CH 344

Chapter 344 – In the Depths of the Empire(4)

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“We are now friends.”

I strengthened my right hand’s grip.

I guarantee that Bathory’s hand is twice the size of my own hand. However, at this very moment, my palm was coiling around his hand like a snake. Great King Bathory was staring at me with eyes that looked as if they feared the unknown.

“Good friends.”

I playfully tapped the back of his hand with my left hand. The handshake naturally got released.

I gave a slight bow to the Great King whose eyes were still trembling. Rather than a bow, it would probably be more appropriate to say that I had nodded at him.

“May the Goddess protect you and your little sister.”

I turned my horse around.

The excellent steed that Barbatos had gifted me moved naturally as if it could read my mind. Coincidentally, this horse with a beautiful black mane was named Amicus.

In other words, “Friend”.

Once I started to make my way back, the three cavalrymen that had been waiting for me returned to my side and followed me back. I gave an order to the one who had the white flag.

“Raise your flag!”

“Yes, O Great Being.”

The cavalryman raised their flag high. I had informed Marbas beforehand that a raised flag meant the negotiation went well and that a bad negotiation would result in the flag being tossed to the ground.

Our fifteen thousand troops all let out a cheer. Spears were raised to the sky and shields were pounded against the earth. The chances of winning this war weren’t particularly high. Demons may be aggressive, but even they would be reluctant to partake in a losing battle.

– Dantalian!

– Dantalian! Dantalian! Dantalian!

I received their cheering in full as I headed to the center of our army.

Marbas put on a rather impressive display. He blew a horn and made all the troops turn around. The orcs, goblins, centaurs, and beastmen all blew their horns from their respective tribes.

– Vuuuu.

Forty-nine horns were blown on the plains of the Commonwealth. A bizarre and dull harmony rang out. Throughout the Crescent Alliance’s two thousand years of history, these horns had always rang out in relation to war, but today, they were to celebrate a victory where not a single drop of blood was shed.

The cavalrymen on both sides of the army turned their horses around and headed to the rear. The infantrymen in the center turned around in place and marched in synced formations. The entire army had begun its march back.

Suddenly changing our formation could potentially allow the enemy to charge at us. We would be defeated in an instant. However, there were two reasons why Marbas decided to show our backs to the enemy.

The first was his respect for the enemy. He believed that they wouldn’t act cowardly and strike the back of the negotiator.

The other reason was his absolute trust in me.

There was no chance whatsoever that I could make the wrong decision as the negotiator. We trust in your decision fully. You announced that negotiations had settled peacefully, so we will act accordingly…….

This was undeniably a grand and elegant gesture. Should I say that this was expected of Marbas? This was probably what it meant to be a gentleman on the battlefield.

“It seems that the negotiation went well.”

I arrived at the command group. Marbas was already going to the rear of the army with the other Demon Lords. A refreshing smile appeared on his face the moment he saw me.

“To think that you would settle things with only a single conversation. Was it truly necessary for me to bring my army here?”

“Stephen Bathory is as cunning and cruel as a bear. He is constantly ready to tear apart anyone he considers weaker than him.”

I directed Amicus next to Marbas’ light gray horse.

“The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is a nation where monarchy and republicanism are skilfully combined. The king may rule the nation, but if something sizable happens, then he has to get the approval of his nation’s Council of Nobles first.”

For example, the throne isn’t hereditary within the Commonwealth. A king is appointed through an election carried out by their Council of Nobles. Since they have the power to choose the next king, they naturally have control over taxes and tariffs. Their approval is also required to even mobilize troops.

Usually, the ruler position within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is comparable to that of a puppet.

“This is most likely the reason why the Commonwealth has been on friendly terms with the Habsburg Republic.”

“I see. Does that not mean that Stephen Bathory’s options are limited as well?”

“That is the concerning part.”

“Usually”, meant that there were exceptions.

“Despite being the ruler of that Commonwealth, he is referred to as the Great King. His charisma alone was enough to take hold of those rotten Polish-Lithuanian nobles.”

In this era, excellent rulers were lined up like the stars in the sky. Even if you excluded Elizabeth, many nations were ruled by competent rulers at least three times. There’s a reason why the Demon Lord army lost in the game.

It made me want to sigh. Was humanity trying to create an all-star team?

To me, Emperor Henry of Frankia and Emperor Rudolf of our Empire were my only salvation. I love them both. I’d even kiss them if they asked. They’re both dead, though.

“This is a case where a systematic limit was overcome by a person’s own efforts. Nations led by these kinds of rulers tend to occasionally display a surprising amount of power. It would not be wise to antagonize Stephen Bathory.”

“But that power would also disappear if Stephen Bathory were to die, correct?”

I smiled.

“That is correct.”

A nation being held together by a king’s personal charisma will fall apart the moment that king dies. His successor can’t be average or even slightly above average.

