Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 150

150. Let’s Go To Demon Castle! (Part 1)

“Fuwaa, it’s the ocean!”

“Oh, it’s your first time seeing it since you became Meg, huh?”

I’m currently on a journey with Dad, away from the guild! Though it’s not for work. We’ve finally arrived at Demon Castle!

We’d promised to go, but we never had the chance. We’d even received a pleading letter from the Demon King… and his aide, Kronqvist-san, also known as Kron-san, had also asked us to come, saying that work had been slow lately. I felt bad for Kron-san and talked to Dad about it.

I mean, the main reason I hadn’t been able to go was because of all the overprotective guardians! I’m glad they’re worried about me though, right?

Well, long story short, Dad reluctantly cleared his schedule for Kron-san’s sake, and we finally decided to go to Demon Castle. I’m actually excited because I’ve only been to the High Elf Village, aside from the city where Ortus is. And it’s a journey with Dad. It’s a trip! It’s bound to be fun!

“I was little back then. It’s been awhile since we came here, Dad.”

“Yeah… it brings back memories.”

The two of us gazed out at the sea for a moment. Ah, I could see a large, shadowy shape, in the distance, like a mountain… As I was thinking this,

“Don’t… don’t forget about me. I’m lonely…!”

“Don’t interrupt our father-daughter time, Ash.”

The Demon King’s sad voice snapped me out of it. That’s right, we’re currently in the middle of having the Demon King show us around! Dad, that’s cold!

“Don’t say that! Dad! What’s that shadow I shee across the sea!?”

The Demon King was looking so dejected that I hurriedly changed the subject. He immediately cheered up and started talking excitedly. I could hear Dad sighing in exasperation.

“It looks close, but it’s actually quite far. Even among flying demi-humans, only a handful can cross that distance.”

But it was Kron-san who spoke. How cool…! Look, the Demon King’s shocked! Ah, she’s smirking. Kron-san, you did that on purpose, didn’t you…?

“Mmm, that’s right. Even I would struggle to cross that distance. The closer you get to the human continent, the less magic particles there are. The amount of magic power you’d consume would be ridiculous.”

The Demon King quickly recovered and continued. Now that he mentioned it, there are very few magic particles on the human continent, right?

Magic particles, if I remember correctly, are basically the source of magic power, contained in the air. They reduce the burden when using magic. It’s so normal on this continent that no one even thinks about it. But on the human continent, where there are so few, it’s hard for humans to even use magic, and it’s not very powerful. Apparently, those born and raised in areas with few magic particles have low magic power to begin with.

That’s why demi-humans, and races like us, who have high magic power, are incredibly convenient beings. And apparently, they’re traded as slaves and pets among humans. Ugh, that’s scary…!

“It’s not like you can’t use magic there at all, but it’s a disadvantageous continent for us.”

“Have you been there?”

“Yeah, once. When I was trading minerals.”

But he added, “I have no intention of going back.” So it really limits your power…? I bet he’d still be strong, even without magic, but it must be disheartening not to be able to use magic. It’s something I’d never even thought about as Megu. I guess different worlds have different environments. If I couldn’t use magic, I’d really be just a frail child. To not be able to rely on Shou-chan and the others… I couldn’t imagine it!

“Did you go there by ship?”

“On the way there. But it took too long… so I cheated on the way back.”

The Demon King said this, a mischievous smile on his face. He added that ships were the main mode of transportation, but there was another, simpler, method.

“The mine here, and the one on the human continent, they’re both inhabited by Dwarves. And Dwarves can freely travel between mines. There’s a teleportation magic circle, deep within the mine.”

He said he’d used his Demon King authority to use it. Of course, he’d also given them something in return.

“…Our Carter is different, but Dwarves are a difficult bunch. I wonder what you had to give them…”

“It wasn’t anything major. They wanted to start a business near Demon Castle. It seemed like they were struggling to find a way to ask, and they happily agreed.”

I see, it was a coincidence, a win-win! I wonder if they would have asked for more, if it hadn’t been for that. Dad, maybe reading my mind, added, a smug look on his face:

“A Dwarf’s mine is their base, their home, so to speak. It’s incredibly hard to even be allowed inside. I even offered to eliminate those troublesome monsters loitering around the foot of the mountain. But it was unnecessary.”

He must be talking about when he was searching for Yenna-san. I see, so Dad’s been to the human continent too. Or rather, he was already in a tough situation, being a human in this world… Thinking about how he would have been sold to some malicious demi-human if he hadn’t had those cheat abilities, I couldn’t help but to shudder.

Well, it’s pointless to think about it. It all worked out in the end, and we even reunited. And it’s not like I’ll ever need to go to that dangerous human continent and pay the Dwarves. But if I did need to, I wonder what I would give them?

“Now then, let’s head to the castle. Everyone’s looking forward to seeing you!”

“I’m hungry, so I guess I have no choice…”

“What do you mean ‘no choice,’ Eugene!?”

“Because your followers… they have scary eyes.”

“Mmm, they’re just good citizens who adore me.”

Ah, yeah, judging from Dad’s resigned expression, I think I understand. He’s calling them “followers,” after all. And I’m the next Demon King. So basically, I’m probably going to be welcomed too. It’s an honor, but… I’m not sure why, but all I feel is anxiety.

I unconsciously tightened my grip on Dad’s hand. Dad, sensing my anxiety, patted my back. I heard him whisper, “Just give up.” …I’m ready, mentally. Sigh.