Surname.

[Randall's POV]

After Ren decided to rescue that demon kid, who introduced himself as Rinko, he gladly offered to help us in return.

"I know the city fairly well. I can be of help!"

I didn't see a reason to reject his help, so we let Rinko and Ren lead the way, while Jean pulled me back for a bit.

"In case you're wondering, not many demons are allowed to have surnames."

"I see. Thanks Jean." I replied, in an equally low voice tone.

She didn't answer back, but I suppose it's alright. A trip like this was bound to piss her off.

Alas, it had to be done.

We caught up to the duo, and overheard the ending bit of their conversation.

"So yes, I do have a mother. She's just busy with work!"

"I see… Please cherish her."

We continued walking, with Rinko introducing us to a few points of the culture of this land.

For example, an "academy", a building where members of a School gather almost daily in order to do various things, like debating and studying.

"School? Like a teaching institution?" 

A laugh escaped the demon's lips, as he spoke. "No, mister. A School is a group of demons with power who preach a certain doctrine."

'... I see. I wonder if there are hidden cults here, then?'

Or worse yet, maybe they're in plain sight?

I wanted to give that some thought, but a particular park caught our attention.

"Protesters? Here? But we're nowhere near the castle…?"

Shrubs spread throughout most of the grassy fields, while the brown rocks acted as a path of sorts for demons to walk over. 

A few dozen of them gathered in said place, all holding signs and wearing green accessories. Some even carried… weapons?

'I thought the posters said "peaceful protesting"?... As far as I know, weapons are not needed for that, right?'

"RINKO!" screamed out a peculiarly thin woman, while running up to the kid.

"M-mom!? Aren't you supposed to-"

The slap of an angered demoness cut off the lad's words.

"Why did you talk back to a Journeyman!?"

"... He said some ignorant bullshit." Retorted the frowning kid.

The mother's face twitched, unconsciously. "Of course he did, he was a Velliestan. But remember-"

"Just because someone is dumb, does not mean they can't put us in danger, I know…"

'Listening to them talk in this sort of situation might be considered rude, but… I guess the information is worth it?'

Namely, the name "Velliesta"… Might be important. I'd better remember it.

"... Oh, right. You three were the ones who saved my child from his foolish mistake, correct? Thank you very much!" 

I nodded, keeping a poker face, as I observed the demoness.

She approached Ren, and shook her paws with shaking hands. "I-I don't know how to make up for this, besides offering you my eternal gratitude…"

"There's no need for a reward, miss!" 

"Actually, we kind of need clothes…"

"Randall, we don't."

"Jean, we do."

While I spent some moments arguing with Jean, the woman let out a small chuckle. "I think I can afford some clothes…"

Ren finally chose to speak up, at this moment. "Miss, it's alright. We don't need a reward for doing a good deed… Plus, we don't really have much time to spare."

'We don't?'

"Ah, I see… that's a pity," muttered the woman, dejected momentarily.

Her eyes widened, and the light blue hands reached for a pocket in her coat. "It may not be much, but please accept this."

She took out a bunch of papers resembling notes, and forcefully put them on Hiyoshin's paws.

"I'd like to help you further, as a thanks for saving my son's life, but…" her voice trailed off, along with her eyes. From being directed at us, to facing the crowd of green-wearing demons. 

Some of them were as tall as mountains. And others, sported heights comparable to… I suppose, a small person. 

Weapons rested on many of the protesters' hands. Various types of makeshift bombs, two-handed hammers, big knives… However, I couldn't help but feel they all shared a similar origin. 

"Rinko and I will be leaving. Those insurgents are getting too rowdy… Besides, the Enforcers should be here soon," voiced Rinko's mother, who grasped her kid's hand rather tightly.

"Wait, Miss." I called out to her.

"Hm? Yes?"

"... Where is the Demon Queen's residence?"

She pointed towards the northwest. "Seven or eight blocks away. The mansion with a nice garden, and probably tons of self-proclaimed Revolutionaries waiting to break in."

After telling us that, she left. This time for good.

"... The Queen's castle? Really? What are you going to do there?"

I faced the one who spoke up, and delivered a reply. "I'll figure it out when the time comes."

She sighed, and violently yanked me by the arm. "Didn't we have a talk a few days ago about this exact thing? About rushing in recklessly, and creating enemies at the worst of times??"

"... There's no choice. Something has to be done."

"I know, and I agree. Which is why we need to go back to Fegendale, and prepare ourselves before-"

"No, I will do it now. With or without your help."

… It seems like that was enough to bring her down to her knees. "You… Y-you…!"

"Don't. I know it's reckless, but I don't have a choice."

With confusion in her eyes, she… just stared. Wordlessly.

"Every day that this war continues, is another day where people are dragged into a salad of bloody conflicts. Another day that slavery, as a business, gets to continue… It has to stop."

… Unknowingly, our surroundings had grown rather quiet. The demons from the park had moved elsewhere, and some others quickly closed their shops.

"You two can either follow me, or stay in that place," I muttered, while pointing at a nearby restaurant-like building.

Then, I left. No other footsteps, besides mine, reached my ears.

'… I have to do this. I can't stand on the sidelines, and watch everything go down the drain. Not again.'

The war has to end, no matter what. This can't be allowed to continue.

I walked in the direction the mother told me to, while my ears casually picked up a concerning amount of screams, yelling and fighting.