Chapter 347: translated
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 347
Black blood poured from Bassago's mouth with a gurgle.
"......Marbas, you bastard......"
Bassago was pinned by Marbas' needle, unable to move an inch. Bassago tried to decay the surrounding trees and insects full of vitality. At that moment, Marbas' hand, which was embedded in the wall, twisted.
"Kuaaaaaaa!"
As Marbas twisted his hand, the trees and insects that had been rotting and emitting a foul smell returned as if time had been reversed.
"......Were you hiding your power?"
Bassago didn't understand why Denver had placed Marbas by his side.
Until now, Marbas' abilities had only affected himself and targets he designated. He had never expected that Marbas' time reversal ability could affect the surrounding environment to this extent.
"Didn't I tell you? Bassago. My dagger is much sharper than you think."
Marbas firmly secured Bassago to the wall and then stepped back.
"Your Majesty, all preparations are complete."
Bassago saw Denver slowly walking towards him, stepping on fallen leaves. Denver wore his characteristic eerie yet mysterious smile.
"Oh, Bassago. My servant. Why are you here like this?"
"Isn't it because of your lack of virtue? Denver."
Bassago spat on the floor.
"I have repeatedly said that the Mains are a chosen race to rule over humans. But you went beyond killing all humans and damaged the honor and dignity of the Main. Why should I follow someone like you?"
"Does a shepherd tend to sheep because sheep are stupid or because he needs their wool and meat?"
Denver grabbed Bassago's crown.
"You might be interested in becoming the king of sheep. You would be satisfied with sheep thanking you, 'Oh! Your Majesty Bassago! We would have died by wolves if not for you! Thank you!' or praising you, 'Oh! Your Majesty Bassago! You led us to clear waters and green pastures! You are truly wise!'"
Emerald-colored magic swirled around Denver's hand.
Then Bassago's horns began to gradually shrink.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
Denver laughed, taking Bassago's screams as a pleasant melody.
"But I am not like that. If I were to tend sheep, it would be because I want to get wool and meat from them. Otherwise, what reason would there be to tend sheep?"
Bassago grabbed Denver's neck. Marbas reacted immediately, but Denver raised his hand to stop him.
"Denver! Then why did you become king? Why do you create those stupid devils?! If what I tend are sheep, then you tend worms. Would you become a king who rules over worms?!"
The skin touched by Bassago's hand began to rot.
But Denver did not lose his smile.
"You are mistaken. They are not devils. To a blacksmith, they will be firewood or charcoal, and to a knight, they will be oil applied to a sword and a whetstone to sharpen it. They are merely consumables."
Denver's skin, which had been rotting black, began to return to normal. Instead, Bassago's bone hand began to crumble.
"Uwaaaah! Aaaah!"
Bassago couldn't suppress his screams at the unfamiliar pain of decay.
"Humans are not sheep. They are a disease, pure evil. They are evil beings who discriminate against those who look different from themselves, and who envy and covet those who are greater than themselves. How is it right to leave vermin-like beings from whom you can get neither wool nor meat in my kingdom?"
Bassago's horns had shrunk to the point of being almost invisible. He could feel his own power diminishing as much as his horns had shrunk.
Also, as his power decreased, Denver's presence grew stronger, and Bassago froze like prey facing a predator head-on.
Denver stroked Bassago's trembling cheek.
"Poor Bassago. I gave you many chances. I gave you the opportunity to stay by my side and savor my wisdom. But in the end, you only schemed to betray me."
"Ah, ah......"
"But I am very merciful, Bassago."
Denver whispered in Bassago's ear.
"I will give you one last chance to serve me."
"Ch-chance?"
"Tell me the names of my disloyal servants who shared your thoughts. Then I will spare your life."
As he lost his power, Bassago's self-esteem plummeted to the bottom. Denver felt pity for Bassago's appearance but was also pleased.
He was reminded once again of how stupid and weak the sheep he ruled were.
"Who are they? The devils who tried to betray me."
At Denver's sweet yet great voice, Bassago finally spilled everything.
"The devil of self-harm, Andras, and his followers, Your Majesty."
***
The first thing Trika Goldmile did after seizing imperial power was to issue a general mobilization order. He assembled the army, employed knights, and controlled resources.
"It seems Emperor Trika is planning to wage war."
