hahaha! I like your straightforwardness."
"Huh? What are you two even talking about...?"
*Thud!!*
*Crunchhhaaaaa!!!*
As we shook hands, a fierce wind whipped up around us.
I glanced at the succubus's face—she looked worried we were fighting or something.
But we weren't doing this to fight!
A moment later, the demonkin ahead and I nodded again.
"To think I'd meet a warrior like you here of all places!"
"I'm plenty satisfied myself!"
""Hahahahaha!!""
We released the handshake, threw arms around each other's shoulders, and my brothers rubbed under their noses watching us.
"Ugh... Men, huh..."
"You who don't know passion are truly pitiful."
"Tsk tsk tsk, tell me about it."
"Sigh... Anyway, Siren, Alterion's resting in the private room right now, right?"
"That friend just finished up some work and went in."
So the branch manager we're meeting is named Alterion.
And working even during the feast? Total workaholic, huh?
"But Bellesa, isn't it kinda rude to barge in while the branch manager's resting?"
"Alterion's super looking forward to meeting you, Lord Balrak, so it should be fine."
"Indeed. That friend's a fan of yours too, Lord Balrak."
"Huh? A fan?"
Come to think of it, that skeleton knight Drak in the mini-dungeon called me a fan.
And considering the stares from the undead at the city entrance...
"That skeleton merchant... what the heck has he been blabbing about?"
"Hehehe, it might be partly thanks to Carian, but just chalk it up to you being famous, Lord Balrak."
A bit later, just as we were about to move again.
My second brother suggested splitting up for now, since high-level folks meeting might not need us tagging along.
"Well... given the vibe here, there's no real need for us to stick together anyway, so wandering freely sounds good."
"Then Orek and I will mingle with the others. Have a good one, big bro Balrak."
"Big bro, you gotta tell us all about it later?"
"No worries!"
"Then... how about you all join me? You're all warriors, it seems—perfect. I can introduce you to some folks I know."
"Oh, we'd be grateful if you did."
"What's your workout routine like...?"
With a reliable guy looking after my brothers, no need to worry.
Soon, after telling my brothers we'd meet later, I followed the succubus.
We arrived at a private room on the second floor of the massive banquet hall.
"Then you two have a great time~"
"Hm? Bellesa, you're not coming in?"
"No need to crash a 1-on-1 fan meet. And if you need my help after the talk, just use this."
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble..."
"It's fine~"
The self-appointed guide succubus handed me a small signaling magic tool, then vanished elsewhere.
Now it was time to meet that branch manager.
*Knock knock knock*...
"Come in."
From the voice, the branch manager's a guy?
I stepped inside, full of anticipation.