Vol. 3 CH. 1 — The Kingdom of Travestin.

PART #1

On board the battleship Mordred, Lucinda was inside one of ship's many rooms. Though it would be best if she had used one of those commercial type magic airships like the Cruise ship Milan, the battleship Mordred was more suitable for speedy travel.

Based on the image of the large cruisers on earth, Mordred was a type of ship that can launch several magic missiles and fire off lasers from ts turrets. However, unlike its other counter parts, Mordred was designed for immediate response. As such, there were rooms in the ship that was luxurious for someone of Lucinda's level.

"My lady, is there something bothering you perhaps?"

A cat eared maid asked so while brushing Lucinda's golden hair. The maid was a black cat type beastmen, long haired, slim body with long legs. If this were earth, she would have been a famous super model based on her looks and figure. But as she was deemed as part of the Demon Spawns of this world, she had a hard time living in other countries.

Her name was Niya. She works as the ruins of Ambrosia's first defense corps led by a small group of vigilante. Niya had also worked with Kuro before, however, for whatever reason there was, they doesn't seem to get along.

Lucinda showed a wry smile as Mordred sail through the sky. The soft looking clouds outside the window was a pleasant sight, calming down anyone who see them.

However, Lucinda felt something was wrong.

"Niya, I had this feeling that something bad is happening"

"Bad?"

"Yes"

Niya tilted her head in wonder. She doesn't understand why Lucinda would feel like that when they were inside one of Kyoushiro's battleships. What's more, Kuro brought along a small unit under his command as well as a hundred or so Magic Knight Golems. Not only that,there were also construction golems which would be used to set up a new base on Travestin. Something like an embassy of sorts.

With this much guards around Lucinda, added by Mordred's firepower, it would be enough to make her feel more secure than travelling on an ordinary magic airship.

"Kyoushiro-sama..... it feels like something will happen to him"

"But his majesty is strong. I'm sure he'll be alright"

For someone like Kyoushiro, a curse or two was nothing. In fact, he even faced Kuro which was clearly stronger than him in the past and won. Even Niya couldn't win against Kyoushiro.

What's more, he even defeated a Demon Lord already. That much fact proves that Kyoushiro can hold a candle on his own against strong opponents.

"I know that but....."

"Lucinda-sama, it is best if you place your trust in his majesty. He might not clearly show it but, he cares for those who are important to him"

Advancement in magic technology as well as magic battleships capable of decimating thousands of cities in an instant. If you add his, magic artifacts, golems and other inventions, it was safe to say that he was putting the lives of those who believes in him first.

Niya reassures Lucinda that no matter what happens, Kyoushiro would come back.

"His majesty is by no means weak. That is why, it is best to simply trust him. You may be apart but I'm sure your hearts will connect with one another"

"I shall bring your afternoon tea, place wait here for the moment" Niya added, before stopping her hands and placing the brush on the table next to her. Niya then bowed slightly before leaving the room.

Left alone, Lucinda sighs and gaze outside the window. The wasteland was slowly turning green. Meaning that they were about to leave the wasteland itself. It will still take some time before they reach Travestin so everyone in the ship was resting.

"Haaaaah.... Kyoushiro-sama.... mother"

With her chest feeling heavy, Lucinda closed her eyes and leaned on her backrest......

—

Mikoto was wondering inside the ship. Because of how advance this ship was, it didn't have those tight and narrow hallways the typical cruisers has. The halls were spacious. With small gives arranged neatly on the ceiling and on the sides of the wall. The rooms were fitted inside in order to accommodate the crew members and the passengers. The storage where the supplies were being kept were enchanted with Space magic, granting it a large sub-dimensional store space that doesn't affect the weight of the ship.

Kyoushiro-kun is amazing as always— Mikoto looks around with eyes like a child in an amusement park.

Because Kyoushiro built all of this in such a short time, it wouldn't be enough to call him a genius. Naturally, it goes without saying that his work in rehabilitating and rebuilding of Ambrosia was just impressive as well.

Just how the buildings resembled that of earth's, the technology the other vehicles were based on were on the same level as SciFi movies. Although there were no rockets that flies you into space or massive space stations or even the internet, Ambrosia was an amazing place anyone was having the time of their life.

