422: The Price of Power
“—Now, thank you for gathering.”
I stood before the villagers, in my Lord of Disease regalia, with my two robes and my shoulder cloth.
People had gathered in the space that had been cleared by moving the tavern tables, and they were packed in, in the counter, in the hallway, and even on the stairs leading to the second floor. It wasn’t all of the villagers, but the key figures should have been there.
“…Daisy-san. We have gathered because Amy and Lizlit asked us to, but what is the matter?”
The one who had asked me was, I think, called ‘Carlo-ojisan,’ but from his appearance, he was an elderly dark elf.
I held the mask I was holding to the side of my face.
“First, let me introduce myself again. I am the Lord of Disease.”
A murmur rippled through the air.
“The first in command of the Sixth Army, a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army. Liz’s explanation was not a lie. —I am her ‘boss at work,’ and her spouse. …But there were things I had kept secret, such as my affiliation and my rank. The reason I have come to this village this time is—”
The throats of the gathered people bobbed.
“It is a private trip, with no particular connection to my military duties. Specifically, I have come to ask you to share some of your maple syrup.”
“…Hmm?”
The villagers blinked. Liz, at the edge of my vision, looked away, and Amy had a dry smile on her face.
Carlo-ojisan looked at Liz.
“…Lizlit-chan?”
“It is the truth. I was assigned to the Sixth Army as her bodyguard… and I fought in that war. Later, I received a proposal… we got married, and here we are. This time, a colleague suggested that we go on a honeymoon, which would also serve as a homecoming.”
“Ah, yes…”
Though we hadn’t discussed it, Liz’s words, which she spoke smoothly and fluently, were in a polite tone—the usual Liz, for me.
A young, unknown dark elf raised his voice.
“…Proof? Where is the proof that you are a real supreme commander?”
“—Proof?” I scoffed.
“If I had to say, the fact that I have introduced myself is the proof. To impersonate a supreme commander is a capital offense. If there is a reason to do such a thing, I would like to hear it.”
“Ah… yes.”
After confirming that he had nodded, as if he had been intimidated, I pressed on.
“And as for the rest, I would like you to listen to my proposal and then to decide whether to accept it. —My proposal is simple. In exchange for a price, I will help you with the production of maple syrup. From the collection of the sap to the boiling and the concentration.”
A voice rose from another place.
“…You… you seem to be alright, but the Black Hound Barghests are lurking around. It’s impossible for a person who doesn’t have the strength to fight to travel at night, over a wide area. Even if you’re strong, you probably don’t have enough people.”
“First, the Black Hound Barghests are not a problem. I swear on the name of the Lord of Disease. …You have probably heard the ‘rumors,’ have you not? That the Lord of Disease has the Black Hound Barghests as her familiars…”
“…Yes. But no way.”
“Come.” With one hand, I pinched the hem of my dark green robe and shook a Barghest out from the shadows. It smoothly took the form of a black dog, circled me as if to wrap itself around me, and then, with its neck bent, it rubbed its head against my stomach.
“A Black Hound Barghest…!”
For a moment, I saw a couple, a man and a woman, arguing, whether to step in front of their partner to protect them, or to hide behind them and use them as a shield—but I decided to ignore it. It wasn’t my fault. Probably, if Liz and I had suddenly encountered a Barghest—a magical beast of that class—we would have both taken a fighting stance.
The fact that I, Liz, and Amy were not flustered prevented the confusion from becoming too great, and they were just watching from a distance, with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
Then, Liz opened her mouth and began to reassure them.
“The details are classified. …But what you see before you is the reality. The pack of fourteen has become the pack of the Lord of Disease. And there are more. …They are a frightening existence if they are your enemy, but I am sure you can understand what will happen if they are your ally.”
“But we don’t have the manpower to operate the magical furnace for the boiling—”
“She says she’ll do that, too. She says she’ll handle it by herself. As expected of a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army—I suppose.” Amy explained, cutting me off.
