Chapter 37

Chapter 37: That time when I got to know the seventh resident

Its been 10 days since Suzuran went back home .

After work, as I got back to the apartment, I met a stranger in the kitchen . No matter how you look at him, he seems to be human . Would it be alright to start talking to him I wonder?

Well, hes relaxing in the kitchen of an apartment in the middle of town so I guess its safe to assume that he wont be hostile .

Ah, hello

Hn? Ah, you must be Caam-kun . Ive heard about you from Torene-san earlier . Youre staying at the previously empty room number 2 since around spring right?

Torene-sanhuh . Since hes using honorifics, this person is probably younger than her .

Err, yeah . This introduction might be late since you already know me but it is as you say, Im Caam from room number 2 . Pleased to make your acquaintance

Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself . The names Johnson . Im sure that you already know this but Im the one staying at room number 6 . Best regards . Ah, I think you can tell from looking but Im human . Ive been away for a while since I went back home to my country

As he said that, this guy with blond hair and blue eyes held out his hand . Ive never experienced the custom of shaking hands since I came to this world so I immediately took his hand shook it right away .

Please treat me well

Yeah, same to you

There are things Ive been wanting to ask for a long time now and he came at just the right time so Ill just try asking him .

There are some things Id like to ask you . Can you wait here for a bit?

Sure

Hearing that short reply, I returned to my room, removed the cloth from my bento, wet it with water magic and wiped my body with it . After that, I returned to the kitchen .

Thanks for waiting

No, I didnt wait that long . Well then, what did you want to ask me?

This might be rude but since I havent met any humans so there are various things Im curious about . Aside from this town and my village, I havent been anywhere else

Hmm . I dont really mind but Ill just answer what I can

With that said, I thought that I should also drink tea so I added hot water to the teapot using magic while we continued talking .

First of all, how do the humans see the demonkin?

If I dont ask this now, I will never know the answer to it .

Ah, so youre curious about that after all . They also have churches here right? The ones to worship god

Yes but I havent been visited it before

If its a self-proclaimed god though then Ive already met one myself .

Haha . Well, the demonkin arent really that religious after all . The humans, however, absolutely revere god . Whenever anything happens to them or they need to consult something, they would immediately run to the church . Well, the priests of the churches in small villages are just underlings so they actually do simple counseling but for the higher-ups, its different . A big-shot from the church once said,

We humans are the ones chosen by God . The demonkin are savages and are practically the same as monsters, They are inferior to us humans . They are even more troublesome than monsters since they have gained intelligence so this world would be better off without them

Since humans are taught that god is absolute, they all take whatever those big-shot priests say to heart so thats the reason why they are in a feud with the demonkin . Its a really simple reason right?

Johnson-san rested his chin on his hand and placed his elbow on top of his other hand as he made a bitter smile . It doesnt seem like he respects the god and the priests at all since he said that like it doesnt matter to him .

After I finished brewing the tea leaves, I poured myself some tea .

Do you want some? I presented the teapot to him .

Ill have some then

Because of that, I poured tea into Johnson-sans cup .

I see . So thats the reason for the conflict

Yeah . There are also some humans like me who arent religious so thats why we are able to interact with you guys without any prejudice . We know that you arent savages

I thought so . If you werent then you wouldnt be living here right?

Right

I can already understand the reason for the hostility so what I want to know next is about the human civilization

Its pretty much the same as yours know? We have a monarch, nobles and commoners . There is a disparity of wealth even within the humans . In that aspect, were not really that different from the demonkin . As for the special beings, the humans have a hero while the demonkin have their demon lord . Were the same in that aspect as well

Were not that different, arent we . Thats just what I thought hearing our lessons in class though

I see What did they teach you there? Im quite curious about it

Well, I havent met one before but from what Ive heard in class, a country would have a king and nobles governing it . If theres strong person in that specific area aside from the king, that person becomes the demon lord and protects that country

Thats what they called here but they have the same role as a hero, right?

I guess it really is similar . It also seems like as long as theyre strong, anybody can be a demon lord

For us humans, only the chosen one gets to be a hero

Ive heard about that but I also heard a story that said that heroes are summoned from another world as well

Ah, that . I guess it certainly might seem like theyre summoned

What do you mean by that?

