…Squish. I stepped on the soft ground as we walked.

Despite it being daytime, the tall trees blocked out the sunlight, casting a shadow over the dark forest.

A fog laced with miasma further obscured our vision.

The faintly sweet and unpleasant smell reminded me of the narcotic of this world, Weed.

“………” “………” “………” “………” “………” “………”

Perhaps we were a rare sight to them since we are people from the outside, because we were being followed by a group.

Were they after our belongings?

Or were they targeting Lucy and Sa-san because they’re young women?

These two together are about as strong as a Demon Lord, you know?

“……” Glare

“……Flame.” 

Sa-san gave them a threatening glare, and Lucy gathered magic into her staff. 

The group quickly dispersed.

Looks like they were up to no good after all.

(This area’s got poor security…) (Makoto)

We should move on quickly.

Thankfully, there was something like a signboard, so we could compare the map to our current location.

“Let’s see… This way, I think.” (Makoto)

Using the simple map Setekh had drawn for me, we aimed for the residence of the district chief of the Dim Forest.

Our destination came into view.

It is more open compared to the surrounding area.

The air is clean, and there is a spring of clear water.

Next to it stood a rugged, fortress-like building.

This is apparently where the district chief of the Dim Forest resides.

A gatekeeper stood in front of the fort.

The gatekeeper was a stone statue monster -a gargoyle.

“You there… Who gave you permission to come here?”

We were met with a glare as we approached the fort.

“This is a letter of introduction.” (Makoto)

I showed the letter Setekh had given me.

“Oh! So you’re an acquaintance of Setekh-sama. Please, come in, come in!”

His attitude changed completely.

Seems like Setekh-kun is well-liked. Good to know.

I wonder if Setekh-kun, with his petrifying gaze, has some sort of affinity with statue-like monsters.

“The district chief should be in his office on the second floor… However, he’s in a bad mood today. There was a riot by immigrant demons from outside the continent… He’s just finished suppressing it.”

“I see… Thank you.” (Makoto)

I thanked him and entered the fort.

“Hey, Makoto. What do we do?” (Lucy)

“They said he’s in a bad mood, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)

“Let’s try meeting him once. If it seems bad, we can come back later. We have a letter of introduction, so he should at least hear us out.” (Makoto)

Inside the fort, we passed a few demons who seemed to be servants.

No one stopped us, so I guess as long as the gatekeeper lets you in, it’s fine.

(Hmm, is it really okay to just go straight to the district chief’s room…?) (Makoto)

Normally, when meeting someone of high status, you’d make an appointment first, right?

But there doesn’t seem to be a reception desk here.

Guess demon customs are different from human nobles.

“Excuse me, could you tell us where the district chief is?” (Aya)

Sa-san casually asked a young female demon servant.

Her communication skills really are top-notch.

“Are you guests of District Chief Urzok-sama? If so, he’s in the farthest office on the second floor, but…he’s in a bad mood today, so it might be better to come another day.”

“Got it. Thank you!” (Aya)

Sa-san returned to us.

“That’s what she said, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)

“Thanks, Sa-san.” (Makoto)

“They just… tell you that? No security measures at all.” (Lucy)

Lucy said in surprise.

Yeah, their sense of security is incredibly lax.

Maybe with demons, the higher your rank, the stronger you are in battle, so they don’t worry too much about such things.

A large door stood directly ahead at the top of the stairs.

As we approached, it had the words “District Chief” written on it.

In demon script.

Looks like Lucy and Sa-san can’t read it.

I knocked on the door.

—“…Who is it?”

An irritable voice came from within.

“We came with a letter of introduction from Setekh-san. We’d like to consult with you.” (Makoto)

—“A letter from Setekh, huh… Tch, what a pain. Fine, come in!!”

He sounded grumpy, but it looked like he’d at least hear us out.

“Excuse us…” (Makoto)

Lucy and Sa-san followed me into the room.

Inside sat a hulking figure of the Ogre race.

Hard to tell while he’s sitting, but he must be over three meters tall.

His red body was covered in bulging muscles, and he had three horns on his head.

Those horns emitted powerful magical energy.

