First Steps Through the Demon King's Castle
I hadn't noticed it before because I wasn't paying close attention, but the floor was covered in a soft carpet. And the door connecting this room to the outside was enormous. I glanced around the room, twisting my head this way and that, then pushed myself up and headed toward the door.
The door was heavier than I'd expected. I had no complaints about its weight matching its size, but still, it was ridiculously heavy. Even with this body—the owner's of this room—I could barely budge it. I groaned in frustration, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do. How do you even open this thing with these skinny limbs? I grabbed the handle and shoved with my shoulder—thud, thud—but the door didn't move an inch.
Damn it. Was I supposed to live here locked up? Or was I just too weak to open it? In the end, I had no choice but to call for that man from earlier.
"Ku... Kudbeka?"
Was that the right name? Korean names stick in my head easily, but foreign ones get jumbled somehow.
Just as I was about to shout his name, I remembered with a start what he'd said earlier. Snap my fingers twice. Looking down at my hand to do it, I was struck anew by the sight of slender woman's fingers, not the thick, callused ones I'd known. It was going to take a lot of time to get used to this body.
Or would I even be here long enough to adapt? If I went back, would I die as fate intended? Anxiety flickered through me again.
But for now, I just wanted out of this room. Pushing the unease aside, I snapped my fingers twice.
Snap, snap.
A clear sound rang out twice, and after a moment—knock, knock—the sound of someone rapping on the door came from the other side.
Was that how it worked? He wouldn't come in unless invited? Maybe last time he'd just entered to tend to me. Sighing deeply, I spoke.
"Open it."
I said it softly, evenly, but he must have heard because the door creaked open with a heavy groan.
And there stood the tall man, his handsome features lit with a smile. Now that I looked closer, the horn on his forehead was similar to mine. So he really is a demon.
"You called for me, my lady?"
I glanced up at him. Earlier, when he'd sat beside me, I only had to tilt my head a little, but standing this close now, it hurt my neck.
"Kudbeka. How tall are you?"
"I stand at two meters and ten centimeters."
"Sorry, but do you know how tall I am?"
At my rapid-fire questions, Kudbeka tilted his head, then stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"When we measured a month ago, you told me one hundred forty-nine centimeters."
What the hell, so short? No wonder my viewpoint was so low. I let out a heavy sigh.
"Why is this door so damn heavy?"
I was firing off questions like a newborn baby seeing the world for the first time, and it frustrated me to no end. But I couldn't just sit idle—I had to go through this process, so I kept asking despite the annoyance at my own ignorance. The man glanced at the open door to my room, bowed his head, and answered.
"It requires mana to open. It's set to respond only to you and me, my lady."
"I see..."
Mana? How do you even use that? If I didn't know how, was I doomed to be trapped in my own room? Calling Kudbeka every time I wanted in or out had its limits. I resolved to practice using mana in secret first.
So, now that I was out, my tasks were to tour this mansion for a bit and practice mana. The latter was priority, of course. It was my room in my body—unfair if I couldn't even enter it.
"So, my lady, why did you summon me?"
As he asked, I slowly walked into the corridor. It was surprisingly wide and long. I took it all in as I went, and Kudbeka followed at a leisurely pace to keep pace with my conversation.
"Hmm, Kudbeka. Is this the Yuris family mansion?"
"...No. It is yours alone, my lady."
If it wasn't the family's but mine personally, a few possibilities came to mind. One, I'd branched off and received a new title. Two, my parents had passed, making me the new head. He added,
"You are the great king of the Demon Realm."
Three—I was the king.
I stared up at him in shock. Me? The Demon King? I had considered I might be some noble lording over a family, but Demon King? That was beyond imagination.
Suppressing my wavering gaze, I strode through the massive mansion. The corridor stretched on, then bent into another. Soon, the grand central staircase came into view, adorned with ornate chandeliers on the ceiling and embroidered carpets on the floors. The luxurious wooden railings felt oppressively extravagant.
Damn it. Demon King. What kind of absurd setup was this? Clutching my throbbing head, I leaned on the railing and descended the stairs. Kudbeka's concerned voice followed from behind.
"My lady. Are you unwell?"
"...No, just thinking..."
Mumbling, I sighed and headed for the massive door leading outside the mansion.
The world beyond. But it was the Demon Realm—not normal soil—and that made it feel newly terrifying. Still, if I was the Demon King, the lord of this land, what was there to fear? Lost in a daze of worry and contemplation as I stared at the door, Kudbeka stepped forward and opened it for me, as if it were routine.
