We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The Investiture Ceremony.
We visited the Demon Lord’s Castle for Meduria’s promotion and the granting of titles to the Ten Clans.
I had thought it was solely about my own investiture.
However, upon entering the venue, I realized it was actually quite a grand ceremony.
A large number of demons gathered in the enormous audience hall.
A grand staircase was installed at the far end of the hall, with the Demon Lord’s throne placed on the highest platform.
Honor guards and royal guards were lined up along the stairs.
This was a deliberate display, showcasing the high-ranking subordinate demons as if to emphasize that strength is the absolute qualification for those of higher status.
Below the stairs, a large number of military officials were lined up on the left side.
Many of them were generals and military officials I hadn’t met before, likely from armies not stationed at the Demon Lord’s Castle.
Among them, Ruilala was lined up in the front row. Seeing him in such a clearly defined order of precedence, I was once again reminded that he is one of the Giant Demon Lord’s closest retainers.
On the right side, below the stairs, demons in what appeared to be civilian attire were lined up.
Here, I recognized quite a few faces.
However, this was only for those in the front rows.
As I looked towards the back of the lines, the faces became increasingly unfamiliar.
This made me realize just how high-ranking the individuals who had come to greet us in the courtyard were.
Behind the military and civilian officials who formed the core of the country, the nobles were lined up.
I assumed that the order reflected their rank, with those closer to the throne being of higher status.
Duke Cat Astel was positioned at the highest point among the nobles. Was it my imagination, or was he already creating alcohol with his material creation ability and drinking it? The surrounding demons looked utterly uncomfortable!
Unfortunately, I didn’t recognize many other demonic nobles.
It was understandable, as nobles with titles likely resided in their own territories most of the time.
Unlike the military and civilian officials, who wore uniforms of a unified style, the nobles’ line was a vibrant mix of individuals displaying various sensibilities, with some adorned in attire befitting their status and others, despite being in the rear, wearing extravagant clothing to show off.
Perhaps, they felt the need to flaunt their presence at such events to avoid being looked down upon by others and undermined.
Interestingly, demons who did not take human form were also clad in appropriate attire.
At previous banquets I’d attended, those who didn’t require clothing didn’t wear any.
However, for formal ceremonies like this, it seemed that wearing attire was a requirement for formal wear.
As we looked around the front of the audience hall, we found ourselves positioned behind these noble ranks.
It seemed this was the line for distinguished guests.
It was peculiar that the distinguished guests were seated at the back.
Ordinarily, distinguished guests would be treated with utmost care, so I would have expected a special section or arrangement for them.
But this was, after all, a demon country.
Strength was everything.
The Demon Lord had to demonstrate his power and instill awe in his subordinates. That was why the throne was placed so high, and why the military officials and guards were more prominent than the civilian officials.
By making formidable demons and powerful generals prostrate themselves, the ruler intended to display the Demon Lord’s fearsomeness to the guests.
Therefore, his own subordinates occupied the front, while the guests, for whom such a display of power was not as crucial, were relegated to the rear. This ensured that everything in the hall was undeniably visible to the guests.
And so, we found ourselves in the line of guests…
“Fufufufufu. Fufufufufu. Hello, Dragon King.”
“H-hello?”
Why was this?
My wives and Shooting Star Sama were lined up to my right, but at the very front of the guest section, there was an unknown young girl. She looked up at me and smiled charmingly.
However, I could only manage an awkward smile.
I had heard a voice similar to hers quite recently.
But this was the first time I was seeing its owner.
She was a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, possessing a perfectly doll-like appearance. She was about as tall as my chest. Her dark attire gave her an aura that could intimidate even high-ranking demons, devoid of a purely girlish demeanor.
“N-no way, Young Lady Elin!”
At my exclamation, not only the nobles in front of me but all the surrounding demons flinched and trembled.
“Perhaps we can’t say it’s our first meeting? Dragon King Elnea Eris. Could you please refrain from calling me ‘Young Lady’? I don’t particularly like it.”
“Hahaha. You look like a young lady, so I’ll keep calling you Young Lady Elin?”
Unconcerned by the surrounding tension, I smiled.
The surrounding demons were likely filled with trepidation.
