City, Verokia.
It has been famous as a food production area since ancient times. There is a large river nearby, and because of the climate, perennial grasses die off in the winter, providing nutrients and making it fertile land.
In addition, since there is a large river, it is easy to trade by floating a boat. In addition to wheat, there are many beasts that can obtain various byproducts, so the entire city is said to be wealthy.
The Adventurer's Guild was created by gathering together idlers who had nothing to do with this money. They say that they are a great force that can be used as an army if necessary.
'Besides, since it's in the rear, it doesn't get invaded by monsters very often. I heard that most of the Allied Forces' food comes from here?'
From our perspective, it is the first city we must conquer, but we cannot easily touch it. There are several fortresses on the way to this city, and the 'White Knights' are stationed there.
Because the strongest among our kind are not interested in invading, we, the lower-ranking demon lords, are dying one way or another.
"You want to eat that city, right?"
At my words, the bastard's thoughts trembled as if in absurdity.
The 56th Demon King, Uruk Heizen. A green lump that transformed his own body into an orc to command the Greenskin army.
[Valleytics! My plan went down the drain because of you! Why are you infiltrating the warrior party?]
"That's a secret!"
[Well, I won't ask. Don't blame me later when I die at the hands of my subordinates.]
Uruk Heizen muttered rudely. It was not that he was not going to ask for forgiveness, but it was more likely that he would kill me someday.
This relationship is natural. He is much stronger than me.
I was a lowly beast who barely made a living by pillaging the plains… But I endured it. I'm better at patience than anyone else.
[I thought about the plan you mentioned.]
The good thing about talking with your mind is that you can talk no matter how far away you are, and you can send the information that's in your head.
By the way, on the topic of stone heads, did you understand my perfect plan? That's great.
[No matter how much I think about it, it's a plan that only benefits me.]
"Right?"
The plan I was given to him was to destroy the warrior party so that he could eat this city. It would be too easy if I opened the gates with my own abilities.
[So I don't like it.]
"Huh?"
[You think I'm an idiot. I know what you're doing. I still don't know what you're thinking.]
You're so quick to notice things.
[I know full well that you intend to take advantage of me.]
"Wow…."
[So, what are you going to pack? Are you planning to gain power by pitting the warrior and me against each other? If so, I'll tell you in advance that your plan will fail.]
This guy is really stupid. He's so stupid, he still doesn't understand the situation. He thinks he can win. Sloan! I continued, barely holding back my laughter.
"You're right. We're running out of food right now. Aren't we? Orcs and goblins have such high reproductive rates, and they eat so much that the maintenance costs are so high that they're going to break your back. "
Despite the Greenskins being an overwhelmingly productive race, the reason they only recruit a few of their kind into the military is due to supply issues.
Even if you eat, you eat too much. Goblins are less likely to eat, but orcs and ogres will eat a cartload of food in three days.
[…when my army.]
"That's it! I'll help you. This city is yours! All the golden wheat fields are yours! In return, give me a chance to kill the warrior! That's all."
[That was your intention. Did you feel a sense of crisis as your compatriots died? After all, you are the weakest among us.]
Idiot. It's unfortunate that I'm the smartest among my kind. Does no one else realize the seriousness of this except me?
This guy thinks he can beat Sloan. What a fool! Eleven people are dead!
And that too without any unique abilities.
'Have you forgotten that the more Demon Kings a hero kills, the stronger he becomes? You pathetic bastard.'
Well, if it weren't for the arrogance, it wouldn't be one of the '72 evils that disturb the world'. In a way, you could say it's like being a demon lord.
[Okay, I'll do that. But you take care of your own body.]
"Thank you."
I cut off the connection with him. Phew, his thoughts are so violent that I'm mentally exhausted. That simple-minded fool. If you're going to doubt him, do it to the end.
"Valley! Come here quickly! I got a new mission!"
"Ah, yes I will go!"
It's a well-known fact that he's having trouble with supplies. He may be big, but he'll always be hungry.
If we occupy this place, the army of tens of thousands can be called hundreds of thousands. Then, there may even be a change in the hierarchy among the Demon Lords that has never happened before.
Of course he's going to die to Sloan. Very gruesomely.
The only one who benefits from this war is me, Valitics.
***
But it seems that Sloan doesn't really know his own abilities.
"Die! You evil monster!"
Her sword cuts through a strange-looking weed. It's a man-eating plant called Laplacidon, and even armed farmers can easily deal with it.
For some reason, Sloan received a quest from the Adventurer's Guild to exterminate this plant. He could have chosen something a little more difficult.
'Is it really possible to grow like that?'
Sure, it's fun. Nothing restores your self-esteem more than bullying someone weaker than you.
But… You're a warrior, right? I don't think you'll get much in reward.
