Chapter 225: The Guard and the Triumphal Ceremony (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 225: The Guard and the Triumphal Ceremony (5)
The Demon King was a trope that appeared far too often in the modern world. It started with the traditional Demon King, then moved on to the Demon King who loved humans, the Demon King who used to be a Hero, the part-timer Demon King, the gender-swapped Demon King, the "Mommy" Demon King, and so on. All sorts of bizarre variations had been poured out.
It was a subject so overused that there wasn't even any marrow left in the bone, but the Demon King in an eroge was always special. They were characters who existed to either fuck the protagonist or be fucked by him, taking full responsibility for one's "happy time."
Isekai Studio had also released a game featuring a Demon King. In fact, it was the studio's debut work.
While the other illustrations were excellent, the Demon King's artwork was second to none.
It was so good that rumors circulated that the illustrator had ground up their very soul to make it, or that Isekai Studio was so determined to carve their name into the hearts of all the "wankers" out there that they had gone all out.
I, too, was so moved by the Demon King's beauty that I played that single eroge for an entire week. Even after clearing it, I would watch the Demon King's H-scenes whenever the thought crossed my mind.
And now, that Demon King had appeared? Naturally, my heart began to race, but I didn't let my excitement show. The atmosphere in the meeting hall was so heavy that even a small smile would have stood out like a sore thumb.
"A Demon King..."
Even Jasmine, who usually seemed like a bit of a fool because she was so cheerful, muttered with a grave expression. Time to put on my fantasy-world goggles.
To the people of this world, a Demon King must be a nightmare incarnate. If I recalled the common fantasy tropes, they were beings that invaded the middle realm and sought to exterminate humanity.
How would a Demon King in the Isekai Universe go about an invasion? Since there were dungeons and guards to prevent Dungeon Breaks, they would probably cause a dungeon to go berserk and then charge out alongside the monsters.
As I was forming this hypothesis, a nobody noble stood up, slamming his hands on the table.
"I cannot believe it! A Demon King?!"
"Count Bodeut. Calm yourself."
"I wish to be calm, but I simply cannot! The Demon King! Is that not the being that destroyed several kingdoms and even the glorious Old Empire before being sealed hundreds of years ago? The Hero's Party of that era fought with desperate resolve, and everyone except the Hero was wiped out—and even that Hero died a few days later! That Demon King, who was sealed at such a cost, has been resurrected? How can I possibly stay calm!"
"Sigh..."
Does he think he owns this meeting hall? If he's going to talk that long, he should at least pay admission. When I unconsciously let out a sigh, Count Bodeut glared at me.
"You... you are Baron Sma, the one who recently ascended to Sword Master. Do you have something to say?"
"No."
"If you have nothing to say, then why did you interfere? Baron Sma."
This guy is pulling rank on me because his title is higher, isn't he? There's a saying back on Earth: the law is far, but the fist is near.
That's a law that applies to fantasy worlds, too.
"Count Bodeut. Where is your territory?"
"Why do you ask...?"
"You seem to have a great deal of interest in me. I was thinking of paying your territory a visit sometime soon."
"Ahem! I was merely trying to caution the Baron for interrupting when a high-ranking noble was speaking."
"Your hypocrisy is impressive. Didn't you just interrupt His Majesty himself, Count?"
Some of the nobles who were watching the spectacle with interest nodded in agreement. On the other hand, some looked displeased.
Jasmine whispered in my ear.
"That man is the representative of the Noble Faction."
"There's a Noble Faction in the Hugo Kingdom too?"
"Factional infighting exists everywhere. They're worried that their influence will shrink because we won the war we initiated. So they're just nitpicking."
"Aha."
I never really liked people who played politics. When I first started my part-time job at an amusement park right after turning twenty, there were over twenty people working on the weekends, and the way they split into factions and played politics was insane.
Count Bodeut, or whatever your name is. You're on my list. When I glared at him with a bit of my aura, the "nobody" flinched and sat back down.
"Enough."
Popoong spoke with a heavy voice and cast a benevolent gaze toward me.
"We have gathered here to discuss countermeasures regarding the resurrection of the Demon King, so cease this idle chatter. However, I understand the position of those who find it hard to believe. I, too, found it difficult at first. Therefore, I have called several witnesses. First, Crown Prince Nero."
"Yes."
The Crown Prince—who didn't have black hair and wasn't cute like a cat—stood up abruptly. Perhaps he enjoyed the attention, as he scanned the crowd like a stage actor.