"Another war when the war with the demon realm just ended not long ago?"
Some people expressed dissatisfaction with Trika's war preparations, but most people did not.
"Death to Niflheim!"
"How dare they underestimate the Eileen Empire?! We must eradicate the devil bastards!"
"Everyone, we must stand against the devils now! Otherwise, you will become servants of devils and be thrown into eternal fire to meet your death!"
"What? You haven't submitted your military service application?! Are you possessed by Satan?!"
Citizens shocked by the terrorist attack of devils in the center of Vexilla began to step forward voluntarily. The newspapers always featured stories of Niflheim on the front page, and the atrocities of those following the devil cult poured out every day.
Of course, this atmosphere that they must fight and surely defeat Niflheim was all manipulated under Hilos' forceful control.
"Tame the press. Arrest and expel all journalists who insult Emperor Trika Goldmile and advocate anti-war sentiments. Let's see how long they can survive outside Vexilla with just their pens."
"Keep people's attention focused only on Niflheim. Minimize any content about Caesar breaking the Holy Grail."
Hilos' ability to beat down merchants was just as impressive as his strong control over the media.
"All gold, silver, and jewelry are subject to requisition, and only Del currency is accepted. Taxes must also be paid in Del."
"The Merchants Association united and sent a protest? Go check if they still say such things after getting bullet holes in their foreheads."
"Food is strictly rationed. Distribute ration cards and make sure no one buys food with money. Farmers must only deal with logistics companies designated by the empire for agricultural contracts. Anyone contracting with other companies will all be thrown in prison."
Trika visited military bases to encourage soldiers who had voluntarily enlisted, or directly met with discontented merchants.
"Your Majesty! If we continue like this, we will all die!"
"We understand your anger, but war is absolutely not the answer! Wouldn't it be better to first rebuild the fallen Vexilla?"
When merchants expressed their complaints, Trika would force a smile and say:
"Yes. I know your hardships. I will think carefully about it."
Trika wanted to just shout, 'Just do as I command!' but at those times, he recalled Hilos' words.
-I will accept all the complaints that burst forth.
-Darkness makes light more meaningful.
-I will take on the role of darkness, so Your Majesty should act like a sage king.
-That's how this country will be set right.
-And please move around more.
-I'll handle internal affairs and report to you after organizing everything, so just stamp your seal.
Trika followed Hilos' words by reducing alcohol, staying away from women, and running around until his feet sweated. If Trika had a few good points, the first was that he at least pretended to do what he was told.
The second was that he enjoyed meeting people.
"Your Imperial Majesty! May you be glorified!"
"Please save us!"
Trika enjoyed meeting citizens who cheered for him and didn't shy away from showing his face. After spending some time meeting people and repeatedly saying like a parrot, ‘I will think carefully and take measures,’ he returned to the palace.
"Sigh... I'm quite tired today."
Meeting merchants or bankers was truly a headache, and they tended to ask for details beyond Trika's level of common sense, so he often had to fudge answers.
Still, after doing this dozens of times, had he become used to it?
Or did he know this was the best way to revive the Eileen Empire?
His previous laziness disappeared, and he began to distance himself from alcohol more and more.
"His Imperial Majesty has arrived."
He seemed to have dozed off briefly in the carriage, but they had already arrived at the imperial palace.
Trika got up and alighted from the carriage. And instinctively looked at the damaged palace. The palace was undergoing intensive restoration work, but it looked like it would take at least three more years to complete.
So Trika was temporarily using one of the few remaining royal quarters as both his residence and office.
"I should go to bed early today. First..."
At that moment, Trika saw something strange. A man with red hair and a very familiar face.
"Uh, uhh...?"
"I pay my respects to Your Imperial Majesty."
"Caesar?"
Trika couldn't understand how Caesar could be here. From what Trika had heard, Caesar had headed toward Niflheim about 20 days ago and then disappeared.
"How did you get here?"
"I've come hoping you would repay the debt you owe me."
Gulp!
Trika had no idea what kind of blackmail Caesar had come to threaten him with.
He could only swallow dryly and hope it would be a threat he could accept.
***
After hearing the whole story from Caesar, Trika spoke.
"So, I should apologize to the mer people?"
"That's right."
"Hmm..."
Trika honestly didn't feel like it.
