The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 100

The first place he headed to after arriving in Malasis was the Immigration Office.

To proceed with any business in Malasis, citizenship was required, not just an identification card. The Immigration Office was responsible for such matters. In the past, there used to be a separate Population Management Agency, but as the number of demons drastically decreased, the Immigration Office seemed to have taken over the responsibilities entirely.

“Baron Arkand, your identity has been verified.”

The forged identification card must have been quite flawless.

“Noble citizenship is typically issued immediately, but it may take some time before your privileges are fully applied.”

“Privileges?”

“The privileges of nobility. Immunity from arrest for criminal acts, privileges for trade permits and business expansion, limits on loan amounts and interest rates, tax exemptions when operating a mercenary group….”

There were a lot of things.

But none of them had much to do with him.

“That’s fine.”

“Understood. I will issue it right away.”

He received his ID for now, but there were no less than four demons disguised as members of the Yoma race. They, too, needed identification.

“I’ll also need IDs for my familiars.”

“For familiars, an additional process is required.”

“Magic measurement?”

“Yes. It’s the first safety measure to prevent any unforeseen incidents. I hope you won’t find it unpleasant….”

“Go ahead.”

He felt slightly nervous.

‘What if an absurdly high magic level comes out and causes a scene?’

If that happened, it would all be Akad’s fault.

The rest would be up to him to deal with.

“Twenty-five thousand….”

“Is that high?”

“If they’ve matured, Yoma generally measure around twenty thousand. Twenty-five thousand is… quite impressive. It seems you’ve undergone considerable training.”

‘…Phew.’

Fortunately, the ring’s effect was still holding strong.

The other three demons also produced similar numbers, and they were able to obtain their citizenship without any issues.

“Oh, just out of curiosity, if a human familiar wanted to get citizenship, would they go through the same process?”

“If a familiar is human, they are ineligible for citizenship by principle. The contractor must always be present, and if any issues arise, the contractor will be held accountable.”

To demons, the human race itself was almost regarded as terrorists.

‘So strict.’

The demons’ hatred toward the humans of Solaria was beyond instinctual loathing.

‘Should I call it meticulous hatred…?’

There was no sympathy or pity.

It was simply an accepted fact.

‘I’ll need citizenship for them, too. In that case….’

He made a mental note to bring Ruby, Bill, and Ariel here next.

* * *

Since it was late at night, naturally, they needed lodging.

“Yaaawn~ Looking for a place to sleep, nya~?”

…Nya?

He looked up, and there was a cat yawning as it gazed down at them from above.

“So cute… My lord, look at that….”

“A cat….”

It was clearly someone’s familiar.

‘Not exactly combat material.’

Even when seeing something cute, his incredible mental fortitude assessed its combat capabilities. Faust’s cold logic might be useless in times of peace.

“Right here~ How about here?”

“You mean the place where you climbed onto the roof?”

“Meow! No need to wander around more, it’ll all be the same!”

It was amusing to see a familiar doing the job of a tout, so he decided to humor it for now.

“Alright, we’ll do that.”

“Thank you, meow!”

That “meow” sound… it reminded him of something from a game.

Creeeeak…

“Cough, cough… W-Welcome!”

The innkeeper, who had been dozing off, jumped up and greeted them.

“The cat told me to come here.”

“Oh my, brought some guests, huh? Alright, come and take it.”

When the innkeeper tossed a piece of jerky, the cat that had been slightly peeking through the door swiftly snatched it and disappeared.

“There’s only the largest room left, and there are enough beds for your party.”

“We’re five people. Do you have a room like that?”

“Well, there are demons who stay with their familiars too. Just for a night?”

“Let’s start with one night.”

“One gold coin, then. Will you all be staying together?”

He nodded.

“Hmph… Well then, enjoy your stay.”

The cat looked oddly similar to the innkeeper…

They unpacked the smaller luggage and hurriedly settled in for the night. Though they couldn’t bathe, which left them feeling grimy, it wasn’t anything unbearable. Since arriving in this world, he hadn’t had a single night of comfortable sleep anyway.

It was certainly an odd place to sleep.

Though he had experienced such comfort before, the situation now was vastly different. Unlike human villages, here, being a demon wasn’t a danger.

Malasis truly provided a sense of comfort akin to home for demons. The endless battles felt like mere illusions in this place.

Perhaps it was due to this sense of peace.

He fell asleep faster than he expected.

Then, without any warning, he woke up.

“Puuu… Sssss… Puuu….”

He opened his eyes to the sound of someone’s heavy breathing, and saw the pitch-black ceiling above him.

One of the beds was empty.

