Chapter 290

Chapter 290

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 290: Regrouping (1)

“Alright, from now on, we will begin the sword conferring ceremony! Buril, step forward!”

“Keruk!”

With a spirited yell, Buril climbed onto the reviewing platform.

“Buril has led the goblin infantry through countless victories! This is not only Buril’s achievement but also all of yours! We were able to win because you all followed Buril’s orders so well!”

I gave a speech in front of my subordinates, praising them.

The goblins were almost overwhelmed with joy.

“Therefore, this sword! This cursed sword, sent by the Duchess of the Demon World, shall be bestowed upon the goblin infantry! Buril! You shall receive it on their behalf! Lead the goblins well from now on! This sword shall become the symbol of the goblins!”

“Keruk…! Yes, Master!”

“Take it!”

— Swish.

Buril knelt on one knee, bowing his head deeply while raising both hands. As if placing the sword on a stand, I handed the sword over to Buril.

“Everyone, applaud!”

— Clap clap clap!

— Clap clap clap!

— Clap clap clap!

“Kerraaaak!”

“Keruuuuk!”

The goblins clapped and cheered loudly. Soon after, Buril stood up, marveling quietly as he examined the cursed sword.

“Kerung… Master. This sword feels extraordinary. With this sword…!”

“Indeed. It’s a very fine sword.”

Vanessa had said it was a masterpiece, not just because of the curse but because the sword itself was well-forged. Buril seemed to sense this too, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

No warrior disliked a good weapon.

“Master! I’ve heard that an evil spirit resides in this sword!”

“Keruk! I heard that too!”

“Kerererek! Me too!”

At Buril’s words, the others shouted with excitement.

“Heh heh, that’s right, Buril. An evil spirit slumbers in that sword. But Buril! I’ve noticed that you’ve accumulated a considerable amount of magical power!”

With that, I set the mood.

“Kerung. Master. I knew that too.”

“Knew what?”

“I knew I could wield magical power now! Keruk!”

“What!”

“Of course! If I could notice it, he definitely would have realized it himself. Buril had consumed much of my magical power over time. He was already a fine demon and could now wield magic!”

“Then try infusing the sword with magic! Aim over there!”

“Kerung!”

— Shluck!

Buril raised the sword and pointed it toward the sky.

— Gooong!

He poured magical power into it!

“Kyaaaaak!”

An evil spirit shot out from the sword, swinging its arms wildly!

“Kerraaaak!”

“Keruuuung?!”

“Ke, Keruk! Keruuuuk!”

The goblins went into a frenzy. Some clutched their heads, jumping around, while others collapsed and screamed in shock.

“That is the evil spirit…! Keruk!”

“The evil spirit will protect us! Keruruk!”

“Long live the Demon King! Long live Buril! Kerraaak!”

Even I was amazed. How could they not be?

“Ke, Keruk…!”

Buril, too, looked at the sword with a dumbfounded expression. I explained the sword’s effects to him.

“That sword will be incredibly useful in formation battles! Keruk!”

“Exactly. Use it to save your comrades in times of crisis, Buril.”

“Keruk…!”

Tears welled up in Buril’s eyes.

Anyway, that concluded the ceremony of awarding the sword to Buril. The response was overwhelmingly positive. That cursed sword would likely be revered for a while.

“Next up! Juria!”

“Fufufu, it’s my turn now?”

“Juria, you often charge into enemy infantry with your sword, don’t you? This sword will serve you well.”

“Ah…! I can’t wait to use it, Demon King!”

Juria was thrilled.

“Now, Nekri, it’s your turn.”

“To receive such a fine sword…!”

Nekri was equally delighted.

Both Juria and Nekri were frontline warriors. Naturally, they loved good weapons. The dark elves fought like special forces, and the lamias charged in and fought with swords drawn.

The swords would be useful.

“And Vanessa.”

“You’re giving it to me?”

“Of course. After all, you are the first knight, aren’t you?”

“…”

Vanessa accepted the sword with a deeply moved expression. Though she didn’t show it openly, she seemed truly touched, like someone who had received a wonderful gift.

“Thank you. I will wield this sword for your sake.”

“Of course, Vanessa.”

— Swish.

I gently stroked Vanessa’s hair.

“Ugh…”

She seemed to like it.

“Treat it as if it were me.”

“But isn’t there an evil spirit inside? How can I think of it as you?”

“That’s unfortunate.”

And with that, the sword conferring ceremony came to an end.

“The last sword… I’ll keep it for myself.”

I was the Demon King, after all.

For the sake of my dignity, I should carry one for a while. Later, I could give it to someone who proved themselves.

“Hey, why don’t I get one?”

Lea approached, looking quite displeased.

“Honestly, Lea, you haven’t exactly done anything remarkable, have you?”

“My duty is to guard the Saintess. And I’ve been doing that well, haven’t I?”

“That’s true, but you haven’t exactly stood out.”