Mikoto was even shock to see power stations that converts sun light to magic power and generators that has the ability to produce electricity just by converting magic power as well. Light post, cars, ships, goods and other stuff.

The people within Ambrosia were being taught on how to use them and make a living in such advance city. It was truly a surprise considering they were just some people who used to eat monster meat as staple food.

Now, there were soldiers working for Ambrosia, some had continued their dreams of becoming cooks or chefs, dress makers or even artists. 

Mikoto was truly impressed at how fast Kyoushiro making a single nation grow.

"Still though, why make battleships.... I don't get that"

In this world, conquering the sky was enough to just live off by sending normal magic airships as a means of transportations everywhere. Or he would have just made his Black Army into mercenaries and sell swords to anyone who needs it.

But he made large cannons on towers around the wall of Ambrosia, battleships armed with similar types of cannons, railguns and laser turrets. There were even those magic Iron knights that protects the peace of Ambrosia.

It was as if, Kyoushiro was preparing for something.

"I wonder what could that—"

"Oh? Mikoto-sama?"

*Zuuu....* the door split open to the side and Niya appeared before her with a tray in hand. 

"Niya-san.... those sweets are..."

"Yes, Lucinda-sama felt restless so I thought I should prepare her something calming to drink"

"I see.... it's about Kyoushiro-kun right?"

"Yes, it seems that she felt like something bad was happening with his majesty"

Although none of them knew what's going on in Calladium right now, the sharp senses of the first wife was just as sharp as Kyoushiro's swords. Though that said, worrying about it too much was bad for Lucinda's health, as well as for the baby.

Mikoto smiles and decides to accompany Niya back to Lucinda's room.

"Mikoto-sama, there is something I have been meaning to ask"

"What is it?"

"Well, what was it that everyone saw in his majesty that you all fall for him?"

While walking side by side, Niya asked one question that she had been wanting to ask. Why does someone like Lucinda, a princess of a foreign country, Mikoto, a hero and Arianne, a queen saw in Kyoushiro that they fell for him so much.

It wasn't that she meant anything bad by it, just that, it felt too weird for such girls love someone like Kyoushiro. He was more like the type of guy who would lash out if you get on the wrong side of him.

To such question, Mikoto's cheeks showed a pink blush....

"Ahahahah....well, i-its.... you know..."

"Is it his manhood?"

"No!! Of course not!! We haven't even done it yet!!"

Mikoto became flustered at Niya's unnerving question. It was quite bold but as much as wanted to, Mikoto hadn't had any sort of private time with Kyoushiro. Although he doesn't seem to be rejecting her at all, he hasn't shown any signs of interest in that sort of manner towards Mikoto or Arianne.

"What I meant is, he is kind"

"Kind?"

"Yes, although no one knows about it, Kyoushiro help someone in need if he has to"

Mikoto recalls a time when she saw Kyoushiro standing in front of a group of scary men harrasing a single girl. At that time, he looked like he had something to do with those men but they left almost immediately. Aside from that, he is found most of the time in one of the city's red light district, chasing off old men with highschool girls with them.

"He helps anyone that needs it but abandon those he doesn't. That is what his majesty is like right?"

But from what Niya had seen, Kyoushiro couldn't careless if an old couple was right in front of him. He would push them away while even saying "Get out of my way, old bags" while wearing a grumpy expression.

"His majesty can make anyone he doesn't like grovel on the ground and step on their head or make a girl turn around and kick her behind without any signs of remorse"

"B-But he is smart to you know?! He made all of this!!"

"I do not think that should be a good part of him....."

Niya was speaking through experience. She had once attacked Kyoushiro only to get her ass handed to her and received a splendid kick on her behind which caused her to be humiliated by her peers in the same line of work as she was.

At that time it was clearly her fault for jumping to conclusions but wouldn't he have been more subtle on his pay-backs?

"U-Uh..... t-there is something...."

"I believed that his majesty is just as ruthless as he is right now even back in your world. I do not understand why he has such character though"

Like hot and cold weather, Kyoushiro was just as unpredictable. He would not hesitate to show anyone his mercilessness or he would be compassionate to anyone that doesn't show any hostilities against him. He would provide everything you need without any questions ask or he would simply take everything you have just because you annoyed him.

For Niya, that was how she saw Kyoushiro, the black king.

