TWEM Vol. 7 Chapter 5 Part 1
Chapter 5 – Interaction with the Demons
The next day, Tendo and I finally made it through the sea of trees and entered the demon territory.
“I guess demon territory isn’t as different from a kingdom or an empire as I expected.”
What was unfolding before our eyes was a peaceful scene, not that different from the country we just came from.
Tendo nodded in agreement as I muttered that.
“Yeah. I thought it would be wilder and darker.”
It seemed like he was thinking the same thing as me.
“Anyway, Tendo, take this.”
Tendo looked at the ring he was given and muttered.
“…Propos–”
“If you say anything more, I’ll leave you here alone.”
“—It’s nothing.”
Tendo immediately shook his head at my harsh voice.
Then he looked at the ring and asked.
“May I ask why you gave this to me?”
“It’s an appearance-changing ring.”
“By appearance you mean…”
He must have guessed what I meant.
I nodded.
“It seems that demons have pointy ears like elves, so this ring is meant to imitate that. Its basic ability is to change ones appearance at will.”
“I see. I’ll take it then.”
“Oh.”
When Tendo and I put the rings on, our ears immediately became pointed like demons.
“It just doesn’t feel right. Let’s change our hair color and eye color as well.”
“Good idea.”
And so we changed our hair and eye color as well.
I had white hair and red eyes.
Tendo had black hair and dark green eyes.
“Hey, Haruto.”
“What up?”
“Why is your hair white and red?”
“It looks like that, right?”
The image I had in mind was that of a vampire.
“I see. Still, you have a great sense of Chuunibyou*.” (TLN: Also known as “eighth grader syndrome”)
“Don’t say that. I’m sure you know it also. Also, Tendo, change the color of your armor.”
Tendo nodded and immediately changed the color of his armor to black.
After walking for a while, the city came into view.
When I looked closely, I saw someone who looked like a soldier guarding the gate.
It seemed we had to pass through a checkpoint to get inside.
“What are we going to do?”
“I have an idea. Take this.”
I took out a small pendant from the storage room in another dimension.
“This, and the one I have, allow us to communicate telepathically. The communication magic tool I used before was too big and would stand out.”
“Got it.”
After receiving it and making sure he was wearing it, I immediately spoke to Tendo using telepathy.
“(Can you hear me?)”
“I can hear you. It just feels strange.”
“Try it. It’s like talking in your head.”
“(Like this?)”
Tendo’s voice echoed in my head.
“Yup, that’s fine. Just in case, let’s take off the bracelet.”
“Alright.”
The two bracelets for training that were taken off were stored in another dimension.
“Let’s go.”
We walked a little until we came to the gate, where a soldier pointed his weapon at us.
“Stop right there! Who are you guys?”
I glared back at his sharp gaze.
“…I would like to enter?”
“I can’t do that. Tell me who you are.”
As we stared at each other in silence, Tendo’s voice echoed in my head.
“(Hey, Haruto, what are you going to do?)”
“(Wait just a moment.)”
So I asked Ellis, using my Accelerated Thought skill.
Is there any excuse to get through this?
《 Yes. Let the hero answer that he is one of the new Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army, a direct subordinate of the Dark Knight Hyzak. Master can pass if you accompany him. 》
Got it, but was it okay like that?
It took only 0.1 seconds to finish my conversation with Ellis.
“(Tendo. Say that you are a direct subordinate of the Dark Knight Hyzak, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army. And I’m your attendant. Please do so with dignity.)”
“(Oh, I understand. I wonder if I can do it…?)”
Tendo stepped forward, seemingly anxious but not letting it show on the outside.
“That’s rude. I am a direct subordinate of Hyzak-sama.”
The soldier looked surprised on hearing Tendo’s words.
“I-I’m sorry! What about you?”
“This is my attendant.”
“I have confirmed your identity. But what exactly is your business here?”
“I don’t have anything to tell someone like you. Can I enter now?”
Tendo gave off a slightly intimidating aura.
“P-Please enter! I’m very sorry!”
“Hmm. As long as you understand. Let’s go.”
And like that, Tendo and I entered the city.
The city was more normal than I expected, not that different from a human city.
Meanwhile, Tendo spoke to me via telepathy while walking.
“(I was nervous…)”
“(It was interesting to watch though. Do you have any acting talent?)”
“(I don’t need that kind of talent. By the way, what are your plans after this? What about accommodation?)”
That was indeed a problem.
It was because there was a possibility that the currency used by humans was different from that used by demons.
However, when I carefully observed my surroundings, I quickly realized that they were using the same coins.
Ellis, do you know why the currencies are the same?
《Yes. It was said to be spread by demon merchants who interacted with humans several hundred years ago. Before that, they had no concept of money.》
Oh, so we used to have regular interactions in the past?
Anyway, if that’s the case, we could stay at the inn without any problems.
“(It seems like there’s no problem with the currency.)”
“(Understood. Then let’s look for a place to stay.)”
“(That’s right. I want to sleep on a futon for the first time in a while.)”
“(I feel the same way.)”
We walked around the city and found an inn earlier than we expected.
At that time, Tendo introduced himself as an executive of the Demon King’s army, so the inn owner prepared him the highest grade room, and we were able to sleep on a soft futon.
～