Chapter 481
Chapter 481. The Demon Lord’s Melancholy Season 2
Notes: Character design for Leila is also being revealed in the recent update! The expression set is wonderful… The author has reached their limit (Hah!!)
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Demon Lord Castle, Demon Lord’s Office.
“—What did you say?”
Just as he was about to drink his milk tea, the Demon Lord stared intently at the demon butler, Stegnos.
“Say it again. What happened to Zilbagias?”
“He stormed the Kaizaan Empire’s army, killing and injuring hundreds. Moreover, he reportedly took down the Emperor.”
Stegnos answered with a composed face (though it looked more like a goat’s face).
“…What is that idiot doing?”
The Demon Lord was dumbfounded. This was truly speechless.
“Thus, he single-handedly challenged a great nation’s forces, slaughtering hundreds and causing a ruckus, all to offer the Emperor as a blood sacrifice—”
“No, I get that part, but that’s not what I meant.”
With a clink, he placed the teacup back onto the saucer and rubbed his temples, as if dealing with a headache. A pile of documents collapsed with a crash behind him, but he couldn’t afford to worry about that.
“The Kaizaan Empire… if I recall correctly, it’s a nation near Aulitos Lake.”
He cast a glance at the map of the continent pinned to the office wall.
“That’s right. It’s on the other side of the Elf Forest—quite a significant country.”
“Indeed.”
“…Does the Kaizaan Empire have multiple ‘Emperors’ or just one?”
“No, I believe there’s only one, like a king.”
“Hmmm. In that case, the Emperor might also be a martial type, a notable warrior himself.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t personally venture to the frontlines, he mused, with his arms crossed. Maybe he felt a hint of envy in comparing himself, locked away in the Demon Lord Castle.
“However, how reliable is that information? I can’t imagine those spies who barely escaped had the luxury of verifying it.”
“Several spies from different regions, converging over a considerable area, all heard nearly the same rumors on their journey. Conversely, those who retreated from Kaizaan’s sphere of influence had no knowledge of this matter… yet they sensed vague signs of political instability within the Empire.”
“…Interesting. The scandal of the Emperor being killed by demons must be fully concealed from the public. It also implies that domestic governance is paralyzed and communication between regions has broken down.”
Stroking his goatee, the Demon Lord contemplated.
“Then, it should have some level of credibility.”
“I share the same sentiment. With shifts in policies regarding the Autonomous District, we should soon see an influx of prisoners from the allied forces. That should make verification relatively easy.”
If high-ranking leaders from the allied forces were captured, there might be some familiar faces among them.
“After we burn down the Elf Forest, capturing soldiers from the Kaizaan Empire would be the quickest approach.”
“Indeed, though it might take a few years or even more.”
“Yeah. Regardless, for one to challenge an army single-handedly and take down a commander… My son Zilbagias is impressive. His ability to fight without fear of injury is a strength of the Reiju Tribe. But if he continues to act recklessly while exiled, he won’t have enough lives to spare…”
The Demon Lord spoke with a tone of concern mixed with admiration, offering a wry smile as he tried to drink from his teacup again—but—
“Actually, there’s information that His Highness has been poisoned as well.”
Stegnos’ addition made the Demon Lord halt.
“…Poison?”
“Yes. That’s from the reports of the night elf spies who returned from the central part of the continent. The Holy Church seems to be actively spreading the word that ‘Zilbagias has been poisoned and gravely injured.’ They likely intend to make it hard for His Highness to receive treatment or to make it easier for him to be found in a weakened condition.”
As Stegnos elaborated in detail, the Demon Lord’s expression stiffened.
“…What kind of poison did he receive?”
“I can’t say for sure. The spies only heard about it secondhand, not from those directly associated with the Holy Church…”
“I see.”
The Demon Lord lowered his gaze onto the milk tea swirling in the cup.
“What a predicament… Zilbagias… did he underestimate the weaklings?”
He groaned.
“Humans will use any means necessary; I’ve told you this many times…”
The teleportation spell, which could only swap the injured subject with someone else, has no effect of purging foreign substances. Poison is one of the few effective means to harm the members of the Reiju Tribe.
“Platy…”
He pictured his wife, certainly worrying to death over Zilbagias right now, sighed heavily before shaking his head.
