Unorthodox Guild

Demon City.

At this moment, on the first basement level.

This is a place used to detain serious offenders.

For example, there's a silver-haired captain of the Kingdom's knights who caused a lot of trouble for the Demon King's army; she's female.

Although this is no different from simply saying Noelle's name, that's the current situation.

Currently, Noelle is the only person being held in the entire prison. That's right, just one.

It's not because there are no criminals in the Demon King's territory.

It is because only serious criminals from other races, handpicked by the Demon King, are imprisoned in this terrifying place.

This means that ordinary criminals either don't meet the required standards or haven't committed serious crimes, so they don't get the chance to move in.

This situation resulted in the so-called torture chamber not being a prison, but rather more like the residence of an upper-class nobleman: it not only had luxurious interiors and complete infrastructure, but also several guards who could act as bodyguards on standby 24 hours a day, ready to meet Noel's various needs at any time.

"Hey guard, it's your turn again today! Hehe, thanks for your hard work."

"Of course, protecting Miss Noelle is our duty; the hardship is nothing!"

However, the girl's treatment was not solely due to external circumstances.

"Wow, is this...is this for me?"

"Hmph, today's afternoon tea is Miss Noel's favorite crème brûlée. Please enjoy, and call me if you need anything."

To be honest, the prison (?) has been without residents for a long time.

To be honest, these guards who have been receiving salaries without working for a long time really hope that they can do something.

In addition, the girl's optimistic personality allowed her to quickly get along with the prison guards, cooks, and even the demons who cleaned the prison.

"Thank you for protecting my brother. I'm very grateful to you all this time!"

"Hehehe, with Miss's words, my little bit of hard work is nothing."

"...Hmm."

The demon girl standing in front of Noel's cell placed her hand on the doorknob.

Vivian fell silent as she listened to the lively laughter that occasionally emanated from the inner room.

Putting aside the racial issues and the trouble the girl caused the Demon King's army.

Vivian remained relaxed and happy during the days she interrogated Noelle.

"and."

This human named Noelle... I have real information to share!

To be honest, this was the first time Vivian received a message from this human, describing how he was frantically tearing things apart on the front lines.

She thought it was a mad dog that could perform one attack with its first skill, one jump with its second skill, and then spin wildly with its third skill granting it super armor.

"Mmm, delicious!"

"Miss Noelle still enjoys desserts as always."

"Hehehe, it's because my master doesn't like making desserts for me. He says that eating too many can make you sick or something... umm."

"..."

After spending two months with Noelle, Vivian realized that things weren't as she had imagined.

Although Noelle's fighting style is quite aggressive, deep down she's just a teenage girl who loves sweets.

"and......"

The girl really does have information!

Regardless of the hero's appearance, cooking skills, or preferred weapon.

Or the composition of the Knights of Asta... In short, as long as Noelle is fed, she can even tell you all the details about Princess Asta's love life.

"Mmm, I'm full."

"Thank you for guarding me, brother. Noelle will now tell you about Princess Astar..."

"..."

As the saying goes, Xi Xi material Wei Junjie.

So even though they had different stances, Vivian still felt a certain amount of goodwill towards this human girl, both emotionally and in terms of the interests of the demon race.

"No, no, no, Miss Noelle, you're too kind."

"Everyone treats you like a brother, so just eat and drink well. There's no need for you to tell me about humans. It makes them think I brought you food for some other purpose!"

"..."

What's wrong with this guard?

"Hey? How can that be?"

"Even close brothers should keep clear accounts! Brother Guard, you absolutely must hear Master's story!"

"..."

What's wrong with this human?

"..."

Ugh.

"Never mind, none of that matters anymore."

Vivian sighed softly.

I looked up and gazed at the magnificent prison built by the demon workers.

This prison also served as the office of Vivian, the chief interrogator.

It was also a work created by the former Demon King Yura during her tenure, using a large amount of gold and manpower... or perhaps it was a gift given to Vivian as a friend.

And that's why she's here today.