Amon was gone.

Sliiide…

He slipped out of bed, locked the door behind him, and went downstairs to the first floor.

“Innkeeper.”

“Cough, cough… Huh? Oh, it’s you. What’s the matter?”

“Did one of my companions say anything before heading out?”

“Oh, they asked about the garden in the middle of the night? I told them there wasn’t just one garden, but they asked for details. So, I gave them directions.”

“Where is it?”

“The garden at the site of the old royal palace.”

“Thanks.”

Ping-!

He flicked a gold coin, and the innkeeper caught it with a smile on his face.

“Oh my! If I’d known, I would’ve drawn you a map!”

* * *

The current royal palace and the ruins of the old one were quite far apart. The old palace was practically a relic of the past, now treated as little more than a historical site.

As expected, when he arrived, Amon was perched on the railing, looking down at him.

“Overprotective, aren’t you?”

“Exploring cultural heritage at night—is this part of your academic curiosity too?”

“I’m not here to learn about this place. I just want to remember.”

“…….”

“A lot has changed. This place used to be a garden open only to nobles. The garden stood much taller than this, offering a view of the entire kingdom.”

Amon seemed to know this garden well.

“At that time, no one called Malasis the demons’ last paradise or the bastion of conquest wars.”

“The Resting Place of the Stars.”

“Yes. That’s what it was called.”

“Did you live in Malasis back then?”

“It was a long time ago….”

A story about Amon.

It was something I had heard once before in the original story.

That didn’t mean hearing Amon talk about it now was unpleasant or boring. Listening to her story in this place, right at this very spot, held significant meaning for me.

“Do you know how demons can wield their power on the surface?”

“By becoming a Transcendent….”

“Through a True Name Contract.”

A True Name Contract.

It was something included in the large upcoming update.

For 4-star familiars, it was Breaking Limits.
For 5-star familiars, it was Transcendence.
And for 6-star demons, it was the True Name Contract.

All of these allowed a being to break past their limitations and become stronger, though each was called something different.

“A True Name Contract allows a demon to draw upon the power of Hell while on the surface. Of course, they can’t summon all of it immediately….”

Just hearing this made the True Name Contract seem incredibly advantageous, but in reality, the risks associated with it were much greater.

“If a demon enters a True Name Contract with someone, they can never return to Hell.”

“…What?”

“Well, unless they personally open the Gates of Hell and return, but if they die, they can’t go back. Their very existence will be erased.”

“…….”

“They’ll face true death, like any other mortal.”

In other words, it was akin to offering one’s life to the contractor.

“There was one time, long ago, when I was asked to enter a True Name Contract. …I refused.”

That made sense.

Especially for a Great Demon like her, there was no reason to risk her life in matters of the surface world.

“They died. I, too, had no choice but to return to Hell.”

Amon….

“I regret it.”

“…You regret it?”

“I could’ve witnessed more of their life… What kind of life would it have been? What future did they see?”

This was the first time I’d ever seen a demon express such emotions. Do stronger demons become more like humans?

“The demons of Hell, whom you fear, are also afraid of regret.”

“If you could return to that day… would you be willing to form a True Name Contract?”

Amon smiled slyly and responded.

“Perhaps not. After all, I’m a coward.”

“I see.”

“You’ve listened well to my boring tale, sly one.”

“Well, I came to catch you, thinking that the coward might’ve run away after disappearing in the middle of the night.”

“Looks like I’ve been caught.”

Amon asked,
“Faust, what kind of life do you desire?”

“The life I desire, huh….”

There was nothing to hesitate about.
I had been sent to this world with a certain mission.

“I want to be happy. That’s all there is to it.”

— Happiness, Amon. It’s a value that never changes.

Amon seemed to remember something, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

“That’s quite an abstract and fickle value. But…”

She got up from the railing and dusted off her clothes.

“It’s a value that keeps you from losing your way. Not a bad answer.”

[The intimacy between Amon, the Great Demon of Thunder, and Faust has increased.]

[Current Intimacy: ♥♥♥♡♡♡]

* * *

When dawn broke, the first thing I did was sell all the items I had stocked up. Weapons of all sorts, as well as rare and expensive experimental materials.

I moved from shop to shop, focusing on selling them off. Afterward, I used the money from the sales to purchase a large quantity of growth resources for my familiars.

‘An unexpected windfall.’

As expected of the familiars’ paradise, I was able to gather a lot of growth resources that I was always in short supply of.

However, there was a limit to how much an individual could purchase, and even that was low-grade material. You can’t feed an adult baby food forever.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed that the higher your rank in the military, the more and better growth resources you could access.

