Chapter 210
Chapter 210
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Demon King Trial - 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, Trail was so nonchalant about it that the rest of the group seemed to run out of things to say.
Trail opened his mouth.
“But there is one thing that bothers me.”
“Huh? You didn’t mention that last night.”
“It’s not that important.”
“……What is it? Spit it out.”
“The fact that you and the other party members will eventually leave my side. The fact that I’ll be left alone again.”
For a moment, it felt like I’d been hit in the head with a hammer.
He was right.
Damn it, this was something I should have thought of first and advised Trail about.
That was when it happened.
Idria cut in.
“You won’t be alone. I’ll be there.”
“That’s not exactly thrilling.”
“I’m all for it. You’ll hold my lifeline, and you’ll keep watch over me. It’s not much different from what we’ve been doing.”
“…….”
“The only difference is that I won’t die. I think it’s a great idea.”
Idria looked at me.
“I still don’t get why you don’t want to bring the hero and Demon King into this anymore.”
“If you can’t understand that explanation, you probably never will.”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, does anyone have questions? Speak up now if there’s even the slightest thing bothering you.”
Everyone was quiet.
It was just that the idea was so outlandish, but they seemed to find the plan itself plenty convincing.
That was when Neril spoke up.
“I get the gist, but I have one more question.”
“Go ahead.”
“From what you’ve explained so far, it seems like the second trial isn’t even necessary. So why tell Idria to defend herself?”
Sharp as always.
I nodded and turned my gaze to everyone.
“The screen last night, while helping me refine the plan, gave me the most crucial advice.”
“What was it?”
“The existence of heroes and Demon Kings is at the core of countless world laws. Like cornerstone stones in a building.”
Previously, the screen Bion had mentioned a few laws that become cornerstones.
-All humans can build their own fame.
-Humanity’s feelings of resentment summon the Demon King.
Things like that.
These are what they call ‘core laws’—the foundational rules of the world that even Velosian can’t alter.
And one of those core rules is this.
“Not all of humanity’s resentment can dwell in a single Demon King.”
“…….”
“This is one of the world’s core laws, a cornerstone.”
Everyone’s faces already showed they understood what I was getting at.
Amazed anew at my party members’ quick wits, I continued.
“The key to this plan is for me to add a new law… namely, ‘From now on, all of humanity’s resentment will dwell in Idria.’ But that’s only possible by doing so.”
“Right.”
“But that would tamper with the system’s core. So it said it’s impossible with normal methods.”
“Then how…?”
“We need consent.”
“Consent? From who?”
“Who do you think? Think about what the world’s laws exist for all along.”
Everyone let out a sudden gasp.
“Humanity?”
“Yeah. It said we need the consent of the humans living in this era. Consent that it’s okay to let Idria live and grow infinitely stronger as all that resentment dwells in her.”
“Uh… do we have to mention Trail too?”
“No. That would reveal too much about the world’s secrets. Past heroes even had their memories wiped for that reason. We definitely can’t expose it to the general public.”
“But that’s like fighting with our hands and feet tied.”
Exactly.
No solutions offered, just get consent to keep this bomb called Idria alive.
Is there a tougher quest than this?
Everyone’s faces grew serious.
I continued in a tone that said there was no need to worry that much.
“We don’t need 100% consent. Just a majority.”
“Even a majority is impossible. Obviously.”
Neril and the others groaned.
Even Idria was the same.
She crossed her arms, pondered, and spoke.
“Maybe if you force it, Maide. With your fame now, if you command ‘Let Idria live,’ it might work.”
“No.”
“Why? Is there a surer, faster way?”
“If I say no, it’s no. And think about it. What’s my specialty to begin with?”
“Lying.”
This bitch.
“Guiding people to a better path.”
“Yeah. With lies.”
“……Anyway, in the second trial, you’ll use your final defense to win people’s consent. Listen carefully to what I say from now on.”
I explained calmly.
Idria listened quietly and seemed genuinely surprised.
The rest of the group was the same.
Neril scowled and said.
“If it works like you say… even if the plan succeeds, it’ll leave a bad taste.”
“Why?”
“I’ll end up distrusting humans. Hating them. It might bring back the sickness I had as the Witch of Atrocities.”
I chuckled.
But the others nodded as if they agreed.
Offense spoke.
“If people really follow your lead like that, I’d be disappointed in humanity too.”
“You’re saying strange things.”
“No, but…”
“That disappointment in humanity is what led Aktihon to fall.”
Everyone clamped their mouths shut.
I could see their ironclad resolve that it wouldn’t come to that.
“Did I go too far?”
“Way too far.”
“But it’s the truth. Don’t rejoice or despair over people’s nature or choices.”
“…….”
“Good and bad coexist in humans. Don’t expect too much, and don’t curse them. That’s the basic mindset heroes and saviors should have.”
Everyone shook their heads slowly.
Adwin spoke in a somewhat downcast tone.
“You’re amazing, bro.”
“I know.”
“How should I put it? You’re always just you, no matter what. You don’t force anyone, don’t lecture anyone—you just quietly do what needs to be done because it must be.”
“That’s my long-honed expertise.”
My long-honed expertise.