Demons disliked being called by their names. Furthermore, I was addressing the Primogenitor Race by name.
What’s more, I was deliberately using her name even though she had asked me not to.
Yes. The girl standing before us was indeed the Puppet King Erin Veril!
…Why!
Why was the Puppet King attending the investiture ceremony as a distinguished guest!?
Alright, I’ll just ask her directly!
“Young Lady Elin, why are you here?”
At my question, Young Lady Elin gave a wry smile.
It seemed she was troubled by my persistent use of “Young Lady Elin.”
But I couldn’t help it!
The Puppet King had bothered us first.
Just as the Giant Demon Lord was displaying his dignity, I would also act in a way that wouldn’t be taken lightly.
“You are a troublesome one. However, I shall permit it. Fufufufu. I was invited by the Giant Demon Lord today. Please rest assured? I am not so foolish as to put on a puppet show here.”
“So, you’re saying that even Young Lady Elin is afraid of the Giant Demon Lord?”
That’s good news for everyone! I smiled at my family.
My family members all offered strained, wry smiles!
This was the troublesome Puppet King, and here I was, speaking so casually with her.
“Elnea, stop looking around so restlessly. And don’t talk to the Puppet King. The ceremony is about to begin.”
“Yes!”
Prompted by Mistral, who stood on the opposite side from the Puppet King, I straightened myself.
“His Majesty the Giant Demon Lord, His Glorious Arrival!”
As the announcement echoed, music filled the audience hall.
As the demons prostrated themselves, a dense miasma appeared before the towering throne.
In the darkness darker than night, purple lightning flashed. Then, from within the miasma, the Giant Demon Lord, clad in opulent blue attire, and Charlotte, in a yellow-themed outfit, appeared.
The Demon Lord slowly surveyed the audience hall and took his seat on the throne.
At this moment, the only ones not prostrating themselves were the honor guards and royal guards lining the stairs, some of the demons, and us.
Magnificent!
“What an insolent human, not prostrating before the Giant Demon Lord. Fufu. But it is rather charming.”
“You aren’t prostrating yourself either, Young Lady Elin?”
“I am not his subordinate, nor do I consider myself to be of a lower status.”
Young Lady Elin and I exchanged quiet words. My family, Shooting Star Sama, and Duke Cat Astel were also not prostrating.
Even Ruilala, at the front, was prostrating himself.
“All of you, raise your heads. And those of you standing, you are drawing far too much attention, so please take a seat.”
Charlotte on the platform caught my eye.
Remaining standing while almost everyone else was prostrating was indeed conspicuous. So, we took a seat.
Shooting Star Sama, enveloped in tension, seemed to follow our lead and sat down, rather than out of their own volition.
Of course, Young Lady Elin and Astel also sat.
“We shall now commence the investiture ceremony.”
The master of ceremonies was Chancellor Charlotte.
At Charlotte’s prompting, the grand doors of the audience hall, located far behind us, were opened.
Then, demons began to enter.
There are so many!
I had mistakenly thought this was a ceremony solely for Meduria and the Ten Clans. But the Demon Lord was looking out for the entire country, not just us.
It had been a short while since Kusharilla’s territory was officially brought under control.
Before that, Kusharilla’s former territory had been ravaged and left in ruins.
The Demon Lord intended to place new nobles there to solidify his rule.
This ceremony was for formally welcoming and granting titles to those who had distinguished themselves in the Giant Demon Lord’s country, as well as the surviving nobles from Kusharilla’s era, as his official vassals.
The true purpose of this ceremony was to solidify his rule, and the consideration for Meduria and the Ten Clans was part of that.
The demons entering the hall proceeded down the central aisle created between the nobles lined up below the stairs and prostrated themselves at the foot of the stairs.
By being positioned in front of the military and civilian officials, the entering demons were enveloped in the utmost tension.
The anxiety of Meduria and the Ten Clans’ backs was palpable.
As we watched, the ceremony proceeded.
On the platform, Charlotte called out the names of the demons.
Since Charlotte was a high-ranking demon, no one would dare to be displeased at being called by her name. On the contrary, being directly addressed by the Chancellor, a being of the highest echelon, only made the demons more nervous.
