บท 57: Chapter 57 - Second Territory and Devil's Job
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"Next is about the area you will occupy on the surface which is human territory.... Open the the other file, Rey."
After Mephisto-jiisama said that, I put down the file containing the certificate of ownership of my territory in the Underworld and took out the other file in question.
And after I opened it and read it, I immediately recognized the attached map.
"This.... This is Japan, isn't it?"
Yeah. The map attached to the file is a map of Japan. The island country located in the Far East and famous for its various cultures which is a mixture of traditional and modern.
"That's right. To be more precise, the area you gained was in the Chubu or Central region and in Nagano prefecture."
"Nagano?"
"Yeah.... Right here."
Mephisto-jiisama nodded and pointed at a region on the map that was a different color than the surrounding region.
And if you look at Japan as a whole, it looks like it's right in the middle.
"Is there a particular reason why the territory given to me is there?"
I asked curiously.
And Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod.
"Aye. I'm also the one who proposed that the area to be given to you.... The reason is because Nagano happens to be an empty area or not controlled by anyone from the Devil side. And it is also not controlled by the Guardian Clans from Japan or the Yokai clans."
"Guardian Clans and Yokai?"
I knew Yokai were some kind of ghost or supernatural creature originating from Japan, but I didn't know about the Guardian Clans.
Mephisto-jiisama then explained.
"Aye. In Japan, there are five large clans whose job is to guard and supervise supernatural activities in Japan and deal with supernatural problems which occur there. Each of Guardian Clans are, Shinra in the West, Kushihashi in the East, Himejima in the South, Doumon in the North, and Nakiri in the Center."
I see.
Because they were the clans that guarded and supervised supernatural activities, they were called the Guardian Clans.
Also, Himejima.... I have heard that name once. It's not really a good memory though.
Also....
"Wait. You said Nakiri in the Center? Doesn't that mean they are in Chubu?"
I asked again and this time with a slightly worried frown.
And Mephisto-jiisama gave a small nod.
"Aye. Nakiri is indeed the guardian of the central region of Japan, but their main headquarters is not in Nagano city but in another city. Also, there is a non-interference agreement between Devils, Guardian Clans, and Yokai Alliances in Japan. So it's not really a problem.... And apart from the five great clans, there are actually other guardian clans as well. But they are more closed and secretive."
"I see.... That's good then."
After I let out a slight sigh of relief and Mephisto-jiisama sipped his tea, he continued explaining.
"As for Yokai clans or alliances, they are also spread across various regions in Japan, but the biggest and most famous are Hyakki Yakou from Kanto, Hachijuuhakki Yakou from Shikoku, Kyoto Yokai from Kansai, and Tohno Village from Tohoku."
"Oh...."
I've heard about Hyakki Yakou. They are a Yokai alliance consisting of 100 yokai led by the Great Yokai Nurarihyon.
I've also heard about the Kyoto Yokai which is currently led by the Great Yokai Kyuubi no Kitsune who is also a descendant of the deity Inari.
"Nagano Prefecture is not the territory of the clan/organization I just mentioned, so you can carry out your activities there without worry."
"I understand."
I nodded firmly and Mephisto-jiisama smiled slightly.
"That's good....
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"Apart from the reason of Nagano being empty, there is an interesting legend/myth there."
Mephisto-jiisama said again after sipped his tea.
"Legend?"
I asked curiously.
"Aye.... There is a legend there about a nine-headed dragon or what the people there call as Kuzuryuu."
"Kuzuryuu?"
I've never heard of that.
"Aye.... According to legend, Kuzuryuu is a nine-headed water dragon who guards the lake in the region.... So, I thought it would be suitable for you because you have Lady Kulshedra who also happens to be a multi-headed water dragon."
"I see.... So you're saying that we can make use of that legend to carry out activities as Devils."
"Exactly."
"Hmm...."
The devil activity that Mephisto-jiisama refers to is an activity where devils will secretly distribute leaflets containing magic circles and ways to summon devils.
Humans who get the leaflets can use them to summon the Devil and ask for help to do something.
Apart from that, sometimes there will also be "cleaning" missions where the devil who rules in the area is asked to hunt down supernatural creatures that are causing problems in their territory.
And by completing requests from people asking for help or certain missions, the Devil who completes them will get rewards and credits/points which can be a benchmark for class/status promotion.
"Hey. Why involve me too?"
Kulshedra-san, who had been silent while snacking and watching TV with Scathach-sama, suddenly answered and looked at me and Mephisto-jiisama while frowning slightly.
Mephisto-jiisama immediately seemed to feel awkward. But he gave her an explanation in the end.
"Uhh.... Lady Kulshedra. Only by occasionally showing a shadow illusion of your true form but with nine heads in the Kuzuryuu shrine and sometimes scaring but sometimes also providing a little "protection" with Rey dealing with supernatural disturbances that appear in the area, people will thought that Kuzuryuu really exists. And that will help Rey and Peerage to gain the trust of the people there."
I slightly twitched the corners of my lips after hearing Mephisto-jiisama's words.
"That's called sneaky deception, you know."
Kulshedra-san said with a straight face.
And Mephisto-jiisama became even more embarrassed.
"I-It can't be helped, Lady Kulshedra. Devils basically live by deception."
"Hmph!"
Kulshedra-san turned her face away and looked back at the TV screen while snacking.
While Mephisto-jiisama laughed wryly
"Mahaha...."
And to get rid of his awkwardness, Mephisto-jiisama took another sip of his tea.
And then looked back at me.
"There's one more thing, Rey."
"Hm?"
"You should hold a party."
"Party? For what?
I asked with a slight frown.
Because to be honest, after experiencing first hand what it was like to attend a luxurious party during the party after my promotion ceremony, I felt that events like that were very troublesome and tiring.
Just trying to keep smiling while interacting elegantly made my face feel stiff.
Mephisto-jiisama then nodded slightly.
"Aye.... After your castle construction is completed, you have to hold a party to "introduce" yourself as a noble lord of a territory to other Devil nobles."
"Hah~.... I understand...."
I sighed a deeply and answered a little weakly.
Even though I was reluctant, I still had to accept and do it.
"Mahahahaha... Indeed, that is quite troublesome. But well, that's the custom of nobles."
"Hah~...."
I took another deep sigh.
"Well, there's no need to be hurry for that though, Rey.... I suggest holding the party at the same time as your 13th birthday early next year. Because 13 is the age of the first step to adulthood. So that time is the right moment. "
"I understand."
I answered with a slight shrug and a small nod.
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