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Chapter 729 - Attire

The conversation between the demon king and Beton-san is over.

When I asked what had been done to counter the assassins who were targeting Beton-san and her friends, I was informed that it had already been taken care of.

……

Done already?

「The secret information about the spies brought to us by village chief was helpful.」

Secret information from me…

Ah, the information that Clauden, who loves ramen, gave to the ramen queen.

The ramen queen gave that information to me but I’m not the one who should handle it so I gave it to Beezel.

It must have been by Beezel to the demon king.

Incidentally, Beezel refused to receive that information first.

So I had no choice but to ask my daughter and Beezel’s granddaughter, Fracia, to give it to him for me.

Beezel, who had clearly refused me, wasn’t able to refuse his granddaughter.

Well, Frau scolded me for being too harsh but that’s another story.

-0-

「There’s a lot of information there that we didn’t know about so we immediately investigate.」

Since the main purpose of the spies is to gather information, the Demon King’s Kingdom did not immediately arrest them even if they were found to be spies but let them swim around instead.

This was done to inform the human countries about the situation of the kingdom and to deepen their understanding about them.

It’s better to have a certain amount of information than to be totally hidden so it’s understandable.

So, there was no need to be upset if there were spies who they weren’t able to find out. However, there was a problem, or rather, a reason why Beezel refused to receive it.

The information contained the name of a person of a certain rank in the Demon King’s Kingdom.

Even if it was for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the situation of the kingdom, they shouldn’t give them information on everything.

For example, the exact size and deployment of the army and the amount of food produced and stockpiled in each city.

Information that could affect the war situation must be hidden.

Therefore, they rushed to arrest the spy after a proper investigation and evidence has been gathered to confirm that the person is indeed a spy.

The Demon King’s Kingdom is very thorough in this regard.

I’m impressed.

The problem is what happens after a person of a certain rank is arrested.

The absence of a person of a certain rank due to arrest is not without problems.

A substitute must be chosen immediately.

However, a good position requires competence and there are benefits and honors associated with it.

The factions and turf of the nobles are also involved and the selection of a substitute will take time.

And since the work can’t be stopped while there’s no substitute yet, talents are dispatched from the royal capital.

It would be meaningless if the people dispatched caused problems so only the best are selected and dispatched…

This means that the number of talented people in the royal capital will temporarily decrease.

In addition, factional strife among nobles will intensify.

The demon king, the four heavenly kings, and the other ministers would be the ones to suffer because of that. Beezel wanted no part of it so he pretended to have never seen that information.

Is that attitude okay for a member of the four heavenly kings?

-0-

「The information you brought us was mainly about Village Five and Shashaato City but there was also information about those who are spying in a wide area. It temporarily affected the operation of the state but it was manageable.」

So, you overcame it.

「Yes, we did. However, it was thanks to Tiselle, Gol, Sil, and Bron. Asa and Earth were good help too.」

Is that why they went along with Tiselle’s play?

「Yeah, you can say that. When we caught up with some of the spies we didn’t know of, we were able to get some new information. Among them was information about assassins sent from a human country. And as expected, we secured them even before we could get any proof so there shouldn’t be any problem now.」

I see.

So that means we don’t have to worry about Beton-san and her friends.

Good good.

Well, that also means that what Beton-san did was a total waste of time.

If she doesn’t mind, then it’s good.

「By the way, is village chief not interested in the position of Demon King?」

Eh?

What’s the matter with you?

No, I’m not interested.

That sounds like a lot of work.

I think you’re doing a good job.

I praised but for some reason, he looked lonely.

Why?

-0-

In any case, the missing Count Pugyaru has caused a stir in the kingdom due to the information from a spy they don’t know of.

Once again, the demon king will be swimming in a sea of troubles.

Ah, there’s some leftover food.

Doraim’s radish is delicious.

「Thanks for that but…before that, if you could…」

What?

「Could you do something about that?」

Areh?

The demon king looks at Shashaato City.

Is someone coming?

Ah……

The kuros and spiderlings.

The kuros and spiderlings are running towards us.

I recognized them in the dark even from a distance because the kuros are in their 3 meters form.

