Reincarnation as a Great Demon Lord - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Great Demon King Makes a Decision

Upon receiving Seren's report, I took both Seren and Egret with me and immediately headed for the Great Demon King's Castle terrace.

The Great Demon King's Castle is currently hovering above the fortress city. Therefore, the fastest way to get a view of the city's main gate on the ground is to go to the terrace.

The view from the terrace was indeed peculiar. A large crowd had gathered at the main gate of the fortress city below.

Their numbers totaled several thousand. They were milling around, surrounding the gate.

But it wasn't an attack, as Seren had suggested.

They were not an army, nor were they rioters. They were refugees, displaced people. Their clothes were tattered, and they looked hungry. They were clearly seeking help.

"Seren, move the castle. Go call Arcelia for me."

"Y-Yes, understood. B-But what are you going to do?"

"I haven't decided yet. Just do as I ask."

I knew who they were, but I couldn't decide anything without confirmation. My gut feeling told me that using magic to simply drive them away would be a mistake.

"Egret. Go fetch the Elder of the Rock Orcs. And have all non-combatants evacuate to the mine."

"Y-Your Will!"

I gave the immediate instructions.

It's better to avoid contact between the refugees and the Rock Orcs. It would only cause unnecessary confusion.

This means the Great Demon King's Army must handle this matter alone.

If so, I should return to the throne room. I can command the entire castle from that location, and it would be a bad idea for me to appear before them personally.

"Your Majesty, everyone has arrived."

When I returned to the throne, Seren returned with Arcelia and the Elder of the Rock Orcs.

Her speed was helpful. The castle had just finished moving above the refugees.

A moment later, Egret arrived, not even winded. Knowing her, she must have fully executed my instructions and regained her composure on the way.

"Everyone, be at ease."

I sat on the throne, raising one hand to speak grandly. Although I was quite preoccupied and thinking hard on the inside, I didn't let it show. I needed to convince my subordinates that I was utterly calm and unflustered. It was a forced confidence, but that’s what dignity usually is.

"You are aware of the situation, correct? Humans are swarming the main gate."

"Yes. So, what do we do? It doesn't look like they're attacking..."

"Indeed. They are likely displaced people. There's little doubt about that."

Arcelia frowned at my answer. She looked like she couldn't comprehend what was happening.

Well, I suppose so. In this Demon Realm, the 'Human' race and their patrons, the 'Human Alliance,' are the largest power.

Therefore, it is highly unusual for humans to become aimlessly wandering displaced people. Furthermore, it is unthinkable for them to seek help from the demon race.

In fact, the Human Alliance soldiers we expelled from this fortress city safely headed to another Human Alliance zone.

For human refugees to purposefully come to demon territory is nothing short of bizarre. There must be some unavoidable circumstances at play.

"Are you sure they're just refugees? It's common for deserters to attack settlements."

"We must confirm that, among other things. The response will follow that."

I leaned back in the throne, pretending to ponder.

In truth, I had already reached a conclusion. However, given the situation, I should share the information and the decision-making process with everyone.

"Your Majesty, if I may..."

"Seren. You may speak."

"I believe there is only one response."

Seren spoke with an uncharacteristically serious expression. I had a feeling about the single course of action Seren would suggest. While it would be the customary and utterly natural response for a demon, I had no intention of adopting it.

"We must immediately turn them away. Whatever their circumstances, the fate of humans is not our concern. They can die in the streets wherever they please. If you command me, I will borrow soldiers and do so immediately."

...I see.

While Seren's tone was strong for her, the content of her statement was more moderate than I had expected. However, considering that the high-minded Egret didn't object, this level of response must be considered perfectly normal.

I had been half-expecting her to suggest 'massacre,' so I was relieved that it wasn't that extreme.

Yet, even reaching this moderate conclusion has a justifiable background.

To demons, the human race is the enemy who killed the former King and their oppressive ruler. The accumulated hatred spans a hundred years, perhaps even more.

A campaign of vengeance would be devastating. Even if the demon world's soil was stained red with blood and mountains of corpses were piled up, the hatred would never disappear. It's the same throughout Earth's history.

That is precisely why I must make a decision. To become the new King of the demons and a great Final Boss, the best course is to do what other kings could not, or rather, refused to do.

It’s the same as with the 'Hero of the Holy Sword.' No, in terms of necessity alone, this situation is far more crucial than just one person. We cannot get by now unless we utilize everything that can be used.

"Seren. I understand your opinion. I believe I understand your feelings, too. I am grateful for your consideration in trying to spare me the stigma of 'mass murderer.'"

