#888 A Typical Meddler

Human President Ritheseus here.

On a courtesy visit, I managed to snag a bride.

Sweet!

...Sweet?

Anyway, it’s definitely a good thing.

As the Human President, I’ve been constantly nagged about finding a wife, so the timing couldn’t be better.

Choosing Eryngear, a demoness, as my bride would not only help solidify friendly relations with the Demon Kingdom but also be a win-win situation!!!

...Well, of course, this is assuming I truly love Eryngear.

“I looked away momentarily, and things have taken an interesting turn.”

The Demon King, who was supposed to be at the ball, returned upon hearing the commotion.

He’s slightly tipsy with a glass of wine in hand.

“A fine choice, Mr. President. ...Marriage is wonderful. You must be tired of hearing how a man isn’t complete until he has a family, but it’s not just about that. True happiness lies within marriage. No matter how much success or wealth one accumulates, it’s all meaningless if you don’t have a warm place to return to!”

The Demon King passionately extols the virtues of marriage.

It’s clear his own household is a happy one.

Peace and quiet are best.

After all, it’s someone else’s family affair.

“Following Varlina, who married into Dalkish’s family, Eryngear will be the second demoness to marry into the Human Kingdom, right? Since it’s a significant position this time, let’s celebrate with all our might in our Demon Kingdom!!!”

Seems like the outsiders are more enthusiastic about my personal matters.

Given my role as the new leader of the Human Kingdom, I guess it can’t be helped...

“Kyaaa! I did it, I did it...!!!”

Eryngear is hopping around joyfully, so things must be moving in a good direction...

That’s what I thought until...

“Please, wait a moment.”

A tense voice cuts in.

Clearly, it carries a hint of hostility.

Who is it?

A giant of a man stands in our way.

Towering and imposing.

His military uniform seems out of place at this ball, and his aura even more so. What is his purpose for coming here?

“Your Majesty. Is it really okay to proceed with things so hastily?”

“You are Rogodias... What’s the purpose of your visit in your military uniform?”

The Demon King seems to know this imposing figure.

Considering the abruptness of his appearance, it’s understandable that I don’t recognize him... However, the Demon King is an exemplary role model for remembering his every subordinate’s name. 

I should take note...!

“This is a place to warmly welcome friends visiting from the Human Kingdom. You should have appropriate attire for that. Even for a soldier of the Demon King’s Army, it’s rude to appear in a military uniform everywhere.”

“I believe it’s necessary, Your Majesty. To enlighten this defeated dog of his position.”

Hmm.

Feels like I’m being provoked, or is it just me?

Even the Demon King, previously enjoying the party atmosphere, now exudes a chilling aura.

“It seems a traitor has infiltrated our midst...!”

“Please, Your Majesty...! This is all done out of love for the Demon Kingdom... a demonstration of loyalty to you.”

“Good intentions that impose on the recipient are hardly such.”

“In our Demon Kingdom, there are those dissatisfied with our approach to this matter. Your Majesty must be aware. The centuries-long war between humans and demons ended in our victory. We must not belittle its significance.”

It seems this giant, Rogodias, isn’t exactly fond of me.

Rather, he seems to have a vendetta.

The way his gaze flickers towards me feels almost like being targeted by arrows.

“Rogodias belongs to a hardliner faction within the Demon King’s Army,” Eryngear whispers to me, moving closer. “His Majesty has been suppressing such factions for a long time, but they still persist strongly. They advocate for turning the Human Kingdom into a colony under our control. They constantly pressured His Majesty to change his mind during the occupation era.”

“Such people existed...?!”

I was unaware. This is a lapse on my part as the new leader of the Human Kingdom.

But that must mean the Demon King has been carefully concealing it.

He’s been holding back anything that could jeopardize human-demon friendship.

Eryngear informed me of this.

“I just proved myself useful to Ritheseus, kyaa!”

While she seems pleased, the tense atmosphere continues on the other side.

“A defeated vassal state coming to curry favor deserves corresponding treatment. Such an elaborate dinner is unnecessary. Let them sleep in the stables outside, and throw them the leftovers from a dog’s meal.”

“Fool.”

