Volume 4 Chapter 75 Town Of Freedom And A New Spark
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The hostages stepped cautiously out of the alley. The group included the boy and the girls who had been captured by the pirates.
Their eyes darted around nervously—but they froze in place the moment they saw the world outside.
Before them lay the bustling streets of the Free City, Latipak.
The salty sea breeze carried the scents of seafood and spices, and the distant sound of voices filled the air.
There was no doubt—they had returned to the outside world.
Noticing a nearby guard post, the boy quickly encouraged the women to follow him.
He took the lead, walking with straight posture and a calm expression, as if shielding the women behind him with his presence.
No longer the trembling prisoner he had been, the boy—most likely the son of a city council member—now showed no trace of injury or fear.
He approached the guards at the post and began speaking, composed and clear.
Though we couldn’t hear his words, his gestures made the message clear. He was explaining his name, his position, and everything that had happened with the pirates.
For someone so young, his calm and steady attitude was impressive.
Now and then, he glanced back with a gentle smile or placed a hand on one of the women’s shoulders to reassure them.
His concern was genuine, though part of me couldn’t help but wonder how this experience might shape him in the future.
We watched from a distance in silence.
”They’ll be okay now.”
There was no longer any need for us to step in. Quietly, we left the scene.
Our mission was complete. Finally, we could breathe easy.
We made our way back toward the port, walking through the busy streets of Latipak.
The Free City was alive with color and sound.
Market stalls lined the roads, and the aroma of the sea and spices danced in the air.
Languages from across the continent echoed all around, and people of all races and regions moved through the streets—humans, elves, dwarves, beastfolk, and even members of the Demon Race.
”This way!”
A cat-eared girl with a black tail called out and started leading us through the crowd.
We followed behind Korukona as she guided us like a local.
”Have you been here before?”
”A few times,” she replied with a nod.
Apparently, the fishing village sometimes sent boats to this city to trade, and Korukona would occasionally come along for errands.
Latipak was a small but independent city-state centered around its port.
Surrounded by powerful kingdoms and even Demon Race territories, it had survived through its role as a neutral trade hub.
In this city, status and race didn’t matter.
Humans, elves, dwarves, beastfolk, and demons lived side by side in a chaotic but energetic harmony.
As we walked, taking in the cityscape, Lifia suddenly tugged at my sleeve.
”Master, look…!”
The normally reserved girl’s voice trembled with excitement as she pointed to a pottery shop.
There, displayed outside, was a delicate tea set. White porcelain trimmed with gold, its floral patterns shimmered softly in the light.
”It’s from the Kazifu region, I think,” I murmured.
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the set.
”That region’s mostly desert, but they have a strong pottery tradition… small vessels with really intricate designs…” she explained, almost to herself.
It was rare to hear Lifia speak so freely. Her voice, her expression—it made me smile.
The tableware we’d seen in inns and even the love hotel had been clean, yes, but plain.
These kinds of pieces… they had elegance. Personality. A bit of joy.
”Want to buy it?” I asked.
”Thank you, Master!” she beamed.
She cradled the pot in her hands like it was a treasure. Just seeing her smile made the trip worth it.
”Mr. Taro, over there!”
With a cheerful shout, Yomi dashed toward a plaza.
She ran up to an open-air stall that looked like a flea market.
One mat was covered in glittering accessories—glass beads, metal rings, feather trinkets, and shiny fake jewels.
The designs were foreign to both Japan and the kingdom. Everything was vibrant and unique.
”Look at this one!”
Yomi held up a pair of earrings. A clear blue glass bead hung from the end of a fine silver chain.
”That would look good on you.”
”Right? This one’s cute too… wow, they’re cheap!”
She bounced from piece to piece, eyes sparkling. She looked like a kid on their first trip to an amusement park.
Then, a calm voice called out.
”You’ve got good taste, young lady.”
”Ah, sorry for being noisy!” Yomi replied quickly, bowing her head.
I glanced at the speaker—and froze.
He looked human at first. Middle-aged, average build, with travel-worn clothes and a kind smile.
But under his wide-brimmed hat, two horns curled out—ash white, like a ram’s.
Our eyes met. His were red, glowing like cut gemstones.
”Surprised? First time seeing someone from the Demon Race?” he asked.
”Huh…?”
Yomi stiffened beside me. She had noticed, too. This man was not human.
Still, his voice was calm. Gentle. There was even a bit of humor in it. He didn’t seem hostile at all.
I let my shoulders relax.
Rozmiaque had said it before—Latipak welcomed all races under a shared order.
If this man lived here, there was no reason to treat him like an enemy.
”Excuse me,” I said. “It’s rare to meet someone from the Demon Race like this.”
