Chapter 54: V4C3 – How Things Tangle

Heroes POV:

The weary faces of adventurers, knights, and soldiers alike melted into satisfaction upon entering the [Holy Kingdom]'s capital. They were greeted by family, friends, and comrades that made the fight worth it. Returning victorious with the heroes to boot, humankind had room to rejoice.

Nakano Ai looked around nervously, as she wasn't familiar with such surroundings like the others. The cheers of the masses were tolerable, like a concert. But, the imposing architecture, foreign faces, and casual use of magic were all a culture shock to her.

Anyways, as they approached the center, the important guests (heroes, Ai) were quickly ushered into the royal palace. The place where they first appeared when summoned...the one covered in glorious white, red, and gold.

Accompanied by various guards and servants, they made their way immediately back to a conference room. The unrelated people soon dispersed and what was left was the king, prince, princess, and the newly introduced party now at a table. The one with the 'highest' authority started with a deep bow,

"I've heard of your exploits during the battle from Gauss over there, it seems that you've saved us again..."

There was a hint of fear in his voice. The [Holy Kingdom] was so indebted to these existences, how would it affect the titles and holds of power? Would they just go back to their homeworld...would that be the end? What is the right path from here?

"Please raise your head..."

The atmosphere softened, prepping a long talk ahead.

"We just did what we had to do."

"We had our own reasons as well."

These words aren't completely empty but sound it. They often distance hearts instead of close them. The weight of circumstance is too much for someone in a royal's position...in this position. 

"Anyways, we have much to discuss..."

The door locked tight, and each side began talking about recent affairs. The state of the [Holy Kingdom] since the heroes left and after the [Curses], the part where saving [Orvinus] would prevent [Second Contact] (- time travel), the experience of war on the Holy Front and the [Cursed One]'s demise (aid of Aki who became the [Demon Lord] prompting more talk later). This necessary check of information, for the ones who they have responsibility for, was carried out.

The doors open after the chat, and besides Thouria and Gauss...the heroes make their exit.

---

Upon exiting the private space, they're soon interrupted by a chubby, large-nosed man dressed in extravagant clothes. His cuffs are all frilly and a large crested jewel is plastered to the top of his shirt.

"Oya oya, well if it isn't the heroes. Did you finally finish the matter you were speaking of? Those [Curses] or whatever..."

Ayame once told Aki that when they were leaving for the front lines, nobles kept trying to talk to them...this is one of those.

"Ahaha...Ronald-san, yes, we've just finished speaking with the King about it."

"So, it's that important of a matter? Those beasts that even a modest adventurer can defeat? I'm sure my private army would've fared fine."

He snickered stupidly. It's obvious that he was in a position far...far away from the battle.

"Oi, you cr*ppy old man, if you have a problem then out with it!"

Tatsumi doesn't get subtlety.

"I don't have anything against the heroes no, in fact, I'd love to build relations with you! So, how about it Suzuki-sama? Have you decided to marry my son yet?"

Ronald also dropped subtlety.

"How many times do I have to tell you no? I have no intention of doing that."

Political/arranged marriages in [Orvinus] are common, and the status of men and women is skewed as opposed to modern Japan. Most nobles also get their way when it comes to using their children to further their networks. But, to the heroes who just came out of a way more technologically and ideologically advanced world, the notions these nobles continued to advocate were simply sickening.

They strayed away from such affairs in their last time here by focusing on their goal and raising fighting power. 'Mindless' and 'evil' demons aren't as messy to deal with after all.

"Is that so? How unfortunate, he's about to graduate the [Academy] with some of the highest scores the school's seen in years!"

Ronald tries to appeal again. The [Academy], a private school in the [Holy Kingdom] that houses all the budding talents of humankind - or so it is said. Most are nobles, but commoners can get in on scholarships. It's the setting for a thousand otome games and fantasy novels. Well, our characters probably won't go there...

"I see. In that case, I still refuse!"

Ronald, getting fed up with unexpectedly vehement resistance, put on a business smile which was actually a kind of an awkward smirk. He then gently breezed past the group after a few weak leaving remarks.

"What's up with him."

They muttered behind his back.

"I wonder how the son feels about all of this..."

"Nobles in this world are rotten, light novels were right."

"Well, let's leave depressing thoughts aside and lay back a bit. We have some freedom, so let's do what we want to do."

"Ou!"

Heroes, children, powers.

---

Aki POV:

We returned from the battlefield and I adjusted to my position within the [Demon Lord's Castle]. Some time has passed, but I still can't help but admire the structures of [Orvinus]. Really, what a feat of engineering this is, it's way bigger and grander than anything built in the medieval ages. It's most likely because magic helped to create this. I also guess it's still up since we saved the world! Anyways, upon returning from the [Cursed One], I can't casually go outside to the territory to sightsee more of the world since:

Case 1: "It's Aki-sama! Everyone bow!"
Case 2: "It's a human! Capture it!"

I can't disguise my presence, only my appearance (at best skewing it with mana). Since the mana detection rate for demons is pretty high, I'll get recognized by any competent person even if I try to hide. There is a [Hide Presence] spell, but I don't know if that would work for my high mana...the God of Destruction said something about a lot of spells not working for me. [Senzai Kaihou] is great so I'll just take it and be grateful.

Anyways, it's not like I particularly want to go outside...I just want to go home! Give me back my normal life! Yoru looks over at me accusingly. I avoid Yoru's dead eyes and stumble upon Edgar, who also looks over, but expectantly. I guess he wants me to help him with that pile of paperwork... I read the letters, translated by [Language Comprehension], with my far-seeing mana eyes...

