Book 6: Chapter 4 (14)

Academic City (2nd)

I confirmed that the last of the tentacled slug had been burnt to a crisp before returning to everyone else.

I didn’t want to return completely naked, so I was forced to turn into a looter on the way back. I grabbed a pair of pants and a jacket from a corpse from some nameless citizen that died in the battle. The fact that I can do this so easily and that actions like these are becoming common for me made me feel uneasy about the current trajectory of my life. I hope I won’t be punished for this.

“I’m back.”

I landed in front of everybody that had gathered together.

It was easy to spot the Stonewall shelter I had built for Edita Sensei and Ester-chan. The masochist demon and the JC had joined up with them at some point. Luckily, none of them were injured.

I let out  a sigh of relief after confirming they were all safe.

Even after the slug was dead, I still couldn’t feel happy.

“O-Oi…what exactly was….”

Edita Sensei immediately started questioning me. Her eyes constantly shifted between the blackened corpse of the slug and my ugly face. I’m not sure what she’s trying to ask.

“What is it?”

“Umm, w-what the hell was with the ridiculous scale of that Flare Lance….?”

“…the fireball?”

Edita Sensei cutely tilted her head in response to my answer. I could stare at that adorable face forever.

However, there’s still one big question that needs answering and it’s almost as important as admiring my cute teacher’s face. There’s someone here that may be able to offer me an answer and I don’t know when I’ll next be able to ask him about it. I offered Sensei an apology in my mind and gave priority to the masochist demon.

“I have some questions about that creature for you….”

I turned to face the masochist demon.

I could see how uncomfortable he was before I even spoke. There was definitely something on his mind. When our eyes met, I noticed a twitch in his eyebrow that was quickly followed by a disinterested remark that suggested he wasn’t going to give me any answers.

“I don’t know anything.”

But I already know there’s a connection between them.

I’ve seen it in their status windows.

“What exactly is the Demon King?”

The tentacle slugs’ status showed that it was the same species as the Kimoronge, a high demon. I thought that Demon King might be a separate race, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. If a Demon King is no different than a high demon, what exactly qualifies one to be king?

After a long and painful fight, I came out of it knowing nothing more than when I went in.

“…what could a lowly human like you possibly know?”

“I think I understand what that chimera was that I just fought.”

“Ku….”

The masochist demon turned away from me with a look of repulsion covering his face.

“W-Wait a second! What are you two even talking about!?”

Ester-chan, who couldn’t stand being left out of any conversation, yelled at the two of us before I could get an answer. I quickly disregarded her interruption and returned to questioning the Kimoronge. This demon can disappear at a moment’s notice and I might not have another chance to question him.

“I never expected you humans to begin collecting the remains of my predecessors.”

“Your predecessor?”

“No matter how short-lived you humans are, even with a life span less than fifty years, you must have heard rumours or read of the past Demon Lords in books. The previous Demon Lord was reanimated in that undulating lump of meat you just immolated.”

“That creature was made from the body of a fallen Demon King….”

So the title of Former Demon King, well, it was accurate, in a way….

Wait, how is that even possible?

I thought the Demon King’s reincarnation happened infrequently. The last resurrection was over five hundred years ago. Something that far back would be considered ancient legend that may not even be viewed as real by the masses. His Majesty told me that the last Demon King was defeated several generations before he was ever born.

“Excuse me, Gerosu-san, if you could just tell me a bit more….”

“I-I told you to wait, didn’t I!? What is all this about a ‘demon lord!?’”

“The Demon Lord? Was that chimera’s body made from the previous Demon Lords?”

Ester-chan and Edita Sensei’s curiosity was piqued when the name Demon King was mentioned.

The keyword for everyone seems to be this “demon lord.”

“This Demon Lord is the Demon King I’ve heard mentioned before? Something that resurrects once every hundred years or so and is always defeated by the chosen Heroes. Ah, which reminds me, I witnessed the Heroes of the East and West fighting together. I wonder if this was their ‘Demon Lord.’”

“Once every hundred years? What are you talking about?”

“Am I mistaken? Just as with each previous Demon Lord, a saint from the Great Holy Kingdom prophesied that this Demon King would resurrect and chose the Heroes that were destined to defeat him. I just assumed such a massive creature must be related to the Demon Lord.”

“The Demon Lord isn’t the same as your human kings and queens. Such a powerful figure is not easily replaced.”

“Eh? T-Then what are they…?”

The lolibitch asked the question that was on everyone’s mind.

I doubt the Kimoronge is lying about any of this. His answers are terse and rude but that’s just how he is. Considering the size and power of the creature I just fought, I can understand it being difficult to find a suitable candidate for the next one. Once in a generation would be an understatement.

Which means someone else must know the truth.

“I need a proper answer. What exactly is the Demon Lord?”

The ‘Demon King’ that humans are familiar with and the ‘Demon Lord’ that the Demons follow.

They’re the same but viewed entirely differently.

“…such annoying little creatures you humans can be. You’re the second human to ask me that question.”

“I don’t care about what others have asked you, I want an answer. What is the Demon Lord?”

“….”

The Kimoronge directed a frustrated glare toward me.