That was the instruction from the current Demon King just now.

"..."

The Demon King, with an unyielding tone and overwhelming force, commanded her to release Noelle.

The prison guards, cooks, and other staff were all required to resign, retire, or change jobs; there were no other options.

"..."

Although Yura's name was not on the list.

However, having lost her office and subordinates, she has been placed in a power vacuum.

The Demon King's purpose was obvious: after all, what difference was there between this and dismissing her?

"..."

As for the reason for releasing the girl, whether it was to save the Demon King's castle's finances or because she had lost interest in information about Noelle, Vivian no longer cared.

"call."

"Maybe this will be the last time I come here."

She let out a soft sigh.

Click.

With a soft click as the doorknob was opened.

Even if the emotions in my heart are extremely complex.

The demon girl with small horns gritted her teeth and slowly walked into the interrogation room marked "01".

...........

...........

at the same time.

Evening, the border of Yasta.

The plains are surrounded by rolling hills and scattered trees.

This is the gateway between Asta and the Free City.

If viewed from the air: On this side of the pass, there are rows of houses, the pass city of the Kingdom of Asta, named "Hani City", under the jurisdiction of a duke.

However, calling it a pass-through city might underestimate the size and influence of this city.

In fact, this city is the most prosperous area in this border duchy, and one of the major cities that pays the most taxes to the royal city every year.

As for the reason: it is that there is a hidden gem with abundant resources located near this city.

Although this secret realm only received a C rating in the Adventurers' Guild's rating system.

However, because a special monster called "Hani" spawns in the secret realm, this city possesses a unique industry centered around the monster "Hani" that other cities do not have.

There are even rumors that a religion called "Hani Religion" has emerged in this area, with "Hani" as its symbol.

However, the claim that worshipping a monster religion in Asta is a serious violation of the law is merely a rumor, and its veracity is unknown.

This has resulted in the city maintaining strong economic growth even today, despite the decline in both the number of monsters and the concentration of magic power in various secret realms.

As for what this monster called Hani is... we'll talk about that later.

In short, for various reasons, this city continues to attract adventurers from all over the world.

Humans, orcs, and even elves can be easily spotted on the streets.

Among them are adventurers of level C or above: this city, or the Hani Secret Realm near this city, has become one of the must-visit places for many adventurers to explore the world's secret realms.

On the other side of the pass, there is a stark contrast to the city of Hani within the territory of Yasta.

It was as if it hadn't been developed much: only wisps of smoke could be seen rising from the houses in a few villages along the road.

Although there were quite a few people queuing at the checkpoint, most of them were adventurers who had finished their journey or monster hunting and were preparing to leave for the next secret realm.

These adventurers who left the city were only a minority among all adventurers.

Most adventurers, when planning their routes to the secret realm, will try to choose the roads within the territory of Astar.

After all, the Free Cities are different from the Kingdom of Asta. They are regions that are spontaneously organized by the Free Cities Alliance, forming a kind of political union.

Each of these cities can be considered an independent political entity: there are inconsistencies in the level of economic development, legal provisions, entry and exit restrictions and fees, the type of currency in circulation, and even the language spoken in each city.

In addition, there are scattered local swords, guns, cannons, and mysterious large feline monsters along the roads between cities, nestled in the hills, mountains, and forests.

Even though the Free City Alliance regularly sends adventurers to solve these problems, they have not been completely resolved due to various complex reasons. Not long ago, there were even rumors of a red dragon attacking a caravan.

This leads most civilians, cautious adventurers, or those lacking confidence in their abilities to avoid traveling through free urban areas. Alternatively, they might purchase personal safety insurance and, under the protection of high-level adventurers, proceed along fixed, relatively safe routes...

......

"Luna, Luna, is that an elf? Her ears are so long!"

"Lady Serara, didn't you meet the chieftain of the Elven race...?"

"Huh? Whoa, why isn't that person wearing clothes? Aren't there any security personnel here...?"

