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“Have you returned, Demon Lord?”

After the meeting, I was greeted by Sheri, the chief of the Black Earth Clan, upon visiting the forest. Since becoming the Demon Lord, the attitude of the demons towards me has changed significantly.

At first, they tried to bow their heads to the ground, which caught me off guard. They recognized me as the Demon Lord just by facing me. Whether it was because their senses were sharper than humans or they were more instinctual, their reverence for the Demon Lord exceeded my expectations.

Yes, to put it bluntly, it felt like I had become a god, not just a king.

“Ah, Demon Lord…! Ah!”

“It’s truly an honor to see you in person, Demon Lord…”

“Oh, you’ve come to save us…!”

The older demons were so overwhelmed with emotion that they shed tears, while the younger ones were so awestruck by my presence that they naturally knelt.

From the demons’ perspective, the Demon Lord is their savior. After losing the world’s hegemony to humans, the demons were scorned and discriminated against, driven to the barren and cold northern regions. The Demon Lord was the only being who could save them, a figure of faith.

Of course, my reason for becoming the Demon Lord wasn’t to save them. But by this point, it was hard to ignore those who believed in and followed me. So, I decided to help the demons in my own way.

During the meeting, I warned against humans carelessly entering the Demon Forest. If even this last refuge were taken by humans, the demons would face extinction.

Additionally, I proposed to the Empire that demons be recognized as equal to humans. In this world, demons are still despised and feared. Changing such deeply rooted perceptions would be difficult, but I directly requested the Emperor. If the ruler of the nation accepted my proposal, the impact would be significant.

Even if perceptions couldn’t be completely changed, an imperial decree would at least alter how the Empire’s citizens treated demons outwardly.

I hoped the demons would receive better treatment than they do now. It might be too grand to call it salvation, but at the end of my plan, I wished for a future where demons and humans could stand as equals and maintain a harmonious relationship.

Though it hasn’t been long, I’ve grown quite attached to the demons of the Demon Forest. The demons I met in reality were quite different from those I knew from the original work. They weren’t much different from humans. They felt joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, and each race had its own unique culture.

Though they were more aggressive compared to humans, it was clear that they were intelligent beings, as their name “demon” suggested.

“Ah…!”

A woman who recognized me approached. It was Muiry, the senior among the Annihilation Maids.

“You’ve lost a lot of weight since I last saw you, young mas—”

“Ahem…”

“Ah, right! Sorry, miss. You’ve lost a lot of weight. Or not? Hmm. Maybe being a bit thin isn’t bad for a woman. But for health’s sake…”

“You worry too much, Muiry.”

“Ah, sorry. It feels like it’s been a while…”

During this time, Muiry and the Annihilation Maids stayed in the Demon Forest, managing the Earth Clan and other demons. I could leave this place with peace of mind, all thanks to them.

Then, Sheri, the chief of the Black Earth Clan, clapped her hands.

“By the way, Demon Lord, our village is complete. Would you like to see it?”

“Hmm.”

Following Muiry’s guidance, I inspected the Black Earth Clan’s village built in the center of the forest. It was filled with quaint huts made using the surrounding trees and rocks, like houses for forest fairies.

“It’s changed so much I can hardly recognize it.”

“Yes, thanks to your care, Demon Lord.”

Once the weakest in the Demon Forest, they were pushed around by other demons, moving from place to place. Naturally, they couldn’t dream of a proper residence and had lived in dug-out holes. Though not luxurious, considering their past, it was undoubtedly a cozy home.

The newly built village was surprising, but what shocked me most was that the Earth Clan adopted human etiquette… specifically, noble etiquette.

“Our king, how have you been?”

“We greet the Demon Lord.”

They greeted me with extremely polite manners. Just a while ago, they were busy bowing their heads to the ground like other demons, but now there was a sense of ease in their attitude. It wasn’t arrogant or haughty, but there was a certain grace, a ‘learned’ air.

As I pondered this situation, Muiry whispered in my ear.

“Since they serve closest to the Count, Cynthia and I taught them some basic noble etiquette.”

Indeed, as Muiry said, the Earth Clan exuded a noble-like aura. Thinking about it, it seemed like a good idea.

Having evolved into the Black Earth Clan, they rose as new powerhouses in the forest. Plus, being the first demons to serve me, the Demon Lord, their prestige soared.

The Black Earth Clan became the most special among the Demon Forest’s races. In short, they became the upper class. It seemed fitting for them to act accordingly.

It would be convenient to have demons who know noble etiquette when interacting with the Empire. Moreover, if demons, once despised as monsters, used human etiquette, people’s perceptions might change.

“The representatives of the newly joined clans wish to see you, Demon Lord.”

“Today is difficult. Let’s see them tomorrow or the day after.”

“Yes, I’ll convey that. Then, I’ll take my leave for other matters.”

“Alright.”

Sheri, the chief of the Black Earth Clan, respectfully withdrew. She must be busy too. With many clans joining under me in a short time, Sheri seemed overwhelmed managing them.

But the Black Earth Clan’s future looks bright. With Earth Clan members who were sold as slaves returning, their village will grow. Also, as other clans settle around the village, this place will prosper, so there’s no need to worry about them anymore.

