"Gentlemen! This is our territory ahead. May I ask what brings you here?"
Gobuta, riding a Storm Fang Wolf and leading a patrol, approached Ellen and the others, asking with a smile.
"Uh... we're actually adventurers from a free guild. We were being chased by monsters in the forest and stumbled upon this place in our panic!"
Kabal, as the leader, stepped forward and explained to Gobuta.
"I see! Well, if you don't mind, would you like to come into our town to rest?"
Looking at the people in front of him, Gobuta remembered Lord Chen's orders and immediately invited them to the town.
"Really? Won't it cause you any trouble?"
Ellen excitedly asked upon hearing they could enter the town. She was incredibly curious about a town appearing in the Great Jura Forest.
"No... no... we welcome all friendly guests here!"
Gobuta quickly waved his hands and explained when he heard Ellen's words.
"Then, everyone, please follow us. I'll take you to meet our leaders!"
"Alright! Thank you, young man!"
"Hehe! It's nothing, let's go!"
The simple-minded Gobuta scratched his head awkwardly, then led the four towards the town.
Upon entering the town, the four were filled with astonishment at the incredibly prosperous town within.
They actually saw many humans living in the town, and it seemed impossible to them that monsters and humans could live together without any barriers.
"Wow! This town is so prosperous! Oh! They're selling candied hawthorn skewers over there! Kabal, quickly buy me one!"
Looking at the two-story buildings lining the streets, the clean and tidy streets, and the monsters and humans setting up stalls on both sides of the street.
Ellen, looking around, suddenly spotted a stall selling candied hawthorn skewers and eagerly urged Kabal to buy her one.
"What? We don't have any money left! Besides, you've already squandered all the money, so where am I supposed to get money to buy you one now!"
"I don't care! I want a candied hawthorn skewer!"
"Damn it! You, I'm the leader!"
The beautiful woman selling candied hawthorn skewers at the stall noticed the situation and called out to Ellen and the others:
"Does that lovely young lady want a candied hawthorn skewer?"
The four, hearing the call, looked towards the candied hawthorn stall and saw a beautiful woman in a floral kimono smiling and waving at them.
Ellen looked at the gentle beautiful woman, quickly pulled the person next to her, ran over, and excitedly said to the beautiful woman:
"Hello, Big Sister!"
"Hello to you too! What a polite child!"
"Hehe!"
Looking at Ellen, who was scratching her head and giggling, the beautiful woman picked up a candied hawthorn skewer covered in sugar from the plate in front of her and handed it to Ellen.
"This... Big Sister, I can't take it. We don't have any money; we can't take your things for free!"
"Haha, consider it my treat. You aren't from our town, are you?"
"No, we're adventurers who stumbled upon this place!"
"I see!"
"My name is Ellen! I don't know what to call you, Big Sister!"
"My name is Mrs. Kamado! This is my daughter, Nezuko!"
That's right! The one selling candied hawthorn skewers was Mrs. Kamado, who Lord Chen had persuaded to come over from the Demon Slayer World.
Because of Lord Chen's special care, she didn't originally need to work, but she felt it was too much to be taken care of for no reason, so she refused Lord Chen's help.
She set up a small stall in front of her house, selling desserts she made herself.
Today was the first time she had seen humans from this world, and hearing Ellen's words, she couldn't help but greet them.
"Oh! Big Sister, are you already married? Your daughter is so cute!"
Looking at Nezuko, who was shyly peeking out from behind Mrs. Kamado, Ellen felt her heart melt.
"Haha, Nezuko is a bit shy around strangers! Just take this candied hawthorn skewer! If you don't take it, Big Sister will get angry!"
Looking at the gentle Mrs. Kamado in front of her, Ellen finally accepted the candied hawthorn skewer.
She then took out a emerald green rhomboid pendant from her mage's robe and handed it to Mrs. Kamado.
"Sister Kamado, this is for you, as a thank you for the candied hawthorn skewer! You can't refuse!"
Looking at the cute girl acting adorable in front of her, Mrs. Kamado, who felt an unusual connection with her, reached out and stroked her little head, saying with a smile:
"Alright, alright! Then I'll accept it! After you've explored the town, you must come visit my home!"
Kabal, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his mouth as he watched the necklace being given away.
This young lady is truly generous; this was a treasure given to her by the Duke for self-defense, and she just gave it away like that.
"Okay, Sister, we'll be going now. We still have to meet the leader here, and I don't know if he'll be easy to deal with!"
After hearing Ellen's words, Mrs. Kamado smiled at them and said:
"Don't worry! Lord Rimuru and Lord Chen are very easy to get along with; you'll definitely like them!"
Thinking of the two who Sakuya had dragged back earlier, Mrs. Kamado couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"That's great, then I'm relieved!"
After exchanging greetings, the group continued to follow Gobuta to the administrative building in the center of the town.
However, as they left, Shizue Izawa turned back and took a long look at Mrs. Kamado.
As the group continued to observe the town, their curiosity about the town's leaders grew. Anyone capable of building such a happy town was certainly no ordinary person.
"Lord Rimuru! Lord Chen! The guards at the gate reported that the humans discovered earlier have arrived! They are waiting for both of you in the conference room!"
Looking at the two who were bent over, writing something, Giyu Tomioka, who had just pushed open the door, knelt on one knee and reported.
"Is that so? I understand, you may go about your business!"
Lord Chen, hearing the report, looked up and said to Giyu Tomioka, who was reporting.
"Yes!"
Watching Giyu Tomioka get up and leave, Lord Chen said to Rimuru, who was sketching with a pen:
"Rimuru, you and I will go meet those people first. Stop drawing for now!"
"Okay!"
If Giyu Tomioka had been able to see what was actually drawn on the paper just now, he would have definitely said, 'As expected of the recognized duo of idlers, Miss Sakuya, who takes care of them every day, must truly be exhausted!'
Indeed, there was nothing important on the paper, only a caricatured drawing of a Goblin.
This caricatured Goblin was the village chief, Rigurd. As for why it was him.
It was entirely because this fellow always reported to the Chief Maid! (〝▼dish▼)
Conference room.
"Guests, please have some tea! The two masters will arrive shortly!"
Izayoi Sakuya carried four freshly brewed cups of black tea on a tray, placing them one by one in front of the four and said.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you, Miss Maid!"
"No need to be polite; it is my duty as a maid!"
After bowing slightly to the four who thanked her, Sakuya put away the tray and stood to the side.
"Creak..."
The sound of the door opening echoed, and then Lord Chen and Rimuru entered, accompanied by Kanae Kocho and Ranga.
After glancing at the four who quickly stood up, Lord Chen and Rimuru took their seats at the head of the conference table, while Kanae and Ranga stood behind them respectively.
"Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Zhong Chen, and this is Rimuru. We are the leaders of this town! Welcome, guests!"
...