#834 The Emperor Dragon Couple Visits – The Demon Race

Once again, I am the Emperor Dragon... Geyser Dragon Ardheg.

After thoroughly enjoying the merfolk’s marital tales at the bottom of the sea, we decided to move on.

Sis Mary seemed quite satisfied... or rather, she seemed eager to flee the intensity of the war between in-laws.

While I gained valuable insights in the Mermaid Kingdom, the sample size is still too small.

Having heard tales from the sea, it would only be fair to also listen to stories from the land.

As such, we’ll be hearing stories from mankind who live on land next.

Huh?

But didn’t I first visit Lord Saint on land, you say?

Well, that individual is exceptionally unique, so he doesn’t count.

When it comes to other famous people on land, it goes without saying that it’s the ruler of the demons... the Demon King.

I’m acquainted with the current Demon King, Zedan, through Lord Arowana and Lord Saint.

I’m sure he’ll welcome my visit, though sudden.

Reverting into our dragon forms, we soared through the sky, heading for the Demon Capital, where most demons reside.

By the way, I left that troublesome in-law duo of Al Gor and Seidour at the bottom of the sea. 

Lady Mahi promised to look after them, so they shouldn’t interrupt us again until my current task is completed.

***

“I’m terribly sorry about the other day.”

I start with an apology.

During our meeting with Demon King Zedan, the first thing I did was bow my head because of a past inconvenience caused to him.

Actually, to all of demonkind.

Unknown to me, it seems Sis Mary once attacked their capital.

Thankfully, Sis Veil intervened immediately, preventing any damage to the city, but an apology was still necessary.

“Please raise your head, Lord Ardheg. You already apologized during the wedding. As the emperor of dragons, you shouldn’t bow so easily.”

“He’s right! Dragons are the strongest creatures, so we don’t need to beg for the forgiveness of a lower being!”

Sis Mary, can’t you see I’m apologizing for your sake?

“However, as you are now my wife, it’s unavoidable for me to share the responsibility...”

“A-Ardheg?!”

Demon King Zedan chuckles with his robust physique and says, “It seems marriage suits even the dragonfolk well.”

“No, we’re still novices. Actually, our visit relates to that very topic...”

Talking about the purpose of my visit...

“Ah, I understand. Despite appearances, I was one of the earliest in our circle to marry, so I have much to share. In fact, I have two wives, so my experiences are twice as much!”

“Two wives?!”

The one most shocked by this is Sis Mary.

“What do you mean?! Isn’t marriage supposed to be between just one male and one female?!”

“Normally, yes. However, as the Demon King, I have great responsibilities. To govern my people fairly, sometimes I must take more than one wife.”

I recall hearing about this from someone else. 

In mankind’s society, this is referred to as polygamy or a harem, right?

Unaccustomed to such customs, Sis Mary visibly recoils at the mere explanation.

“Disgusting! Absolutely disgusting!!!”

“I understand your sentiment. But as the Demon King, I must love and protect millions of my people. If necessary, I will wholeheartedly love two wives! That’s my resolution as their king!”

“Urh...!”

Even she seemed overwhelmed by the Demon King’s determination.

Though he may not match our strength, he could stand toe-to-toe with a dragon in sheer resolve.

“Ardheg!”

“Yes?!”

I was startled by my sister’s sudden call.

“What about you?! Do you want that? More than one wife?!”

“Um, well, that’s...!”

“Even among mankind, those at the pinnacle sometimes need multiple wives... So, as the Emperor Dragon, the pinnacle of the strongest race, how many wives can you have?! Ten? A hundred? Even more?!”

Awawawawa, please calm down, Sis! 

Please rest assured, as I have no intention or desire to take another wife; it seems like too much trouble.

The Demon King intervenes, “Each species has its own issues. Humanity numbers in the millions, as do demons. Such large populations require polygamy at times for effective governance.”

Mm, it appears both Lord Arowana and the Demon King have their challenges.

