We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Post-event cleanup is important.
After opening the Dragon King’s Inn in the forbidden territory and welcoming Shooting Star Sama and their entourage that same day, we’ve been living busy days for the first time in a while.
Rushing to the Dragon King’s Capital to defeat the assassin who attacked Meduria-san, or visiting a settlement to punish the Red Ogre race.
Now we’re back in the Dragon King’s Capital again, dealing with the aftermath.
In fact, aside from preparing to welcome the Red Ogre race, we had several other matters left unresolved.
First, one.
The renovation of the Lord’s mansion that I destroyed.
The Great Scythe Dragon Art itself only involves swinging a sharp blade, so it doesn’t affect a very wide area. However, this time, I imbued it with the power of the Giant Demon Lord. This resulted in a part of the Lord’s mansion being blown away!
And, another one.
This was a more serious problem.
In this incident, aside from the assassin Jumei, the Puppet King had interfered with us.
Furthermore, Grandpa Jangario, Zeke, and Forarde, who were supposed to have remained in the Lord’s mansion to confront Jumei, were actually kidnapped by the Puppet King. In their place, dolls created by the Puppet King were waiting for us!
In other words, even if we had gone to the underground treasure vault instead of directly to the office, we would have been caught in the trap laid by the Puppet King.
That aside.
Even after defeating Jumei and punishing the Red Ogre race, we were left with the difficult task of rescuing the three members of the Ten Clans.
It was the Giant Demon Lord who solved that for us.
It seems there’s some level of interaction between Primogenitor races. So, when the Giant Demon Lord sent an envoy to the Puppet King, surprisingly, he easily returned them.
Apparently, the Puppet King found hostages inconvenient and had no further use for them once one “puppet show” was over.
Furthermore, the Giant Demon Lord explained that the Puppet King preferred to prepare a new stage for fresh mischief rather than using kidnapped hostages for his next scheme.
Truly, Primogenitor races have such unconventional common sense!
As for me, getting caught up in it is nothing but a nuisance.
“I am deeply sorry.”
Grandpa Jangario, upon his return, apologized profoundly. However, even an experienced High-ranking Demon couldn’t contend with a Primogenitor race.
We were also toyed with by the Puppet King. Therefore, Grandpa Jangario and the others have no need to feel indebted. Rather, we are simply glad they returned safely.
And so, even though we were busy, we managed to resolve the issues. However, our busy days continued.
In fact, one more thing. In response to this incident, a new task arose.
Therefore, currently.
We have left the Dragon King’s Capital and are visiting the Demon Capital, where the Giant Demon Lord’s castle is located.
“To think the Demon Race’s country would be this prosperous…”
Of course, we’ve also brought Shooting Star Sama’s expedition party.
It is an important experience for them to learn about demon society.
Those five from Shooting Star Sama’s group were impressed and surprised by the Dragon King’s Capital before our departure.
“What magnificent cityscapes.”
“However, this capital was once ruled by the undead, wasn’t it?”
“And Elnea-sama purified it?”
“Elnea-sama can use purification arts?”
“To subjugate the assassin, the Red Ogre race… is Elnea-sama truly human!?”
Some of Shooting Star Sama’s group are misunderstanding, but we will clear up those misconceptions step by step from now on.
That aside.
Prompted by the Giant Demon Lord, we, along with the Ten Clans, visited the Demon Capital.
Of course, traveling by land would take too long, so we called upon those we could rely on.
“Yes, yes! The Ten Clans are on Lily’s back. If you don’t ride quietly, I’ll drop you from the sky!”
Thank you, Lily!
It seems the Giant Demon Lord kidnapped Lily, who was training under Old Man Sleigsta.
Old Man Sleigsta is probably furious right now.
I’ll apologize when I return the weapon later.
And so, the Ten Clans rode on Lily, while Shooting Star Sama and my family rode on Nimia to the Demon Capital.
Meanwhile, the Demon Lord and Ruilala used spatial transfer to return ahead of us.
Shooting Star Sama’s group seemed to fully enjoy their magnificent journey through the sky.
Nimia’s fluffy fur is comfortable to the touch, and the flowing wind and the scenery below are superb.
As we approached the center of the Demon Capital, the cityscape gradually became more splendid.
