LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 36
Chapter 36. Charge! Demon Lord’s Office
Well then, it’s a new week, and once again, I, Zilbagias, am about to engage in a heartwarming dinner with my father and siblings.
Dressed in a stylish (from the perspective of a barbarian) outfit, I made my way to the palace. Hanging at my waist was an obsidian knife and a decoration shaped like a whip made from soldiers’ bones.
While it doesn’t have the immediacy of Platy’s spear, I figured I could use it as a spear in case of emergency. Though I really can’t imagine anyone brave enough to act out in the palace… Just in case, you know.
Arriving at the room right on time, I found Spinethia the Glutton already seated, gorging on a mountain of appetizers.
“Oh, hello there!”
Among the Demon Lord’s Princes, she’s one of the least hostile—of course, the least hostile is the Sleeping Princess. I gave her a nod. I still can’t quite grasp what she’s thinking, but as long as she’s too busy eating, she poses no threat.
There’s really no need to rush into hostility.
“Ngh-ngh. You’re early too. Munch-munch.”
She said this while chewing. Apparently, everyone is supposed to arrive a bit late. They don’t like to “wait” for someone, but it’s fine to “keep someone waiting.”
However, this just leads to a competition of tardiness—and it seems that this happened in the past—causing the start time to be delayed, which eventually made even the Demon Lord, who was quietly observing, furious due to an overly tight schedule.
It seems a rule was established that if anyone arrives later than ten minutes after the Demon Lord, for whatever reason, they can’t enter the room.
But if you hold out until right before the Demon Lord arrives, you’d end up arriving at the same time and it would be awkward for both parties.
So, by unspoken agreement, we adjust our timings a little bit.
I thought to myself… what a stupid system.
“Why don’t you order something too? Glug, glug. It’s a benefit of the role. Slurp.”
“No, I’m fine.”
The menu from this chef is meticulously calculated… I didn’t want to disturb his “art” that I don’t even know the name of.
While we were caught up in this, the lethargic Daiagias made his entrance. I bowed, but he ignored me. Spinethia also ignored him.
I had suspected he was no ordinary magic wielder, but upon learning he had taken down numerous heroes and elven magicians, his lack of enthusiasm took on a different perspective. Perhaps the rumors of him being a ladies’ man and his slothful demeanor are just facades to put his opponents off guard…
Next, the talking green nuisance, Emelgias, entered. “You’re early today, aren’t you? A commendable mindset,” he remarked, so I gave him a slight nod. Better not to open my mouth carelessly and risk being provoked.
Not yet… it’s not time yet…
After a short while, Rubyphia showed up, carrying the Sleeping Princess on her shoulder. This princess… does she always get carried by the faction leader both ways?
“What? If you have something to say, say it.”
With a gaze sharp enough to pierce, Rubyphia set the doll-like Topazia down into her seat while pinning me down with her glare.
“Uh… does your sister here actually have a reason for coming?”
Last week, she barely ate, but she didn’t say a word.
“Hehehe… this child is the ultimate weapon against Aiogias.”
With a daring smirk, Rubyphia poked at the Sleeping Princess’s cheeks.
“As long as she’s around, he can’t act strong.”
…Really? This plain doll-like Sleeping Princess??
To be honest, I didn’t even want to see her, but just to be sure, when I glanced at Emelgias, he wore a wry smile with his upper lip curled. His expression seemed to mix the situation of their faction leader being praised and mockery toward me for complying, as well as a certain envy toward the Sleeping Princess.
Seeing that made me realize Rubyphia’s words might carry some truth.
“You should ask her for more details yourself.”
With a knowing smile, Rubyphia left that behind as she settled into her seat.
Hmm… I want to ask, but it’ll probably end up being something humiliating for Aiogias. Asking her directly might be awkward, so I could try bringing it up later with the Demon Lord…
“—Ah, looks like everyone’s gathered.”
Speaking of the devil, Aiogias arrived just in the nick of time. Everyone focused on the blue nobleman entering—the ones who weren’t sleeping, that is.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Nothing in particular.”
Rubyphia cast a furtive laugh while sending me a sidelong glance, but I ignored it.
With a nonchalant expression, I picked at a piece of soldier’s bone, deforming it under the table as a form of amusement. I played with it as a sort of magic practice, but it felt more like child’s play.
Dragged all the way to this Demon Lord Castle, killed, and then having my remains toyed with—what a miserable fate. I’m so sorry… truly, I am…
“Isn’t toying with your hands a bit self-punishing? I’d like to join in too!”
Antendeixis spoke in disbelief.
“—Everyone’s here, good.”
At last, the Demon Lord arrived, maintaining a majestic expression as usual.
“Then let’s begin.”
As the Demon Lord took his seat, drinks were served.
†††
The meal was splendid, but there was nothing noteworthy in terms of conversation.
In the first place, they’re not very chatty, these folks. Occasionally, the Demon Lord would throw a question out, saying something briefly, but that would often lead to awkward silence.
It’s as if everyone is intentionally focused on savoring the gourmet food.
Well… opening your mouth carelessly could lead to clashes, right?
Even the Demon Lord seemed to relax only while eating—perhaps for them, this weekly dinner is genuinely a heartwarming time of exchange…
After the meal, once everyone had walked out, I decided to ask the Demon Lord.
“It didn’t seem like conversation flowed much. What’s the goal of this dinner?”
