CH 91

Chapter 91 : Guidance

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“Maou-sama…. Sorry… I… Because we went out on our own now….”

Lucis, who had bravely jumped between Velke and Killa, was now turning pale.

He was trembling pitifully since he was standing in a situation where I, a Maou, had to confront the Hero myself.

“It’s alright, Lucis. At any rate, this confrontation is bound to happen. It’s only a matter of when.”

“But…. But….”

“Lucis, you were very brave. You tried to protect your father, didn’t you? Even though you won’t stand a chance against the Hero if he were to seriously attack you. But you know, both Lucis and Velke, you two are my precious demons. So you mustn’t give up your life so easily like that.”

“Maou-sama…”

Velke went and held Lucis, who started to cry profusely in his arms. 

“Killatur, I wish to have a proper conversation. By talking with me, I want you to decide whether it is possible to have a proper conversation with demons or not. If after talking with me you still think that demons are enemies that you have to slain, then you can use that holy sword to kill me.”

“Conversation….”

I couldn’t hear the voice of Killatur’s heart. 

Maybe the combination of the heavy strain on his mentality and the despair made him shut his own thoughts tight.

“Velke, the thing I’m going to say has to be followed by the demons that have pledged their loyalty to me.”

“Yes.”

Although I was sure the demons in the audience hall must be watching through the screen, it was better to be more cautious.

“Killatur, I’m taking you to my castle. You will come to the enemy’s nest on your own so I know you must be worried whether this is a trap or not but I absolutely won’t suddenly turn against you. I will not let any harm befall you and I will make sure the other demons follow suit. Then if after our conversation you still decide that demonkind is an existence that needs to be vanquished then I will give you my neck. I wish for you to let the other demons go with my own life as the price.”

“Mao-kun…?!”

“Maou-sama?!”

“The demons won’t harm you even if you cut my neck off…. They can’t harm you. Velke,you need to follow my order properly too.”

“But…”

“If Killatur decides so though I doubt he will… No, to be precise I want to show you that Killatur won’t go down that road.”

Velke looked like he was going to refuse my order but he reluctantly accepted it and he also promised he’d make sure the other demon would follow suit.

“Mao-kun…. No, Maou…. You’ve said this before, haven’t you. Conversation, conversation between demon and human.”

“Personally I’m… No, my ‘soul’ can’t stand seeing any bloodshed.”

“Even though you are Maou…. Haha…. Meanwhile I’m a Hero but I’m drenched in blood… In accordance with your wish, I am willing to have a conversation with you.”

“Thank you, Killa.”

“……….”

Killa had an expression as if he was holding in so much pain.

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I went deeper into the forest along with Killa and the others.

I raised my hand against the empty space and the illusion covering Maou’s Castle fell apart, revealing the castle in its entirety.

Killa appeared to be surprised when the castle appeared out of nowhere.

We went into the castle and Killa followed us while still keeping his guard up.

Me, Killa and Velke, who was carrying Lucis in his arms, were walking in the Maou’s Castle spacious hallway in that order.

Killa looked around nervously.

“This is Maou’s Castle…”

“Is it different compared to the previous Maou you’ve fought before?”

“That guy came to me out of nowhere so… But this castle is really spacious, huh… And…”

The children were hiding in the depth of the castle while the adults were on standby in the audience hall.

There was no sign of anyone in this empty hallway.

“Hah… Maou’s Castle looks splendid in accordance with my power. You must be surprised with how big this place is.”

“Umm… That wooden thing in the courtyard… Is it some sort of execution tool?”

“No? Those are flat pack desks that we specifically made so we can have something like a ‘camping vibe’ in the courtyard. About 100 demons can have an enjoyable barbeque in this courtyard.”

“The wooden part of the hallway is torn and has a lot of claw marks too…”

“Because we have a lot of feline demons. Of course we will need scratching posts for them. This castle is also furnished with a big cat tower.”

“And these objects that resemble a human’s skull…”

“Well to be honest I wanted to have something fancier but they said I need to be mindful of the dignity of Maou’s Castle so… We made a lot of them for decorations. The production process was directly supervised with a renowned craftsman so they look like the real thing, right?”

“….. Of course this hidden room that looks like a secret base is…”

“Ah, the children of this castle made that room with magic. Of course, it is their secret base. They hide their favourite toys there.”

“……… What about the execution place? Or…. Torture chamber…?”

“I’m not going to have such a dangerous thing in here. We have a lot of small children here. It’d be too dangerous for them, right?”

“Dangerous….”

“Of course we have training rooms to practice magic and other things to improve the castle’s defensive system. However we also have a large public bath for relaxing. We draw the water directly from a hot spring in a volcano using magic. There’s also stone sauna, heated swimming pool and lounge specifically designated as a nap room. We’ve only started maintaining the library and we already have a plan to increase the library’s collection from now on. Our big dining room is open 24 hours a day to ensure everyone working either morning,day or night shift can have their meal anytime they want. We have a wide variety of foods since we have demons from all ages and places. The recipes get passed around so…”

I boasted about the welfare program I was so proud about in Maou’s Castle to Killa.

“Of course everyone is free to use the facilities in this castle.”

“Ah… Umm… Wait, I’m still trying to understand the disparities between the image of Maou’s Castle in my mind compared to… This.”

Seemed like Killa was having mixed feelings in his heart.

The way he talked now resembled the Killa that used to talk with Mao rather than the ‘Hero’.

“Fret not, Killa. I’ve also created a place that will fit the image of Maou’s Castle that you had in mind.”

“Ooh…”

“We have a hidden treasure room. That’s the place where we put the castle’s assets. Of course I won’t tell you the location, it’s a secret after all!”

“Ah, okay…”

“Maou-sama… I don’t think that’s what the Hero is talking about.”

Velke, who had been quietly following us from behind, advised me with a complicated expression on his face.

“Speaking of danger, we have children and adults who can’t walk on two legs so we’ve taken precaution by making the castle barrier-free, you know?”

“Barrier-free….? I don’t really understand but now that I take a closer look, the woods are finely polished so there’s no splinter to be seen to prevent injuries when walking on it. The slope on the handrails are also properly installed…. Whoa, the corners are made with cushioning materials….”

“I’d feel bad if someone were to get hurt after all.”

“……. The design of this castle seemed to have taken a lot of consideration in various aspects compared to the castle made by human….”

“Fufu~ It’s because Maou’s Castle is responding to my magic power and soul~”

That’s why I want you to understand. I want you to see for yourself. I want Killa to understand 「me」 and I couldn’t get him to if I only talked with him. I need him to see. 

I want Killa to know about Maou’s Castle which reflects 「me」.

“Come, follow me.”

I opened the big door before me with a snap of my fingers.

In this spacious hall, all the demons that resided in this castle (except the children) were standing on the left and right side.

Fear, anxiety, disgust, hostility, hatred, everyone was staring at the Hero with various degrees of malicious feelings.

I had instructed the demons standing on the left and right to refrain from making a move on the Hero.

The sole of my shoes clanked against the floor as I walked.

I took a seat on my throne with Velke standing by my side.

Velke put Lucis down and the young velluclesis immediately tightly gripped the hem of Velke’s clothes.

Killa entered the hall and just stood there, watching me without moving an inch.

“Welcome, Killatur. Shall we begin our conversation as a demon and a human?”

“Yeah…”

And thus began the conversation between Maou and Hero.