Chapter 8 – The Unveiling Party Day

【Prison Realm Ifgarde】… that’s the dominion space I got as demon king apparently.

‘There are various things you can do there… but you can’t enter until your demon king level rises a bit more so let’s set it aside for now. I’ll talk about Demon King Talent 《Goetes Talent》 when the time comes. More importantly Deil won’t you tell me your circumstances?’

“My circumstances?”

‘Yes. You were emitting such twisted waves something must be bothering you? We share the common goal of reviving Demon God Dalzasurfi. I won’t skimp on cooperation?’

Not like consulting Mirea Moon will change anything… but I did want someone to listen.

I tell her about my situation.

‘I see… people are foolish no matter the era.’

“Hah… from what perspective…?”

‘But if that’s the case isn’t this the time to act like a demon king?’

With that Mirea Moon hops onto the desk bringing her eye level close to mine.

‘Bring out World Staff Milusvein and access it again?’

“Ah yeah… Ryuzu”

The white staff appears in my right hand. Focus consciousness to access World Staff Milusvein and a screen projects before my eyes.

‘Current Demon God Medals are ten right?’

Check and sure enough current holding is listed as ten. Seems newbie demon kings start with ten Demon God Medals.

‘Demon God Medals have various uses but let’s use them to learn magic right away. What magic can you learn now?’

“Um… these.”

Currently learnable magic totals four. They display on the screen.

〇Magic Spear 《Larvas》

〇Magic Barrier 《Sild》

〇Magic Staff Light Blade 《Seivas》

〇Enchant Magic Blade 《Blade》

(Among these the one especially excellent in attack power is Magic Spear 《Larvas》…)

As the name says it hurls spear-shaped magic at the target.

Totally feels like magic…! W-wanna use it…!

I briefly tell Mirea Moon about the four magics.

‘Then let’s learn that Magic Spear 《Larvas》 right away.’

“Eh… no but learning it uses all ten Demon God Medals…”

‘Necessary expense. Current Deil is too unreliable as demon king. We need to save Demon God Medals for Demon God Dalzasurfi revival but using them moderately to grow as demon king is important too.’

That apparently leads to saving Demon God Medals more efficiently.

Like in games buying high gear early means no weapon swaps till midgame and easier enemy kills that nuance huh.

Anyway as demon king newbie I follow Mirea Moon’s advice consume Demon God Medals to learn Magic Spear 《Larvas》.

(With this I’m in the magician club too huh…)

Never thought I’d learn magic this way.

But Brother Edward had magic to blow away mansions. Compared to that I haven’t gained power enough to call demon king yet.

“So… learned it but will this handle things…?”

‘Yes. Tomorrow’s the unveiling as territory lord right? We have bait called Randolph… let’s use that bait to grow your demon king influence.’

For tomorrow’s unveiling I get several proposals from Mirea Moon. Some make me think but I quickly ditch hesitation.

Yeah… from now on I gotta protect my position with my own power. The territory lord position I got and demon king position too…!

Can’t ditch these easily and above all I can’t endure staying weak like previous life…!

For that I have no hesitation prioritizing my convenience. Territory lord and demon king… swallow both “positions” and I’ll keep strong position in this fantasy world…!

…Well if I can’t keep demon king position my body explodes though.

■

I Liluarfe was heading to the capital of Grafald Autonomous Territory.

Reason is to attend new territory lord Deil’s unveiling as proxy for my father who can’t move due to leg injury.

(Father injuring himself at a time like this…)

For the unveiling representatives from the four noble houses representing Grafald Autonomous Territory have gathered.

But including me everyone’s intent on assessing the man called new territory lord Deil.

Randolph seems already moving… but no one’s sworn loyalty to Deil enough to stop his moves. Including me probably watching Randolph’s actions for now.

This situation’s unavoidable in parts and I sympathize with Deil a bit… but.

(Originally next territory lords Cardon-sama and Edward-sama couldn’t ignore relations with us so they moved properly while alive…)

So to speak the four noble houses had built relations with those two somewhat. But no house has deep ties with Deil.

That’s why no one tries to stop Randolph’s actions.

Follow the guide through the wide mansion toward the unveiling venue. Then someone calls out midway.

“Hey Liluarfe-dono. How’s your mood?”

It’s Randolph approaching. He crawls his gaze over my legs chest and face.

We stop to converse with him.

“…Normal. You seem in quite good mood yourself?”

“Huh… you can tell? Starting today Grafald Autonomous Territory’s history changes.”

Randolph had internally proposed that after this he’ll denounce new territory lord Deil so join in. I decided to ignore without replying.

No need to ask father. First if Randolph moves then watch how new territory lord Deil responds.

For us too chance to assess the man Deil with little info.

Here Randolph closes distance and whispers.

“About that proposal… thought about it?”

