The Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Derpy
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Chapter 111 – Unchanging Hometown [A]
The capital of the kingdom. Where luxurious palaces are lined with numerous furnishings—including marble, glass, gold, silver, and carpets made of luxurious red fabric.
In one of the offices within was a king and a princess.
The entire palace was protected by guards. Other than the royals, there was also a minister of the kingdom with a short beard and a plump body, and the commander of the royal knights—who had a slender yet well-trained body coupled with a well-groomed appearance. There was even a middle-aged ducal family head, with a curly beard and permed hair.
In the midst of it all, the first princess of the kingdom――Sharon sat silently next to her father and listened to the conversation.
“――Your majesty. As expected, it seems that domestic tensions are rising.”
“So it seems.”
It was the minister who said so. As Sharon watched her father nod in response, the topic continued,
“Even in the city, there are people who have noticed that the mood for war is growing. It seems that many well-informed merchants and adventurers have already entered the nation to make money during this time.”
“Fuh, that’s a good thing.”
If war occurred, it would be a good time for merchants to make money selling essential goods during war, and mercenaries called adventurers can fight in various places. However, the king gloated as if it was the nation that truly benefited.
“I imagine the merchants hoarding goods right now will suffer a big loss. I look forward to seeing their expressions when they learn that the war won’t occur.”
Said the duke while rubbing his hand. It was the knight commander who commented on that.
“However… if that person doesn’t come――”
“He’ll come.”
At the king’s interruption, the knight commander shut his mouth. The king then said while holding an old book,
“That majin will come. He’s the person who became a majin for the sake of protecting this nation after all. There’s no way he wouldn’t come if he heard his homeland was in crisis.”
It’s our win if he comes, said the king in a jovial mood. However, the knight commander had concerns, so while saying “however” as a preface,
“Even if that majin doesn’t come, as long as our brave knight brigades are here――”
“Of course our nation would still win… But well, isn’t it better if things are settled more easily?”
“…Yes.”
Seeing as the knight commander said that with low spirits, the king opened his mouth and laughed.
“Hahahah! Hey, there’s no need to feel depressed. Won’t the women feel sad if they see your current expression?”
“…I guess so.”
The knight commander replied in agreement, but his expression wasn’t good. The king bestowed beautiful women he personally selected to the knight commander, who boasted handsome looks and the title of the strongest within the kingdom. The women the king referred to should be them.
That said, it wasn’t uncommon among those who held important posts in this nation. It wasn’t merely a metaphor, but with the royal family swimming in money, they granted excessive luxury not only to themselves, but also to those who served them. It wasn’t rare to have several mistresses who weren’t their wife, and one could acquire jewelry, valuable things, or even humans should they wish for it. There was nothing that money couldn’t buy. Such was the pet theory of the king and the ministers.
Since the first princess also benefited from this, she couldn’t strongly say anything against it, but she still thought it was concerning. She didn’t mention it in the end, though.
She continued to smile and the thought-turning topic continued. Her father then looked at the minister and the duke,
“But well, we should prepare just in case. Minister, how is our hospitality?”
“Of course. The finest ingredients along with the best chef, jewelry and other valuable things that could be exchanged with cash have been prepared. Rare objects have been gathered domestically and internationally, and all kinds of beautiful women from teens to 30s are lined up. We have prepared as many tributes as possible.”
“I have also prepared what little I could contribute.”
“Umu umu, that’s fine. Even though our ancestor erased his existence, he could still be considered our founding hero after all, so make sure not to be rude.”
“I understand.”
The king’s expressions were kind yet dark as he nodded with satisfaction at the minister and duke’s words. This was the method that the king――no, even the previous king was good at. They exploited those below them with no power and wealth, and only generously spent their money on those with worth. It might look good at first glance, but as the princess thought about those who were sacrificed in the process, she honestly couldn’t feel happy.
“But well, I would prefer it if he came earlier… I guess I should send a second letter.”
When the king called out to the maid, Sharon sensed something.
The first thing she felt was a slight tremor. Then, she saw the knight commander brace his hand on the silver straight sword.
The next thing she heard was,
“――W-what happened?!”
The king, the minister, and duke raised their voices as they felt the palace shake.
Is it an earthquake?! Such were the cries of panic from the king, who proceeded to be calmed by the knight commander who instructed several royal knights to support the king’s body.
