#885 The Human President Visits the Demons

At the Presidential Conference in the Human Republic...

As soon as I expressed my intention to make a courtesy visit to the Demon Kingdom, an uneasy atmosphere began to waft from the attendees of the meeting. 

It was as though they were discontent with my idea.

“I must respectfully ask... Your Majesty, the President, to please reconsider this decision.”

“What do you mean?”

Their roundabout way of speaking essentially boils down to saying, “We disagree with your opinion.”

But why?

Visiting the Demon Kingdom as soon as possible after the establishment of the Human Republic is essential to deepen our relations, isn’t it?

“It’s too dangerous. What if something happens when you casually stroll into the Demon Kingdom, our former enemy?”

“What do you mean by ‘something’? Be specific.”

“Well... like... assassination...”

I felt as if I’d been struck on the back of my head when a minister brought up such a thing.

To think that someone would raise such a point at this stage, and from someone in the central administration of the Human Presidency no less...

“Why would the demons need to assassinate me? To take over the Human Kingdom? But we were under demon rule until quite recently.”

They returned their control to us of their own accord.

If they wanted to seize it through assassination, they wouldn’t have returned it in the first place.

“Th-That may be so, but it’s better to be safe than sorry! Please be fully aware that we don’t know what dangers may lurk!”

“So, what exactly are these ‘dangers’ you’re talking about? Be specific.”

As more ministers begin to oppose, my irritation is becoming increasingly hard to hide.

“Even if the Demon King and his entourage bear no ill will, it’s not necessarily the same for all demons! Remember, they were our enemies once. There might be those who still harbor personal grudges and could act recklessly!”

“That’s right! If such an incident occurs, can we really protect Your Majesty in the heart of enemy territory, isolated and alone? Our guards will do their utmost, but to ensure your safety, it’s best not to dive into danger!”

“Please refrain from any rash actions.”

Everyone is piling on, urging me to change my mind.

In truth, this happens quite frequently. Whenever I express my ideas... especially when I propose something utterly unconventional, not bound by traditional norms, most people tend to object.

Of course, if I let such opinions stifle me, there’d be no point in me holding the position of President. 

I have a role imposed...I mean, entrusted to me by Lord Saint and many others, so I intend to fulfill it.

“I understand your concerns about the dangers of me visiting the Demon Kingdom. But what about the reverse?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it dangerous for a person of importance from the Demon Kingdom to step foot in our Human 

Republic? The leader of the demons... the Demon King, has risked these dangers to visit us several times.”

He did so during my inauguration ceremony.

He stood before me on stage and delivered an impressive speech. 

Thanks to him, my bar was set quite high.

“The Demon King made those visits to ensure peace, to solidify an unshakeable friendship between demons and humans.”

Indeed, many humans must have been moved by his gesture, resolving their conflicts.

Having seen the Demon King so often, they must have developed a sense of familiarity.

“Then, as the top representative of the Human Republic, I should follow in his footsteps. It’s not just the demon side that desires friendship; we humans desire it too, and we must show it through our actions!”

This is why I propose the courtesy visit, following the footsteps of my senior, the Demon King.

“Please wait...!”

Another minister attempts to intervene.

“Even setting aside safety, Your Majesty shouldn’t casually visit the Demon Kingdom. It may be seen as our nation bowing down to them!”

“What?”

“Traditionally, it’s the subordinate who visits the superior as a form of greeting. If you, as the President, go to the Demon Kingdom now, it’ll be as if we, the humans, are admitting inferiority and going out of our way to curry favor!”

“That’s absurd.”

I’m taken aback by such an unexpected opinion.

Are people really still hung up on who is superior and who is inferior?

“The Human-Demon War ended with the demons’ victory and the humans’ defeat. If we’re talking hierarchy, it’s clear that the humans... the Human Republic is on the lower end.”

“What are you saying, Your Majesty?! As a reborn nation, we must assert that our positions are equal!”

“Equal standing is shown through mutual friendship and trust. How many times do I have to explain my reasoning behind this courtesy visit for you to understand?”

“But by extending our hand first, we look subservient! To show our strength, we should be inviting the Demon King here!!!”

“The Demon King has already visited us, hasn’t he?”

On the day of my inauguration, too.

“The Demon King had casually visited us a few times before, but that day’s visit was a formal one, as a representative of their nation. I’m sure, just like some of you here, there were those in the Demon Kingdom who tried to dissuade the Demon King with petty arguments about hierarchy and status.”

“That’s...!”

“Defying them, the Demon King attended the ceremony and extended his blessings, signaling a gesture of friendship to the newly formed Human Republic. Now, it’s our turn to respond.”

If they’re reaching out with a “let’s be friends” message, we need to reciprocate.

A one-sided friendship can never be truly established.

“I will personally write a letter, and I’d like you to send an envoy with it. Have them discuss the details of the courtesy visit.”

“...Understood.”

“This is a top priority. I won’t accept excuses like being too busy with other matters.”

That might’ve been an exaggeration, but it felt necessary.

Most of the staff at the Presidential Office used to work for the Human Kingdom during the monarchy era.

They served the Human King, always priding themselves on human supremacy. For them, the establishment of the Human Republic must feel like a resurgence...a return to the pinnacle of world dominance.

But that’s a grave misconception. The Human Republic is at a stage where it needs significant rebuilding, and this old pride is nothing but an obstacle to our revival and global peace.

Still, I need to employ them because I can’t run the government without their expertise.

It hasn’t even been a decade since the fall of the old Human Kingdom.

We’re still facing a chronic shortage of new talent.

“That’s another challenge to tackle...!”

As I left the meeting and headed back to my office, I heard a voice behind me.

Turning around, I see one of the cabinet ministers from the meeting rushing towards me.

“Mr. President, do you have any plans after this?”

“I was going to continue with my work. Why?”

“Would you honor me by having dinner at my residence tonight?”

?

What?

An invitation for dinner?

Why so sudden?

“My daughter has just turned seventeen, and she is of an age suitable for you, Mr. President. I was hoping this could be an opportunity to establish a closer relationship...”

“…!”

Realizing his intentions, I left without a word, hurrying away.

Is he trying to arrange a marriage between his daughter and me?

Their minds are still stuck in the era of monarchy. 

Even though I stand as the President of the Human Republic, they can’t differentiate me from a king.

They must think, “If he’s at the top of the state, the president is just like a king.” 

Evidence of this is their constant reference to me as “Your Majesty the President.”

If I ever have a child, I’m sure people will expect that child to become the next president. 

That’s exactly why they’re trying to send their daughters to my side.

It’s the very same tactics from the era of monarchy.

This can’t continue.

Their mindset is still firmly stuck in the old ways.

We need to refresh the mindset of every human to solidify the Human Republic as a nation driven by its people.

First, we must ensure the success of the visit to the Demon Kingdom.

I’m determined to make it a success.

...Though my advisors are bound by old-fashioned ideas, they’re efficient if properly directed.

The arrangements with the Demon Kingdom went smoothly, and the courtesy visit is set to happen.

Today, I’m off to visit the Demon Capital.