Episose 2『The Federation・Hot Spring City』
The Burukania Federation.
Its made of a small and weak country on the west part of the Leytesha that unite under one banner.
It adopted the parliamentary system where the representative of each state discuss the national related matters in an open parliament.
Not only humans but there are a lot of demi-humans that reside in this city.
While there are many countries that do not welcome the demi-humans, for the Federation its probably a normal sight.
However, the Mazoku isn’t welcomed here.
「 Because there’s people, don’t take off that bracelet, okay? 」(Iori)
「 I get it, it can’t be helped that I need to hide my magical power, right 」(Elfi)
Currently, on Elfi’s arm there’s a magic item known as『 Bracelet of Disguise 』.
Its a bracelet capable of disguising Mazoku magical power into that of humans.
Its been took out from Elfi’s head for her to use just before entering the Federation.
By doing so, it enables Elfi to hide her true ident.i.ty before we head toward the Federation.
「 Still, it really is a lively country to the extent of making one think that there is no labyrinth near it 」(Elfi)
Elfi muttered that right after she saw a lot of people walking in the city.
It really is a big city although there’s the Labyrinth of Purgatory at the foot of the volcano, huh.
Because there’s a hot spring excavated here, its also being known as 『The Hot Spring City 』
Its said that a lot of people come here only because of the hot spring.
In addition to that, there’s an a.s.sociation known as the 『 Adventurer Guild 』 here.
There a lot of people that come here from other countries to register and be an adventurer, because of that there are plenty capable persons gathered in this city.
「 It became more lively than thirty years ago 」(Iori)
The population should’ve increased too during those thirty years.
Even during my journey days, I’ve come over to this city with my companions to rest.
The cityscape sure has changed and there’s no trace of its former self.
While reminiscing that false calmness, I’ve recalled my current objective.
There are two things that I need to do in this city.
My first objective is to clear the Labyrinth of Purgatory and obtain the 【Labyrinth Core 】. The second objective is to find those traitors and extract my revenge.
I’ve already told Elfi that there’s a target of my revenge in this city.
If she uses her demon eyes, it should be easier to figure their numbers.
First of all, to achieve my goals I need to make proper preparations.
Along the way we saw a lot of tourists scattering around the line up to a street stall area till we reached the part where lots of adventurers gather.
The armour, blacksmith and item shop that were in a row came to my sight.
The main reason why I’ve came here is to prepare my equipment.
Aside from Elfi, it is necessary for me to prepare the best equipment to make up for my current weakness.
Because I have the highest quality material known as Earth Demon Lord’s 『 Demon crystal 』and I want to make a weapon with it.
Due to that we had some business with the blacksmith.
In the middle of my walk “Weapons, Protective Gear and Smithing” signboard came to my view.
According to store signboard, it seems that they also buy the demon parts and the magic stones.
The bell made a *KARANKARAN* sound when I opened the door.
As I entered the shop I saw a line up of weapons and armors.
The counter is far from the entrance and there’s a room for smithing in the deepest part of the shop.
It seems that the door is build using sound proof material to ensure that no sound can slip trough it.
「 Welcome-nyaa ー!」
The shop a.s.sistant in uniform greeted us energetically after appearing from the door that connects to the inner part of shop.
On her head its something that looks like cat ears attached, when she was running it was “FUNYAFUNYA* swaying.
Somehow it seems that the shop a.s.sistant was from the “cat beastman”.
We made our way to the counter as I wanted to make an order.
「 Is it okay for me to make a request of smithing? Because I want to make a sword from the material obtained from a demon 」(Iori)
「 Then, could you please show me the material-nya~ 」
「 Elfi, take it out 」(Iori)
After all, the 『Demon crystal 』 was stored inside Elfi’s head.
The reason is because this fellow head can store more that my pouch could.
「 Got it 」(Elfi)
「 Nyaa~!?」
Thus Elfi trusted her hand into the head and she “DOSADOSA” unload materials that I stripped from the Earth Demon Lord on the counter.
Then the ears of the shop a.s.sistant “PIN” raised up with her shocked expression showing on her face.
I’m sorry for showing something unsightly.
「 Nya, th, then please wait a moment-nya~」
After she verified the materials with a cramped expression on her face, the shop a.s.sistant withdrew toward the door that connects the inner part of the store.
「……Whats with that expression, it seem that she saw a ghost 」(Elfi)
「 Of couse she is 」(Iori)
「 I don’t get it……」(Elfi)
Right after we finished our talk, a different shop a.s.sistant from before came out from the door.
It was an old man with a cranky face and attached on his white haired head were goggles for smithing use.
「 The Cave Dragon material is it」
Just by glancing at the material on the counter once the old man was able to guess it right.
