When my health returned after a longst, it was decided that I would take some of the soldiers that would join up with the third division and return to Rune Height.


    It was strange, but even though it wasnt my homnd, I felt a sense of nostalgia when I saw the castle gates.


    I suppose that Ive grown quite fond of this ce.


    Aria greeted us in front of the gates, wearing a formal dress. Representatives of every squad, including the Rune Height guards were present.


    They were made up of various races but all wore the ck sign of mourning.


    Aria had a ck corsage on her chest, and she bowed before of me as representative.


    Wee back, Vaito.


    Im grateful for the wee.


    Aria was an ally of the Demon Lord army, so she had heard the sad news of Demon Lord Friden Richet.


    But she did not say anything unnecessary, only the following with a calm expression:


    My heart is relieved to see you returned safely.


    Thank you. Im sorry I worried you.


    Not only did I give cause for her to worry, but it was likely that she would suffer hardships in the future because of me.


    But the demise of the Demon Lord was still a secret to the others. I could not say anything here.


    The guards here were not aware of any details, but it seemed that they at least knew that someone very important had passed away.


    I returned their salutes and passed through the castle gates.


    Aria walked beside me, and looking at my face from the side, said this:


    Youve grown a little more handsome again.


    Im just tired.


    I need to get well soon, I need to be strong for the sake of thete king and the new Demon Lord.


    It had been a long time since I entered the office, but it lookedpletely unchanged since the time that I left it.


    Apparently, the maid of the mansion had been cleaning it. I poured some green tea and sighed in relief.


    Mereen seemed to be busy with receiving the newly arrived soldiers, and I thought that I would leave the small details up to her.


    She was the divisionmander after all.


    And well, I had my own job to do.


    I found myself once again gazing at the southern part of a map of Miraldia.


    Currently, Bernhainen to the northwest and Tuban to the northeast were in a state of stability. The centaur and vampire squads and also the skeleton soldiers were protecting them.


    And it was not very likely that the enemy would attack from the north for a while, so it would be best if we could increase our allies in the south in the meantime.


    Then Aria began to exin it to me.


    The south of Miraldia is generally split into two trade routes.


    She pointed at the southern edge of Miraldia with her finger, the city Beruza.


    The first is the southwest route. It starts from the port city of Beruza and goes through Rune Height and Bernhainen.


    Her finger traced the route indicated on the map.


    This is the same path that our ancestors traveled. Our ancestors made their headquarters at Beruza and traveled up north, where they built the kingdom of Bernhainen.


    I see. Now that I think of it, m had said that the southern people came here by sea.


    The other route is through the southeast. It starts from the southeastern port city of Lotso and goes north towards Shaldir and continues to Tuban and other cities. This route continued to go north and


    Arias voice lowered.


    Because of that, there were shes with migrants who came down from the north, this wouldter turn into the spark that ignited this war thats engulfed Miraldia.


    Ahh, so that is why Shaldir dislikes the north.


    Aria smiled bitterly and continued.


    Vaito, it must be difficult for you to understand how humans continue to quarrel like this for generations.


    I do understand. I was a human in my past life.


    Aria pointed at the port city of Beruza to the southwest and said:


    Beruza has another name, it is Pirate City. They seem to have very little awareness of being part of the Miraldia alliance, but they are thergest city to the south.


    Oh, just howrge?


    Therger the poption, the more soldiers, and resources we could collect.


    Ariaughed gently at this.


    The civilian poption is about two thousand.


    Thats not very much Hmm, civilians?


    Perhaps it meant the number of non-civilians was high.


    Aria returned with an even more brilliant smile.


    Yes, there are only two thousand if we just count civilians.


    And the rest?


    There should be at least ten thousand.


    That many?


    Other than civilians, but what are they?


    Civilians.


    I dont follow you.


    Aria smiled and apologized to me.


    Im sorry for confusing you. In other words, they are illegal immigrants.


    Illegal immigrants huh


    It may be a prejudice, but I hoped that they were not a troublesome lot.


    Can the city sustain so many illegal immigrants being there?


    Yes, it is no matter. While they are illegal immigrants, they have been living there for generations now.


    Hmmm This was only making me more and more uncertain.


    There was still a lot that I didnt understand, but we could not ignore such arge poption. The distance was quite far, but it was to the south of Rune Height.


    Well then, we should negotiate immediately. Aria, will you handle the negotiations?


    With pleasure.


    She was stillughing.


    She must have been very pleased to startle me.


    For now, I would like you to tell me a little more. About these illegal immigrants


    As soon as I said this, Nibert of the Werewolf squad, in other words, Gurney the younger came running into the office.


    Vaito, someone suspicious has arrived at the south gate! What is it!?


    What is it? How should I know when you havent exined anything yet.


    I answered and Gurney quickly started to exin.


    Its, its a skeleton.


    Maybe its a skeleton soldier.


    To this Gurney frantically shook his head to the side.


    No, no. It talks. My older brother is talking with it now, its talking at an incredible speed


    What are they talking about?


    No-, nothing important.


    Ah, I see.


    Its him.


    I sighed and waved my hand.


    I know who it is I will go immediately.


    Gurney the younger was looking at my face strangely, but he suddenly returned to himself and nodded.


    Ah, yes. Well, Ill go and help my brother now. Pleasee quickly!


    I stood up slowly and walked sluggishly.


    I did not want to meet him


    As I made my way to the southern gate with heavy footsteps, I saw that the werewolf squad had gathered there.


    And I could very clearly hear a familiar voice talking.


    Is one bite the same before and after you transform? Oh, so it would be more profitable to turn into a werewolf when your friends offer you a bite of their snacks.


    Ah, ah I guess that is true, now that you mention it?


    Amidst the confusion, Gurney the older said in a somewhat flustered voice.


    A flippant mans voice immediately talked over him.


    Thats quite the honest reaction! That makes me a happy older brother! Oh, wait, are you the older one? Then Im the younger brother.


    Eh? Why is that?


    What, would you prefer a younger sister? Thats too bad, in spite of my appearance, I am a man. See, the suppleness of my skin is different, isnt it?


    Your skin


    Oh, I forgot that I shed oneyer. What do you think of this pale skin!


    Oh, uh it is pale.


    Why were they taking this seriously?


    I pushed through the crowd of werewolves and quickly made my way to the flippant voice.


    There. It was him after all.


    The extravagant feathered hat, the expensive suit. His stance was brimming with confidence.


    And that white skull underneath the hat.


    Hey, Parker.


    As soon as I called him, he swirled around like a tight spring.


    Ah, Vaito! My beloved younger brother!


    Whos your younger brother!


    The crowd stirred.


    That skeleton is themanders older brother.


    I dont see the resemnce


    And why is he a skeleton.


    You guys, stop talking nonsense.


    As if you could be my brother. This is Parker of the Labyrinth. He was my senior fellow disciple, a former human and necromancer. He is also supposed to be a general of the Demon Lord Army.


    I was suddenly very tired.


    Parker merrilyughed as the jaw of his skull loudly opened and closed.


    Yes! I am Parker! Parkerparkepaker!


    Stop it, thats annoying.


    And then Parker suddenly became morose and fell to the ground. He began to draw circles in the dirt with his fingers.


    Isnt that just a little cold for an older brother that you havent seen in ages?


    As I said, we were just fellow disciples, we are not rted!


    He was terribly annoying.


    And besides, where had he been all this time and what had he been doing?


    General positions of cities south of Miraldia


    Wastnd of Discord


    South Quite Sea


    Mining viges and small settlements exist around each of the cities. Nomadic tribes also live while traveling between them.