Chapter 11

The Demon King’s appearance is not set in stone.

He could be a child, an old man, or even a monstrous beast standing dozens of meters tall and weighing hundreds of tons. Crossing the lines of gender and race is entirely possible too.

It’s not just changing forms. He truly becomes whatever he chooses to be.

Since he has transcended the limits of flesh, his outward appearance is merely a shell to show others who he is – something unimaginable for ordinary lifeforms bound by physical bodies throughout their lives.

This time, it seems he’s chosen the shell of a flower boy oozing with aristocratic charm.

Thud.

The heavy and majestic sound of footsteps fills Tartarus. A tense silence descends between us.

As someone bearing the title Joker, I absolutely hate this suffocating atmosphere. Life’s too short not to laugh.

“Ahahaha.”

I let out a light laugh in the oppressive silence where even a single breath seemed forbidden.

Kelt’s pupils dilate wildly at the sight, but what matters to me is the Demon King’s reaction. All he does is look down sternly at me with eyes burning crimson even in the darkness.

“Hahahahaha!”

No matter how loudly I force my laughter, the Demon King remains silent. Kelt’s face has gone deathly pale.

Suddenly, I wonder what expression the Saintess is wearing. Turning my head…

“…Am I the only one laughing here?”

Her usually soft face has hardened into an uncharacteristic严肃expression. She doesn’t seem scared, though.

“Ah… Everyone’s so humorless these days! How can we live in such a stiff world? Honestly!”

“Still the same, I see, Joker.”

Finally, the Demon King speaks after maintaining his silence. The atmosphere freezes over like solid ice.

A smirk never leaves the corner of my mouth.

“What, did you expect me to change?”

“Aren’t you afraid? You have less than 48 hours left to live.”

“48 hours? Wow, what a long leash.”

“…”

Chained to the stone floor, I have no choice but to look up at the Demon King. Staring into his red irises through those dark sunglasses, I move my lips.

“So, are we still friends? Coming to visit me before I die.”

“Still as disrespectful as ever.”

“You’re asking a condemned man to show respect?”

“Are you not a demon? Article 3 of the Demon Realm Law: All demons must show proper respect to the Demon King.”

Normally he seems fine with it, but why is this Demon King being so rigid all of a sudden?

Of course, there’s no way I’d follow along. What good feelings could I possibly have for a Demon King who betrayed me and turned me into a scapegoat?

“Oh my! My Lord Demon King! So you were upset that I didn’t use honorifics!”

The Demon King’s expression turns even darker. Kelt looks like he’s about to pass out.

The worse they react, the more I push them. Might as well mess with the Demon King’s mind while I’m bored.

“I’ve always respected you, My Lord Demon King! Now please disappear from my sight! We’re not exactly close acquaintances!”

“…”

“Can’t you see our dear warden Kelt shaking like a leaf? By now, Captain Hades probably trembles at the news of your steps! Please bestow your great mercy and consider their safety!”

Kelt’s face turns ashen white like a newly risen undead. Sensing someone might die from a heart attack if this continues, I flash a grin and mockingly say:

“Is this what you wanted?”

The Demon King rubs his temples and sighs. It almost looks like he shakes his head.

“At a time when begging for your life would be insufficient, you continue to joke around.”

“Will begging save me?”

“…Even if it did, you’re not the type to kneel and beg, are you?”

“Haha, as expected from my friend. You know me better than anyone.”

“It’s that arrogant sense of humor that got you locked up, Joker.”

The Demon King’s previously tense expression finally relaxes somewhat. Walking up to the iron bars, he takes a step forward without hesitation.

The adamantium prison bars can’t stop the Demon King’s stride. He hasn’t broken or bent the bars.

Swoosh.

“Wow, so now you can selectively control it?”

Surprisingly, upon touching the adamantium, the Demon King’s body turns ethereal and passes through effortlessly. Not even spirits, souls, or elementals can pass through adamantium, proving that the Demon King has transcended not just physical form but spatial limitations as well.

