#1061 A Small Holy Demon

Once again, it’s me Demon Prince Goetia.

Every single day, including today, is essential nourishment on my journey to becoming the Demon King.

I can’t afford to waste even a moment.

Today’s event at Orkubo’s Castle will surely be another precious experience that will help me when I ascend to the throne.

Everything is for the sake of me becoming the Demon King!

“And now, we commence the Orkubo’s Castle Kids’ Division! Parents, please watch over your adorable children’s performances!”

The opening announcement echoes across the grounds.

I’m also one of the participants.

“Uooooooooh! Goetia! Give it your all!”

“As the Demon Prince, you should accept nothing less than first place! Goetia! Now’s the time to showcase your talents!”

Cheering me on from the stands are... Father and Mother!

Please watch me! I, Goetia, will definitely take first place and uphold the dignity of the Demon King’s family!

Especially today, I was blown away by Father’s gallant figure in the earlier adult division.

In the morning, he sprinted like a warrior, and in the afternoon, he showcased his leadership skills as a supporter.

I can’t recall without excitement how Father faced off against that hero during the afternoon segment.

To be honest, by the time I was old enough to notice, Father was focusing entirely on internal affairs, never going to war.

Of course, I thought he was admirable as he boldly debated ministers in court meetings and delivered speeches before countless citizens. But in these peaceful times, Father is gentle and easygoing.

I couldn’t even imagine his fierce image as the “Demon King of the Battlefield” that I’d heard about from many retainers.

Plus, his belly is quite... well-rounded...

But when he faced that hero today, Father transformed.

His entire body tightened with bulging muscles, and his eyes burned with a sharp gaze that would make even an ogre flee.

He looked stronger than any warrior I’ve ever seen in the Demon King’s Army.

I thought, “So this is the true form of Demon King Zedan, feared by enemies and revered by allies during the Human-Demon War.”

That’s the figure of a Demon King forged on the battlefield—a symbol of invincibility.

I, too, must become like that someday.

To embody such spirit and fighting aura, I need to experience intense challenges.

Only by going through hellish battles can one’s character truly be forged.

Today’s event at Orkubo’s Castle is the perfect opportunity.

And I have a powerful rival named Junior to boot.

I’ll compete with Junior and show that I can grow immensely as the heir to the Demon King!

All right, the Orkubo’s Castle Kids’ Division is kicking off!

I dash ahead toward the first obstacle!

Having watched the adults’ division, I know what to expect.

The first challenge is crossing a balance beam over a moat.

It’s a test where steady steps and good balance make all the difference.

Since I’d seen how it’s done, I’m not nervous.

I step onto what I think would be a narrow beam, barely wide enough for one foot, ready to make my way across when...

“Wait, this isn’t narrow at all!”

The balance beam for the kids’ division can’t even be called a balance beam anymore.

It’s so wide that adults can easily pass each other coming from opposite directions.

And to top it off, they added safety handrails on both sides?!

How could anyone possibly fall off this?!

Isn’t the difficulty level way too low, even for kids?!

With this setup, I can’t experience the nail-biting challenges that’ll help me become a battle-hardened Demon King!!!

“Well, you see... it’d be terrible if the children got hurt, even by accident...” awkwardly says the goblin in charge of the area. “Plus, both Lord Saint and Leader Orkubo have been blessed with new children recently, so there’s a big push to ensure kids’ safety. That’s why we’ve beefed up the safety measures this year...”

I-I see.

Even in my family, Mother and Queen Glasya have recently given birth, so I understand.

But isn’t this a bit overprotective?!

Won’t this actually hinder the kids’ growth?! Says me, also a kid.

All right, let’s just get across.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter...

I crossed with ease.

Zero sense of accomplishment.

I wonder how Junior, my acknowledged rival, is handling this?

Is he also let down by this overly easy obstacle? But when I look...

Junior is standing smack dab in the middle of the so-called bridge—which is more like a highway now.

He’s not moving forward. What’s he doing?

He’s standing on one foot, completely motionless.

Even with the wind blowing and the bridge’s slight wobble over the deep moat, he doesn’t budge an inch, like a statue carved from stone.

What incredible balance...!

With that level of stability, he could probably dance on a tightrope as if it were solid ground.

But he’s on a super-wide bridge right now.

“Lord Junior! What a beautiful posture...!”

“That’s the legendary Tree Pose...!”

The other kids are gazing at Junior with awe and admiration for his perfect stance.

This is supposed to be a race to cross the bridge as quickly as possible, so why is he hogging all the attention just by standing there?

“Ah...?”

As Junior stood there in his graceful pose, something even more astounding happened.

A bird...

A little bird perched on Junior’s shoulder?!

“Even the birds think Junior is a real tree?!”

“You’d need not just perfect posture but a tranquil heart for such a thing to happen! As expected of Master Junior! Only with a completely calm and serene mind could this miracle occur!!!”

For some reason, he’s being showered with praise.

And Junior’s miracles don’t stop there!

“Whoa, it’s not just one bird! More are coming...!!!”

“They’re perching on his shoulders, hands, and head...!”

“Look! Not just little birds, but finches, parrots, and... even a giant eagle?!”

“Wait a minute, is that a Phoenix?! Even the immortal bird is used to Junior?!”

It’s beyond comprehension now.

Junior has basically become a living birdhouse.

I wonder if having all those birds perched on him isn’t heavy, but that’s not something to worry about during the competition.

Right, I need to focus on moving ahead.

I reach the second obstacle.

This one involves large rocks rolling down a slope.

Multiple big boulders come tumbling down, so you have to watch not just in front but also what’s coming next.

It’s a test of your ability to grasp the overall situation and react instantly.

Of course, as the Demon Prince, I’ve got both skills down pat.

Even if multiple big rocks roll down, I can perfectly dodge them and...

...Huh?

“What the heck is that?!”

What’s rolling down isn’t a big rock.

A huge... apple?!

An actual apple!

But it’s as big as a boulder! Do such gigantic apples exist?!

“Oh no... that’s just an apple-shaped cushion. It’s stuffed with cotton, so you won’t get hurt even if it hits you.”

An explanation from the goblin-in-charge!

Seriously?!

Another safety measure for the kids’ course?!

“We thought fruit shapes would be cuter and more appealing to the kids... Look, we have not only apples but also oranges, grapes, and melon-shaped cushions. Colorful, right?”

Whoaaaaa!

The sight of colorful giant fruit cushions rolling down the slope!

This is just bizarre!!!

Isn’t this overdoing it in the name of kid-friendliness?!

Ugh, the sheer weirdness is throwing me off, and I can’t dodge properly.

At this rate, I can’t move forward and will get stuck...!

While I’m struggling, here comes Junior!

Will he be baffled by this fruit avalanche, too?!

“...”

Junior doesn’t even try to dodge.

Yet the fruit cushions bounce away, changing direction to avoid him?!

“Oh, this is because of Master Junior’s empty mind—he’s erased his own presence, so all things just pass by him!”

“As expected of Lord Junior! This is the pinnacle of self-defense!”

The other kids are giving their own explanations, but I don’t get it anymore!

Does Junior have some kind of ability I can’t even comprehend?!