'There are only a few days left until Uruk-Haizen arrives… so it should be okay.'
Nothing will change even if you do this. But it's not wrong to say that it's a waste of time.
"Wow! It's big!"
Surprisingly, the giant man-eating plant we met at the end was quite threatening. It lived for so long that it was as big as a tree. It was so big that I doubted whether it could be called a plant.
There was a pattern resembling a human facial feature in the middle of the stem, and it moved around as if it had a will.
But, in the end, plants are plants. What does that mean? They can't move from their spot. They burn easily.
"Will this fruit grow too?"
"The fruit that grows after eating people is a bit hard to eat. It seems to be poisonous. If you eat it, you'll be punished by heaven."
"I guess so?"
Ah. The vines that the guy was swinging were quite sharp. They were swinging like whips, and if you got hit, you thought your flesh would fall off like corn. However, if you were just a little bit more careful, you could easily catch and kill the guy.
"Oh my gosh! Let's enjoy it now! That guy looks like he's gonna have fun!"
—Pishuung!
As the air split, something sharp sank into the man-eating grass.
No matter how strong it is, if it is pierced by something sharp, that part will inevitably be torn apart. A large hole was created in what is presumed to be the face of the man-eating plant.
"Huh?!"
"What are you doing, Sloan… . There's no need to waste your time on someone like that."
The warrior blinked his eyes a few times, then shook his head up and down as if he understood.
She probably didn't notice, but Elisa's bow just now struck with more force than before. And it was tremendous.
'Wow… You hit it with boldness. You were good at hitting weak points before, but now you hit them with some kind of technique?'
The thing was so big that it took a long time to look up at, so I didn't realize it. Elisa shot two arrows at the same time.
One foot flew out early and lodged itself in the lower half of the man-eating grass, right in the root area that would be the weak point of the plant.
Then. One shot to the face. That was the death blow.
'I couldn't even see the first step. What kind of rapid fire skill is that…'
I just gave him a little bit of advice and ridicule. He grew up so quickly. Is he really the party member chosen by the warrior?
"Okay! The mission is over! Now let's go back!"
"Ugh! I can finally say that. This is so hard! Why do I have to do this!! It's annoying!"
"Calm down, this is all for us, it's our way to become stronger."
Does Sloan believe that he will become stronger through his journey? He still doesn't know how a warrior becomes stronger.
Being chosen by the goddess, you might have heard all sorts of stories. That prostitute likes to meddle in unnecessary matters.
"… Valley."
"Huh!? Yes, yes?!"
As I was thinking about the warrior, I suddenly felt a presence behind me. I knew who it was without even looking back… .
"How was I just now?"
"Ah, that was really cool. As expected, your archery skills are—"
"The expression is too simple."
"Hmm, then what should I praise you for?"
Why is this woman acting like this all of a sudden? She looks like a puppy that wants to be praised.
"Please elaborate a bit more. I'm always flashy when I curse."
"What are you praising… ."
"Come on."
be near.
Elisa muttered, leaning close enough to almost touch the back of my head. Her heavy breathing hit my hair. Don't do this… What did I do wrong?
'What should I praise?'
I just shot the bow well. Isn't that all? In fact, I didn't even kill any great enemies.
I decided to hang around a bit. If I keep doing this, I'll end up sticking to you.
"Beautiful Elisa, your archery skills have improved greatly. No matter how strong the enemy is, if he becomes your enemy, you will never be able to sleep for the rest of your life. You will have to fear the arrows that may fly at any moment."
"Phew."
Did you laugh? You just laughed. Did you beat around the bush? If you hit me once, it would hurt a lot. Archers are strong.
"You said I was beautiful? Seriously. You damn fool. It's dangerous to say that to a woman these days."
"Yes… ?"
"No."
Something. I feel strange. Is it my imagination? Anyway, I just let it go. After I took a deep breath, this time Riley blocked my path.
"Thank you for your hard work!"
"…Yes."
"Ugh, you know. Isn't it super hot today? I brought you a drink. Want some?"
Riley has a very small presence even within the party and rarely opens her mouth, so we have only had a few conversations.
Why a drink out of the blue? I should at least accept your sincerity.
"Okay."
"Here you go!"
She took out a round glass bottle from her bosom, flustered. Was it a potion? But it was white.
"Cast a preservation spell and it'll be cool! Drink it and give me the bottle…."
"Okay, I'll drink it."
As I opened the bottle, a milky smell wafted out. It didn't seem to be a beverage.
The taste was no different from milk. Still, it was good because it was hot.
"Hehehehehe…. Okay, you're drinking well."
"?
"If you want to eat it again, please let me know anytime. It's ready. "
She muttered, placing her hand on her chest.
I feel like there's something I don't know.
Is it because of my mood?