Mayuten ~The Demon King and the Hero Reincarnated as Twin Elementary School Students~ - Volume 4 Chapter 12
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- Volume 4 Chapter 12 - Epilogue
Epilogue
The Beginning Named ‘The End’ of Two Worlds
More than a year had passed since the day of reincarnation—no, the incident of exchange to Japan.
In a chamber of the building once known as the Grand Cathedral, now referred to as the Unified Royal Palace, I was engulfed in ceaseless paperwork.
In this world, over four years had gone by since the final showdown between the Demon Lord and the Hero.
Among those years, had been spent with Kageyo and Isumi serving as the Demon Lord and the Hero, working towards achieving peace among the different races.
Yet, true peace remained elusive.
Now returned to our original bodies and world, my task as the former Demon Lord and Heroine Shirene was to become a guiding symbol, leading the people.
And so, half a year ago, I found myself crowned as the king of not only the demon race but of all races—the Unified King.
Considering that I had led a battle, then spent three years as an ordinary schoolchild in another world, my qualification for such a role was dubious at best.
In fact, I had declined numerous times, but against the arguments, especially Eleanor’s ‘In this case, refusing would be irresponsible,’ I had no choice but to accept.
Now, with the aid of the former Heroine Shirene and Eleanor, I tackled daily issues as the king.
After all, it wasn’t long ago that our world was on the brink of all-out war between the races. And with the fall of figures like the Grand Abbot, the human race even lost its cornerstone of faith.
With all this, it was inevitable that issues would arise.
Just today, I had received a headache-inducing report of a major city in the west falling under the control of a massive band of thieves.
As I pondered these matters, a knock resounded at the door.
“Your Majesty, it’s Barrier. I’ve brought tea and sweets.”
Standing on the other side of the door was Barrier, the son of the Demon General Sekares.
Currently, he held a position akin to my attendant.
“Of course, thank you. You can come in.”
“Yes, however…”
Hmm? Is something the matter?
I rose from my seat and opened the door.
There, Barrier stood, struggling to balance a large tray with both hands, wearing a somewhat troubled expression.
Ah, I see, it would indeed be quite a challenge to open the door with his hands full like that.
“Thank you.”
With a wry smile, I invited him inside the room.
Barrier placed the tray on the desk and bowed his head.
“I’m sorry…”
Barrier was brimming with apologies.
Well, considering he had been made to open the door for his master, it was only natural for him to feel this way. If he didn’t even feel apologetic about it, he might truly be a problem child.
“Don’t worry about it. There’s an issue with the kitchen staff who made you carry all of this too. But more importantly, as I’ve said before, I’m not just a Demon Lord now, I’m also the Unified King.”
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
Barrier’s expression grew even more apologetic.
“…I’m just useless after all.”
“No one’s saying that.”
“But compared to Lady Eleanor…”
Eleanor was a prodigy.
At not even ten years old, she was at the top of magical studies and held a position of consolidating opinions from a diverse council of ministers.
To be honest, it’s unbelievable.
One might even start suspecting that she was a reincarnation of some ruler or scholar from another world. She denies it, and there’s a surprisingly childlike aspect to her, so she’s likely a true prodigy.
“Compared to such a prodigy, I’m still far behind.”
I said with a wry smile.
In terms of ability alone, Eleanor should be the Unified King, not me.
However, to keep the demons in check, the title of ‘Former Demon Lord’ is necessary for the Unified King, and to keep the humans in line, it’s necessary to have ‘Former Hero’ right next to it. That’s an undeniable fact.
“Alright, how about some snacks? Barrier, help yourself too.”
Barrier’s face lit up with excitement.
“Is it okay?”
Kids really do love their snacks, after all.
“Sure.”
“But, Your Majesty—no, the Unified King—is sharing these snacks.”
“I’m an old man, unlike the likes of me, who won’t indulge in sweets like this. If anyone complains, just say it’s a taste test or something.”
“Yes, thank you.”
For an 8-year-old boy, the allure of sugary treats was hard to resist. He eagerly popped them into his mouth.
While it might not be entirely fitting for a palace attendant, his cuteness outweighed that concern.
Just as I was about to get back to my paperwork after he finished eating, the room’s door was knocked once again.
“Unified King, may I come in?”
It was Eleanor ‘s voice.
“Sure, the door’s unlocked.”
Eleanor entered the room.
“Sure. But why is Barrier still here? Did you get more snacks again?”
“…It was just a taste test.”
“That’s such a lame excuse… Well, if it’s fine with the Unified King, then it’s fine. Anyway, Unified King, the Minister of the Right is causing trouble again. Please handle it.”
“Again, huh…”
The Minister of the Right refers to Shirene, the former Hero.
Officially, she holds the position as the number two after the Unified King.
With a sigh, I made my way to Shirene’s room.
Eleanor and Barrier, for some reason followed.
Shirene’s room was a mess with scattered papers. In the midst of it all, Shirene lay sprawled out.
Holding my head, I spoke.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“I’ve had enough. I’m quitting this job!!”
“That’s not possible…”
“I get itchy all over when I do paperwork!!”
That’s certainly an odd physiological reaction.
By the way, even though we call it paperwork, what she’s really doing is studying. She can’t be a minister if she can’t even read the characters of this world.
After a year of study, she seems to have reached a point where she can read and write the minimum characters required, but her academic abilities are still far from suitable for a minister.
“Hey, how about you be my tutor again?”
Shirene pleaded almost in tears, but of course, I declined.
