Chapter 152

I don’t think demons are evil.

To be more precise, I don’t really have any thoughts about demons.

So far, the only demon I’ve met is Yul.

She was a cute kid and now she’s my precious daughter.

If anything, I feel fondness—no reason to think ill of her at all.

As for what the world thinks of demons, I don’t know,

but I personally avoid judging anything without experiencing it firsthand.

…

The demon lying prostrate before me, trembling.

Though they look human, they’ve openly declared themselves a demon.

Upon closer inspection, there are definitely inhuman traits.

It didn’t bother me though.

Still, when Yul referred to herself as the Demon King, it irked me slightly.

Even so, their submissive attitude made me feel oddly deflated.

Their complete willingness to follow my every word without hesitation.

Looks like I’ll have quite a bit to discuss with this guy.

…

“Hm?”

Yul, who doesn’t understand nonverbal cues, skips over and pokes the demon named Berugal in the side.

Startled by her touch, he slowly raises his head but quickly lowers it again when he sees we haven’t said anything.

“Stand up.”

“Yes!”

“Yul, come here.”

When I call out gently, Yul happily runs over.

She leaps into my arms and looks up with big eyes, silently asking to be lifted into the air.

Unable to resist, I hoist her up onto my shoulder where she feels safe and high.

“Let’s walk. It’s not good to talk here.”

“Yes!”

With Yul in tow, our little stroll gains an unexpected follower.

Before we know it, we’ve walked quite a distance.

Deep into the forest, near the mountains, we finally stop and turn around.

Berseugal still walks quietly behind us, head bowed.

I lean against a tree with a slight feeling of unease and ask him directly.

“What’s this nonsense about a Demon King and the Demon King’s father?”

At my question, Berseugal slowly lifts his head.

Even then, his eyes remain closed.

“The Demon King refers to the noble one you hold. The Demon King’s father is the one the Demon King calls dad. Since there’s no specific title, I took the liberty.”

“So this child is the Demon King?”

“Yes.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I can see it with the eye I possess. Among demons with the bloodline of prophecy, few inherit ‘the eye.’ The eye of prophecy, the eye of possibility, the eye of traces—I inherited the eye of possibility. I can read the future of beings or entities. That’s how I’m certain.”

“You mean Yul could become the Demon King?”

“Precisely. There’s a possibility. The future is fluid. Observing changes it, so I merely see the potential. Predicting and directing the future is the job of those born with the eye of prophecy.”

“Hmm…”

“Is she the Glass King?”

Before I can process what he said, Yul’s eyes light up at the mention of being a king.

Her hopeful gaze makes it hard for me to tell her not to get her hopes up, so I just nod.

“Ohhh!”

“Are there others with the eye of possibility?”

“For now, it’s just me.”

“…Is that so?”

Silence falls.

Meaning—if I can quietly make this guy disappear, there’d be no threat. If no one knows Yul is the Demon King…

A harsh decision, but necessary to prevent any threats to our peaceful life.

While I ponder this, Berseugal seems to sense my thoughts and bows deeply again.

“Ahem.”

Suddenly, Yul starts squirming, making coughing sounds, signaling she wants down.

Once I let her down, she toddles cutely over to stand in front of Berseugal.

“Do this.”

At Yul’s command, Berseugal quietly raises his head.

Satisfied with his obedience, Yul wears a pleased smile.

“Since you’re the Glass King, shouldn’t you have subordinates?”

“Eh?”

“Glass subordinate.”

“Oh. Yes. I am your subordinate.”

“Then do what the Glass King says. She wants a pink bicycle.”

What is she planning?

Looks like some kind of pretend play.

King roleplay.

Berseugal’s expression turns dazed.

“But, forgive me for asking… What exactly is a bicycle?”

“It’s what I ride around on!”

Now understanding, Berseugal lets out an “Ah.”

“Can I fetch it?”

Yul nods silently.

In her mind, she must think it makes her look dignified, but to me, she’s utterly adorable.

Meanwhile, Berseugal subtly checks my reaction while backing away.

Is there some unspoken rule about disobeying the king?

Amused by the scene, I add my own comment.

“The king has given you an order.”

“I’ll return immediately!”

And with that, Berseugal dashes off like the wind.

There’s much to ask and learn, but…

Well.

Nothing takes priority over Yul’s happiness and enjoyment.

We can deal with questions after he brings the bike.

“Heehee.”

“You’re the Glass King now?”

“I have a subordinate.”

“Good job.”

“Aba, aren’t you the King King?”

“King King?”

“Aba is a bigger king than Yul, right?”

Calling him the King King—that’s clever thinking.

Quietly stroking Yul’s head, I continue.

“I’m just Yul’s dad.”

“Ehhh?”

“Would calling me the King Dad work?”

“That’s great!”

Demons…

What exactly the Demon King is…

What state demons are in…

And why they seek a king…

I should probably ask these questions later, when Yul isn’t around.

