Such Things, What Value Do They Have? Part 6

Well then, weve almost arrived at BalmanWhere should we go first, Alice-san?

A great wall surrounded Balmans perimeter, and a gate became visible to Alice and Kagami as they approached from the wide forest. Alice immediately walked along the shadows of the trees to stay hidden.

No, wellIm a Demon. Ill be exposed because of the magic my horns release if I enter. Thats why Ill wait here until Kagami-san buys the medicine.

Alice said with a dry smile, as if she was slightly hesitant.

Are you an idiot? Isnt that like youre declaring Please find me hiding in front of the town and kill me? If this was going to be the case, I would have left you behind when I said that I would go buy the medicine.

But, theres no other way

Dont make such a gloomy face. Besides, since I plan to return home and rest first, I cant leave you alone outside, can I?

Kagami began to rummage around inside the bag that was hanging over his shoulders, searching for something.

After a while, he muttered Ah, Ive got it and removed a white cloth that looked like a slender bandage. He moved over to Alices hiding spot in a trees shadow.

Kagami-sanwhat is this?

Dont worry about it. Remove your hood and turn your head towards me.

Eh, eh? L-like this?

Alice removed her hood with a dubious face. Kagami coiled the bandage around her horns, tying a tight ribbon around each one.

Good! The horns shape doesnt really stand out, since they decline downwards. Well, since its going to be an ornament used to deceive people, Ill buy you a ribbon later.

It cant be helped, but wrapping them like thatThe way the cloak has been torn stillHuh?

Alice became aware of her discomfort as she was talking. She no longer felt the magic that normally emanated from her horns. She confirmed that the horns were still there by touching them with her hands.

Kagami-san, what is the meaning of this?

Magic.

Geez, answer me seriously! If you have such an item, even the co-existence of Demons and humans!

Its impossible. Although I think youve already noticed it, this isnt Magic Suppression. Its a special cloth that changes magic into a different substance. I made it.

Kagami said, before starting to walk briskly towards Balman. The panicked Alice quickly followed him.

A Demons horn was a part of their body that emitted magic. It existed in order to stop magic from overflowing within their bodies.

For example, after the Blue Devils horn is placed in a container that can store it, the emitted magic temporarily stays in that spotbut magic power still builds up inside the Demons body, which can cause abnormal status.

Thats why I said that its useless. There simply isnt enough raw materials for it. Its a miracle that I even found them.

When Alice heard this, she felt dejected.

Then, at least tell me exactly what this is.

N-? Monsters absorb magic and then release it, right? Then, do you know the origin of that existence? Those guys that are known as Spawn Blockers.

Yeah, I know.

About that, no matter how many times you locate and destroy those Blockers, the magic isnt completely destroyed when its released inside the DungeonI found this material the moment they released their magic. When their magic gets absorbed, it becomes a strange material that wont release magic, no matter what the Monster is.

It doesnt lose its efficiency?

Originally, Spawn Blockers who produced monsters lost this efficiency with their destruction and just turned into stone. However, since the Spawn Blockers released their magic when they got destroyed, humans had already given up on the possibility of destroying them.

Yeah. Those are super S-rank materials no one knows about. I found them by accident.

So this was made by kneading them into a cloth material? Shouldnt you cherish it? Its the only one in the whole world.

Alice was slightly worried about what to do. Meanwhile, Kagami, having seen the cloth taken out after such a long time, reminisced about the feelings of finding it for the first time.

It was a cherished feeling that Kagami found. It wasnt something he found great joy in, but it was a normal doubt for anyone who had thought

Whatare Monsters?

Hey, Kagami-san. Why did you think to try to make this cloth? This is made to easily fit a Demons horns, isnt it?

Hmm? Ah, it was just a long time ago.

When Alice saw Kagami look slightly irritated and scratch his head, she unintentionally let out a laugh. This person might have also aimed for the same world that she did. No, she was confident that this person would surely try to do so. She smiled and continued to walk behind Kagami until they arrived at Balman.

Aaamazingggggg!

When they arrived at Balman, Alice was astonished and cried out exuberantly with sparkling eyes.

Countless adventurers were often present inside the town and you could see people buying things from open vendors. Tavern workers and owners were out shopping in various places, as well as arranging the goods that they had made.

There were numerous houses covered in bricks or made from wood, wide passages paved in stone, and various Adventurers making speeches at the Square. All of this was new to Alice.

Alice might have been the first Demon to set foot inside of Balman.

Cheappp! Just for today, we have Humuhumunukunukupuaa! 440 Bronze!

Cheap! Cheap cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Cheap! Welcome, welcome, its cheap!

Sea Urchins and Salmon Roe here! 1 Silver!

You sure are cute! Wont you try one of my apples?

Kagami ignored everything and walked swiftly. Alice looked about restlessly, observing each and every product that she saw as if everything was new to her.

Hey, be careful!

Au, Im sorry.

Along the way, Alice collided with an Adventurer who was passing by. Although she seemed like she was pouting while apologizing, the Adventurer didnt say anything else and walked away.

Although, if he had realized that she was a demon, Alice would have been faced with extremely hostile behavior. That being said, Humans wouldnt attack you just because you were rumored to be a Demon. They had conversed like equals, which caused an indescribable feeling to run through her. By the time she noticed, Kagami had jumped in joy.

Kagami-san, where do we go from here?

Hmm? I will go buy the medicine by myself later, so first we will secure an inn to sleep at today. I plan to go call a friend to come join us on this trip.

Kagami answered without hesitation and made Alice anxious.

Ehit wont just be Kagami-san and me going?

Isnt it obvious? You dont understand. Im fine by myself, but since youre here as well, I want someone to stand next to you if I have to fight.

B-butit would be bad if I were to be found out, and isnt it useless for you to worry about me getting attacked by Monsters?

Its not necessarily just Monsters who will come and attack you.

When Alice saw Kagamis sad expression, she couldnt say anything else.