Volume 8 - CH 10

Ten days later.

There was no conclusion at all in the discussions of the representatives.

“Oh, then Paracelus-dono, are you saying that it’s better to give up on recapturing the former demon territory and let humans do as they please?”

“That’s a silly tribalistic rhetoric. What matters is whether the choice leads to the prosperity of the race.”

“Shut up! Rather, I’d rather have a moderate relationship with human society. Because the market is huge!”

“Gufu, it’s cloudy, Nikuru Nora. Once upon a time, even cat people had strong warriors.”

It’s been like this for a long time.

I’m so tired of it that I want to lie down at the round table.

It was just as Rurumu said.

Sixteen years ago, the plan to raise the demon lord should have been decided, but this time there is no sign of a compromise.

This decision is directly linked to the interests of the race, so it’s not unreasonable, but…

“We just need to protect our current lifestyle. There is no need to unnecessarily stimulate humans.”

“You say stupid things. Even if you have a sword, those who don’t draw it will be despised.”

I look sideways.

Remzenel just made a bitter face. The mysterious girl, Risolera, is sitting quietly with the same expressionless expression she had ten days ago.

If the divine demons took part in either side, the tide might change, but they also stubbornly maintained their neutrality.

If I don’t intervene, nothing will change. But… i was also a little hesitant.

Because I don’t know much about their inner workings.

I can’t decide who and how to help. In other words, they are moderates, but even among the three races, their positions are slightly different.

In that case, I would like to understand the inner workings of each race, but I couldn’t ask them.

They are all politicians.

There is no guarantee that you will get an honest answer if you ask honestly.

For that reason, ten days had passed before I knew it as I was looking at the stalemate of the discussion.

I let out a heavy sigh. My mental strength is nearing its limit.

“Hmph, that’s a young man’s opinion. Paracellus, your story has reason but no righteousness. The young king of the Three-Eyed Tria made a mistake in choosing the representative.”

“I was chosen by the Chancellor and the Assembly, Galasera san. When it comes to choosing a person, it’s strange that you, who is only a soldier, is here. The young king of the Black Forest Dark Elves is firmly in control. If so, did you send a literati who can speak more?”

“……Hmm?”

At that time, suddenly.

I was curious and started talking to them.

“I heard that the devil king is still young and he doesn’t hold real power, but is that true of the Three-Eyed Tria and the Dark Elves of the Black Forest?”

Everyone looks at me when I speak for the first time in a while.

For a moment, the representative of the Three-eyed Tria made a face like, “Oh, come to think of it, I was there,” and then politely answered.

“Yes, that’s right, Demon King. Our king has just been replaced and is still young, and he governs with his assistants. The king of the Black Forest Dark Elves is also young, so the military now seems to have the real power.”

“I wonder, all races are like that.”

The representative of the beastman said without thinking.

“The giants, the demon ogres, and my cousin who is our young lady are all like that. .It happened that the alternate period overlapped ……at least sixteen years ago, no king was born. Ah, but I wonder if the divine demons are the same.”.”

When the cat-man turned to talk, Remzenel said curtly.

“… Unlike other races, we don’t have a monarchy. I’m just the head of the largest village.”

“Hmm,” I pondered.

Then I decided.

“Good”

“Well, Maou-sama?”

When I suddenly left my seat, the representatives looked at me with puzzled eyes.

I turned to them and told them with a smile.

“Let’s go see the kings.”

***************************

The next day.

After I finished packing, I was at the gate of the village to leave.

Behind me are the figures of the representative and their attendants who have followed me.

“Are you serious, Seika-dono!?”

“Oh”

I turn around and answer Remzenel.

“If you think about it, it’s strange that the Demon King doesn’t know the ruler of each race. It seems that my turn won’t come until they come to an agreement, so I’ll take this opportunity to meet them.”

“However, Demon King-sama.”

Edentrada said with a slightly impatient voice.

“The Demon Kings, are still young… By the decision of the council, we have been entrusted with the will of our race. Even if you meet the kings, well… I don’t think it makes much sense…”

“It’s the same with us.”

“Reconsider… Maou-sama.”

The representatives say so, but I dismiss them.

“I’m not trying to discuss anything important. I’m just saying hello. Is something wrong?”

“No, that…”

All the representatives seemed to be inconvenient.

Well, it’s not hard to understand.

Although he is young and has no real power, the king is still the king.

