Vol 1 Chapter 23 – To the Beast Kingdom of Eugrasia【Vol 1: The Beastkin Hero Arc】

Allen thought he had built peace by subjugating the Demon Lord, but he realized the world situation was terribly tense.

The reason the Blue Sword Knights tried to bring back their former commander, Branford, was apparently because the Rig Aqua Kingdom had defended Leonhardt, who murdered the Holy Emperor. This worsened relations with the Holy Empire, which held hegemony over the continent.

While there were voices defending the World Knight Leonhardt, there were also those who refused to forgive her.

With nations divided into condemnation and defense factions, there was even a chance of a world war breaking out.

Hearing this meant he had no choice but to return to active duty. As a result, Branford abruptly had to bid farewell to the villagers.

He was apparently returning to the Central Capital to discuss future countermeasures with the King.

“Allen-sama. No, Noir-san, what will you do now?!”

They stood on the outskirts of the village.

Leaving his comrades from the Blue Sword Knights to wait in the distance, Branford asked this of Allen, who had come to see him off.

“I think I’ll head to the Beast Kingdom.”

Wearing the voice-changing mask and draped in the Bandit King’s cape, he replied in his guise as the mercenary Noir.

“You believe in Leonhardt-sama, don’t you?”

“Believe in her or not, right before the Demon Lord died, she told me she had received sacrifices from the Empire.”

“What?! Then the statement from the Beast Kingdom’s side was correct after all?!”

“At the time, I thought it was a desperate lie to shake me up. She said the war wouldn’t end even if I defeated her. That humans had been fighting over territory since ancient times. I denied the Demon Lord’s words, but it turns out she was right about everything.”

In response to Allen speaking as if mocking himself, Branford looked down with a sorrowful expression.

“Allen-sama, you exhausted your strength to surpass the Empire’s expectations and achieved the subjugation of the Demon Lord. And after that, by discarding your position as a World Knight, you chose the path of saving people without waiting for the approval of kings.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

No, what are you even talking about? Allen thought, but he nodded for the time being. So he’s the reason the villagers are misunderstanding things?

(But if my survival gets out in the future, it looks like I can somehow keep up appearances if I just use this reason.)

He made the decision to save people he couldn’t help as a World Knight by discarding his position. Isn’t that cool?

In reality, he just wanted to become a NEET and live a life of comfortable leisure.

“But knowing you were betrayed by the Holy Emperor, you must have despaired in humanity. Yet you still want to save people. Is that what you are thinking?”

Branford swallowed hard, voicing his question while looking somewhat nervous.

Allen had no idea why he was so nervous, but as for himself, he didn’t particularly hold a grudge against the Empire.

In fact, he was alive and perfectly healthy like this. More importantly, if they hadn’t strengthened the Demon Lord, he wouldn’t have been able to end up alone in the Evil Eye Castle.

If someone hadn’t told Leonhardt the truth, Allen would be enjoying his ideal slow life right about now.

That was exactly why he answered the way he did.

“Nothing changes. I will simply continue to save the people right in front of me.”

When he said this, Branford reacted predictably.

“I am relieved to hear those words! Even knowing the malice of men, you still act endlessly for the sake of others. You truly are a genuine Hero!”

Seeing the teary-eyed Branford, Allen thought, What an easy mark.

If he had said he wouldn’t save humanity anymore here, Branford would have undoubtedly been disappointed in him.

Allen wouldn’t behave in a way that would even slightly tarnish his reputation as “Allen Norsh.”

Allen was always playing the ideal Hero. Especially during his World Knight days. He also kept Asmodeus’s true price a secret.

Even when he didn’t understand something, he got through it by pretending he did.

The reason for that was because of the Brave Skill that Allen uniquely wielded, but he would omit that for now.

After seeing off Branford and the Blue Sword Knights, Allen also began preparations to leave the village.

The villagers didn’t try to pry into his circumstances when he abruptly began packing. However, every single one of them came to see him off.

“Master. I’ll make sure to become a World Knight by the next time we meet.”

“Ah. Right.”

Since the shaved-headed boy, Roy, spoke with a look of absolute certainty, Allen averted his eyes and nodded.

“Allen-sama. Are you already leaving?”

This time, the twin-tailed girl, Raiha, pursed her lips with a sorrowful look.

“Allen-shama, I’m wonely.”

The four-year-old toddler, Marys, cried and clung to Allen, refusing to let go.

“I understand how you feel. But you shouldn’t be selfish.”

The village chief, Eamon, gently chided the village children.

“Allen-sama, I apologize that we couldn’t offer you much hospitality. We will all keep the truth about you a secret in our hearts. We will never breathe a word of it. Thank you truly for saving our village.”

“It was only a short while, but I should be the one thanking you for your care.”

“Your words are wasted on us.”

In the middle of the conversation, Boyo-chan leaped out of Allen’s breast pocket.

“Ribbit.”

He let out a cry as if to say, “See ya.” The jewel-like parts of his eyes caught the sunlight and sparkled.

At that cuteness, both the adults and children of the village broke into smiles.

The children in particular began reaching out to pet him, if only just once.

“By the way, Allen-sama.”

While the villagers were engrossed with Boyo-chan, Eamon timidly asked in a low voice.

“The Beast Kingdom is in the northern part of the continent. I hear it’s a heavy snowfall region where snow piles up year-round. It’s quite a distance from this village, but will you be heading there on foot?”

When Eamon offered to at least lend him a horse, Allen shook his head.

“I appreciate the concern, but there’s no problem. I have one more pet.”

He had been injured in the battle with the Demon Lord and was currently resting inside Boyo-chan’s body. Because of that, his only means of transportation to this village had been on foot.

(What’s this? Are you relying on that black lizard?)

(Asmodeus. Whatever you do, don’t call him that to his face, okay?)

It had been over a month since the battle with the Demon Lord. His wounds should be healed by now.

“I’m counting on you, Geo. Lend me your strength.”

The moment Allen declared this, Boyo-chan’s body began to rapidly enlarge, and the villagers hastily backed away.

Then, as Boyo-chan opened his mouth looking pained, a massive shadow leaped into the sky. A faint trace of fear surfaced in the eyes of the adults, but the children’s—especially the young boys’—eyes sparkled exceptionally bright.

“Isn’t that the Black Dragon Geofried-sama?!”

“It’s Allen-sama’s partner! He wasn’t just in the picture books. He actually exists in real life?!”

Flying majestically through the great sky was a single dragon covered entirely in black scales.

Allen’s second pet. Even among Spirit Beasts, it was a rare dragon species with a particularly violent temperament.

Glaring down at Log Village with his golden, vertically slit eyes, the Black Dragon Geofried raised a roar, seemingly feeling good to be above ground for the first time in a while.