It was just something I said offhand.
But the moment I said it, that deja vu from last night hit me again.
The same feeling I had when Bion’s conversation felt oddly familiar.
‘I see.’
I must have been the same back when I ruled a world I can’t remember.
No expectations from humans.
No curses toward them either.
Just doing what must be done.
Is that the quality needed for a leader, a hero…
And the world’s master?
That was when Idria’s voice came.
“Fine, I get it. I’ll go along.”
“Yeah. You say it like you have a choice.”
“……Either way, you’re a strange one, Maide.”
“What now.”
“You’re deliberately taking the hard road over the easy one. Like I said earlier, commanding humanity would be much faster. I still think so.”
I chuckled.
And I replied, word by word, deliberately.
“That’s exactly why I’m trying to get rid of heroes and Demon Kings.”
The next morning.
The Demon King trial began.
It hadn’t been long since I first voiced this idea during my fight with Idria.
Even though it was hastily arranged, I wondered if history had ever seen so many people gathered in one place—it was packed to the brim.
The emperor responded to my sentiment.
Despite being the empire’s ruler, he was personally guiding me around the trial grounds.
“This doesn’t seem strange at all, Hero.”
“…….”
“Killing a Demon King has happened several times already. This Demon King trial is an entirely different story.”
“Hmm.”
“Including me, everyone living in this era feels the same. We are the protagonists of a new chapter in our time.”
I scratched my head.
The emperor continued guiding me.
“This will be where the Demon King stands.”
Since the trial was hastily set up, it was naturally not in a building but in a vast plain with a rough layout.
First, there was a circular line controlled by soldiers.
Beyond that line, spectators participating in the trial were packed like grains of rice.
The spot for Idria was in the center of the circle.
“I’ll be over there.”
The emperor pointed to a platform opposite Idria’s, two or three steps higher.
“Since you graciously asked me to oversee the trial, Hero, we prepared that spot. Is that alright?”
“Yes. Perfect.”
“Thank you. Then for the most important seat, the hero’s… I think that spot would be best.”
The place he pointed to was behind the emperor’s platform.
There stood a platform so high it could almost be called a small hill.
And atop it was an excessively ornate throne.
‘Damn. I’d been wondering what that was since earlier.’
[Kukuku. Sitting there would definitely give you a full view of this vast trial ground.]
‘Yeah. It’d look like I’m presiding over the trial. I’m just here to recite Idria’s crimes.’
I sighed and said.
“Put me between Idria and Your Majesty. I’d appreciate it if you removed my seat.”
“Yes? Then it’d look like I’m presiding.”
“No, you actually will be.”
“With you here, how could I dare…”
“Please, just do it.”
The emperor pondered for a long time before nodding reluctantly.
Finally, one worry down.
[Don’t like the flashy attention? You built your fame by drawing attention like that. The descent from the sky in Aebis territory was pretty good, even looking back now.]
‘That wasn’t for fun—it was staging to build fame.’
[I remember you enjoying it quite a bit.]
‘To begin with, this trial’s protagonists aren’t me or the emperor. Not even Idria.’
I nodded toward the spectator seats.
‘They are.’
[Kukuku. Consistent as ever.]
‘Anyway, time to start.’
As I thought that, the emperor brought it up too.
“By the way, Hero. Where’s Idria? I don’t see the other heroes either.”
“They’ll be here soon.”
I said that and spoke through the soul communication Adwin had set up in advance.
[I’ve checked out the trial ground. You can make your entrance now.]
[Wait a sec.]
With Neril’s reply.
-Kroooar.
Agril’s roar echoed from the sky.
Naturally, everyone at the trial grounds, including the emperor, looked up.
Agril circled the trial ground a few times as if savoring the gazes before slowly descending.
Boom.
It landed on the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up dirt.
“That’s Agril.”
“As expected of heroes. Even their entrance is something else.”
“Ah, Lady Neril and Lady Jenia! They really do seem close.”
“Lord Adwin is so composed. He looks younger than my son.”
“Lady Serein and Lady Risel look so noble too. Ah, to have the honor of seeing them in person.”
“Lord Offense is as cool as ev— …um, normally cool.”
They were deluded with praise from start to finish, not sure where to even begin.
At least Offense was closest to the truth.
[You said no flashiness, but your party sure stands out.]
‘Should’ve warned them. After the long road we’ve walked, that kind of entrance is second nature now.’
I’d only asked them to time it and show Idria being escorted in.
[Kukuku. Wonder who they learned it from.]
That was when it happened.
“Wait. Behind them!”
Someone pointed to one spot.
Right—the flashy staging aside, that was the real sight I wanted to show.
There, Idria was bound tightly in magical chains.
With a thoroughly haggard face.
With a thoroughly humiliated expression.
Idria’s abdomen was pierced by the hero’s sword.
Though the real hero’s sword was in my sheath.
Step by step.
I approached them.
Clink.
Neril handed over the magical chains as if transferring custody.
I whispered.
“Avent View?”
“Not yet. Activate on your signal.”
“Activate the voice amplification magic too.”
“Of course.”
I looked around at the group and nodded.
They lightly stepped back.
With this, the trial’s setup was complete.
Time to begin.