The nobles who had a taste of that great charisma will constantly compare the successor to the previous king. They would say things like, “The previous king wasn’t like this,” and complain. As a result, the authority that had temporarily gathered under the king will quickly return to the nobles.

The new king would use forceful means to prevent this from happening, which will prompt the nobles to fight back. Sovereign power and divine power will clash. As the two sides clash, the nation will gradually lose its strength…….

“Sovereign power, no, national power must ultimately be maintained by a system. A single person’s noteworthy charisma is not enough to maintain an entire nation.”

So we’ll wait.

Until Elizabeth dies of old age.

Until Stephen Bathory becomes a rotten skeleton.

Until all of the humans of great standing, who are supposed to iron this era out, are ten feet under their graves.

“Compared to them, we Demon Lords can live forever. We must consider the long run and prolong this war.”

“Time is on our side, is it?”

Marbas laughed.

“Dantalian, you are quite cunning. You shower the other party with praise, but what is the point? In the end, you are saying that we will be the victors. I doubt the other party would be delighted to hear such praise from you.”

“Oh, Noble Marbas.”

I shrugged.

“The more we praise them, the more our value will increase once we defeat them. Please trust me. Similar to how wine tastes sweeter the longer you age it, I promise you that our victory will also become that much more special.”

Marbas burst into laughter again.

It was at that moment that my upper body bent forward a bit. I paused for a moment because I didn’t remember leaning forward.

Marbas gave me a weird look while I was tilting my head in confusion.

It was then that I realized why my body had bent forward. Marbas had affectionately patted my back. I haven’t been able to feel my back that well ever since the punishment incident with Laura.

I smiled slightly.

“My body got slightly injured a short while ago, so I cannot feel my back.”

Marbas furrowed his brows.

“Your back? Is it a serious problem?”

“Haha. I was told that my body itself is completely fine. This is most likely a psychological problem.”

“I have several excellent doctors under me that I could send your way.”

I shook my head.

“Out of everyone in the world, are we Demon Lords not beings that require doctors the least? This is most likely nothing to be concerned about.”

“Hm…….”

Marbas gave me a sideglance.

“You can treat this as the concern of an old man, but you need to cherish your body more, Dantalian. More so than you are now.”

“Pardon me?”

This wasn’t just a simple concern. Marbas had a serious look on his face.

“You stated that Stephen Bathory had overcome systematic limitations through his own abilities. From my perspective, the same can be applied to you within our Demon Lord Army. Why do you think we were able to obtain continuous success lately?”

“…….”

“It was not because of a system. We have nothing like that.”

That’s right. If you devalue the Demon Lord Army a bit……then we’re comparable to a tribal union.

The way every Demon Lord governs their Demon Lord Castle and treats demonkind is different.

Just like how Barbatos and Paimon are prime examples of this, Demon Lords have differing opinions about what the ideal demon society is.

“This is why I created Walpurgis Night. I wished to establish a system, no matter how small, within our ranks. However, as you know as well, Walpurgis Night is nothing more than a gathering.”

And barely half of the Demon Lords would even attend this gathering.

“The reason we have been able to achieve success in succession is solely thanks to our individual abilities. Dantalian, you are undoubtedly included within this. You have the most important position.”

“……I do not deserve such praise.”

“I am not saying this for you to be modest.”

Marbas’s monocle glimmered.

“Your death would mark the end for the Holy Demon Lord Army and the Habsburg Empire. You said that Demon Lords live forever, but you must not forget Baal’s demise. Fate is a fickle thing. I ask you to always exercise caution.”

“…….”

I smiled wryly.

How should I respond? I felt a little embarrassed. Hearing a straightforward compliment like this doesn’t suit my personality. I prefer hearing twisted, distorted, and ill-spoken praises.

I should probably thank him genuinely here.

“Thank you very much, Marbas. I will keep this in mind.”

“Mm.”

Marbas gave a satisfied nod.

Marbas has a lot of titles. Most Noble Demon Lord, Sworn Father of the Empire, and Sebastokrator. By referring to him by only his name, I was promising this to solely him as a person.

“While we are on this topic, I have a proposal for you.”

Huh? I guess the conversation wasn’t over yet. I put on a smooth smile.

“What is it?”

“Ehem…….”

Marbas cleared his throat. Dragging on the conversation wasn’t something that Marbas did, so this was somewhat surprising. Marbas swallowed his words a few more times before he eventually managed to  speak.

“Dantalian.”

“Yes, Marbas?”

“……What are your thoughts on becoming my son?”

I unintentionally froze up.

Marbas also went quiet as he stared at my face. I couldn’t imagine how my face must look right now. I could only stupidly, very stupidly ask back in a daze.

“……Excuse me? I didn’t quite catch that.”

Marbas spoke more resolutely as if he knew that there was no turning back now.

“As my adopted son. I wish to take you in as my stepson.”

My mouth fell open.

What is he saying!?