“You will be doing the collection and the boiling, as usual. We will just be supplementing the manpower you are lacking, for the guarding and the maintenance of the furnace’s firepower.”
The staff was tapped.
“…What’s in it for you?”
An old dark elf woman, in a shawl, her white hair tied back in a bun, stepped forward with a staff, but with a spry gait.
“The village chief, Howell?”
“You know my name. That’s right. I am Howell Tife, the one who is in charge of Tife Village. Your words… are attractive. But it is the way of the world, that a sweet deal has a catch.”
She glared at me with the eyes of a bird of prey, backed by the experience that was carved deeper than her wrinkles.
“The only proof of my credibility that I can offer is that I am Lizlit Finis’s spouse. —And besides, while it may be a sweet deal, I have no memory of saying it was free. I said, in exchange for a price.”
“…Let’s hear this price.”
“I want the maple syrup from last year’s harvest. It is a small amount, but it is being stored.”
She sighed.
“…Don’t be a fool. You have ‘power.’ And power has a price—it’s common sense.”
“I am a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army. A shield and a protector of this country. I also have a duty to use the ‘power’ I have gained to make this country a better place. …Though I am called by this name, I also have a sense of duty and humanity. And fortunately, it is not a violation of military regulations.”
I cut off my words and looked directly into the golden eyes of the village chief, Howell.
“As a private matter, it pains my heart to overlook the plight of my spouse’s hometown and her friend… is that logic not convincing?”
“…It’s not unconvincing. Is that really all?”
“That’s all.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I will do nothing. …I will ask the new lord to say a word, but that is all. I have no intention of forcing my kindness on you.”
This village had its own life. I wanted to help. But whether they would take the hand I had extended was for them to decide.
The village chief, Howell, looked at me, and then at Liz.
“…Do you love Lizlit?”
I was taken aback by the unexpected, emotional question. But the answer was already decided. Instead of answering, I beckoned to Liz.
“Huh?” Liz, as she was beckoned, approached me. I took her hand, and though she tilted her head, she squeezed back. I, as if to pull her closer, or to lean against her, pressed myself against her and, after lightly kissing her cheek, I whispered in her ear.
“…I love you, Liz.”
Liz’s cheeks turned red. She was glaring at me, in protest, but she sighed and chuckled. And her expression changed to a smile.
“…Me too, Master.”
The crowd—either looked away, or stared, as if they were eating it up. It wasn’t a show, but it was nice to have Liz in the spotlight. The hand that was still holding hers, and the voice that was still in my ear, filled my chest.
A couple would look at each other, and one would pull on the other’s sleeve, or step on their foot, to get their attention. A young dark elf and a canine beastman girl, from their atmosphere, glanced at each other, blushed a little, and looked away. …Childhood friends, perhaps.
Then I looked at Amy, and she chuckled and clapped her hands.
“I think Liz has found a good partner. …I approve. We’re short on manpower, and while the work itself is hard, if our safety is guaranteed, then I think it’s worth it.”
Whispers spread… and then, clap, clap… clap, clap… the applause grew louder.
I squeezed the hand I was holding a little and glanced at Liz. Liz met my gaze and smiled.
The applause died down, like a receding wave, and when it was quiet, all eyes were on the village chief, Howell.
The village chief tapped her staff.
“…The young people these days are so bold.”
And she grinned.
“—We will accept your proposal. We will begin the work tomorrow night. Everyone, discuss the rotation again. And get a good night’s sleep.”
Her good-naturedness was refreshing.
“Lord of Disease. It will be a long haul, but I’m counting on you.”
I nodded and, stepping forward, I held out my hand for a handshake—but the village chief shook her head.
“Hold Lizlit’s hand.”
Liz’s eyes widened… and she looked at me. And as I closed the one-step gap and took Liz’s hand again, she narrowed her eyes and smiled. I was probably making the same face.
Again, applause erupted.
