Chapter 7: The Demon Lord’s Schemes and a Hero’s Unease

“Meredith, my dear, tell me everything that transpired during your visit to Therest.”

In the grand hall, Yunajin held Meredith’s hand, a warm smile gracing her lips as she inquired.

Anyone privy to the scene could discern the profound harmony between sovereign and minister.

“They merely expressed a desire for more slots, allowing a greater number of dragons to enter the Demon Realm.”

“Such a petition, of course, falls solely under your esteemed judgment, Demon Lord.”

“Beyond that, discussions revolved around the matter of an alliance.”

“Are you suggesting those dragons still wish to forge an alliance with us to jointly oppose the Angelic race?”

Yunajin had learned from historical records that the Demon Race had, since ancient times, allied with other races across the continent to combat demons from other realms.

However, a century after the conclusion of the Ancient War, a floating island abruptly materialized in the sky.

From it emerged an unknown race, possessing oddly shaped wings and an appearance akin to humans.

They sought to conspire with the Demon Race’s allies to seize the Demon Race’s divine artifact, the “Eye of Creation,” which was also the sole source of magic on the Karkunda Continent, forged by the Creator God.

Seduced by immense gain, former comrades who had once fought side-by-side in bloody battles swiftly turned into adversaries.

After a protracted conflict, the “Eye of Creation” was ultimately shattered by the First Demon Lord’s full-powered strike.

Its scattered fragments and magical residue permeated the entire continent, bestowing upon all races the innate talent for freely wielding magic.

It could be said that the primary catalyst for that war, which spanned several millennia, was the race known to the world as the Angelic race.

The Demon Race and the Angelic race were irreconcilable foes.

“Hmph, didn’t they betray us back then?”

“What good would an alliance do? I refuse.”

Yunajin declared, crossing her arms across her chest, her tone laced with irritation.

As conflicts between the various races steadily diminished, order and development had become the prevailing themes across the continent.

Though lingering rifts and occasional skirmishes persisted between the Demon Race and the Human Race along their borders, the majority of races were now inclined to foster goodwill with their former allies.

Surprisingly, the ancient and formidable Dragon Race was the first to extend such an overture.

Previous Demon Kings had all consented to the Dragon Race dispatching a certain number of dragons to establish habitats within the Demon Realm.

Yunajin understood that this arrangement was akin to diplomatic embassies between two nations, and thus, following Meredith’s counsel, she tacitly acknowledged their presence.

‘Shouldn’t the true foreign adversaries be those Angels?’

“Demon Lord, on my journey through the borderlands, I observed some rather significant disturbances.”

“Eliog, who is responsible for maintaining the security of the Demon Realm’s territories, should have reported this to Demon Lord City.”

“What exactly transpired?”

Instead of continuing the discussion about her trip to Therest, Meredith abruptly shifted the conversation.

She deliberately brought up the very topic Yunajin most feared and found most sensitive.

Approximately a month prior, Yunajin, in her bid to create an opportunity for Qiaolun to enter the Demon Realm, had orchestrated the dissemination of rumors throughout the Eldrit Kingdom.

These rumors included proclamations such as, “The Demon Lord’s army conducts military exercises, intending to conquer the Human Realm,” and “The prophesied hero, the Demon Lord’s bane.”

Such narratives were widely spread across the Human Realm, primarily centered in the Eldrit Kingdom, prompting various regions to organize armies of heroes intent on vanquishing the Demon Lord.

To eliminate the Demon Lord, reclaim the Human Race’s ancestral lands, become a hero, and earn the reverence of thousands.

This was what Qiaolun desired, and Yunajin knew it was his aspiration.

The far-sighted Demon Lord was certain he would participate in the battle.

He would then hack his way through thorns, defeat countless formidable foes, and, after enduring myriad hardships, arrive at her side—solely for her, solely to slay her.

‘The mere thought fills me with boundless excitement!’

Every enemy Qiaolun encountered, every member of the Demon Lord’s army, was meticulously orchestrated by Yunajin.

She ensured Qiaolun remained unharmed while simultaneously preventing anyone from discerning her machinations.

