The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 466

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 466   The Hero Goes to the Demon King’s Castle, Part 3

“Rather than that, let’s talk about how to deal with the Demon King now.”

“Oh, sorry. I got off track.”

Saying that, he faced forward, glancing briefly at the elven girl who seemed to be a servant of this castle and had gone somewhere.

“But, when it comes to ‘dealing with,’ it’s not like we’re planning anything specific. It’s fine to just ask what we want to know as initially planned, right? Well, I think they probably have something to say from their side. Otherwise, they wouldn’t let us through so easily.”

“Yes, that’s right. Basically, we want to know about the true nature of the anomalies occurring in the Holy Kingdom and whether they are involved. If not, we’d like to know if they have information on a solution. Additionally, if possible, we’d appreciate assistance regarding food supplies, but this is only if it’s within their capabilities, so there’s no need to force the issue.”

We mentioned wanting to meet the Demon King, but that doesn’t mean we came here to fight. If we can obtain information and support related to the anomalies in the Holy Kingdom, that’s sufficient. I don’t want to fight willingly, and I don’t want to kill people.

“If they are involved?”

Darado spoke with a sharp air, reaching for his sword. Being involved would mean that the people of this country— that the Demon King had attacked the Holy Kingdom, and it was a true ‘Demon King’ in the real sense. In that case, we might have to fight. Not just because I can’t stop Darado, but because I am the ‘Hero.’

“…Let’s reschedule for another day. Today, I only intended to set a schedule, so it’s hard to say we’re fully prepared.”

“The real issue is whether he’ll meet with us again.”

“If that happens, we’ll have no choice but to initiate the contact from our side. Whether it’s the Demon King in person or an important base or individual, we can’t say for sure.”

Ideally, I wouldn’t want to do that. But in a way, it’s the most ‘heroic’ action I know. Infiltrate the stronghold of the evil mastermind, causing havoc with a small elite force, and shatter the enemy’s plans.

Truly, it’s like the ‘hero’ from a story.

“What if the Demon King isn’t involved in the anomalies, and they don’t know a solution?”

But that’s assuming the Demon King here is a real ‘Demon King.’ If they are just called the Demon King by others or self-proclaimed but are, in reality, just a human king, I don’t want to fight.

Even Nobunaga called himself a Demon King, and conquerors or tyrants might have allowed such crimes to happen. While that would still be considered evil, it becomes part of the country’s circumstances, and it shouldn’t be a reason to invade.

“In that case, we have no choice but to withdraw. However, I believe they must know something.”

“Because of the ability to manipulate plants?”

“Yes. As I mentioned before, the Demon King of this land controls plants. It might be a deception, making it seem like the Demon King’s power, while it’s actually the ability of the elves. Nevertheless, they should possess knowledge and abilities. Therefore, there’s a high possibility that they know something we don’t about the anomalies related to plants.”

“As an ideal, it would be good if we could bring the Demon King to the Holy Kingdom, even if they are not the culprit. That way, it could serve as a lead to a solution, and once the business is done, we can deal with it.”

“Deal with it…”

That essentially means killing the cooperating party. Darado’s words, smoothly flowing out without hesitation, left me speechless.

“Even the king, who you’d usually beg with ‘Please come help our country in this difficult time,’ and the result is killing… You guys are quite something.”

Hearing Darado’s words, Lina, although seeming exasperated, said with a hint of amusement.

I don’t know why she has that attitude, but… yeah.

It’s just Darado’s opinion, but if everyone in the Holy Kingdom thinks like this…

“The opponent is a criminal. What’s the problem with making them pay for their crimes?”

“I don’t really care. Whatever happens as a result, I’m not from the Holy Kingdom, and I don’t particularly mind if things sour between this country and the Holy Kingdom. Oh, but I do believe in God, by the way.”

Lina is not from the Holy Kingdom, but rather a hired traveler. Even though the contract should have been terminated when I defeated the Demon King I was fighting until recently and returned to the Holy Kingdom, she’s still with us. Part of it is because of a new contract, but I believe it’s also because she considers us comrades… at least, I hope so.

“Darado, it’s a bit much to be so heartless. If they lent us a hand, we should treat them with gratitude.”

Good. Canon seems to be against Darado’s idea of dealing with the Demon King. It seems like Darado’s opinion was his alone.

Realizing that, I let out a small sigh of relief. During that, Canon glanced at me. I wonder what that was about?

“Guests, I apologize for the wait. Demon King-sama is ready, so please accompany us.”

Before I could deeply contemplate that, the sound of knocking on the door and a voice calling us from beyond the door reached our ears.

“They’re quite polite, aren’t they?”

“Yes, indeed. I never expected someone so courteous.”

With that, we followed the man who called us. That was our impression.

The guide was well-dressed and behaved impeccably. Even compared to the servants back in the Holy Kingdom, he didn’t fall short. The castle, despite being called the Demon King’s castle, was such a beautiful place that it made you forget you were in Karakas.

“Haha. Surprisingly, there are people like me around.”

I thought I spoke quietly, but it seems he heard me.

“Oh, sorry.”

