#985 The Demon Prince’s Enrolment  

Natto.

At first, it was stinky and had a sticky texture, but once you get used to it, it becomes strangely addictive.

The slimy feeling starts to grow on you, and before you know it, you can’t stop eating it.

“Prince, as much as you enjoy the natto, we still have more of the farm to see, so let’s move on.”

Prompted by Belena, I move along.

The human princess and the winged person have gone back to their respective places, leaving me to continue the tour.

“Where are we going now? I’m stuffed already...!”

“After eating that much natto, I’m not surprised.”

I mean, it’s not just my physical stomach that’s full, but my mind is also on overload with all these surprises!

“Most visitors to the farm feel the same way. It’s like a rite of passage.”

But the wealth of this Saint’s Farm... It’s even more impressive than what the rumors said. Way more.

What would happen if all this power were unleashed?

The Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom would be obliterated in no time.

Is my father... the Demon King... really okay with leaving such a dangerous force unchecked?

For the peace of the Demon Kingdom and the entire world, shouldn’t we take control of this place and its resources?

I don’t know what my father thinks, but once I’m the Demon King, I definitely will...

“...We’ve arrived.”

“Huh?”

Wait, where are we?

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize where we were going.

“You seem overwhelmed by the farm’s grandeur. It’s understandable. In fact, it’s impressive that you, as a child, can grasp the seriousness of it. You’re showing the makings of a future Demon King.”

“Wha...?”

What is she talking about?

“If you’re thinking about attacking the farm and taking control, I advise against it. Even if the Demon King’s Army were ten times stronger, they couldn’t compete with this farm.”

“No way...!”

“It might be hard for young Prince Goetia to accept, but recognizing the difference in power is crucial for a ruler. Those who can’t do that end up starting unwinnable wars.”

I mean, I had a feeling, but...

I thought the Demon King’s Army was unbeatable, the strongest force that conquered the surface world.

That’s not what my tutors taught me...

“Besides, Prince, you’ve only seen a small part of the farm. If you’re already this impressed, it’s worrying for the future Demon King.”

“What?!”

“Strength isn’t just about military power. Didn’t you learn that in the castle? If not, then this farm’s lessons will be invaluable for you.”

I was led inside a building.

It was much smaller and less grand than the Demon King’s castle, but it was well-furnished and had a certain elegance.

“The master of the farm will be here shortly, so please wait a moment.”

The master of the farm, the saint?

What kind of person are they? As strong and imposing as my father, perhaps

 But soon, a beautiful woman entered the room... This isn’t what I expected at all.

“Oh, Lady Platy? Where’s Lord Saint?”

“He got delayed by some trouble. Apparently, the carrots he planted turned into blasters and went on a rampage.”

So, she’s not the saint.

The woman is holding a small child, and she reminds me a bit of my mother.

“Prince, this is Lady Platy, the wife of the saint and the mistress of the farm.”

The saint’s wife is effectively the queen of this land.

“And this little one is Norito. Please be friends with him.”

“I don’t like kids. They’re too nosy.”

Th-This kid’s got quite the personality...!

Judging by her skin color, is this woman human?

But there’s something unique about her that I can’t quite place.

“Prince, Lady Platy is a mermaid. Mermaids who drink a magic potion to hide their tails look almost indistinguishable from humans.”

A mermaid?!

The third race that lives underwater, alongside humans and demons?!

I’ve seen their envoys visit the Demon Kingdom, but this is my first time seeing one up close.

So, there are mermaids living on this farm.

“Lady Platy isn’t just any mermaid, you know. She’s the sister of the current Mermaid King, Arowana. That makes her royalty in the Mermaid Kingdom.”

“Oh, stop it, Belena. I’m just the mistress of this farm now, and with a third baby on the way, calling me a magical princess is just embarrassing!”

Magical... princess...?!

Wait, hold on.

So, does this mean the owner of this farm—the saint—has close ties with the merfolk?

If I mess with the farm, does that mean I’ll be making enemies with the mermaids, too?

The thought made my mind go blank.

Belena’s words, “Force is just one type of power among many,” begin to make sense.

There are other major connections.

They can be a huge source of power, too.

Come to think of it, there’s also the princess from the old Human Kingdom here.

The kingdom might be gone now, but if used right, it could still be useful somehow.

The farm is already ridiculously strong in a straightforward fight.

And they’ve got even more tricks up their sleeve...?!

“You’re quite the thinker, aren’t you? If you’re this stressed before you even hit ten, you’ll be bald by thirty.”

“He charges ahead like Lady Astres, but his deep thinking is all thanks to the Demon King. You’ve inherited their worst traits...”

Is that why even my father is cautious around them?

The Demon Kingdom had united the surface world, so I thought all we had to do was rule it... But now I have to rethink my entire vision for the future...!

“One, two, three!”

Clap!

Ack?!

The sudden clap snaps me back to reality.

“Save your deep thoughts for bedtime! Daytime is for kids to play and learn! That’s why you’re here, right?!”

Oh, right...!

Father told me to study at the Farm School.

“Yes, this farm surprisingly has a school! I’ll show you around; follow me!”

Led by Miss Platy, the saint’s wife, we move forward.

Ahead of me are rows of desks under the open sky, with many young men and women sitting there.

And to my amazement, there are demons, humans, and even merfolk among them.

Having learned about them, I can now recognize humanized merfolk easily.

A school where the main races of the world study together.

Not even the Demon Kingdom has that yet!

“Impressive! A well-educated prince indeed. This place started as an open-air classroom by a certain teacher for fun. But the education level is so high that now students from all over the world want to join, and it’s become an official institution,” Miss Platy explains. “The graduates here are quite famous. Have you heard of Ritheseus? He’s the new king of the Human Kingdom, and he studied here, too.”

What...?!

The new king of the Human Kingdom?! That means the farm has strong ties with the current Human Kingdom, too?!

How much potential does this farm have hidden away?

And if they’re training such exceptional people, they’ll keep spreading talent across all major nations, be they demon, human, or merfolk!

They’re becoming more and more untouchable...!

Who on earth founded this terrifying school?!

“...Ah, speak of the devil. Here comes the principal and main teacher.”

The person approaching is an undead, dressed in tattered robes, looking like a dried-up corpse...

“This is Sensei, a Lifeless King.”