Chapter 1: The Strongest Yin-Yang Sorcerer Receives an Imperial Order

The mountains of Rakana were once again tinted red after a year.

“Oh, the party from Lamprog is back!”

“Hey, hero! Another bountiful catch today?”

“Save some for us too.”

“Ah, Seika-san, if you’re selling, come over to our spacious area!”

Returning from the dungeon, I was greeted by such voices when I stopped by the guild. 

I chuckled and raised my hand in response.

Leaving the demon territory, it had been a few months.

Back in Rakana, we were enjoying peaceful days.

The season had turned to autumn.

Over a year had passed since the Stampede incident, and most of the dungeons around Rakana had regained their former liveliness.

Returning from being a demon king to a mere adventurer, I, along with Amu and others, delved into dungeons, selling the materials we obtained. It was a life typical of adventurers.

One could say I had returned to the life I had half a year ago.

However, my feelings were much lighter than before.

****

“But seriously, Seika-kun, you’re so popular.”

Seated at the guild’s tavern, now a regular spot for us, Iifa remarked while taking a sip.

Having finished selling the materials we collected, we decided to drop by here for a light snack.

It was still too early for dinner, but after spending a long time in the dungeon, our stomachs were growling.

“Wherever you go, people come up to talk to you.”

“Maybe because you haven’t shown your face around for a while.”

Amu added, resting her face on her hands.

“Adventurers seem to be fond of rare characters who aren’t always around.”

“Am I treated like some rare beast… Well, it’s a fact that I disappeared without a word once.”

When I headed from Rakana to Kelts in spring, I left without telling almost anyone. 

I didn’t think it was necessary since I planned to return right after completing the request. However, I ended up spending several months away from Rakana after encountering Lulum and Nozlo in Kelts, crossing into the demon realm, interacting with rulers of various races, dealing with a volcano, and causing a commotion.

Thanks to that, when I came back, the familiar faces were quite surprised.

Even Silas, the chief of Rakana, seemed quite concerned, probably because Fiona had asked us for help. I felt somewhat sorry when I found out about it.

Amu said with a wry smile 

“Despite everything, you seem to have fit in here the most. At first, you were saying things like ‘this barbaric town,’ weren’t you?”

“I didn’t say it was barbaric. At least not out loud.”

“Not out loud, huh.”

However, if you say I’ve fit in… I guess I can agree to some extent.

“But I can understand why everyone wants to talk to Seika.”

Suddenly, Mabel said.

“Somehow, I feel drawn to Seika. Regardless of you being a rare character or not.”

“Really? I wasn’t noticed much at the academy, though.”

“I can understand that too.”

Mabel nodded and spoke.

“Seika, because you’re a bit scary. People like me, adventurers and the like, are fine, but I feel like it’s hard for noble kids to get close. Looking back now.”

“Scary… even back when we were at the academy?”

Since the attack on the Imperial City, I had tried to behave like a normal noble child at the academy, at least.

Seeking support, I turned my face to Iifa, and she smiled somewhat wryly as she spoke.

“Haha… well, yeah, maybe.”

“Huh… Iifa, you feel the same way?”

“Yeah, just a little bit, though.”

Iifa nodded and continued.

“When you’re talking, it’s not that bad, but Seika, when you’re silent, you have this atmosphere.”

“Atmosphere…”

“If I had met you for the first time at the academy, I might have found it difficult to approach you.”

“Huh, really? I didn’t really think much of it…”

“Amu is more on the adventurer side.”

“Ah, that’s true. I’ve been used to seeing scary-looking people since I was little.”

Listening to their conversation, I began to feel a subtle unease.

Perhaps I had been unconsciously tense. At that time, I was still eager to live my current life well, making unfamiliar plans and determined to do so.

Maybe my school life was doomed to be difficult from the beginning.

“But lately, you haven’t been as scary.”

Mabel said without changing her expression.

“So maybe that’s why everyone’s starting to pay attention to you.”

“Oh, yeah. Seika, your aura seems a bit softer.”

“Indeed, there’s a sense of joy.”

“I’m not particularly joyful. If I felt like a curse had been lifted, maybe I’d understand.”

Honestly, I was aware of it.

After all, most of the issues related to the demon race had been resolved.

Assassins sent to Amu.

And that I am the demon king.

The latter, since it was mentioned by Lulum, had been the biggest problem bothering me. Regarding the former, the group of demons appearing at the academy became a significant factor in the cause of a fugitive lifestyle, making it something that could not be underestimated.

