#584 Visiting the True Demon Kingdom

It’s me again.

Today, we’re at the True Demon Kingdom.

As the one who proposed the idea, I felt it was my duty to see through this matter, so I went along with the Demon King's group.

But I’m worried about Platy and Junior, so we’re going home before the day ends.

Anyway...

"So this is the True Demon Kingdom...”

I had a gloomy image of being exiled to an island in the middle of the ocean, but this place looked nothing like that.

This landmass is sufficient to sustain life for a large group of people. 

It gives the impression of an archipelago like Japan, England, or New Zealand.

That’s what the area around the True Demon Kingdom looks like.

We are immediately welcomed in a port town-like place. Or should I say intercepted?

“Hooohohoho! Good of you to come, lesser demons!”

The old man with the overtly pompous attitude is...

...small?

He’s so tiny that he could be mistaken for a child.

I think he’s about 140cm tall.

“I am the one and only True Demon King, Azar! Bow before me!”

So he’s the True Demon Kingdom’s king.

Although he calls himself a grandiose title, his small stature doesn’t help in leaving a good impression.

Combined with the carelessness that emanates from his behavior, it’s difficult to feel any sense of solemnity from him.

Regardless...

“It is an honor to be received by the king himself.”

“Eek!”

The moment Demon King Zedan spoke, all of our attention naturally focused on him. 

His presence alone gets people’s heads turning. That’s just the kind of person Demon King Zedan is.

“My name is Zedan. I am the one who has inherited the rule of the Demon Kingdom from my ancestors.”

“I-Is that so...!”

If I were to guess, King Zedan is over 190cm tall.

When a man that tall faces the True Demon King, their height difference is more and more highlighted!

"Although imperfect, Hades, god of the underworld, has granted me permission to call myself the greatest Demon King of all time.”

“Fweh?!”

“I have heard of the history of this land. I am delighted that the people separated by an ancient tragedy 500 years ago are being reunited through their descendants. I hope we can coexist as we did in the past."

Demon King Zedan takes the initiative and makes a firm stand.

The aura he has developed through his many battles overwhelms those around him, even when he’s in his most natural self.

Even though they’re both kings, there is a distinct difference in their abilities.

It seems that the outcome has already been decided from their first meeting.

“Pf- Fohohoho! Good of you to come! I, the one and only true Demon King, welcome all other Demon Kings!”

Oh, he refuses to yield?

It's as if he's tricking his heart, which is about to break, by bluffing.

“In the first place, in this kind of exchange, it is a given that whoever’s lower visits the one on top! The fact that you made an imperial visit to my nation proves that you admit our legitimacy!”

“Allow me to introduce you to my queen."

Demon King Zedan keeps his cool and ignores Azar!

“This is the second Demon Queen Glasya. The first queen, Astres, gave birth to her second child last year and has been unable to leave the castle to look after our child. Glasya has been accompanying me on my official duties instead.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Demon King Azar,” says Queen Glasya, making her appearance.

Before becoming queen, Queen Glasya was a member of the Heavenly Four. 

She is the only one in the Demon Kingdom with a physique comparable to the Demon King. Seeing this couple stand side-by-side makes it seem as if they’re a looming wall.

If they were to face the 140-cm-tall True Demon King, they would look like giants entering the land of dwarves.

“Yipes...!”

“His Majesty will be in your benevolent care. Make sure all your men are on their best behavior.”

“A-Ah...”

“Demon King Zedan isn’t your ordinary ruler—he is also adored by his subjects. His Majesty is the pillar stone and pride of the Demon Kingdom. What do you think will happen if you insult His Majesty?”

Before getting married, Queen Glasya was feared by everyone for her vehement fighting spirit.

Most people would piss their pants if a lady like her glared at them. 

“Ahh, ahh... Ahh...!”

But I have to hand it to the True Demon King, who’s managing to stay standing even though he's crazy scared. He has nerves of steel.

“Stop that, Glasya.”

“As you wish.”

“Please forgive my wife. Her hot-headedness that she got on the battlefield hasn’t left her.  But I, too, have spent half my life on the battlefield, so I can't really speak for others, can I? Ahahaha...!”

There goes the Demon King’s attempt at lightening up the mood!

Jokes from people like him who have been in battle are too scary to be considered funny. If anything, you’d wish it was no more than a harmless joke!

“I also have my eldest daughter, Marine, accompanying us. I wanted to show my child what a foreign country looks like. I am sure it will be a good experience for her.” 

"Ah... I see...!”

The petite True Demon King is visibly starting to get tired.

Marine—Demon King Zedan and Queen Glasya’s child—is turning three soon. Being in her playful and inquisitive years, she has begun to explore all over the harbor, unable to bear the boredom.

This, however, is causing her attendants to panic. 

“Princesssssssssssss! Don't wander too far! This is not the Demon Kingdom!!!”

“Princess! Please drop those crates! They're full of valuable itemssss!!!”

“Princess! Please don’t play with the anchorrrr!!!”

“Princess, please!!! You mustn’t lift the ship! It’s dangerousss!!!”

...

I guess that’s what happens when the Demon King and Queen Glasya have a child. She’s already so strong.

I wonder if the princesses of this world have some kind of power attribute, like Letasreit?

Eh, we’ll leave that for later.

This scene caught the True Demon King by surprise and assaulted his frail heart even more.

“...?!”

“I apologize for intruding on your land with such a large group. At any rate, I cannot thank you enough for welcoming us.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

True Demon King, get a grip!

Your heart is on the verge of turning into nothing!

“...Ah, no! Ahem, but lesser Demon King, aren’t you lacking in discretion?”

“Pardon?”

“This is my territory. In other words, all the people here follow my orders, not yours. Do you know what a mere snap of my fingers could do to you and your group?” says the True Demon King, smiling wickedly.  “I applaud your courage for entering what is arguably hostile territory without a sufficient troop. But you could say you failed to look ahead, you know?”

“I wish from the bottom of my heart to reestablish friendly relations with my people, who have been separated for 500 years,” replies the Demon King calmly. "To do so, making the other party believe in our genuine intentions is essential. Bringing troops in fear of getting ambushed will only aggravate the situation and potentially cause a war to break out. Please accept this as our hope for your trust.”

“That’s nothing but foolishness.”

“But if anything should happen...!”

The Demon King unsheathes his beloved holy sword Einrot from its scabbard.

“Huh?”

He points the tip at the sea and swings it down with all his might.

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuh?!”

The crimson sword aura released from the blade transformed into a big razor wind and split the sea!

Woo, let’s Moses Time!!!

"I will fight until my last ounce of strength. This power that I have developed in the recent war has yet to fade away.”

“I will fight alongside you till my last breath!” says Queen Glasya as she holds Marine in her arms. “I still have much of my fighting spirit left from when I was a Heavenly One. Let's teach Marine how a woman of the Demon Kingdom should support her husband!”

“So stwong, mother!”

They mean what they said, and I'm sure the two of them alone can conquer the entire True Demon Kingdom.

I have no particular basis for this, but I think so with conviction.

“Haha, hahahaha...!!!”

The True Demon King lets out a parched laugh in response.

It looks like we're off to a smooth start. Let's keep dispelling their will to fight and solidify the path to peace!

...Come to think of it, my presence today is awfully weak.

I haven't said a word since we got here.