Published: September 4, 2025
This is Satou. I heard someone say that human history is the history of war. I remember truly feeling that when I watched a video showing the occurrence of wars worldwide through maps and pie charts.
It seems human nature doesn’t change even in another world.
◇
“To honor the achievement of defeating the demon race that attacked the city, the prefect of Grylian City hereby awards these medals.”
The bald clerk standing beside the young prefect read the inventory aloud. This is the audience chamber in Grylian City’s castle. It’s less than a quarter the size of Muno Castle, but there are twenty heavily armored warriors holding halberds lined up on each side.
At the time, I thought, “This is just so castle-like and nice,” but later Arisa told me that they had actually increased the prefect’s security because they were wary of me.
I was the only one in the audience chamber. The rest of the team was made to wait in another room. My Fairy Sword and short staff were entrusted to Arisa, so I was unarmed.
After the meeting with the prefect ended without incident, I exited.
In the end, the prefect only said something like, “Well done.”
◇
After leaving, a maid guided me to a room different from the waiting room where Arisa and the others were.
There, I found the bald clerk again. He was apparently the governor of Grylian City.
“Lord Pendragon, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance this time. You came to our aid valiantly.”
“I am, after all, a member of the Shiga Kingdom’s nobility, even if the lowest rank. I was just fulfilling my duty.”
After this standard exchange, the topic turned to the details of the demon race attack on Baron Muno’s Domain — their behavior, the size of their forces, and so on. It seemed the details had already been relayed through the duke, so this was mostly about confirming facts. Next, the conversation shifted to compare those demons to the ones who attacked Grylian City this time.
“It’s puzzling. We can’t read the demon race’s intentions.”
“True. If they had prepared a military force as meticulously as at Muno City, that would make sense. But to just infiltrate the city and cause havoc serves no purpose.”
Judging by that item, it might have been a mere diversion to stir up trouble. I hadn’t reported the magical artifact “shorthorn.” Since I wasn’t sure of the prefect’s character or abilities, it was too risky to reveal the item’s existence. If the word spread, witch hunts might break out — something Arisa opposed reporting as well.
“Lord Pendragon, what is your opinion?”
“Most likely a diversion, or an attempt to instill fear among the people.”
The governor seemed to have anticipated my answer and nodded solemnly several times.
In fact, during the waiting time for the audience, I searched and found that shorthorn demon races had appeared in other cities as well. I couldn’t confirm if they had been defeated, but since a martial arts tournament was underway, there should be someone capable of handling them.
After exchanging several opinions, the meeting ended.
Before leaving, the prefect’s steward handed me an invitation to a banquet. I had planned to take Pochi and the others on a food tour of Grylian, the city of cuisine, but dealings among nobles are a bothersome matter.
◇
When I returned to the waiting room, I was greeted not only by Arisa and the others but also by Miss Karina and the maid squad, as expected. There were also unfamiliar women. Their shabby clothing suggested they were not servants of the prefect. Checking their status confirmed they were slaves, marked as “no master.”
“Lord Baron Pendragon, I apologize for my rudeness the other day. I am grateful for your help during the demon race’s assault.”
Who could she be? I don’t recall rescuing anyone.
“There was a slave transport wagon at the scene earlier, right? She was riding in that.”
I see. But why apologize... Oh, that’s right — she must be one half of the master-servant pair who asked for the Mithril Sword in Boruehart City.