“Being the Unified King is different from dealing with elementary school students. Do I even have that kind of time!”
“Then maybe Eleanor…”
“I’m even busier.”
Should I seriously consider getting someone else to be a tutor? We’re really short on personnel though.
“Ugh, fine! In that case, I have a suitable task for you.”
“?”
“It seems the western city is facing a large-scale thief problem. Go and take care of it.”
Shirene’s face brightened up.
“Really? I mean, can I really avoid paperwork?”
“Yeah, take a few soldiers with you.”
“Got it! Hehe, wait for me, you thieves. Hero Shirene is on her way!”
With those parting words, Shirene dashed out of the room.
Watching her go, Barrier and Eleanor exchanged exasperated glances and remarked,
“Is it really okay to be so thrilled about a city being attacked by thieves?”
“I agree, but if she keeps bottling up stress like that, she might develop a hole in her stomach. So, maybe it’s not such a bad thing?”
Listening to the lighthearted conversation of these two kids, I couldn’t help but wonder how the twins and Hikaru are doing in Japan.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
It was March, the year the era changed from Showa to Heisei.
Myself – Kageyo Kamiya, and my twin sister, Isumi Kamiya, had our last day of elementary school. In other words, we were about to graduate.
When we got home, Hikaru rushed up to us.
“Congratulations on your graduation, Kageyo big brother and Isumi big sister!”
Isumi and I responded to Hikaru’s cheers.
“Thank you, Hikaru.”
“Starting next month, You’ll be going to school all by yourself. Are you okay?”
“Of course! I’m already a second grader. I’m not a kid anymore.”
I think second graders are still kids, though. I’m a little worried, but more than that, I’m a bit anxious about becoming a middle school student next month. Will I be able to keep up with my studies?
Isumi and I didn’t attend the latter half of fifth-grade classes in reality, but Kimijima sensei taught us individually. Despite looking kind, that teacher was unexpectedly strict.
When the Demon Lord and the Hero returned to their world, Kimijina sensei made the decision to stay in our world. Even though she had the memories of Eleanor’s mother, she said she was still Haru Kimijima.
I don’t quite understand it, but the Demon Lord said, “If that’s what Sensei wishes, then I think it’s the best.” Eleanor might have been in a tough spot, but she’s really strong, so I think she’ll be fine.
While I was lost in thought, Isumi spoke up.
“What’s wrong? You’re spacing out or something? Can you handle being a middle school student like that?”
“I was just thinking about what Eleanor, Barrier, the Demon Lord, and the Hero might be doing right now.”
“Well, who knows. We’re just regular elementary school kids at the moment. Next month, we’ll be just regular middle school students. We’re neither heroes nor demon lords anymore.”
“Yeah, I get that, but…”
The days we spent as heroes and demon lords are treasures to us.
But we can’t go back to that world anymore.
We’re going to become middle school students in Japan, then high school students, adults, work, get married, have children. That’s the life we’ve chosen.
“More importantly, I’m worried about something else.”
“About middle school?”
“No, it’s about Dad’s job.”
“Well, it seems to be going really well right now.”
“Almost too well. Some economist somewhere said, ‘This economic boom will eventually burst.'”
“I don’t really understand things like the economy.”
“Kageyo is still as clueless as ever.”
Even though Isumi said that, I think worrying about elementary and middle school stuff is just as futile as worrying about the other world.
Things like the economy and finances, even child prodigies like Eleanor wouldn’t be able to do much about those, I think.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Shirene was setting off on a journey to defeat the bandits, accompanied by her subordinates.
“Well then, I’ll be off, King Benes.”
“Yes, I pray for your success, Right Minister Shirene.”
Hmm, Shirene really looks more suited for adventures wielding a hero’s sword than dealing with paperwork. Perhaps she should be placed at the top of the military rather than as the Right Minister.
As I pondered these thoughts, I bid farewell to the former hero Shirene.
I have no worries about the bandit extermination. Shirene’s skills are more than sufficient.
Returning to my room, I resumed my battle with the mountain of paperwork. However, as I finished writing and went to sign the paper, a drop of ink fell from the pen’s tip.
Guess I’ll have to rewrite it.
“Ugh, so annoying! I should have brought ballpoint pens, pencils, and erasers from Japan.”
It’s too late to regret it now.
Even Eleanor and the skilled Dwarven craftsmen seem to struggle reproducing Japanese stationery without seeing the actual items. They mentioned how having the real thing would help.
…Anyway, I’ll do my best.
I’ll turn 70 in a few more years. My plan is to retire at 70. I don’t want to be called an “old nuisance” like some Japanese politicians.
I thought Shirene could take over after me, but given the situation, that might be difficult. On the other hand, passing the throne to Eleanor is also a dilemma.
I really don’t want to burden her any further, but what to do next, I wonder.
In any case, the peace that Kageyo and Isumi worked tirelessly to create is truly remarkable.
With Shirene, Eleanor, and Barrier, we want to bring this world, where they’ll continue to live, closer to the peaceful and joyful realm we once experienced in Japan.
I also want to contribute, even if just a little, to laying the foundation for that.
Perhaps it’s the least a former Demon Lord who couldn’t halt the battles can do.
Even though it all began with the whims of the Creator God Zekar, I want to use the six months when the Demon Lord and the Hero lived as Japanese elementary school students to shape the future of this world.
That is my current goal.
Mayuten ~The Demon King and the Hero Reincarnated as Twin Elementary School Students~
《End》