Chapter 167
Chapter 167. Demon Race and the Strange Festival
“—Speaking of which, it’s almost time for the [Ice Hell Men’s Naked Festival].”
Platy, who had been reading a book, suddenly looked up and said while gazing out the window at the blizzarding snow.
“[Ice Hell Men’s Naked Festival]…!?”
What on earth is that!?
So, it seemed like Zilbagias was having a calm end to the year while snow fell heavily.
During the leisurely time after dinner, Platy tossed out some nonsense!
“…Ah, it’s no wonder you don’t know, Zilba. It happens once every ten years.”
With a snap, she closed her book, resting her chin on her hand as Platy continued her story.
“The origin of the [Ice Hell Men’s Naked Festival] is said to go back about 800 years.”
Quite a long history, indeed.
“These days, we can read books or train indoors even in winter, but in the ancient home of the Demon Race, ‘Sanctuary,’ apparently there was literally nothing to do during winter.”
“Seems about right.”
They were a bunch of filthy barbarians living in caves in a poor land.
“However, if they just shut themselves away to avoid the snow, they’d build up frustration and end up weakening. Thus, a festival was born where men from different tribes showcased their physical beauty and brawled completely naked to compete for true strength.”
“…?”
Did we just leap too far from ‘that’s why’…?
“So… how did they manage to transcend tribal boundaries? Surely, there had to be cowards who targeted people who were completely unarmed.”
“Over such a long history, there were apparently some like that. But when the snow melted, they received a full-frontal attack from all tribes and were wiped out.”
“Ah, I see…”
Over time, the cowardly tribes were eliminated, and the barbarism of the Demon Race as a whole was refined…
“You’re saying they fight barehanded, but is it really a brawl?”
I’ve heard of fighting festivals within alliances, but fighting while completely naked in winter? That’s a first!
“Rather, it’s mostly one-on-one fistfights. While it’s officially a free-for-all where anyone can challenge anyone, it has grown stronger in meaning as a way to confirm the hierarchy. It’s not exactly a serious duel.”
“I see?”
“Essentially, it’s a festival where His Majesty the Demon King and the tribe leaders demonstrate their martial prowess by accepting challenges from their subordinates. Though sometimes equals will fight each other to rank themselves, that’s mainly for the young ones.”
“Oh ho…”
In ancient times, there weren’t many demons, so the demon men would gather in one place to fight, but nowadays it seems each tribe holds their own festivities.
“Still, the biggest event is at the Demon Lord’s Castle. Wealthy clans will send representatives from afar no matter how harsh the blizzard. From the Reiju Tribe, it’s likely Zikvart will come.”
Chief Reiju Jijiivart will probably engage in some brawls with his subordinates. Most likely those from the Dios family.
All things considered, since the chief’s house has a reputation at stake, it’s more important than I thought.
“So when exactly is it?”
“This weekend.”
I looked out the window. The cold wind howled, and snow piled up outside.
“Geez, must be tough in this cold.”
“You’ll be participating too.”
“Eh?”
I had totally thought it was someone else’s problem, but Platy’s remark made me go serious.
“Of course. You’ve already got horns growing, and you’re a prince.”
Aren’t the criteria for participation supposed to be ‘adult males’?!!!
So it comes down to whether you have horns or not!!!
“You’ll be able to interact with boys of your age… er, a similar build. It’ll be fun.”
I couldn’t care less… What kind of tragedy am I facing, having to freeze and duke it out with demon kids…?
“By the way, it’s also for training so you don’t get sluggish in winter, and to show off your vitality. Just participating has its own meaning.”
Platy leaned in, emphasizing her point. It was implicitly clear that skipping out wouldn’t be permitted, and I had no choice but to nod.
I’m probably going to get called weak if I don’t show up…
“What’s with that? ‘Must be hard in the cold,’ huh?”
Don’t you dare laugh, lazy Demon God! Acting like it’s none of your business!!!
Well, I’m already training outside normally, and in my previous life, I’d often been on winter marches and fought in blizzards, so this isn’t a big deal.
…But, man, being naked sounds rough…
“By the way, you said it’s a men’s festival. Is there one exclusively for women too?”
Trying to change the topic out of curiosity, I asked, and Platy made a weird face.
“You really want to see naked women that badly?”
No, that’s not it! I wasn’t limiting it to naked festivals!!!
“No, I just thought if there’s a men’s festival, there might be a women’s festival too!”
“Not really. But although it’s called the [Ice Hell Men’s Naked Festival], while the men are brawling naked, mothers, wives, and daughters are on guard with spears. So I guess we do participate too.”
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the women’s participation essentially hinges on how their husbands or sons perform…
“I… I see…”
I replied, somewhat taken aback.
