LV999 Villager Chapter 7.2

It was too Late to Notice 2

I saw a burning scene that was engraved in my mind.

It was the me of 4 years ago, the person I was then was not like the person I am now. I was more like the current Krul. Strong, straightforward and always striving to do my best. I was a dream-like person.

I also had a master. He was two years older and had long green hair. He was tall and always had glasses on because he could not stop reading books in the dark.

I, who was born as a mage, was taught by him and learned many things with him in the king's library. This library was open to the public and helped me learn many new spells. My master taught me the more advanced spells and showed me how fun it was.

In the past, before coming to meet him, I hated magic. I also very much hated studying too. The place I was born was not too far from the capital, thus when I was ordered by my parents to go learn, I had no choice.

Magic needs two things, knowledge and the power of imagination. If you do not possess the knowledge of the magic, you cannot use it. If you do not possess the imagination to control the magic and shape it to your will, then you also cannot control it. Either it does not activate or it bursts.

All mages are instructed to store knowledge and slowly level up to gain enough magic power to use.

The gods tell the people who have the power and who don't have the talent for magic. Then it is up to the parents whether or not they want to cultivate that talent.

This is equal to being forced to do something that your parent decided for you, this was the view of Parna at the time.

“Books….do you hate them.”

The way he looked at me while saying that, was full of disgust and resentment. This was our first encounter.

“Who…are you?” (Parna)

“I am someone like you, a person who is forced to become a magician.”

“Ok… what is it?” (Parna)

“If you hate books, you should try reading this one.”

He gave me a book in the end. A boy who was not that much older than me gave me a book after asking me if I hated books. When I saw him give me the book I thought 'is he crazy?!'

But after seeing the book he gave me, I changed my mind. The book he gave me was not a magic book but a simple picture book about a hero.

“This a library, it has other books than just magic books.”

“No thank you, please return it, they will get mad.” (Parna)

“Who will get mad, your parents? They are not even here.”

The boy showed me a smile that was saying he had won against me in this argument. I opened the picture book and afterwards I didn't hate the library or books as much.

That boy was a genius. It was clear that after I had met him, I was able to imagine the magical shape more than the children, and the skill to manipulate the magical power was also overwhelming. Parna still remembers his favorite saying  “Because it is a loss to live in a shell, shut up and experience life.”

My skill to manipulate magic and imagine was genuine. The reason why this had happened was simply because I had a lot of knowledge. Not just magical knowledge but also knowledge about other things, thus I was able to understand the environment better.

And I was attracted to the boy who helped. I seemed to have always followed him and after some time started calling him master. The things I have learned from him was something that I would never be able to learn from the library alone.

My master was very curious person and tried to learn as much as possible. I also tried to help him a lot during this time.

His thirst for knowledge was a strong point but that thirst soon became an obsession and started to affect his judgement.

My master's thirst for knowledge eventually lead him to study demons. If he was just going to research it, then it was fine but he wanted more, he wanted a body to study, a demon's body.

If it was only research, then he could have just abducted one, then used it to study. But my master was kind and would not conduct such a brutal act.

My master did not hate demons, in fact he was also like Kagami, he believed in the two races existing together and helping each other.

“If the two races help each other and live together than this world will be much better off.”

That was what he always said. I always tried to stop him from thinking about this but he never yielded and always moved forward.

I also had expectations from him, if he succeed then we would not have to fight anymore.

But after what happened, I find myself thinking how naïve I was.

“You are now useless, begone…”

It was right after the demon said those words, that a big hole in his stomach opened, my master's stomach.

Everything was going so well. Master, who found a demon settlement, tried to contact them. While he was cautious of them, he wasn't hostile to them and continued to show a friendly stance towards them with a smile to show that he meant them no harm.

A conflict of interest between the demons and my master happened. But my teacher conceded and tried to push some benefits towards them. It was a very favorable conditions to the demons.

The demons didn't want food or supplies made by humans, but to come into the village and live with the humans and interact with them.

The demons wanted to come into the village and live, and if allowed, they will allow master to investigate their bodies. This will let the humans possess information that is very valuable to the demons. Although they are well aware that this place is filled with people who hate demons, if their safety while living there is guaranteed then there should be no problem at all, they said. It was a very favorable condition to both master and them.

