TN: Warawa (妾) is how a samurai’s wife would say “I.” It’s a classical female form, used by women to humble themselves before others. The kanji itself refers to a man’s non-primary wife or his mistress.
In short, it’s a super oldie way to say I or Me.
「…I’ve shown me how unseemly I can be.」
「N-No… It was originally because of my words…」
The Demon King’s room, which has managed to return to its original state… No, to be precise, the beast-eared onii-san who was laughing earlier was blown away by the Demon King and is missing, so there are now nine executives, but other than that, things are back to normal.
「…So, is there anything else?」
「Ah, yes. Then…what are your plans for the Demon Army in the future?」
I have to ask this.
Isuzu-sama said that she would move the Demon King’s army in the direction of attacking humans, but I don’t know if the Demon King agrees with that.
If she continues to defend exclusively, as she has up until now, I will have to retract my previous decision to join the Demon King Army.
Despite my mind, the Demon King, with a nonchalant look on her face, said,
「Oh, that. Isuzu-sama has given me an oracle to destroy humans, and I will follow it. I, too, am beginning to lose patience with humans. The timing is just right.」
「I’m so glad you did! Good…」
「Well, I know what the Lord wants. I also know about the『hero』thing and have told the executives here about it. Well, we will discuss that with the Lord in due course.」
You also knew about the hero?
The『hero』. A natural enemy of demon tribes with high potential and advantage against evil attributes.
However, this generation’s heroes are pitiful human victims who have been converted into living weapons to take full advantage of their high potential.
The only human I am trying to help.
Well, of course, if you try to harm my cause, I won’t hesitate to kill you.
「Is there anything else? If there is none, you may step back. Have Tiana show you to your room.」
「…No, there’s one more thing.」
The only question I had originally had was the one I just asked. I thought it would be enough to ask about the『future policy of the Demon Army』.
But when I entered this room, I had『two』questions.
One is…well, about the loli. And the other is…
「…What is your『race』, Demon King-sama?」
「…Hoo, I knew you’d notice.」
The moment I looked at the Demon King, I knew it was『yes』.
I am the『Vampire Princess』. Now that the『Lord』is dead, I am the one who should unite the vampire race
There is no way I would have missed it.
Yes, this person is definitely…
「You guessed it. This mistress is like the Lord…『Vampire』.」
◆◇◆◇◆
「Vampires. Once even called the rulers of the night, a fighting race loved by the night and protected by the moon…and just recently, they were destroyed by the humans, leaving only 2 people. Those two are…The Lord and the Mistress.」
「…Those bright red eyes and double teeth… No, even if they weren’t there, I could sense it.」
「So you are the『Vampire Princess』and you are strong enough to recognize your people… Right, Princess?」
「……Please don’t call me that.」
No, it is true that as a vampire of royal rank, I may be above the Demon King in terms of race!
「Well, in case you are wondering, I am a『True Ancestor』, so I am higher in rank than the Lord.」
Uh-huh, sure, I had guessed that too.
A『True Ancestor』is the highest rank of the vampire race, far above a『Vampire Lord』.
It is said that only one person in several thousand years can reach that level of existence, an extremely rare existence, and a being with power comparable to that of the『Founder』, the vampire who started it all, making it the equivalent of a living god for vampires.
But…I never thought I would meet my kind here, even though they are a higher species.
I thought it was a demon tribe or a devil tribe since it was called a demon king.
TN
「…Umm, I’m glad to hear that. That there was a kindred of mine here… To be honest, I thought all vampires were extinct except for me.」
「I thought so too. I was very upset when I heard from my lieutenants that the vampires had been destroyed… But Isuzu-sama told me about the Lord’s existence… I was happy too.」
Saying this, the Demon King stood up and slowly approached me.
With the power of the Demon King-sama, I would probably be crushed to death if he put a little force into it.
So I guess I was relaxed to the limit… At least I felt the Demon King-sama’s strength and the solid warmth of my fellow kin.
「…Yes, I am. Likewise, thank you for being alive.」
I returned it, holding back the tears that were on the verge of overflowing.
「…All right! Now, then, are we done?」
「Yes, thank you very much, Demon King-sama. From now on, I will make a lot of effort, cultivate myself, and one day, I will destroy the humans.」
「Good good, that’s the spirit. See you soon…Tiana, show her to her room.」
「I will. Come on, Lean-sama, this way.」
「Yes, thank you very much. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Demon King-sama.」
「Yes.」
Once again, I steeled myself.
I will destroy humans. For the sake of the demon tribe, for the revenge of my friends, and for…for the sake of the Demon King-sama.
How that person left the vampire village and why she became the Demon King are things I do not know. Maybe one day she will tell me, but at least I don’t know now.
But I do know that the Demon King-sama loved vampires and that she resents the humans for killing all the vampires except me. Then again, I also know that the king of all demonkind cannot easily step forward.
Then, as a kindred, I will kill the human instead of the Demon King-sama. I will take revenge on behalf of the Demon King-sama.
「Wait and see… Humans.」
「Lean-sama, you look very bad.」
…Don’t water it down at the end, Tiana-san.
◆◇◆◇◆
After Lean and Tiana had gone, I called back the Aron fool who I had just blown up with spatial magic, and discussed future strategies with the nine executives, excluding Tiana.
As a result, it was decided to remove Tiana from the front lines for a while and have her concentrate on Lean’s training. Lean’s talent is undoubtedly one of the five best in the Demon King’s Army. Even if we had one of our executives leave for a short period to train future executive candidates, it would pay for itself in the long run.
「…But is it really fine, Demon King-sama?」
「…What about?」
The one who made the mysterious statement was Aron Beastlord, king of the beastmen tribe, whom I had just blasted. Even in the demon king’s army, he is one of the best in close combat.
「What, are you trying to tell me that the attack was that good? I don’t know if that’s enough. One more shot…」
「Wrong! No, that’s not what I meant! You know…」
「…That’s your granddaughter, isn’t it? The girl from earlier. Didn’t you have something to say?」
Lean Bloodroad.
At just five years old, she slaughtered 21 humans in her hometown, making her a prodigy in battle.
And…A single seed of my daughter, Minea.
In other words, I am her grandmother.
……But.
「…It’s okay. I was supposed to be dead in the village, so she will be confused if I tell her.」
「…Really? Well, if you say so.」
…I wanted to say it right there.
I am your grandmother. That I am your family.
But I couldn’t.
I was afraid.『Why didn’t you come?』and『Why didn’t you protect my mother?』, the fear that I would be blamed… I was limited to hugging her without disguising my race.
(I really…I will always be a coward.)
Even though I thought that the bright girl would never accuse me like that, it was still not good enough.
So, at the very least, I would do my best to support her so that she could be strong and never die.
I believe that this will at least atone for the sins of my daughter Minea, whom I left behind in the village.
「…And the humans. I will surely make you pay for the crimes of killing my daughter, her husband, and despairing my grandchildren.」
「…Oh, you sure have a bad face.」
Aron said something so nonchalant, that I had to give him another fist bump.