…

* * *

…

“That’s the situation.”

“Things aren’t looking too good.”

“Therefore, we anxiously await the king. Only the king can lead us to glory.”

“Hmm…”

Yul is asleep in my arms.

After joyfully riding her bike and playing with her new subordinate, she suddenly drifted off.

Her soft breathing fills the quiet as I carry her gently and ask various questions to Berseugal, who follows behind.

Mostly about Yul, the Demon King, and demons.

“How exactly will the king lead you to glory?”

“I don’t know specifically. Past kings each led the demons to prosperity in their own ways.”

“Tell me about past kings’ methods.”

“War… conquest, battles… once, even peace.”

“They sound like war-crazed lunatics.”

“…True, but even then, demons experienced their golden age.”

I suddenly recall a conversation with Gilbert.

Humans never provoked the past Demon Kings first.

“Did Demon Kings always initiate battles?”

“As far as records show, yes. Though, if certain boundaries were satisfied, things didn’t escalate further.”

“Hmm…”

Old records might contain errors.

With that thought, I pause briefly.

It’s hard imagining Yul becoming a battle-crazed Demon King.

But there’s no way I’d hand her over to the demons.

“When there’s no Demon King, do demons just stay hidden underground waiting for one?”

“Generally, yes. Due to past wars, we receive poor treatment from humans. Other non-humans, having benefited indirectly, don’t view us entirely negatively.”

“Hmm…”

It’s something to think about.

Demons themselves don’t seem particularly bad.

Above all, their absolute loyalty to the Demon King is a major factor.

No matter what, they cannot harm the Demon King and must obey their commands.

If used wisely, it’s like gaining a race of a thousand capable individuals to protect Yul.

“Can humans distinguish demons?”

“Ordinarily, no. After all, it’s been too long since humans remember such things clearly.”

Ordinarily, no.

That’s a pretty crucial statement.

Still, I can’t trust it completely, so I plan to find another way to identify demons myself.

If random demons start wandering around the territory, it won’t end well.

“How far is the place you came from?”

“Round trip would take more than a season.”

“The king won’t move. That’s how I intend to keep it.”

Berseugal falls silent.

His face reflects despair.

“Well, what should we do? Loyal subjects willing to follow the king should come here directly, right?”

“…Yes! That’s correct!”

“Relocate. I’ll provide the space, but you must hide thoroughly while assisting Yul.”

“No one can do it better than I can.”

Providing them living space won’t be difficult.

Just pretend more villagers have moved in.

Even if they don’t integrate well, there are other places.

Near the World Tree or Petra ruins.

There’s plenty of space, so accommodating them won’t be a problem.

If they dislike it, they can leave.

I’m taking the risk of accepting them because of something Yul said.

When Berseugal revealed his original demon form with horns, his comment about liking horns reminded me.

Just because of that one comment.

Originally, I had no intention of accepting them.

“Hmm…”

Maybe I should ask the dwarves to make some horns.

If worn like headbands, would Yul like them?

While contemplating this, I glance at Yul sleeping peacefully in my arms.

The gentle angelic child, softly breathing.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and go.”

“Yes! I’ll return as soon as possible!”

I wave him off casually as Berseugal disappears into the horizon.

Watching him go, I look back at Yul.

Demon King…

It’s not like those manga stories about world domination.

Simply put, the ruler of demons.

Because demons must follow the king’s actions, they’re essentially puppets of the Demon King.

It seems like a magical power concept affecting them deeply.

Seeing Berseugal unable to defy even one word from the Demon King, I feel reassured.

I don’t think Yul would ever cause chaos.

Probably large-scale pretend play.

Or bicycle delivery games… helping the townsfolk.

The idea of a thousand demons trailing after Yul is somewhat amusing.

Having a thousand reliable workers voluntarily come to our manpower-short town isn’t bad.

Especially since they pose almost no risk.

One simple command from Yul—”Don’t cause trouble!”—and they’ll behave.

This environment is quite interesting.

With the World Tree nearby and soon-to-arrive demons.

Not to mention the Great Abbey at the center of the village.

There’s no conflict between divine and demonic magic.

Realizing demons aren’t part of the dark forces anymore,

it’s amusing when modern misconceptions about demons versus holiness arise.

I imagine seeing demons praying at the Great Abbey someday—it’s a funny thought.

“Mmm…”

“Huh?”

“Yes. Did my subordinates return?”

“That guy went to bring back more subordinates for Yul.”

“They didn’t get my permission!”

“I gave them permission.”

“Oh, then it’s fine.”

Yul’s eyebrows furrow fiercely, then relax upon hearing my words.

The natural authority in her tone when mentioning permission.

The strength of a commander.

I can’t help but chuckle at the sight.

Demon King or not,

to me, she’ll always be my adorable daughter.

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