“No, no. In fact, as an impression of this city, it’s correct. I might be an exception, though. Well, this place gathers various things, so if you look around, you’ll find some interesting stuff.”

Various things… could that be the people who fled because of unfair treatment, as the young man who guided us through the city mentioned?

Well, why not try having a conversation? If I can understand a bit more, maybe the unease in my chest will dissipate.

“Is this your hometown?”

“No. I wasn’t born here. I come from one of the small southern nations.”

“So, why are you here?”

“I was abandoned by my parents.”

“Huh?”

The words “abandoned by parents” were hard for me to swallow. I knew as knowledge that there were parents who would abandon their own children, and I understood it was the same in this world. However, hearing it explicitly like this left me at a loss for words.

“I was born into a noble family, but I ended up with an unwanted vocation, something my parents didn’t desire. Well, it’s a common story. It happens not only in the country where I was born but in kingdoms and the Holy Kingdom as well, anywhere, really.”

“Even in the Holy Kingdom…”

It’s something that happens even in the Holy Kingdom. Hearing that made it even more confusing. I was in that country, but I had never heard such stories. Certainly, I knew there were preferential treatments or slight mistreatments based on one’s vocation. But the Church always preached that every vocation had its value, serving the greater good of the world.

Therefore, I couldn’t comprehend the idea of parents abandoning their children. Especially not because of a child’s vocation, and it was hard to believe that the child’s vocation could be the reason.

“Yes. In fact, you could say it’s even worse in that country. I managed to escape expulsion, but in the Holy Kingdom, if you obtain a ‘position unsuitable for serving God,’ you might be killed.”

Killed based on one’s vocation? Surely, such a thing couldn’t happen… right?

…Couldn’t happen… right?

“I won’t tolerate such nonsense. Indeed, those who obtain dishonorable positions may find their advancement opportunities limited. However, it’s not a denial of the position itself; it’s just because it sounds unpleasant. It doesn’t negate the value of that position.”

Maybe it was because the words of the guide weren’t accepted. Darado stopped, slammed his foot down, raised his voice more than usual, and countered vehemently.

“In the first place, vocations are bestowed by God, and all of them are equally God’s blessing. To judge solely based on vocation, resorting to killing and such, is inconceivable.”

That’s right. There’s no way such a thing could happen. After all, a person’s worth isn’t determined by their vocation. Vocation is just a positive aspect, and it shouldn’t be the sole determinant of one’s value.

“Indeed, positions like ‘assassin,’ ‘thief,’ ‘usurper,’ or ‘dark magician’ might have a negative reputation when they become the face of an organization.”

“That’s right. So we—”

“However, if you genuinely believe in God, shouldn’t all positions be treated equally? Whether it’s a ‘swordsman,’ a ‘hero,’ a ‘thief,’ an ‘assassin,’ or a ‘necromancer,’ they all receive God’s blessing equally. Is it right for those who truly serve God to acknowledge the existence of ‘dishonorable positions’? Is it truly right to hide them, worrying about the reputation around you?”

With that statement, Darado was left speechless. After all, it was a fact that there were preferential treatments and mistreatments, and depending on one’s vocation, the paths they could take might become narrower.

“I—well, I spoke out of turn, but there must be circumstances even in the Holy Kingdom. Please consider what I said as my personal, unfounded opinion.”

As if erasing the atmosphere until then, the guide offered a calm smile and made a graceful bow. Thanks to that, my heart actually felt lighter.

However, even so, it didn’t return completely to normal.

“You, if such words become accepted—”

“I apologize sincerely. He may have gotten a bit too excited about matters related to my country’s doctrine.”

“No, I was the one who said something rude to the guests, so there’s no need for you, our esteemed guests, to apologize. I sincerely apologize for my rudeness.”

Darado was still trying to retort, but Canon stopped him, and both the guide and Canon exchanged apologies.

“Darado, I understand your feelings, but please don’t cause unnecessary commotion.”

“Well… I apologize.”

After the apologies, Canon turned to Darado. Without raising her voice, she spoke with a quiet anger, cautioning Darado. Darado might still not be satisfied, and he might have more to say, but it seemed he understood that causing a scene here was not the right thing to do.

“Everyone, we have arrived. This is the place. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Thus, after a little disturbance, we reached our destination—the Throne Room.

“From the Holy Kingdom, the party of the ‘Hero’ has arrived.”

And then…

“Huh?”

I inadvertently let out such a stupid sound.

“Why, in such a place…?”

“Hello there, it’s been a while… not that much, but you’ve come well.”

“Eh? Oh, uh, yeah.”

Seated on the throne, casually engaging in conversation with us, was the young man who had guided us through the city when we arrived at the Flower Garden.

“Huh?… W-why are you there? That’s a throne…”

“Hmm? Oh, right. It certainly is a throne. Is it strange for me to be here?”

While his attitude remained unchanged from that time, everything else was too different—his appearance, the location, the situation…

“But, sitting there means…”

“Calm down, Yuuki! I understand your surprise, but please, calm down and look at what’s in front of you. The fact that he’s there without anyone complaining means—he’s the Demon King.”

Canon said so, and the guide gave a sly grin.