The Chosen Surname
"That concludes the information on the one called Rozania Versilver."
The silver-haired woman finished her explanation. In summary, about a year ago, she had appeared leading a group of demons and declared herself the Demon King. She'd laid the foundations of Versilver Territory by building a wooden palisade and paving roads. It matched almost exactly what I'd heard from Lovern.
"Do you have something to say?"
I noticed Yev Ripent, the woman who'd just finished explaining, glancing at my face as if gauging my reaction. Her restrained movements suited her cold demeanor perfectly—she screamed "soldier demon" at first glance. Even while speaking, her eyes had been icy, and her voice felt as chilling as a midwinter wind. Maybe it was the uniform.
Anyway, seeing someone like Yev acting hesitant naturally piqued my interest.
"No."
"Don't hold back—speak freely. Every opinion or scrap of info matters right now."
We were short on information. I hoped even a passing comment might give us something useful. Especially since this Rozania demon had methodically developed the territory, earning goodwill from the locals. If I suddenly showed up claiming to be the Demon King and booted her out, we might face serious backlash.
Sure, I could crush any resistance with raw demon power like a proper demon, but if possible, I'd prefer the demons to truly accept me as their king. These were the guys I'd be stuck with long-term, after all.
Maybe I still hadn't shaken off my human mindset.
Anyway, the core houses—Ripent, Franet, and Setarite—already believed in me as the Demon King, so any pushback from power-obsessed demons could be quashed quickly. But if I settle it with proof that I'm the real deal, it'll win their hearts even faster.
But my only proof was an absurdly massive amount of demonic mana. It wouldn't impress low- and mid-rank demons much. To regular folks, what's the difference between 100 trillion and 150 trillion? Alien numbers are all the same. Just a vague "whoa, that's insanely strong!" vibe.
So I needed proof that she was the fake. Every bit of intel mattered in this state. As I mulled over evidence to expose the fake Demon King, Yev spoke up after a moment's hesitation.
"She goes by Rozania Versilver now, so I had no choice. I'm sorry."
"Hm? Why apologize for that?"
"I'll explain."
Seress Franet, who had been sitting quietly, stood up. Her pink eyes fixed straight on me.
"The surname Versilver is a Chosen Surname. Not just anyone can claim it."
Her words made me furrow my brow slightly.
Chosen Surname... sounds familiar...
I racked my brain, but it hovered just out of reach, teasing the edge of memory.
Lai must've mentioned it. Blame her and move on. Besides, if you don't know, just ask, right?
"If my interruption bothers you, I can have Yev continue."
"Nah, I'm not mad. Just got lost in thought for a sec. Ahem. Chosen Surname? Tell me more."
"Very well, I'll continue."
She'd already been told I only awoke two years ago and was fuzzy on continental lore, so Seress explained without suspicion.
"There are a few Chosen Surnames on the continent. They're chosen by the gods. The Demon King's Versilver is the prime example."
"Does that include Sunshine?"
Lai's words about personally granting the Sunshine name to Silvia suddenly came to mind, so I tossed the question at Seress. She nodded.
"Yes. If Versilver symbolizes the Demon King, then Sunshine symbolizes the Saintess."
"So just those two?"
"Originally, yes. But long ago, as reward for ending a war with the demons, the hero party's members received divine Chosen Surnames too."
The words "hero party" conjured an image. A woman with white hair.
"Siana Daybreak..."
The one who'd handed me a one-sided beatdown. Her image lingered so strongly, she still haunted my dreams occasionally.
"Siana Daybreak. A member of the hero party, skilled in swordsmanship. From the Dawn Clan, symbolized by the Daybreak house. Our Ripent house's sworn enemies."
Zephyr Ripent, listening quietly, chimed in. Swordsmanship... I'd mostly suffered under Siana's blade, but her magic had been the real threat. Did that mean she hadn't gone all out back then...? Not important now—I shelved thoughts of Siana.
"A surname's just a surname. No big deal."
"No, that's precisely the key point. We didn't accept you as Demon King based on power alone."