I try hard to look calm when I answer.
Yeah, I have met the Demon Race before.
But it wasn’t friendly.
I remember the last Demon Race I saw.
They used the Hero, made a stampede, and attacked the kingdom.
No time to talk.
The moment we saw them, we pulled out weapons and fought to kill.
But this guy… he’s different.
He smiles soft, sells accessories at a street stand, and is nice to customers.
I don’t feel hate or killing vibes from him.
Also, he shouldn’t be part of the ones who started the stampede.
Acting rude would be wrong.
”I see, I see. Makes sense. Demon Race is rare in this country. If you came from the kingdom, then yeah, even more rare.”
The shop guy says that, shrugs his shoulders a little, and laughs.
His smile feels friendly, kind of teasing, like he’s joking with a traveler.
Then he picks up one small item from the cloth where stuff is shown.
It’s a small, fancy thing — a shiny silver base, with a clear blue bead in the middle.
”This is from my hometown’s festival.
Girls wear this kind of thing there.
You don’t see it around here, but it’ll look good on you, miss.”
”Ah, th-thanks…”
Yomi takes it, still unsure.
She tries to smile, but her eyes show fear and confusion.
Makes sense.
She also fought the Demon Race on that day.
Worse, the one who started the stampede was her own classmate.
That boy got tricked by the Demon Race, went out of control, tried to cause a tragedy.
In the end, she had to stop him herself.
That pain… it cut deep in her heart.
It’s not a happy memory.
Telling her to feel nothing about the Demon Race? That’s impossible.
But even so, she took the earring and said thanks.
Even one small step like that… it means something.
”Okay then, I’ll buy that one.”
I said that, took the item he showed, and gave him money.
It wasn’t expensive — not bad at all.
Then I told him:
”We’re not from the kingdom, but… we stayed there for a while.”
When I said that, the man’s red eyes narrowed just a bit.
”I see. That makes sense.”
He seemed more like a wandering merchant than a craftsman, but his gaze was sharp—like someone who observed more than he let on.
”I’d like to ask something,” I said, lowering my voice a little.
The noise of the market continued around us, but the space near the stall grew quieter. Tense.
”You’re curious about the war, aren’t you?” he guessed.
”Yes.”
The man showed no surprise. Just raised an eyebrow and kept smiling.
”I’ve heard the kingdom is preparing for war against the Demon Race. They’re gathering troops. I want to know how your side plans to respond.”
He was quiet for a moment, then exhaled.
”I’m no soldier. I don’t want to betray my people. But…” he glanced at the accessory in Yomi’s hand and smirked. “Maybe I can say a little.”
He lowered his voice.
”The Demon Race isn’t sitting idle. They’ve prepared for both land and sea attacks. To be honest, they’ve been ready for a while.”
”Ready?”
”Yes. The Kingdom summoned heroes. That kind of move can only mean one thing.”
Heroes—summoned from another world to fight a powerful enemy.
My chest tightened.
We were the heroes. We were the Kingdom’s trump card.
”Mr. Taro…” Yomi gripped my arm tightly.
She understood too. Our arrival may have been the spark for this war.
If we fought for the Kingdom… and killed people from the Demon Race—people like this merchant…
Could we live with that?
Then, it happened.
”Extra! Extra!”
A boy’s voice rang out across the plaza. He waved a bundle of newspapers high above his head.
”The identity of the pirates has been revealed! They were privateers—armed and funded by the Kingdom!”
”What…?” someone nearby muttered.
The boy continued, reading from the front page.
”The Free City Council has demanded compensation from the Kingdom and will file an official protest!”
Gasps echoed through the port.
”Privateers? So they were working for the Kingdom?”
”Wait, what about the city’s neutrality?”
”They’ll probably side with the Demon Race now…!”
Anger and confusion filled the street.
I clenched my fist quietly.
It looked like our peaceful journey had come to an end.
Notes:
• Latipak – A small independent state centered around its port town. Located in a strategic trade hub, it maintains neutrality despite being surrounded by large nations and Demon Race territories. It is a bustling city where humans, elves, dwarfs, and Demon Race people coexist. Known for its vibrant streets, diverse languages, and lively atmosphere.
• Korukona – A cat-eared girl with amber eyes. She is brave but vulnerable, showing honesty and gratitude. Taro rescues her from the pirate and plans to send her to her village.
• Rozmiaque – High-ranking elf investigating large-scale Spirit Magic usage. Condescending, believes a High Elf is involved. Uses 6-letter Spirit Magic to trap targets. Displays contempt for half-elves and humans. Aggressive interrogator, possibly capable of sensing hidden information.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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