"Well, it might be right for me to say but Kyoushiro-kun has been through a lot since childhood"

"........?"

"Niya-san.... many may not like Kyoushiro but he has his reasons for being like that. While he won't care if you call him names or stab him in the back, he would still feel hurt. If he sees someone in need he would help, no questions ask but if its just another person on the road, he would treat them coldly as a stranger"

Having to lose his parents at a young age, that much was enough to make him grow tougher than anyone. He was cynical, rough, tough and even annoyingly stubborn, but in a lot of ways, he was a good person.

"I can vouch for him. Kyoushiro may not get along with people but he keeps the ones important to him close. If he was indeed as horrible as you described, he wouldn't even have spent so much energy in completely restoring Ambrosia"

Mikoto and Niya had stopped walking. The cold air within the hallways were chilling and the silence was enough to make their heartbeats sound loudly.

Mikoto was angry. Not because Niya bad mouthed him but because she herself, couldn't say anymore good about Kyoushiro. It was like, she doesn't know him at all. That fact caused her chest to ache.

"........"

"That is why, I love him. Even if people say I'm out of my mind, iw would still proudly admit that I'm very much in love with Kyoushiro-kun"

Mikoto smiles and resumes her steps. The *Clacking* noises made by her shoes bounced back on the walla of the ship. Niya watched her back as Mikoto slowly disappear in the hallway. Like that, the TWA she had prepared, had gone cold.....

"I may have.... gone a bit too far huh?"

Niya showed a bitter smile as she turns back to the kitchen to prepare a newly brewed tea.

PART #2

Kuro had been watching his men train inside the training room inside Mordred. There was about 20 men of mixed race and genders currently working directly under him and about 200 golems inside the ship. While his men were strong, they wouldn't be accounted for as a small army. The golems were for that reason.

As per Arianne's instruction, Kuro prepared a small army. If needed, he might have to call for more in case something bad happens. 

Inside Mordred was a gateway artifact. It was one of installed piece of magic machinery that Kyoushiro made for the sake of lessening the time usedgk travel back and forth on far away places. 

Using that, can call for more golems or more of the soilders working in Ambrosia. 

Hmph, this guys are overly relying on their weapons and armors— Kuro thought with a sigh, his arms crossed on his chest.

"What a waste of good weaponry"

Anyone can kill with a knife. But letting an untrained child use a sword was like feeding money to a cow. Because the weapons and equipment Kyoushiro gave to everyone of his soldiers were enchanted, everyone was relying on their effects. It was good that they trusts Kyoushiro but they were just using the things that they were given when they don't even deserved it.

Kuro pressed on the speakers button on the control panel in front of. With him on the viewing platform of the training room, he was looking down and observing his men training.

"Everyone, stop relying on those artifacts on your bodies. Use your own strength to make better use of their effects"

Kuro cut off his words after. Immediately, his soldiers were taking off the magical equipment they were using. Right after that, they begun swinging their swords once again.

"You are training them I see"

"Nero, you lazy cat. Where have you been?"

A male black lion type beastman appeared before Kuro, yawning as if he had just woken up. Seeing this, Kuro made an annoyed face.

"And here I though your tribe is the supposed to be the king of the beastmen"

"Hey–hey, don't lump me in with one of those wannabe kings. I prefer on the lazy side of the cat's heritage"

"Kh.... and your sister Niya is a far more capable helper than you"

"Half-sister, Kuro. She's from a different mother"

Nero had this laid back sort of air. Although he has this proud bloodline of kings in his blood, he was a lazy cat who prefers using his human form rather than his beastform. 

Kuro and Nero are brother in arms. Even way back before Kyoushiro appeared. Just that, Nero didn't helped Kuro when he was getting beaten up by Kyoushiro. He was laughing on the side back then.

Though, Kuro doesn't really care about that.

"You're supposed to help me train these guys"

"Aren't you more suited to do that than me?"

"You're 'helping' me, you damn feline. You're our army's best spearmen there is"

"Ehh.... but its too much work...."

"Stop grumbling!! It's your job so do it!!"

Kuro snaps at Nero, who showed a reluctant face. Even though she was a strong spearman, his lazy personality just keeps getting in the way of his strength. Even now when he was entering the training room, he took a normal spear from the spares next to the wall and begun twirling it in his hands.

