Ch.38Coronation (2)

# A New King is Chosen

The echo that spread from the great hall shook the entire Demon King’s Castle. The throne, which had been left vacant until now, would finally have its owner determined. As expected, the Regent had designated the Duke’s daughter, Serphin Del Istria.

However, negative opinions far outweighed positive ones. Many doubted her abilities shown during the Northern War. With angels right before their eyes, could that young demon really lead the legion to victory?

Even with Durin’s support, questions remained. Some were ready to declare their support if the Regent would simply relinquish his temporary position and claim the throne himself.

Such opinions circulated openly not only in the Central region but also among the Southern forces and even in the Eastern military camp.

“My lady. Don’t worry about it. This demon realm will soon be yours anyway.”

Since becoming the heir to the throne, Serphin, who hadn’t given it much thought before, had recently fallen into deep contemplation. Her thoughts became especially complex late at night. After painfully feeling her own weakness, she pondered how to become a better ruler.

She didn’t hear a word of Alberto’s chatter. Instead, she recalled Durin’s appearance on the battlefield, trying to internalize that image as her own.

“Alberto. What aspect of me could appear most exceptional?”

“You are of the noble bloodline of the Demon King and the daughter of a powerful Duke. Naturally, if you lead with those qualities…”

“Don’t pretend. You’re not the type to spout such sugar-coated words, and I know it well.”

Standing on the balcony where the night breeze blew, Serphin looked down at the darkened view of the Demon King’s Castle.

“I don’t know what my father told you, but I don’t want to be such a powerless king. I’d rather be a king who has power but fled. At least the previous Demon King was a woman who possessed enough magical power to not lose to the Senate.”

She vaguely recalled a mischievous face. Though her actions were immature and she lacked the dignity of a ruler, she was extremely powerful as the direct descendant of the first Demon King.

Despite her childlike demeanor, that authority kept Durin and the Royal Guard from leaving her side.

“But I have nothing. At best, I can only charm low-ranking demons.”

“Charm? They followed you sincerely, my lady.”

“Do you remember that incident when I was dragged to the punishment room last time?”

Serphin turned around and asked. Alberto nodded and answered.

“Of course. Even the East was in an uproar, with some suggesting we should go to war.”

“There was a succubus of the castle whom I charmed at that time.”

“You… handled a succubus of the castle?”

“I tried to use her to find out what the Regent was plotting. I thought that as the Istria’s heir to the Demon King, I needed to understand my enemies to claim the throne.”

A smirk. Remembering her immature days, a hollow laugh formed at the corner of Serphin’s mouth.

“I thought I had infiltrated quietly, but I was caught the very next day. The succubus was immediately executed by Durin.”

“So that rotting corpse in the reception garden was that woman.”

“Haha. You’ve seen that too. Yes, it’s the shameful trace of the pretext I gave to the Central. I still regret it deeply.”

Serphin’s eyes drooped. Though she didn’t show it outwardly, her consecutive failures were gradually eroding her confidence. Despite sharpening her blade against the experienced Senate, she lacked the inner strength.

“I’ve ended up sounding weak as we talked. I’ll stop here before I say something strange. Let’s go back to my room, Alberto.”

The elderly secretary couldn’t hide his complex feelings about his young mistress. Offering advice in such a situation would be the worst move. It was better to leave her alone. Or Durin, who could sway her, should come personally to comfort her.

Knowing that wouldn’t happen, he paid his respects.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help. I hope you find a solution.”

“Thank you, Alberto. This stays secret from my father.”

After concluding their melancholic conversation, the secretary left Serphin’s room.

He muttered while looking at the yellow flame that had risen in the corridor guarded by the Royal Guard.

“I didn’t know the young lady had such power.”

His concern took a different direction. Normally, a secretary had a duty to find solutions when his master was struggling, but an even greater issue filled the old man’s mind.

She had charmed a succubus.

To protect secrets, the Demon King’s Castle always filled its staff with undead and succubi. Being created from magical energy, they were immune to enchantment or brainwashing magic targeting living beings.

To break through defensive spells, one would need a more advanced formula than what the first Demon King designed—essentially requiring a celestial archangel to come and undo it.

Yet Serphin had broken through.

With mere enchantment magic?

“Has the Regent seen this?”

He could glimpse the reason why the Regent was pushing Serphin to be king. Despite experiencing the worst consequences of having a weak king, he was again trying to place a young demon on the throne.

However, nothing was certain yet. It was like a sorcerer lifting the veil slightly to peek at the night sky.

But even that small clue gave him strength.

He had seen the possibility of her becoming the rightful owner of the throne. A path, though faint, was visible for her to awaken as a true Demon King, not a puppet.

If the Regent willingly supported her, the East would also advance together as a companion.

As the night deepened, the old demon made a firm resolution.

#

The next morning.

As soon as the sun rose, numerous demons gathered in front of the king’s great hall. It was a monumental moment when the footsteps of the Prince-electors, which had been postponed due to the war, finally arrived in one place.

Alberto, the Eastern secretary who appeared in the Central region on behalf of the Duke of Istria.

Aurelia, the governor of the South who suppressed the rebellion and gained voting rights as a direct territory of the castle.

Durin, the Royal Guard Captain who maintained the balance of power in the Central region despite the king’s disappearance.

