NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31 - Episode 31: The Hero Discovers Zaus Town
Episode 31: The Hero Discovers Zaus Town
~~Hero Cea’s Perspective~~
Me and Mishiri were exploring the Archduke’s territory.
Well, more like cautiously sneaking around while keeping ourselves hidden.
“Hey, hey. Can’t we just go back to Mekonderla?”
“And what would we do by going back!”
The goblins here are at level 270!
“Just earn experience and strengthen in Mekonderla!”
“How long do you think that’ll take! My level is 82!”
“Just do it steadily.”
“Idiot! It took me five years to reach my current level! We won’t become heroes by taking it slow like that!”
“I-It’s not like that’s a bad thing! Being honest and steadily getting stronger is important!”
“Shut up! You’re just a level 10 scrub! Don’t give me advice! Just shut up and follow me!”
“Ugh… It hurts to be told that. But… I think I’m the one who saved Cea’s life.”
Groooan!!
“You’re being so condescending!! Allies should help each other, you know! So, what!? Are you saying I didn’t help you until we got here!?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Geez! Shut up, scrub. I’m smart, so I’ll definitely find a way to win!”
There were no monsters nearby.
Looks like they’re concentrated only in that clearing in the forest.
Do we need to pass through that clearing to reach the Archduke’s castle…?
Damn it.
Isn’t there any other way!?
As I wandered, I spotted a large city.
“W-What’s that!?”
We entered the city.
There, people gathered who had been captured in Archduke Gozack’s slave hunt.
Ah! We found the slaves who escaped!
If we release them and return them to Rontomelda, I’ll be a hero.
“Well done, Cea! Great job!”
“Yeah! I told you! If you follow my lead, there’s no mistake!”
Kuhaha!
Luck is finally on our side.
We didn’t encounter any monsters on our way here.
The escape route is secured perfectly.
This is great!
Freeing slaves without a fight!
I’m indeed smart!!
With this achievement, I’ll receive a reward from the king, and I’ll equip myself with powerful gear!
We approached a man walking around casually.
He looked too well-dressed to be a slave, but he must have gone through tough times.
“Hey! I’m Hero Cea! I’m here to help!”
“Huh? Y-You’re the hero?”
“Hahaha. You can relax now! I’ll set you free from here!”
“N-No…”
Hey hey.
What’s with the hesitation?
Such a dull guy.
He should be jumping for joy.
Ah, forget it.
There don’t seem to be any monsters around.
I’ll call out to everyone.
“Listen up, everyone!! Hero Cea has come to rescue you!”
The slaves gathered around me.
“Hahaha! You’ve all done well! I’m Hero Cea! I’ve come to save you from this harsh world!”
“W-We’re not really suffering…”
“A hero…?”
“Even if you say you’ve come to help…”
“Does this look like we’re suffering?”
Geez!
They’re all idiots.
“What are you mumbling about! You idiots!!”
This is where they should be rejoicing and shedding tears of gratitude for me!
An elderly man emerged from the crowd.
“So you’re the hero. I’m the mayor of Zaus Town.”
“Z-Zaus… Town?”
“That’s right. Zaus-sama built this place. It’s our town.”
“What!?”
“The name ‘slave’ has been abolished, and everyone lives happily as citizens.”
“What the hell!?”
“No wonder you’re surprised. After Archduke Gozack passed away, his son Zaus-sama took over. This Archduke’s territory has been reborn.”
“Don’t mess with me!! Zaus is Gozack’s son!”
“That’s right. He’s a genuine demon. But he’s a very kind person.”
“Are you kidding me!? You’re all being deceived!”
Kind demons don’t exist!
This is too ridiculous!
Ah…
No good.
I need to calm down and talk sensibly at times like this.
Maybe they can’t understand genius-level conversations.
I’ll explain it in simpler terms.
“Ah… Calm down and listen, Mayor. Archduke Zaus is a demon.”
“That’s right. He has splendid horns on his forehead, and his skin is blue. He’s a splendid demon.”