With her golden hair agape, Serara stared at the border city with her mouth agape, like a country girl who had never been to the city before, curiously observing every corner of the place.

Compared to the royal city of Asta, the first impression Serara got from this city was that there were significantly more adventurers on the streets.

"Ah, give me the strongest one on the menu!"

"Boss, get me a set of Eight Great Warriors and Four Beauties!"

In the restaurants and food stalls lining the street, many adventurer teams were sitting, having just finished their dungeon raids.

"Hey, the current situation is really bad."

There were also quite a few adventurers who were drunk and talking incoherently.

"That's right, my salary has been cut in half recently."

"If wages are reduced but rents aren't, what's the point? If people can't afford the White Magic Insurance, they'll really be killed."

"I heard that there's a new secret realm for advancement in the Free City, although even after advancement, it's only E-rank."

"However, to be able to advance in this kind of environment... if I really can't stand it anymore, I'm planning to go there and see if there's any solution."

Judging from their clothing and racial characteristics, it seems that many adventurers come from outside Asta and have come to this border city specifically for this purpose.

There are also many specialty shops along the street: and the most popular of them are, of course, the monster Hani-themed plush toys.

"Lady Serara, could you please be a little more quiet?"

The light blue-haired girl, who was being led by Serala's hand and jogging along, sighed softly as she looked at the blonde girl who seemed to be in a rather good mood.

Since Serara left the palace, she seems to have let herself go, completely losing the princess demeanor she had when she was in the palace.

I don't know if it's because I haven't left the royal city for too long, or because I no longer have guards with me.

Or perhaps she was anticipating what was to come; in any case, the girl never stopped for a moment along the way.

"Hey, what's that?"

He led Luna along, running and looking around.

Finally, seemingly noticing something they liked, they stopped in front of a specialty shop.

"Luna, so this is Honey! He's so cute~"

The girl held a rather strange-looking plush toy on the shelf in her hand and examined it curiously.

Whether Serara noticed or not, the design of the shophouse was also quite unique.

The gate is like a giant honey potion's mouth, while the windows are like the honey potion's two eyes, making it very distinctive.

"Hmm, isn't this the monster that's immune to magic?"

I glanced at the plush toy in the girl's hand, which looked like a bow on her head and resembled a tile jar.

This creature called Hani is, rather than being a monster, said to be a species with a history even longer than that of humankind.

High-ranking Hani possess a remarkably high level of intelligence, along with magical immunity and rapid regeneration, making them extremely difficult monsters to deal with.

"Hey Luna, I can buy one...two...no, maybe three would be better."

"...Why buy three?"

"Eh? Um, that."

"Because I only had one, and then I bought one for Luna too, and then..."

"..."

Watching the girl talk, her head slowly lowered in a shy manner.

Luna probably knew who the last doll was going to be bought for.

"Lady Serara, please make yourself at home."

"But two are enough, I don't need any."

Although the gold coins were naturally taken from Serara's pocket, there were only two of them on the journey, so Luna was responsible for all the luggage.

So perhaps considering adding weight to Luna, the girl would always ask Luna's permission with sparkling eyes whenever she went shopping.

Luna, of course, was unable to resist Serara's offensive.

So, although I would say a few words to Serala every time, telling her to pay attention to her personal image... that was all.

Of course, being an adventurer himself, he couldn't quite understand what was so cute about these monsters.

"But what if I get recognized...?"

She looked like a little girl, with a face full of joy.

It's hard to imagine that this adorable little one is actually a princess who was issuing orders in the palace just a few days ago.

"..."

Forget it.

Serara finally managed to leave the palace.

Looking at the girl's genuine smile, which she had never seen in the palace before.

"..."

Perhaps this is for the best.

shook his head.

"My mission is to protect Lady Serara's safety..."

"..."

"..."

The silver-white longsword was drawn in an instant.

"Honey, welcome to our shop..."

Snapped!

Before the monster could finish speaking...

With a flash of the sword, the demon was reduced to a pile of broken tiles with a crisp sound.