Published: September 9, 2025
This is Satou. When I think of lost children, I remember department stores and amusement parks. I have a nostalgic memory of a teary-eyed lost child in a department store grabbing my pants and asking, "Mom, where are you?"
Since I looked suspicious after an all-nighter, I quickly handed the child over to a nearby clerk.
â—‡
When I followed the voice into a back alley, what awaited me was a sultry woman emphasizing her cleavage, like a street prostitute.
"Young lord, it's been a while."
She put her hand on my neck and leaned against me, adopting a posture as if exchanging intimate words.
"Please, be a little embarrassed."
"Put that aside. You have some information, right? Tell me first."
She poked at my chest with a pouting index finger, urging me to proceed.
She’s an informant raised by the marquis family.
Since the incident with Councilor Vilas, she has been providing me various information under the marchioness’s orders.
Most of the info involves rumors about nobles hostile to me, misbehaving explorers, and the movements of criminal guilds.
For some reason, instead of letters, she disguises herself as a prostitute or explorer and gives the information directly.
"Since I'm pretending to be a prostitute, at least gently stroke my hair or buttocks."
"If you have nothing to say, I’m leaving."
I know she has business, but if I go with her pace, we’d be hugging endlessly, so I need to act and speak like this.
In short, she’s someone like Arisa who likes younger people.
"I’ll be serious! First, regarding the demonic enhancement potion—"
In the end, the coup d’état in the Royal Capital that I feared did not occur. Instead of Marquis Kelten, whom Lord Sorkel claimed as the mastermind, it seems one of his generals was punished as the culprit.
"—It’s definitely a scapegoat, but since Lord Sorkel’s uncle who testified belonged to Duke Oyugok’s faction..."
Because of that, Duke Bistal, who was the top opponent of Duke Oyugok, apparently defended Marquis Kelten.
Who was Duke Bistal again?
I couldn’t remember, so I checked my Tolma notes for the first time in a while. According to them, he is a relative of a general in the Labyrinth Front Army and a lord of a large domain north of the Marquisate of Ellet, which lies north of Labyrinth City.
It seems that the head of the legion managing the warehouse where the demonic enhancement potions were found was ultimately treated as the true culprit.
Is that the one I found when I last went to the Royal Capital?
I never imagined illegal goods would be openly stored in a regular army warehouse...
"There’s more about the demonic enhancement potion. The seized potions were disposed of at the Royal Research Institute, but some leaked outside... Please keep this secret from others."
"Of course."
Apparently, some of the potions were seized in a trading city, but some smuggling ships had already departed. Their registration is unknown, and they headed for the West Continent Sea Route.
"Hmm, by the way, wasn’t the latter part of the story unnecessary?"
She was involved in the potion issue mainly as Kuro, so I don’t think she needs to tell Satou such detailed information.
"No, that part is just a side story."
"The main topic?"
"Yes, do you remember the organization called 'Wings of Freedom'?"
"Ah, the fanatics who kidnapped Lady Sera and plotted to resurrect the Demon King in the Duke’s Capital?"
I spoke vaguely, but the ones who revived the golden boar king were from “Wings of Freedom.”
Whether it was their will or a high-rank demon possessing a “Wings of Freedom” executive is still unclear.
"The group smuggling the demonic enhancement potions reportedly included members of 'Light of Freedom.'"
"Light? Not Wings?"
"Yes, 'Wings of Freedom' is a radical faction expelled from 'Light of Freedom.'"
According to her, “Light of Freedom” is headquartered in the Parion Divine Kingdom on the west continent. It’s strange that Demon King followers exist in the homeland of the god who summoned the hero to slay the Demon King.