(That’s an Ogre King. He’s pretty strong. If he lives another 500 years or so, he could probably become a Demon Lord.) (Noah)

(Huh… Is that so?) (Makoto)

It’s hard to grasp when a Goddess talks with such a long time scale.

“Um, we came with an introduction from Setekh-san. My name is Taka—” (Makoto)

“Ugh, skip the boring parts. Just show me the letter already.” (Urzok)

“Here you go.” (Makoto)

He cut me off, so I handed over the letter.

He took it roughly and skimmed it half-heartedly.

“Hmph… Looking for a missing acquaintance, huh. Here.” (Urzok)

He handed me a pendant with a red gem along with the letter.

“This is…?” (Makoto)

“Proof that I, the district chief, have granted permission. Return it later.” (Urzok)

“Um…” (Makoto)

“We’re done talking. Go look for them on your own.” (Urzok)

He waved his hand dismissively, shooing us away.

“…” “…”

I could tell Lucy and Sa-san behind me were irritated.

“You got a problem with that!?” (Urzok)

The Ogre King, Urzok, glared at us.

But we can’t back down here.

Without help from the district chief, it’ll be hard to find Sa-san’s older sister.

“There should be a Lamia from the West Continent who came here a few years ago. Could you introduce someone who might know more?” (Makoto)

“There are over 500,000 demons and monsters who’ve migrated here from the West Continent! All of them just settle in my district as they please! Why the hell should I have to do something so troublesome!?” (Urzok)

(Hmm… I’m pretty sure Setekh’s letter included a request for cooperation on that too… But I guess we can’t force him.) (Makoto)

This is a problem.

“Hey, Makoto. What if we asked the Holy Dragon-sama to introduce someone?” (Lucy)

Lucy poked my back from behind.

“Mel-san, huh… She’s probably busy, so I’d feel bad asking her for favors.” (Makoto)

She’s currently overseeing the entire Demon Continent in place of her father, Astaroth.

I’ve heard she leaves the work to younger staff and just handles confirmations and approvals, but still…

Maybe because he overheard our conversation, Urzok-san spoke up.

“You… Are you acquainted with the Ancient Dragons? That Mel-san… Are you referring to Helemerk-sama…?” (Urzok)

“That’s right! Takatsuki-kun even beat the strong Demon Lord who was the Dragon King!” (Aya)

Sa-san puffed out her chest as she answered.

Wait a second.

Come to think of it, we don’t even need to bother Mel-san…

(If you were to just show your Proof of the Dragon King, this would all go smoothly.) (Noah)

Noah-sama said in an exasperated voice.

“DRAGON KING TAKATSUKI MAKOTO-SAMA!?”

Urzok-san kicked his chair back with a BAM!! and rushed over to us.

Then he dropped to the ground and pressed his head to the floor.

“My deepest apologies! All responsibility for offending the Dragon King lies with me! Please, punish me alone! Spare my clan!!” (Urzok)

“Uh… um…” (Makoto)

I was taken aback by the extreme change in attitude.

(See? This is what happens when you don’t just introduce yourself as the Dragon King from the start.) (Noah)

(Do I really have to do that every time!?) (Makoto)

I’m a human, you know?

Well, I guess I’ve become a god now…

But I’m definitely not a dragon.

“Please, don’t worry about it. Just act normal.” (Makoto)

I called out to Urzok-san, who was still groveling.

“…You’ll forgive me?” (Urzok)

“I’m not mad.” (Makoto)

“When the Ancient Dragons rebelled, you supposedly froze friend and foe alike and even tried to sacrifice the ones you didn’t like to the heavens…” (Urzok)

“That was a thousand years ago though…” (Makoto)

“Helemerk-sama often tells those stories… About you, Takatsuki-sama. She says if you anger him, he’ll devour your soul.” (Urzok)

“Mel-san!?” (Makoto)

What is she telling people!?

“Wait… Makoto, you really did that?” (Aya)

“Takatsuki-kun, that’s kind of overkill…” (Lucy)

My two companions were backing away from me.

This is slander!

(Is it though?) (Noah)

Noah-sama retorted.