Many large roads ran vertically and horizontally, and the well-maintained cityscape continued endlessly.
The Shooting Star Sama group, who were impressed by the scenery of the Dragon King’s Capital, were beyond astonishment and speechless at the well-maintained city and its surroundings that spread out endlessly in the Demon Capital.
My family and I were also truly surprised when we first saw the scale and cityscape of this demon city.
In the world where humans live, demons and divine races are nothing but evil beings. In extreme terms, demons and divine races are extensions of monsters, yōma, and magic beasts, and therefore, humans did not recognize them as beings “the same as themselves” in the true sense.
However, as our opportunities to interact with demons gradually increased, and seeing the well-maintained territory spread out endlessly in this Demon Capital and its surroundings, we came to realize.
Demons are also “beings” who live in this world and cultivate civilization.
Demons and divine races are by no means different “beings” from humans. Rather, with superior intelligence, physical ability, and long lifespans compared to humans, they are in their prime.
I want Shooting Star Sama’s group to witness this “true form” of demons.
Not just as “enemies,” but as fellow “beings” living in the same world.
Of course, their ideologies and social structures are different, so I don’t expect them to understand and integrate, but I believe it’s important to first deeply understand the other party. This is the purpose of bringing Shooting Star Sama’s expedition party to the demon country like this.
Aside from these hidden reasons, the reason we were summoned to the Demon Capital is…
Believe it or not!
The Ten Clans are apparently going to be granted noble titles and ranks starting now!
Well, when I think about it, the Ten Clans, including Meduria-san, were managing the Dragon King’s Capital according to my wishes, but they weren’t technically nobles.
Of course, Meduria-san was a Baroness from the beginning, but that was during the era of the Fairy Demon Lord’s rule.
So, I suddenly had a question and asked the Demon Lord.
“Are ranks of nobility not bestowed by the true rulers of the demon race?”
The Demon Lord, before returning via spatial transfer, answered my question.
“Demon Lords, Dukes, and Viscounts, yes. But beyond that, we can bestow them freely. Of course, he can also personally grant ranks like Marquis or Baron, but there are no such special demons in modern times.”
Apparently, the noble ranks bestowed by the true ruler of the demon race are basically only related to Primogenitor races, and otherwise, the Demon Lord can freely bestow them in his own country.
Therefore, the Ten Clans are about to be granted noble titles.
We descend into the courtyard of the Demon Lord’s castle as if it were an everyday occurrence.
We exchange friendly greetings with Charlotte and the high-ranking demon officials who came out to greet us.
We’re beyond the acquaintance stage already. We don’t feel tense just because they’re demons, and they’ve recognized our abilities, so there’s no hostility.
However, Shooting Star Sama’s group was different.
“Fufufu. Elnea-kun. Shooting Star Sama’s group has fainted standing up!”
“Hah! I’ve seen this sight before!”
Even Shooting Star Sama’s group, who had been standing, couldn’t maintain their composure when suddenly dropped into the courtyard of the Demon Lord’s castle and surrounded by High-ranking Demons. My apologies. I should have been more considerate.
Moreover, not only Shooting Star Sama’s group, but all of the Ten Clans were frozen like stone statues with tension.
“Meduria-san, please rest assured. These demons are good people!”
“Elnea, Meduria is also a demon?”
“Mistral, that’s right!”
That’s right. In addition to the Ten Clans, Meduria-san, the lord of the Dragon King’s Capital, is also here at the Demon Lord’s castle.
Although she is recovering from illness and we didn’t want to push her, Meduria-san forced herself to come, believing she had to respond to the Demon Lord’s summons.
Meduria-san will apparently be promoted this time.
While her Baroness title is from the Fairy Demon Lord era, it will be retroactively recognized as her rank since the Giant Demon Lord’s occupation, making this a promotion.
“It was the country’s fault for leaving you unattended for so long,” the Demon Lord said, apologizing unusually.
And so, the lord of the Dragon King’s Capital and the Ten Clans will finally become formal nobles. This is wonderful!
Our entire family is here to celebrate. For this, I even had Nimia travel back and forth to the forbidden territory.
“Nyan.”
And, bringing the entire family means!
“Um, I want to play tag!”