It must be said that Yunajin’s talent for leading armies, applied in this context, truly validated Meredith’s tutelage.

“The Human Race has always sought to reclaim the western Moonlight District of the Mistfall Forest and the lands surrounding Dragon’s Peak Snow Mountain.”

“This, if I recall correctly, was part of a treaty they signed with the Third Generation Demon Lord, my predecessor.”

“As a member of the Soul-Eater race, I place immense importance on contracts.”

“What direct connection does this have to the disturbances you mentioned?”

“Are they now attempting to resolve matters through force?”

Meredith let out a soft chuckle.

Yunajin couldn’t quite discern whether the seemingly mocking tone in Meredith’s voice stemmed from amusement at the Human Race’s overreaching decisions, or if it was a derisive laugh, having already detected Yunajin’s clumsy attempts to conceal something.

“Demon Lord, you must always prioritize the interests of the Demon Race, and under no circumstances should you…”

“Alright, alright, I understand,” Yunajin interrupted, a touch of impatience in her voice.

“I’ve already instructed Lord Eliog to handle the matter; there’s no need to elaborate further.”

Meredith then launched into her familiar litany, a discourse Yunajin had long grown weary of: “Even a Demon Lord cannot act with impunity,” “Everything is for the sake of the Demon Race,” “A Demon Lord must lead by example”…

‘I’ve heard it since childhood; my ears are practically calloused.’

‘Normally, isn’t a Demon Lord supposed to do whatever they please?’

‘The ultimate villain, the fount of all evil.’

‘How is it that, in Meredith’s eyes, I’ve become a wise monarch dedicated to righteous causes?’

Yet, it seemed she hadn’t actually accomplished much since becoming Demon Lord.

Her days consisted merely of eating, drinking, and attending to the various affairs submitted from across the Demon Realm.

After completing these tasks, she would engage in combat training.

How should she evaluate it?

In short, the “job” of Demon Lord was vastly different from what Yunajin had envisioned.

“Oh, right, Meredith, my dear, now that you’ve returned victoriously, should we arrange a banquet?”

“And invite all eight Demon Generals…”

“What?”

“Also, Demon Lord City should have three days off.”

“Ah~ it would be best to declare this day a holiday, a yearly observance from now on.”

“You truly haven’t changed a bit, despite my absence of only a few months…”

Meredith offered a helpless smile, observing that this young Demon Lord was perpetually seeking any opportunity to shirk her duties.

“But this is the longest you’ve ever been away from me, Meredith!”

Yunajin pouted, stating her displeasure.

“You made me worry.”

Meredith paused, momentarily startled by these words.

Then, her profound yet serene smile returned to her face.

“Your humble servant is deeply honored.”

****

Qiaolun paced restlessly within the room.

An anxious expression was etched upon his features.

Until, inadvertently, he bumped into a soft body.

“My apologies,” Qiaolun uttered, taking a step back as he apologized to the newcomer.

“You—you’re that slime maid?”

Gazing at the black-haired girl before him, he noted her utterly indifferent expression.

“This is the food prepared by the Demon Lord.”

“Until further orders, you are forbidden from leaving this room.”

“Is that demoness dangerous?”

“What is her identity?” Qiaolun pressed.

“I cannot answer.”

“I am merely a segment responsible for delivering food to the Hero.”

After setting down the meal, Vivi’s clone transformed into a puddle of transparent liquid, swiftly evaporating and vanishing.

‘So, they’re disposable, then!’

Qiaolun scratched his head, his gaze drifting towards the door, his curiosity urging him to step outside.

“From this moment forth, to set foot outside this space is to walk a path to certain death!”

This was the Demon Lord’s warning.

Though Qiaolun had initially dismissed it, after witnessing the enigmatic Demon Lord and being profoundly shaken by her formidable aura, he now felt a tremor of trepidation.

“Yunajin…”

For the first time, Qiaolun uttered the young woman’s name, her pink silhouette flickering in his mind.

The title “Demon Lord” felt utterly unfitting for her.

Surely there were far more terrifying entities here.

Yet, his adversary, the one he was destined to defeat, was merely a seemingly immature maiden Demon Lord—at least on the surface.