First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 32
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
Exposure.
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(Chirito POV)
“Now, today’s session of the National Assembly is now adjourned is what I would like to say, however, I have an urgent matter to raise with Councilor Nasu.”
I had been brought to the National Assembly by Ryo’s father, albeit clandestinely.
In all honesty, being brought out of the blue to a place I had only watched on the news up until now, evoked no emotions other than bewilderment. Nevertheless, through my ?Personal Analyze?, I had been assigned the task of conducting searches to detect any non-humans who could be mixed up in this venue today. In that circumstance, the only thing I could do was play the part.
I mean, first of all, I myself am not a human being… but I shouldn’t say that, right?
Even so, who is this person that Uncle Nasu has brought with him? I didn’t see him in the car on the way here.
This is where it all starts. I need to concentrate.
“Councilor Nasu. Please introduce our guest.”
“Yes. I have brought with me today an official of Labyrinth X-J2… no, I should put it this way: the administrator.”
“Huh!” “No way…” “That’s absurd…”
“Now, let’s invite him to join us. This is the ‘King of the Devouring Black Mist’.”
The door to the Diet opened after this, and a small youngster formed of a fog-like substance entered and made his way to the platform to deliver his speech.
Eh? That one is a Demon King?
[Now, if you all would excuse me for this appearance of mine for various reasons, ladies and gentlemen of the assembly.]
“This is a Demon King…?” “No way, no way…”
[Ah, I understand that you have a lot to say, but I am a veritable Demon King. The name of the dungeon I rule is ‘White Mist and Black Swamp Forest’. I suppose the name you guys assigned to it is Labyrinth X-J2. Right. For now, you can refer to me as the Mist King.]
“!?”
“What I hope to relay to you this time is about the Demon King and the kin.”
Mist King-chan? You are a Demon King? No, maybe it’s better to refer to you as Mist King-san.
The complexion of some of the council members changed when they heard his voice.
[Well, this is a piece of information that could be a lifeline for me as well. Therefore, I’ll be misleading you to a certain extent, but I’ll tell you this much. We Demon Kings are capable of creating our own demons called ‘kin’ from human beings.]
Eh? Then… Kurokiri-san is…
“W-What does that mean…?”
[It means exactly what it sounds like. And most of the kin have an appearance roughly the same as you humans do.]
…
“!? I-If that’s the truth, then that’s a very grave concern…”
“S-so you’re pointing out that monsters could be living among normal people.”
“Oh my god…”
[I’ll warn you, you don’t need to hunt down and detain a kin that hasn’t committed anything. It depends on who’s the master, and I’ve done nothing more than prevent information leakage.]
“As if I’d believe that!”
[I guess so. So monitoring suspicious people is fine. However, a kin is basically no different from a human being. You should remember that. And if you lay a hand on my kin without any particular crime… do you understand the consequences?]
My spine tingled with a shiver. But I was convinced that this was the truth. Despite being a kin of a certain Demon King, I had received no orders to act.
Oh no, I have to concentrate. I have to proceed with the analysis… huh? This person…? Something is disrupting my ?Personal Analyze?…?
“You… What do you desire from us by delivering such a message…”
That’s right. There is no doubt. This person is…
[I have a certain objective. To attain that goal, I’m operating the labyrinth. Ideally, I want to kill, be killed, help, and be helped. Well, it would be preferable to have humans governing the country. That’s why I’d like this subject to be spread around the world if possible.]
…a kin!
[And apparently, someone really did blend in.]
The Mist King subsequently turned to the councillor, whom I had identified as a kin.
Eh, huh? Why are you looking at my side? Well, forget it.
In any case, the folks surrounding that council member all drew back at the same time.
“Hah! It’s a false accusation!”
[My bad, but if you want evidence, I have the right kind of proof using my skills. Besides, I mentioned it earlier. A kin is no different from a human being. Therefore, it is unnecessary to restrain them when they have done nothing. Ah, but if you ask your master and get their approval, then at least provide me with the name of your master and the name of the dungeon. In any case, there must be a means of communication for such an eventuality, right?]
“Tsk…! That’s… eh, ah, gah!”
The kin councilor began to tremble, and his face took on a vixen-like appearance.
[Excuse me. My name is ‘Hundred Beast Clad Fox Princess’. I am the master of the labyrinth you call X-J3, the ‘Fox City of the Beasts of War’. Did you say you are the Mist King? You have a very appetizing manner of doing things, aren’t you?]
A female speaking with an old man’s voice was so creepy… but that was not the point.
[It makes no difference to me. So, the fact that you’re displaying your face to me in this way suggests that this old man’s sole purpose is to collect information.]
[Well, perhaps the goals of mine and yours aren’t so different. Frankly speaking, I have no intention of ruling the country. Unless someone causes unnecessary harm to my kin.]
[I see. By the way, have you informed anyone of your goal?]
[Of course not.]
The Mist King and the Fox Princess (the councilor controlled by her) mutually deepened their smiles.
[Then I’ll be leaving without further information to disclose. Well, humans. Let me be excused for this time.]
[I shall do the same then.]
The Mist King departed from the scene with those remarks, and the councilor, who had been manipulated by the Fox Princess, reverted to his original appearance.
“This is utterly unanticipated…”
In my ears, I can hear Uncle Nasu’s mutterings, which were tinged with perplexity.
?
Check out other Outer World Story series in order: Outer World Story: The Black Mist that Devours (First series), Outer World Story: Pumpkin Sorcerer (Third series), Outer World Story: Basilisk of Ice Sculpture (Fourth series)