111 - The Demon King's Resolve
The King's private chambers, located deep within the castle. Crown Prince Neil decided to discuss the surrender terms of the Kingdom of Aria, which Akemi had brought, in this very room. It was a privilege of being the Crown Prince.
In the King's private chambers, not only the content of the discussion, but the very fact that a discussion had taken place, would be known to no one. That was the reason Crown Prince Neil had chosen this location.
"I have already received a report from Sieg regarding that matter."
The information Crown Prince Neil provided was not entirely news to the King.
"What was the nature of the report?"
The contents of Akemi's and Sieg's reports could not possibly be the same. Crown Prince Neil was well aware of that.
"Sieg requested permission to remove the Hero from the army. He stated that their rampage cannot be overlooked."
"I believe there is also a problem with the commander-in-chief who allowed such a rampage."
"Sieg admits that as well. He has said that he will take responsibility himself and step down as commander-in-chief. It is quite troublesome."
Sieg's request to resign was also a headache for the King. He believed there was no commander-in-chief with greater ability than Sieg.
"Will you not accept the resignation?"
"There is no replacement."
"There is the Knight Commander of the Kingdom."
"That is..."
In terms of rank, the Knight Commander of the Kingdom was naturally higher than General Sieg. It would not be strange for him to be the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force. The reason the King hesitated, however, was that he viewed the Knight Commander as inferior in terms of ability.
"The Knight Commander is dissatisfied that he is not the commander-in-chief. I believe it would be more accurate to say he is dissatisfied that he was not given the opportunity to earn military merit."
"Is that so?"
"I believe so."
"I see..."
Crown Prince Neil had noticed something the King had not. If it were true, the King was surprised. It was also proof that the King had underestimated Crown Prince Neil's abilities.
"If you keep General Sieg in his post on the grounds that there is no replacement, the Knight Commander's dissatisfaction will only grow."
"...So you've started saying things like that."
He has grown up. This was the King's impression, but it was not the case. The reason Crown Prince Neil noticed the Knight Commander's dissatisfaction was that he was sensitive to the feelings of those buried in the shadows. The King did not understand this.
"If General Sieg has failed, he should be replaced."
"The replacement being the Knight Commander... will that stop the rampage?"
Fumiya's rampage, which Sieg had permitted. The King could not imagine that the Knight Commander could stop it.
"General Sieg must take responsibility. I believe it is strange that the person who triggered it faces no punishment."
"Are you telling me to remove the Hero?"
"Yes. I believe that is what should be done."
"But, if we do that..."
The expedition would no longer go well. That was the King's concern.
"The Hero's presence disrupts military discipline. I believe that will become a much larger problem later on."
"You would let the Hero's power lie dormant...?"
"There is no need to let it lie dormant. I believe the Hero should simply concentrate on subjugating demons within the country."
"No, that is..."
The King swallowed the words "that is impossible." Crown Prince Neil knew. He knew, and that was why he had intentionally said this.
"There is no need to borrow the Hero's power for the expedition. On the other hand, mobilizing the army for demon subjugation would affect the expedition. I believe it is a good plan."
"...I will consider it."
The King chose a postponement rather than a rejection. There was no special meaning to it. It was simply that the explanation of the current situation required for a rejection was tedious.
"...Setting aside the demon subjugation, what will happen to the expeditionary force?"
Crown Prince Neil did not try to force the issue. Just because he was the son did not mean everything was permitted. Crown Prince Neil did not believe his position was rock-solid.
"I cannot make a decision on that immediately either."
"Then, what about the Kingdom of Aria?"
"...Accepting the surrender is fine. But the conditions are the problem. As for national administration, we can simply place an overseer. However, how to keep the military in check is the issue. We may need to remove those in high positions and replace them with our own knights."
If they stripped away the power to resist, leaving the internal administration to them would not be a problem. Even if the Kingdom of Aria tried to do something strange, they would simply have to not permit it.
"Then, may I assume there is room to accept the conditions?"
"I suppose so. Truthfully, I wanted to place the neighboring Kingdom of Aria completely under our control, but that can be done after they surrender."
The Laurel Kingdom would continue to expand its invasion into other countries. Since it would be problematic to have an unstable rear while doing so, the King had intended to annex the Kingdom of Aria. However, the King decided that strengthening his control could wait until after the surrender was accepted. It was a thought that prioritized accelerating the pace of the invasion.
"...Then, we shall proceed in that direction. Will the instructions come from you, Father?"
"Yes. I will have the Prime Minister think it through."
"I understand. That is all from me. Thank you for your time."
