Volume 8 - CH 7

For the time being, the demons’ discussion began to progress.

“The Demon King has returned to us. Then we should discuss the most important issue — how to deal with the human nation.”

Remzenel opened the fire.

“Oh, it’s a topic that was discussed sixteen years ago.”

“Avoiding… it can’t pass.”

“What’s going on with the hero? Nikuru Nora-dono”

When asked by the representative of the Three-Eyed Tria, the cat-man replied with an annoyed look.

“Nyah,  Let alone the Empire, I haven’t heard that kind of story from my compatriots who are in and out of the Southern Republic or the Northern Kingdom. However, I think it would be better to ask the Demon King about the Empire……”

I respond to the cat-man’s urging gaze.

“I haven’t heard any rumors about the hero either. Most people living in the empire think the legend of the hero and the demon king is a fairy tale.”

“Actually, about three years ago, a spy of the army under my control reported that a hero had been discovered in an imperial city.”

Edentrada’s unexpected words caused a stir in the main hall.

I remain silent and look sideways at the demon.

Remzenel said in a harsh voice.

“You have never said such an important thing…!”

“However,  It was concluded that the assassin we sent was missing immediately after, and contact with the spies was cut off.”

“Some kind of mistake, what exactly was the situation? Sir Edentrada.”

“Was the spy plotting to betray us…or was he lured into the bait of the empire. It wouldn’t be strange if artificial baits were prepared.”

Edentrada replied lightly to the representative of Tria.

“I see.”

Among the demons — Was the incident with Galeos and Cordell treated that way?

Remzenel denounces the demon while distorting the pattern on his face.

“Stupid…! What if it’s real!　The fact that the information is not coming out means that the empire hid it. If the hero has already been captured by the empire…”

“That’s convenient. There is no problem.”

The demon said to Remzenel who frowned.

“You have forgotten one important thing—a hero cannot become strong on his own.”

“…!”

“You need to challenge, defeat, and gain experience against strong enemies. It’s fine if you keep it a secret. As long as you can’t reveal it, you know how much you can fight. A weak hero shouldn’t be something to be afraid of.”

I cast my eyes down at the demon’s words. It was true.

Edentrada bares his teeth and laughs.

“That’s right, now is the perfect time! There is no room for discussion about how to deal with humans―――― Form the Demon King’s Army again and invade to regain the realm of our demons!”

“… Ridiculous. You should think about what to say.”

The person who said this with a sigh was the representative of the Tria.

“I dare ask, why now?”

“The Demon King has risen. What other reason do you need?”

“Are you saying it’s because there’s a Demon King?”

Three-eyed Tria said,

“It won’t make our soldiers stronger. It won’t increase our population. It won’t improve food, armaments, or finances.”

“…”

“Furthermore, in the past 500 years, the heroes and demon lords have become weaker in terms of fighting power. Both us and humans have become relatively weak due to the increase in population and the strength of the army. Since we didn’t attack until now, there’s no reason to attack at this opportunity. The existence of the demon lord is no reason to start a war――――We, the people of Tria oppose the invasion.”

“Gufu, Gufufufu… These weak people who don’t even have the strength to fight speak so proudly.”

The one who let out a terrifying laughter was the representative of the demon ogres.

“You guys just don’t want to be like last time, right? 　According to legend, it seems like they’ve chickened out for a long time…the people of the Three-Eyed Tria.”

The representative of the Three-Eyed Tria glared at him, but the demon ogre paid no heed.

“Except for the time when the Demon King was born, you three-eyed Tria have hardly crossed swords with humans… Paracellus, your words sound like a coward’s joke to my ears.”

“It’s rubbish. There’s no reason for the invasion…”

“There is a reason. That’s why we are all together now.”

The demon ogre said.

“Only when the Demon King is born, we can have a common king and form an army. Great war, we demon ogres will use our martial arts to our heart’s content.”

“No no no… can you please excuse me? War”

The representative of the beastkin interjected impatiently.

“Aren’t there many compatriots living over there? What is their position?”

“You can call them back to the land of the demons. To begin with, it’s strange to live in a human country…”

“Don’t say it so easily”

From the tone of the catman’s tone, the sound of asking about his mood disappeared.

“There are people in your village who make a living by mining gems and ores. Why do you think we can do that?” It’s thanks to the hard work of my fellow countrymen who live there that I’ve managed to find a market. Do you understand?　Human money has also entered the Demons’ territory. If you call back our fellow countrymen over there, it will all be lost. It’s going to happen.”

The catman said to the demon ogre who remained silent.

“Isn’t that right? 　You decided to turn jobless young men into soldiers anyway, so they could earn a living. It’s naive, It’s a wish for it to work out well. And also comrades… even if it becomes an invasion, we won’t bear any war expenses! We’ll be in trouble  if you expect us to! We beastkins are against war!”

