Volume 6 Chapter 4: An Audience

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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Going back a little in time, in the two days until Lisabeth’s public introduction, they had a discussion with the big shots in Seto’s country.

In a conference room that could hold around twenty people, Cain, Seto, and Darmeshia lined up, faced by eight others.

The eight of them had all been selected as they all had important roles in Seto’s country, and they each excelled in combat, governance, or other such fields.

There were a lot of members in the pro-war faction indeed, and unsurprisingly, they had a lot to say in opposition to Seto’s decision.

Then, when Seto introduced Cain, they broke out in shouts of ‘A lowly human!’, becoming even more hostile, but then Cain sighed and exchanged looks with Seto.

Grinning, Seto nodded, and Cain let out a light amount of killing intent.

At that moment, the air in the conference room –– froze.

While he had only lightly released his killing intent, Cain was already a demigod. His Status couldn’t be represented with numbers anymore.

Thus, being hit by Cain’s killing intent, the country’s big shots started trembling from fear.

The ones who had been openly hostile towards Cain fainted on the spot, bubbles coming from their mouths.

“…Do you get it now? This is Cain-dono.”

While he usually attached ‘-sama’ to Cain’s name, Cain had begged him to change that as his dignity as the king of his country would be affected, which was how the current form of address had happened.

Seto had still been a little humble, but under Darmeshia’s excellent guidance, he had eventually gotten the hang of it.

“Honestly speaking, Cain-dono alone would be able to annihilate us demons even if we all got together and attacked the humans’ countries. And I mean he’d destroy the country in an instant.”

With that conclusive statement from Seto, they all gulped.

“Yes, it is indeed as Seto-sama says. How many among you are able to defeat a Rock Dragon with just one hand?”

Even in the countries of demons, there were a lot of monsters. And then, even among the highest peak among them, the Dragons, Rock Dragons were on a different scale entirely. They usually were to be found in the very depths of dungeons and other such places, and rarely, if ever, came up to the surface.

That was due to their main food being ores which one could find underground.

However, there had been some that had gone up to the surface in the past, and the demons were more than aware that they had destroyed multiple cities and towns.

The demon executives all gulped at the human boy who was able to defeat such monsters with one hand.

“The one who saved Her Highness Lisabeth was also Cain-sama.”

At Darmeshia’s words, there were no longer any people with opposing opinions.

Then, the day of the audience came.

Seto, the Demon King, was sitting in a chair in the middle, with Lisabeth and Cain sitting on either side of him.

Darmeshia was standing behind Cain.

The hall was packed with higher-rank nobles, their number exceeding one-hundred.

Seto stood up and was the first to speak.

“It was not for no reason that I gathered you all in such a hurry. As I am sure you are all aware, it is about the war the Empire wants to start with the humans.”

The attending nobles’ expressions turned grim at Seto’s words.

If Seto, as Demon King, declared that the country would be participating in the war, the higher-ranked nobles would also have to raise soldiers and work out the costs for all that.

Moreover, the starting point had been the fact that Lisabeth, who could also be called the Empire’s treasure, had been made a slave by the humans.

So, many of them were expecting this to be a declaration that they would participate in the war.

There was as good as no conflict between demon countries. That was because the Empire would certainly step in to arbitrate.

And if they refused the Empire’s arbitration, it would basically guarantee the hostility of all demon countries towards them.

If they did so, the future of their country was quite plain to see.

Seto looked out over all the attendees, then opened his mouth.

“Our country declares its opposition to the war! Lisabeth-dono has already been saved, and is thus next to me. Also––”

Seto glanced at Cain and nodded lightly, then continued.

“Also, I hereby declare that our country will be forming an alliance with the human country Cain-dono next to me belongs to, the Kingdom of Esfort.”

Not knowing the circumstances behind Seto’s words, everyone there became speechless.

A country of humans far across on the other side of the sea; they had basically nothing to do with each other.

While there were less demons than humans who could use magic or had a lot of strength, their individual power was higher.

And, in the same way, their pride was also high.

And they would now have to form an alliance with the country of the young boy sitting next to Seto. Nobody would have been able to think something like that.

“I also endorse that view.”

The voice of a girl rang out over the speechless nobles.

Lisabeth, who had been sitting next to Seto, stood up and continued.

“The one who saved me was Cain. Thanks to him, I was able to come back to my homeland, the countries of demons. I have faith in Cain.”

A clamour rose at Lisabeth’s words.

Lisabeth was imperial royalty, so her words carried weight, and a lot of it.

However, it was not like there was nothing that could repel those words.

“I oppose this! The Empire has already said it would go to war. I will also attack the humans’ countries.”

From among the attendees, a young man with four horns stepped out.

However, when he stepped forward, there were others who followed suit.

“Me too. If we take the humans’ wealth, this country will become even richer. What’s wrong with going to war.”

“Indeed! I am also in favour of war!”

The voices of the pro-war faction gradually loudened.

Seto held up one of his hands and glared at the demons who had stepped forward.

“–So you are saying –– it is all right if the demon countries all perish…?”

Were the words he suddenly thrust upon them.

But the demons couldn’t comprehend.

––The nations, perish?––

While they were at war, the demons would be the ones attacking.

Why would it be their country that would be destroyed?

They didn’t understand.

“Introductions first. Cain-dono, if that’s all right with you.”

Cain nodded at Seto’s words and stood up.

“I’ll introduce myself first. I am a margrave in the human country of the Kingdom of Esfort, Cain von Silford Drintor. I have a personal friendship with Demon King Seto-dono.”

“Not even royalty, just an average noble!? Why is he here!”

The young man who had first spoken for the pro-war faction cried, glaring at Cain.

However, Seto interrupted him halfway through.

“Just wait. I will explain. I do have a personal friendship with Cain-dono here. But let me just say this. If it came to a war with the human countries, with just Cain-dono’s combat power, with just that alone, this country, no, all the demon countries –––– would be destroyed.”

The words that had come from Seto were so shocking no-one could even imagine them.

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