“Hahaha.”
“What’s so splendid about it, you fools.”
*Ahem*. “Demons are evil.”
“…You might not understand that.”
“Hahaha… Please listen calmly. Creatures are predetermined by birth. It’s a cruel reality, but there’s no helping it. I am the ancestor of heroes. In other words, I represent ‘justice’. The Archduke is a demon. Therefore, he is ‘evil’. This is the fate given by the gods.”
The surrounding area became noisy.
“You don’t get it at all!”
“There might be demons of justice!”
“That’s right!”
“It’s ridiculous that fate is predetermined from birth!”
“Can’t we change it with effort!?”
*Sigh*.
This is why, these fools…
One’s social status cannot be changed by effort. Those born into evil will remain evil forever.
Having to explain such obvious things is a pain, but unavoidable. Is this also a trial given by the gods?
“I want everyone to listen calmly. This is the truth. Humans are given roles by the gods from birth. Fools remain fools until they die, and geniuses like me, well, we’re just smart. It’s something that can’t be changed with effort. So, being born as a hero, I am forever ‘justice’, and Zaus, born as a demon, is forever ‘evil’. Justice defeats evil, and evil must be destroyed by justice.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Zaus-sama is not ‘evil’!!”
“That’s right! Zaus-sama is not a villain!”
“Zaus-sama is a savior!”
“Zaus-sama is the ‘good’ of this world!!”
“That’s right! Zaus-sama is a ‘good demon’!!”
Ah…
They’re completely brainwashed.
“You’ve all been brainwashed! You’ve gone mad! Come to your senses! Being manipulated by Zaus will ruin your lives!!”
“We’re not mad! Zaus-sama has reduced taxes by 60%! The sewers are clean and well-maintained! There’s healthcare, schools, and plenty of places to play! Where else can you find such a kind noble!?”
What? Taxes are…
“Reduced by 60%!?”
Normally, it’s 80%. Even 70% would be a significant relief. But 60%…
“Is there such a low tax rate! Even for nobles, it’s unimaginable, let alone for slaves! It’s absolutely impossible! Don’t lie!”
“It’s possible. Zaus-sama has eased the taxes and given us freedom and peace. That’s Zaus-sama for you.”
The woman showed a baby.
“I got married in this town. I gave birth to this child here. In Zaus Town, you can freely fall in love.”
“Don’t mess around!! You’re just slaves!!”
Then, things started flying towards me.
Ouch!
“Hey! Who threw that!? Who threw something!?”
“We’re not slaves!”
“That’s right! We’re citizens!”
“Zaus-sama respects us!”
Dammit!
“You’re all brainwashed! There’s no way Archdukes respect humans! Zaus is ‘evil’!!”
Then, more things started flying at me.
“Get out!!”
“We won’t forgive those who speak ill of Zaus-sama!”
“Evil heroes, go home!”
“Don’t ever come back!!”
“Get out of here!! Don’t come back to Zaus Town!!”
“Zaus-sama is more just than you!!”
“Don’t ruin our happiness!!”
Dammit!!
“I’ll kill you all!!”
My fighting spirit made the crowd retreat. A strong wind blew, and the baby cried out.
“Ce-Cea! Stop!!”
“Shut up!!”
Those who insult heroes deserve death!!
“Eeeek!!”
“Hey! Call Zaus-sama’s underling monsters!”
“Don’t call Zaus-sama’s underlings!”
“Enemy attack!!”
Tch!
Speaking of underling monsters, they’re all over level 200!
If they’re called, it’ll be a big problem.
“Mishiri! Let’s go back.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Remember this well, you bastards.
I’ll make you deeply regret throwing things at me!!
Even though we were being pelted with objects, we quickly left the scene.
Dammit!
I’ll stop investigating the Archduke’s territory.
I need to find another opportunity.
I remember there’s a rumor about a great sage on a secluded island in the eastern sea.
With their power, maybe we can defeat that damn Zaus.
Once Zaus is defeated, remember this. You’ll regret defying me for the rest of your lives!