“Ehem, ehem. I just remembered some urgent matters I have to attend to. It’s unfortunate, but let’s meet again if the opportunity presents itself, youngster.”
After saying those words, the wolfman quickly departed. He swore loudly at the lizardman as he left. I couldn’t hear him clearly, but it was mostly about how he had lost an opportunity to rip off a pushover because of him. They soon disappeared into the crowd.
There were hundreds of monsters heading towards the city on this wide road. Large and small incidents were occurring here and there.
“You bastard! Why’d you bump into me!?”
“Don’t pick a fight for no reason. I’d like to find out whether a frogman’s intestines actually smell like pork.”
“Haah? You whorish fox. I’ll put you in a manure pail and rub your face in it.”
“What utter nonsense like a contagious disease turning into leprosy. Hey, Mr. Reptilian who’s not only an absolute idiot but is also emanating a putrid smell that’s similar to the scent that comes from pig pens, do you want me to crack your skull open? Who knows? Maybe if that idiotic brain of yours gets a little fresh air, then it might become a little useful.”
“This whore bitch must have had her head soaked in alcohol since she’s insane. Want me to cut you with a dull knife? Huh?”
Two monsters that had the head of a fox and a frog respectively were butting heads as they growled at one another. The other monsters around them walked by nonchalantly as if this were a common occurrence. Individuals that appeared to be the two monsters’ friends were simply holding a small bet on the side to see who would win.
Okay.
I now have a rough understanding of the demon world.
If I were to compare it to something else, then similar to the notorious cities in my world like Libertalia, the Anglo-Burmese towns, LA, and Johannesburg, the laws of this region were created by outlaws and it was a place where competent outlaws could become leaders.
Scams and brawls happened publically even in the middle of the day. It isn’t hard to imagine how cruel and crafty these people would become once the sun has set. Awful individualism and vomit-inducing factional disputes most likely happen so often here that they’re how this place breathes.
‘Hah. That goblin attendant really taught me a good lesson.’
The initial excitement I had about coming here to get a breath of fresh air had already long vanished. I already knew through several mediums that the more lawless a city is, the more the pursuit of luxury and pleasure becomes extreme. Lapis will surely help me rest. However, until I meet Lapis, until I’m in the company of someone I trust, I can’t lower my guard.
I fixed my hat. The hat I was wearing in order to hide my Demon Lord horn. With a fresh mind, I walked to the checkpoint.
“Your gaze has improved.”
The employee at the checkpoint commented as she collected my toll. They were a tanuki person who looked like a genial raccoon.
“Earlier, you were like an uncertain infant, but now you look almost like some veteran riffraff. Oh, I should mention that that’s a compliment. I don’t know if you know this, but here in Niflheim, most affluent riffraff are superior to medium-rank demons.”
She then handed me a piece of paper with an address written on it.
“That’s an address to an inn that’s managed by the company I’m affiliated with. It isn’t a place where pieces of trash can touch. It’s twice as expensive as normal inns, but, at the very least, you won’t have to worry about waking up with some missing internal organs.”
“I appreciate it.”
The tanuki girl winked.
Once I exited the checkpoint, I could see a city on the horizon. It was a massive port city. Numerous vessels were sailing across the ocean without rest and there were dozens of roads connected to the city. The road I was on was nothing more than one of those roads. Even now, thousands of monsters were commuting down each individual road.
Riiiip.
I tore the piece of paper the tanuki girl had handed me into pieces. I could read her emotions as we conversed. It was greed.
Introducing wanderers to an inn she had connections with was most likely something she did on the side as an attendant. Receiving a fixed referral fee in return. What certainty was there that that fixed referral fee wasn’t a kidney or two from a guest? No one would come looking for an outsider, so they were the perfect target to bury.
I walked down the north road which Lapis had promised to send someone to welcome me at.
Shortly after, I encountered the individual who had been dispatched by the Keuncuska Firm. On the outside, he looked no different from a human, but he introduced himself as a vampire. It wasn’t hard to find him as he was holding a sign with the name 『Dantalian』written on it at the entrance of the city.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Vuffoet, a rank 3 personnel demon who has been assigned the task of guiding Your Highness to the accommodation which has been prepared for you by our firm. First things first, I promise Your Highness that while within Niflheim, you will never meet a life-threatening situation.”
I shared a friendly handshake with him. I could also feel genuine friendliness from him as well, so I was able to happily shake his hand without reserve. I wonder if it’s because he’s a vampire? His hand was as cold as ice. It didn’t particularly bother me, though.
“I am Dantalian, Rank 71st.”
Although I had been hiding my identity in fear of causing a commotion, since Lapis had told me repeatedly that a Demon Lord should always maintain at least the minimum amount of dignity, I decided to speak informally. There was no reason for me to hide my identity from this person.
Nevertheless, there was also no reason for me to assert my authority as a Demon Lord.
“There are many things that I do not know as this is my first time visiting Niflheim. In comparison, you are most likely an expert when it comes to this city. I will be in your care.”
“Of course.”
The young man’s eyes widened slightly before he soon broke out into a smile. A notification telling me that his affection had gone up by 1 appeared. It most likely went up because, contrary to his expectation, I behaved modestly despite being a Demon Lord.
“Among the esteemed Demon Lords that will be attending the Walpurgis Night, Your Highness Dantalian is the first to arrive. There is still approximately a week left before the function will be held. Until then, if Your Highness is uncomfortable or requires anything, then please inform me. The Keuncuska Firm will do its utmost to provide for Your Highness Dantalian.”
“Thank you. By the way, where is Lapis Lazuli?”
“She is near the lodging where Your Highness will be staying. Normally, it would only be natural for Miss Lazuli, the personnel in charge of Your Highness, to aid you, but…….”
Vuffoet smiled playfully.
“Various inconveniences are bound to follow if a female were to guide a male. As Niflheim is one of the greatest cities in the demon world, it is also the greatest vacation spot. As to how vacation spots usually are, Niflheim is no short of areas that are prohibited for women.”
Although it was embarrassing as my face was not used to speaking so directly, I didn’t let my emotions show.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“We will get around to that soon. For starters, how about we go to Your Highness’ accommodation first? After Your Highness has unloaded your luggage, I will guide Your Highness to a good restaurant. Now then, let us travel on a carriage to…….”
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