He can glare all he wants, I can’t budge on this. I need to at least learn about the true Demon Lord. There appears to be a great disparity between the human understanding of a Demon King and the true Demon Lord. These details will determine how I act going forward.

“I’ll give you the same answer I gave five hundred years ago: the Demon Lord is our religion.”

“Religion?”

“The Demon Lord is the strongest among us and the Demon Lord’s strength is reason enough for the rest of the demons to fall in line.”

“…I see.”

The Demon Lord is the king and leader of the entire Demon race, after all. That slug’s status window showed it was a High Demon. This race is far stronger than an average human and they have a longer lifespan. Despite these advantages, their overall society remains at a rather primitive level where their leaders are chosen based solely on strength.

“How is it that your Gods walk among us?”

“Gods? God, huh…ah, I suppose that is a fitting word.”

“…what do you mean?”

“A god has followers, yes? Tell me this human: do you think these followers know what their ‘god’ thinks?”

“Are you saying they just blindly follow the Demon Lord without knowing what his plans are?”

“You speak as if that isn’t exactly what you humans do. You make up a hierarchy of nobles, priests, apostles, and so on. Different ranks and levels of devotion and yet, the same thing can be attributed to all of them: they know nothing of what their god truly wants. Most of them realize this and simply complain in private while joining the masses in public to praise a god they can never hope to truly understand.”

“Are you saying it’s a compulsion for them to follow?”

“You’ve seen a small glimpse of the power of a true Demon Lord. In a society that honours the strong and casts out the weak, who among them would choose not to follow?”

“….”

“You humans wanted to use the body of the previous Demon Lord to create a chimera in the hopes of harnessing a fraction of its true power. I’m sure there are more just like this one. Only you ignorant apes could come up with such a plan to create this abomination.”

“…I see.”

Hearing this sent a chill down my spine.

If the tentacled slug possessed the intelligence of a human and the mobility of its main body matched its tentacles, I wouldn’t have been able to defeat it so easily. Even with Christina on my side and Goggoru-chan acting as support, I have doubts that we’d win.

“There’s little choice left to the average demon but to worship such an immensely powerful being.”

“I can understand why after hearing everything you’ve said.”

A true Demon Lord sounds like a terrifying opponent.

A Demon Lord.

The large difference in lifespan between humans and demons seems to have led to this gross misunderstanding.

“Despite their terrifying power, most Demon Lords are benevolent. They allow the Demon race to live happily.”

“What happened to the Demon Lord of five hundred years ago?”

I’ve heard from Ester-chan that the Demon Lord has been defeated by the chosen heroes for countless generations, going back once every hundred years ago. If what the Kimoronge is telling me is true, it must mean the Great Holy Kingdom has been creating prophecies of fake Demon Lords and arbitrarily choosing someone to be the Hero that defeats them. The last true Demon Lord must be the one the Kimoronge mentioned from five hundred years ago.

“Hmph, I don’t owe you any more than I’ve already told you.”

“…right.”

I think the masochist demon is done offering me any help. I still have so many questions I’d like to ask, but I think it’s best to leave it here for now. Even with so many unanswered questions, this harvest proved quite bountiful for Baron Tanaka.

I’ve basically got all of this information from a member of the enemy faction.

“I’ve reached my limit of dealing with humans today. I’m leaving.”

“Give my regards to your master.”

“Are you trying to give me orders!?”

“I’m looking forward to running into each other again.”

“Wh…. Speak for yourself, human.”

The masochist demon spat out one last line laced with contempt before floating up into the sky.

He flew toward the centre of Academy City to reunite with his master. Like a good masochist slave, he flew in a straight line without making any detours.

Once his figure disappeared into the distance, I was also ready to leave.

Baron Tanaka still has responsibilities to finish the meeting that was interrupted halfway through. Now that I know what a true Demon Lord is, I have to be careful how I act going forward. Once I return to the Penny Empire, I need to inform His Majesty and Richard immediately.

“Then, I think I’ll be heading back as well….”

I was attempting to take my leave when, as I turned to face the others, Edita Sensei began an onslaught of questions.

“You think you’re going to leave without answering any of my questions!? First off, what’s with the shape of that massive fireball you used!? Who was that guy that helped you!? I could tell by looking that he’s a demon, but is he a High Demon!?”

Ester-chan followed up with her own questions.

“Exactly! What was up with that magic you used!? And what were you two saying about the Demon King and the heroes!? It’s not at all similar to what I’ve been told and now I’m confused!”

They have a point.

I should explain things to them, but now isn’t the best time.

“I understand why you two have questions, however, we should first head back before I answer anything. I left that meeting halfway through and it would be best if I quickly returned. I’ll answer all your questions later.

The JC was the only one that remained quiet.

I’ve grown so used to her nonstop complaining about her legs being tired that I half-expected her to complain that I should’ve saved her quicker. However, now she’s just silently staring at her feet.

She must still be thinking about the masochist demon’s face.

What a waste.

Let’s get back to the meeting room.

“It’s time to go, everyone.”

I flew back to the centre of Academy City using my flight magic. While I flew over the city, I cast out a wide Heal to cover as much of the city as I could.

***