「 So its a request to make a sword, huh. That fine. It will be done in a few days」
Afterward I was asked about my height, weight and even about postures/stances that I use and I’ve replied at everything that he asked.
Meanwhile, Elfi *BETABETA* touched the displayed shield and sword and due to that she was being yelled at by the old man.
「 Nyanmel. Go buy the materials written here as these are necessary things to create the sword 」
「 Okay-nyaa ー」(Nyanmel)
It seem that shop a.s.sistant name is Nyanmel. T/N or *Nyanmeru
She left the shop after the old man handed her the memo.
「 Anyway you will come here before the Labyrinth subjugation, right. I’ll get it ready on that day」
After mentioning it, the old man moved toward the inner part of the store.
Its probably the usual quirk of a craftsman, huh.
Somehow, it reminded me of the dwarven blacksmiths.
「 Mu……whats with that human. Such a conceited fellow! 」(Elfi)
「 Gezz, look who’s talking 」(Iori)
Anyway the smiting request for a weapon has ended. Until the sword request is done, I will be using the sword that I took from the treasure storage. It’s because this is also an excellent sword.
After exiting the blacksmith’s shop we continued our walk.
As always the street is crowded with lots of people.
「 Next let’s head to the Adventurer Guild 」(Iori)
「 So we really need to register as adventurer, right? 」(Elfi)
「 Yeah, Its necessary to become an adventurer in order to enter the labyrinth 」(Iori)
If the adventurer doesn’t go to the Labyrinth of Purgatory it becomes their duty to protect the safety of the civilians.
Usually there’s already the barrier and vigilance for that too.
Concerning the circ.u.mstances around here, I’ve already investigated it in the Kingdom archive.
Limited access to the labyrinth was more vague thirty years ago.
「……besides if there are lots of people gathered at the guild, it will be easier to gather the information about that man 」(Iori)
「 I see 」(Elfi)
We go toward the direction of the adventurers guild,as we walk through the crowds.
On the side of the road there are stalls for attracting tourists and its probably the reason why is so crowded.
「 To become an adventurers one must take an examination. If its you, you’ll probably be able to cope with 」(Iori)
「 ー Iori stop 」(Elfi)
Suddenly Elfi stopped her steps.
Then she dragged me aside by pulling my left hand.
「……what is it? 」(Iori)
I’ve lowered my voice as I asked Elfi.
That’s impossible! Did she already find any leads regarding the traitor?
「 Gezz, although a Hero you still don’t get it? 」(Elfi)
「……What? 」(Iori)
「 ー Try to sharpen your five sense 」(Elfi)
Elfi said that toward the perplexed me.
Her gaze was extremely sharp as a blade’s edge that can even make every soul who saw it on the battlefield to tremble in fear.
Thus I move my sight where Elfi put her gaze.
What I saw were men lined up near the stall.
Somehow or another it seems to be adventurers and by a glance I understood that they put on considerably good equipment.
They surely did have a tense atmosphere around them.
Although it was a peaceful city and it seems to be a magnet that draws capable people.
Did Elfi react to that?
「 Those guys are surely strong, you see. I couldn’t stop both my sense of smell and sight that nailed at it 」(Elfi)
「……huh, sense of smell? 」(Iori)
Is that her way to interpret that there’s something wrong?
Suddenly Elfi turn her head *NYARI* a grin appeared on her face.
「 Aah~, the famous Federation special cuisine that known as 『 Volcano Roasting 』.
It kind of aroused my interest……I hope it will not disappoint me 」(Elfi)
Aah……so its just about the food.
It’s not the adventurers but the farthest stall that caught her gaze, huh.
I’ve dropped my shoulders due to unnecessary exhaustion.
Elfi looked at me with a bewildered expression.
「 Whats with that look Iori. Its a steak full of meat juices and fresh vegetables, especially being grilled using the volcanic stone, you know? It can be eaten only in this Federation and it’s a supreme cuisine, you know? 」(Elfi)
「 Whats with that tense atmosphere just now and its all about food 」(Iori)
That reminds me,at the labyrinth and in the forest this fellow made racket 『 Make me a meal trice a day 』, 『 Call the chef 』.
In regard to her meals she really is a noisy one.
「 Well, put that tedious talk aside. First let’s go to that stall to fill our stomachs ー」(Elfi)
「 No 」(Iori)
I grab Elfi’s garment to stop her.
Then she directed her grudgeful gaze toward me.
This fellow……
……It feels complicated when I recall that I fought desperately against her once.
As I was about to head toward the adventurer guild, I’ve been dragged reluctantly by “I want to go to that stall” Elfi.