They did not say anything about providing them with information that can be used against us. This merely made it seem like a cultural exchange and wanting a better place to live.

The village where I lived was chosen by master for the exchange. My village does not have shortage food and can sustain additional people. Also because it is close to the capital many people do not know how demons look like thus they can blend in easier. The hostility towards demons is not that high from what I have observed. Thus my village was chosen as the exchange point.

“I promise you…I will not let anyone harm them.” (Master)

My teacher desperately tried to appeal to me. Even if there is merit in this deal, there is no assurance that this is not a trap. Therefore, I wanted to stop him from including my family.

A demon nodded his head to show that this wasn't a trap by showing he had no weapons or tools. My master rejoiced when he heard my ok and hugged me to express his gratitude.

I still remember seeing my master smiling and happy at that moment.

However, that was naïve, my master brought them to my village and I waited in front of my village to receive my master. I saw the large carriage prepared by the demons for them to arrive in the village.

The kingdom was alert at all times for any demon invasion or attacks but that day, my master used a path that only humans used and not demons. Thus they were able to get through.

I, who was waiting for my master in front of the village saw him waving his hand and then, in the next second, die at the hands of the demons.

Demons after demons appeared from the carriage and started to attack the village. The adventurers and guards were completely unprepared and died quickly. The demons didn't spare anyone, they killed all the people regardless,  it caring if they were children or the elderly. They robbed the village and then ran away.

By the time the army had arrived, everyone and everything was gone. The village was destroyed and all the people were killed. The people who were blooming with life and the village that was shining was all gone.

Parna was a survivor due to having watched her master die, she froze on the stop. Seeing her like that, an adventurer near her, quickly took her to a safe house in the forest and hidden her.

“I promise you…. I will not let anyone harm them.” (Master)

Recalling those words, Parna started laugh.

Because of his kindness, my master believed in demons. He thought if he showed sincerity, they would respond in sincerity. But the situation was clearly different. You should not believe in them; they should never have that right. If I had not believed in them than all would have been fine. Thinking back, no master was not like Kagami, he didn't believe that all demons were nice, nor does he believe that all humans are nice.

“I wanted you to believe in me…I should have said that.” (Parna)

Parna cried and regretted her decision, the demons should never have been trusted. They are only the enemy and nothing else, they are a virus to the world.

I despised the me who thought even a little, that humans and demons could coexistence as one.

At the same time, she had also found her reason for living. Demons are an evil being that should be killed, not a single one should be left on this earth.

“It has been four years since then.” (Parna)

After that incident I lost my goal in life and lived freely. Yes, of course I tried to get stronger in order to kill all the demons but there was nothing I could do by myself.

I thought rather than trying for revenge, I should enjoy my life that was given to me, I should try my hardest to forget that terrible incident, but then I met them.

I met Rex and Krul…. I met two people who were very strong, a hero and a saint. I came across the two people who had a chance of killing the demon lord and all the demons. I had a chance at my revenge.

Parna felt that this meeting was given by god to exact her revenge. So I joined them, not caring at all if I died in the process. I thought about using them to exact my revenge and help me kill all the demons too but this did not happen. They completely abandoned the goal.

This was due to a meeting with a villager and one small demon girl.

“This situation is bad but I cannot be put down by this…. I still have a chance to get this right…. Even if there are others in control of this world's events…. the fact that others took all the things important to has not changed.” (Parna)

I have suffered so much, so what if this world is the framework of some other being. It does not change the fact that the demons killed my master and my family.

“I will get them back, watch me villager…. this all for my revenge.” (Parna)

I looked down on the table at a letter.

“Balman specialty, Casino Mirror is now open for business.”

Tlnote: this is play on his name, Kagami in English mean mirror.

“The basics of magic start with the accumulation of knowledge. By accumulating more knowledge you can have a firm grasp at what the environment and surroundings are and then create a much more vivid image of the spell you want to cast. The most efficient way to accumulate knowledge is to read books, do you understand Alice?” (Krul)

“Yes, Miss Krul.” (Alice)

In the casino conference room, there was a blackboard with the words “What is magic?” There hanged a drawing of a person with a rod, quite a fine drawing.

Rex and Alice diligently listened to the lecture Krul gave them about the basics of magic and how to use it. Krul had stuck on a nice expression while teaching them, David was watching them from outside the Conference room.