Yeah, I'd wondered about that too. I'd just stated my name and claimed to be the Demon King—how could three powerful high demons kneel so readily? Especially with a supposed Demon King already on the throne. I'd expected skepticism, so their quick compliance actually made me suspicious. I still held a sliver of wariness.
"Demon King. State your name once more."
"M-my name?"
"Yes. Your full name, surname included."
Earlier, things were hectic, and Zephyr had introduced first, so saying my name hadn't felt awkward. But now, with everyone watching, it was embarrassing.
"I am Yev Ripent, knight captain, though unworthy."
"Ahem. My name is Cluster Versilver. Thanks, Yev."
"I-I only did my duty. No need to thank me each time."
"Gratitude is gratitude."
Yev's tact helped me brush it off, but her cheeks flushed—she was embarrassed too.
"That's it exactly. No one can casually utter 'Versilver'."
"Duchess Franet, didn't you just say it?"
"I'll show you. Yev, introduce yourself again. You know what I'm getting at."
"M-me?"
"Should I do it?"
Seress, so kindly to me, turned slightly commanding toward Yev. She was embarrassed herself but made me do it anyway. As I grumbled inwardly at Seress, Yev spoke. Her face beet red—she was mortified.
"Y-yes. Yev Ripent. First, I apologize to Cluster Versilver for the disloyalty I am about to commit."
"Apologize? You explained Rozania well—I'm grateful. Don't feel bad, Yev."
"...Understood. Then... here goes."
She approached, knelt on one knee, took deep breaths, then cautiously opened her mouth. Why so tense over a simple intro? Her cold facade hid it, but her pupils trembled, and her ear tips were red.
"I am Yev ■■■■. Knight captain of the pro-Demon King faction."
"...Can you say that again?"
"I am... Yev ■■■■."
"Hold up!"
At a certain point, Yev's voice turned to noise, unrecognizable. I stopped her in shock, and Seress followed up as if expecting it.
"That's what a Chosen Surname means. So noble that imposters can't properly utter it when introducing themselves—the words become incomprehensible."
"Oh..."
"Yev lacks the qualification. An unqualified Yev trying to say 'Yev Versilver' renders it inaudible to all."
Now it clicked why Yev had hesitated before saying Rozania Versilver and apologized preemptively. Attaching such a sacred surname to another name was deeply rude from her perspective.
"Rozania never introduced herself as Versilver, then."
"Correct. As Yev explained, her adjutant announced it—Rozania never did herself. That's what turned our suspicions into certainty."
Zephyr nodded at Seress's words. Their initial doubts started when they hadn't awakened despite the self-proclaimed Demon King Rozania, but stirred the moment I appeared.
Me boldly using Versilver versus Rozania's inability to claim it herself. Anyone could see who was real and who was fake.
"Yev. Good work."
Thanks to Yev apologizing for uttering Rozania Versilver, we'd uncovered this. One tiny detail led to a breakthrough.
"Y-yes?"
"You've given us our lead."
We couldn't prove Rozania wasn't Versilver yet. But I was real. Just force her to introduce herself fully as Rozania Versilver, and it'd be over. Lead in hand—it was time to plan.
"D-Demon King?"
"Hm?"
Yev's startled voice snapped me from my thoughts. I looked down—she was still kneeling, and my hand was petting her head. A habit from patting Lai or Silvia for good deeds, done unconsciously.
"Ah, sorry."
"I-it's fine."
"Uh... yeah. Yev, go back to your seat."
Face crimson, Yev staggered back and collapsed into her chair. As a high demon, she might feel humiliated by someone petting her head. Demons worship strength, and among high demons, Yev was elite. Compared to me—a "lame Demon King" per Silvia—having a "weaker" superior pat her head might rankle, rank or not.
Didn't want to sour things with a capable subordinate. I'd apologize privately later.
"Time to marry her off..."
-BAM!
Zephyr's mutter drowned in the crash of the conference room door flinging open.
"Cluster! No matter how I think about it, this can't be right—I came to rescue you...?"
"This time, I'll save the De-mon King!"
At the same moment, Veronica burst in gripping her sword, with Silvia adorably clutching a wooden stick she'd picked up somewhere.