“By contrast, dragons, being the strongest species, are few in number. Less than a hundred, correct? With such a small population, governance without resorting to multiple marriages should be feasible.”

“I see now! Well said, Demon King!!!”

Sis Mary quickly latches onto his lifeline.

I certainly can’t, and have no intention to, practice polygamy.

Thinking about it, I can’t help but admire the Demon King’s resolve.

To integrate marriage into governance for the sake of his people... where does his personal happiness lie?

“I was raised to believe that serving the Demon Kingdom as its prince was my purpose in life. Such matters are trivial to me.”

“Amazing...!”

“And, truth be told, I do love the two wives I have married...!”

“Huh?”

He muttered something under his breath, but what could it be?

I felt that it wasn’t something I should pry too deeply into.

“Just so you know, not all men who take multiple wives do so out of a sense of duty or for political strategies.”

“What? Really?”

“Lust is a legitimate desire, after all. Among the previous Demon Kings, some simply indulged in their desires, taking numerous wives without any political necessity.”

“Why does that sound so wrong?!”

Indeed!

Lord Zedan has been so dignified and composed as a Demon King, but to think there were such undisciplined Demon Kings in the past!

“The most recent example would be my predecessor... now respectfully referred to as the Great Demon King Baal.”

Predecessor Demon King?

Is he like Lord Arowana’s father, Lord Nagus?

Then, he must be Lord Zedan’s father. Given that he raised such an exceptional child as Lord Zedan, he must have been a truly distinguished ruler!

“At his most prolific, he had married 37 wives.”

“What a beast.”

“And if we talk about mistresses he had been involved with, the number could be in the dozens, if not hundreds...”

“Adheg! We’re going! We must bring down that pervert who’s beyond redemption!!!”

Sis Mary was genuinely furious.

Wait, please, sister.

There’s still a chance, a slim possibility that he had a legitimate reason for marrying so many. 

For strategy or politics!

“No, it was truly just out of his desire. Our father was a man of robust appetites in many ways.”

“Adheg! Keep walking! We’re going to burn down this city of decadence!!!”

Please stop, sister.

The fault lies with one; don’t involve the innocent and execute only the guilty.

“Father was inherently hedonistic, voracious for pleasures and enjoyable experiences. As much as he was energetic in promoting culture, his love life was equally unrestrained... My mother, too, was one of his many concubines, somewhere in the twenties. Her low status meant she couldn’t be by his side much, but as she was an official wife, I was recognized as a Demon Prince.”

The Demon King wears a somewhat bitter, lonely smile.

He must have walked a challenging path to ascend to the throne of the Demon King.

“I wonder how many siblings I have born of brief liaisons, who, being unofficial offspring, had no right to the throne. The thought still pains me. There may still be unknown brothers and sisters among the demons I rule. That’s why I govern my people with the intention of caring for them as if they were my siblings.”

“How wonderful! How admirable!!!”

Sis Mary, moved, stands up in applause.

“You truly are a king among humans! As the Empress Dragon, I acknowledge you! Proclaim yourself the greatest Demon King of past and future with my blessing!”

“That, I have already been acknowledged by the gods.”

Sis Mary seems to have taken quite a liking to the Demon King in our meeting today.

“But I will make sure to thoroughly kill that so-called Great Demon King before we leave.”

“Please be lenient. Father has suffered greatly after being deposed in a coup. Besides, despite being with hundreds of women, he never once forced himself upon anyone against their will... That’s probably why he’s still alive and in retirement...”

I see. There are various circumstances.

We aimed to learn about humanity’s marriage customs, but this is undoubtedly the most extreme example that will be etched in our memories.

The Demon King must have shared this story anticipating this, showing us another side to the vast array of romantic relationships.

“Since you’re here, let’s share more stories about how people fell in love. It could even serve as a reference for the dragon race. Many in my court have families already. How about their stories?”

The Demon King’s story continues.