Chapter 1 - I am a professor. Not a war hero.
Chapter 1 - I am a professor. Not a war hero.
"Professor Klaus-nim. You might be a professor inside this academy, but everyone outside doesn't see you that way. Even as time passes...."
"A war hero. A human who blocked the Eastern Demons' forces, crushed every offensive, and changed the very tide of the war. Yet, a man abandoned by those same humans, wandering in search of a place to settle."
"...."
"Is that how I'm perceived?"
Yulia nodded.
Fiddling with the coffee cup the other had provided, she said.
"You might find it unpleasant. I understand, it's only natural. But it can't be helped. You are, after all, a great hero who made immense contributions in the Continental War, acknowledged by elves, beastmen, and demons alike."
"Stop with the flattery. This retired soldier's face is getting quite hot."
"That's not the reason."
"Even if that's not the reason, that's how it's perceived. So, let's leave it at that."
"...."
"Is that the reason?"
At Klaus's question, Yulia reflexively asked back, "Yes?"
Asking if that was the reason—just as she was about to think about the meaning behind his question, the question flowed out again.
"I mean the reason you're interested in my affairs. The war fought with swords and spears, shedding blood, has ended, but the war in every sense has not. No, one could say it's just beginning. The most important thing in that war is justification, and one of the best cards to bring that justification is a war hero who fought and protected them devotedly."
"That is...."
"A man who, despite being a commoner—the class humans ignore the most—and receiving all sorts of contempt and ridicule, protected his kingdom. Yet, a man who was eventually driven out of his homeland as if chased away. Such a person spends time as a professor at an academy, then decides on his residence and chooses one side—be it elves, beastmen, or demons. If that great war hero is willing to bow his head and join them, then that place must surely be great. Something like that."
Humans, elves, beastmen, and even demons are all in chaos.
Regardless of whether they won or lost the war, the very foundations of the ruling powers were being shaken to the core in the aftermath of that horrific war.
If they cannot calm what lies beneath, they will eventually shake and be uprooted entirely by a single gust of wind.
To solidify that ground, they need something to announce their greatness.
For example, someone called a war hero highly evaluating the members of a faction other than humans and joining under them.
They can shout that if even that great war hero follows them, then they can be trusted now.
Furthermore, from simply soothing public sentiment to looking far ahead at having a firm advantage in a war that might break out at any moment, the efficiency could be considered of the highest value.
'And our human kingdom and those imperial bastards kicked that away because they were steeped in authoritarianism.'
They think they held out because their soldiers were great. They think they won because the Southern Army was strong from the start.
They knew full well how the South was swept away while Klaus was away, and how he blocked it as soon as he returned, yet they still made the decision to kick him out.
Honestly, if Klaus, who held the absolute support of the Southern Army, had harbored other thoughts or vehemently opposed it, it might have been called off.
But Klaus very coolly accepted their request and stepped down from the commander position.
And not long after, he gave up all military positions and left the kingdom.
The reason? Isn't it obvious?
Humans are a sinking ship anyway; even if it's floating now, it will inevitably sink someday.
I have no intention of struggling to save that ship.
I'll switch without regrets and discard without regrets—of course, after saving a few worth saving.
'Let those high-and-mighty noble bastards all die.'
Muttering that to himself, Klaus looked at Yulia.
Asking if this wasn't the reason she was worried about.
"...You know everything."
"Do you really think I'm some foolish guy who only knows war?"
"And yet, you didn't refuse, but reserved your decision. That means you could accept the elves' deal and go under them."
"It can't be helped."
"It can't be helped?"
"I've suffered enough and sacrificed enough, so shouldn't I be allowed to live a little now?"
"...Live a little?"
Yulia looked as if she didn't understand what he meant; naturally, that had to be the case.
Demons of that age first encounter the human named Klaus as a monster who just mechanically fights battles and kills every demon that blocks his path.
And after that, they hear from survivors of the Continental War that although he was a human and an enemy, he was an incredibly excellent opponent, and along with fear, they begin to feel curiosity as well.
The worst enemy who drove the demons so ruthlessly—yet their own kin, instead of cursing such a human, are praising him as excellent, so they would come to harbor admiration beyond curiosity.
A perfect human without a single gap, a man who should have been born a demon—thinking like that.
'She must be flustered to hear such a man say he wants to live a little. Because it gives a feeling so different from titles like War Hero or Devil of the South.'
Attract attention with fame and ability, then show that there is actually a gap inside, making the Demon King harbor curiosity and approach little by little, step by step.
Not knowing that this was all poison to lure her in, she would approach, only to be caught and end up handing over her body, heart, and power—that was the content of the previous loop.
"I, too, am just a human who can't help it. I think about wanting to live my own life for once. Also, I am a man who can't help it. If a woman seduces me, I'll let out a groan naturally. And I am a soldier. I think I want to give my loyalty to someone who truly trusts and supports me, not to those who ignore, despise, and kick me out."
"Professor Klaus-nim."
"This is my answer. Why I gave an ambiguous answer, neither positive nor negative, to their proposal. This is the answer and the reason for that."
Slurp-.
He reheated the cold coffee with magic and finished drinking it.
While doing so, he secretly observed Yulia, who was staring at him blankly.
As expected, just like in the previous loop, our Demon King-nim looks quite shocked.
To think that the war hero, the Devil of the South, Klaus—whom she had only considered great and thought to be so flawless that not even a sheet of paper could fit through—would show such a side.
"...Professor Klaus-nim."
The Demon King, who had been silent for a while, parted her lips and broke the silence.
And then she uttered a very gratifying remark that washed away all the hardships he had endured so far in one go.
"If I say this, it might be taken as an insult, but."
