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 4

Episode 4: “Hired by the Demon King”

　At the exit of the forest, a carriage was waiting.
　It was a large carriage with three horses. It was painted black with a silver decoration that looked like the Demon King’s crest.
　Mabel and I got in, and the carriage slowly started to move forward.
　I could see outside from the window.

“So this is the Demon King’s territory.”

　The road was surrounded by a wide grassland.
　In the distance, there was a large river with boats passing by.
　The merman with scales was steering the ship.
　A girl was swimming near the ship. She had fins around her ears. Maybe… a mermaid.
　In the grassland, a wolf-like beastman was chasing sheep.
　The man carrying large baggage near the carriage was probably a bear beastman.

“There are all kinds of people here.”

　The people of the Empire said the Demon King’s territory was a place where chaos and danger awaited.
　If you step into their territory, you’ll be attacked by magical beasts at any moment.
　There were vicious beastmen who kidnapped humans.
　That was what people said, but when I actually looked around, everyone was living a normal life.

　In fact, it was more pleasant than the Empire.
　There was no murderous cavalry galloping about and no guards threatening travelers.

“The Demon King’s territory has a small population.”

　Mabel said.

“We ask members of various races to do the work they are good at. It’s the right person for the right job.”
“That seems reasonable.”
“We would also like you to work in the Demon King’s territory, Thor-sama.”
“Me too?”
“The reason the Demon King’s territory invites guests from the Empire is to learn new techniques and knowledge.”

　The story was completely different from what I had been told.
　I was ordered to become a hostage in the Demon King’s territory.
　On the contrary, my father told me to go and die as a sacrifice.
　However, the people of the Demon King’s territory called me 『messenger』.
　In fact, I was welcomed by an elf girl as a guest and was treated with respect.

“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes, please”
“There have been people who came to the Demon King’s territory before as sacri- I mean, as messengers, but what happened to them?”
“The last time was fifty years ago. I wasn’t born yet, so I only heard about it…”

　Mabel thought for a moment, then continued

“If I recall correctly… I heard that they left soon after arriving here.”
“She just left.”
“Yes. It’s not like they were restricting her movements or anything. However, it’s dangerous for her to go through that forest alone, so they wanted to escort her home… but in the end, she ended up sneaking off.”
“It’s that so”

　The story was beginning to emerge.
    In the Demon King’s territory, the people who came from the Empire were considered to be emissaries and guests, and so they were welcomed.
　However, the Empire believed they had sent hostages and sacrifices.
    So those who were sent here tried to escape.
　Since they were ignoring orders from the Empire and running away, they didn’t report this after they’d escaped.
　As a result, they were treated as missing.

“Thor-sama… will you please stay in the Demon King’s territory?”

　Before I knew it, a pair of violet eyes were staring at me.

“The Demon King’s territory does not have a great alchemist like Thor-sama. We need someone like Thor-sama here. Please lend us your strength. We will provide you everything so that you can live here comfortably. So──”
“I came here to promote friendship between the Empire and the Demon King’s Territory.”

　I said.
　I didn’t want to say in front of the people who were welcoming me, ‘No, I’m a hostage sent by the Empire to be a sacrifice.’

“I intend to do what I can for the Demon King’s territory.”
“Thank you!!”

　Mabel leaned in close. So close.
　With each sway of the carriage, the newly repaired pendant swayed, and so did her ample br3asts.
    It seemed that the Empire’s knowledge that 『elves have poor physical development』 was incorrect.
　There was still a lot I didn’t know.

“…Ah, we’ll arrive at the Demon Castle in about an hour.”

　Perhaps realizing that she had gotten too close, Mabel blushed and returned to her seat.

“Once we arrive, we will be receiving an audience with the Demon King. Please make preparations.”

　Demon King.
   The king of the demons and ruler of this Demon King’s territory.
    In order to survive in the Demon King’s territory, he was someone, you must never make angry.
　Mabel and the Minotaur were welcoming, but what about the Demon King?
　While thinking about such things, I was being shaken by the carriage.

“Demon King Luquier Evargard. Enter!”

　A voice echoed in the throne room of the Demon King’s castle.
　I knelt motionless in front of the empty throne.

　I was immediately guided here after arriving at the Demon King’s Castle.

