Chapter 11
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11
A massive black mouth enveloped the subjugation squad and snapped shut.
It didn't chew, so no blood spilled. It swallowed them whole.
Because he was Swallow.
The Demon King, the sole survivor of the spectacle, blinked. She rubbed her eyes, staring blankly at the spot where the humans had just been. In that brief moment, the strange creature had already returned to his original form. He let out a weary burp, his expression so nonchalant that she might have mistaken the entire event for an illusion.
"Ah..."
A sound, half gasp and half question, escaped the lips of the Demon King, Melju de Limp Agrea.
Was that a lucky surprise attack that had caught the humans off guard, or...
—was it something truly overwhelming?
"Just now..."
"Huh?"
"What did you just do? What is your—no, what is your esteemed identity? It was truly... astonishing... You are strong. If my eyes didn't deceive me, you might even be... stronger than I am. Am I not correct?!"
With another loud burp, Swallow glanced at Melju. The young Demon King wasn't looking at him with awe or reverence; instead, she wore the dazed expression typical of a clueless creature.
It wasn't particularly surprising. When those confident in their own strength witnessed such a sight, they reacted this way nine times out of ten.
He had seen that look of disbelief countless times over the eons. Swallow was well-accustomed to it.
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not."
"What kind of bizarre answer is that? Well, no matter. I've taken a great interest in you. I wish to know more! First, what is your name? Ah, how rude of me. I shall introduce myself first. I am Melju de Limp Agrea, the seventeenth-generation descendant of the great archdevil Asmodeus. As you can see, I am a Demon King."
"I am Swal—"
He stopped himself. Revealing his identity now would certainly make it easy to bring this clumsy Demon King under his thumb. However, if he went around announcing his true identity, rumors would eventually spread.
There was no need to advertise "I am Swallow!" of his own accord. Above all, he had to remember one thing.
The only reason he was doing this was to find Rene.
"Swald Lounier."
My naming sense is terrible... Swallow internally regretted it, but since no other name came to mind, he just went with it.
"Swald Lounier... I see. May I call you Sir Swald for convenience?"
"As you wish. It's not bad."
"Very well, Sir Swald. First, let me express my gratitude for your assistance. Though it was rather extreme, I, too, would have suffered some damage from those humans without your help."
"I didn't do it to help you."
He had simply eaten whichever side was louder. He hadn't wanted to help anyone; he'd simply opened his mouth because the humans, with their many blabbering mouths, were noisier. If the Demon King had been the louder one—
"Hmm..."
His expression grew complicated as he imagined it.
Unconcerned by Swallow's troubled look, Melju approached him.
Her violet hair fluttered around her. Though her clothes were dirty from being slammed into the wall earlier, an air of elegance still clung to her stride.
"Though I am of the seventeenth generation and not a direct descendant, I am still a Demon King who inherits the blood of the great Asmodeus. Since I have received your grace, I wish to offer you aid in return, Sir Swald. Is there anything you desire?"
As she spoke, Melju crossed her arms, causing her chest to sway. Her bust, impressive enough to be called worthy of a Demon King despite her youth, caught Swallow's eye.
"What is it? To stare so intently... Do you perhaps desire my body?"
"Not at all."
He was just looking out of curiosity. Anyone would look if it was shoved in their face like that, wouldn't they?
"Is that so? It was an area I was quite confident in," she replied, her voice dejected.
He recalled that Asmodeus governed lust. Was this because of her bloodline? Or... no. If it wasn't her bloodline, the problem might be even more serious.
"I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I don't really need any help. ...Ah, right. I should ask you about something."
"That reaction suggests you've thought of something! Yes, what is it?"
"I'm trying to get to Hastin. Do you happen to know the way?"
"Ah, Hastin!"
"Yes! Hastin! Great! You know it!"
"But what is Hastin?"
"Don't act like you know it if you don't!"
A question suddenly arose in Swallow's mind. Even a magical beast or monster, as long as it possessed intelligence, would normally know of the nearby human settlements. For someone in human form like the Demon King Melju, there was no way she wouldn't know.
Yet she didn't know Hastin? Not just the way there, but the place itself?
"Hey, you. Melju, was it? By any chance, what's the closest human town from here?"
His bad premonition—
"As far as I know, Riaze is the closest."
—returned as a far worse reality.
Swallow let out a deep sigh and hung his head. His eyes were open, but his outlook was bleak.
Riaze. Even for Swallow, who lived cooped up in a dungeon, it was a name he couldn't possibly not know. How could he forget the name of the human Empire's capital, a place mentioned at every turn?
Since it was such a massive city, it was hard to estimate precisely, but Riaze and Hastin were so far apart that even if Swallow ran in his colossal original form, it would take several hours. While that might sound close, by human carriage, the journey would take at least two months.
One would have to cross countless mountains and traverse several great plains. It was an incredibly long trip.
Just how far off course had he come?
"What is the matter, Sir Swald? Why do you look so dazed? Hmm? Why? Sir Swald!"
As a wave of emptiness and self-reproach washed over Swallow, Melju tilted her head, peppering him with questions.
* * *
"You're looking for a silver-haired woman? Do not worry. I shall stay by your side and help you search."
"You don't have to go that far... but thanks. By the way, weren't you the master of that Demon King Castle? What about your dungeon?"
"Are you worrying about me? I appreciate the sentiment, but there is no need. I am a Demon King. I possess a supreme body born to rule. The physical form of a Demon King Castle is of no importance. Wherever I stand is the domain of monsters, and all monsters around me are my legion."
"Is that some kind of Demon King's Authority? You can summon nearby monsters whenever you want?"
