Chapter 279

Chapter 279

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 279: Internal Affairs (4)

“Well done, Nekri! You did great!”

“Ha, hahaha… Yes. Thank you.”

“You played the pipe so well! You really pulled off that lie!”

“I just did as I was taught, that’s all.”

Nekri scratched the back of her head, laughing sheepishly.

As expected, the experience of being the leader of the dark elves showed. Nekri masterfully demonstrated her pipe skills and captivated the hearts of the humans.

“Hehehe, they all loved it.”

In truth, the pipe was just a bluff. Nekri only played it as I taught her, and the monsters simply moved according to their training.

But to the humans, it must have seemed like a miraculous performance.

A mysterious display of dark elves controlling monsters with a pipe. Even if I were human, I would have found the sight of monsters moving in perfect unison under the spell of the pipe to be fascinating.

With this, the suspicions about the monsters were largely dispelled. The mysterious performance had completely captured the people’s hearts. Now, it wouldn’t seem too strange for dark elves to lead monsters around.

Some restraint would be needed, but this was how we build ‘normalcy’ over time.

“So, are we marching tomorrow?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, just wear that outfit and play the pipe while moving. Anyway, they’re used to marching, so they’ll do fine on their own.”

“That’s true. A group march sounds exciting.”

“While you march, observe the surroundings closely. That’s how you blend into the city and can move freely.”

“Hehehe, got it.”

The dark elves were visibly excited about stepping into the larger world.

Well then, time to prepare for tomorrow’s march.

I immediately went to find Buril at the goblins’ quarters.

“Hey! Buril!”

“Master?! Kerurung!”

Buril, who had been lying down, tearing apart a baguette and scratching his belly, jumped up when he saw me. The other goblins nearby also stood up, pushing aside their board game.

“Keep doing what you were doing. Buril, come here.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Hehehe, Buril, the others acted well. The humans were completely fooled.”

“Kerekerek. Of course, Master. It was an easy task for us goblins!”

Buril shouted confidently.

“Kerek! That’s right!”

The other goblins agreed.

“But Master, it’s strange. The humans were shouting as they watched us. Kerek. It’s odd thinking that such insignificant creatures would make such a fuss.”

“Hehehe, is that so?”

Could it be that they felt something from the humans’ favorable gazes?

“Anyway, Buril. We’re marching tomorrow. You can handle it, right?”

“Kerek! All we have to do is march through the city and look around, right? We can do it! And I’m excited! I’ve been curious about the humans’ city for a long time, and now we get to see it openly!”

“Yeah. That’s what the march is for. Take a good look around as we go. You need to see what the humans’ city is like.”

“Kerurung!”

Buril was thrilled.

“Why do you guys like that board game so much?”

“Master, it’s really fun. Kerek.”

“Buril wins all the time, that’s why it’s fun! Kerek!”

“That’s right! Our intelligence is too low to beat him! Kerek!”

The goblins whined at Buril’s comment. It seems that since Buril has the highest intelligence, he’s beating the others with ease.

“Kerukkeruk. Keep playing the board game. You need to develop your brains.”

“Kerek!”

They sure loved their board games.

“Hey, do you want to try chess?”

“Chess?”

There were similar games, but no exact match for Earth’s chess. Now that the conditions were right, I think I should make and introduce chess.

The next day.

We began our march.

Of course, not everyone participated. The lamias, with their snake-like lower bodies, stayed behind in the castle since they could be too shocking. Half of the monster forces were also held back in the castle to avoid showing too many at once.

But the angels and pixies all joined in.

—Piriiririr.

Anyway, Nekri played the pipe.

—Chokchokchok. —Chokchokchok. —Chokchokchok.

My soldiers followed Nekri in step. Behind the monster soldiers, the dark elves and angels marched.

—Buuung!

Above, the pixies flew through the air.

“Kerekerek.”

“Kerurung.”

Everyone looked around the city in awe. Sharan and Lumica, who were by my side, also pulled their hoods over their heads and glanced around.

“Shasha. Master, there are a lot of humans.”

“Yeah… It’s different from watching through a window. A city surrounded by stone… It’s fascinating.”

“Shasha.”

“What do you think? Compared to the jungle?”

“It’s not bad.”

“Yeah. I think so too. It’s not bad being in a place like this.”

Overall, they had a positive view. It was a good decision to come.

As we marched, a crowd gathered.

“Oh…!”

“Unbelievable!”

“It’s like something out of a fairy tale!”

Spectators gathered like a cloud. They stood at a distance, watching the march of the monster soldiers.

Of course, my soldiers were unarmed. They were only wearing T-shirts and shorts. Perhaps because they looked cute, the children around particularly liked them.