“Fuh… that’s a miserable cat person’s opinion.”

The catman glared at the Dark Forest Elf from who let out a smirk.

“What?”

“It’s money, it’s a market, and I’m worried about my compatriots living over there… isn’t that all about you cat people?”

To the silent cat-man, the dark forest elf continued.

“As a commercial race, that should be fine. But what about the other races? Don’t the Rabbit people, who live by pastoralism, want to regain the pastures that were robbed by humans?　Now? The mercenaries and the dogs and werewolves who have no choice but to be your escorts want to achieve results on the battlefield in order to strengthen their independence as a race, don’t they?”

“…”

“The reason why you cat people are able to represent the beastmen is because you have a little more money than the other races. It’s a bit unreasonable to take your opinion as the consensus of the beastmen.”

Then the Dark Elf the Black Forest added as if in passing.

“We Dark Elves of the Black Forest are in favor of invading human lands. This is undoubtedly the consensus of the race.”

“We are against…”

It was the representative of the giants who said so.

His tone was gentle, but his voice was low and loud, and resounded well in the main hall.

“Fighting… it’s stupid.”

“Huh, that’s pretty cowardly. Ente goo.”

The Forest Dark Elf said with a smirk.

“In the last great war, all the giants fought bravely and achieved great results, didn’t they? Don’t you feel sorry for your ancestors?”

“The reason why we achieved great results was because we were placed in such a dangerous battlefield.”

The giant continues quietly.

“We are not good at deceiving others. We are blessed with power, but we don’t like fighting. We were tempted by other races…we were forced into a terrible battlefield.”

“Don’t go further than that. That would be a disrespectful statement for our ancestors who died on the battlefield.”

“Shut up, dark elf… we won’t take part in stupid conflicts anymore.”

Then, he looked down on the dark elves.

“Speaking of stupidity… you are too stupid, Dark Elves.”

“……what?”

“How long are you going to stick to your relationship with the Elves of the Forest?”

The eyes of the dark elf of the Black Forest became piercing, but the giant didn’t care.

“Your race… was divided. It was a very natural flow… that happened. Your relationship with others… is connected and separated due to various factors. Even if you try to force it back… It’s useless. Live long… when will you realize it?”

The dark elvf didn’t answer, but her sub-zero eyes spoke her intentions.

The three-eyed Tria said while the atmosphere inside the Seiden was tense.

“With this, it looks like there are 3 to 3 for and against. Remzenel-dono, the opinions of you divine demons will decide who will be the majority for the time being.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Remzenel.

“Gufu… I don’t think you’re going to say that the divine demons won’t fight? Remzenel”

“Think about it, brother. In the event of a war, this village near the empire may also be affected by war.”

“Uh, we are…”

Attracted by the demon ogre and the beastman, Remzenel glanced at Risolera, who had been silent for a long time.

However, the demon girl didn’t say anything and just stared straight ahead.

Before long, Remzenel squeezed out.

“We…just follow the will of the Demon King.”

“Huh? What are you saying?”

“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo”

Remzenel only made a bitter face when he was told by beastmen and demons.

Certainly, I wondered what he was saying.

To leave it to the Demon King is like saying that you have no will as a race.

“Then…it’s decided.”

The giant said.

“The Demon King… lived in the empire.”

“Don’t decide the will of the Demon King, Ente Goo.”

“Then… let’s ask him.”

In response to the protests of the dark elf,f Kuromori, the giant turned his attention to me.

At the same time, the eyes of the other representatives also gathered.

It seemed I had to say something.

Reluctantly, I let out a small sigh and opened my mouth.

“Whether it’s an invasion or maintaining the status quo…if they don’t come to an agreement, neither of them will do. Because it is none other than the people of the demon race who are heading to the battlefield.”

“However, Maou-sama.”

Said the great desolate Edentrada.

“Since you were born with a hero… Now is the time of war. We are already the demon king’s army. If you lead us, all races will obey!”

“Is that so?”

I say without changing my expression.

“Disarm the entire army and surrender to the empire obediently — if I tell you, will you obey? Lord Edentrada.”

The demon was at a loss for words.

I continue.

“That’s why i said that it can’t be helped if we don’t come together. This is an extreme example, but if things continue like this, no matter how you order them, there will be races that will rebel and defect. Like the the forest elves and the dwarfs last time.”

“…”

“If you can learn from history, you must first discuss it so that you do not make the same mistake. If I have anything to say, I will say it only after we have reached that conclusion.”

With these words, I got up from my seat.

“Where are you going, Seika-dono, ……?”

“That’s enough for today. We’ve been talking for a long time. It’s only the first day, so you should take it easy and get some rest.”

I replied Remzenel, and then muttered a few honest words.

“I’m tired too.”