Chapter 220 (1/2)

If asked about what was the place that was deeply related to the Zadark Kingdom citizens’ lifestyles, anyone would first say that it was the 「Guild」.

From intermediating jobs, to dealing with applications related to business, and even doing consultations about entire lifestyles, the Guild had a hand in all sorts of things.

Among those Guilds, what boasted as the Zadark Kingdom’s greatest structure was the royal capital Arkverm Guild Headquarters.

That building that was always jam packed with many Mazoku, a single little girl was looking up at it.

「Haaー……Amazing. Somehow, it reminds me of my home town……」

While muttering that, the little girl looked around at the area with curious eyes.

Her figure of having large luggage, she had the appearance of having just come out from the countryside.

Her appearance was childish, but age-wise, she really couldn’t be called a 「little girl」.

Being a half between the Metalio and the Sylphid, which were races of mankind, she was a splendid adult that surpassed a hundred years old. Moreover, she was even married.

Her name, was Margaret.

Known by anyone who had set their aims on blacksmithing in the Zadark Kingdom, she was the legendary blacksmith.

In regards to her, rumors like her entering the Demon King Castle that everyone else feared to approach after the previous Demon King’s demise with a smile on her face to gather materials, or her seriously asking an Ancient Golem if she could 「shave off a bit」 of it were whispered about.

However, these weren’t just gossip, but were all facts that actually happened.

If she felt that something would seem like blacksmithing materials, Margaret was the type of person that would joyfully go out to pull it out even if it was a Dragon’s back tooth.

「Aryah, Ojou-chan. What’s wrong, are ya lost?」

「Oi oi, it’s not like a Majin will always have an age that matches their appearance. Erm, is this your first time in th royal capital? This place is the Guild.」

Seeing Margaret peeking inside of the Guild, two Beastia that just came out from there called out to her.

The one who first asked her if she was lost was a black boar Beastia, and the one who asked if this was her first time in the royal capital was a brown bear Beastia.

Both of them were making gentle faces, but their objective was picking up women.

「Ah, no. Ahー, actually, this might really be my first time here. If I remember correctly, the last time I came here was before Arkverm was made. 」

「In that case, I guess 『Onee-san』 would be better. Huh, oi.」

「Haha, sorry he’s such a rude guy. Ah, I’m Nortom, and this guy is Kyoudo. Ojou-san, if you don’t mind……」

「Eh? Erm……」

When Margaret thought about how she should respond, a man cut in between Margaret and Nortom’s group.

The one who came in as if defending Margaret, was a grey cat Beastia.

「Oi oi, just when I find myself passing by……I see two men surrounding an ojou-san like this. Don’t you find that shameful?」

Seeing that Beastia that carried a bow on his back, Nortom’s group raised their voices with an “ugh”.

His name was Midam. The objective of the cool and nihilistic Midam who was a hunter by occupation, was also picking up women.

「Ojou-san. If you’d like, won’t you go with me to a store with some delicious fish dishes?」

「Umー……Well, the thing is, I, see?」

As Margaret was about to refuse with a troubled looking smile, yet another man’s hand went *pon* and was placed on her shoulder.

「Oi oi, Midam-san, are you of all people picking up women? Ain’t you troubling the ojou-san.」

「Nu……」

The one who came up next was a cow Beastia who was famed for normally being slovenly yet chivalrous, Egi. Naturally, his objective was picking up women.

「Ojou-san, won’t you leave these guys alone and come play with me?」

「No, like I was saying, I.」

「……What are you doing.」

Hearing that resounding voice, Margaret changed to a delighted smile in a flash.

「Aー-chan!」

「Aー-chan?」

To make such a beautiful girl call him in such a close way, just what kind of bastard was he?

With jealousy mixed in, the Beastia looked towards the man’s direction……and their expressions froze.

「Honestly……I leave you alone for just a bit and it turns out like this. That’s why I said that we should come here together.」

「Ehehe, sorry about that.」

The one that was there was a single man with silver hair that was cut short and evened up.

That man who was clearly a Majin, there was no one in the Zadark Kingdom that didn’t know of him.

One of the Four Cardinal Generals, the Northern General Altejio.

Also called the Light Burying Altejio, he was a corner of the Zadark Kingdom’s strongest members.

「Are you serious……」

「No, but, calling him Aー-chan……」

Ignoring the Beastia that were whispering to each other, Margaret jumped into Altejio’s chest with a whole faced smile.

Holding a grilled skewer in one hand, after Altejio caught Margaret in his arm with his other hand, he glared at the Beastia that were there.

「Hie!」

While keeping his gaze on the Beastia that reflexively let out that sort of voice, Altejio slowly announced to them.

「……Listen up, I have no recollection of allowing anyone other than my wife to use that nickname. Be sure to forget it immediately.」

「Y, yessirrr!」

「Very good.」