When a demon’s name was called, they stood up.
Then, one person from the civilian officials’ line stepped out and proceeded to the center below the stairs.
It was the Deputy Chancellor.
Next, the merits of the demon whose name was called were read aloud.
The first demon to be called was a large man.
It seemed he had steadfastly defended his territory during a prolonged period of conflict. It appeared he was to be promoted for this achievement.
After his merits were read, the Deputy Chancellor presented him with something akin to a medal.
The demon, receiving the medal-like object, was overcome with emotion, his shoulders trembling, and he prostrated himself deeply.
He then declared his future resolutions and stepped away from the line.
The demon who left the line rejoined the nobles’ ranks behind him.
I see.
We watched from the rear, observing the flow of the ceremony.
One by one, demons’ names were called by Charlotte.
Then the Deputy Chancellor would state their merits, bestow their titles, and they would join the nobles’ rank.
But Meduria’s and the Ten Clans’ names were not being called.
From what I could tell, they seemed to be called in order of the rank of the titles being bestowed.
If that were the case, Meduria, who was originally a baroness, would likely be promoted to count or something similar.
The Ten Clans might become barons?
However, their names were not called for a long time.
As time passed, almost all those lined up below the stairs had received their titles and joined the nobles’ ranks.
“Hmm, I have a bad feeling about this.”
Meduria and the Ten Clans remained.
Meduria and the others also seemed to sense something was amiss at being the only ones not called. This was especially true for Meduria, who was supposed to be promoted.
“Now then.”
After everyone except Meduria and the Ten Clans had received their titles, Charlotte uttered a voice that seemed to mark a pause.
Was it my imagination? She was looking at me from the platform and smiling!
Should I try to escape by spatial jump!?
“If you try to escape, I will take Priscilla hostage.”
“My thoughts are being broadcast to the platform!?”
The Giant Demon Lord, who had remained silent and motionless on his throne until now, said this and stood up.
Just that caused the demons who had raised their heads to prostrate themselves again. Charlotte then corrected them.
If everyone were prostrating themselves, no one would be able to witness the ceremony meant to display the Demon Lord’s majesty.
Perhaps showcasing the ceremony was more important than displaying his authority at this moment.
But I thought escaping was more important!
However, if I escaped, Priscilla-chan would become a hostage! …No, Priscilla-chan would probably be delighted to be captured by the Demon Lord.
After all, the Demon Lord spoils her!
She doesn’t have to study, and she doesn’t get scolded!
I couldn’t possibly hand Priscilla-chan over to an environment like that!
Still, I had a bad feeling if I didn’t escape…
Fufu, Charlotte looked down at me from the platform, a diabolical smile on her face.
She was truly wicked, just like the Golden One!
Charlotte narrowed her eyes further, smiling as she gazed at me.
Then, she read out the next name.
“Elnea Eris.”
“No, no, no!”
Why was my name being called!?
This was a ceremony for the investiture of demons, wasn’t it?
However, disregarding my inner scream, the Demon Lord’s voice boomed, unsparingly.
“Elnea Eris. Ascend to the platform.”
“Why am I the only one being called to the platform!?”
The ceremony was being held below the stairs.
Only Chancellor Charlotte, as the Prime Minister, was allowed on the platform where the Demon Lord reigned. Yet, I was being summoned there!?
“Mistral, is it okay to run?”
“No. What if Priscilla becomes the Demon Lord?”
“Ugh, that…”
“It’s alright. The Demon Lord is thinking of us properly.”
“Is that so?”
I felt like I was being toyed with again.
But since I had been directly called by the Demon Lord, I couldn’t ignore it. Priscilla-chan’s fate depended on it.
Grudgingly, I left the distinguished guest line and moved forward.
Demons who didn’t know me glared at me with murderous intent, thinking things like “How dare a mere human presume to step forward.”
Under those gazes and the curious eyes of the onlookers, I ascended the stairs.
And so, I reached the platform.
Standing before the Demon Lord, he smirked.
“Elnea Eris. I shall bestow a title upon you.”
“I don’t need it!!”
My instant refusal froze the venue for a moment.
