Chapter 264 [Bonus chapter]Expectations For The Candidate, II
"Is there a current Demon King?" Kati asked once his breath grew shallow. He needed a short break, and Zerha could tell.
"None. There hasn't been one in a while."
"What about Heroes?"
"Mm... Heroes appear rarely too. They start out as Saints, but then rise to Heroes."
"Those are Titles, I assume."
"They are."
'She doesn't want to say more than necessary? Or does she just not think these are important things?'
"When did the last Heroes appear?" Kati asked after catching his breath for a bit.
"At the time of the last Demon King, apparently."
"How long has it been since the last Demon King?"
"About a thousand years."
"Huh? So it's that rare?" Kati muttered. "Was the last Demon King-"
"Not much is known about that era. Only thing we know for sure is that the Demon Lords have lived through it."
'So they're more than a thousand years old... Do they need new Candidates? Is that what it is? If the Demon Lords wanted to become Demon King, it would be strange for none of them to achieve that in a thousand years, right? They can't expect us to spend that much time trying...'
"We're with G... Lord Gaavah, right?"
"Correct."
"Do the other Demon Lords have Candidates of their own?"
A slight smile appeared on the General's face.
"Not that we know of."
"Then... Do they know of us?"
"Who knows." General Zerha chuckled. "Lord Caavah has been rather secretive about all this. That's the reason why us, Generals, are the ones tasked with raising and protecting you. All of you. Back to swinging that sword now."
Kati did as he was told.
'With that in mind, it might be the case that the Heroes appear after the Demon King rises. Humans are usually slow to react to things, aren't they? The Demon King and the Heroes are Fated to fight one another. You would expect the Heroes to be Fated to win then... Just the fact that they're Heroes and he's Demon King. A group versus a Tyrant. Sounds like a bad bet for our side. Now, I wonder...'
The Beastman suddenly stopped swinging his sword.
"General Zerha."
"Mm?"
"What happens if..." He tightened his grip on the sword. "I don't want to be Demon King?"
The General's eyes widened for an instant as her eyelids rose.
'Is that Aura? Just barely any but...' Her eyes lit up. 'This is good.'
"That's how strongly you feel about it, huh?" Zerha chuckled.
"Huh?"
She lay on the Gryphon's back lazily.
"I'm not sure what Lord Gaavah will do with you if you refuse to walk the path presented to you. It very well might be death. Are you willing to die in order to avoid becoming King?"
"No."
"There you go. In first place," She smiled cheekily. "This is the Monster Realm. Becoming Demon King doesn't mean becoming a Leader of some sort."
"It's being a Tyrant, right?"
"Exactly. A selfish and cruel Tyrant. In the first place, what is needed, more than anything, to become Demon King is strength. You'll need the strength to oppose Commanders, Generals, and, eventually, the Demon Lords."
"Lord Gaavah included?"
"Not necessarily. But it could be possible. If the so-called Demon King cannot defeat a Demon Lord, then how can you expect the latter or his followers to kneel?"
"That makes sense." Kati said in a low voice as his thoughts were racing internally. ????????????????????????????????.????????????
"I don't understand something though. How can you not want to become King?"
"I didn't say that I didn't want to."
"Going against that path means going against Lord Gaavah. Do you think you can do that?"
"I don't. Not as I am now, I guess."
"Mm!" Zerha nodded. "If you don't want to become Demon King, you'll need the strength to oppose the Demon Lord that wants you to become King."
"So I need strength anyways."
"Correct."
'Still, having one Demon Lord as an enemy sounds a lot better than having at least six of them plus Heroes and Saints and... Who knows what else. Still seems like the best bet is-'
"And by the way..."
"Mm?"
"Lord Gaavah is, by far, the strongest Demon Lord."
Kati nodded slowly.
"I see."
The Candidate and the General remained silent for a bit.
"Would you go against him? Against me? If it turns out you don't want to become Demon King?"
Kati didn't want to answer.
Was it time for honesty?
"Yes."
General Zerha stared for a while at the Candidate's eyes.
The darkness that resided inside of them. Deep, and dormant.
"Perfect." She pushed herself off the Gryphon's back and hopped onto the burning sand. "That's the kind of egoism, arrogance, and 'So she doesn't mind me going against them? Mm... I guess if the Title is Demon King, a Tyrant, then that-'
pride I want in a Demon King."
Kati couldn't help but sigh.
'So she doesn't mind me going against them? Mm... I guess if the Title is Demon King, a Tyrant, then that-'
"Make sure you don't say stuff like that to those you'll find in Pride though."
"Mm."
"They're not as... Open-minded, let's say."
'Don't you mean twisted?'
"I'm on relatively good terms with all the Generals, so you shouldn't have issues there."
"Is that not a normal thing? For Generals of the same Army to get along?"
"Bahaha! This is the Monster Realm, Kati. Generals do not get along. And they'll use anything they can to get back at one another."
"You mean they would go as far as touching the Candidates? Even though they're part of Lord Gaavah's...?"
The General nodded, a smile on her face.
'Mmm...' Kati thought for a bit. 'I think I have a better grasp on things now.'
He started swinging his sword again.
"Oh. Before I forget."
"Mm?"
"You might run into a pale man with dark hair in Pride. Red eyes. A charming but creepy smile."
"Okay?"
"Raven. Above all else, stay out of his way."
"You mean I should run away upon seeing him?" Kati chuckled.
"This is no laughing matter. Stay out of his way, no matter what. Don't walk next to him, don't look at him, and don't talk to him. No one screams trouble more than him. If he talks to you, stay silent. But if you don't answer and he smiles, answer. Alright?"
"So he's a bully? You mean he would be picking on me if I-"
"Exactly. Best thing would be for him not to even know you exist."
"Is he a General too?"
"No, a Follower."
"A Follower? Like us? Then-"
"He's a lowly Follower of Gaavah... But he is also the one to have stood alongside the Lord for the longest."
"Nepotism?"
"Of sorts."
"Well, that's worrying..." Kati muttered as he made his sword draw lines on the sand below.
Zerha pressed her lips together silently for a bit.
"Anyways, Mind Bender."
"Please don't call me that."
[Your Title "Mind Bender" cannot believe that you are ashamed of...]
"Let's move. There is a Dungeon nearby."
Kati was surprised, but he nodded silently.
"What is needed for your Titles to show their true Potential is Status. So let's get you some of that."
"Status?"
"Ugh. Guess I have a lot more explaining to do..."
