A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 2

Episode 2: “Encounter in the Demon King’s Territory”

　The carriage was heading north.
　I was sitting on my seat and listening intently.
　I couldn’t see anything out of the carriage because the windows were boarded up.
　However, the shaking had been getting stronger a while ago.
　I guessed they had gone to the north, into an area where the roads were not well maintained.

　Along with the sound of the moving carriage, the hoofbeats of soldiers and horses could also be heard.
　The number of soldiers in the escort was about 20, including both infantry and cavalry. Rather than being escorts, they were there to keep an eye on me.

　More than ten days had passed since we had left the imperial capital.
　I got off the carriage every few hours to eat and rest.
　Even though I was under the supervision of soldiers, I was provided with proper meals.

“It would be troublesome if I died before we reached the Demon King’s territory, I guess.”

　During the break, I kept an eye on the soldiers.
　For now, it was impossible to escape.
　The cavalry was also included in the troop.
　If I ran away, some of them would chase after me, and the rest would attack the surrounding villages and roads. That was what they told me during the breaks. If I ran away, it would be inevitable for me to be caught immediately.

“…This is why I didn’t want to get involved with the Duke’s family.”

　I thought I had severed ties with the Duke’s family a long time ago.
　I worked as a civil servant for several years. I took my mother’s surname and was hired after taking the exam. At work, I was in charge of organising documents and repairing and mending items.

　In the Empire, a civil servant was a job for those who 『could not become a military officer, a soldier, or even an adventurer.』
　I was despised by others, and the income was low, but it was fine.
　I was able to utilise my 『Alchemy』 skill at work.

“This skill was useful for repairing items.”

　I checked the skills.

『Alchemy』

　Refining, synthesising, and processing substances.
　By combining materials, you can create new materials and items.
　Additionally, it also has the ability to appraise things, which is a characteristic of alchemy.

　There were a lot of broken items in the storeroom at work.
　It was my job to manage and check that.
　I did some paperwork and repaired items using my 『Alchemy』 skill while looking at the documents.
　It was fun.
　I had almost forgotten that I am a member of a duke family.
　Alas──

“So the Duke couldn’t forgive my very existence.”

　That was why he sent me off to the Demon King’s territory as a hostage.
　He also made preparations to prevent me from escaping.
　The carriage’s windows were boarded up, and the doors were locked.
　It was possible to escape using my skills, but…

“Activate 『Alchemy』”

　I activated the skill.
　The spoon I had been hiding suddenly became bent and deformed.

　This was my 『Alchemy』 skill.
　I could use materials such as metal to create new things.
　So when I was eating, I sneaked a spoon or a fork away while the soldiers were not looking. If there was a metal product, I could process it into something else that could even open the carriage door.

“But what’s going to happen next is a problem…”

　It was impossible to slip past the surveillance of 20 soldiers.
　If I was going to run away, it would be better to do it after I reached the Demon King’s territory.

　The soldiers probably wouldn’t come to the Demon King’s territory.
　I had been listening to the stories for a long time, so I knew that the soldiers were afraid of the people of the Demon King’s territory.

　The human world and the Demon Kingdom had been at war a long time ago.
　Even though things were peaceful now, there was no way the demons would have any good feelings towards humans. Otherwise, the Empire wouldn’t need to send hostages as sacrifices.

　If that were the case, then the moment I arrived at the Demon King’s territory, I would be handed over from the Empire’s soldiers to the people of the Demon King’s territory.
　 That would be the time to run away.

　The people of the Demon King’s territory didn’t even know that I could use 『Alchemy』. There was an opening I could exploit.

“I can’t die here. I haven’t even mastered 『Alchemy』 yet.”

　It might be an unnecessary skill for the Empire, but not for me.
　It was a skill I was born with. What was wrong with wanting to perfect it?

　Even before I became a civil servant, I tried to visit alchemist workshops several times.
　 My entry was denied because the Duke’s family was pulling strings behind the scenes.
　That damn father had a pathological hatred for me being in public.