“Hah.”

She looked visibly annoyed.

“Hehe, but since you’ve become a demon, you’ve taken an interest in cursed swords, haven’t you, Lea?”

“Well, if I had one, I could protect the Saintess better.”

“Wow! You’re really committed to your mission! Alright, I’ll think about it!”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

With a cool demeanor, Lea turned on her heel.

— Tap, tap, tap.

She really had that haughty lady vibe. I wonder how she’d look once she was wearing formal knight attire.

Was that everything?

Anna Hamins wasn’t here right now. She was still getting used to the monster army, and all her subordinates were human. We needed to maintain a bit of distance. Currently, she was leading the territory’s security forces.

Alright, let’s get back to business.

— Vwoom!

— Pop pop!

Just then—

“Hey! Why aren’t we getting anything?”

“Why do the fallen angels get nothing?”

“Krrr! Master! I want one too!”

It was Serinu, along with Lilriel and Imsoong.

“You don’t even use swords.”

“Still! The evil spirit was so cool! I want one too! I want to command an evil spirit!”

Serinu pouted, crossing her arms in frustration.

Why did she look so adorable when she threw a tantrum?

“Even fallen angels can wield swords! We think it’s only fair we get one, given our contributions!”

“Krrr! Maaaster! Me too, toooo!”

These guys, seriously.

“Of course, you’ll get something too.”

“What? Yahoo!”

“But it’s not anything amazing, though.”

The Duchess also sent some pretty jewelry instead of weapons. They’re accessories that offer a bit of magical enhancement, but the effect isn’t particularly strong.

“Here, take these. Pretty rings and earrings—”

“Ah, ahhh?! What is this?!”

“Serinu?”

“What is this? What is this? It’s so shiny! So beautiful! I want this!”

Wow, she really liked it more than I expected.

“It was meant for you from the start. Take it.”

“Yahoo!!!”

Looks like I’ll need to butter up the Duchess to get more jewelry.

“Lilriel? Imsoong?”

“Wow… This is beautiful.”

“Krrk…”

Both of them were staring at the sparkling rings and earrings in awe, completely mesmerized.

— Swish.

Imsoong slipped a ring onto his finger—a sinister-looking silver ring set with a red gemstone.

“Master? Does this look good on me?”

“It looks amazing, Imsoong!”

“Krrrrk!”

He may be creepy, but I had to admit, it suited him.

Sharan and Lumica also loved their rings. It seemed giving elegant gifts really works with the women.

“Is this… for me?”

Reika was no exception.

“Yes. I chose an especially beautiful one for you. Let me help you put it on.”

“Wait a moment.”

— Swish.

I gently took Reika’s hand and slid the ring onto her finger.

“Really… geez…”

Reika grumbled but didn’t resist as I put the ring on her.

“Do you like it?”

“What is this… No, but… Hey, you.”

“Yes?”

“You’re giving these to everyone, right?”

“Of course.”

“Hah, damn it.”

“Oh dear. Did you want to be the only one receiving a gift?”

“Shut up, you damn Demon King.”

Was she sulking?

Reika stomped off but then turned around and said:

“Still… it’s nice. I’ll cherish it forever.”

“Hehe, yes.”

What an adorable girl.

Naturally, I’d give something to Sister Irene and Liza too.

“Ah! So the Saintess doesn’t get anything?! How heartbreaking! I’ve done so much for you and yet—ah.”

“It’s a necklace, Saintess.”

“Ugh…”

The Saintess, who had been causing a fuss, was pacified with a necklace.

It was a fun gift-giving ceremony.

Negotiations regarding compensation went smoothly, and eventually, Baron Helson’s son officially took over the lordship, delivering the entire compensation amount.

We also returned the corpse, bringing this matter to a close. Deals must always be clear and precise, especially when they follow the terms of a contract.

“Phew.”

The compensation sum was truly enormous. Then again, it seemed he had some savings as a lord commanding a brigade-sized force.

“Hehe, this amount is quite satisfying. With this, we can not only arm our soldiers but also stockpile supplies.”

“I feel truly happy.”

Lately, I had lost some fear of spending large sums of money, as I had been collecting taxes. Taxes had specific uses, but this compensation was practically free money.

I could use it however I want.

Was this what extreme happiness felt like?

Of course, compensation couldn’t only be in cash. Physical goods were even more important—whether it’s iron, food, or leather. Physical goods meant power.

We received plenty of iron, food, and other materials.

“Ruby, as always, please organize the supplies and store them properly.”

“Ugh… there’s so much work.”

“Having lots of work is a good thing, Quartermaster.”

Most of the materials would go to the various craftsmen’s guilds. Although I placed a large order for military supplies, this wasn’t a modern society. Orders didn’t get fulfilled instantly.

We needed to secure materials to fulfill large orders.

In any case, with all of this, we’d be able to produce standard equipment.

Once that was done, our Demon King’s castle would finally have everything it needed.