I Became the Demon Lord and my Territory is an Uninhabited Island

「I’m off!」

I gave her a slightly vigorous reply so that she would feel at ease.

Reaching the gates, the usual gatekeeper who yawned sleepily was already there. Noticing me, he said.

「Oh? What’s this? You look like you’re about to go away somewhere for a while. You asked to help with some kind of subjugation request again?」

「Nn? Ahー. I’m going to the frontlines」

「Ha?」

「To. The. Frontlines」

「WHY!?」

「It seems like I got a bit too famous so I have been nominated by a noble whose territory is near the front lines to go there」

「……I see…」

He didn’t say any more than that and just pat my shoulder before going back to start their preparations to open the gate. I wonder if that’s his way of saying goodbye. Well, if I ever come back, I guess I’ll treat him to a drink.

A short while after the gates opened, a carriage arrived and an armor wearing reptilekin coachman asked.

「You Caam?」

「That’s right」I replied.

「Get on」

He pointed towards the back without saying anything else. After confirming that I already got on, the carriage began to depart.

Inside, there was a soldier who glaring at the shackled prisoners. All of the prisoners were beastkin. The first one had cat ears, the second one had dog ears, and the last one had fox ears. Although I’m already used to seeing strangely muscular old men with animal ears, I’ve determined that when traveling, it’s definitely still the best if they are cute girls.

「Ah, how do you do? I’m Caam. It might be short but I look forward to working with you」

Thinking that it would be better than staying in this unpleasant atmosphere, I gave them a lighthearted greeting and introduced myself.

「Stop talking with the prisoners!」

The soldier who was sitting in front of me shouted. Okay then, have it your way. Let’s just travel from now on in this wake-like state. This is going to be a terrible trip, isn’t it?

Since I wasn’t a prisoner, I decided to make some adjustments that would improve my journey even a bit. Thinking about that, I placed my luggage in front of me and unfastened the blanket so that I can put it in my seat to make up for not having a cushion.

「Don’t just do whatever you like!」

He yelled at me again. The prisoners where grinning but should he really be angry at something like this?

「Ah, well, I’m not a prisoner so……」

Saying that, I didn’t mind him and just continued putting my blanket on my seat but I was hit. To be honest, it hurt quite a bit.

「Didn’t I just tell you not to do that!? You bastard. If you keep on having that rebellious attitude, I’m going to put shackles on you!」

As expected, being treated like this, even as a former Japanese, I can’t help but be angry. Only a saint wouldn’t get mad at this you know?

「You see, I don’t really know how influential this Cravatte person is but just because they received an order from a noble, I was immediately sent off to the frontlines by the guild even though I’m not a soldier. I have to go even if I don’t want to you know!? I can’t even complain that I’m being sent together with prisoners. Since I’m only affiliated with the guild, not a prisoner nor a soldier, you can’t force me to follow your rules. I’m not planning to do anything to your prisoners so just let me do what I want for fuck’s sake! Or what, are you going to kick me out of this carriage? Does that mean you’re willing to take responsibility and replace me as the summoned magician!? Tell me your name so that I have something I can tell the guild when I go back and they ask me for a suitable reason. I can just return to my usual daily life after that」

While saying that, I grabbed the collar that’s peaking out of his armor then twisted and pulled it using physical enhancement causing the guy to rise up from his seat.

「So, what now? Are you going to let my ass sit on a blanket or are you going to take responsibility? You choose」

The prisoners were laughing so hard while the other soldier/coachman was looking at us. Oi oi, look at the road for crying out loud! What are you going to do if the horses suddenly ran wild?

「D-do as you like! However, don’t you dare conspire with the prisoners, you got that!」

「You’re the best man」The prisoners commented.

「Shut up!」 was what the soldier had to say to that while hitting them.

Rather than the soldiers, I feel like I can get along even more with these prisoners.

It was already evening but we’ve just reached the first village. We spent approximately 10 hours traveling. Walking speed is about 3~4 kph so considering that we traveled faster than that, it seems like we’re now pretty far away from the town. It feels nice that it doesn’t take that long to get to the nearest town to our village.

Still, this village is pretty deserted, isn’t it?

「The village we arrived at has no vacant houses or an inn. We can go to the guard station but we don’t have beds for you guys. You can just sleep in the stables at the bottom of the guard station. I’m going to give you your rations right now. Eat it gratefully. As for Caam, I don’t mind if you negotiate with the villagers for a place to stay but we’re leaving you behind if you’re late. Also, while you’re at it, go and draw some water from the well to give to these guys. Oh, and if anybody escapes, I’d happily turn you into a prisoner as well」

After he said that, he distributed the same hard bread and dried meat we had for lunch.

It seems like he’s pretty bitter about what happened earlier.

You’d think that we’d at least get some kind of soup once we reached the village. Or are they saying that I should negotiate that too when looking for lodging?

The prisoners’ had a rope tied to their handcuffs earlier but it seems like they’re given a longer rope at night so that they would be able to do their business if they have to.

『If they really wanted to, couldn’t they just run away with that?』 was what I thought.

Once they saw the soldier enter the guard station, the prisoners started talking in a low voice.

「Man, you’re the best. You don’t seem to be a prisoner like us and you’re not a soldier so there’s no reason for you to follow the rules」

「Thought soー. It’s really hard to deal with an inflexible guy like that. That guy’s neglecting his duties as well. Isn’t it his job to fetch water for you guys? I really wanted to point that out earlier」

For now, let’s discuss what we’re going to do about food. Let’s also try to deepen my relationship with these people.

While nibbling on the bread, I used my magic to make hot water then placed it into a cup with tea leaves to make tea. I decided to give them some too since they might choke on that hard bread if there’s nothing to drink.

「Thanks. I haven’t had anything warm to drink after I was caught」said cat ears

「Yeah. They didn’t even give us soup at least」 said dog ears .

「What’s worse is when they actually make us skip meals」 Then finally, the fox ears added.

These old men really aren’t cute at all.

「Still, it really is true that you’re a magician. I’ve never heard of anyone making hot water before you know? Thanks to that I was able to drink some tea that I thought I would never get to drink anymore」

「That’s right. We’d get found out by the guys at the guard station if we light a fire so that really helps」

「I’ve heard the rumors about you. You’re that guy who made a gigantic mud ball and took out a high goblin by himself right?」

「It’s possible that it was me but still, the rumors have grown so big that it also possible that it might not be me you know?」

「No no. I was actually there when you made that mud ball you know? It was between spring and summer if I remember correctly」

Ah, there was a witness here…

「Ahー, yes. That’s me」

As I said that, everyone laughed while muffling their voices.

This might be just the sentiments of a fellow traveler who is also being treated as a sacrificial pawn but it’s better like this than doing nothing.

「Tell me your names」I said.

「What’s the use of telling you the names of guys who are certain to die in the upcoming battle?」

Because of that, they didn’t tell me their names.

「Do you guys want to wipe your bodies?」

When I asked that, they rejected me while saying.

「You might get yelled at if we became clean all of a sudden」

Well, they smell a bit but it can’t be helped. I guess I’ll just do it on my own.

We had nothing else to talk about after that so, even though it’s still early, I decided to go to sleep.

Surprisingly, these old men might actually be nice people. Don’t expect me to share my blanket with them though.