"Our forces, which had surrounded the Stejaishi Empire, were waiting for the Empire's declaration of surrender. It was then that we witnessed an ominous energy rising from the Empire, and the priest who was present testified that 'the Empire has committed a taboo.'"
"That alone will not be enough. I have also invited the Pope of the Order of Dite."
"Hello."
A beautiful woman who looked young at first glance, but couldn't quite hide the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, stood up. I knew Dite. Wasn't that the goddess Elizabeth worshipped?
Perhaps because she served the Goddess of Beauty, her figure was truly desirable. If it weren't for the wrinkles, I might have set my sights on her. Unfortunately, she's out.
"First, I would like to express my gratitude to Lord Sma."
"To me?"
"Lord Sma played a major role in our discovery of the Demon King's resurrection."
What did I do? Let me think... Ah!
Now that I think about it, that guy Señor said something about offering his heart to the Demon King and mentioned the Demon Race. How did I forget that?
I was too distracted by fucking the elves, Jasmine, and my succubus friends. Still, to forget something so obvious... I need to get a grip.
"Hehe. You have the look of someone who just realized. That's right. Señor, whom Lord Sma killed after their duel, was identified as a member of the Demon Race."
"What?!"
"A Demon?!"
Only then did the nobles in the meeting room react with shock.
"One of our priests was on the castle walls to treat the soldiers. That priest sensed demonic energy and, upon investigating whether he had practiced black magic, discovered evidence that he was a Demon."
The Pope pulled a horn about the size of a baby's palm from between her cleavage. I'd seen Iruna and Mehya store things there occasionally; I guess women with large breasts use that space as a pocket.
"This is a Demon's horn. It has been purified, so you won't feel any demonic energy."
"So this is a Demon's horn..."
"May I touch it?"
"Of course."
"Ooh. Ooooh..."
Nero touched the horn, marveling at it repeatedly.
"It's warm... Is this a characteristic of the Demon Race?"
"No. That is my body heat."
"..."
Nero quietly put the horn down. At any rate, the atmosphere had shifted toward believing in the Demon King's resurrection. I should just stay here like a decorative folding screen and then go home.
"There is no proof that this is actually a Demon's horn."
However, the noble sitting next to Bodeut raised an objection. Who the hell is this guy?
"Marquis Doaboka is the head of the Noble Faction," Jasmine helpfully explained.
Thanks for the commentary, Jasmine.
"Marquis Doaboka. Are you saying you do not believe the words of the Crown Prince and the Pope?"
Popoong pressured Doaboka.
"Yes. You only claim the Demon King has been resurrected. There is no clear evidence."
"Did the Pope not just show you a Demon's horn?"
"It is a plain horn with no demonic energy. It looks a bit unique, but that is all. Is that not so, Baron Sma?"
Why are you turning the arrow toward me? I was trying to stay out of it, but I guess I can't.
"No. That is definitely a Demon's horn."
"Ho. And why is that?"
"Before that horn grew on Señor, he stated that he was offering his heart to the Demon King."
"!!!"
The eyes of the nobles, Jasmine, and even the Pope went wide. Popoong's voice trembled.
"Why... are you only telling us this now?"
"I was busy and forgot."
"There are things you can forget, and then there's this!"
Doaboka shouted in anger. Hey, when a person lives a busy life, they can forget things. At the time, I was so worried about how to fuck the three elf sisters that I didn't have the mental capacity to care about anything else.
"And how can we believe those words! I heard that one of your wives is a priestess of Dite. Did you not coordinate your stories beforehand?"
"Then would you believe it if I brought a Demon here?"
"W-What?"
"You're going to bring a Demon?"
The crowd began to murmur.
"Actually, I was attacked by a Succubus a few days ago."
"W-What! Are you alright?"
Rominas looked at me with concern. Did my brother-in-law not hear anything from Jasmine? When I glanced at Jasmine, she was just letting out an awkward laugh.
She forgot too. They say married couples grow to resemble each other.
"I'm fine. I won, after all."
"That is truly a relief. Hm? Then are you saying you will bring the corpse?"
"No. I subdued the Succubus and made her my servant. If you wish, I can call her here."
"Baron Sma. I hope those words are not a lie."
"We can just verify it. Sma. May I send someone to your house?"
"Yes."
"Then, Sir Ex. I ask this of you."
Popoong sent a knight to my house. Now I just have to wait. In the silence that felt like the calm before a storm, the King spoke again.
"Ahem. While we wait, let us handle another matter. If there is bad news, there must also be good news, must there not?"
"Ah, yes. Please, speak."
"Most fortunately, a Saintess is currently staying in our kingdom."