LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 37
Chapter 37: Unexpected Truths
The line of officials and petitioners showed no signs of stopping.
It seemed that at some frontline, due to an overwhelming advance, the frontlines had extended beyond expectations, necessitating further supplies and support. Instead of sending reinforcements, the Demon Lord removed the responsible parties and signed a document announcing their demotion.
It appeared that a representative of the Ogre tribe had come to submit a petition in response to the “Dismissal of Goblins and Ogres in the Demon Lord’s Army.” What even is that theory? I should ask someone about it later.
The conflict between the Night Elf officials and the Hobgoblin officials seems to be intensifying. Representatives from both sides were hurling insults at each other. The Night Elf was insisting that the incompetent Hobgoblins should be fired immediately, while the Hobgoblins were pleading to be separated from the Night Elves due to the cruel harassment. The Demon Lord did not explicitly defend either side, simply stating, “I will consider it,” before moving on to the next agenda.
One demon race and another demon race with neighboring territory had a dispute over water rights. The Demon Lord groaned and buried his head in his hands as he read through the documents, acknowledging that both sides had a valid point, ultimately deciding to resolve the matter through a duel between the representatives. He dictated this decision to a scribe before signing and sealing it.
Hmm… Is this really the Demon Lord’s job…?
Compared to the human nations, the administration and judicial systems seemed much more immature, and the duties of a chief seemed to have expanded to the national level. It felt like everything was too centralized around the Demon Lord.
Being a robust species that doesn’t collapse even under intense work was likely a hindrance. They somehow managed to get by, so they didn’t progress. How to make progress is something you could read about in the library books…
“Zilbagias… how is it…? This is the work of a Demon Lord…”
It felt like we had been at this for two or three hours straight. The Demon Lord declared a brief break, sipping tea laden with sugar while looking quite exhausted.
It was amusing to watch, Demon Lord.
Seeing you suffer is…!
“It’s quite informative. It seems like a challenging job.”
I answered politely, hiding my inner thoughts.
It was true that various issues lurking inside the Demon Kingdom became evident, and there were many things to consider, such as potential chaos from poking the hornet’s nest and smoldering embers. I should keep those in mind…
“…You seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit…”
The Demon Lord looked at me as if I were some creature from another world.
“How about it? Why not hone your skills a little more and become an official to support me?”
“My goal is to become a warrior strong enough to surpass you, Father… so I have no interest in being an official.”
Not that I have any particular love for paperwork, I averted my gaze. The Demon Lord sighed with disappointment, muttering, “I see…” before taking another sip of tea.
Don’t get down over something like this. You’re the great Demon Lord after all.
“…Did the first Demon Lord also work like this?”
Based on what I’ve read in his books, he came across as a bold and carefree figure. The image of him glued to a desk doing paperwork never crossed my mind.
“Indeed. However, at that time, the territory of the Demon Kingdom wasn’t as vast as it is now, and my father—the first Demon Lord—was rather delegating important tasks to others.”
The Demon Lord’s expression contorted into one of annoyance.
“Because of that, when I took over, I inherited a rotten situation. Corruption, falsification, neglect… I lost count of how many I dismissed. It’s one thing to fire lowly species, but these were Demon officials! Lowly species worked far more diligently; this isn’t even a laughing matter.”
The Demon Lord bared his teeth and growled, clearly frustrated. So the reason there aren’t many Demon officials is perhaps linked to this…? Leaning towards corruption…?
Considering the typical personality traits of demon races, it was clear that giving them power would lead to all sorts of troubles.
“…Are your older brother and sister aware of this heavy workload?”
With the atmosphere becoming a bit tense, I changed the subject slightly.
“Of course. I showcased this sight to them… but both of them got bored and left in less than an hour.”
While the Demon Lord had been concentrating hard on his work, a long line formed outside his office, and it seemed unlikely to clear anytime soon. He sighed, drained his tea, and asked the butler for a refill.
Seeing this, I wondered how many would want to become a Demon Lord.
“Aiogias was confidently declaring ‘I can handle it.’ Rubyphia uttered something ridiculous like ‘If I have to do it eventually, I’ll save it for later.’ They thought it didn’t concern them…!”
Snorting, the Demon Lord turned his gaze back to me with renewed expectations, making me turn my face away with all my might. Why should I help you, the Demon Lord!! I was the former hero you killed and now I’m a five-year-old child!!
“…Speaking of my brother, I overheard that Sleeping Beauty is the ultimate weapon against Aiogias. Are you aware of this, Father?”
“Oh, that story? I know it.”
While sipping the newly served tea, the Demon Lord continued.
“Since Topazia joined the palace, Aiogias had been consistently trying to recruit her for his faction. After all, she’s a princess of the Korvto tribe, responsible for construction and civil engineering; he must have wanted her desperately—however, she hoped to side with Rubyphia and was wary of Aiogias.”
Then, a few days after Sleeping Beauty entered the Demon World and formed a contract with a demon…
“Aiogias went to recruit Topazia, and neither he nor his attendants ever returned—Razriel came crying to me about it. It caused quite a stir. When we searched the castle, it turned out both of them were napping in the courtyard.”
