#590 Tower, Oden, and Coffee

It’s still me, True Demon King—I mean, Demon King of the Isle, Azar, speaking.

We have arrived at the Demon Kingdom.

From the port, we took a carriage to the capital.

“This is the heart of the mainland Demon Kingdom, the new capital, so to speak, which was built to replace the old capital that got destroyed during the Great Collapse.”

The moment we stepped into the metropolis, we received a grand welcome.

“The Demon King of the Isle has arrived!”

“Welcome to the demon capital!”

“Welcome, Demon King of the Isle!”

The reception is so grandiose that I feel somewhat weirded out.

What’s going on here?

“My people are celebrating the return of our long-departed brethren.”

Really?!

Either way, their cheers indicate that their hearts are one with their king. 

When the king rejoices, his people make merry.

When the king is sad, his people cry a river.

When the king is angry, his people become a raging storm, crushing and destroying everything in their path.

Nothing’s more terrifying than when the hearts of the king and his subjects become one.

I cannot be a competent ruler if I can’t grasp the horror of that.

“Lord Azar.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Look to your right, and you will see something very interesting.”

As we sit inside the carriage, passing through the parade, I notice something bizarre in the distance.

...What is that?

A tower?

It seems appropriate to call the structure as such because of its tall and slender appearance, but...

It looks different from the towers I’ve seen!

It has two hand-like protrusions from either side! A face in front!

And it’s glowing! 

This tower is so over-the-top that I can’t exactly tell what it is!

“That’s our city’s latest attraction!”

Lord Zedan, who is in the carriage with me, explains so, but that still doesn’t help me understand anything! 

“It’s a monument built during the expo held a few years ago. Its unique design was so well-received that it stands and is still popular among the masses even after the expo.”

I see!

“There’s even an anecdote that the sun god was so enchanted by its artistic quality that he missed his footing and fell to the ground. That’s why it is nicknamed Apollo’s Tower and is a popular spot today.”

“Wow...!”

That being said, I don’t see what’s so appealing about that tower...!

I, whose understanding of the fine arts is no better than the average person, don’t understand it at all...!

* * *

“Lord Azar. We are planning to hold a banquet at the castle to welcome you royally and have you meet the rest of the national authorities, but...”

“P-Pardon?!”

Stop!

I get nervous when you say things like that!

“But first, why don’t we take a little detour?”

With that, we secretly left the parade and...

“Here we are.”

Where are we...?

After passing through a back alley with a few pedestrians, we arrive at a small restaurant.

The Demon King is frequenting such an establishment?

I’m getting more and more confused by him and his intentions.

“We’re here for a drink.”

The door opens with a little rattle. The interior is small and cozy. It doesn’t seem like the place the Demon King would frequent.

“Welcome.”

The only staff member in the store is the one greeting us from behind the counter.

A calming smell wafts from the pot.

“Sorry we had to force you to open outside your business hours. Not to mention reserving it for the day.”

“If it’s a request from the saint’s friend, I must be accommodating. Besides, the best time for oden is winter, so I’m usually free after that!”

What’s with this shopkeeper?

He’s somewhat peculiar.

“There’s still the banquet in the evening, so we can’t go all out.  We’ll have a small portion of a carefully selected combo that will show the spirit of this restaurant. We’ll take the black hanpen. Sake, cold.”

“Comin’ right up.”

Lord Zedan and the shopkeeper are casual with one another.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper takes out the ingredients, which were probably stewed in a pot in advance, serves them on a plate, and arranges them in front of us.

“Daikon, egg and chikuwa! The primary three kinds of oden! And your cold, top-quality pure sake!”

We were served various strange-looking food.

It seems to be a dish where you taste the ingredients stewed in a mild broth...

Well, poison or not, if it’s a dish recommended by Lord Zedan, I have to eat it lest I lose face.

Mm...

Oh wow, this is good!

What is this? This broth that soaks into the ingredients has a unique flavor to it! 

It is neither bland nor strong, but a relatively mellow taste that tickles your tastebuds!

Furthermore, the water he gave us...wait, this isn’t water!

I didn’t notice because of its transparency, but it’s alcohol! The alcoholic taste in my mouth completely differed from anything I’d ever had!

Is this really alcohol?

“I’m glad you like it, Lord Azar. Boss, give me some sauce-rich tofu.”

“You eat too much, Demon King.”

It’s so delicious that I couldn’t help myself to a second serving!

I wonder if we can also have this at tonight’s banquet?

“Hope you’ll taste the different kinds of alcohol to be served at tonight’s banquet. They’re all my brew!” says the shopkeeper just as we were taking our leave. 

I wonder what he meant by those words.

“That was Bacchus, the god of alcohol. Isn’t there any lore about him in your land?”

Huh? Him?

The only demigod left on earth?!

* * *

And then...

After the dinner at the Demon King’s castle, I was at a loss for words.

The magnificence of Lord Zedan’s stronghold, the Demon King’s Castle, was overwhelming.

The banquet held in the hall was truly a spectacular event. The dishes on display were gorgeous, of course, but the plates on which they were served were something extraordinary, and the glassware was crystal clear.

I heard they’re all from a particular brand. 

Everything was of a standard that surpassed our island’s, which made me sigh. 

There was also an astonishing variety of alcohol like the shopkeeper said.

The guests present at the dinner were all fine individuals.

In particular, the dresses worn by the female guests were so dazzling to the eye.

Apparently, they’re made by a particular brand, which is very popular all over the capital.

All the ladies would rush to buy this brand’s dresses and glam themselves up.

They say public events are a sign of national prestige, but today’s banquet was a demonstration of the tremendous national power and cultural level of the Demon Kingdom.

Our island’s cuisine, fashion, and housing are shabby compared to this.

We’re no more than a region in the countryside.

After coming here, I once again resent my ego for previously presenting myself as the True Demon King of the True Demon Kingdom. 

“You must be exhausted. Sorry for taking you from place to place.”

And yet, despite showing such a high level of culture, Lord Zedan’s modesty is as if he were a servant, caring for his guests.

It’s terrifying.

“I thought it was a bit selfish of me to boast about my country, but I enjoy introducing my country to my guests that I tend to go overboard. For now, have a cup of coffee and relax.”

“I see...”

I take the cup of coffee and sip it.

I wasn’t expecting he’d offer me such an aromatic drink to calm my nerves at the end of such a tumultuous day.

Lord Zedan is truly a thoughtful person.

“Mm, this is good coffee. I can tell that you used quality beans.”

“Surely it caught you off guard that a pitch-black liquid can have such a nice aroma. This is coffee, and it’s all the rage in the capital right now.”

“Hm?”

“Hm?”

Isn’t there something wrong with this conversation?

“...This is coffee, yes?”

“It is indeed, but...how do you know what coffee is, Lord Azar? Not many people know about it, even in the Demon Kingdom!”

“Huh?”

“Huh???”

One more unexpected thing happened before the day came to an end.

Apparently, coffee, which has been consumed on our island for as long as I can remember, began recently here in the Demon Kingdom.