I wonder why they made themselves big like that. Then, I found out why.

The kuros had someone on their backs.

The kuros caught some people.

They must transform to that size to be able to carry someone as big as a human.

It’s great that they were tied by the spiderlings and didn’t drag them along.

So, who are those people?

They all look like they passed out, don’t they?

Fumu fumu.

They were people who were rampaging or acting suspiciously in Shashaato City?

So, you caught them.

I see.

Well done.

Let’s pat them on their heads.

Ah, release them.

Let’s hand them over to the demon king.

Good good.

「Given your tone, it means you’re going to let them go right away, right?」

Hnn?

I think I heard Loo’s voice but, where is she?

Is she behind the kuros?

………

Loo was not on her usual body size but an adult body size.

And she’s wearing an unfamiliar attire.

How should I describe it?

My first impression is that she’s wearing magic warrior attire?

She’s wearing several layers of clothes that have many magic crests

And there are also six shields magically floating around her.

………

Who are you planning to fight?

「It’s for a night out. I’m a woman, you know.」

R-right.

-0-

However, behind Loo are Ann and the oni maids in matching outfits, and what they are wearing is also unfamiliar.

My first impression of their clothes, or rather, what they are wearing are…

White and red hakama and on top of that, they are wearing something that looks like a chihaya?

In other words, a shrine maiden outfit.

But of course, it’s not the same as the shrine maiden outfit that I know.

Especially the chihaya. It has shining magic crests all over.

It looks sturdy even though it is made of cloth.

And on both sides of their hips are four swords that look like Japanese katana.

Who are they planning to fight?

「Zabuton-san has prepared these for the upcoming spring parade. I thought we should unveil them a little early…」

Y-yeah.

-0-

In addition, behind the oni maids are Ria and the other high elves.

……

Ehto, these girls are also wearing completely different attires.

They are wearing black jackets, black pants, black boots, and black hats that hide their skin as much as possible.

Even their faces were painted with black paint making their presence difficult to grasp.

Oh, even their swords and spears are black.

He-heee.

They look like night fighters but, you are here to help with the search, right?

-0-

Next is…Frau?

Alone?

No other civil servant girls?

Well, it’s not safe to move in the middle of the night after all.

Frau’s attire is…fully armed?

Thick clothes, chest and shin pads, and bangles to protect her forearms and wrists.

Her weapons are sword and spear.

Why again?

「J-just trying to keep myself safe.」

Really?

Does that mean that the village is still dangerous at night?

Come to think of it, I’m always with someone when I go out so I never considered others.

I must reflect.

-0-

…………

I look around.

Areh?

I can’t find Tier’s group.

Where are they?

「Ah, Tier and the others were supposed to come here. However, Youko and the other civil servant girls stopped them saying they are too stimulating.」

Loo said that.

Stimulating?

What do you mean?

「I’m not sure but until around 500 years ago, the angels were in conflict with the demons. It will be difficult for them to move around in battle gears.」

Yes, in this kingdom, there are a good number of people who have lived for more than 500 years so they have taken this into consideration.

Heh.

Why did you decide to come in your battle attires?

「If you are going to do something seriously, it is a tradition to wear your battle attire.」

I see. Since it’s a tradition, it can’t be helped.

Yeah.

Are they really here to find Count Pugyaru?

…………

You’re here to search, right?

「Of course. Ahahahahahaha. It’s okay. There’s no way I’ll shut Shashaato City down since it’s a hassle and I’m not using this opportunity to build an organization to deal with the hassle.」

Right.

Good.

Then……

What about Hakuren and Rasuti?

Ah, they stayed behind to take care of the kids.

That’s an important task too.

-0-

Last but not the least.

Gucci is tied up. What’s going on?

Gucci hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?

Yes, the reinforcements to Prada did not arrive but that was due to confusion during the mission.

I think it was Hermes’ fault.

Maybe.

「I think Gucci is the reason why Hermes can freely do what she wants. Ah, we didn’t tie him up. He tied himself up saying it’s the embodiment of his remorse.」

………

It will still be a while before the sun rises.