These were the individuals appointed as Prince-electors until the conquest. The North and West had their voting rights revoked as lands of treason, but by submitting tributes obediently, they regained the right to send demons to the Central region.

Thus, those who arrived now emerged from the gate and paid respects to Durin.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Regent. I am Arin, successor to the Northern Grand Warrior.”

“Do not forget the Western continent that still strives. I am Turahan, Warrior Chief of the Swamplands.”

The two demons bowed their heads, enduring the contemptuous gazes of the victors. As representatives of regions that had accepted the castle’s rule, they had no power. As losers in the war, they had to humble themselves greatly.

However, they were not rejected. Durin welcomed them.

“I do not ignore your efforts. As the ruler of the castle, I gladly welcome you. Return to your seats.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

After this small event of the West and North joining, they moved on to the main agenda.

Under the leadership of Chief Justice Matheus, they discussed the legitimate successor.

“A king must be a leader. This is even more important in times when angels approach. Shouldn’t we instill fear in those who know no fear?”

“That’s right. We must erase our shame, our embarrassing history. A great demon who will lead the vanguard will restore us to an era of glory.”

“The Demon King! There must be a demon worthy of that qualification!”

It was all formality. No one spoke their true thoughts.

Even before the Chief Justice who judged right from wrong, they only followed the prevailing trend. Thinking the result was already determined, they proceeded with the meeting, attaching appropriate words.

“Lord Regent. We will follow your opinion first. We are listening.”

The eyes of the four continental Prince-electors gathered on Durin, who sat in the high seat.

No matter who was mentioned here, the conclusion would ultimately be as the Regent said. The Prince-elector meeting was just for show on the surface. It was a place to establish justification to suppress complaints by putting on a show convincing enough for lower demons.

“Your Excellency. Please speak.”

Matheus urged him. It was a flow that matched the formal atmosphere.

If another demon had been in the high seat, they would have played along. Despite having the authority of the Regent, they should have declined since they were merely the ruler’s proxy.

That was the unnecessary rhetoric of the high nobility. The rhetoric created by the ruling class would leave a new line in the history books.

But.

“Serphin Del Istria.”

Durin was straightforward. He was so direct that some demons gathered there were taken aback.

Even Serphin herself was surprised at how quickly he took control of the atmosphere.

“I believe the demon from the East is qualified. As Regent, after observing for a long time, I think she has enough strength to sit on the throne.”

Then, he looked around.

“I’m curious about your opinions as well. Is there anyone else?”

Silence.

There was no answer. It was a situation where positive and negative were complexly mixed.

The East wanted to shout approval immediately but didn’t dare step forward hastily, not knowing how the situation might unfold.

The Central region was cautious. More precisely, the forces centered around the Senate became busy. They were ready to step forward to follow Durin at any time, but when the expected situation was suddenly presented, they tried to gauge what his intention might be.

Only the South stepped forward boldly.

“Your Excellency! I also judge that Lady Serphin Del Istria has sufficient qualifications. If she ascends to the throne, I will gladly follow her.”

Submission to Durin.

Her unwavering loyalty was displayed so excessively that it seemed too much. Aurelia’s words, offering her body and soul without reservation, became the starting point.

The East followed.

“We will also support Serphin Del Istria. Her abilities shown during the Northern conquest are worthy of admiration.”

The result didn’t matter. Those gathered here only needed to set a direction.

Now only the Central region remained. The demons’ attention focused. The West and North, being losers and essentially without voting rights, had to follow the trend.

The Senate also moved quickly. Whatever Durin’s intention was, it didn’t matter. They had to flip the boat first to have any chance of slipping into the Regent’s shadow.

“The Central will dream the same dream.”

Opinions converged. There was only one heir to the throne supported by all continents.

Serphin Del Istria.

The legitimate successor of the green-horned Eastern throne that once led the demon realm’s heyday, and the being who would save demons in crisis.

They needed a superficial title. They would gladly serve even a scarecrow.

For demons without a god, they desperately needed someone to be a symbol…

“Please lead us!”

Centered around the young demon, people knelt.

Praying for the birth of a new king, they asked her.

To shoulder that heavy duty.

“Become our king!”

They hoped she would walk the thorny path ahead of them.

#

The first Demon King elected by Prince-elector vote since the appearance of the first Demon King.

Praise and worship poured out to her, but there was no true loyalty.

Authority established by others was weak. No one truly followed.

Without Durin, she would have long ago lost all real power to high-ranking demons, just like the previous Demon King. They might have created another king who would abandon their duties and try to flee.

He would not allow that. Durin, who had relinquished his position as Regent, immediately called for Berdia.

“After the Prince-elector meeting ends, go to the Royal Guard Captain. As the Central Prince-elector, he will have information on the military forces of the warlords.”

The volunteer army gathered under the pretext of the angel war.

Soldiers who would be rejoicing outside the castle without knowing what was happening were the targets of surveillance.

Even as he felt the need to teach Serphin to elevate the king’s authority, he didn’t forget.

The root cause that ruined the Central region was the Senate, which tried to divide the king’s authority, blinded by self-interest.

“Bring them all back without missing a single rat. I’ll cut off their limbs first.”

In the demon realm, soldiers must belong only to the castle.

A legion that always fulfills its duty of protection without needing to go receive loyalty oaths.

“Your Majesty! May you reign forever!”

“Defeat the angels for us!”

“Long live!”

The time had come to harvest the fruits of the deceivers.