If I go over the heads of the representatives and conclude negotiations with their ruler, that could become the race’s decision. It’s decided that it’s inconvenient.

Even in a political sense — even in a power sense that they would like to keep.

But he had no intention of handing it over to me.

“If that’s the case, please let me give you a  follower.”

The representative of Tria Tria took a step forward and said.

“There will be many inconveniences along the way. At least this much.”

“That’s right! Can you take mine too?”

“Let’s put my subordinates here as well. You can use them as you please, whether it’s for taking care of yourself or for cleaning up.”

Following the three-eyed tria, beastmen and black forest dark elves also began to ride on the bandwagon.

I involuntarily frowned.

“No… it’s fine. I can take care of myself, and if they follow me around, it will slow me down.”

It’s inconvenient to have extra supervision.

In the first place, I’m going to meet the kings to gather information away from the eyes of the representatives.

From my experience in my previous life… monarchs are often more pure than politicians and bureaucrats.

Even more so if they are young. The less they know about things, the easier it is to control them.

The best way to find out the inner workings of each race is probably to hear from them.

Also, a king is a king, even though he’s young.

In a pinch, he might even be able to manipulate the will of the race from their side.

For the first time in a long time, I am satisfied with myself that I am thinking of something cunning, and I tell the delegates.

“That’s why I’m going alone. Then…”

“Wait”

At that moment, a small shadow stepped out from within the group.

“I’m going too.”

It was Risolera, the girl of the divine demons.

I say after being dumbfounded for a moment.

“No, I’m sorry, but I’m going alone…”

“Do you know where the kings are?”

“…”

I involuntarily fell silent.

Well, i didn’t really know.

I’ve heard about the general location from Razurum, but there’s no way I could understand it just by speaking.

That’s why I was wondering if I should head to the large village in that direction and ask the residents there…

“Besides, how are you going to have an audience? They might not believe you, even though you’re the Demon King.”

“…”

“If you haven’t thought of either, I’ll bring you. I can guide you, and I can also act as an intermediary. If I’m the only one, I won’t be a hindrance to you.”

“…”

I meditate for a while.

She’s right.

Besides… divine demons are neutral to begin with.

I don’t think there’s much to worry about injecting unnecessary things into the question about the inner workings of the race.

I was still curious about her mysterious position… but maybe I should accept this.

“… ok. Come with me.”

When Risolera nodded, the representative of the giants said.

“How about moving… what do you mean? The footing in the forest is… bad. If you’re in a hurry… we giants will carry the palanquin.”

“Gufufu, then you need someone to protect the bearer. There are some tough monsters in the forest. Let’s send out escorts from the ogre demons instead of the giants who don’t like fighting.”

“No, no, wait. There is no need for such things, if you want to move, use the devil’s group teleportation magic…”

“I’m sorry, but I have a means of transportation.”

I say so and float a piece of Hitogata in the air.

《Calling――――Koi Mizuchi》

A large blue dragon appears from the distortion of space.

The demons were at a loss for words as they watched it hovering behind me and bowing it’s head.

I laugh lightly and say.

“I’m going to fly with this guy. No need to worry about it.”

Step on the shikigami in the air and land on the dragon’s head.

When I looked down, I saw Risolera looking up at me in a daze.

《Soil Aspect――――Aomihashi Technique》

A pillar of emerald rises from the ground in a step-like manner, creating a path to the dragon’s head.

“Come here.”

I reached out my hand, and after a slight hesitation, she climbed up the green stairs and took my hand.

Risorela sat on the dragon’s head and muttered in a stiff voice.

“Hey, I’ve lived a long time… but this is my first time riding a dragon.”

“Really”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

It’s cute because it looks like a small child stretching out. No matter how long-lived they are, Risolera probably won’t live that long.

I look down at the demons and say.

“Then I’ll go, so please proceed here.”

“Wait, Maou-sama!?”

Ignoring the representatives who were still saying something, I told the dragon.

“Okay. Head east first, dragon.”

Its enormous supernatural power lifts its giant body.

Then, with an undulating turn,—- the dragon with us on board began to soar into the forest sky as if swimming in mid-air.

※Akimikai no Jutsu

The art of making stairs with beryl. As the name suggests, it forms columnar crystals, so it is easy to create a stepped shape. Pure beryl is almost transparent, but Seika mixes impurities such as iron, chromium, and vanadium to adjust the color to a color close to that of emerald, mainly due to the problem of visibility.