"No, I am pleased that we could have such a conversation. Children grow up without their parents noticing."
"Thank you."
Neil is still a child. The King had thought so, but this time he realized he was wrong. He had grown enough to discuss politics. However, that made something else all the more concerning.
"Neil."
"Yes."
"If possible, I would like you to be an adult in your private life as well. I do not believe your current behavior is that of an adult."
The rumors of Crown Prince Neil's debauchery. The King told him to correct it.
"That is... no, yes. I will be careful."
Crown Prince Neil tried to argue, but changed his mind halfway through. He felt that no matter what he said, his father would not understand.
"As long as you understand. Now, go."
"Yes."
In the end, Crown Prince Neil left the room feeling dissatisfied. The King did not understand this feeling. Because he did not understand, Crown Prince Neil continued to harbor dissatisfaction in his heart.
"...Are you there?"
Once Crown Prince Neil had left the room, the King spoke into the room that should have been empty.
"The Chief is on a mission."
The voice answering the King's call was a spy from the intelligence organization. Even in the private chambers, they were always by the King's side. That was the role given to the intelligence organization.
"A mission?"
"A mission to liberate demons."
"That... so, that man is in the royal capital?"
The liberation of captured demons was to be carried out by the demon side. In reality, the Chief believed that Ray would be the one to move.
"So I have heard."
"I see..."
"If you have a message, I shall convey it?"
"...No, it is fine. He will come to report once the mission is over."
The King hesitated for a moment, but decided against giving instructions. It was the result of the conflicting desire to speak with Ray and the feeling that there was nothing to talk about even if they met. The spy could not understand the King's emotions. No one should be able to peer into the King's heart, however.
(...Is he in the royal capital?)
Crown Prince Neil, who was just behind the door, understood the King's complex state of mind. It was not that he could read minds. It was simply that the anxiety deep within Crown Prince Neil's heart happened to coincide. Crown Prince Neil's assumption simply overlapped slightly with the King's thoughts. Though the content was different, Crown Prince Neil also harbored complex feelings toward Ray, and toward Princess Ekaterina beyond him.
◇◇◇
The manor of a local lord in the royal capital. Ray waited for time to pass on the roof of the building. It was to rescue a captured demon woman.
Many knights had brought demon women to the royal capital. However, not many knights owned manors in the capital. With a common knight's salary, buying a manor was a luxury, and knights from the provinces lived in the knight quarters located on the castle grounds. Furthermore, a knight who owned a manor with a room suitable for locking up a demon would have to be a very high-ranking official. Such knights did not bring demons back. As a result, most of the demons brought back were sold to nobles who had the financial means to keep them. The place where Ray was now was the manor of one such noble.
"...Are you alright?"
Lying on the roof and looking up at the sky, Ray asked a question.
"I am the Chief of the intelligence organization, you know?"
The one being questioned was the Chief of Intelligence, who was lying on the roof just like Ray. He replied to Ray's question in a dissatisfied voice.
"I know that. But I've grown a bit too."
"It is only natural that you would worry. Between the Demon King and a mere spy."
"It's not that... do you really intend to follow me the whole time?"
"I do. It would be problematic if you did anything too rough."
The Chief's role was that of a monitor. To save a demon, a situation where humans of the Laurel Kingdom were killed could not be permitted.
"I think it can't be helped if we are discovered, though?"
"As long as it ends with a few injuries, there is no problem."
"Then there is no problem."
"You expect me to believe that? No, honestly, I believe you, but His Majesty does not."
"Yeah, he probably doesn't trust me."
Ray was all too aware that he was hated by the King. He believed that was only natural. He had done something that terrible to Princess Ekaterina.
"...Do you really intend not to meet the Princess?"
"Even though you already know."
"Hm?"
"...Fail."
From the Chief's reaction, Ray realized his slip of the tongue.
"What do you mean?"
"...I have already met her once. At that time, I also met someone I think is one of the Chief's subordinates... I should probably scold them."
The person Ray had met was Princess Ekaterina's monitor. Naturally, it didn't end with just meeting; to ensure he wasn't hindered, he had put them to sleep.
"You mean they hid their own failure. That is not a matter that can be settled with just a scolding."
"I imagine so."
Something that must never happen for a spy. That spy would undoubtedly be relieved of their duties. Considering the Chief's strictness, it was questionable if it would end with just that.
"...And how was it?"
"Are you referring to the Princess?"
"The Princess and the other person. There is no mistake, is there?"
He deliberately did not say "son." Even knowing there was no one else to ask, the Chief possessed the caution to do so.
"...I cannot think of him as any other man. Though I have no right to say this."
