Reincarnation as a Great Demon Lord - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: The Great Demon King Takes Action

The integration of the displaced people who appeared outside the fortress city went surprisingly smoothly.

This was not my doing, but the merit of my vassals. When I announced the acceptance of the refugees, Seren, Egret, Arcelia, and the Elder not only voiced no opposition but took on the task with a sense of mission.

Furthermore, the circumstances were in our favor.

The fortress city was originally garrisoned by several thousand soldiers. Their quarters could be allocated to the refugees, and since several years' worth of food was stockpiled, provisions were distributed to everyone.

This was only possible because we had captured the fortress city virtually intact in the last battle.

As expected, fortune favors me. Having luck is the minimum requirement for a Final Boss. Even in desperate situations, coincidence intervenes, and they escape even the worst scenarios.

While this might sometimes happen due to the needs of the narrative, I am convinced that the Final Boss's persistent efforts and strong conviction are what attract that luck.

The Rock Orcs' reaction is another example. They had been subjected to forced labor in the city's mine, yet they harbored no hatred towards humans.

According to Seren, the Rock Orcs possess a spirituality that lies between living creatures and minerals. They were tired of the restrictions and quotas on ore extraction during forced labor and desired liberation, but they hadn't reached a state of anger or hatred. This was likely thanks to the relatively conscientious rule of the Hero who governed this fortress city.

...This won't be the case in other towns or with other races. While complete harmony between demons and humans might be impossible, I must establish a methodology for governing both races mixed together as soon as possible. Eventually, this entire world will be under my control.

My main concern is the humans we've just accepted, but for a while, there won't be any issues. In fact, they won't have the luxury of causing trouble. Until their basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) are met and their lives stabilize, their cohabitants are the least of their worries.

Of course, I don't intend to let them live in my domain for free, even after they stabilize. I will impose a tax or its equivalent in service. However, that is a discussion for after their basic living conditions are secured.

They are a valuable labor force, and they must be properly utilized. There are plenty of jobs, but an administrative department is necessary to allocate them appropriately.

Fortunately, even to my eyes, Seren possesses a marvelous talent for internal affairs. With a little guidance from me, I will soon be able to confidently entrust domestic matters to her.

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More urgently, I must address the cause that created these refugees.

The existence of the 'Monster Tamer,' which Seren learned about from the displaced people. If that information is accurate, we must take countermeasures.

Among the hundreds of superhumans known as 'Heroes' in the human world, the particularly powerful ones are referred to by a 'Second Name' (or epithet).

This is a setting that exists in the original story. In fact, the protagonist gained an epithet during the narrative. In My Solasia 2, it was the 'Holy Sword,' in the first My Solasia it was the 'Progenitor,' and in My Solasia 3, it was the 'Mandate of Heaven.' Each was given an epithet appropriate to their story.

Gaining an epithet requires both skill and proven achievements. In other words, anyone referred to by an epithet is a formidable powerhouse.

One such epithet-bearer is the 'Monster Tamer,' who attacked the town of 'Verda' where the refugees lived.

A Hero with that epithet did not appear in the main story, but he is an unforgivable presence. After all, a Hero leading the very monsters he should be fighting—that sounds like a Final Boss. I will not tolerate any Final Boss other than myself. I must confront him no matter what and teach him the difference in class a true Final Boss commands.

"—Your Majesty."

While I was musing about this on the castle's balcony in the afternoon, admiring the bustle of the city below, Egret spoke to me.

I turned back to her, noticing a hint of fatigue on her face.

That's to be expected. Egret and her subordinate knights have been responsible for maintaining order across the entire fortress city for the past three days. Even if the Rock Orcs are indifferent to humans, conflicts between the humans themselves don't disappear. History proves that if these issues aren't properly managed, nothing good will come of it.

In that sense, it's no exaggeration to say that Egret, who is in charge of maintaining order, is shouldering the greatest responsibility.

"By the way, Egret. Is there anything you desire?"