The usually reserved Seren asserted herself strongly because she wanted to carry out the attack on the refugees in her own name, not mine.

...Honestly, it’s an expression of loyalty so profound it almost brings tears to my eyes, but I cannot accept it this time.

"Your Majesty..."

"But, Seren. I must do the opposite of what you suggest. That is the path of the Great Demon King, a path that must be chosen for the future, not for past grudges."

"...Surely not, Your Majesty."

"Yes. Exactly so. Despite this, will you still follow me, my attendant?"

At my question, Seren’s expression flashed with surprise, and she caught her breath. Then, with unwavering, resolute eyes, she replied:

"—My King, in this life and the next, is you alone. I am prepared to trust you and accompany you wherever you go."

"I thank you, Seren. I have gained a marvelous attendant."

Seren bowed her head, speechless but clearly overcome with emotion.

She trusts me. I will use that trust. It is a despicable act, but I am the Final Boss. I do not care about such things and am not bound by conventional morality.

"So, what did you two decide after staring into each other's eyes? I have no idea what's going on."

"Hmph. I have made my decision."

I declared this to Arcelia and rose from the throne. I looked over all my gathered vassals and declared:

"We shall bring those displaced people into the castle. As my people."

"—What?!"

Everyone except Seren cried out in surprise at my proposal. Even the taciturn Elder widened his eyes and stared at me.

It was, understandably, a natural reaction. I am the Final Boss, the Great Demon King. The Evil Overlord is expected to exterminate humans without a second thought or use them as disposable tools.

This obviously runs counter to the common sense of the Demon Realm, and there is a possibility—no, a probability—of incurring the displeasure, or even the outright enmity, of other demon factions. In the worst case, we might be targeted by both humans and demons.

However, a true Final Boss cannot be afraid of such things. In fact, I welcome it.

A true Final Boss is never simply evil.

Sometimes they perform acts of good, and it is this very goodness that creates conflict for the protagonists. That conflict is the Final Boss's greatest weapon and charm. A good Final Boss can never be defined by a single dimension.

Furthermore, accepting those displaced people has both short-term and long-term benefits. In the short term, it secures labor. In the long term, it will serve as a model case for when we eventually dominate the human world, and it will weaken resistance among the populace of the conquered territories.

And, most importantly, it demonstrates my resolve.

I will rule both demons and humans without discrimination. Without that spirit, one cannot hope to take the entire world into their hands.

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SIDE: Seren

The moment I heard His Majesty the Great Demon King's words, "We shall welcome the displaced people as my people," I was unable to speak.

It wasn't out of surprise. It was out of joy. I was simply paralyzed by a trembling ecstasy.

All previous Demon Kings have only sought to kill their enemies. Not once did they consider the welfare of the people.

But even that was fine. The Demon King is power itself. To violate and slaughter is as natural as breathing.

But the Great Demon King is different. This person is the savior of the Demon Realm I had been waiting for. I was convinced of this from the day I met him, and that conviction only grows stronger daily.

And today, the Great Demon King declared he would rule not just the demon race, but also the humans.

At that moment, a certain prophecy flashed through my mind: "One day, a King shall appear who will rule both the demon race and humanity. That King shall be the savior, the one who truly changes this world." This prophecy, known to all demons, was left by the 'Witch of the Rock Shelter,' the founder of magic studies, and has been passed down since ancient times.

However, no one believed the prophecy, and successive Demon Kings only used it as a pretext for invading the human world. That is, until this very day.

Everyone present lost their words because they were all convinced that the Great Demon King was the true King of change sung about in the prophecy.

Therefore, everyone was able to unite and act decisively in the face of the unprecedented situation of welcoming human refugees. They were able to put aside past grievances and personal feelings. Everything for our King. I would not hesitate to give my life for the Great Demon King.

I volunteered myself to be the liaison for the humans. I felt that this was the duty of one who serves as my King's voice and ears.

Thus, with the courage granted by the Great Demon King, I confronted my inner fear of humans, conveyed the Great Demon King's words to them, and listened to their own words.

It was there that I learned a shocking truth.

The name of the town the refugees came from was 'Verda.' This town, located to the east of the fortress city, was destroyed, of all things, by a Hero.

Furthermore, they claimed that this Hero, of all people, manipulated thousands of monsters to destroy the town.

His epithet was the 'Monster Tamer.' A threat feared even by the most powerful warriors of the Demon Realm was at that moment drawing closer to the Great Demon King's Army.

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