“Hahaha. Priscilla-chan, maybe another time?”
Priscilla-chan, who is being held by Mistral’s hand to prevent her from running wild, looks around the Demon Lord’s castle with great interest, having not been here for a while. And the High-ranking Demons who meet her gaze avert their eyes, their faces twitching!
“Alright, we’ll have a celebratory game of tag later.”
“Elnea-kun, your inner thoughts are leaking out!”
“Hah!”
Oops, I slipped up. Seeing me chuckle sheepishly at Charlotte’s remark, Ruilala, who also came out to greet us, shrugs her shoulders.
“Elnea-kun always says you’re being toyed with by His Majesty and the Chancellor, but you’re toying with the high-ranking demons too, aren’t you? Perhaps that’s why the Demon Lord recommended you?”
“Ruilala, that’s just your imagination. And I’m not going to become a Demon Lord!”
“You say that after virtually eradicating the Red Ogre race, who are infamous even among demons?”
“Ugh…”
The Red Ogre race, whose profession was assassination, is extinct. Information has been manipulated to spread this in the world. In reality, they became residents of the Dragon King’s Capital, but if that were made public, foolish demons might bring assassination requests again. In exchange for their forgiveness, they will be responsible for guarding the Dragon King’s Capital and will abandon their assassination profession forever. That was the promise I made with the Red Ogre race. They are probably being taught various things by the Black Winged Demon Race in the Dragon King’s Capital right now.
“Is there no concern they might betray us?”
Ruiseine was worriedly asking. However, after being threatened so much by me, the Demon Lord, and Teruru-chan, and witnessing the clear difference in our power, I believe the Red Ogre race, living in the law of the jungle that is the demon world, will accurately assess the ruler’s power and their own abilities, and will behave themselves from now on. Of course, I absolutely detest relationships based on threats of force or fear, so I want to gradually deepen our fellowship and, in the end, become friends who can laugh together, just like everyone in the Demon Lord’s castle.
“Everyone, please come this way.”
Guided by a servant demon, we leave the courtyard. But I can’t just leave Shooting Star Sama, who is still unconscious and standing, or Meduria-san and the Ten Clans, who are stiff with tension, as they are.
“Isabel-sama, everyone, please try to hold on!”
“We are miko. Therefore, we should always behave with dignity, no matter the situation.”
Ruiseine and Madrine speak to Shooting Star Sama’s group.
“Hahahaha. Meduria-sama, are you alright?”
“We need to move quickly from here, or the Demon Lord will come to play.”
“We need to move quickly from here, or the high officials will become Priscilla-chan’s prey.”
“You’re right, just as Laira and my sisters said. The Chancellor has also come to greet us, so if we stand here indefinitely, it might be considered disrespectful?”
Laira, Yufilia, Nina, and Sefina encourage the Ten Clans.
And Mistral takes Priscilla-chan’s hand and enters the Demon Lord’s castle first. We need to give that young girl her snack quickly, or it will truly turn into a game of tag!
“Everyone, let’s go!”
I call out to everyone, spreading smiles.
The Demon Lord’s castle is safe!
Not all demons are bad. Still, it’s understandable to be scared, isn’t it? But rest assured, I guarantee everyone’s safety!
“Fufufu. For Elnea-kun to guarantee safety in His Majesty’s castle is quite an amusing story.”
“Is that so? It’s true that there are many powerful demons in the Demon Lord’s castle, but that’s precisely why I don’t think anyone will lay a hand on my family and acquaintances?”
In fact, Priscilla-chan has never suffered any harm even though she moves freely within the Demon Lord’s castle. Everyone knows she’s part of our family, right?
“That is indeed correct. If anyone were to lay a hand on Elnea-kun’s kin, the newly built Demon Lord’s castle might be destroyed again.”
“No, no, no! It was Charlotte who blew up half the Demon Lord’s castle last time! Besides, you were actually colluding with the Demon Lord even then!”
When Baltnowar was secretly active in the demon country, Charlotte, to deceive not only enemies but also allies, inflicted injuries on the Demon Lord and blew up half the Demon Lord’s castle. As they were recalling the events of that time, Shooting Star Sama’s group, who were finally starting to regain consciousness from their shock, were now speechless.
