A small village lies between the royal capital of Ulza and Mills.
We reached that village after traveling for about two days.
After arriving we acted separately from Seras.
We took separate rooms at the inn.
We decided to travel together only after putting more distance between ourselves and Mills.
Heading north from this village would take us to the royal capital of Ulza.
Continuing farther north from the capital would bring us to the Golden Demon Zone.
Two days had passed since the battle with the Five Dragon Warriors.
There was still no sign of pursuers.
The Black Dragon Knights hailed as the strongest force in the land.
The death of the Five Dragon Warriors who formed their core.
Bakos was probably in chaos right now.
In a single night the military backbone of the country had been destroyed.
They might not even have the spare capacity to send out pursuers.
We were now standing in the village square.
Seras was sleeping at the inn.
Pigi-maru was waiting in the room.
A bonfire in the center of the square lit up the night darkness.
It reminded me of a campfire.
From time to time sparks danced through the air like glittering scales.
Many villagers filled the square.
I also spotted people who looked like travelers.
Others were dancing.
Some were chatting and laughing.
Others played instruments.
Still others were cheerfully sharing drinks.
A fair number of stalls had been set up in the square.
It felt like a surprisingly lively festival.
We had arrived in the village right on the day of their festival.
It was the perfect timing for outsiders to visit.
Even travelers with no particular purpose could pass as people here to watch the festival.
I pretended to browse the stalls while keeping my ears open.
But there was no significant information.
The Black Dragon Knights were mentioned.
Here however it seemed to be understood only as something happened over in Mills.
I looked down at my palm.
Sleep had reached level three.
The new addition was voluntary release.
The other added effect was gauge increase.
It seemed I could now extend the duration.
On the way here I had also tested Freeze.
It was a skill that covered the target in ice and sealed their movement.
It appeared to be a non-lethal skill.
It could not be stacked with other skills.
However this skill could be used on non-living things as well.
The range was the same short distance as Sleep.
What stood out was the duration of the effect.
The duration was a full three hundred days.
But for now it could not be released.
It might become possible to release it once the level rose higher.
For the time being it did not seem like a skill I could use lightly.
Still if I can use it the way I am thinking it might solve the problem of corpses left behind by poison deaths.
I planned to test it eventually.
My eyes suddenly caught a certain stall.
Welcome.
A cheerful middle-aged shopkeeper pointed at the bonfire.
How about it. Buy something and join in.
I looked behind me.
Villagers and travelers wearing masks were dancing around the flames.
Apparently this village had a custom of wearing masks and dancing during the festival.
The masks lined up at the stall were modeled after characters from legends.
A mask.
I picked up the first mask that caught my eye.
Oh interested in the King of Flies.
King of Flies.
Oh you do not know.
The shopkeeper began to explain.
I had not asked but he continued anyway.
He was a demon king who supposedly fortified the Demon Island into a stronghold and fought off every invader for a hundred years. Even though the legends feature demons born from primordial evil for some reason the stories of the King of Flies are really popular. The warband he organized ends with everyone dying but their deaths are so cool that the King of Flies subordinates are pretty popular too.
The King of Flies.
I examined the mask.
The eye sections were not round.
Flies are usually associated with large red compound eyes.
But the eyes on this mask were narrow and gave off an aggressive feel.
The antennae looked like horns.
Demon king was it.
In my previous world there had also been a demon king modeled after a fly.
I asked.
Are these masks rare.
The legend of the King of Flies is famous and popular so you can find the same masks just about anywhere. The same ones are sold all across the continent.
Available everywhere on the continent.
I spotted a different fly mask.
What about that one.
Its design was different from the King of Flies.
This one. This is modeled after a subordinate of the King of Flies. Kids need it when they play war and act as the evil side.
After thinking for a moment I said.
Can I have one of the king mask and one of the subordinate mask.
Oh thank you. Glad my explanation was useful. There is a full-length mirror behind that curtain over there so why don't you try them on?
The shopkeeper pointed to a small tent beside the stall.
I paid the money and stepped behind the curtain.
I stood in front of the large mirror.
When I need to take action in front of people wearing this mask might be a good idea.
If it works well I could pass myself off as someone else.
Masks that circulate across the entire continent.
That was convenient.
Now then.
In the future when someone asks who I am what should I say.
I could not pass as a merchant.
I would probably need to carry too many goods.
In that case the best option is still a mercenary band.
As long as I had weapons I could pass as a mercenary.
It was easier to hide my background than with a merchant.
Well even if I called it a mercenary band there were still only two people and one creature.
Come to think of it the idea had come up right after I left the Ruins of Disposal.
A mercenary band opposing the goddess.
I looked down at the King of Flies mask in my hand.
The King of Flies mercenary band.
I was not the type to be a hero of justice.
A demon suited me better.
I put on the mask.
A coronation performed by myself for myself.
The figure reflected in the mirror.
A black robe.
The head of a demon fly.
That silhouette floating in the dim light looked exactly like a demon.
Goddess Vysis.
I quietly spoke the name of my target for revenge.
Someday you will be the one trampled. No.
I turned on my heel and turned my back to the mirror.
I will put you on that side.
I touched the mask with my hand.
Never underestimate the obsession of a human who sold his soul to a demon.