It has been ten days since Kagami sent off on his journey.

Although the casino is still far away from the goal of 10,000 gold, it was doing much better than last week. The amount of customers it had doubled thanks to the efforts of David and Takako.

The measures the two had taken to attract more customers was giving special tickets and invitation letters to various places and partnering up with the city itself.

By using the city resources to attract customers they had employed a special method. They had basically made the casino the main attraction to come to the city of Balman, they had advertised that if you come to the city and not go to the casino then you basically have not come to the city at all.

David also asked the various shops and facilities including the inn to direct their customers to the casino.

Thus, with the advertisement done by Takako and David, the whole city tourism boomed and the inn was filled with guests, soon there were a shortage of inns.

Thus, to meet the new demands, they made a plan to use the current sales of the casino to build an inn near the casino, where there was some vacant land. They bought the land to make sure that there wouldn't be any other problems in the future, they hired escorts and guards to protect the workers building the inn, successfully started the process to expand the city itself.

The two were doing so well at managing the casino, that Tina started to question why did we even listen to Kagami in the beginning.

“By the way….why are you here Rex, I have no problems with it but shouldn't you be training?” (Krul)

“I originally wanted to learn magic but I also had to strengthen my body. I realized this is a great opportunity to learn about magic thus, I have joined Alice in learning. I have been given the [Hero] role, thus I want to use the powers given to me properly. I can use one sword skill that uses magic power but I want to know more.” (Rex)

When Rex told Alice and Krul that, they remembered the weird technique he had used.

You may think the current situation has everyone leading busy lives but in reality not much has changed, David and Takako both did this in their daily lives so they could easily manage all this quite easily by themselves.

In fact, Krul actually had some spare time in the morning to teach Alice magic.

“It is the responsibility of the person in charge to handle all the personnel, hoho,” David said with a smile and a voice of confidence. He seems to be handling the personnel and costs regarding it quite well by himself. As expected of a person who can handle the businesses of the kingdom.

“Krul, that ice magic you have, where a lot of blades appear…..what is the image you use for it?” (Rex)

“Hmm… I first imagine a grain of ice and then steadily flow my magic into it. Afterwards imagine the grain getting bigger and sharper, finally piercing my enemies. This is quite easy when you learn to use magic.” (Krul)

Rex looked at Krul with surprised eyes and said in a hesitant voice “Ok…” before going back reading the magic book recommended by Krul.

Alice was feeling kind of lost due to not being able to understand how to use magic yet.

“Magic is the power you use when you have accumulated the proper knowledge and can control your magical power.” (Krul)

Krul looked proud when he said that, but the two of them were still not convinced by her words.

Krul's words could also be reversed and could be interpreted that if you don't have the proper knowledge and control, then no matter how much magical power you have, it is useless. This is something that applies quite well to Rex and Alice, they are both the Hero and the Demon lord's child thus, they were not lacking in magical power whatsoever. But both of them cannot use that power well… or at all in Alice's case.

The thunderstorm magic Rex used also uses his magical power but it actually takes more physical power to pull it off rather than magical power, thus it cannot be said to be pure magic.

Alice had read a giant mountain of book that Krul had recommended and basically memorized them all, but she still didn't know how to manipulate her magical power.

Could this be due to the fact that a demon's magical power and human's magical power may be different? Takako had explained that demons have a special element, the same as the spawn blocks that creates monsters, thus the essence may be different.

Though David explained to them afterwards that the principle of magic does not change for both humans and demons. The magic used by Menou shows that as soon as it becomes magic the demon essence disappears.

Therefore the fundamentals of magic was the same for both races.

“I….I wonder if I am not fit for this…” (Alice)

“There is no such thing as aptitude, if you have magical power than magic will be useable to you Lady Alice.” (David)

Seeing the depressed Alice, David comments on the thing he heard her say.

“But I have not been able to use anything or feel anything during these ten days…” (Alice)

“Magic is not simple, it is a powerful tool, in the proper hands it can be used for good, but dangerous when used foolishly. That is why accumulating knowledge will allow you understand how to use it properly. This may take some time but I am sure that Lady Alice will be able to use it.” (David)

When hearing that from David, Alice brightened up and said to him that she will try her best. David came to give the magic books to Krul and cautioned her to be more careful with them.