—Buuung!

“Kyaahahaha!”

“Yahoo!”

The pixies were laughing joyfully in the sky, naturally lifting everyone’s spirits.

And right at that moment…

“Wow! Look at those big boobs on those sisters!”

“Yeah, seriously!”

“They’re huge!”

Some young boys were pointing at the pixies and shouting.

“Hehehe, those little brats.”

They were going to be something big someday. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hoo… those kids are something.”

Reika, who was following behind, laughed as well.

“Hmm.”

Was this what it felt like to be a lord? Honestly, I had just taken over this land, but the people laughing there all felt like my subjects. I started to feel a fondness for them.

Yes. You needed people like this, who followed well, to conquer the world.

“March on with strength!”

“Kerek!”

At my shout, Nekri blew her pipe a little harder.

Today’s march was a huge success.

From ancient times, it was said that rulers needed to know how to make their citizens, as well as their soldiers, happy.

That was how the Roman emperors did it.

Of course, as society advanced, leaders who focused on making their soldiers happy disappeared, but the point remained. You needed to win their hearts. And to do that, you had to make them happy.

“Today! You’ve all worked hard going out there! And those who stayed behind at home while others went out, you did great too!”

—Cheok!

I raised my glass and shouted.

“Those who stayed behind will get their chance next time, so wait for that day! The same goes for the lamias, just hang in there a bit longer! Got it?”

“Kerek!”

“Understood…! Kyahak!”

“Kkururuk! That was fun!”

The speech was over.

“Now, eat!”

I gave the order to start the meal.

—Keryaaaak! —Gyusaak! —Kkururuk!

As soon as the command was given, my subordinates started devouring the fried dishes and bread on their trays. The fried meat, coated in egg and flour, was the most delicious food in the world, and the bread and cheese were heavenly delicacies.

“Kerek! It’s so tasty!”

“Fried food is the best! Kyahak!”

Even the lamias were happily munching on the fried food. Since they had high energy needs, they loved greasy fried foods.

“Kyusaaarrrr! It’s so delicious!”

Seeing them eat well made me feel great. Human cuisine had completely captured the tastes of my subordinates.

But hosting feasts like this did drain the budget a bit. Still, I had quite a bit of wealth stored up in the barony.

“But this is a necessary expense.”

If I couldn’t throw a party for my soldiers, could I really call myself a lord? These joyous gatherings needed to happen regularly.

“Hehehe, everyone looks happy.”

“It warms my heart. The word ‘family’ is starting to feel very real.”

The Saintess and Vanessa said things like that. It seemed even to them, it was a beautiful sight.

The kids were eating messily since they hadn’t learned proper table manners, but I was used to it. What mattered most was the heartwarming atmosphere.

“Shasha! Master! Eating together like this is so much fun!”

“Hehehe, right? I’m having fun too, Sharan.”

“Shashaasha!”

Excited by the cheerful atmosphere, Sharan eagerly devoured her fried food, her joy apparent. She’s such a lovely woman. Fried food really is the best; everyone loves it.

“To see the Demon King and his monster army so joyful… it really makes you think.”

“Lea, don’t be too hard on yourself. Go get something to eat.”

“I’ll eat right here.”

“I mean, eat with the monsters.”

“I’ll eat next to the Saintess, so don’t mind me.”

Still as prickly as ever.

Anyway.

Strengthening bonds through gatherings like this was crucial.

The internal affairs were more or less settled. The castle was completely under control, and the territory had fallen into my hands. Even the monsters had been convinced. The people were praising the Saintess.

Now, the only thing left was to fight.

Soon, I’d have to fight a ‘real army’ with my subordinates. There would be no room for complacency. I’d be fighting a true army, trained professionals, in a battle of life and death.

It was different from our jungle warfare, where our identity was kept hidden. The enemy would prepare, and since they now knew about us, they’d develop effective strategies.

To fight against such opponents… we needed unity.

“Krrr.”

I drank as I thought about it. The baron’s stockpiled liquor was quite sweet. This is really good.

“Hoo.”

After drinking for a while, I went upstairs to get some fresh air and stood by the window.

—Flap, flap.

As always, an evil eye flew in.

“Brother Kyuse!”

“Oh, Karuti. What news do you bring today?”

“You’re treating me like a news courier now! Anyway, Kyuse-oppa! I’ve got some great info!”

“Oh, what is it?”

“You know there’s another lord’s territory next to us, right?”

Of course, I knew.

And I also knew that our relationship with that territory was bad enough that there was talk of a territorial war.

“Yeah, I know. Why?”

“They’re showing suspicious movements!”

“Oh no.”

Was it time to fight the neighboring lord now?