　The minotaurs stood guard in the throne room with spears in hand. They were said to be guards under the direct control of the Demon King.

　Mabel was on her knees behind me as well.
　When I looked at her, she waved her hand and said, “I’m with you.” What a nice person she is.

“Are you the messenger from the Empire?”

　Soon, a masked figure appeared in the throne room.

　As for his height… I was not sure. I thought he was taller than me.
　He wore a robe covered with gold thread and a mask that covered the upper half of his face. That was why I didn’t know the facial expressions; all I knew was that person had long golden hair-perhaps a woman.
　Two horns extended from behind the ears.
　Horns are a characteristic of high-ranking demons, and it was said that the larger they were, the more magical power they could handle. However, since I didn’t know the average size of horns, I couldn’t judge for sure. However, as a Demon King, there was no doubt that he was a powerful user of dark magic.

　The Demon King had the strongest 『Dark Magic Power』.
『Dark Magic Power』 literally manipulates death and nothingness.
   The one who possessed the strongest form of that power was the king of all demons, the Demon King.

” I am the Demon King, Luquier Evargard.”

　The Demon King was sitting on the throne, looking at me from behind the mask.

“Thor Regus, a guest from the Dolgarian Empire.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Demon King.”

　I answered while kneeling.

“I am deeply moved to receive a personal greeting from His Majesty the Demon King.”
“I’ll ask you straight out: What can you do?”

　After a brief greeting, the Demon King asked.

“The reason why our Demon King’s Territory welcomes guests from the Dolgaria Empire is to gain knowledge and technology from the human world. If you have come here, then you must have some special knowledge.”
“A little bit of alchemy”
“…Hmm. Interesting.”
“That’s a technology we don’t have in the Demon King’s territory.”

　The Demon King sighed, and his aide spoke up.
　A man with blue hair stands next to the throne. According to Mabel, Chancellor Apparently.

“I see. So the empire has a surplus of alchemists that they can send off to other countries. The Dorgalia Empire is truly a fearsome country.”

　No, alchemists were just being treated as useless.
　── I was about to argue, but I kept quiet.

“Very well. Then, I will prepare a workshop for you. You are free to use your skills there. Is there anything you need to work on your alchemy?”

　The Demon King said.
　It was the first time I’d ever been told that.

“I’d like a room to work in.”
“Okay. I’ll prepare it. Anything else?”
“Alchemy also requires equipment.”
“I see. Then, make a list of what you need and submit it to us. Anything else?”
“Especially materials. Specifically, any lump of metal that you don’t mind disposing of—even swords or armour that you no longer use would be fine. If you could provide something like that, that would be very helpful.”
“I see… Kelve. If I remember correctly, there was a warehouse used by The Demon King two generations ago (grandfather).”

　Demon King luquier looked towards the blue-haired man—the Chancellor.
　The Chancellor nodded.

“His Majesty the Demon King, two generations ago, had habits of collecting things. There were things like rusty swords, broken armor and shields, and books that we couldn’t read.”
“My grandfather’s hobby was collecting junk.”
“Given my position, I cannot agree with your words… But anyway, if there are any items that could be used as materials, I think it would be best to give him a warehouse where he can collect them.”
“Is a pile of junk really of any use?”
“That is something that should be decided by the alchemist himself.”
“──Hmm.”

　After hearing the Chancellor’s words, Demon King luquier turned towards me.

“There is a guest room next to the warehouse. I will give you that as your own room. In the warehouse, there is some junk collected by the previous Demon King as a hobby. You are free to use it as material. It is very old-from the time when the 『Hero Summoning』 took place, so I am not sure if it will be of any use, though.”
“From the time of 『Hero Summoning』?”
“Yes. It is from the time when our Demon King’s territory was defeated by the human world.”

　The Demon King nodded.

“You can use your abilities as an alchemist to make whatever you like. If it’s good, we’ll buy it from you. If it’s useful to the Demon King’s territory, we’ll consider mass-producing it for the people. Your help in that case would be much appreciated.”
“…It’s something I couldn’t have wished for. However.”
“What?”
“Why are you willing to go to such lengths?”

　They treated me so well.
　For someone like me who was treated as useless in the Empire, this is unbelievable.