— First, I have to enlist in the military.

This was something I had discussed with Akad before coming to Malasis. He had wanted me to join the military in Malasis.

He had said it was the quickest path to success if I had the ability, and considering what I had to do in the future, it would be beneficial to be involved.

There are three main ways to join the military in Malasis.

First, enrolling in the academy, which is mainly attended by the children of the nobility among the demons.

‘No way I’d attend.’

At this age, joining an academy feels a bit off.

‘Besides, I used to be a professor.’

The time to sit and laugh with students had passed long ago.

Second, joining a private organization and getting recognized by the administration. Mercenaries, trade guards, and adventurers fall into this category.

But the missions you could take on were limited, and it wasn’t the best method to establish a strong foothold in Malasis.

Third, the method I chose.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to meet Sir Jeep.”

I showed my citizenship card, and the soldier saluted.

“So, you’re a baron. May I ask the nature of your business?”

“Lead the way, I’ll explain in person.”

“But….”

Whiiish…

At times like this, it’s best to give them a little scare.

“Lead the way.”

“Ugh… yes, sir….”

Step, step…

After arriving at the room where Jeep was staying, the soldier who had guided me knocked on the door.

Knock knock…

“Instructor, a nobleman has come to see you.”

“A noble? Tell them to come in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Creak…

As the door opened, there sat an elderly man, who looked quite strict.

Thud.

The soldier left the room, leaving just Jeep and me.

“Have a seat.”

“It’s been a while, Sir Jeep.”

“Who might you be… earlier….”

“I am Al Arkand.”

Al Arkand.

Upon hearing that name, Jeep shot to his feet.

“Al Arkand…? No way…!”

“Do you know my family?”

“Y-you’re the young master!?”

…This kind of reaction, huh?

I had heard that it would probably be something like this.

– Find someone named Jeep, a person indebted to the Arkand family. He’ll find a way to help you somehow.

It seemed that Jeep indeed remembered someone called Al Arkand.

“Jeep, do you remember me?”

“You’ve grown! The last time I saw you, you had just learned to walk. Hahaha! To think you’ve become such a handsome man…!”

Babies all look the same, after all.

Or maybe this Al Arkand brat looked exactly like me.

“But… where have you been all this time? The family is….”

“I’ve heard the story.”

“…I am sorry.”

“I had no choice but to hide myself for a while to escape misfortune.”

“Time has already flown by like this… The young master who was once so small is now… But, what brings you here? Don’t tell me….”

“A person who has abandoned the family will bear an eternal burden. From now on, I will bathe in blood for the rest of my life.”

“Young master….”

“Jeep, take this.”

Rustle…

The paper contained details about recruiting for the military in this round.

“The military? Don’t tell me, are you saying you’re joining the military, young master?”

“I no longer have roots or anything to protect. If there is anything left, it is only the new future sprouting in Malasis.”

“…A remarkable decision. However, the recruitment for this round ended a week ago. Everyone has already started basic training.”

“I am not like those who are unprepared.”

“…I understand now.”

Jeep half-opened one eye, then said something different.

“If the head of the family had seen you alive, young master, he would have been truly happy.”

This guy is trying to test me, isn’t he?

‘Al Arkand didn’t have a good relationship with the head of the family. After a difficult labor, his wife gave birth to Al Arkand, but she passed away from childbirth complications. They even said he rejected him, calling him the child who killed his wife.’

I had to respond as if it didn’t matter.

“…Well, I was never on good terms with my father, so as you said, would he really have been happy?”

Only then did Jeep smile widely, his eyes brimming with tears.

“…It seems I was being overly cautious.”

“…Jeep.”

“Young master, as you said, joining the military seems like a good decision. Even Greed wouldn’t go so far as to stop you from enlisting.”

At this point, I let a bit of killing intent slip.

‘That way, he’ll be less suspicious.’

Jeep likely thought I couldn’t hide my hatred for Arkand.

“Revenge only needs to be achieved before you die. Living your entire life solely for that is a painful existence. So, I will assist you, young master.”

Finally, Jeep started saying what I wanted to hear.

“There’s one place that lacked enough applicants. If you were to join there to fill the gap, there wouldn’t be any objections even if you joined partway through. However…!”

Fighting spirit began to rise from his body.

Ssssss…

“First, you’ll have to show me that your determination isn’t just reckless.”

“Are you planning to test me?”

“Will you refuse?”

“Do you think I will?”

“Hah… Hahaha!”

Creak…

“Let’s head out. You might end up covered in dust, so shall I hold onto your coat for you?”

Creak…

“…No need.”

There won’t be any dust on me anyway.