Nero then launched several quick stabs and turns to sweep before he jumps and swings his spear to he floor.

*Doooo—* The ship shakes from that powerful impact.

"Tsk, showoff"

Nero grins at Kuro, who was watching on the control room. Seeing that smug on his face, Kuro involuntarily clicked his teeth and turns away.

The annoying cat was as annoying as ever.

—

Leaving the training room after a few more hours, Kuro went to the command center. The seats operating the ship was few but the person steering the ship itself was there. Since the controls were being powered by golems interconnected through various strings and tubes, there was no need to put many people inside.

A table which was showing a 3D hologram of where Mordred was flying over. It seems that they were flying above some mountain range.

"Is this where his majesty encountered those migrating fire wyverns?"

Arianne mentioned back then how Kyoushiro defend the magic airship they were riding on from fire wyverns. At that time, the ship nearly fell due to the damage but thankfully, Kyoushiro repaired them and prevent the crash landing from happening.

Right now however, there were no such wyverns. There were some large birds but they weren't that much of a problem.

"Kuro-sama, it won't be long till we reach Travestin. Should we prepare the car for her Highness's descent when we arrive?"

"Yes. Tell the men to prepare the ones the soldiers will be using as well as the Magic Iron Knights. We'll show off our kingdom's very own Black Army"

"I see.... striking fear into their hearts is it?"

"Yeah. It's best that we make them see that we are no pushovers even in their country"

In this world Demon Spawns are creatures that bears the color black, the very color of the Demon God Avfritzed. Because of this, many people died from numerous persecutions and inquisitions done by the holy empire as well as the deeds of many oppressive nobles and other commoners and races.

However this time, Kuro was representing a nation of those Demon Spawns under the reign of Queen Arianne and the Black King, Kyoushiro Kagami.

If they were treated like some backwater chaps, with nothing but a large number, they would stain the flag that was on top of Mordred.

Moreover, they'd be stepping on the name of the person that gave them power to move forward. That in itself, was a shame they can't bear.

"Sir. Its coming into view"

"Hmm.... so that's the kingdom her Highness Lucinda-sama came from"

Although it was still far, Kuro can see the impressive walls and towering castle of the main capital city. It was slightly bigger than the current Ambrosia but it didn't bare the amazing sight of hundreds of cultivation farms around the whole city as well as its large barrier monoliths. 

The towns and villages came into view but for whatever reason, there wasn't a hint of anything that resembles wheat or even rice plantations. There weren't even large vegetable harms here and there. There were some barran patches of land and smoke rising up front them.

I wonder what those smokes are....?— Kuro wondered worriedly as the ship gets closer and to the capital city.

With this, they have arrived within the birthplace of Lucinda. Travestin Kingdom.

PART #3

"We're making quite a grand entrance"

"It's normal, so make sure not to show that lazy face of yours"

"Roger that, commander"

Dressed in formal military uniforms, Kuro and Nero road the same car that Lucinda was riding. It was a long slick black limousine that had no wheels and hovers a few inch on the ground. Behind them were four hovering humvee, a long line of Magic Iron Knights and Eight black hover trucks behind with all the construction golems behind it.

Mordred was flying right behind the whole line. It was keeping an eye on the knights on the wall that were clearly warry of the unknown group approaching the gates.

"Umm.... is this not a bit too much?"

Lucinda worriedly asked, Rea and Lea sleeping on both of her side.

"This much is necessary your Highness. We must prove that we at least have the capabilities to safe guard an heir to throne like yourself back to her nation"

"But aren't we clearly getting disproved of entrance?"

"Haaaaah... these guys are just"

Kuro was nearing his patience. Even though he had voice their intentions to the people on the other side of the wall, they were denied of entrance. Mordred was using it's speakers to relay the message but it seems that to the knights of Travestin, it was just a monster speaking.

Having no choice, Kuro contact the command center through the new and improved Communication device, dressed like an earpiece attached on his right ear.

"Captain, patch me through the speakers. I'll speak with them personally"

[Understood]

As the speaker connects through Kuro's own comms. device, with a deep breathe and a loud voice, Kuro says....

"We are the Kingdom of Ambrosia's envoys. This High Commander Kuro we are requesting permission to enter your city"

Kuro waited for a minute but nothing has changed.