Thud.

With blade-like steps, the Demon King approaches me and kneels down gracefully.

The face that was two meters above me now comes closer. His dark sunglasses bore into mine. The Demon King, squatting before me, speaks in a tone different from before.

“Joker. Or should I say, my old friend.”

It’s a voice I recognize. One he only uses in private settings.

“Why, Canos.”

I respond by addressing him by name. Actually, calling him ‘Demon King’ is already quite respectful on my part. Though no one understands me.

“I am no longer just the ruler of the Demon Realm.”

“Then what are you?”

“The sole emperor of the entire continent and the new sovereign of the age. Master of seven nations and ruler of many races.”

“Quite impressive, isn’t it?”

“The Demon God? He is no longer above me. If he is the god of demons, then I am the god of gods. Any deity must bow before me, and any hero not under my command will lose their heads.”

“So what’s your point? Keep stalling and I might fall asleep from boredom?”

The Demon King resumes his previous stern expression and tone.

…If you’re going to do that, why bother changing in the first place? Just trying to create some atmosphere?

“I mean that I can no longer indulge in your clownish antics.”

“We’ve never harmonized. You went your way, I went mine. We just happened to share the same ship called the Demon King’s Army.”

“I must now reign as absolute majesty. No one may speak my name lightly, and all must revere and worship me in fear. That is what I shall become henceforth.”

“The Demon Realm was always a dictatorship, but you’re planning to implement it across the continent? Well, nothing’s impossible.”

Ah, listening to this makes me feel uneasy.

What I pursued was chaos. Pure madness and disorder that shatters traditions and rules. Perfect chaos was my lifelong ideal.

Look at the result of all the terrorism, wars, intrigues, and strategies I’ve orchestrated.

The Demon King is trying to create his own continent. A continent ruled strictly and sharply, suppressing any rebellion.

Completely opposite to my ideals.

“Hmph.”

“You’re too arrogant. No matter how much you contributed to the war victory, challenging the Demon King’s dignity is unacceptable.”

“So that’s why you abandoned me.”

“You’ve worked hard until now. Though I can’t restore your honor after branding you a rebel, I’ll acknowledge your efforts and arrange a proper grave.”

“This is ridiculous. How could you do this to me?”

The Demon King I knew wasn’t like this.

Someone who purely pursued evil and sought battles with the strong. Someone romantic in their pursuit of pure evil.

That’s why we joined hands. That’s why we shared the same ship.

“You’re not children anymore, Joker. Our childhood games are over.”

“Who told you the world is just a playground?”

“Our grown bodies don’t suit the playground anymore. Look at the bigger picture.”

“Tsk, the one who can’t see the bigger picture is you, Demon King. You’ve lost your初心in your pathetic lust for power and superiority. Your world hasn’t expanded; it’s shrunk.”

“Say whatever you want. Words won’t change reality.”

When did the Demon King become someone who talks about reality?

The Demon King who once looked forward to battling the strongest warriors on the continent under the crimson clouds of the Demon Realm…

And somehow fell into this corruption, becoming the most cliché kind of ‘evil’.

To me, it’s incredibly disheartening. More frustrating and betrayal-filled than when the Demon King sentenced me to death.

“You’ve changed.”

“I’m normal. You’re the odd one out.”

“Fine, go away. Don’t show your ugly face when they chop off my head either. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“…”

The Demon King rises from his kneeling position. His tall frame stands upright.

As he turns to leave, I mutter quietly.

“You called me arrogant.”

“…”

“King Demon, you’re disgusting. Even if arrogance is better than ugliness.”

Thud.

The Demon King’s steps stop right before leaving the iron bars. Kelt, who was about to sigh in relief thinking it was over, becomes tense again.

“Disgusting? Me?”

“Yeah, I wish I could show you in a mirror.”

“Nonsense. How can I be disgusting when I’ve accomplished what no one else could?”