“I did think. How about I watch your performance first?”

Answer that we won’t move actively from here. To this reply Randolph deepens his smile.

“Depending on situation I can expect your help right?”

“Your call.”

This is a lie. More accurately it depends on new territory lord Deil.

Some rumors say the man Deil lounges on his position playing with maids.

If he’s really a man spoiled by territory lord’s son status just fooling around… then as Shadima house overseeing south I’ll have things to consider.

To begin with a man with commoner mother who didn’t get proper ruler education… clearly inferior in ability to me worshipping him as territory lord I feel strong resistance like murder.

That said I don’t want the autonomous territory in turmoil. Starting internal strife in this delicate time and big countries interfere instantly.

The two big countries haven’t fully given up this land yet.

“Hmph… arrogant woman as always. But depending on things I might become territory lord. If you wag tail to me now’s the time?”

“…You serious?”

“Of course serious. Talked with Deil a foot ahead yesterday but he’s no territory lord material. Stop expecting.”

“…………”

That statement originally disrespectful but… new territory lord Deil’s the kind of man to make Randolph say that huh.

And the four noble houses have territory lord blood from long history. In a way spare roles if something happens to Grafald house so bloodline-wise Randolph as territory lord does have legitimacy.

…Whether to obediently follow is another story though.

“How about it? If I become territory lord I could take you as concubine? You were candidate for new territory lord’s concubine originally right?”

Nearly swung hand but hold back. Previous territory lord Jost-sama was special but delving Grafald Autonomous Territory history it’s not rare.

Custom for territory lord to take wives from each two big countries. And separately sometimes daughters from four noble houses marry as concubines.

Born children often raised as concubine noble house’s not Grafald house’s. Thus blood mixes between houses and easier to maintain strong magic.

Me having no fiance till this age as Randolph says because father considered me for next territory lord’s concubine.

Though with changed circumstances father seems no intent now.

“Your attitude’s bad but face and body build no complaints. And bearing my child considering magic balance not bad for Shadima house? If you want I’ll do you tonight so cleanse body.”

With that Randolph heads to unveiling venue with attendants.

That guy… those words serious huh… If this was on ship with no one around I’d drop him in sea…!

“Yare yare the young master lord’s in a hurry huh.”

“I hate that guy~”

Turn back and two people stand there with somewhat troubled faces.

Plump man is current head of Raizon house overseeing west Koltsman. Small girl is daughter of Eckelun house head overseeing north Jerick Armates.

“Well Deil-sama hasn’t built relations with us till now so…”

Koltsman strokes beard gazing at shrinking Randolph’s back.

Armates sways bright orange hair floating in air.

“Long time Liluarfe-chan.”

“Yeah long time Armates. Jerick-dono is…?”

“Still obsessed with mountain digging. No interest in this unveiling told me go play casually.”

In my case participating as proxy because father injured leg… but Eckelun house circumstances differ again huh.

In the end heads participating only Raizon and Turmakas houses. Such a new territory lord unveiling this is totally shapeless.

“You two got proposal from that young master too right? What you gonna do?”

“I got no interest in that. People who wanna fight fight? Like that?”

“I won’t ride lightly either. …What about you Koltsman-dono?”

Receiving my probing gaze Koltsman shakes head side to side.

“As head I only wish autonomous territory’s peace. Don’t wanna make reasons for big countries to butt in recklessly.”

…Statement that can be taken either way.

Sounds like accept current territory lord and also to repel big countries’ interference if needed other suitable person as territory lord fine… seems like thinking that.

“But whoa didn’t expect Jost-sama’s third son as new territory lord~ What’ll happen to Grafald Autonomous Territory from now?”

“Well… I haven’t talked to him so can’t say yet. Anyway standing talk and late to unveiling bad. Let’s head too shall we.”

Prompted by Koltsman we enter venue. And move to positions before territory lord’s chair.

Soon servant raises voice.

“New territory lord Deil-sama has arrived!”

Appearing is a young man somehow sullen and grumpy. Behind follows a glossy black cat.

Pet…? Seems quite attached though…

He moves straight to chair front and sits down. Then turns gaze to us lined up.

“Good you gathered. First can I ask self-introductions? Since first time… still faces and”

“May I Deil-dono!”

Despite Deil talking midway loud voice is Randolph. Wondered when he’d strike but this soon…

But perfect. Let’s watch new territory lord Deil’s performance.

“What Randolph. Don’t recall allowing you to speak.”

“Your permission unnecessary! Since what I wanna appeal here is whether Deil-dono has qualifications as territory lord!”

With Randolph’s statement air changes tense.

We who got prior proposals aside for surrounding people Randolph’s words water in sleeping ears.

“Deil-dono… no Deil! You have no qualifications as territory lord! If you wish Grafald Autonomous Territory’s survival yield that seat to suitable person now!”