Teutonia.

[Hiyoshin's POV?]

Sounds of the wagon moving reached my ears.

'These horses are rather slow.'

Outside the window, a somewhat barren landscape came in contact with my eyes for the 37th time.

Meat of a dead monster traveled down the long neck of a blue bird. Its nails pierced the light brown ground, the rest of its body towering over the relatively small corpse.

"That Hijerd seems to be surprisingly thin. It probably didn't have much food during the Extreme Fall," commented the driver.

"... Will it attack us?" I asked.

'If I got my paws on that much food, I'd be able to grow a bit more.'

I might even be able to break through to the next Class, Monster… Or at least, that's what the smart monsters seem to call it.

Point being, I'd be a step closer to a Grade 5.

Atypically, Jean let out a grumble, and Randall asked something.

"Will that bird attack us if it sees us?"

"Nah. Most Hijerds around these parts are not offensive… Unless you attack them, that is."

The driver of the wagon laughed, and we continued on. In silence.

Thus allowing my doubts to return.

'... Are we really going to do this?'

A day after returning from the forest of the elves, Randall tried to prepare some supplies in order to head out on another journey. He had to give up on it, since he did not possess a Magic Wallet.

In fact, when Jean and I tried to get one for him, he couldn't even bind it…

Thus, she had no choice but to help him.

Apparently, they ended up meeting the Flame Saint, Jean's father, and did all the shopping together.

… Among those things, one thing stood out.

The services of our current driver. The destination?

Teutonia. 

His goal? Putting an end to the war.

Jean tried to oppose this, but to no avail. Truthfully, I just hope we don't die.

…

After a few days worth of traveling, we arrived at the outskirts of our destination.

"Huh, those buildings… Is this Teutonia?"

"Yes. To be specific, this is Nevound, one of the main five cities of the Demon Empire."

Nevound… The city where the current Demon Queen is living in. And quite possibly our graveyards.

'I just hope we don't encounter too many strong demons…'

We headed into the city.

Tall, strong buildings with snow-covered pointy hats towered proudly over the stone-paved streets. Many posters and flyers with a flame and a book decorated a majority of the structures.

People of many races walked around, rather freely. Though, dragons and demons were the most commonly seen ones.

Oddly enough, I did spot a few humans walking freely around. Along with a plethora of figures hiding themselves.

"This definitely reminds me of the Victorian era…"

The what?

"Victorian era?"

"Ah, nothing important," he answered quickly. 

Out of interest, I ended up picking one of the stomped flyers lying on the floor. A multitude of drawn demons stood in a strange, demon-esque area. A group of five stood out, holding a massive green flag with a burning mansion in the center. 

There seems to be some letters and words

Except for "freedom", I don't really understand it.

"A revolutionarie's call for freedom," muttered Jean.

"Ah?"

"That's what it says."

"... Thanks."

We kept walking around for a few moments, until my eyes spotted a store.

A clothes store.

"Huh, a clothing store… You guys said demons were good tailors, right?" spoke Randall, with curiosity in his voice.

"Yes…?"

"Alright. Should we go in and check some clothes?"

This caused Jean to sigh, and with good reason. We're in unknown territory, in not the best of circumstances, and-

"Ren, Jean! Take a look at that!"

… we gave up and went over.

Only to see the sight.

Rows upon rows of clothes neatly lined up, with customers trying out some of them. Dresses, shirts, socks, and many more things that I don't know much about.

'… it feels strange to wear hoods while in a store.'

"Fellow brothers and sisters! May we have your attention?" yelled a particularly slim, blue skinned demon.

Most people in the store seemed to turn their attention towards the entrance.

Except for a few, like Randall. He was browsing some jacket-like clothes. 

"Ahem, so. Does anyone know about the atrocities committed by the Demon Queen, the scoundrel who is currently putting our nation to shame with her insanity!?"

Many of the people present cheered, whereas the rest kept quiet.

"YES! That's what we're talking about! That wretch wants to save the COCKROACHES!"

… Eh?

"And that can't happen! What would the world and our lineage think of us, if we were to lose a war against those underdeveloped, uneducated and uncivilized bunch of animals that call themselves humans?"

"That WE are IDIOTS!"

"RIGHT! AND WE CAN'T HAVE THAT!!"

… By this point, the cheering grew pretty loud.

Randall and Jean both hid in the back area, while I watched these demons from the safety of my cover. 

The group of demons cheered on, only for the eyes of one to fall in my direction.

"You! The small one, who do you think you're looking at with that face?"

My body froze momentarily, until I took a sneaky glance at my sides.

On my right, a surprisingly small, blue skinned kid stood not so far from me. His ragged appearance spoke a bit, but the hatred burning in his eyes outright screamed.

A lot.

"... What do you all know about war?"

The older demon's face grew hostile. 

The cheering almost came to a halt, as two emotions took over the two demons' faces: fear washed over the kid's, and over the older one? Suppressed anger.

"A-ah…"

".... Oi. What did I just hear?" 

… No.

My body moved on its own, and slapped the kid in the back of his head. "Please, forgive him! H-he doesn't usually act like this," I voiced, while bumping his shoulder rather crudely, only to raise my voice.

The kid received a glare from me. "Apologize!" 

"I-I'm sorry, journeyman! Please f-forgive me!"

The older demon still looked particularly pissed. He walked up to the kid, and punched him straight in the stomach.

"Guk-"

He turned around, and spoke. "You're lucky your mother does have some education. Let this be the last time that I, Enrique Velliesta, see your nameless face ever again!"

Afterwards, they all left, leaving few clients in the store.

"T-thanks, Miss…"

I heard a few footsteps coming in our direction.

"Hiyoshin, are you alright?"

"Yes."

"Ren, if you don't mind me asking. Why did you get involved?" 

I looked at Randall, then at the stranger. And at Randall again.

"... I have my reasons."

He let out a grunt. "We need to be more careful in exploring this place now..."

The kid's ears perked up.