　So while working as a civil servant, I kept saving money.
　To open my own workshop someday.
　I intended to master alchemy and create a useful item that would change the world.

　The Empire’s houses and facilities were shabby.
　A draughty room in the civil servants’ quarters.
　Humidity made it difficult for a stove to get a fire going.
　It also took a month to get permission to repair the broken windows.
　The Empire was obsessed with military power and didn’t care about anything else.
　If they redirected manpower and budgets instead of increasing our military strength, life would be much easier.

“If I could survive this…”

　I would continue to master the skill of 『Alchemy』 and create items that were convenient for daily life.
　And so──I would live a comfortable life somewhere that wasn’t the Empire.
　I wouldn’t let the Empire use any of my items. Or I would rather hope that the country collapses.

　I didn’t know about the world’s most powerful military nation.
　One day, I would master 『Alchemy』 and make the world a place where strength was meaningless.

“We will soon reach the border with the Demon King’s territory. Be on your guard!”

　Suddenly, a soldier’s voice was heard.
　The carriage halted.
　It seemed we had reached our destination.
　As I waited like that, the carriage door opened.
　Soldiers stood surrounding the door.

“Thor Regus. This way.”
“I can walk alone.”

　Shaking off the soldier’s hand, I got off the carriage.
　At last, I came out into a wide, open space.
　I stretched my body and looked around, and I saw the black forest nearby.
　The road ended here.
　The forest stretched from west to east on the road towards the north.
　That was the forest on the border between the human world and the Demon King’s territory.

“Is the Demon King’s territory beyond that forest?”
“…”

　The soldiers didn’t respond.
　Everyone was looking nervously towards the forest.

“Fire the signal arrow. They will come to pick him up.”
“──Haa!”

　One of the soldiers readied his bow.
　He shot an arrow straight up with a red cloth attached to it.
　I guessed that was the 『hostage have arrived』 signal.

　A little while passed like this.
　As usual, I was surrounded by soldiers.

　Soon, a figure appeared in the forest.

“Turn around”

　Four Minotaurs appeared.

　Bull-head and a human-body.
　Just as I had read in the books, they really did have a head like a cow.
　Minotaur was over 2 meters tall and had a sturdy, muscular build.
　I had never seen one before. Is that one of the demi-humans, the Minotaur?

“Here they are, those violent demi-humans.”

　The soldiers looked at the minotaur with trembling eyes.

“Is it really?”

　I couldn’t help but say it out loud.
　The minotaurs didn’t look violent at all.
　They were unarmed and had their hands raised above their heads, perhaps to lower our guard.
　Every time an empire soldier cursed the minotaurs, their eyes looked lonely.

“To me, they don’t look violent at all.”
“Tch.”
“Don’t click your tongues. You are emissaries, right?”

　The soldiers didn’t reply.
　They seemed to be jostling each other over who would speak to the Minotaur.

“……That’s enough.”

　I pushed the soldiers aside and stepped forward.
　In order to escape, I need to lull my opponent into a fake sense of security.
　So I needed to make a good first impression.

“I’m Thor Regus, from the Dorgalian Empire.”

　I introduced myself to the minotaurs.

“Are you the one to greet us? I’m sorry, but I haven’t been told at all what to do from now on. I’d be happy to speak to your representative.”
“──You bastard. What are you doing with asking…”
“…Then, shall we switch places?”

　I muttered under my breath, and the soldiers reluctantly stepped back.

“…The leader is coming.”

　Suddenly, one of the minotaurs spoke.
　A small figure appeared from behind them.
　When she slowly stepped forward, her long silver hair was swaying.

“Welcome to the Demon King’s territory, Thor Regus-sama.”

　A girl in a maid’s outfit appeared.
　She had white skin and long silver hair tied in a ribbon.
　Pointy ears protruded from between her hair. A demi-human-an elf, perhaps?

“I have been ordered to act as your guide. My name is Mabel Refrain. I have come to welcome you in the name of His Majesty the Demon King.”
“Thank you for welcoming me. I’m Thor Regus.”
“This is… my pleasure.”