"M-My desire, Your Majesty...?"

"Yes. You have been working exceptionally hard. As King, I feel I must reward you for it."

From Egret's demeanor, the matter wasn't urgent, so I started with a light conversation. While there is no doubt about Egret's loyalty, rewarding and punishing fairly is the way of the world. If those who work hard are not rewarded, it sets a bad example for those beneath them, and morale may suffer.

More importantly, it is detrimental to let a mindset take hold where continued contribution is expected without proper gratitude. That is bad for Egret herself and bad for me. A Final Boss can be arrogant, but low-level misconceptions, such as believing devotion and loyalty can be earned unconditionally, are unnecessary.

"I am Your Majesty's knight. Seeking a reward for loyalty goes against my pride as a knight. Your words, well, they make me very happy, but..."

"A typical answer from you. But you are too humble. This is not a reward for your loyalty, but for your effort. I wish to do this. If you have nothing, then think of something."

Her answer was so predictable that I gave her a small, difficult demand. Egret's integrity and humility are virtues, and something I cherish, but she needs to learn to lead others. For that, I want Egret to be able to voice her 'desires.'

While ideals and ideologies can propel people forward, 'dreams' are a much clearer driving force. A dream, simply put, is the ultimate expression of desire. If you recognize your desire, your dream will naturally become clear.

In my case, I have the desire to control the world as I wish. Thus, I aimed to become the Final Boss. I want Egret to go through a similar process.

"If it is my desire... then, Your Majesty, may I make one request?"

"State it."

I expected her to deliberate longer, but Egret spoke relatively quickly.

A 'request' isn't always equal to a 'desire,' but it's a start. Besides, since she's worked this hard, I want to give her anything I can.

"I... I wish to receive words of praise."

"............Is that all?"

I was slightly taken aback, but perhaps this is how it starts. I thought I was praising my vassals, including Egret, at every opportunity, but apparently, it wasn't enough.

Indeed, perhaps the depth of my passion isn't fully conveyed through casual conversation.

"If I hear you say, 'Well done,' I, Egret, can fight with full strength for another thousand years."

"Very well. Then, here I go."

"Y-Yes!"

As I faced her head-on, Egret gasped. She was stiff and tense, putting too much strength into her shoulders, but I’ll overlook that for now.

Egret is my knight, an excellent individual who will eventually lead the Great Demon King's Army as a Great General. No amount of praise is too much for her.

"Egret, you are beautiful. Your trained body, your facial features, and your very soul. Your loyalty and devotion are my treasure. Gaining you is one of the greatest strokes of fortune in my life. You have worked hard, and I thank you."

"Y-Your Majesty...!"

This was only the beginning, but Egret's eyes were tearing up, and her face looked utterly melted. It seems the words of praise were excessively effective.

This happened often in my previous life. Whenever I praised or comforted someone, they would always become more energized or enthusiastic than I had intended.

While this is certainly an expression of my charisma, the fact that it sometimes leads to unpredictable results is a problem. Being stabbed during my student days was, in retrospect, indirectly caused by this. I grabbed too tightly onto their hearts, which led to unnecessary misunderstandings.

In fact, Egret is quite 'tripped out' right now. Her eyes, fixed on me, are moist with fever, and the corners of her mouth are turned up. Her usual dignity has vanished, and her age-appropriate cuteness is at the forefront.

While her being cute is fine, intense emotions are like unstable bombs. A small stimulus could cause an explosion.

...I need to be careful. Even though I am physically much sturdier in this life, I'd rather not be stabbed again. In Egret's case, it's loyalty, not infatuation, so I probably won't be stabbed immediately...

"Your Majesty... More, please, more."

"Now, Egret. Didn't you have a report for me?"

She was becoming enraptured, so I changed the subject. She originally came to report something, so we can't keep indulging in a separate conversation.

"Hah! Th-That's right! How could I have forgotten...!"

"It is fine. So, what is your report?"

