Chapter 200
Chapter 200. Demon Lord’s Prince Triumphant
Well then, it’s Zilbagias, currently returning to the Demon Lord’s Castle.
As I peeked out of the carriage window, we were getting close enough to see the castle.
After that—thanks to spending a full day relaxing with Liliana and the others, both my mind and body felt refreshed. I think my mental state has improved quite a bit. Since there was no need to hurry, we took our time and took three days to return by carriage.
That said, it’s been years since I had a day without intensive combat training, only light exercises…
“Considering you’re five years old, that’s pretty abnormal!”
Right? Well, I’m about to turn six.
However, I felt that if I stayed away from fighting for too long, I might get sluggish, so starting the next day, I began rigorous training with Virosa to maintain my battle instincts. I clearly remember the embarrassing moments when I fought as Zilbagias while suppressing my ego.
With no experience, no knowledge, and dull instincts, it was dangerously reckless. I have to be careful not to let my body and instincts get dull…
“What on earth is this Night Elf Sword Saint!? How is that even possible!?”
Speaking of Virosa, Barbara was utterly flabbergasted.
I mean, the concept of a Night Elf mastering the sword is pretty ridiculous; I can understand her feelings.
For Barbara, it seems the real shock wasn’t that another race mastered sword fighting but that the laws of nature favored a Night Elf (who has decent magical strength).
“…Don’t be so down. That person is a kind of hope too.”
I consoled Barbara that way.
“Despite being a being with decent magical strength, they adhered to the restriction of not using magic in human form and were loved by the laws of nature. In other words—”
Barbara has also turned undead, and while she is powerful, she doesn’t use magic herself, which might mean she could utilize the powers of the Sword Saint—maybe.
Emna has been failing for years to create an undead Sword Saint, but unlike Emna, who forcibly twists souls into obedience, Barbara is cooperating on her own. There is hope…!
“…I hope so.”
However, Barbara was a bit pessimistic. Being shrouded in the gloomy magic of darkness, it’s no wonder she feels down… sorry…
By the way, Barbara is currently residing in a unicorn helmet that houses her soul. She seems able to communicate telepathically with me closely and can interact automatically with Antendeixis inside me.
“And then, I’m going to perfectly hit that arrogant demon’s horn with my sword spear!”
“Oh?”
“If you try to act condescending again, I’ll break your horn. At that time, even father won’t blame me!—and just as I made that cool statement, his horn just plopped off, laugh!”
“LOL”
“Alex, who was flustered by that, well, just the tip is gone… and father won’t blame me, laugh.”
“ROFL”
…Right after call, Barbara was looking at Antendeixis warily, but in these three days, she managed to warm up to me fairly easily. It seems she frequently asks about my Demon Lord Prince life whenever she gets a chance.
But honestly, she’s pretty noisy… It’s not at all like a normal conversation right next to my ear!
When Antendeixis began residing within my soul, it was already quite a handful, but with just Antendeixis, there were longer silent moments.
However, once Barbara joined in—
“Ahh, that’s a masterpiece!”
“Right?”
“Speaking of that story, I remember a time when Alex got into a fight with a hero’s colleague—”
“Ohhh!”
They were going on and on.
…That said, it seems that while talking, Barbara is somewhat distracted. It’s a bit cruel to keep her sealed in a helmet, telling her to stay silent, and I couldn’t complain about that. How could I say such things to a brave soul who wants to cooperate with me even after death…
But… can you please stop digging up my embarrassing youthful blunders that I barely remember… I’m begging you…
Anyway, it seems Barbara is quite restless sealed in the helmet, so I would like to prepare a proper body for her soon.
“Are you a prince!? Then give me an amazing thrusting sword made by dwarves! One that costs like a hundred gold coins! I can reside in that!!”
Barbara jokingly said, which turned out to be quite a brilliant idea.
I did try to disassemble all the elite unit’s corpses to prevent Emna from easily repurposing them—though it would have been even easier if I could use fire magic—but I kept some remains of both Barbara and Hessel with me.
I could have a rapier made by a dwarf using Barbara’s remains as one of the materials and turn that into Barbara’s “real body”.
Then I’d let the rapier be held by an appropriately undead body, and during that time, Barbara could operate it as her own body.
Even Emna can switch bodies or send remote commands to another undead, so theoretically, it should be possible.
I would have to work on the technical side, while Barbara would have to master this new type of body control.
Once I get back to the Demon Lord’s Castle and deal with everything, I’m thinking of asking Emna to teach me advanced undead creation…
“—Welcome back, Zilbagias.”
