Chapter 91

“This is wilder than I thought!”

We engaged in conversation in the reception room, and after taking a day off, we set off for Storm’s Cliff. After completely obliterating those calling themselves the Three Kings, we finally arrived at the Demon King’s Castle, where the Demon King resided. Just like that Hret guy, those so-called Three Kings were all weak. Watching them crumble helplessly without even leaving a scratch on me made me question if this was really war. Of course, I didn’t show my feelings of pity towards the soldiers shedding blood on the battlefield.

After wiping out the Demon race like twisting a child’s wrist, we arrived at the Demon King’s Castle. Looking at the castle emitting a peculiar energy, which was definitely different from what we encountered so far, it gave me a chilling feeling.

“The castle will only allow the Saint, the Hero, and Sir Karon to enter.”

“…Why just the three of you?”

“Um. Why am I not included?”

“Your Highness needs to command the soldiers.”

The Cardinal Besalon quickly replied to Prince Jeron’s question. However, his reasoning felt incredibly flimsy for commanding soldiers. It was the Cardinal who had wielded command until now. Did the prince not notice this? He tilted his chin and frowned.

“Commanding the soldiers is something you could do, Cardinal Besalon.”

“…His Majesty forbade Your Highness from entering the castle.”

“Father did?”

“Yes. When His Majesty received word of Your Highness’s participation, such a clause was included. Specifically noted was to prioritize Your Highness’s safety and to not allow entry into the Demon King’s Castle.”

“Hmm.”

Hearing the Emperor’s command, even the arrogant Prince Jeron fell silent. After all, as royalty, he couldn’t just defy an imperial decree. There’s nothing more ridiculous than a member of the royal family trampling on the authority of the Emperor.

The Demon King, huh? I wonder what he looks like. Hret seemed to resemble some new species, while the other Three Kings had a mix of human and animal traits. The Demon race generally resembles humans closely, except for their horns and tails, but the stronger they are, the more mixed they tend to appear.

“Well then, let’s go. Catherine. Sir Karon.”

“Yes.”

“….”

Almost fiddling with the Sacred Sword hanging at my waist, I nodded. Behind us, a puppet was rolling its eyes anxiously.

“Princess Lin should be here.”

“A-actually, could you stop being so formal?”

“Ho-ho, it wouldn’t be proper for a future ruler of the Kingdom of Altain to let a mere cardinal speak casually, would it?”

“…So, why exactly am I supposed to become a queen?”

“Just stay by my side. It seems easier that way.”

As Jeron said this, he drew Princess Lin toward him, seated her on his waist, and confidently stepped onto the battlefield. Oh, really? Is there something going on between them? I watched them happily thinking such thoughts when Yulia poked me in the side.

“What are you doing?”

“I just think they look good together.”

Curiously observing Yulia’s slightly sulky expression, I responded earnestly, prompting her face to soften a bit.

“Huh? Oh. So that’s how it is.”

“How it is?”

“It’s nothing. Come on, let’s go.”

After that exchange, for some reason, Yulia appeared to be in a good mood as she walked ahead. Following behind us was Sir Karon, trailing like a ghost.

…

“…Yawn.”

In the vast hall shrouded in darkness, a puppet lounged as if sprawled on the throne. The figure was so androgynous that it was hard to tell if it was a woman or a man. Before that puppet knelt four humans. The only peculiar thing about them was that one of their eyes or hair had a teal hue.

“Useless. Useless.”

“U-um….”

As the oldest-looking man opened his mouth, the puppet yawned again lazily. Since awakening in the Middle Realm, it had always been like this. I wondered if there was someone who could break this lethargy. Glancing at the humans sprawled on the floor, I waved my hand lightly.

“Ugh!”

With that, all humans vanished from the puppet’s sight with a cry. As the puppet stood up, its red hair flowing, I could finally discern its gender. It was taller than an average man, but its curves were alluring, with prominent features that attracted the eye. The Demon King, with luscious red lips, slowly exited the hall.

“Your Highness. What brings you here?”

“Can you cut the ‘Your Highness’ nonsense? I have nothing to do with that Demon King.”

The moment I stepped through the doorway, the mocking address made the woman frown. An old Demon, who introduced himself as the Demon King’s steward, had been waiting at the door.

“However, it was you who emerged from the sealed coffin of the previous Demon King. Naturally, regarding you as the heir is…”

“No, look. I’m just a primordial being sealed in ancient times. I don’t wield magic like a Demon King or have the ability to lead you Demons.”

The steward didn’t seem phased by the show of fangs and replied casually.

“But you’re strong enough. Strong enough to take on that cursed Hero.”

“How do you know how strong the Hero is?”

“At the end of the day, they’re just human.”

“You have no idea how terrifying humans can be.”

Grumbling, the Demon King sighed, quietly examining her fingertips. A purebred vampire, a primordial. She had survived the war against the Church of 3,000 years ago and remained unchanged. The reason she hadn’t participated in the war was simply her laziness, even during her clan’s downfall.

Waking up now to face the Hero was pretty straightforward. Though she intended to sleep for about a century, something went awry in the ritual that prevented her from awakening until someone else touched her. So, she said she would fulfill a wish out of gratitude, only for those who awakened her to seek world domination.

“What a bother.”

If it hadn’t been during a time when most humans had lost their magical powers, she might very well have abandoned fulfilling a wish, even at the cost of her pride as a primordial.

“M-M-Maou-sama! The Hero has arrived!”

“…Already?”

For a moment, the feeling of annoyance flickered across her expression before she shook her head and steeled herself. At least if she killed the Hero now, her tasks would be mostly done. The quicker, the better. She would wait in the grand hall for the Heroes. After all, it was better to put on a show. Meeting the final boss in the corridor was quite dull. At the very least, she believed she could handle this entertaining aspect well since she used to sponsor plays before her sealing.

The doors to the grand hall swung open. The steward was nowhere to be seen. Three figures entered through the opened door, and the dark hall began to be lit by candles. This was a miracle created by her blood magic. Surprised by the sudden light, the woman standing at the forefront drew her sword.

But the woman’s attire was somewhat peculiar. If a maid’s outfit hadn’t changed in 3000 years, then that was definitely a maid’s uniform. A lady dressed neatly in a maid outfit, complete with a headpiece, held a Sacred Sword. Had it not been for the Sacred Sword, one might have mistaken the tall man behind her for the Hero.

Even stranger was her eye color. Red. Red eyes were somewhat common, but red eyes with black hair were quite rare. Moreover, her beauty, reminiscent of an enchanting spell, was even rarer.

Despite being from 3000 years ago, she could still vividly recall that period since she had been sealed. Although it was inappropriate for a maid’s outfit, that girl bore such an identical face that there was no way she could mistake it. The Demon King slowly opened her mouth, imbibing emotion into each syllable of the name.

“Elisabeth?”

“What are you suddenly saying upon seeing me?”

“Ah, no. I suppose if it were her, the goddess wouldn’t have handed her the Sacred Sword. Is she your blood relative?”

“…?”

Just because they looked alike doesn’t mean she had to be related… but the scent of blood was similar. Thus, she had no choice but to be sure. The Hero standing before her was indeed the blood relative of Elisabeth, the Saint called forth by the goddess 3000 years ago.