Well, I mean, heroes usually are those young men with black hair and black eyes that you dont really see a lot . Some of them who are already adults but are still a bit shorter than us as well . They say that those people bring along with them the knowledge and technology to make convenient things . They even say that theyre the reason why all those sweets started appearing on the market but I dont really know if thats true . That was just something that I heard that from my grandfather after all . And we havent seen a new tool developed recently as well

Hmm, now that I think about it, youre right . There are only those with black hair and eyes up until now . Anyway, this is just something that I heard but since those heroes can make things like bags that can store a lot of things in it and something thats called a magic stone which you use to store magic power in it, somebody suggested they start making weapons they tried making weapons bestowed with magic? Most of them fail but some succeed

Hmm, well its certainly convenient if you have a lot of those

It seems like most of the people summoned here are Asians so Im sure that there are Japanese people here as well .

Well, their existence is unclear but there are a few rumors about kings of various countries acquiring some kind of rare weapon so theres that

Hn, a rare weapon is it?

I guess its probably something thats made from Orichalcum, a metal made by the gods

First time I heard of that

So metals like orichalcum exist after all!

Well, thats probably because the best equipment that people like us can get is just made out of mithril . Its still really expensive though

Hee, I also didnt know that

Well, I only what I heard from someone I know who is working in a famous weapons shop in the capital

Then I definitely wouldnt know of it

I think they also have those in the demonkin side you know?

Even Mithril? seriously? This world became fishy all of a sudden . Well, as the god from Earth said, they used games as a reference after all . Thats why there was a possibility that they have those here as well .

Do you guys affinity with magic?

Of course . If its magic then our magicians are capable of using it . Ive heard that all of you demons can use at least a little of it though

I guess so If its just simple magic like producing a small flame or water then even my friends who are from the goblin and undead race can use it .

I see, so you can use it too . What kind of chant do you use?

Eh? Chant?

I cant use magic so its impossible for me but it goes, Oh spear of flame, pierce through my enemies! Fire Lance!, or something like that

With both of his hands raised, he recited something that sounded like an incantation then called out the name of the magic . The name was in human language so I wasnt able to understand it .

We dont do anything like that We were taught to just use our imagination to activate it

Hmm, so this part is also different . Can you try using magic?

Ahokay

To demonstrate, I produced the usual Waterball in my fingertips and let it stay there .

Oooh, amazing . How do you manage your magic power?

I just try not to use it too much since Ill start feeling sluggish

Hn, so that part is the same . Iya, I just found that out since there are no magic users in this apartment . I also just found out that there is magic you can use inside the house

Well, you wouldnt think of using magic aside from attacking after all . Thats something I heard in my village as well

As expected . I wouldnt have been able to imagine something like that up until earlier

After that, I threw away the waterball into the sink and this time, I produced a lightball to illuminate the dim kitchen .

Its amazing how Caam-kun can use two attributes

Is that so?

Un un . There are humans who go to a magic school that cant use two attributes after all . Even the court magicians in the palace can only use four or five so it would be a big deal if anybody says they can use all of them

I see . So it really is amazing, isnt it?

Im one of those that can use all of them though . What should I do about this?

Is it okay if you talk about money next?

Sure . The humans and the demons both have a port city so theres more or less the possibility for currency exchange . Theres no particular exchange rate as well so a gold coin is equal to a gold coin and a silver coin is equal to a silver coin . Youll get charged a fee for that exchange though . And also, if its around the borders vicinity then you can use either sides currency . If the worst happens, they could just take the currency from their respective countries and races and just make their own there

Speaking of continentsthere are probably others out there besides this one .

That sure is a blunt way of putting it but sure, if same weight is the same then the number that they could make would also be the same I guess

I guess thats true if all theyre doing is just melting then mixing it together but thats done by guys at the top so I dont really know about it . Im not a merchant after all

Can we talk about the language next? Both of us dont have any difficulties understanding each other though

Were using the common language after all so no matter what side youre on or what race youre from, youd still be able to communicate1

Then, what about the demonkins or human language?

Thats right . Caam-kun sure has thought about the things he wants to ask pretty well . Youre speaking the common language but I think thats just because the harbor is just 15 days away by carriage from here . If we were even a bit closer to the center of the continent then Im sure youd be using the demonkins language as well

Then, what would happen if I didnt know anything but the common language?

I think you would be just fine . No matter what country or area youre in, you can just soak in the language if you continue to try to communicate . Thats why even if you cant do it right now, youd be able to speak the language in time so theres no need for you to worry

I continued to ask trivial details regarding the demons and humans side while drinking tea . After that, I started preparing for dinner .

Ah, thats right

What is it?

Youyoure good at cooking right? I even heard you can even make sweets as well

Yeah, I guess

Then, in exchange for the information I gave you from todays conversation, you should treat me to a meal

You just let out a dreadful sound just now

I wasnt expecting to hear that line after all

I cant help it . Im already starving you see . Actually quite a bit *grumble*

As he said that, a timely sound coming from his stomach resounded causing us to be silent for a while .