Upon arriving at the town and notifying my return to the Demon Lord’s Castle, while killing time playing with Liliana, Sophia arrived riding a skeletal horse.
“Yo, it’s been a few days.”
“…?”
As I casually greeted her, Sophia tilted her head and stared at me closely.
“…What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s just that you look well-rested. You seem to have returned to your natural self.”
—That made my heart skip a beat. When Sophia returned earlier, I was still in Demon Lord Prince mode.
“Returning to ‘natural self’ means you’ve noticed that my previous attitude was ‘fake’!”
Given our relationship since babyhood, I guess that’s to be expected…!
For now, I’m glad she hasn’t caught on completely.
“Well, since returning from the battlefield… I’ve relaxed a bit.”
It also means I’ve sorted out my feelings.
“Plus, I got to relax with Liliana and Leila.”
“Wow!”
Liliana licked my cheek. Sophia’s eyes narrowed.
“I see. So, you had a leisurely, intimate time then.”
“Ah, uh…”
Do you really need to emphasize that?
“By the way, upon your return, the lady has a proposal.”
Switching immediately from a narrowed gaze to a serious face, Sophia continued with her explanation.
“Instead of triumphantly returning from the front in a carriage, how about flying in on Leila and meeting with His Majesty the Demon Lord?”
“Oh?”
…Platy, who had firmly opposed it, is now suggesting I ride Leila. It seems Kusemon’s influence is at play here.
But why again?
“Well, normally, when a Demon Lord’s Prince returns from their first battle, it’s customary to celebrate grandly with their vassals in their battle attire, but…”
“…”
I fell silent.
The vassals… are all gone.
“…Kuuun.”
Liliana licked my neck. The scars once etched there by holy attributes—
It’s alright. I do feel a sense of breathlessness.
I can’t hear their voices anymore.
“…Zilbagias alone, means…”
“It doesn’t look good, does it? So, riding Leila sounds appealing.”
I preempted Sophia’s awkward comment and nodded knowingly. While it’s undeniable that all my vassals were wiped out, descending on Leila from the sky looks better than walking through the castle gates alone.
…Well, I won’t lie; triumphing alone would feel a bit off.
“Though Prince Diagias over there seems to always be parading with that demon of lust, he at least had 50 people with him during his first battle.”
“Understood. I’ll ride Leila back… when should I take off?”
“After the next bell rings, please.”
Well then, that’s settled—Sophia rode back toward the Demon Lord’s Castle on her skeletal horse, bustling about. If the Izanis Tribe were here, they could communicate with a transmission spell, which would be quite convenient.
But, well, the teleportation spell is more handy, so it’s fine.
“Anyway… Leila. Shall we take to the skies together for the first time in a while?”
“Yes!”
At my words, Leila blushed and nodded happily.
Since my deployment, I had mainly been traveling by carriage to conserve stamina and for rest, and hadn’t flown together with her.
However, since Platy requested it!
This was the perfect chance to fly freely through the sky!
With a flick, I untied the maid uniform ribbon, exposing Leila’s fair skin—
“—Huhhh?!”
At that moment, Barbara, who had been quietly in my bag, let out an absurdly loud voice.
“What the… What is that!? What in the world are you putting on this innocent girl!!!”
Tight leather straps hugging Leila’s upper body provocatively.
Huh? …Oh, right. It’s the magical saddle, “Kizuna.” It’s a bit shocking at first glance. Even I find it tough to look directly at it, but I’ve gotten used to its existence.
Looks like Leila is somewhat accustomed too, as she gracefully turns and reverts back into a beautiful silver dragon.
See? The straps seamlessly transition into a saddle and reins now. Isn’t it amazing?
“Eh…?”
Barbara seems at a loss for words. By the way, that is also dwarf-made.
“Who else besides dwarves could possibly create something like that…?”
That’s a valid point. Regardless, I’m flying back for a bit, so Barbara, I’m sorry, but can you wait in the room with Liliana for now?
“Ah, uh… understood…”
Ignoring Barbara’s half-dazed response, I placed the helmet of unicorn and the other relics of the elite unit, labeled as “war trophies,” in the carriage, entrusted Garunya with taking care of Liliana, and began putting on my gear.
“What? Am I the weird one for making noise…?”
Just before leaving the carriage, I thought I caught Barbara muttering those words.
Having equipped the scale armor of Faravgi, put on bracers and greaves, and donned my helmet, I gracefully mounted Leila.
“I’m so happy… to fly together again…!”
Through “Kizuna,” Leila’s bouncy, warm feelings flowed into me.
Yes, I am delighted, and I somehow feel thankful for this magical saddle.
