Chapter 40 Gargan Subjugation Team, you say? (Middle)

When I returned to the shop, I needed to warn Timu and the others about what I had heard earlier. I wouldnt be able to bear it if magic dogs attacked them while they were happily playing.

Timu, I kind of need to talk to you

Oneesama, I too have something I must speak to you about.

Oh, what a coincidence. Well then, wont you listen to me first?

Understood.

The truth is, apparently the nearby village Zalgie has been attacked by magic beasts.

I too wished to speak about that. It was my blunder. Because of the Demon King Army, they have noticed Gargans presence. Rumours have already begun to spread to the neighbouring towns.

U-, Ummm, Gargan? And the Demon King Army?

But I was talking about a pack of magic dogs, not some puppy.

To begin with, what the heck do you mean its the Demon King Armys fault!

I looked at Timus face. Its her usual serious expression. She doesnt look like shes messing with me.

I see. So its her usual chuunibyou speak. I could just cut her off here. But chuunibyou needs patience to heal. I wont ignore her. I should be hearing her out.

Timu, Gargan is a puppy, isnt he? Hes unrelated to the topic this time, right?

Huhu, Gargan may be a puppy to you, Oneesama, but he is a fully-fledged dark dragon, you know. To the rabble, I believe Gargan is like a calamity that overturns heaven and earth.

Mmn, this isnt getting anywhere. A dark dragon, you say? Then were keeping two of them as pets. Thats amazing. We could make them our shops selling point. Hell, maybe I should just start cooking dragon.

And about this being the Demon King Armys fault?

Honestly, Ive just about given up on trying to advance this conversation, but Ill ask just in case.

In order to conceal Gargan, I have been using untraceable mountain bandits and highwaymen as food. If we touched any villagers, naturally this nation would be alerted.

Well yeah. The Public Safety Force would come rushing over. And if too many strange stories are told, a scary oneesan from the Public Safety Force will come running over to hand out a spanking, okay?

I was subtly warning Timu about her chuuni speak. But Timu didnt seem to mind at all. Or rather, she doesnt even realise I was talking about her?

The conversation went on without her realising. She talked on and on about the Demon King Armys movements, or the activities of the organisation, or the invasion on the neighbouring counties.

And the conclusion?

Gargan was being fed bandits as pet food. The peace and safety around Beruga town was all safe and good. And then, the more bandits(pet food) Gargan ate, the more often they could bump heads with scouts from the Demon King Army. Those scouts had been attacking Zalgie village with magic beasts that devoured the villagers. Thats when Gargan appeared. All the scouts evacuated in a hurry. The scouts had escaped, and somebody caught a glimpse of Gargan just as Zalgie village had been destroyed.

Hmm~ Gargan has it rough, huh~ So it was a false accusation, huh~

Yes. For the sake of the Evil God Armys world domination, I had been keeping Gargan prudently, but it has all come to nothing. Had I known this was going to happen, I should have just let him rampage to begin with.

Timu, I get it. I get it, but just when are you going to recover from your chuunibyou? At this rate, who knows when youll be able to make any friends your age.

Camilla-samas anger is most justified. We must exact the appropriate vengeance upon the loathsome Demon King Army.

Not losing to Timu at all, Pervert(Nielsen)s chuunibyou jumped right into full throttle.

Hahh. I have to look after you as well? Im getting a headache. Honestly, just give me a break from all this chuuni please. Lets move to the real topic. This isnt the time for nonsense.

Timu, lets not speak of the Demon King Army anymore. The real problem is the warning about magic beasts. When you head out to play, stay away from Zalgie Village.

Oneesama, of course I already know this. I cannot allow our presence to become any more salient. I will convey your message to all the members of the Household Guard.

I-, I see. Well, as long as you stay away, thats fine I guess.

It looks like I can finally relax for a bit. Timu and the others were playing in a real danger zone, so I was worried. All we need now is for the subjugation team to take down the magic dogs, and then were in the clear.

Wait, hang on. That isnt simple at all

Its the fault of the deadly magic dog pack. But Gargan is being kept free range, so theres a chance hell mess up peoples farms. It wouldnt be strange for the subjugation team to exterminate Gargan as well. I need to do something about this.

Also, a subjugation team will be dispatched from the Guild, so what will you be doing about Gargan?

That would become a problem, wouldnt it.

Yeah, it would, huh.

Im sure that those guys will hunt down any magic beast they see. Would they be lenient if its just a puppy? Although Gargan is our pet, hes being raised like a stray.

In my old life, back in lax Japan, stray dogs would be brought to a health centre. But in this world theres no reason to spare them.

Should I try talking to the subjugation team just to try?

But theyd probably say No way, no way. If we spare one, well end up sparing them all. The orders say to eliminate all magic beasts!.

Cant be helped. Should we shelter Gargan in the shop then?

No, I dont think that would work either. We have pride as a restaurant. Even for a few days, we cant allow a hygiene problem. I feel bad for Timu, but we might have to return Gargan to the wild someplace far away.

Timu, its a shame, but its starting to look like well have to let go of Gargan.

EH!? G-, Gargan is like my other half that I have braved countless battles together with in the last great war. B-, But if Oneesama so desires then I t-, then I

Timu told me that with a heartbroken expression. No good. Timus clearly getting depressed.

AAHHHHHH! I was kidding! Just kidding! Gargan is your precious friend, right? We definitely wont be doing anything of the sort.

No, it is fine. Oneesama is what is truly important to me. There is nobody more important than you are. If you so order, then I would even kill my other half.

I-, Its fine, I said. You dont have to do anything like that. I definitely wont make you do anything that makes you sad, Timu.

Oneesama!

Phew~ Looks like I somehow got it under control. It looks like Timu has gotten really attached to Gargan as a pet. And it looks like we cant abandon him now.

In that case, should we not brace ourselves, and play all our cards in an all-out invasion, Tilea-sama?

Pervert(Nielsen) enthusiastically suggested a battle, in other words, How about we complain to the subjugation squad?.

Its easy to talk about it, huh~

Although its just the matter of one puppy, its probably going to be crazy hard to convince the Guild.

Oneesama, Nielsens suggestion holds merit. At present, the Demon King Army is presently on the decline. I believe that perhaps now is the best chance for an all-out invasion of the human world.

Hm~mm, what should I do

The subjugation squad should comprise magic beast hunting specialists. Ill bet theyre a bunch with a few quirks here and there.

But well, it doesnt mean that theyll be a rowdy bunch just because theyre adventurers. Maybe talking it out really is the best option.

Yeah. For now lets try negotiating first.

Milady. Can I take that to mean, negotiate first, and if negotiations break down, we commence all-out war?

If negotiations break down, we commence all-out war, he says?

If the subjugation team wont do as we ask, are you planning on punching it out?

This is bad. At this rate, if we dont see eye-to-eye, Pervert(Nielsen) will end up arrested.

I know. For now Ill leave this idiot aside. Its obvious that if I bring this guy along, things will just spiral out of control.

Yeah. Lets go with that, then.

Understood. Please leave your defence to me.

No, youll be guarding the house, Niel. Ill be taking Myuu as my bodyguard.

Mhen, you say?

Thats right. Problem?

No. Well then, I shall relay your order to him.

Ill leave it to you!

Ever since our little sword show the other day, Myuus stock has been on a sudden rise. Were going to have a talk with the Guild after all. Obviously we need somebody who can behave like an adult, right?

And also, Myuu is the strongest member of our group. Although were just going there to talk, who knows what might happen. I wont be able to relax without a talented swordsman watching over me.