“Is there any further information on Zilbagias?”
“No. And further updates seem unlikely. All the spies who could withdraw have done so…”
“…If we consider the worst-case scenario, it would not be surprising if Zilbagias’ head were to be displayed at the frontlines at any moment.”
The Demon Lord struggled to suppress the urge to grip his hands tightly. If he did, the teacup would shatter like a snowflake.
But… contemplating the future of his brilliant youngest son left him feeling despondent. A child of the demon race, poisoned and without the support of the intelligence network… that kid is still only six years old! Would he be able to survive in enemy territory? He truly doubted it.
More than anything, though it couldn’t be helped, it was he, the Demon Lord, who had driven that child to the allied zone…
“What have you done…!”
As if trying to escape from the guilt, the Demon Lord’s expression turned to one of fury.
Who was he angry at? It goes without saying, it was the ‘poisonous mother,’ Nephradia.
If that woman hadn’t scattered those flyers—!! Considering the devastation of the intelligence network, you had to wonder how much damage this had brought upon the Demon Kingdom.
…Emelgias, too, had suffered a terrible fate. No, if you trace it back, Emelgias was indeed the cause, but Zilbagias’ plight was likely also heavily influenced by the mother.
Could it have been prevented?
If only he had paid more attention to Emelgias.
…Could it have been prevented?
Answering to his duties, nearly having no interaction with his children.
…Was there even reason to prevent it? Either way, battles over the throne of the Demon Lord would have erupted.
Looking at the results, was it not merely a matter of timing?
…Then was there any meaning in exiling Zilbagias?
Of course, there was. He had to be punished for the sin of fratricide. Even if it was slightly twisted, he could not be let off without repercussions for harming a candidate for the title of Demon Lord; otherwise, before the war of succession began, they would plunge into meaningless civil strife.
Once the dominance of the demon race began to waver, the Dragon Tribe and the Undead might conspire to do something nasty. The country might be thrown into chaos. The demon race would not perish, but they would certainly revert back to a barbaric state, losing the order that had been built in their lands.
That must be avoided. The father who died halfway through his aspiration to uplift the demon race from barbarism—the first Demon Lord and the comrades who fell during the succession war of his generation could never be faced again.
The next generation’s war for the Demon Lord title must be conducted as a proud, orderly battle.
For that—Zilbagias’ death here, even if it is a meaningless sacrifice.
It must be accepted.
Yes… it must be accepted…
“…”
The Demon Lord unconsciously placed his hand on his stomach, like he was afflicted with an abdominal pain, casting a heavy aura.
“—Well, I can’t help but think that His Highness wouldn’t perish so easily.”
Seeing that, Stegnos cheerfully interjected as if it was nothing.
“…Is that a consolation?”
“No? I do have my reasons, of course.”
Even under the dark, sarcastic gaze from the Demon Lord, Stegnos remained unfazed.
“Have you forgotten, Your Majesty? His Highness Zilbagias brought with him a highly competent night elf agent. I believe she was among the most skilled of the night elves. Like the night elves, she would also be well-versed in poisons.”
“…I see. There’s a possibility of detoxification or treatment.”
“Yes, and furthermore, during that battle with the Imperial Army, it seems the White Dragon caused a huge commotion and flew off with His Highness. The rumored dragon girl, said to be taken captive, seems to maintain her loyalty.”
“Interesting.”
If word got out that the White Dragon sided with the Demon Lord’s Prince, it would jeopardize the position of other white dragons who escaped to the allied territory. Yet, if that’s the case—Zilbagias managed to win over the daughter of Faravgi, the enemy of her father, to such an extent.
“…So it was Faravgi’s daughter. Could she truly invest herself to that level against her father’s enemy?”
“Zilbagias, at the age of six. Despite being the enemy of her father, his charisma and skill in completely winning her over… it’s somewhat terrifying.”
“Without a doubt.”
The Demon Lord inadvertently smiled at Stegnos’ pompous way of speaking.
“You’re right. Zilbagias is… not ordinary.”
While sentenced to an exile considered near-impossible to survive, he gleefully charged into the allied territory, and rather than hiding cautiously, he took on the military of a large nation and slaughtered the Emperor.
At this point, it was certainly not ordinary. However, for an average demon, that event might have been the last glorious chapter of their life.