“It’s true that there was no topic last week or this week,” the Demon Lord shrugged.
“Occasionally—rarely, but—there are things that need to be discussed beyond factions. Especially without considering the wishes of relatives.”
You understand, right? the Demon Lord said.
Ah… that would be about the mothers. Sometimes there are things they wish to communicate without intermediaries…
“And… this is human research, but apparently, sharing meals leads to increased feelings of closeness among living beings.”
…I won’t deny that one.
“Even though we are deep-blooded relatives who cannot forever avoid conflict… I hope that it becomes a battle of honor performed out of duty rather than mere hate.”
It may be too hopeful, the Demon Lord chuckled bitterly. A smile with a bitter twist, much like after-dinner tea.
“Now, you said you wanted to observe work. Follow me.”
I stood up silently from my seat.
“Whoa there. You initiated this, so don’t complain halfway through.”
Before opening the back door, the Demon Lord reminded me.
“Just watching my father is already interesting.”
I wasn’t lying. I’ll always be watching you…
“If that’s the case.”
With a light chuckle, I was led deeper into the palace to the Demon Lord’s office.
Literally, it could be called the heart of the Demon Lord Kingdom.
Unlike the throne room, which was extravagant, it was a purely functional area with almost no decoration, filled with shelves crammed with various documents, a giant map, a blackboard, a massive crystal ball that seemed for communication, and amulets that concealed immense magical power. In short, it was chaotic.
In this space, elite bureaucrats such as Night Elves and Demons, along with a few Demon clerks, were busy with paperwork.
“There’s fewer demon officials than I expected.”
Do the Night Elves and Demons handle this level of sophisticated duties? Although it’s proclaimed as a country of Demons, what’s going on? The number of Demon bureaucrats is surprisingly small.
“This is a serious issue.”
The Demon Lord said with a grim expression.
“By the way, Zilbagias, do you like studying?”
“Huh?”
He asked with a surprisingly serious expression.
“I don’t like cramming, but I enjoy looking into topics that interest me.”
I’ve changed quite a bit from my past self, who would have a fit just from reading a book.
“Hmm. What sort of things are you interested in?”
“Well, military and strategy are a given… and if I have time, I also read things like encyclopedias and dictionaries. As for… well, I also read elvish poems… do you think that’s weak?”
“No, not at all. That’s commendable.”
He ruffled my hair.
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but we Demons are overly focused on martial prowess. The old generation can’t be helped, but even the new generation from the last few decades is still like that… Zilbagias, I want to recommend a book to you.”
The Demon Lord leaned in a little enthusiastically as he peered into my face.
“A book recommended by my father. I’m curious.”
“It’s titled ‘The History of the Demon Lord’s Nation,’ written by my father… the first Demon Lord.”
…Oh, I see.
Demon Lord, you… are you the heir of the first generation’s will…?
“I’ve read that book. The thoughts of the first generation were very… well expressed.”
“Is that so! You’ve read it! Then this will be quick. You, being so perceptive, surely understand how distorted the current state of the Demon Lord Kingdom is—”
The Demon Lord spoke. He argued that Demons should break free from the current single-mindedness towards military might and become prosperous in all aspects. Their exceptional intellect and magic should be utilized not just for warfare but also for cultural activities.
“We can’t keep taking from others.”
Limits will be reached that way. However, even if the Demon Lord takes the initiative to collect artworks, it ends up being appreciated but treated with special treatment just because he’s the Demon Lord. Even if more people become interested, it becomes a tug-of-war of “that’s weak.”
When the Demon Lord tries to counsel, the old generation blasts off with, “Are you trying to spread weak culture?!”
What a bunch of old fogeys…
Watching the troubled Demon Lord, I thought to myself. This guy is, after all, a Demon.
There’s certainly some other way to handle this. Like creating spears or flags to honor war achievements, decorate them nicely, and distribute them… If they are symbols of honor bestowed by the Demon Lord, no one would complain. They could slowly ease into such a transition—this should be an option.
Of course, I won’t say that out loud.
Keeping this muscle-brained condition is favorable.
“Oops, the conversation has strayed. Can’t have that.”
Snapping back to reality, the Demon Lord finally entered the office. It was a rather modest room unworthy of the title of Demon Lord.
A massive desk that dominated over half of the room was piled high with documents and parchment. I heard the Demon Lord let out a sigh, “Haa,” overhead.
“Zilbagias. You’re going to accompany me. Watch how the Demon Lord works…”
I sat at a small chair in the corner of the room to observe. The back of the Demon Lord, proudly seated in a chair modeled after a throne, looked unusually smudged.
“Your Majesty! This document here—”
“Your Majesty! We have reports from the frontline—”
“Your Majesty! Officials from the Night Elves and Hobgoblins are in conflict—”
And just like that, more and more officials came in. I noticed the Demon Lord quietly enhancing himself with a self-introduction spell of “—I am Demon Lord Goldgias.”
“Enough! Silence! Bring them one at a time and line them up there!”
As he thumped his stamp down on the piled documents, he signed away each issue one by one.
—Boring, you say? Not at all. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
Here lie issues that require the Demon Lord’s judgment. This wasn’t just mildly interesting—it was a parade of concerns surrounding the Demon Lord Kingdom.
I began to memorize the officials’ words with all my might to use as fuel and apply later.
Antendeixis, you’d better help out too.
“Eh? Me too?!?!”
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