"I have come to report on the investigation concerning the humans."

"Oh," I said, showing interest. I had instructed her not to report if the investigation yielded nothing, so there must have been some results.

"As Your Majesty predicted, a considerable number of former soldiers are among the displaced people. Initially, they all concealed their identity, but once Your Majesty's words were conveyed, they cautiously came forward."

The subject of the investigation was explicitly the 'refugee background check.' I had Egret investigate what they were doing before they arrived here and their family structures, in parallel with maintaining order.

"As expected. Were there any suspicious individuals?"

"No, it was just as Your Majesty said. They are all defeated soldiers. We deduce that they somehow managed to escape after being caught in a surprise attack."

Hmm, I knew this, but it’s still reassuring to have this confirmed. There is no better place for spies or saboteurs to hide than within a crowd. While not every person is a threat, a ruler needs to know how many people entered the castle with different intentions.

This was one of the purposes of the investigation. Of course, I don't believe all agents have been rooted out, but for the time being, things look manageable.

Besides, the investigation had more than one purpose.

"Excellent. How many of them are usable?"

"About 100 people are capable of movement. Their trustworthiness is another matter."

The total number of refugees is a little over 4,000. Assuming a quarter of them were soldiers, and then one in ten of those had only minor injuries or low levels of exhaustion. Well, that's what you'd expect from defeated troops. On the contrary, the fact that so many are capable of movement is helpful.

One of the reasons for accepting them was for labor. What we need right now is soldiers to defend the Great Demon King's Castle and the fortress city. Dealing with the 'Monster Tamer' is an urgent matter, and we must push ourselves a little.

"We will set aside trust for now. Are they likely to agree to our terms?"

"...Most of them have families, so they will comply whether they want to or not."

Egret's expression clouded slightly. That's understandable. For a noble knight like her, conscripting soldiers by exploiting their weakness goes against her principles.

But most grand endeavors start with something as mundane as that. A noble sense of purpose or mission is not something people easily acquire. Not unless they are a Final Boss like me, at least.

"Egret. This was my command. You need not worry about it."

"...No, Your Majesty. I am not worried. I, Egret, will definitely fulfill my mission."

"Is that so? Then good. What about the 'Monster Tamer'?"

Feeling reassured by the prideful Egret, I asked about the third purpose of the investigation. Seren had gathered the general information, but I had asked Egret to conduct individual interviews to potentially obtain different information about the 'Monster Tamer.'

"Unfortunately, regarding that... it seems the attack happened at night, and the reality is that they simply fled without knowing what was happening."

"Betrayal and a surprise attack, or perhaps a sudden event... We'll have to find out the truth eventually."

This is something even we can't do anything about yet. Perhaps we should be grateful that the threat's existence and its name are at least clear.

In any case, we must prepare ourselves.

"Your Majesty. Related to that matter, there is one problem."

"I am listening."

"Yes. It seems that most of the city's leadership was killed during the attack, and now the humans have no leader. I fear this could lead to problems down the line."

The absence of a leader, a coordinator. I had anticipated it, but it is indeed a problem.

The lack of a leader means the displaced people cannot form a unified group will. To put it bluntly, it's very troublesome. It would be easy if everyone came together to state their opinions and demands, but if 2,000 people start complaining separately, there's no way to deal with it.

We could appoint a coordinator from our side, but a demon would naturally cause resentment. Is there a good solution...

"...What about that old man? The one who spoke with Seren."

"That elderly man is bedridden from exhaustion. I suppose the strain was too much. I could temporarily fill the role, but..."

"No, I have an idea. You have worked hard, Egret. You have done well; that is a splendid job."

I praised her again as an afterthought, and Egret nodded dramatically, her eyes shining. It feels like being adored by a large dog, which is probably not far from the truth.

...I do have one person in mind to coordinate the humans. Appointing that person has its own merits, and it will also serve as the final push to win her heart.

A Hero for the Heroes. Now, it's time to showcase my persuasion skills.

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