Whether allies or enemies, demons can cause troublesome situations.

However, by heading to the demon territory this summer and establishing connections with their ruler, most of these concerns were almost resolved.

Those children desire unity among all races without relying on the demon king, as well as peace with humans.

They are all still young, but each had the opportunity to seize political power due to the Empire’s subversive activities, so eventually, the will of the races may align in that way.

Of course, it’s not guaranteed that demons won’t come regardless of the will of the races. With both the Hero and the demon king present, it’s not impossible.

However, the probability should be much lower than before.

Moreover… I was able to understand those whom I thought I could never understand.

In the future, it seems that various things can be resolved somehow.

Due to such circumstances, I may have let my guard down a bit.

Perhaps that was evident in my expression and gestures.

I exhale softly and say

“Well, finally… things may have settled down a bit.”

More than to Rakana, I mean in this world.

“The life here will continue for a while. There’s no use being too uptight about it.”

It’s probably okay not to constantly worry about being deceived or having things taken away. Even if I live more normally, I won’t be punished for it.

So, I decided it’s okay to relax a little.

Amu, who heard this, says with her chin resting on her hands.

“Something like… a middle-aged berserker’s speech, huh?”

“Weren’t there any better comparisons?”

“But, it’s quite fitting. Seika is quite aggressive.”

“Eh, n-no, that’s not true… Seika-kun always tries to talk things out properly at first… and when it doesn’t work, well, it’s just that.”

A forced smile appears inadvertently. Upon closer inspection, Iifa’s defense didn’t sound much like a defense.

Come to think of it, I feel like I heard something similar from Risorella in the demon territory.

But well, it’s not like I particularly enjoy rough business, I thought… at that moment.

“Oh, what’s this? Just in time. Hey, Lamprog’s young master!”

Suddenly called by name, I turn around.

Coming down the stairs with a raised hand towards me is Eik, the wholesale distributor for Rakana.

“Eik, it’s been a while. Is Teo doing well?”

“As well as ever. My sister is quite a handful.”

“Tell her that Amu wanted to play.”

“I never said anything like that!”

While Amu complains to Mabel, Eik, rummaging through his shoulder bag, continues speaking.

“Oh, right. I got a package from the supplier’s guild. Here, for Lamprog’s young master.”

“Huh, for me?”

Feeling a bit uneasy, I accept the offered white envelope.

In this world, letters are primarily carried by merchants. 

While there is a postal network that uses horses between major cities, unfortunately, it hasn’t reached Rakana.

In such remote cities, it was common to entrust letters to itinerant merchants who travel back and forth.

Receiving a letter in this town is not the first time. 

Thinking about the previous sender…

“Is it from an acquaintance of the nobility? It’s quite a fancy envelope, and since it’s a direct request from a big shot at the other guild, I got a bit nervous too. Well then, play with Teo again.”

With those words, Eik departs.

I lower my gaze to the envelope in my hands.

It’s a familiar envelope made of high-quality paper.

“Could it be from Fiona?” 

Amu asks in a restrained voice.

“Yeah.”

I nod and take out a knife.

My response seems a bit delayed.

On the other hand, it’s only been about half a year since I received a letter last time. It feels a bit early for the next update on her current situation.

In that case…

“…Please, spare me any troublesome matters.”

I peel off the wax seal with the knife.

Unfolding the letter, I read the written words.

“…What does it say, Seika-kun?”

In an anxious tone, Iifa asks.

I carefully fold the letter after reading it and put it in my pocket.

Despite my hesitation about the actions to be taken, I open my mouth to explain.

“It seems that, at the court…”

“—My apologies for the intrusion, Lady Amu.”

At that moment, a voice resonates within the guild’s tavern.

Everyone turns their faces toward the person who called Amu’s name.

It’s a young man dressed in finely tailored clothes.

Understanding the situation, I mutter involuntarily, my face contorted.

“Wow, they came so quickly…”

Aylia, who seemed to have been guiding them, says hesitantly.

“Uh, this person is from the capital…”

“I am an envoy sent by His Majesty, Emperor Gilzerius.”

The envoy from the capital gazes at Amu with an unreadable expression and continues.

“Hero Amu, His Majesty wishes for you to come to the Imperial City—please consider this a royal decree.”

It seems like there’s no time to stay relaxed any longer.

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