“A nap…?”
“Yes. They were both cozily napping together—and Aiogias’s attendants were included in that group too.”
The Demon Lord chuckled at the memory.
“Zilbagias, you might have an inkling, but Topazia has made a contract with the Sleep Demon.”
“A Sleep Demon? The demon of sleep?”
“According to Topazia, it’s a more pure existence than the demon of sleep. I haven’t seen it myself, so I can’t say much on that.”
Antendeixis, do you know about this?
“It’s the sleep version of an Incubus.”
I see, that makes sense.
“However, it’s a rare existence that I’ve hardly encountered myself. Because they sleep all year round, their presence is thin. I personally have never been able to converse with one. I didn’t even know they had a sense of self strong enough to form contracts until now.”
What a super rare one…
“In any case, is Topazia always sleeping because of this Sleep Demon?”
“Indeed. And as a price to pay for this, she wields a powerful sleep magic that allows her to put even Aiogias completely under. She’ll put everyone around her to sleep without question. If I were to be affected, it might be quite dangerous,” the Demon Lord said.
“Is it really that powerful…?”
So even the Demon Lord might not be able to resist it…
“Yeah. But anyway, Aiogias and his entourage are utterly disgraced now. After all, he was completely played by his youngest sister. Up until then, Aiogias had never tasted defeat. Plus, his entourage had become increasingly arrogant.”
The Demon Lord seemed satisfied, thinking that this was a good lesson for him.
I see… in the end, Sleeping Beauty became part of the Rubyphia faction, turning into a bitter memory and a lesson for Aiogias.
“…Well then, it’s about time to end this break. Zilbagias, you should also take care of your own duties. You don’t need to keep watching my work forever.”
Handing the empty cup to the butler, the Demon Lord grinned.
“—Of course, if you want to help, that’s a different story.”
“I’ll take my leave for today. I need to focus on studying and training.”
As I said this quickly, I solemnly stood up.
Still…
“Father, regardless of whether I help, is it okay to come by and observe again?”
“You’re quite the curious one. Was it that interesting?”
“It felt like I got a close-up view of the ‘now’ of the Demon Kingdom—the surrounding circumstances.”
“Well, if that’s what you want, I don’t mind.”
The Demon Lord continued to look at me as if I were some peculiar creature.
“…Oh right. Here, I have something for you.”
As if suddenly recalling, the Demon Lord rummaged through his desk drawer. He didn’t seem very good at tidying up.
“Here it is… It’s a tribute from the Night Elves, but I have no use for it. I hope it assists you in your studies.”
What he handed me was a notebook.
It had a whitish leather cover, with a strangely soft and smooth texture.
“What is this? It feels really nice to touch…”
It wasn’t cowhide – it was much softer and more delicate. Yet, at the same time, it was as supple as snake skin.
“It’s made from High Elf skin. Of course, from the forest.”
The Demon Lord’s reply nearly caused my nose to run.
“High Elf skin!?”
They are among the few elite among the Elf race, those of noble and sacred blood. They possess extraordinarily powerful magical abilities and are said to have souls close to spirits, living far longer than regular elves, sometimes for thousands of years.
In my status as a hero, I had interacted with various races, elves included, but I had only met two of them. They were far rarer than nobility among the human race.
“Indeed. Zilbagias, this is a story from just before you were born, but once the Alliance directly attacked the Demon Lord’s castle. Have you heard of it?”
…The assault on the Demon Lord’s castle.
“I… know about it.”
I was painfully aware of it.
“During that assault, there was indeed a Holy Maiden of the Forest Elves.”
…What!?
The Holy Maiden of the Elves. Separate from the holy attribute of our Holy Church, the High Elf maiden, blessed by the deities of light, is referred to as a “Holy Maiden.”
Naturally, she’s a being far more noble than any lowly nobility—and—
“Why would a Holy Maiden participate in such a reckless attack?”
“I don’t understand, but from what I’ve gathered, it seems she had snuck into their ranks to defeat me.”
No way!?!?
Wait, this gives me a very bad premonition.
What’s more, one of the High Elves I had met was also a Holy Maiden—if it’s her…
She was far too restless for someone of such longevity, reckless to an absurd degree, and had a strong competitive spirit.
It feels like she would casually do something like that…
“Though they nearly wiped out the Alliance’s assault squad, we managed to capture this Holy Maiden alive. When we handed her over to the Night Elves, they were overjoyed.”
What a… horrible…
The nostalgic feeling shriveled in an instant, leaving me utterly speechless.
If the Holy Maiden were tossed to the sadistic, cruel, and torture-loving Night Elves, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of gruesome end awaited her.
After all, in my hands is this notebook seemingly made of her skin…
“Well, that’s why there’s a high-quality Elf-skin production facility in the Demon Lord’s castle.”
“…A production facility?”
“Indeed. It’s being kept within the Night Elf territory.”
“Is she still alive!?”
I was utterly astounded.
The notion that Night Elves would keep a Forest Elf prisoner alive!