"Go ahead, Cadet Yulia."
"Is the nest where you wish to rest only located in the west of the continent?"
"Hmm?"
"If not, do you have any intention of coming to the east as well?"
From Yulia's perspective, it was a question that risked a significant amount of danger.
It was also a remark bordering on provocation, asking a survivor who had lost so many cherished ones while fighting a war against demons if he had any intention of joining those who were practically his enemies.
As the Demon King, saying she would keep by her side the person who killed her kin in the war and snatched victory from the demons, instead of killing him—it was enough to make other demons furious.
'But Yulia said it. Because she hasn't blackened yet.'
It was to hear this very question that he went through all that hell to become a war hero.
He became a fool who couldn't even protect his own position while receiving all sorts of contempt and ridicule as a commoner.
Without any suspicion, but rather to ensure certain proof, sympathy, and the feeling that he was similar to her.
"Are you telling me to go under the demons now?"
"If I offended you, I apologize."
"Actually, it's not that I haven't considered it."
Flash-.
At Klaus's words, Yulia raised her head.
Confirming that a flashing glimmer was bursting forth from her eyes repeatedly, Klaus laughed inwardly but spoke in a feigned nonchalant voice.
"Because the ones who recognized me more than the humans were actually the demons. I've also heard many subtle hints to come to them. But there's one problem."
"What is it?"
"There might be many who welcome me, but there are just as many who want to kill me. The ones who died by my hand, the guys who were killed in action by my Southern Army, and even the power players who had to completely collapse as their attacks on the Southern region were thwarted due to their fights with me. Honestly, I thought I might meet at least one demon assassin at the academy, but fortunately, there hasn't been one yet."
"Ah," Yulia sighed.
It's true that there are many demons who admire or have a favorable impression of Klaus, but there are just as many who are hostile toward him and look at him with sharp eyes.
That was exactly why Klaus was trying to use Yulia.
The future political situation of the continent where, no matter what happens, the demons become the final victors.
Since he couldn't regress as a demon even if he could as other races in that world, Klaus realized it was better to hide behind the Demon King, the highest authority of those demons.
"Well, I have thought about going to the East. However, I haven't received a proper offer, so I was hesitating, worried that I might just end up getting my head chopped off if I went there for no reason."
"So that's why you took the academy professor position for now."
"As I said, I want to live my life a little, and I need money for that."
Click-.
Klaus, having emptied the cup cleanly, placed it on the table, making it make a sound on purpose.
After refreshing the atmosphere with that, he withdrew the soft demeanor he had been showing Yulia knowingly or unknowingly, returned to his original cold self, and opened his mouth.
"This is the maximum I can answer to a cadet who showed interest in a professor's affairs. Originally, I had no reason or desire to tell you, but I gave in once to Cadet Yulia's persistence, and since other cadets don't even come to find me, I told you because I found it commendable that you wanted to ask about Cadet Cecily's magic nullification that happened today."
"...."
"I hope you don't take too much interest beyond this, Cadet Yulia."
An order to leave that could be seen as much milder than last time.
At those words, Yulia realized that she had demanded more answers than necessary, and that Klaus had answered that excessive demand sincerely, unexpectedly.
'I don't know what change of heart or reason it is, but one thing is certain now.'
The elves crossed the line first; they provoked first at the academy, a place of peace.
Do they think the demons are silent just because they think Klaus is an enemy?
They were only silent because there is a minimum level of propriety, but to think they would even set a condition to allow a connection with an elf woman before the lectures have even begun.
'I thought it was something I could never have, something I shouldn't have. But since he says it's not....'
I'm greedy.
That man whom the idiot humans cast aside—the desire to possess that human, who can truly be called the jewel among jewels, burns like a flame.
'I can see everything you're thinking in your eyes.'
It's a moment I've already experienced several times.
Although this is Yulia before she blackened, a 'Demon King' is a Demon King regardless.
The possessiveness is strong, she only feels satisfied when she gets what she wants, her greed for talent overflows, and the mindset that she must be the best unconditionally soars to the sky.
In that sense, the war hero Klaus can be a more powerful weapon than all of the scarecrow Demon King's few subordinates combined.
Klaus knew, through his skills and experience, that Yulia was thinking exactly that.
"Professor Klaus-nim."
"I said I wouldn't take any more questions, and I wouldn't allow it. Cadet Yulia."
"It's not a question. Is it okay then?"
"...Go ahead."
"I want to make a deal, a proposal, not a question."
"A deal. I can roughly guess what it's about. Am I right?"
"Probably."
Any thoughts on switching to the demon side instead of the elves?
Aren't the elves just members of the Western Alliance who only used you anyway?
If you come over to the East, where your true worth is well known, even if there are those who are hostile, a faction of followers will emerge, and you might be able to live quite well.
That was the extent of the reasons Yulia could offer to persuade Klaus.
'Let's say those are the reasons. That's not what's important anyway.'
She called it a deal, she called it a proposal.
If she intends to lure him to the East, naturally she has to offer something too.
The problem here is that the Demon King Yulia Agnesa has no real power, wealth, or people because of her uncle.
The Demon King who encompasses the entire East is worse off than the elf Belarus family.
That was Yulia's current situation, and the price she could offer to attract a big shot like Klaus was far too lacking.
"You want to possess me, is that it? Demon King."
"Yes. That's correct."
"Then, what can you give me to possess me?"
Yulia, who had been silent for a moment, showed a slight hesitation before opening her mouth.
A monarch of a race, a ruler of half the continent.
She utters an astonishing remark, unbelievable for someone like that, as if it were nothing.
"Instead of those arrogant elves who have no ability."
"...."
"How about me? Devil of the South, Commander Klaus."