"Should we send someone?"

"No, that'll be dangerous. It's best we stay here. If they still don't want to open the gates, we'll destroy it"

"Uwaaa.... you're acting like his majesty there Kuro"

"Hmph, that much is expected. I am his right hand"

Kuro took what Nero said as a compliment. Although Nero was hinting that Kuro was showing the bad side of his king, he was still wearing that proud smile on his face like he had done something great. Lucinda got worried that Kuro might start some conflict with his plan but he was probably joking about that. Probably.

—

King Verdik was within a meeting with all the nobles in the country. They were debating whether to ask for help from other countries or abandon the hero taiga for his large expenditure.

In the days that passed since Kyoushiro left, changes have begun appearing within the country. There were hit by a long drought which caused many cultivation villages and towns to dry up. Water supply was slowly declining with wells drying up due to the extreme heat.

On top of that, the hero Taiga had been requesting large amounts of money monthly to fund his whole army that was attacking the land of the 1st Demon Lord.

As of now, the number of gold that had left the Kingdom's treasury was higher than the numbers amounted for the deaths of the soldiers working under Travestin. Added by the excessive taxes the nobles was making the starving people pay, as well as the rise of monsters laying waste in many villages and towns, the kingdom was at it's knees.

"We can't continue like this!! Other countries would take advantage of this weakness and will try and take over our lands!!"

"How do you suppose we do that? There's barely enough food in our storage, and the water crisis is causing more and more people to get sick! The number of death due to the extreme heat is already twice now!! Twice!!"

"Then why not just call back the heroes? I'm sure that they'll help"

"We already did that! Can't you see why are we discussing this? It's because those heroes doesn't want to come back!!"

A rave of back and forth arguments filled the throne room. Because of the many problems happening all throughout the nation, many were at their wits end. Their own family were slowly getting sick and with the amount of food in their own storages declining at a faster rate, they could barely keep their own stomach filled.

"We can sort the food problem by making the people eat meat from the monsters slain by adventurers. As for the water, we'll just get it at the nearest river"

"Have you gone senile because of the heat?! There's barely enough animals or even monsters to hunt in the mountains or in the plains! The nearest river? There's not even a stream left around the whole country!!"

"Stop yelling you bald headed nitwit!! Why don't we just buy what we need and be done with this problem!!"

"Have you gone dead you old crone?! The taxes we collect are what's killing the nation!! Its because of that blasted hero asking for money when they can't even produce sufficient result!!"

It was about half a year now since the heroes were summoned yet there's only one Demon Lord that was slain. Furthermore, the hero that slayed that Demon Lord was the very person they threw out of their country. With the help of the other heroes; Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto, Kyoushiro killed the 9th Demon Lord and saved Ambrosia.

What's more, its even a hot topic that Ambrosia had become a paradise because of that Demon Spawn's help.

"Damn it!! This wouldn't have happened if we didn't drived that hero away!!"

Someone yelled so, causing all eyes to be drawn towards him. It was a noble who had once caught a glimpse of Kyoushiro's magic artifacts and even got hold of one of his potions by buying it from the other heroes.

King Verdik sent his gaze to the young noble.

"What do you mean by that, Lord Walter?"

"I meant no disrespect your majesty but it would have been the best choice if we took the hero Kyoushiro Kagami instead of that hero Taiga"

"And? What's your point? That boy was another Demon Spawn that got in the castle. He is a criminal that dared to planned to have the heroes killed by trapping them inside a Monster house"

Voices of contempt and rage rained on the young noble. The old and experienced nobles calling him "Incompetent", "Greenhorn", "Worthless" and even "Traitor". Lord Walter Cloverfield, a newly instated lord from a backwater town. Because his land was expanding through the years and many people had been living in his domain, the court recognized him as a Baron.

However, with what's happening right now, such title might even be taken back.

King Verdik sighs with his ears ringing from all this arguments. Although every noble in the country was present, the all too important Royal Adviser was nowhere to be seen. 

We are crossing swords here and that blasted old snake is no even here! He's supposed to be the Queen's adviser, yet he couldn't even help with this current predicament!!— Verdik held his aching head and caressed his tired eyes.