“Your current posture, which looks so dignified to you, appears to me as mere struggle to hide your ugliness. Wearing that black coat to appear dignified… tsk.”

Crack.

For the first time since arriving, the Demon King shows signs of anger. An ominous sound comes from his tightly clenched fists.

“I am a god. The god of gods and the god above gods. All sects in this world will soon praise me, and my words will become absolute truth.”

“God? Maybe. But you’re no longer evil. How is chasing money, fame, and power evil? Those are common desires among all living beings.”

“Don’t define great and dignified evil however you want.”

“No, don’t lower evil to your level. You’re just a regular power-hungry person now. From the moment you started craving power, you’ve confined yourself.”

Having run out of things to say, the Demon King falls silent. Closing his eyes briefly in anguish, he asks as if confirming something.

“So what if it is?”

“What?”

“Whether it’s evil or not, or something else entirely, the fact that I’ve achieved the great feat of unifying the continent doesn’t change. It’s an undeniable fact that I’ve accomplished something worthy of being celebrated throughout the universe. That’s enough for me.”

Saying that, the Demon King decisively turns away, ending the conversation. Ignoring any remaining topics, he walks away with determined steps.

Truly self-centered, now that he’s started pursuing power. Did that make him even more so?

“…A great achievement, you say?”

Just then, the Saintess, who had been silent until now, interrupts the concluded conversation.

“By unifying the fractured continent and subduing all the strong, you’ve achieved an unprecedented feat. How could it not be great?”

The Demon King replies matter-of-factly in a tone he wouldn’t use with me.

With a prominent vein on her forehead, the Saintess counters his statement. Her reaction clearly indicates she thinks it’s absurd.

“Shall I tell you a story about a man I know?”

“Intriguing. As the wisest saint in the continent, I’m curious. Permission granted.”

“He lived in the western outskirts of a now vanished empire.”

What kind of story is she bringing up to the Demon King? If he gets properly angry, no one could resist for even a second.

“He was very selfish. Arrogant and greedy.”

“Was he.”

“One day, he killed all his neighbors for ridiculous reasons. He plundered their livestock and property, committing unspeakable acts without hesitation.”

“…”

“More absurdly, he boasted about it everywhere. Proud of his murders, thefts, and rapes, he spread these disgraceful deeds as great achievements throughout the world.”

“…”

Like a horse with a bit in its mouth, the Demon King’s words are completely blocked.

The Saintess delivers the conclusion, completely opposite to the Demon King’s.

A difference in perspective, viewpoint, and angle.

“Would you call this man great, my lord?”

“Umm…”

“You haven’t truly subdued or united everyone in war. You took advantage of others’ crises to attack. You haven’t made the continent a prosperous land. Who in the continent would genuinely revere you?”

“That is…”

“What is so praiseworthy? Do you take pride in placing everyone beneath you? Is oppressing those weaker than you a great achievement? Do you feel proud hearing the voices of resentment from innocent victims you’ve tormented? If you truly think so, say it boldly.”

“…”

Like a honey-eating mute, the Demon King cannot offer any rebuttal.

Now I’m confused. Could this logically sound Saintess really be a fool?

As if having all his shameful secrets exposed, the Demon King helplessly lowers his head.

After being told he’s no longer evil by me, and not great by the Saintess. It’s understandable. Having one’s beliefs negated right before your eyes would leave you without any counterarguments.

“You’re right, Saintess. Every word is correct.”

Finally, the Demon King lifts his head. There’s a defeated smile curving his lips.

An indescribable sense of futility permeates his voice.

“Those who speak the truth are unnecessary in my continent, thus the reason to kill you is even more justified.”

“Haha, the ending was decided from the start no matter what you said.”

“Enjoy the remaining two days. There isn’t much time left now.”

Leaving those final words, the Demon King walks away from Tartarus with a relieved pace.

Kelt collapses onto the stone floor as his legs give out.

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