Looking at her expression, David smiled, quite satisfied.

“Let me give you a piece of advice Lady Alice, I recommend that you start by focusing on one type of magic rather than a broad spectrum, by focusing one type it will become easier to imagine and accumulate knowledge and after you have grasped that magic all other magic will become simpler.” (David)

“One type of magic?” (Alice)

“Yes, Lady Alice what is the type of magic you want to use the most?” (David)

Hearing what David had said, Alice went into thought deeply, but seeing her seriously considering his advice made him smile even more.

Alice remembered all the things that had happened and that the most painful feeling she got during the last battle, was where Kagami kept on getting hurt. She finally realized the type of magic she wanted to use the most.

“I want to use recovery magic.” (Alice)

Alice wanted heal Kagami and help him live, even if it was only a second longer, because the things he did were always dangerous, she wanted to help him to the best of his ability.

Hearing the words of Alice, David made a surprised face at her for a second and then went back to smiling saying to her, “That is a wonderful choice Lady Alice.”

“Well then, it is time for business to start soon. Master Rex, Milady Krul, Lady Alice, please come and help.” (David)

“Mmmm…..it is already that time huh? Well I will be leaving Godly lighting strike and Unlimited White Guns for later than.”(Rex)

“….Rex, what is Godly Lighting Strike and Unlimited White Guns?”(Krul)

“Oh, those are names of my two new moves I will be creating with magic, next is magic attacks.” (Rex)

David smiles at Rex with some pity and says “Oh, good?” then leaving the room.

Alice and Krul give Rex a wry smile and also say, “Good luck with those.”

“Yes, Alice is here!!!!”(Customer A)

“Now that the goddess of victory is here I can win big….put everything you have on black guys, we will win big!”(Customer B)

“Oh, Alice is here…..I can feel power come into me…..hahhehefufudududuma.” (creepy dude)

As the sun rose, the people in the casino and gaming center lessened and they went to get lunch. They were all quiet until now, but as soon as Alice came all the vibrancy and bustle came back in a moment.

“Alice, give me these two goods.” (Customer C)

“Yes! That will be 870 bronze.” (Alice)

“Alice, one coffee please, man… seeing Alice just brings me energy, it doesn't matter that I lost big.” (Customer D)

“I am glad that you say so, please wait a moment and I will have the coffee.” (Alice)

Alice in accordance to David's proposal was also in charge of the souvenir shop along with being the casino mascot. Since most of the goods in the shop were things Alice had handmade, we kept pushing Tina to sell them, David thought it would be better for Alice be in charge of the store.

As a result of this decision, the customers to the shop doubled and the ordinary customers and also new customers came to the shop.

Although Alice is a demon, it does not change that she is an adorable girl. Alice is both cute and has a lovable personality and thus both men and woman come to the shop just to see her and buying stuff makes her smile which is a plus for them.

This continued for a while and now everyone had good impression of Alice including the nobles, there are also weird customers to come to Alice's store.

“Alice……heeeheee…..buhibuhi….your…….fuhifuhi. Hey, what are you guys doing, what is the meaning of this? Ah, ahhhhh!” (Creepy dude)

There was a man who was trying to approach Alice and touch her but before that happened the staff of casino seized him and threw him outside the casino.

Alice's Store was in the casino main part, right now front of many people and staff.

This was a proposal by Rex as he was worried saying “Isn't Alice too young to do this, many people may try to harm her.” So he proposed that her store be inside the casino in the main part where there is staff and them right outside to respond in a moment's notice.

“Alice, please take more care of yourself, it is fine to show affection to some people, but not all of them, ok?” (Male guard for Alice)

“He is right Alice, your weirdo fans have been increasing lately too.” (Female Guard for Alice)

“Ok, thanks to both of you.” (Alice)

When Alice said that to them, her smile was like the sun to the two guards and both of them smiled back at her lovingly.

Alice was not just loved by her customers but also the Staff in the casino. If she was carrying anything heavy than they will immediately come from nowhere to help her carry it, if she having trouble with something than they will respond immediately.

It is actually mostly thanks to Alice that most of the people in the casino staff stayed working here.

Takako was also ready to act for Alice in that situation if the Staff could not handle it. Seeing Alice talking with the Staff and smiling, Takako showed a satisfying expression to her. Alice herself was also happy at the fact that she felt her dream getting closer as she helped out with the casino.