"Indeed. Though I have never actually tried it."
"Are you really going to be okay...?"
"It is something my father did as well. I can do it too... probably."
She really is a clumsy Demon King. That final "probably" was incredibly grating.
Though doubt was blooming in his mind, Swallow didn't want to ruin Melju's confident expression, so he let out a small, half-hearted "Wow." Perhaps pleased by the insincere praise, the corners of Melju's mouth curled upward.
Sure. If you say so.
"...Well, there's also that. Frankly, because of what happened earlier, the Demon King Castle my father left me is half-destroyed, so I have little choice... Honestly, the location was terrible! Even for me, having the capital of the human Empire right on my doorstep is too much."
"Sorry about half-destroying your castle."
"Stargazing at night is quite romantic, but unfortunately, I have no hobby of sunbathing during the day."
The culprit who had blasted a magnificent hole in the ceiling quietly lowered his head.
*
The road to the center of Riaze was longer than expected.
The only saving grace was that there was no fear of getting lost. Almost every road in Riaze led to the center. Just when the path seemed to fade, a continuous line of red flags would appear, guiding the way to a castle so massive that one only had to look up slightly to see it.
Of course, the farther they were from the center, the less they could see of the castle itself, with only its mist-shrouded walls visible. Yet even that was enough to gauge its immense scale.
It was on a scale incomparable to Hastin, a mere border county.
Without a doubt, this was the castle where the ruler of the human Empire resided.
The reason Melju and Swallow were heading toward the center of the Empire was simple. Since walking to Hastin was out of the question, the only means of travel that might get them there was located inside the central castle.
"It's a human invention called a 'Teleportation Hub.' I don't know its exact structure, but I heard it's the culmination of magicology and alchemy. I've never used it myself, but I was told it's a device that forces spatial teleportation. It might be of help to you, Sir Swald."
Above all else...
"If you want to gather information, there is no place better than the center of Riaze."
Melju said this proudly, puffing out her chest. Although her habit of puffing out her chest was particularly distracting, her words weren't wrong, so Swallow nodded.
As the heart of the human Empire, a vast amount of information was bound to gather there.
Of course, in Riaze, which was so far from Hastin, the probability of finding traces of Rene was low. But on the other hand, there was no guarantee her traces would still be in Hastin, either.
The key issue was what to do if Rene had fled to another dungeon or location. To predict where she might have gone, it was best to investigate in Riaze before setting off.
"Riaze also houses a place that compiles information on every single dungeon within the Empire's territory."
Considering all possibilities, they needed to stop by the center of Riaze regardless. It was a stroke of luck, seeing as he had arrived in a completely wrong place due to a teleportation mishap.
The street they walked was crowded, and the constant stares were a torment for both of them.
He was tall enough to look down on most men, with messy black hair, a sharp jawline, and the appearance of someone in his mid-twenties. Though his attire was shabby to the point of looking destitute, Swallow in his human form was undeniably handsome. His slightly sharp eyes paired well with his faintly annoyed gestures, exuding a fierce charm.
While Swallow himself thought he looked strange, according to Melju, he definitely fell into the handsome category by human standards.
Melju, who clung tightly to Swallow's side, was no less beautiful. Though she had hidden her wings and horns, her figure could not be concealed; even in the flowing dress of a noblewoman, her curves were clearly defined.
The contrast in their height, age, and attire only made them stand out more. Every time they moved through the crowd, they felt the gazes of countless humans. The whispers from all around were as annoying as gnats, putting his senses on high alert.
Surprisingly, it was Melju, not Swallow, who frowned, unable to bear it. Watching her grumble things like, "How much have these lowly creatures bred? Humans really need a population cull," Swallow could only chuckle.
In truth, he felt that if he opened his mouth, he might gag from the sheer nausea of it all.
At the end of their turbulent journey, Melju led Swallow to a tavern.
"Keeper, two beers."
"Uh, Melju? What are you doing?"
"Ah, you can rest easy, Sir Swald! Even I have enough money to buy my savior a glass of beer!"
"No... that's not what I meant. We have a long way to go. We don't have time to waste in a place like this..."
"A clear mind comes from a clear body. To search with a clear mind, one must have a clear body..."
Does drinking beer make your body clear?
"...Don't interrogate me with such scary eyes, Sir Swald. That was a joke. This is actually our first destination."
While they exchanged a few words, two large mugs were placed in front of them. The drinks arrived so quickly one might suspect they were recycled from a canceled order, but Melju raised her mug and wetted her lips without a shred of suspicion.
"Do you not know much about human towns, Sir Swald? A tavern is precisely where all information gathers! Look around and listen closely. The conversations you hear right now—all of them are raw, unpolished gems of information. You simply need to pick and choose what you need. Simple, is it not?"
Letting out a hearty laugh that didn't quite match her appearance, Melju took another gulp of beer. It seemed that, regardless of her hatred for humans, she quite enjoyed their beer.
"Pick and choose... You make something incredibly difficult sound so casual."
Swallow took a sip out of curiosity but immediately set the mug down, the taste not suiting his palate at all. He looked around.
Even though it was called a tavern, its scale was on a completely different level from a local pub in a small town like Hastin.
The ceiling was easily five or six times the height of an average person. Stairs led all the way to a third floor. The entire space exuded a rich, artistic atmosphere.
Water flowed between tastefully placed stone sculptures, with chairs arranged throughout the spaces between them. Groups of humans perched on the chairs, chatting with one hand on the table and a glass in the other. It was so noisy he couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, but words like 'reward' and 'contract' repeatedly drifted to his ears.