Rejecting the will of the ruling Demon Lord would mean death for any demon. But I refused nonetheless.
I didn’t need a demon title!
Having already refused the Demon Lord’s seat, I certainly had no need for a title bestowed by the Demon Lord now.
“Listen.”
Then, the Demon Lord, who had read my mind, spoke in a voice that reached the far end of the audience hall.
“You were directly recommended for the Demon Lord’s seat by that person. You refused it. However, the Demon Country has its appearances to maintain. Your unfettered actions, despite your refusal to align with the demons’ will, impacts the pride of the demons.”
Certainly, it wouldn’t be right for me, a human, to move freely within the territory ruled by demons.
It would be like a Demon Lord moving freely in a human country. …Well, the person in front of me was indeed moving freely.
Regardless.
I understood what the Demon Lord was saying. But I still didn’t need a title!
“You, who refused even the Demon Lord’s seat. There is nothing I will bestow upon you now. However, those individuals are different.”
Saying this, the Demon Lord himself took out something like a medal.
It was a jeweled ornament, like a chest piece, inlaid with a vermillion gem.
“As their representative, I shall grant you a title. Elnea Eris. I welcome you to the Demon Country with the new title of Grand Duke.”
Grand Duke?
It was a title I didn’t quite understand, but I still didn’t need it.
Because, if I accepted a title, it would feel like I was pledging allegiance to the Demon Country.
However, the Demon Lord spoke, comprehending even my thoughts.
“Listen. In demon-controlled territory, it is troublesome to claim the title of ‘Dragon King,’ which belongs to the Dragon Race. Therefore, in the Demon Country, you shall be known as ‘Grand Duke.’ As I have said, this is a title, not a noble rank that entails responsibilities.”
“Ah, I see!”
It seemed I was still immature and inconsiderate.
That’s right. ‘Dragon King’ was a title of the Dragon Race.
This meant that if the Dragon King acted as he pleased in the Demon Country, some might interpret it as the demons having submitted to the Dragon Race.
So, this title was conferred for use in the Demon Country.
It was merely a title, carrying no rights or obligations like those of a Demon Lord or a noble would entail.
However, it held significance that the true ruler of the demons had bestowed a special title upon me alone.
In other words, to harm me, the Grand Duke, would be tantamount to challenging the ruler of the demons.
This title also served to make the demons aware of our special status, thus preventing frivolous disturbances in the future.
This was genuine consideration, thinking of the other party.
“In that case, I will accept it if it is just a title.”
I couldn’t refuse this.
If I refused, it would be seen as rejecting the intentions of the ruler of the demons twice, and I might not be able to remain in the Demon Country!
Upon my acceptance, the Demon Lord himself pinned the ornament to my chest.
And after my requirements were met, Meduria’s name was finally called.
Then, she was granted her noble rank.
The audience let out a considerable murmur as Meduria was bestowed the special title of Frontier Count.
“All of you, listen. Meduria shall be the Frontier Count, and the Ten Clans, her vassals, shall be Barons. These individuals shall serve as the Grand Duke Elnea Eris’s collateral nobles and be granted territory in the frontier.”
Further murmurs spread at the Demon Lord’s words.
As the Grand Duke, I would hold dominion over the Dragon King’s Capital. Meduria would become the foremost lord of the surrounding area, including the Dragon King’s Capital, with the Ten Clans serving under her.
From now on, as local nobles, the Ten Clans would not only need to manage the Dragon King’s Capital but also establish their own towns and villages within the territory granted to Meduria and manage those lands.
Furthermore, since the Demon Lord himself had publicly declared the concept of collateral nobility, Meduria and the Ten Clans were like family to me.
This meant that plotting mischief in the frontier territory, close to the Forbidden Land, would be an act of hostility directed towards me, the Grand Duke, as the patriarch of the family. And it would mean challenging the ruler of the demons who had bestowed the title upon me.
Whether it was the Demon Lord’s consideration or a scheme by the ruler of the demons, I would accept it willingly if it meant preventing further turmoil around us.
The Grand Duke, including myself, along with those who received titles, were met with thunderous applause and cheers.
You can easily express your support by clicking the heart. (Login required)
Support
Login if you have an account
Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu
