#514 Hot Springs and Literature

My name is Argyle of the demon race.

Until recently, I had a stable job as a military scribe.

I would record the details of where the army went, the decisions and speeches the commanders made, and their consequential results.

Military service is a job of great responsibility, in which the slightest error in judgment can result in a person’s death, so it is necessary to keep detailed records to avoid problems later on.

We military scribes have followed the Heavenly Four and other important figures in the army and recorded their words and deeds in detail. Still, I have decided to resign from that position.

The reason for this was the downsizing of the organization.

After the long war with the human army, we have fulfilled one of our most important roles.

Therefore, the army is no longer required to maintain its previous large scale, so it’s now moving toward disarmament and downsizing.

Many soldiers who supported the Demon King's Army have been discharged from the military and are either living a pensioned life or pursuing new businesses with their retirement money.

I am one of them.

Since a military scribe is technically an “indoor” profession, there was a good chance that I’d still be able to remain in the army.

Even so, I willingly resigned.

I found the occupational appeal of being a military scribe in touring various lands, marveling at new sights, and recording quotes from the Heavenly Four and other stalwart heroic soldiers.

But rather than staying in a military barracks and staring at tedious paperwork in search of stability, I longed to find something else that excited me.

Even so, there’s no way I can conveniently find my next purpose in life right away, so I am now making good use of my unemployment to relax.

Just in time, I found a hot spring rumored to be the best place to relieve fatigue.

The amenities here are so comfortable that it seems as if my decades’ worth of tiredness will be washed away, but it still won’t make my prospects any brighter.

“What should I do...?”

The only thing I have going for me is my literary talent, which I have used to run around the battlefield with my mighty pen.

His Majesty and the Heavenly Four compliment me for it, but how would it help me in another profession?

I don't want to do a tedious job, especially since I left my stable position in the army.

However, I can't afford to be extravagant when I finally have to make a living, can I?

“Hm... I wonder...”

I was wandering in the hallway in my yukata after taking a bath when I heard a voice from somewhere.

“Oh, good heavens! The Great Demon King has been killed.”

“What?!”

The Great Demon King?!

The Great Demon King Baal?!

The previous king, reputed to be an extraordinary spendthrift of the highest order?!

I rush toward the voice and find several people in the room, chattering away.

The door is slightly ajar, so I quietly take a peek.

As I look inside, I see the Great Demon King lying on the tatami mat, but he seems to be in good health.

He looks fine to me.

A little disappointed, I inspect the group inside the room next.

The presence of Lord Lucife Focale, Prime Minister of the Demon Kingdom, is rather unexpected, but other than him, I don't recognize anyone else.

I wonder who that dried-up corpse-like being that gives off an ominous vibe is? The other two look like a married couple with their child. 

Lastly, a noisy young girl says in an obnoxiously loud voice, “Something’s not right here! The door was locked, and there was no way in or out through the window! The murderer shouldn’t be able to get in or out of here! That means...!”

With a long pause...

“A LOCKED ROOM MURDER!!!”

A locked room murder?!

What intriguing words for someone in a language-oriented profession!

My interest was captured at once!

I continued to observe the situation and arrived at the conclusion that this was a kind of game.

As I sensed it was a fictional murder case, the Great Demon King must be playing the role of the victim.

The game’s purpose is to find the murderer based on various clues.

...

I’m absolutely hooked!

Perhaps this will give me some hints for my job hunt. I will secretly follow and observe how this game unfolds.

* * *

I nod as I eavesdrop on the explanation from that group, particularly the rants from that young man.

The concept of a locked-room murder is fascinating because of the mystery and contradictory elements contained in the structure.

Since there’s a murder victim, there’s a murderer.

The murderer—in other words, the culprit, leaves the crime scene, so naturally, they have traces of entering and leaving the room.  

However, in a locked room murder, it’s inconceivable for people to have entered or left the room.

This anomaly attracts people's interest, which in turn makes it appealing.

Indeed, as the man pointed out, a locked-room murder is a foolish thing by itself.

Even if they left no trace of themselves, the murderer is still at a disadvantage for not concealing the most important part: the crime they committed. 

How about we think about this more creatively, then?

For example, the fact that no trace of a human being could be confirmed allows the killer to blurt out that he was no ordinary human being, but a god or a demon.

Couldn't this be sublimated into a story where the protagonist challenges with intelligence and calmness amidst the horrors of superstition?

Oh, it seems the man is going around with the girl who appears to be the game facilitator.

I follow the pair.

“In a hot spring ryokan murder case, an introduction to the sights is always a prerequisite! You’re supposed to walk around, ask questions, and smoothly promote the scenic sites to lure tourists!”

I see! Partnering with the local area!

Doing so establishes a friendly relationship where both parties can mutually benefit.

That sounds like a win-win situation to me!

At the same time, you capture the readers’ attention!

Still, the mystery must be solved in the end.

And as it turns out, the key to the mystery was on an incredibly large scale: the whole room could move up and down!

The other people were criticizing the logical inconsistencies, but I was impressed.

As I thought, the trick, A.K.A. the core of a story, has to be as impactful as this!

What the girl made was a tad crude and needed many corrections, but... the execution itself wasn’t that bad.

Personally speaking...

I think I can make something more interesting!

I don’t think I can keep staying here any longer!!!

I must head back to my room right away...!

Thankfully, carrying a pen and paper, a habit I picked up from my previous job, proved helpful.

My mind is overflowing with inspiration, thanks to that little girl.

I must write it all down at once before this raging emotion subsides!

In this scenic hot spring inn, a tragedy suddenly unfolds! The victim, an eminent figure who ruled the previous era!

It’s not appropriate to use my real name... so I’ll use a pen name instead!

Yesssss!

My hand knows not how to stop!

I’ve never felt so alive writing something, even when I was a scribe for the military!

Maybe, just maybe...

I have found my new job, my new callingggggggg!

* * *

After a few weeks at the inn, I put all my energy into writing a book titled “The Legendary Secret Hot Spring Murder Case.”

It piqued the interest of Great Demon King Baal, whom I’ve become close friends with during my stay, and my book became a huge hit when it circulated in the markets in the capital.

In its first few pages, I expressed my gratitude to the girl who had inspired me.

My work triggered a mystery boom not only in the Demon Kingdom but worldwide.

I will be remembered by many as its founder...

But I’m afraid that’s still a long way off.