With a reluctant expression, I stepped through the open gate. Instead of the black earth I'd seen from the window, glowing blue grass greeted me. This area was impeccably manicured—fitting for the Demon King's domain.
"Kudbeka. Can I ask about that black soil in the back garden?"
"Of course. You planted trees there that you particularly like, my lady."
"Me?"
"Yes. You said the ancient trees that absorb light were so beautiful, so we planted them where you could see from your window."
I got liking old trees. And if they glowed, sure, they'd be pretty. But why use the black soil? Was all Demon Realm earth black? Shoving aside the trivial question, I hummed thoughtfully and surveyed the surroundings.
There wasn't any special reason. I just needed to adapt to this ridiculously busty, petite, fragile body. Stumble, wobble. Even trying to walk straight, I teetered now and then. The weight on my chest felt alien; I couldn't walk naturally like other women.
No time to question why or how—I kept walking. Kudbeka followed silently behind. After a while, when I'd grown a bit accustomed, I spoke to him.
"Kudbeka."
"Yes, my lady."
"Can I ask how to use mana?"
He fell silent at my question. I stopped and turned to look up at him.
"You always said you could do it with sufficient will, my lady. But lowly beings like me can't manage it with will alone. I apologize for my inadequacy."
Kudbeka looked apologetic, as if he had nothing more to say. I hadn't planned to criticize him for the difference, but it seemed the original owner of this body, Lobelia, had scolded him about it once. Receiving that reaction for something I hadn't done left a bitter taste.
"No. You don't need to apologize."
"...! Thank you."
I had no choice but to drop it. Even if he taught me, if the method differed, I couldn't use it. For now, I'd shelve the topic.
As I walked the garden in silence, Kudbeka spoke up this time.
"My lady. The time for the great undertaking approaches. What shall we do with them?"
Great undertaking? I tilted my head, glancing at him. Realizing his slip, he quickly added more. He seemed to vaguely know I'd lost my memories and was being considerate.
"You said you would judge the humans coveting the Demon Realm's lands. To that end, we've gathered the magic beasts."
His gentle voice recited what the previous owner had decreed, but it made my head throb. Judging humans who lusted after Demon Realm territory. I understood the implication all too well and groaned.
I could accept it as the Demon King, but the idea of others dying at my command chilled me. It was Lobelia's order, the previous one. And now I was Lobelia. I couldn't just shrug it off as "the original owner did it"—not when I could stop it with a word. That excuse wouldn't fly.
With little time to agonize, I cautiously spoke.
"Cancel it."
Kudbeka paused at my curt words, then nodded. "Understood. I'll relay the order."
Glancing at him, I sighed in relief. Thank goodness. Even if I was the king of the Demon Realm, the Demon King, I was still human at heart. Not some psychopath thrilled by killing, nor a cold-blooded monster who watched indifferently. I wasn't some righteous hero who couldn't stand injustice, but I liked to think my morals were intact.
So, hoping this decision was right, I let out a silent lament. A bitter taste lingered in my mouth. Lord of magic beasts plunging humans into peril? Not a title I needed. But it wasn't a position I could easily abandon, so I let it go. What was done was done; I'd do my best from here. I was Lobelia Yuris now.
His dark hair blended into the navy-streaked night sky, and his brilliantly shining blue eyes seemed to draw all gazes upward in admiration. The hero backed by radiant honor and glory. Verilrude Anemos. That was the man's name.
Beside such a hero stood a woman of stunning beauty, her voice like jade beads rolling.
"Rudy, it feels like the world is at peace today because you're here."
The lovely girl brushed back her brilliant golden hair and smiled. Verilrude grinned back at her.
"No, Cecilia. It's because of you that others can rest easy."
Sharing love with Verilrude was Cecilia Lamiris, the daughter of a viscount family. A commoner like him could court a viscount's daughter because he devoted himself as a hero. He savored the happiness bestowed upon him, a smile on his lips.
"Rudy. I heard you're heading out soon. This time, you'll finally subjugate the Demon King, right?"
"Yes. Only by slaying the Demon King can you—and the people under your family's domain—sleep soundly. So wait just a little longer."
"I believe in you, Rudy."
Cecilia smiled happily and took his hand lightly. Greater intimacy wasn't permitted yet between them, but even this much brought joy as she continued.
"Come back safe."
"...I will."
After bidding Cecilia farewell, Rudy rose with a final, reluctant smile. His blue eyes filled once more with resolve.
He let out a breath. Not for grand reasons like the world or the kingdom, but for one woman, he set forth. To fulfill his duty as the hero.