But Alice was also afraid.

She was afraid at the fact what would they do if they found out she was a demon….would they show the same affection to her or hate her? Alice would sometimes think about this and every time she does, she tightens the ribbon she got from Kagami to hide her demon horn.

Alice was also concerned at the behavior David is showing her. David clearly know that Alice is demon but even so he treats her with love and gives her meaningful advice, she wonders why?

“Well, aren't you doing well Lady Alice.” (David)

“Oh Mr. David!” (Alice)
When Alice was pushing a cart which she had goods to sell to people while going down the passage of the bar, she came across David who was passing by.

“Hohoho, it looks like things are going well for you Lady Alice, I see that you are carrying a letter, is it from a fan?”(David)

“Yes, I believe is a person from this town, the people here in this town are really nice and kind, I look forward to reading it. How is the day treating you Mr.David?”(Alice)

“I have to go check on the deliveries and check up on some things with Miss Takako. The stock of goods have been running out fast thus I had to call for some deliveries.”(David)

“True, there has been quite the increase in customers….how are Rex and Krul?”(Alice)

“Master Rex and Milady Krul have been a great help to the kitchen. They have also helped in the bar and stopped adventurers who raged in the bar while Milady had healed the injured.”(David)

Alice was happy from the casino bringing in so much money as it would get her closer to her father.

“It is all thanks to Miss Takako's idea.”(David)

“Idea?”(Alice)

“Yes, she came with a plan of making Master Rex and Milady Krul wear masks, they are quite famous thus many people start to back away from them, but with masks they become weirdly approachable and thus can work with others.”(David)

When Alice had heard this from Takako the first time, she thought Takako was going to have Rex and Krul work at Club GACHIHOMO, but just remembering that thought makes her shiver thus she shook her head in response to make it go away.

“Oh yes…..how is Tina doing?”(Alice)

“Miss Tina is working as the medic throughout the casino, helping people and healing people who are injured, sometimes people get hurt from the weirdest things thus she has been quite busy.”(David)

Alice smiles at David weirdly as well hearing that.

“Oh! Let me help you with the Deliveries to Takako, I have to take this cart as well and carrying some of the goods on it will be much easier.”(Alice)

“Oh my, thank you for help, I was troubled since there is still no enough staff members in the casino. Now then, shall we depart?”(David)

“Yup.”(Alice)

When David heard Alice's reply he started to move to where Takako was, the bar.

As they were moving along, David noticed that he could not see Alice's cart beside him and that she had fallen behind. He lowered his pace and as soon as she could be seen beside him again he starts to match with her and started walking along.

Looking at David's clear concern for her, Alice showed an uneasy expression.

“Mr. David, I have something I want to ask you.”(Alice)

“Oh? What is it Lady Alice?”(David)

“Why….are you keeping quiet?”(Alice)

Alice asked the question as she feared David. Alice wanted to face David honestly and straightforward. She enjoyed listening to David and saw him as a mentor as well as a friend thus wanted to clear it once and for all

“Oh….what are you talking about?”(David)

David does not stop smiling and continues to show his nicest smile to Alice

“I like to clear things up and have you stop from dodging please….you know I am a demon.”(Alice)

While leaving the area where guest are surrounding Alice finally straightforwardly asked the question.

To Alice's question David became indifferent and thought for awhile.

David muttered something to Alice “Are you Anxious Lady Alice? Please don't be.”

“Of course I am worried….I am the enemy to the human race right?”(Alice)

“Yes that maybe true, I even thought at first you were an enemy of the human race but right now….”(David)

“…Now?”(Alice)

David shows Alice his most sincerest smile and continues,“Lady Alice is a person who cannot be called just a demon, you are much more than that. I have spent some time with you and I am very much positive of this fact. Lady Alice if you are worried that I will discriminate against you or anything of that sort then please dispel those thoughts.”(David)

“…..Mr. David”(Alice)

“From what I have observed and seen, you are a precious friend to Milady Krul and are a wonderful person, worthy of respect not disdain. I have met many humans in my life but you are one who is more gently, more straightforward than anyone of them, I truly do respect you as a friend.”(David)

Alice hearing those words became really happy.

The thorn in heart and the thoughts in her mind completely disappeared and walked with David, but this time you could hear that her steps were clear lighter than before.