　The elf girl, who introduced herself as Mabel, bowed deeply.
　The minotaurs waiting on either side did the same.
　I returned the greeting as an aristocrat.
　In response, the elf girl Mabel and the minotaurs also bowed their heads.

　It was a courtesy.
　It didn’t look like they had come to pick up a hostage or make a sacrifice.

“──That’s a lie. Approaching a demi-human without a weapon.”
“──What’s wrong? He’s against a subordinate of the Demon King.”
“──He’s probably given up. He doesn’t have long to live anyway.”

　Behind me, the soldiers were trembling.
　Everyone had grabbed the sword with a sheath. Perhaps they didn’t draw it because they felt the responsibility as an envoy of the Empire.

“The other side courteous here to welcome you. Do your job as an emissary.”

　When I said that, the soldiers looked at me and said,

“──You don’t understand anything. Elves are skilled at using magic to send several people flying with a single blow.”
“The Minotaurs have incredible strength. They can crush a person’s head with ease.”
“──You don’t understand──what a bunch of savages they are. How could we get near them…”

    ── I muttered softly so the other couldn’t hear.

“Savage, Is that what you guys should be saying?”

　They locked me in the carriage.
　I was not allowed outside except for meals and excretion, and I was not even permitted to see the scenery.
　Without even listening to what I had to say…
　They were handing me over to someone they feared.

　Moreover, they wouldn’t even listen to me.
　It was better that the people of the Demon King’s territory were willing to listen to what I had to say.

“My companions were rude. I would like to apologise on their behalf.”

　I took a few steps forward and said.

“I’m Thor Regus of the Dorgalian Empire, Duke’s eldest son and an civil servant. By order of His Majesty the Emperor, I have come to the Demon King’s territory. I know nothing about your country’s rules, so I might be rude, but please forgive me.”
“Ah this… well!”

　The elf girl’s hands wrapped around mine.
　It was a cool, smooth hand.
　She opened her violet eyes and nodded.

“This is the first time I’ve received such a greeting from someone from the Empire!”

　She smiled gently at me.

“The Demon King’s territory is in the far north, so there may be some areas that are hard to reach, but I ask for your kind cooperation, Thor-sama.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”

　For now, I decided to just wait and see what would happen.
   The forks that had been transformed into metal blocks using 『Alchemy』 were in each pocket.
　I could use it at any time and run away at any time.

“T-Thor Regus. Sign these documents to hand over the messenger.”

　A strained voice was heard.
　When I turned around, the captain was standing next to the carriage, holding some documents, and beckoning me.

　A messenger?
　Well, you couldn’t call me a hostage in front of the people of the Demon King’s territory.

　I returned to the captain and quickly signed the paperwork.

“That creature… I’d like you to get a signature from her.”
“From Mabel Refrain?”
“…How can you touch that creature?”

　The captain’s face was completely pale.

“Don’t you know the power of magic used by the elves? How is it that you can approach that creature so casually? Isn’t there something wrong with you?”
“Hasn’t there been a non-aggression pact with the Demon King’s territory?”
“Can you believe what the creatures of the Demon King’s territory say?”
“I can trust them more than a parent who abducts his child through his subordinates.”

　The captain didn’t reply to my words.
　He just forced the documents on me without saying a word.
　It couldn’t be helped, so when I handed the documents to Mabel Refrain, she kindly signed them.

“With this, the handover of the messenger is complete.”

　Mabel bowed deeply to me.

“From here, we will enter the forest. It will be difficult for those who are not used to walking, so we have prepared some helpers. If necessary, they can carry you.”

　She clapped her hands, and a few large figures appeared from behind the trees.
　There were four minotaurs. Including the one there now, there are a total of eight. They lined up behind the elf girl, forming a giant wall.

“H, Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!”

　The captain snatched the papers from my hands and

“Th-With this, the handover of Thor Regus is complete! Well, then, we will now take our leave. May the truce agreement between our Dorgalian Empire and the Demon King’s Territory remain forever.”
“Excuse me!!”

　The soldiers hurried the carriage away from the Demon King’s territory.