Even without concrete phrases coming to mind, we could feel each other’s emotions directly, creating a sensation of merging with deep affection and intimacy—
After a brief wait.
The bells of the clock tower rang from the Demon Lord’s Castle, resonating throughout.
Let’s go.
“Yes!”
With a light leap, Leila kicked off the ground, cheerfully rising and swimming towards the sky.
Ahh—this moment always makes my heart race! It never gets old!!!
“Yay—!”
Leila flapped her wings energetically, soaring higher and higher as if chasing the moon.
Then, spreading her wings wide, she glided gracefully towards the Dragon Departure Station of the Demon Lord’s Castle.
“…”
Along the way, the shadow cast over Leila’s joyful heart must have been due to noticing the dark dragons circling ominously above the castle.
—There’s no need to worry, Leila.
Rather, show them your magnificent flight!
“…Yes!!”
With a powerful thrust, she accelerated.
Like an arrow, Leila sliced through the night.
Haha! What incredible speed!!!
The hesitant version of you is no more—
Leila is strong! A splendid White Dragon!
“…!!”
I could feel Leila’s heart racing.
The Dragon Departure Station loomed closer.
…It’s coming into view.
Wielding a spear of condensed darkness, dressed in black armor,
My nemesis, the Demon Lord Goldgias.
And by his side—dressed elegantly, standing straight with pride,
My mother, Grand Duchess Platiphia.
With a whoosh, Leila flared her wings to decelerate and gracefully landed at the station like a feather.
I too leapt elegantly from the saddle and landed.
All eyes were—focused on me. Surrounding the station were not only the Demon Lord and Platiphia but also the main demon race members of the Demon Lord’s Castle waiting expectantly at a distance.
Among them—there were the faces of the First Demon Lord’s Prince Aiogias, his mother Razriel, the Second Demon Lord’s Prince Rubyphia, and the Fourth Demon Lord’s Prince Emelgias. Their gazes ranged from cold, observing me, wild with combativeness, or awash in astonished envy—
“Ohh…”
“What in the world…?”
“What a sight…!”
The atmosphere buzzed among the gathered demon race. Some expressed admiration, some astonished, while others recoiled in surprise.
Was it due to my magical power dramatic growth since departing, or the audacity of dismounting a white dragon adorned in white dragon scale armor?
Regardless, my magical power must have been shocking.
Having been said to be comparable to an earl back then, I now exude an aura reaching towards that of a duke.
As proof of this, even the Demon Lord was watching wide-eyed, keeping his lips tight, and Platiphia had tears in her eyes from overwhelming emotion—
Wait, tears!?
It wouldn’t do for a high-ranking demon to cry in public!!!
“…Welcome back, Zilbagias.”
To hide the trembling of Platiphia’s shoulders, the Demon Lord stepped forward, raising his voice.
“Ha! Zilbagias Reiju has returned.”
I responded by standing tall and saluted like a soldier.
“I report the subjugation of the Defteros Kingdom and the Capital of Evaroti.”
“Indeed. To conquer the capital, which was thoroughly aided by the Holy Great Tree Alliance and the Holy Church, in less than three days is remarkable.”
The Demon Lord nodded majestically, a refreshing smile gracing his face.
“…I hardly recognized you. Your growth is phenomenal, no, utterly remarkable. As the Demon Lord and as your father—I am proud of you.”
A murmur spread among the spectators once again.
From the corner, visibly pale, Razriel, Aiogias’s mother, widened her eyes in shock, indicating just how exceptional the Demon Lord’s praise was.
“It’s an overwhelming honor, Father.”
I replied coolly.
“I stand here, and for your praise—”
And to the Demon Lord.
Once again, I felt the power of ambition pierce through me.
The qualification to return.
Having returned victorious.
“—I am proud of it.”
With heartfelt emotion, I declared it clearly.
“…Now, Platiphia. You also should say something.”
Unaware of my inner thoughts, the Demon Lord, satisfied and taking time, finally urged Platiphia.
“…Zilbagias.”
Taking a deep breath, arranging her expression and tone, Platiphia smiled proudly.
“Everything I wanted to say has already been said by your father. …Congratulations on your victory. Welcome home.”
Her loving gaze—
Pierced me. However.
“…Yes. Mother.”
I stood tall and flashed a proud smile. Just like an accomplished son—
Thus, I, Demon Lord’s Prince Number 7 Zilbagias Reiju,
Returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle after my first battle.
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Thanks to all, this is the 200th chapter! Thank you for your continuous support and comments; they really encourage me! Please continue to follow Zilbagias’s tale of the Demon Lord’s reign!
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