Soon enough, the shaking gradually subsided.
Instead, they heard people screaming from the outside,
“C-commander!!”
“What happened?!”
One of the knights who was supposed to guard the room from the outside rushed in through the office door.
Although the knight entered without knocking, everyone realized it was an emergency, so nobody admonished him. The knight commander immediately moved to grasp the situation. The knight shouted,
“O-outside―― outside the palace!”
“Calm down! What’s going on outside the pal――”
The knight said as he looked out from the semi-transparent glass leading to the balcony, but he was at a loss for words.
The king and others also redirected their gaze and their eyes went wide. What they saw there was,
“――――”
A dragon.
Within the grounds of the palace, the figure of a white dragon was trying to land in the vast courtyard.
Moreover, compared to the size of normal dragons they’ve heard of――which would be a few meters at most, the dragon downstairs was about a dozen times bigger, and its scales shone white in color.
Standing on the top of the gigantic white dragon, that looked like it jumped out from a fairytale, was an equally legendary figure.
“That’s…”
The voice quivered. There was no doubt about it. There was no way a member of the royal family, who had descriptions of his appearance passed down from kings of old, would mistake that appearance.
“Oh――Ooooooooooohhhh?!”
The king raised his voice excitedly as he leaned out of the balcony.
Riding on the dragon was a man with golden hair and red eyes.
“…………”
That person looked down on them from his post with cold eyes that exuded an inhuman presence.
He wore a long robe with a palette of black and red, a man worthy of the word “handsome”.
However, those sharp eyes intimidated those who were being looked at.
Everything was as according to the information that has been passed down through generations.
He was hailed as the greatest swordsman among men, the founding hero who repelled the Demon Army countless times and brought peace and prosperity to this nation.
The name of the man who became affiliated to the demonic side as the price for peace was,
“The King of Swords――Leonhart.”
Also known as――Majin Leonhart.
Seeing that figure, the king said in excitement.
“Fu, hahahahahaha!! Look, everyone!! He’s here, here, here!!!”
Sharon looked at the founder of the nation, hearing the voice of her father become distant.
The hero’s eyes were so cold.
“Hahahahhahahaha!! It’s our win!! Our nation is victorious!!”
It made Sharon doubt if her father’s words were real, no, it made her doubt if said person really came because he was trying to help their nation.
Meanwhile, her father said to the surroundings.
“We can’t stay still like this!! Everyone, get the palace ready right now!!”
“Ha-hah! Immediately!”
“We have to do everything to secure his help!! Haha, hahahahahah!!”
For a while, the king’s laughter resounded throughout the palace when he saw the majin and the dragon had descended into the courtyard.
Under the pre-noon sunshine, the king of the country welcomed a guest in the reception room in the palace.
Many dishes were arranged on a long table. When the servants brought the food out, they saw the man in front of them and their bodies stiffened for a moment.
The man who sat there with his arms folded was,
“…………”
――Majin Leonhart.
He was a former human who was considered the founder of this nation, and the good looking man had an overwhelming presence.
Be it his golden hair or sharp eyes, they were just as described in the book handed down from generations to generations.
…It’s great that you came…!
The king was inwardly impressed which was unlike him.
However, the goal was to make him agree to help. Since the man already read the letter and came to this place, it might already be certain, but it wasn’t bad to be doubly sure.
The king smiled and waved at the dishes on the table,
“These are exquisite dishes made with the finest ingredients that our nation is proud of, with the skill of the best chefs available. Please enjoy it.”
“…Fuhn.”
The majin just snorted in response, but the king showed no irritation at all.
It was said that the majin was an unfriendly man. He was a difficult person, but he shouldn’t be irritated.
“Hahah, perhaps Leonhart-dono has already eaten it before. After all, you are a majin that originated from our nation. Moreover, you are the King of Swords. You should have already experienced all the available luxuries out there.”
“…………”
The majin glanced at the king. But he quickly turned his attention back to the food and took in a mouthful using the tableware.
“……You people seem to be eating a lot of good food.”
Although the king was confused for a moment, he immediately understood it as being praised.
“Of course we are! Our nation is the largest among humankind―― no, the greatest nation in the world! We have everything available here!”