The one person who holds all the accounts of the nation as well as the largest part of the country, was not even present in this room. Even though he was a distant relative of the Queen, he doesn't participate in this heated discussion.

At this point, nothing would changed even if the debate came to a conclusion.

With my wife current in sickbed. There's nothing much I can do. Furthermore, her condition is worsening. I don't kno what kind of sickness she had contracted but hasn't it been long enough since she had fainted?— King Verdik closes his eyes in worry about the condition of his wife.

Furthermore, there was the request of having Aria take the throne instead. If this keeps going, Lucinda's right to the throne might be take away from her.

There were many problems coming up as the kingdom faced so many calamities. Without the help of other countries, Travestin will fall immediately due to famine and death. The populace are already getting antsy with the heir to the throne unable to fulfill her duties and requested that a different princess take the throne.

But even with that, King Verdik knows that even with that change of head, unless the root of the problem is removed, there won't be much change.

"Haaaaah.... we'll have this discussion once more after everyone has calmed down. There's no point in discussing things if our heads are filled with nothing but hot air"

"Dismissed" King Verdik said in a loud voice. Everyone turn their heads away as they couldn't bare to see the faces of the guys that were just insulting them. Because of the heated discussion there was now a rift within the nobles.

Just then, the door of the throne room was knocked and a knight breathing roughly as he ran towards the king, announced.....

"T-The.... The royal Highness, Princess Lucinda has returned!!"

This news caught everyone off guard. Including King Verdik himself.

—

The gate finally opens after an hour of waiting. Kuro was growing impatience while Rea and Lea were happily playing with Lucinda. Nero was sleeping while the others behind have grown restless. However, after waiting an hour, they have been granted access.

"Finally....."

"It would have been faster if I just got out, Kuro-sama"

Lucinda asked Kuro to let her out earlier. However Kuro didn't allowed her because it was too hot outside. It was thanks to the air conditioning of the car that they were spared from being fried by the hot temperature outside the car.

With the gates opened, Kuro drove the car towards the nearest car. Seeing a weird vehicle for the first in their lives, the knights as well as the common people were forming a crowd at the entrance. Kuro got out of the car and presented a letter to highest rank looking guard.

"The princess is inside. You have made her wait under this blasted heat. Will you take responsibility if her health declines?"

"Tsk, stop acting like a high official you mangy mu—"

Kuro suddenly grabbed the man's neck and raised him up with one hand.

"GH....aaack!?"

"Do try continuing what you were about to say welp. Or do you wish to see what your insides look like under the sun?"

"!?"

Kuro was angry. This has been the longest time he was made to wait. Moreover, although he was formally showing respect to the other side even with how rough his words are, he was still looked down upon just because of his race and color.

But then, everyone had suddenly went silent when a certain someone stepped out of the car.

"That is enough. Kuro-sama, please let him down"

"Tsk. As you wish, your Highness"

*Thud!* Kuro drops the man and walks toward Princess Lucinda. The guardsman coughs hard as his neck nearly got crushed from that tight grip. Thankfully, Kuro wasn't going all out. If not, the guardsman's head would have popped right out of his neck.

"I do not know the current state of the kingdom yet. However, we are in a hurry. Please let us pass"

"B-But.... your Highness"

"This is an order. Please, I am in a hurry"

This time, Princess Lucinda's words became cold. Because her mother's life is on the line here, she couldn't afford go wait. As such, she entered back in the car with Nero's help.

"Commander, ignore them. We're in a hurry right now. Her Highness is getting impatient"

"Alright. We'll proceed to the main road then"

Kuro nodded at Nero, before contacting Mordred. Nero enters the car, while whispering "Aaah.... that was great acting princess~" and with Princess Lucinda's reply "W-Was it good? Did I sound like Kyoushiro-sama just now?" with her hands on her cheeks.

Apparently, Nero suggested Lucinda to step outside and show her face. After that, had her order the Knights to stop bothering them so that they can continue.

It did work but, Kuro was making an exasperated face as he enters the car.

"Captain, relay the directions. Direct the cars to the main road"

The captain in Mordred then replies "[Understood, relaying route coordinates]" before linking the 3D hologram table's function to the golems inside the cars.

Once Kuro had entered the Limousine, the crowded road parted and vehicles only available to Ambrosia filled the streets of Travestin along with the golems following behind.