Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Demon Realm #2
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Mother Duchess is the absolute ruler of this duchy from the start.
If she calls for me, I have to go, obviously.
I'm not in any position to refuse.
—Swish.
There was a simple memo scribbled on the back of the map. It was just basic instructions on how to get there—nothing more. Things like making sure to wash up thoroughly and dress properly before meeting the duchy's highest authority.
The route said to take the Wyvern Express from the fortress airfield. Show the pass, and it'd be smooth sailing.
Looking at it, the pass was called a Special Express Pass. No clue what that meant exactly, but it seemed fucking important. Thinking about how big a deal it must be only made me more anxious.
"Anyway, the deadline's next week, right?"
That meant I should probably head out today or tomorrow.
The Bellacru Duchy had four fortresses—one in each direction: east, west, south, and north—with the Capital Palace at the center of the territory. Since I needed to get to that palace, starting early was a must.
"But why the hell?"
Mother Duchess had a ton of kids. There was no reason for her to single out me, holed up in this South Fortress... It felt like it had something to do with my origins, like she said, but that wasn't certain.
"I'm so anxious my heart's pounding like crazy."
To calm my nerves, I headed into the shower first.
Wash up, call in some maids to help me get dressed properly, then follow a guide to the airfield. If I had to go, I'd just go. That's the position I was in.
"Clothes, huh."
Normally, as the South Fortress's resident fuckup, nobody would've listened to a word I said. But with an order straight from the duchy's absolute ruler, Mother Duchess? That changed everything.
And so.
After washing up and changing into something decent, I stepped out the door.
—Creak.
The corridor stretched out right in front of me.
My room was 445. Identical doors lined both sides, and demon maids wandered up and down the hall.
"Tch."
"Mute little shit."
The maids spotted me and scowled—those fucking bitches. Every time I saw those assholes, I wanted to bash their faces in. But realistically? I was weaker than them.
So I couldn't mouth off.
I never messed with anyone stronger than me.
But today was different.
"Hey. You there, miss maid. Come here a sec."
I called out to the one right in front.
"...?"
She tilted her head, then approached with a look of utter disbelief.
"What do you want?"
Her tone dripped with arrogance.
"I need some clean clothes. Mind grabbing some for me?"
"You want me to fetch you clothes?"
—Tilt.
Her head cocked to the side.
Then her wide-open vertical pupils locked onto me. Honestly, the sight made my blood run cold—I thought I'd piss myself right there.
This "maid" was a real deal: born and bred in the Demon Realm, living the full demon life. No way a worthless human transplant like me could handle her.
"Why don't you get them yourself?"
And she knew it, coming at me hard.
"What's in it for me to play dress-up for a mute little shit?"
"..."
This bitch was playing scary for real.
I wasn't stupid—I could read the room. Everyone staying in this section of the fortress was a kid my age.
We were supposed to get attended by these maids and tutored by demon instructors.
Of course.
I'd been excluded from most lessons, and the maids never waited on me.
But judging by how things were, if I'd been normal, I'd have gotten the same treatment as the other demon kids here. I was just getting bullied for being such a pathetic loser.
Put another way: the original me was the kind of kid worthy of that treatment. Probably hatched from some high-grade egg or whatever. Made sense, statistically.
Logically, why else would these demons bother raising a useless sack like me? The fortress was crawling with slaves working like dogs. And not just a few—tons of them.
Those slaves all came from eggs Mother Duchess laid too... That was my theory, anyway. But with my situation, I couldn't be 100% sure.
"Not answering? Mute sickness flaring up again?"
The maid was clenching and unclenching her fists, on the verge of exploding. No bullshit—she was radiating real killing intent. As a bottom-tier demon, I wouldn't last.
"Forget the rest. Just bring some clothes. Clean ones."
So I whipped out the Special Express Pass right away.
"I've been summoned by Mother Duchess."
"What?"
"Summoned by Mother Duchess."
The maid saw the pass I'd pulled out.
"Gasp...!"
Her eyes went wide, she clapped a hand over her mouth, and dropped to her ass right there. Whoa. This thing worked way too well.
Never expected a reaction this extreme.
Part of me wanted to use the moment's authority to beat the shit out of her, but I had no idea why I was even going in the first place—and if this clout vanished later, she'd probably get revenge. So I held back.
"Hurry up."
"Y-yes! Right away!"
The maid scrambled to her feet and bolted down the corridor.
"Bring 'em to my room!"
Clothes problem solved. Now to check the airfield's location—I started walking the corridor. Main hall on the first floor had a section map posted, so that was my spot.
That was when I reached the fortress's first-floor main hall.
"Huh?"