"Taxes...military organization...policy reform...no thanks!"

I didn't come here to run a nation! I'll leave it to you Edgar! Now he's looking over at me accusingly. But, servants can't be vocal to their lord! I'll leave my responsibility on the floor and let it sit. It won't go anywhere. I'm a pathetic bum? Ok. Suddenly,

"Aki-sama!"

I turn to the loud and quivering voice.

"Riordus?"

Riordus was accordingly promoted to commander of the [Dark Knights] unit since he was the most talented after his brother.

"What is it?"

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He hands me a small plate of indescribable material. This is...?

"It's dwarven made--the magic formation there too. It was addressed directly to you."

Dwarves? The [Orvinus] dwarves specialize in magical technology...and reside mostly underground. What in the...

"..and this seal, is from the [Dwarf King]!"

I've met the King of the [Holy Kingdom], the former [Demon Lord] of the demons, the [Spirit King]...the [Dwarf King] is next...

"[Dwarf King]...what kind of person is he. Why would he send this?"

Those were rhetorical questions. I quickly shoo everyone out of the room, go to pick up the left plate, and examine the formation. I can't wrap my head around it but it seems Yoru finds it familiar. How much effort would it take to transport this thing here...

"It's similar to that Lovet's [Broadcast]..."

After Yoru described it in overly complicated terms, I deduced that it's like a virtual connection of sorts for a video conference? After a time, I fully acknowledged the function. Just run mana through and...here! Oh, how easy. I take a breath a mentally ready.

"We're connected."

A desktop-sized screen was revealed in front of me. It seems that this meeting has the time limit set until the plate materials burn out (from being injected with mana) and takes the mana formation with it. It's a natural timer using mana as a fuse...

I stare at the screen to see two faces giving differing impressions back while gazing me up and down. The first, on the left, is presumably the [Dwarf King]. He has a rugged beard and is clearly...short. Only his body is visible and there is no background, I guess it's the same for all of us. He wears heavy armor and bears the eyes of an eagle. Next to him, on the right, is beauty incarnate. Lengthy blonde with pointy ears, tall, in a goldish green dress heightened by elegancy. Lustrous jewels were plastered on her neck, hands, ears, and hips. Golden eyes popped through like a queen. The [Elf Queen].

I've heard from Sino, the heroes, and Edgar about the basic everything of [Orvinus]...the [Elf Queen] Silvia is one of them. Since elves, like demons, can live a longer time than dwarves and humans, their queen is obviously ancient. The appearance of such a woman is in no way old though. Perhaps it's illusion magic, but my mana eyes can't discern that from this distance through a 'conference call.' The [Dwarf King] Yugriv begins,

"Are you the new [Demon Lord] Aki?"

"Uh...yeah that's me."

I take a seat in a more comfortable position and adjust the angle of the withering plate better.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, I am the [Dwarf King] Yugriv."

He waits.

"...and I am the [Elf Queen] Silvia."

"We heard Vetheris was defeated by [Ervia]'s blessed...but to think that a new [Demon Lord] would be birthed so soon. The God of Destruction must've risen in power..."

Silvia,

"So, Aki, we've heard of your exploits in the battle of the [Curses]. I have to say, my opinion of you has gone up in that regard."

I turn my head questioningly.

"Eurevos-sama and in turn the spirits were concerned about the otherworldly threat despite their low combat prowess. I've seen for myself their numbering strength. It was the right call to end it fast."

I nodded in agreeance. The [Dwarf King] pressed,

"But, that's a different matter entirely. The reason we've contacted you in this hasty manner is to determine you."

"Me?"

"Vetheris wouldn't lay hands on the other races except for humans...it seems his hatred was burning. Are you the same? Do you carry that same sentiment? I doubt you'd take the appearance of a human or prioritize the [Curses] in that case though..."

"That's right, I don't hate humans and I don't have any intention of hurting them..."

"I see, a strange one has taken the throne. In that case, what are your actions from now on to ensure relations between the two?"

I haven't thought about that...I've just been thinking about when I go back to Earth. But, what does that have to do with you? Nosy!

"Uh..."

I stutter. I have nothing. Watching my sad figure for a bit, Silvia finally responded,

"Eurevos-sama was interested in you, but I don't see why. To be honest, I was hoping for a bit more..."

Reality cuts like a knife. It's true that I don't have that sense of patriotism or nationalism. I don't have the skills to maintain my ideals through others either. I'm only one unit that can fight well, where I shined in the light of the [Curses]. But behind the scenes, I see I'm weak in all sorts of ways.

"That may be true, I might not be a good [Demon Lord] that can make this place prosper..."

I acknowledge it...do I?

"..."

"...but they'll be fine on their own. There are tons of capable people all around. In the first place, I only came to stop the [Curses]. I don't have any ill-will to humans...in fact, I'm one myself! I'm from another world anyways, what responsibility do I have to the people here?"

I spoke my case, my selfish, escaping case.

"..."

"I'm disappointed, [Demon Lord]...no Aki. You have no right to be here. Go ahead, leave this world and drag the demons to ruin. Well, it's better for me since the demons won't be assaulting us."

They look at me expectingly.

"Of course, I wouldn't attack your nations for any reason. I'm a pacifist."

Pacifist huh...

"I've heard enough, Yugriv, I'm leaving."

Yugriv gave a slight nod of approval and Silvia dipped. I was getting a bit defensive. I look to Yugriv only to see him sigh and leave as well. I wonder what expression I'm wearing.

Then, I was alone in the room. The plate burst into dust and the soundless night grew in my chest. My face was undeterminable. I didn't ask for this...I can't be wrong...right?

Yoru looked on.

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