"He will likely spend his entire life without ever appearing in public. Is that alright?"
"I am not the one to decide that."
Ray's son would live and die with almost no one knowing of his existence. But against that, there was nothing he could do. That was how Ray thought.
"If you achieve a feat that everyone recognizes, you might be forgiven."
"Do you mean me?"
"Yes."
Ray was a sinner. But if he achieved a feat that outweighed his sin, he might be forgiven. It was merely a possibility, however.
"...Could it be that you accompanied me just to talk about this?"
"This is merely incidental. By the way, Lord Geel said something similar. That if the Hero is killed, we can just use you instead."
"He says the most outrageous things. I suppose it's typical of my master."
"Limit your revenge to only the Hero. Can you not settle your feelings with that? If you can, all that remains is your sin against the Laurel Kingdom."
If Ray's revenge was considered fulfilled by the Hero's death, the rest would be a problem on the Laurel Kingdom's side. The Chief believed Geel's suggestion was worth considering.
"...It's impossible."
"The treatment of demons did not start yesterday or today. I do not believe it is the fault of anyone in the current era."
The human way of thinking toward demons. It was something created over a long history. To blame someone of this era for it was wrong. The Chief was trying to persuade Ray in this way.
"That's exactly why. Right now, I intend to stop being the Demon King whenever I want, but even so, I cannot be separated from the demons. No matter how many feats I achieve, the Laurel Kingdom—humans—will not accept demons. Am I wrong?"
Even if the problem between Ray and the Laurel Kingdom was solved, it would not solve the problem between the Laurel Kingdom and the demons. If that were the case, Ray would still never be accepted.
"...True. However... no, if that were possible, you wouldn't call yourself the Demon King."
If he could cast aside the demons. The Chief stopped himself from saying this. It would only stimulate Ray's emotions. The reason Ray became the Demon King was that he could not abandon the demons.
"I didn't become the Demon King because I wanted to, but I've made my resolve regarding this. I don't want to do things halfway. I don't want anyone who relies on me to die anymore."
"...I see."
If only they had been able to talk before he became the Demon King. Even if it was just lingering regret, the Chief found himself thinking this. He felt like cursing the fate that had not permitted it.
"Well, it's about time to go."
"A-ah. How will you infiltrate?"
"Like this..."
A voice whispered softly. The Chief did not understand what was said, but he understood what it meant. He saw the black sphere born in Ray's hand. As Ray opened his hand, the sphere increased in size. Along with it, a hole opened up in the roof.
"Now, let's go."
"...Yeah."
When Ray, who used such magic, attempted to infiltrate the castle, could it even be prevented? The Chief was not given time to think about that.
◇◇◇
From the attic, using the chimney and other routes to reach the lower floors. Without being spotted by anyone, Ray and the Chief reached their destination. It was the basement of the manor. A room surrounded by iron bars on the walls. But such things were irrelevant to Ray. Using magic, he easily entered the room.
"...Who is it?"
Chains extending from the walls and floor. The demon woman bound by them noticed Ray's presence.
"I don't know if you'll believe me, but I'm the Demon King."
"Eh...?"
The woman was bewildered by Ray, who called himself the Demon King. She did not know how to take it.
"I am Ray, who became the Demon King after Leo."
"...If it's after Leo, then not Leka?"
"Alphabetical order?"
"What business does that Demon King have here?"
Ray's thought that she had the energy to joke was a mistake. A woman asking "what business" in this situation. Ray judged that the dismissive attitude came from a heart of resignation.
"I came to save you."
"I see... then, kill me right now."
"...I refuse. I came here to save you from this place alive."
An expected request. Ray rejected it.
"You call yourself the Demon King, but you are not a demon. You don't understand how painful it is for us to have our pride trampled upon."
"Not necessarily."
"There's no way you could understand!"
"...If someone comes, may I ask a favor?"
Someone might come because of the woman's shouting. Ray asked the Chief to handle that.
"...Yeah."
The Chief accepted. Not out of fear of being killed, but because he understood Ray's desire to prioritize persuading the woman.
"I killed someone I could call family with these hands."
"Eh?"
"Just like you. A girl who was captured in a cell... and given humiliation. I also killed her mother. That was before she was captured. The reason was the same. She hated having her pride trampled upon."
"...Then kill me too. If you responded to their wishes, then save me as well."
"I regret killing those two. I hate myself for not having the power to save them. That's why I don't want to do the same thing again."
"...Fine. Then, get me out of here."
After hearing Ray's story, the woman no longer felt like asking to be killed. If she could be free, that would be enough. She thought she could then die taking the humans who had violated her with her.
"Of course I'll get you out. But if I do, you will owe me a debt. I will need you to pay it back."
"...I'll pay it."
"Then I will have you pay with your life."
"Eh?"
"The life I saved belongs to me. I will not permit you to do with it as you please, not even yourself."
"...What are you talking about?"
The woman did not understand what Ray was seeking.
"I am saying that I will not permit you to die."
"...Are you telling me to live in shame?"
Tarnished pride. She felt she could not bear to live while harboring those feelings in her chest. Even the small amount of pride remaining would be shattered to pieces. That was what the woman thought.
"Yes. You will live."
"That's impossible! My tribe will not accept me!"
It was not just her own feelings. Those around her would despise her for still living after her pride had been soiled. Even if she returned alive, only days of humiliation awaited her.
"I will make them accept you! I will not permit a tribe that defies me, the Demon King!"
"Being forced to be accepted solves nothing! Are you telling me to live my whole life exposed to eyes of contempt!?"
"Yes, that's what I'm saying! Live! If it's painful alone, live with your comrades! There are many others who have suffered the same fate! I will save all of them! If the tribe won't accept you, then live with those comrades!"
"...S-such a thing..."
The woman's voice of opposition weakened under Ray's momentum. She realized that Ray was not telling her to live lightly.
"I can do it. I, the Demon King, will protect you. I will not permit contempt. You are not in a position to be despised. You are people who should be cared for. If you hate that too, then just become independent. I will help you with that."
"Leaving the tribe..."
Expulsion from the tribe was a punishment heavier than death. For a demon with such thoughts, living apart from the tribe was unimaginable.
"You can live. No, to live, you must break out of the framework of the species. It may be unthinkable to you. Even so, I demand it. That is why I, who am not a demon, became the Demon King."
"...Are you really the Demon King?"
"You will understand the truth as soon as we leave here. They haven't entered the royal capital, but my comrades are nearby."
"I..."
"Please. Let me save you. I've spoken arrogantly, and in reality, I might cause you pain. But I will never give up. I will definitely create a path where you can live with your heads held high. I will absolutely keep this promise."
Ray bowed deeply toward the woman. It was not the attitude of the Demon King she knew. However, that attitude, regardless of whether he was the Demon King or not, made the woman feel like she might try trusting this person.
"...We can talk later. First, let's get out of here."
"...And you?"
The woman asked the identity of the Chief, who had interrupted. The Chief was clearly human. The woman could not imagine at all who he was.
"I am a human. I am assisting him by the order of His Majesty."
"His Majesty... eh? No way?"
"Yes. The King of the Laurel Kingdom. He negotiated with His Majesty to win your freedom. Unofficially, of course, but the only reason that was possible is because it was him."
"Negotiating with the human king?"
"At this moment, you are lucky to have him as your king. Being told this by me, who serves the humans and the Laurel Kingdom specifically, probably only makes me hateful, but that is what I think."
"............"
A human leader was persuading her with a serious expression to escape alive. The woman did not know how to take it.
"I won't tell you to trust me. But he is different. To save you, he became a Demon King he did not wish to be, interrupted what he wanted to do, and is trying to rescue you. You will understand this once you are free."
"...I understand. Please let me escape from here."
In the end, the woman chose to believe. Even if she were betrayed here, the destination awaiting her would not change. Not only that, but regardless of whether they were demons or not, she felt it would be a shame to doubt two people who spoke so sincerely.
"Thank you."
Ray thanked the Chief for persuading the woman.
"...I think it's a good thing."
"Eh?"
"It seems you still regret killing someone precious to you, but you believe that their choice to die was a mistake. Is that not so?"
"...Perhaps it is."
A lie to persuade the woman. Ray had no such intention. He intended to put his true feelings into words. If that were the case, Ray thought it must be as the Chief said.
"I believe that is correct. As a human."
"...I suppose so."
"Then shall we go? The guards here seem to be worryingly lazy, but we should not rely on that luck forever."
"Then let's go."
Ray declared their departure, looking toward the woman. The chains binding the woman were severed so easily by Ray's sword that one would think they were mere strings.
"...That sword?"
A red streak ran along the jet-black blade, looking as if a blood vessel were pulsing. With one glance, it was clear that the sword was not ordinary. The Chief asked what it was.
"My partner. The Magic Sword Kamui."
"Magic Sword Kamui... I see..."
This was the first time the name of the Magic Sword Kamui became known to another. From this point on, the name of the Magic Sword Kamui would gradually spread among the demons. As the partner, and the symbol, of Demon King Ray.