Was it a matter of wounded pride?
It was unpleasant to apologize for something that happened before he was even born. To be honest, why should I, a human, apologize to inferior fish?
"Your Majesty, are you perhaps thinking why you should apologize to fishy-smelling creatures?"
Trika drew in a sharp breath.
It was because Caesar had pierced into his thoughts as if reading his mind.
"Ahem! Ah, no!"
"Well, you might think that way. Until now, you've been thinking of mer people as barbaric creatures who smell fishy and pick fights at the slightest provocation."
"Well... um! Well, I did think somewhat like that."
"Did you really think they were barbaric? They are also sentient beings."
"Ah."
When Caesar openly showed a disappointed expression, Trika had no idea what tune he should match his words to.
Hilos, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.
"What benefit do we gain from reconciling with the mer people?"
"We can form an alliance with the mer people."
"What advantage does forming an alliance give us?"
"We'll be able to secure the Eileen River safely."
Hilos looked at Caesar with a displeased expression.
"I understand very well that the Eileen River is important. But the timing isn't good. The Eileen Imperial family's reputation has only just begun to recover, so how can we tarnish it again with our own hands?"
He doesn't know how hard Hilos has worked to raise the prestige of Trika and the Eileen Empire.
But now, for the Emperor to personally apologize to the mer people who are called half-demons? It was painfully obvious how the citizens, who were just beginning to feel patriotic pride, would react.
"Don't you know that robbery also has trends?"
"Trends?"
"Recently, robbers have started to target ships more than trains. The reason is simple. Robbers know that there's not much worth stealing from trains. Knowing that essential resources like gold and food are transported by ship, they're targeting ships."
He had heard that ships flying the flag of the Eileen Empire were recently being captured by water bandits.
They had considered placing knights on the ships, but hesitated after hearing rumors that the water bandits had upgraded their equipment significantly and converted their vessels into warships by attaching naval guns.
The problem was that even if knights boarded the ships, it would be pointless if the pirates simply fired cannons and sank the ships.
"And I'm not sure if you've received reports from Margrave Pruna, but there are devils with gills and webbed feet wandering around the border. In other words, it means Niflheim's devils could travel up the Eileen River all the way to Vexilla."
Hilos felt a chill run down his spine at Caesar's words.
If Niflheim's devils appeared in Vexilla again and caused havoc, it would be the end. The moment it's determined that the Goldmile Imperial family lacks the ability to control this situation, the empire will fall into chaos.
"But if we form an alliance with the mer people and promise to help them reclaim the Coral Archipelago, everything becomes secure. No matter how great those devil bastards are, could they possibly defeat the mer people underwater?"
Hilos closed his eyes and fell into thought.
Was there a way to secure the mer people alliance while minimizing damage to the imperial family's reputation? Trika cautiously offered an opinion.
"What about officially accepting the mer people as citizens of the empire...?"
"Don't even dream of it. If Atan hears about this, he'll hurl a trident at the imperial palace."
"Ahem... It's just an opinion. An opinion."
After careful consideration, Hilos spoke.
"Right now, we are facing devils, a transnational enemy. We're in a situation where we need to borrow even a cat's paw to eradicate the devils."
Caesar realized through psychometry what Hilos was thinking.
"So you mean that to deal with devils, we need a trans-species alliance that goes beyond humanity?"
"Exactly. This is what should appear in tomorrow's newspaper. We had a frank discussion with the king of the mer people, and we realized that we had made some mistakes in the past."
Hilos immediately continued Caesar’s thought.
"His Majesty the Emperor formally apologized to mend the misunderstandings between our races, and upon closer investigation, we discovered that the mer people losing the Coral Archipelago was entirely the work of devils."
"Therefore, our great Eileen Empire will step forward to help the mer people who lost their homeland to devils."
A fairly plausible picture was drawn.
This way, the citizens would accept it, and Atan would somewhat accept it too. Trika carefully raised his hand like a student and said.
"But... Was the Coral Archipelago really lost because of devils?"
"Haven't I always told you? People like having a clear enemy. And if you keep throwing fuel on their hatred toward the enemy, people will naturally burn with anger."
"Hmm... I see."
"More importantly, are you prepared?"
"Eh? Prepared for what?"
Hilos said while adjusting his clothes.
"Prepared to meet Atan."