But that child-Zilbagias, is not an ordinary demon.
Recovering from the poison, evading pursuers, and casually returning next summer with a feel of “I’m back, Father,” it wouldn’t seem strange at all.
(You are different from an ordinary demon… a new possibility, Zilbagias.)
The demon race remains stagnant in its savage state, yet he may just be the one to instigate transformation and new opportunities, the Demon Lord intuitively felt.
Unlike Aiogias, there’s an air of unpredictability, but that unpredictability could very well open doors for the new potential of the demon race.
This was what he sensed.
Thus.
(Zilbagias)
—Return safely.
“…Indeed, if Zilbagias manages to survive, I must consider a reward for him.”
“The head of the Emperor of the Kaizaan Empire, I presume?”
“Indeed. Following precedent—”
He rummaged through the desk drawer, pulling out some documents.
“Hmmm. It’s quite rare to find precedents of a head of state being single-handedly taken down. Moreover, wasn’t it said that Zilbagias had defeated hundreds of riffraff?”
“Among the riffraff, it is rumored that he also fought many heroes, priests, and mages. It is merely speculation, so we should verify the actual numbers and details.”
“True. Even so, just taking down the Emperor is more than enough merit. Ordinarily, one could be promoted straight to the ranks of nobility based on that alone…”
“Oh, was His Highness Zilbagias a Marquis? …Could it be that he’ll skip straight to a Duke?”
To Stegnos’ surprise, the Demon Lord wore a serious face.
“…From a martial merit standpoint, it isn’t unreasonable, but Duke status involves magical power as well. We need to consider how much Zilbagias has grown. Besides, right now, Zilbagias is an outlaw without title or position, and it can’t be overlooked that his achievements weren’t even during a campaign of the Demon Lord’s army.”
“Ah… indeed. If he is recognized, then foolish, no, pardon me, reckless demons might cross the border seeking to achieve ‘merit’ without thinking ahead.”
“If that happens, it would spiral out of control.”
The Demon Lord chose to ignore Stegnos’s slip of the tongue.
If a six-year-old were to successfully return, it could lead to many declaring, “What? The allied side isn’t that impressive,” charging recklessly into battle without abandon.
“…Pairing it with the credit for surviving the exile would likely land him a title of Duke. Even then, there might be opposition.”
“There will definitely be opposition. Personally, I think surviving exile is worthy of a Dukedom…”
“Fufu, what’s this, Stegnos? You’re unusually biased towards Zilbagias.”
As the Demon Lord teased, Stegnos responded with a serious demeanor.
“—The only demon I am biased towards is one with whom I have a contract, and that is Lord Goldgias himself.”
In other words, the binding contract of a familiar.
“…So it really wasn’t mere consolation.”
Nudging Stegnos lightly, the Demon Lord chuckled.
However, he felt that a little bit—his heart had lightened.
With a small laugh, the Demon Lord sighed and looked over the mountain of papers stacked in his office.
“…I guess it’s time to get back to work.”
“Seems appropriate.”
“The tea has completely cooled off.”
“I’ll brew it fresh.”
Stegnos smoothly presented the kettle, and with a wry smile, the Demon Lord unleashed the finest magical fire.
In an instant, the water boiled with a hiss, and Stegnos expertly brewed the tea again.
“Here you go.”
“Hmm…”
Breathing in the aroma with satisfaction, the Demon Lord eagerly added milk and sugar, preparing to enjoy the ultimate cup as a conclusion to his break—
“Your Majesty.”
With a heavy knock on the office door, an imposing demon barged in without waiting for a response.
No—he brazenly【intruded】into the office.
Such audacity was found in only one individual within the Demon Lord Castle.
“What is it, Izvorii?”
While sipping tea, the Commander of the Demon Legion, the “Demon of Invasion,” Duke Izvorii, swiftly entered, looking cramped due to the wheel-like contraptions above him and the weapons spiraling in the background.
He clapped his hands and swiftly deployed a soundproof barrier.
“—Odigos has gone missing. No one can seem to meet their ideal partner, and there’s a commotion at the Dark Portal.”
“Bfuoff!”
The Demon Lord spewed milk tea from his nose.
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The “Chronicles of Demon Lord Zilbagias” Vol. II is now on sale!!
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