Instead, I should worry more about myself. To conclude the northern expedition, I’ve been busy shuttling between the Imperial Army’s camp and the Demon Forest, and it’s only going to get busier.

“…The Count must be busy too.”

Seeing Sheri leave, Muiry spoke up. Having been Tristan’s nanny, she easily read my mind.

“Don’t worry. I can handle this schedule. More importantly, you’ve done well in my absence.”

“You flatter me. It’s thanks to the Earth Clan and other demons following us. Ah, of course… it might also be because we’re not ‘human.'”

“……”

Strictly speaking, the Annihilation Maids are undead. Their bodies, turned into corpse puppets by William after death, remain deceased.

Just as humans despise demons, demons also distrust humans. So, perhaps the demons accepted the undead maids more easily.

Was it because I revived them as undead?

Suddenly, it felt like something was stuck in my throat, and I couldn’t speak.

Then, Muiry smiled and said,

“We are always grateful to you, Count. The fact that we can wake up every morning and live another day is all thanks to you saving us. Because you never gave up on us.”

With a caring expression, she comforted me, emphasizing that my choice wasn’t wrong.

‘Thankfully…’

I wanted to say thank you to her face, but the words wouldn’t come. It was something that didn’t suit Tristan at all.

But Muiry, as if already understanding my feelings, simply smiled in response.

“It’s okay. Rather… wouldn’t it be better for you to head back now?”

“…?”

Suddenly? I hadn’t been here long, what was she talking about?

“Ahem. Thank you for taking the time to visit, but don’t you still have things to do, Count?”

Saying this, Muiry glanced at the two figures walking behind me with their heads bowed.

Ah, right. Muiry’s correct.

Turning around, the two who had been following me flinched and bowed their heads.

“Sorry…”

“Apologies…”

Blanshe and Helga were looking at me with teary eyes.

Both must have thought I was angry at their mistakes during the meeting. I clearly told them to return to the unit and await treatment, but they couldn’t resist following me here.

This is troublesome.

Helga is one thing, but punishing Blanshe is difficult.

She didn’t make a mistake out of negligence but due to a lack of capability. If anything, the fault lies with me for overestimating her abilities.

Yet, Blanshe, feeling she disappointed me, clung to Helga to share the punishment.

It shows her strong sense of responsibility, but it also highlights her stubbornness.

‘I’m busy enough as it is, and now I have to deal with this too!’

I couldn’t help but sigh.

What to do with them…

*

“Old man! Are you listening?”

-Yes, yes. I’m listening.

The figure reflected in the transparent ice orb was an elderly man.

“Then why the lack of reaction? Did you hear me right? Or have you gone senile?”

-You’re noisy. Even if I get dementia, it’ll be later than you.

“Funny. You’re the one getting old.”

Laura vented her frustration at Mondri Cremont, a mage closest to the status of a sage among active mages. His standing in the magic world was so high that ordinary mages wouldn’t dare speak to him. Yet, Laura treated him casually.

-You’re still as ill-mannered as ever. Hehe… Even at your age, you act like a child. That’s why you got the nickname ‘Ice Witch.’

“Hmph. It’s a nickname given by those jealous of my unchanging looks. But I don’t think it’s bad. It’s not wrong.”

-Hohoh… So you don’t deny being a witch now? You’ve changed after all.

Mondri looked surprised through the ice.

At a glance, they seemed like a bratty granddaughter and a relaxed grandfather, but they had much in common.

Both were heads of their families and pillars supporting the nation, part of the Seven Stars nobility. They were also disciples of the sage Myohail and… of the same age. Essentially, they were peers.

“Enough, old man. Listen to me.”

-Stop calling me old man, brat.

“Uh-huh~. Laura is a brat, after all.”

-I’m hanging up.

“Ah, I was just joking. Why so sensitive? Is it because you’re old?”

-Sigh… Fine. So, you were saying Leon was bothering you?

“Yeah! I was so embarrassed. Later, give Leon a good scolding for me. He might not listen to me, but he’ll listen to you.”

-No… That friend has ears, so he listens, but he probably won’t listen to me either…

“No, no. He doesn’t mess with you. He always treats me like a kid! Like a child!”

-Wasn’t there a time when you liked being treated like a child?

“That’s only when it suits me!”

-Hahaha… Such shameless words… But Laura.

“Yeah?”

-Leon might be a bit brash, but he wouldn’t do that without a reason.

Mondri’s expression wasn’t clear through the ice, but his voice, transmitted through the magic formula, was clear.

-Did something happen? It seems like there’s something you’re not telling me…

“…You’re right.”

Finally, the playfulness faded from Laura’s face.

-Don’t drag it out. Tell me.

Prompted by Mondri, Laura spoke as if she’d been waiting.

“The Demon Lord might have appeared.”

-What…?!

His astonishment came through the ice.

But Mondri quickly regained his composure and asked,

-What do you mean ‘might have appeared’?

“You’re still sharp. Right. It’s not certain if it’s the Demon Lord. I think it might be a strong demon pretending to be the Demon Lord… or maybe it really is the Demon Lord.”

-What kind of…

“No. Actually, there’s a bigger problem.”

-Hoh… What’s more serious than the Demon Lord?

“Listen, Mondri.”

Laura finally got to the point.

“We might… the Empire might form an alliance with the demons.”

 

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