The Demon King is clearly enraged.

“It is we, the demons, who will be shamed by doing such a thing. Do you wish to be scorned as a barbaric nation that can’t even offer the barest hospitality to a friend?”

“Humans as friends? That’s utter nonsense, Your Majesty. They’ve been our enemies for centuries, in constant conflict. Now that we’ve finally conquered them, it’s only natural to oppress and torment them with all the hatred we’ve harbored!!!”

It seems there are deep-seated issues even within the Demon Kingdom.

“As for the hospitality, I agreed to it, albeit reluctantly, because His Majesty himself had insisted. However, I cannot stand the thought of this arrogant human rat stealing away our precious Eryngear!!!”

What? Precious?

I can’t help but glance at Eryngear, who smirks back at me.

“Lady Eryngear has accumulated numerous achievements these past few years and is expected to become one of the Heavenly Four, leading the Demon Kingdom. Not to mention her breathtaking beauty! There must be at least a hundred noble demons who dream of taking Lady Eryngear as their wife!!!”

Seriously?

“To marry her off to the leader of the defeated nation is like throwing jewels to a wild ape! It’s excessively generous! Even if we want to show mercy to a vassal state, we could throw something else! An ugly woman nobody wants, or an old widow, perhaps...!”

“That’s doubly insulting.”

Listening to his pleas... listening but firmly emitting an aura of refusal, the Demon King speaks.

“Such foolishness is extremely disrespectful, not only to our human neighbors but also to the women who are about to cross the border and marry. Anyone who speaks so thoughtlessly doesn’t belong in the army...!”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Interrupting politely, dressed in an elegant gown befitting tonight’s ball, is Eryngear herself.

“I chose to marry Ritheseus of my own free will. It’s not as though I’m sacrificing myself for the friendship between humans and demons. However, if our marriage does deepen the friendship between our two nations, I welcome it.”

“Lady Eryngear?! What are you talking about?!”

“If all demonesses marrying into the Human Kingdom are considered ugly, then I’m fine being labeled as such. Please, Lord Rogodias, spread the word. Let everyone know that ‘ugly’ Eryngear is marrying into the Human Kingdom.”

“N-n-no, Lady Eryngear! You are beautiful! Too precious to be given to a vassal state...!”

The big man hurriedly tries to correct himself.

What’s with this suspicious behavior?

“Grrrrrr...! The scoundrel...! It’s all his fault...!!!”

Such inexplicable hostility from this baffling person is now directed at me.

What’s with him, really?

“President or whatever you are, it’s audacious for a defeated vassal state to even think of marrying the divine Eryngear! You! Apologize and grovel right now! Yes, that will solve everything!”

“No, thank you.”

A firm stance of refusal.

He seems shocked, unprepared for the rejection. His face contorts with fury.

His huge, wall-like stature only adds to the intimidation.

“Marriage is a personal matter between her and me. You, being an outsider, have no right to interfere. Even if it’s seen as a marriage to deepen friendship between humans and demons, your opinion, as a mere military man, holds no weight. Therefore, you have no right to comment for any reason.”

“You... how dare you, a defeated vassal stateeeeee!!!”

“Could you correct that statement, please? Well, ‘defeated’ is fine. We humans did lose the war. But calling us a ‘vassal state’ is a clear mistake.”

We, the Human Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom, have restarted as equal friends.

Treating us as a vassal state is absolutely wrong.

“Even the Human Kingdom, now an independent nation, cannot tolerate such insults. If the Demon King, who promotes a policy of harmony, allows such insolence from his subordinates, his leadership qualities will be questioned. Are you trying to disgrace your own king?”

“You dare keep running your mouthhhhhh...!!!”

As expected, he’s furious.

“If you’re so bold, then prove it! Show me that humans are not mere servants or slaves but equal to demons!”

“How should I prove it?”

“By strength, of course! It’s laughable to consider weaklings as our equals! If you claim to be friends on equal footing, then show us a minimum level of strength!”

“Understood.”

So, it’s come to this.

Conversations like this always end up in a battle.

But if it’s to win love, respect, and friendship, I’m more than willing to wield my strength.

It’ll be a battle episode next.