“I’m from the Empire-an outsider, so to speak. I don’t understand why you would go to such lengths.”
“So that we can learn from the human world.”
“For knowledge?”
“Long ago, we demons were defeated by human wisdom and a hero from another world. You know that, right?”

　I knew.
　In a time when humans and demons were at war, the humans summoned heroes from another world to fight against the demons.
　The summoned heroes used their powerful skills to fight for humanity.

　All of the heroes had a frightening desire to become the strongest.
　They took the initiative to fought demons and improved their’s skills and level.
　Their “obsession with strength” eventually spread to the people of this world.
　The reason the empire I came from was so obsessed with strength was because of the hero’s influence.

　And so the hero became even stronger and defeated the Demon King.
　The demons and the demi-humans who cooperated with them were banished to the northern lands.
　And so the world became what it was today.

　After defeating the Demon King, the hero from another world returned to his original world, satisfied.

　Nowadays, hero summoning was no longer taking place.
　However, the knowledge and items left behind by the hero remained.
　The units of distance and time used on the continent were also brought over by the hero from another world.

“The demons were defeated by the humans. That is a fact. So we, the demons, have decided to learn from this.”

　The Demon King muttered as he touched his mask.

“I no longer intend to fight with humans. However, we must continue to learn from them. Otherwise, those who died in that battle will have died in vain. Also, there may be another summoning from another world in the future. If we don’t learn by then, there is a possibility that we will be annihilated this time.”

　I looked at Mabel and the Chancellor, and they were nodding and listening to what she was saying.
　This really seems to be the Demon King’s policy.

“That’s why we invite guests from the Empire. We invite people, interact with them, and gain the latest knowledge. If we don’t do that, we’ll never be able to catch up with the Empire.”
“Is that why you treat me so well?”
“Yes. It is for the good of the Demon King’s territory that we make use of your power.”

　The Demon King nodded.

“Also, it is the policy of the Demon King’s Territory to place people where they can utilize their abilities. Demon King’s Territory has a small population, after all. There is no room for people to do work they are not suited to. It is a luxury that can only be found in large-population nations.”

　I understood what the Demon King said.
　The reason for inviting guests from the Empire was to gain technology and knowledge from the human world.
　The reason they prepared the workshop and materials for me was so that I could fully utilize my abilities.
　Whatever was created in this way would become the property of the Demon King’s territory, and the Demon King’s territory would be able to learn what was possible with alchemy.

　…This was bad. I was getting excited.
　I have a workshop and materials at my disposal.
　That was something I could never have had in the Empire.

　I also liked the Demon King’s policy.
　The Demon King’s Territory had chosen a completely opposite approach to that of the Empire.

　The empire summoned a powerful hero from another world to defeat the demon king.

　That was why they maintained the policy of “we are right” and “strength was everything.”
　On the other hand, the Demon King’s territory was defeated by the hero and humans.
　That’s why they have adopted the policy of “learning from humans.” They invited humans in.

　If that were the case, then I’d know what to do.

　As an alchemist employed by the Demon King, I cooperates with the Demon King’s territory.
　Here, I would utilize my『Creative Alchemy』skill to create something that would surpass the Empire.
　If possible, something that surpasses the items used by the hero.
　I would create an item of such a level that the 『Strength』 that the Empire revered would be completely meaningless.

“I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty the Demon King’s kindness.”

　I gave the proper noble bow.

“Well then, first I would like to show you what my alchemy can do. I intend to repay your hospitality by using it.”
“…Oh, ohh.”

　……No response?
　The Demon King seemed to let out a confused voice for some reason…?
　As I was thinking that, the Chancellor next to me cleared his throat.

“You must be tired from your long journey. Someone, please take Thor-dono to his room──a, Mabel, please stay behind. And Thor-dono, there are many hot-headed people in the Demon King’s castle. Please try not to go out alone if possible. Well then, Demon King.”
“This concludes the audience of our guest, Thor Regus.

　After the Chancellor spoke quickly, the Demon King spoke up.
　Afterward, I was led by a different maid than Mabel, and I left the throne room.

From translator:- In this chapter Thor is not entirely sure about the gender of Demon King’s that why he refer the king as he (male).
** I choose Luquier Evargard over Rukie, that you see in novel info or previous translator, because I go with the sound and the elaborated name in English. And also Rukie is too common of a name for female demon king.