A large serving is it?

You have my gratitude

As for a large serving dish I can make quickly, itll have to make something using the pasta noodles again I guess . It might be dull but carbonara will have to do . It doesnt use up a lot of ingredients and doesnt take that long to prepare .

After I finished cooking, I scooped out a large serving on to Johnson-sans plate and placed it in front of him .

Iya, I just came back from a long trip so Im pretty much running low on stock . I was honestly troubled for a while there

Is that so? That must have been a pretty tough journey

With that said, I decided to start eating as well .

Thanks for the meal

Iya, if I just endured it at that time and not have gone to the red-light district, I would still have some money right now

You just decide to talk about that now that we have already started eating?

Would ya still make some for me if I said it before we ate?

I would have to think about it first

Right? Thats why I decided to keep my mouth shut until we started eating

Haais that so?

So he wasnt relaxing in the kitchen but instead was just at a loss about what he was going to eat since he doesnt have any money . This guys an idiot for taking the bait when he went to the red-light district .

Iya . When I came back, I thought I would still have enough to eat for a few days but after I went to the red-light district all of that money just flew away

its fine already . I cant ask you to return what you already ate after all . You can have whats left in this frying pan over here

Thanks mate! Yer a life saver!2

He started using a Kansai dialect all of a sudden I guess Ill try asking just in case .

3

Hm? Was that some kinda spell?

No, never mind

So hes not Lets not do that again unless that person actually introduces themselves as a hero .

Haa . Thanks, that was delicious *Burp*

Dont just let it rip all of a sudden . At least try to cover it up a little .

Its nothing

So, what about sweets?

You still want to eat more?

I have a second stomach for dessert after all

Why did you just say something that you would normally expect coming from a girl? Well, I can relate to that second stomach thing though .

Fine . It doesnt matter anyway since weve already come this far . Cant you compensate me a little for it though?

I already did with the information earlier right?

I already canceled that with the large serving earlier

I started making a chiffon cake as we were having that exchange . Because of the sweet smell it was letting off, Celesso-san, Frache-san, and Torene-san, aka . the female group gathered in the kitchen . No matter what they say, its a fact that women like sweet things .

C-celesso-san A-are you off work right now!?

Yes, thats right

Then, can I take you to a lovers inn!

The other two girls sighed while shaking their heads .

Its fine but do you have any money? Its outside of work so I can give you a discount but youll still have to pay for the inn you know?

Then how about my room!

NOHold it right there

The other two women were the one who refused . Ahh, it must be because theyre right next door to this persons room .

How about Celesso-sans room?

I live next door so I hope you could spare me from that

We wont make any noise so its fine right?

He glanced at Celesso-sans direction but she lightly shook her head . It seems like this person is the type who makes a lot of noise .

Its not

I wouldnt really mind it if its just the sound of a creaking bed since I can endure it but its a different story if they start letting out their voices .

Aside from that, Johnson-kun, what are you going to do about the bill? Can you even pay?

Caam-kun, lend me some money!

I glanced at Celesso-san and she once again shook her head . So you still have other people you owe money to .

I cant . Please quietly eat this cake and just go to sleep

Aaits the worst

Even if you say that in a dejected way, my response would be the same .

Frache-san

He started kneeling at Frache-sans foot .

Why do I have to lend you money . For these kinds of situations, you should use the money you earned yourself

I guess thats reasonable . He then moved on to the next person .

Torene-san

*slap!*

He received a slap that resounded in the room which was a clear sign of refusal . That slap sure produced such an amazing sound .

Ah, damn it Wheres Folly-san?

He left to go on a subjugation quest two days ago

How about Hengst-kun?

I havent seen him come back yet today

Shit!shit!

Do you really want to do it that much? Aaah, look at what you did . The landlady came over since it was noisy .

Ah, Kiska-san . I paid you about 120 days worth of rent after I came back from my country right? Please let me borrow at least 30 days worth of rent

I dont mind but if you arent able to pay because of that reason, Id immediately kick you out you know? If youre fine with that then Ill go get it

She probably heard what our conversation was about .

What should I do

I think it would be better if you just gave up .

Ignoring Johnson-san who dropped to his hands and knees and hung his head, the four women encircled the cake that was still warm and started eating it . As I was about to return to my room, I heard Torene-san saying I get to have the extra one today as she grabbed another slice of cake .

Thats probably Folly-sans share, right? Didnt Torene-san just eat Johnson-sans share? Wait, what does she mean by today?

