Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

Chapter 248: Contact

After going around infiltrating the countries we could in order to gather information, we came back to the northernmost area of the continent where Accuros was located.

The reason we’re back at Accuros was because it was the best place to get information at. When we were out doing so, we realized that out of the six nations, only Accuros had connections to all of them by way of trade.

Unlike the five city-states, Accuros which trades with Samandour Kingdom has several taverns. This country also produced a bit of alcohol, but most of it was imported.

「Takumi-sama, it would seem that the just other day, three countries held a conference here in Accuros.」

Sophia reported the information she heard in the city.

「Good job finding that out.」

「The Devil King Gandalf has a 2m tall blue-skinned body covered in armor-like muscles and two twisted horns which the Devil Clan possesses. So, while it isn’t that Accuros does not have any Devils, the position of the King couldn’t be hoodwinked.」

「……well, he stands out.」

「The Beast King Guzhr who is called the Clever King is a 3m tall Bear Kin.」

「……so, he couldn’t be mistaken for.」

According to Sophia, just the other day, the Devil King Gandalf and the Beast King Guzhr had come with escort soldiers and held a conference with Queen Fraal.

「They came with a lot of escort soldiers, so of course people would know.」

「No Master (Husband), they seem to have had few.」

「……the rulers themselves are their greatest power, was it?」

We, who lacked self-awareness, were amazed that is possible to traverse the monster nest-like Demon Continent with a small number of people.

「Although Accuros is an entrepôt[1], is it normal for the three rulers to hold a conference?」

「According to the citizens, visitors from other countries isn’t that rare. However, it is unusual for the rulers themselves to come.」

「The details of the conference weren’t circulated, were they?」

「As you may have expected, they did not go as far as to……」

「Ah, of course they wouldn’t, huh.」

The rulers held an unofficial conference, so there was no way it would be announced to the public.

I chilled the ale in my hand using magic and appeased my thirst.

Alcohol was expensive in the Demon Continent, but this was Accuros, so it was still better.

Accuros, the city-state with the only port in the Demon Continent. This is the place that our continent called the country of demons. However, calling the people of this country and the other countries in the Demon Continent “mazoku” was taboo. It was a discriminatory term. Succubi, Onis, and Devils account for majority of the citizens of this country, and there were a few Beastkin and even fewer Humans living there as well.

「Now then, how about we go around the weapons shop and tool shop?」

「That’s a good idea. This city is the only one in the Demon Continent that trades armaments with the Northern Continent, so let’s do some market research.」

「That’s right. Master (Husband), I am curious about the ingredients unique to Demon Continent too.」

「Then let’s go.」

After leaving the tavern and looking at the arms shop, tool shops, and clothing shop, we went around looking at stalls selling food.

「Are magic steel type armaments the best they can do?」

「Indeed. Mithril and adamantite armaments are likely banned exports as we had expected.」

The armaments imported to Accuros were mostly durable items that would be fine even with rough usage.

「The clothing stores of this city are excessive, aren’t they?」

「Quite so. Even I, a Beastkin, am reluctant to it.」

「Really? I thought it was nice and sexy.」

Was it because this city was governed by a Succubus Queen? Still, it was the same with the other countries in the Demon Continent, and their clothing stores were lined with products similar to those at the adult shops in my old world. Err, not that I have been to one.

While walking around wondrous streets mixed with various cultures, I had realized something.

「Aside from the Succubi, there’s a lot of men here, huh?」

「Master (Husband), the Succubi are an all women race. It is for that reason that Accuros wants males of other races.」

When I looked around after Marnie had said that, I realized that the city was 80% men once the Succubi were excluded.

「Takumi-sama, I heard that a long time ago, the Succubi abducted men from other races to preserve their race.」

Apparently, when a Succubus and a male from another race unite, it would be a succubus if a girl is born and it would be the race of the father if it’s a boy.

I won’t say that it was enviable in front of the girls no matter what, but it’s “The Harem”.

As I was thinking of such stupid things, I noticed presences surrounding us. We fell into a bad situation at my slight lapse of concentration.

Just when I started to think of what we should do now, a voice called out from their side.

「Please wait. We have no intention of being hostile with you.」

The person who called out was an Oni woman. Those that encircled us were a mix of Succubi, Devils, Onis, and a variety of Beastkin. Though, excluding the Succubi and the Oni woman who talked to us, it looked like they were all male soldiers.

「I apologize for calling out to you so suddenly. I am the servant of a certain individual, and my master has a matter that they would like to request of you.」

「……there are all sorts of things that don’t make sense, but why us?」

She suddenly talked to us and even said that there is something they want to ask of us. The people deployed to surround us, including the woman who talked to us, were all officials of this country.

「Actually, we had passed by you a few days prior. My master had perceived that you were neither merchants nor people from another country on this continent, and they have stated that they wished to meet with you once more if it were possible.」

「……I see.」

Come to think of it, I recognize this woman. A while back, she was walking behind a Succubus that looked quite powerful.

「I understand. Could you show us the way?」

「Thank you very much for listening to our ill-mannered request. Then I shall guide you.」

「Takumi-sama.」

「It’s fine, Sophia. Marnie too. It doesn’t look like they’re hostile or malicious.」

After saying that to Sophia and Marnie who looked worried, we followed the Oni woman. Worst case, we’ll run away with Teleport.

***

Footnotes:

1. Entrepôt –  trading centre or port at a geographically convenient location, at which goods are imported and re-exported without incurring liability for duty