“Before a Demon, you are Lady Alice, a little girl who is kind and gentle.”(David)

“Thank you Mr. David, but you are wrong about one thing.”(Alice)

“Oh what is that?”(David)

“I regard both Krul, Rex, Tina, and you, Mr. David my close friends.”(Alice)

“Well, you have just made this old man's day.” David saw from her smile that Alice was truly worried about this, and having finally dispelled those thoughts of her made him happy as well. David remembered a distant memory, it was the first Krul had smiled at when they were in castle from Alice's smiles and thought “Yes, Milady never chooses wrong when making friends”.

–
Kagami's side

It was ten days after they had left the city, they had finally reached one of the places where the dragon could be, the saint forest, there were only weak monsters here around lv5-lv20, thus could not really do anything to them.

“Menou, I have noticed something too late…”(Kagami)

“What is that Mr.Kagami?”(Menou)

“Traveling with you….is not fun at all!!!!”(Kagami)

Kagami while saying this remembered some events of his past as he walked around the forest, he remembered that this was the forest he had spent most of his time leveling up in.

“Menou…seriously, we only have the bare minimum amount of conversation needed for this journey. The only things I ever hear you say is, “Monster over there” or “Let us take a break.” Even when I try to talk about something during the break, all you say is “Yes” and “Ah is that so”!”(Kagami)

“No, it is just…..I do not have anything really important to talk about nor do I have anything I would like to share.”(Menou)

“Of course there is stuff to talk about, like you know…your past! If Alice was here, she would be a fun conversation partner. She would go “Oh, what is that Mr. Kagami,” or “Wow you are so cool Mr.Kagami”. I am very disappointed in you Menou. 0 points.”(Kagami)

“Ummm….sorry.”(Menou)

Menou who did not speak in the conversation actually found this journey with Kagami quite fun. But seeing that his travel partner did not think that, made him quite depressed and make a slightly sad facial expression.

Kagami seeing Menou's expression felt it was quite interesting and mutter “Well this is exactly how I expected him to react,” and then went to sit down on a slightly big rock.

“From what I see…..we have arrived at the place where the dungeon is supposed to be, but is it really in this forest?”(Kagami)

“Oh yes. This place was marked in the book in the Demon Lord's castle, it mentioned a small forest south of the royal capital which should have the entrance to the dungeon.”(Menou)

Right now it was morning when they had arrived at the Saint Forest, but even after searching for half a day in this forest we have still not found the entrance to the dungeon.

They were attacked by monster several times but since it was all weak monsters, it posed no threat. They searched the front and back of the forest but still have not found the entrance to the dungeon.

“The entrance must be really small if we are missing it……..are you sure that information is reliable?”(Kagami)

“Of course……It is a book that is passed down in the his highness castle since olden times? How could such an book that only contained a lie be passed down like that?”(Menou)

“Even so…This is a forest south of the royal capital and is actually still really close to it, the kingdom has send expedition teams to keep the amount of monster in this forest low. I myself have long explored these forest when I was a kid. There have been many adventurers who have also explored this forest but none of them were able to find this entrance to the dungeon.”(Kagami)

When Kagami said that Menou showed a confused expression.

In Menou's memory he clearly remembered a cross mark in a forest south of the royal capital.

He also checked with the demon lord when he was young and even that man who took the demon lord also told him about this dungeon long ago.

However he had clearly searched front and back of the forest with Kagami trying to find the entrance and was still unable to. We have encountered several monsters now but still have not even found a monster close to being strong too.

Menou was quite tired of lugging around this much money. They had encountered several monster and since they all drop gold coins they had to visit the nearby city a lot. They had also done some quest in too obtained some money and deposited In the bank but even so he still was carrying a large amount of gold coins.

“Thus what would like to do Kagami, will you like to return to the nearest city and rethink our plan? I would like to avoid the capital if it can be done.” (Menou)

“Hmm, let's try again I am not sure if we overlooked a place.”(Kagami)

Kagami suggested we try to look at every place in the forest, the shades of the trees, and up on the trees that we had not examined before.

3 hours later, Kagami and Menou were still looking in every single nook and cranny but were not able to find anything remotely close to a dungeon entrance or even a strong monster that would give a clue to the dungeon.

Chapter end