I locked eyes with some kids my age.
"Hey! Over there! It's the mute Qlus!"
"Where? Oh shit, yeah! Go beat his ass! Beat him!"
"Disgrace to our bloodline!"
Hard to believe these were ten-year-old brats—ripped demon physiques.
Fucked.
—Rustle rustle rush!
They charged straight at me!
"Oh fuck, big trouble!"
I spun on my heel and kicked off the ground! If those bastards caught me, it wouldn't end pretty! They were the crew who always screamed shit at the mute me and beat the crap out of me!
"Spare me! My bad!"
"Grab him!!!"
"No, wait—this ain't right! Hey! Stop!"
I yanked out the Special Express Pass!
"What?"
"What'd that fucker just say?"
"Daring to order us around?"
Me yelling back made them freeze in confusion, then they sneered and crept closer.
"You wanna die that bad?"
"Yo, check this."
"The fuck is it?"
What else?
Special Express Pass.
"I've been summoned by Mother Duchess. Heading to the airfield for business, so don't get in my way."
I shoved the pass in their faces and explained.
"Wh-what? Mother Duchess?"
"Where's this loser getting off spouting that lie?"
"Daring to name-drop Mother Duchess?"
But instead of stopping, these fuckers started radiating killing intent. Makes sense—they hatched from her eggs too. No way they'd like a mute nobody like Qlus dragging their mom's name through the mud.
"No lie. Look. Special Express Pass."
"Pass?"
At the mention of the pass, they shoved their heads in to peer at it.
And their faces changed.
"...Why you?"
"Why the fuck were you summoned?"
Anger. Jealousy.
Envy dripping from their expressions.
"How the hell does a loser like Qlus..."
Beats me.
"Hell if I know. Anyway, don't touch me. I'm summoned—if shit goes down, it's on you."
Mother Duchess's authority was absolute.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Their tails drooped as they ground their teeth and turned away.
"Good."
Fuck, I wished Mom really was my backup for real.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Not sure why, but thinking it was Mother Duchess's order made my mind zero in on that alone—like all my focus funneled there. Felt like my thoughts were being lightly reined in. Instinct? Something like that.
Either way, once I was prepped, I hustled to the Capital Palace as fast as possible. First time riding a wyvern—scary as hell and rough. But halfway through, it got fun.
And then.
The massive.
Bellacru Capital Palace loomed before me.
Worth of the capital where Mother Duchess resided. Teeming with powerful demons, way more populous and cultured than my South Fortress.
And the crown jewel? This Capital Palace. Guards stood at the front, all sporting massive horns—looked badass strong.
"Fucking scary-looking bastards."
My legs were shaking, but I had to go.
I dragged my reluctant feet forward.
"Halt. Who the hell are you?"
A guard instantly leveled his weapon with a intimidating growl. I pulled out the Special Express Pass and answered right away.
"Hello. I'm Qlus, summoned by Mother Duchess."
"What? Summoned by Mother Duchess?"
"Here—Special Express Pass."
"We'll verify."
"Yes."
The guard snatched the pass and ducked into the nearby booth. Not long after, he came back out and handed it over.
"You've been summoned by Mother Duchess, little brother. Go on in."
"Uh... yes."
Total attitude flip.
If the duke summons you, it means the duke has business with you—and every soul in the duchy has to pitch in to make that happen.
That was the baseline mindset of our bloodline.
"Little brother, though."
Guess the guard hatched from Mother Duchess's egg too. Anyway, as I walked the palace grounds, a guide showed up.
Thus, I entered the palace proper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Phew."
Once inside the palace, it was nonstop tension.
I'd arrived a bit early for the audience, so they put me in a guest room. Palace servants drilled etiquette into me the whole time.
But fuck.
These weren't your average servants. Every last one was a jacked demon who looked ready to kill. Probably ones Mother Duchess personally oversaw hatching.
Having those roughneck big bros teach me? The court manners sank right into my skull.
"It's time."
"Ah. Yes."
Audience time had finally come.
—Thump thump thump.
My heart felt ready to explode. Finally going to see Mother Duchess. Mom. Why the fuck did you summon me?
Fuck, was she gonna eat me? Not in some weird sexy way—literally chomp me down. Hell, even that Bathory chick bathed in virgin blood. Humans did that shit; no reason demons wouldn't go harder.
—Squeak.
Lost in those thoughts, I'd arrived at the audience chamber before I knew it. Then I was left alone, waiting for the command to enter per protocol.
How long passed?
—Come in, dear.
A voice so sweet.
So seductive, it pierced right into my ear.
—Creak.
I opened the audience chamber door like I was entranced and stepped inside.