If nobody tells Hengst, he probably wont find out so I guess I should have another piece as well

Wait, Frache, dont you think you should lessen how much you eat between meals?! Just leave it to me4

But didnt I let you eat my share while I was out during that subjugation quest?

But rather than cookies, I think cakes are even better!

I also think that cakes are better!

So it wasnt just Torene-san It seems like the women of this apartment are bonding over some weird agreement . The landlady just quietly finished her own share and immediately returned to her room afterwards .

Ah, she didnt even tell them she was leaving

*

Evening of that day, I was awakened by a nostalgic feeling . In an empty white room, a guy who looks like a gentleman is all alone . So hes just by himself today

What is it, kami-sama?

I have not said anything like Demons are inferior to humans so destroy them!okay?

I know . Religion is just that messed up so I dont want to get myself involved with them . At any rate, I understand that the humans convenient looking church is just there to manipulate citizens

If so then thats fine . Anyway, lets change the topicDo you want me to give you increased vitality?

No need

An immediate reply, is it? But what are you going to do if their number increase once again?

Ill give it my all to make sure that they dont

You will have to come here again if they increase you know?

I just pray that I wont have to . Ah, thats right . Orichalcum exists, doesnt it?

Yes, I thought it was interesting so I just went ahead and used it . You wont find it by searching through grass inside a fenced area where cows are being raised okay? 5

I obviously know that

Could you make sure to acquire some Orichalcum in the future?

Yes

He said that with a smile but he wasnt really amused .

If somebody aims for the orichalcum in Caam-kuns possession in the futurehow would you feel about that?

What I do think, you say that would obviously be the worst

Well, please look forward to it

I wont

Anyway, theres also spatial storage and magic stones you know?

you dont really care, do you?

At worst, its fine even if this planet gets destroyed

You really feel like this is a game, dont you?

by the way, dont laugh when you see how completely different the humans churchs statue of me looks

Dont just boldly gloss it over

Well then, farewell

So he ran away . I woke up after that .

Getting up like that is just the worst

-On a later date-

Ive been curious about why the place Im currently residing in is called a den of weirdoes . Because of that, I brought the gatekeeper I became close with to a bar . Of course, Im also treating him today to make up for that time when we were scolded for joking around .

Hey, Ive been curious about this but which part of Clinochlore makes you say that its a den of weirdoes?

Ha? You still dont get it?

I guess

Youre also pretty weird yourself after all

Ha?

Well, whatever, just listen . Lets take a look at the residents . Theres that horse who would make moves on anyone as long as they have no experience

Umu

Then theres that black guy who has a scary appearance

That persons really polite and an overall nice guy though

Well, it doesnt seem like hes caused any problems yet but that weird onee-san from the succubus race with the NICE BODY is a different story . Shes almost always involved in some kind of trouble . Whenever we patrol at the red-light district, theres always something happening at her place

Umu, I can somehow get that

Theres that time with Latte after all .

Theres that slightly high-handed girl from the fairy tribe that looks like a kid no matter how you look at her

Yeah, I agree

You also have a rare dark elf living there . Just her being there is already a miracle

I guess so

That so-called miracle was scrambling with the others for a piece of cake though .

Theres also that human . I dont know why hes here but that in itself seems fishy

He has his reasons but I guess I can understand

Ill just ask you about that later . Then theres you who combined the ingredients to make bricks to form a huge ball using magic . A magician who is doing physical labor . That rumor has circulated all over the town you know?

Seriously? wait, so youre including me in that too!?

And finally theres that taciturn but strangely blunt landlady . That pretty much summarizes everyone right?

Uh, no . Not even close . I remember a time when she came to warn the horse about being noisy in the middle of the night . When the horse tried to woo her, he either got slapped or punched

Reallywell anyway, you . Have you heard that rumor about a guy who defeated a high goblin?

theyre probably talking about me

I knew it . Still, its just a rumor right now but you should just accept that youre better off as a magician . I dont even know why youre still working to repair the protective wall

Monsters are scary and I dont want to die after all . Thats why I want to earn money safely rather than easily

Why dont you just take a subjugation quest already

NO . Its scary

Scary you sayeven though you can use that kind of magic?

Of course . Besides, theres nothing better than not dying

Uwa . This is going nowhere

Thats right . Its really terrible . Even though I dont want to, youre forcing me to take up subjugation quests . And besides, I dont have a party and I cant just make one since I dont know anyone close to me who needs one

Then who did you go with during that monster outbreak suppression?

I was just invited by that scary black guy and we went together with that rare species-san

Then you could just join them right?

I told you, I dont have any intention to take on subjugation quests

We continued drinking while having that kind of unproductive conversation .