“……You sure talk a lot.”
Perhaps he hates conversation? Thought the king as Leonhart took out a white paper from his pocket,
“……Whatever. Regarding this letter――”
“Did you read it?”
“…………How did you get this letter delivered to me?”
The king simply answered the question asked.
“I hired an adventurer to deliver it. Apparently, there was a method that was often used to infiltrate the demon realm. Even so, it was dangerous and very expensive… but well, it was worth the price.”
“……I see.”
After the majin said that, he went silent as if lost in thought. Perhaps he was thinking about that so-called method? Or was he brooding over the contents of the letter? Things seemed favorable as it was but,
…I need to be sure, huh.
The king decided to offer the tribute he had prepared.
“……Well then, I have gifts for Leonhart-dono who took the trouble to come all the way here. It might not be much, but please take it.”
The king clapped his hands and called them out. From the door of the room, more than ten beautiful girls appeared and lined up beside Leonhart.
After confirming that, the king announced.
“They are women we selected from our nation and abroad. Please take them with you――Everyone, give your greetings.”
“Please take care of us!”
All of them bowed at the same time. At that moment, the fruit of their chest jiggled.
“…………”
The majin narrowed his eyes toward the women who lowered their heads and had a deep valley peeking from their chest. As the king confirmed that, he felt a response.
……How is it, intriguing isn’t it? I know your taste in women.
In the memoir left behind by his ancestor, there was a detail about what the King of Swords Leonhart liked and how they tamed him.
Leonhart spent his days either fighting or playing with women, but he especially liked women with big breasts so they prepared dozens of beautiful women with big busts in his palace――such was written.
Therefore, the king prepared them for the sake of this day, hailing from both domestic and international, using a slightly forceful method.
That said, there were tons of people who had trouble with money and food, and as long as the king gave them enough, there were many who gladly sold their daughters. There were even those who volunteered to be chosen themselves. Women who lacked the skill to survive chose to sell their body to keep on living. As long as they sold them to aristocrats or people with high status, they could have a better life.
Since they were to be presented to a majin, the money given was more than usual and done with a more forceful method to collect them than normal――but well, it was within permissible range. For the sake of the nation, he would have them be sacrificed to the majin.
“Hey, what are you doing? Go ahead and service Leonhart-dono.”
“Gh…Yes. Please excuse us…”
Seeing as the women were hesitant, the king glared at them lightly to urge them and the women moved before long.
They hesitantly tried to touch the majin’s body. They were afraid after all. Some of them had quivering hands. However, some of them had steeled their resolve and slowly pushed their body toward the majin. As their plump breasts pushed at him,
“Do you feel comfortable?”
“…………”
The majin stayed silent and didn’t respond.
Even so, it seemed he didn’t think it was bad. The majin continued to talk with his eyes closed.
“……Well then. Regarding the contents of the letter――Is it okay?”
“……Is it to destroy the neighboring nation?”
The king nodded widely.
“That’s right. As I wrote in the letter, our nation is currently preparing to go to war with a neighboring nation.”
It was a fact. It was because of a ridiculous justification for being rejected for marriage and they were trying to attack this nation.
It was a stupid nation. Even though this nation had a trump card.
“But isn’t it outrageous to put people in danger because of that? So you see, I wish for Leonhart-dono to lead the Demon Army and destroy that nation…”
“……After it is destroyed… what happens?”
“Once that nation is destroyed, our nation will prosper even more. I’m sure Leonhart-dono also wishes the same.”
“……So?”
That was why, yes, said the king.
“Together, let’s protect our beloved homeland and leave behind the great nation in this land――let’s carve our name in history together!!”
“――――”
The king saw the majin at a loss for words.
It was astonishment. And it seemed to come from joy,
“……Kuku.”
That resounding chuckle should mean that.
“Kuku, kuhahahaha, hahahahahaha…”
That laughter should be out of agreement with the king.
――It must be.
“Kuhahahahahaha――!!”
The majin’s mouth distorted with loud laughter.
Those who heard it furrowed their eyebrows as they wondered what was going on.
The women also stopped moving at the appearance of the majin who suddenly started cackling.
He kept his face down as he continued to laugh. That laughter didn’t stop,
“Kuku… My stomach hurts… How much more are you going to make me laugh…!?”
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