Even so, I never thought there’d be an event where the demon men would all willingly expose themselves and be defenseless.
If I’d known in advance, I could’ve set the Demon Castle assault operation for this day…!!
“Or maybe I could also target the Demon King at the festival next time in ten years…”
Not out of the question, but… ten years, huh… I wonder how many countries will fall by then.
Though, ten years from now, I’d be fifteen.
“If I could slay the Demon King at such a young age, that would be a remarkable achievement, wouldn’t it?”
That might be the case…
And so, with this complex feeling in my heart, I spent my days training and studying, and before I knew it, a week had flown by――
†††
――Demon Kingdom, Demon Lord’s Castle, Training Grounds 1.
In the biting wind, powdery snow danced in the air as demon women clad in vibrant battle attire stood around the training grounds, brandishing spears.
Before the training grounds’ gate stood a massive scaffold.
At the top, a huge drum and a prominent woman in striking red battle gear were waiting.
The second prince, Rubyphia Ribarel.
Today, she would serve as the drum major representing the women’s demon tribe of the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Exhaling a puff of white breath, Rubyphia lifted her bone drumsticks high. Her red hair, tied up at the back, fluttered in the wind like flames.
Thump! Thump! She struck the edges of the drum, resounding loudly.
Boom! Boom!
The women stared on with serious expressions――
Boom! Thump! Thump-thump-thump!
“Entrance!!”
With Rubyphia’s shout,
““““Response!!””””
Not a metaphor, but thousands of strong voices answered back.
The castle gates opened, and the naked men swaggered in, stepping heavily through the snow.
Leading the pack was, of course――
“[I am the Demon King! Goldgias Orgi!!]”
The current Demon King Goldgias announced boldly.
Literally the strongest man in the Demon Kingdom. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Cheers erupted from behind him.
In response, magic power surged from the Demon King’s entire body, bursting and blooming like flames overhead. His golden hair, akin to a lion’s mane, blew in the uproar of the winds.
Today, he seemed to have left behind the [Demon King’s Spear], which he usually carries around, and flaunted just his steel-like physique.
And following behind him――
“[I am the kingdom’s Second Prince!]”
A muscular beauty with flowing blue hair. Naturally, he was completely naked.
“[Aiogias Vernas!!]”
Matching the Demon King’s energy, his announcement rang out.
Magic power surged again, a sound sharp enough to freeze the air and sparkling snow fell around.
“It’s freezing!!” “Get a grip!” Taunts flew, but Aiogias controlled water and ice with bloodline magic, and with a cool demeanor, brushed them aside.
Next in line was――
“[I am the kingdom’s Third Prince!]”
A platinum-blond noble. Of course, he was naked.
“[Diagias Gigamunt!]”
Though his voice was quieter, it carried well.
With a magical pink rose appearing in his hand, Diagias posed, the petals scattering beautifully at the same time.
Followed by a lightning strike! Electric discharge! His flamboyance surpassed even the Demon King!
“Whoa!” “Prince Diagias, you’re amazing!” Directing gasps of admiration from numerous girls in the training grounds.
Waving, blowing kisses in response, Diagias enjoyed the spotlight.
Following him――
“[I am the kingdom’s Fourth Prince!]”
With a somewhat reckless and gritty cry.
“[Emelgias Izanis!!]”
With green hair rustling in the wind, Emelgias’s shout was filled with enthusiasm.
Thanks to his bloodline’s magic, his voice carried across the grounds, undeterred by the wind noise.
“Uohhhh!!”
His magic power unleashed, colored tornados swept the snow away.
“Good job, young one!” “Looking cool!” Cheers echoed from the Izanis tribe. Though their sounds rang clear thanks to bloodline magic, it also indicated that only family cheered for them.
And then――
Behind Emelgias walked――
Strutting forward with bared shoulders――
“[I am the kingdom’s Seventh Prince!!!]”
A collective wow rippled through the crowd.
A boy. A still-young boy!!!
“[Zilbagias Reiju!!]”
The young prince’s shout was even more reckless than his brother’s.
Zugoooaahhh!! A menacing dark magic power erupted from his entire body.
“Oh! What! At just five years old, he has that much magic power! Absolutely marvelous!!” “Prince, you’re so cool!” Cheers flooded in from all ages――!!
“Uoooo! I am the representative of the Onbur Tribe, Miaavori!”
“I am here representing the Reiju Tribe, Zikvart!”
“Hah-hah-hah! The representative of the Lofonos Tribe, Torden, making my entrance!!”
After the princes of the Demon Lord’s family, representatives of various clans continued to stream in!!
The [Ice Hell Men’s Naked Festival] at the Demon Lord’s Castle was officially――
Open――!!