“Mel-san’s just exaggerating. So, can we count on your cooperation?” (Makoto)

“Of course! No one on the Demon Continent would ever go against Takatsuki-sama!” (Urzok)

Apparently, that’s how it is.

“I’ll have someone knowledgeable guide you. Please, this way.” (Urzok)

I followed the Ogre King’s lead.

“So the person you’re looking for has no known name. When was the last time you saw them?” (Urzok)

“Um, I think it was over three years ago…” (Makoto)

I explained the situation again as we walked.

Partway through, Noah-sama contacted me via thought transmission.

(No, no, Makoto. Demon society is hierarchical. You have to clearly state your status from the start. You can’t be pulling Mito Koumon-style reveals.) (Noah)

(Got it. I’ll be more careful.) (Makoto)

Why does she use Mito Koumon as an example?

Has she actually seen it?

(Eir keeps recommending Earth TV shows, saying they’re fun…) (Noah)

(Eir-sama?) (Makoto)

She’s got quite the refined taste, being into period dramas.

While we were having that thought transmission, we arrived at a room on the first floor of the fortress.

“Are you there, Calmira?” (Urzok)

“Urzok-sama? Yes, what is it?” (Calmira)

“I’m coming in.” (Urzok)

With that, the Ogre King stepped into the room, where a dark elf with black skin was waiting.

Just from the mana she is cloaked in, it is clear she is a skilled user.

“And these people are?” (Calmira)

The dark elf woman eyed us suspiciously, clearly unfamiliar with us.

“This is Takatsuki Makoto-sama.” (Urzok)

“The Dragon King!?” (Calmira)

So that’s the name they’re using after all.

“They’re apparently searching for a Lamia that drifted here from the West Continent. It seems she’s from the same clan as Takatsuki-sama’s companion. Help them with the search.” (Urzok)

“Understood. I’ll hear you out. Could you tell me the features of the one you’re looking for?” (Calmira)

“Sa-san, can I leave that to you?” (Makoto)

“Sure. The features are…” (Aya)

Sa-san gave the details about her older sister to the dark elf woman.

Afterward, the response we got was, “It may take several days to investigate, so would you be able to return in three days?”

We agreed to this.

We went back to the Demonic Capital, Wreath, and reserved lodging for three nights.

After experiencing Dim Forest, the city felt incredibly safe.

Lucy and Sa-san seemed to want to shop, so the two of them went off to explore the city together.

I went to thank Setekh.

He told me that, thanks to becoming a follower of Goddess Noah-sama, he already formed a bond with an Earth Spirit through her blessing.

Wait, isn’t that a better deal than what I got?

But apparently, that was just because she had been sealed when I met her, so it couldn’t be helped.

I spent my time training with Setekh to befriend Earth Spirits since I didn’t have anything urgent to do.

◇Three Days Later◇

We met up with the dark elf Calmira again in the Dim Forest.

She apparently found a Lamia that matched Sa-san’s description.

“This way, please.” (Calmira)

We followed her deeper into the forest.

Even the simple houses and rough roads disappeared as we were guided along, and we found ourselves in untouched wilderness.

(Yeah, we never would’ve found this place on our own.) (Makoto)

We eventually arrived at a small cave near a poisonous swamp.

In front of the cave, Calmira raised her voice loudly.

“This is an envoy from the district chief! Come out!” (Calmira)

There was no reply.

But there was a presence deep inside the cave.

With a dragging sound…a Lamia with long hair and blue skin emerged.

“…What do you want? Who are you people…?”

She looked at us with clear displeasure.

There was no particular reaction even after seeing Sa-san.

But Sa-san currently looks completely human.

Maybe she didn’t recognize her as kin.

Looking at Sa-san’s face, I already knew the answer didn’t need to be said aloud.

“…Big Sis.” (Aya)

At last, Sa-san’s older sister had been found.

■ Comment Response:

>N-N-Nevia-san’s outfit…is super lewd!!!

-It really is a great outfit, isn’t it?

■ Author’s Comment:

Sa-san’s arc was supposed to end much sooner, but it ended up longer than expected.

Still, I’m glad I got to bring Setekh-san back again, so I’m satisfied.

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