Ch.3The Demon Lord’s Castle Without a Demon Lord (2)

The repercussions of the Demon Lord’s escape finally began to settle around noon.

Though not completely recovered from the shock, the situation was quickly brought under control as Durin took charge.

With a central pillar to maintain order, the rest fell to the lower-ranking demons who handled the practical matters.

Succubus maids hurriedly ran through the castle corridors, and soldiers returned to their posts as the Demon Lord’s Castle gradually regained stability.

“So it has come to this.”

The high-ranking demons also sensed this shift. The central chaos would not last long. With Durin standing firm, any opportunity for upheaval had essentially passed.

Anyone harboring rebellious thoughts during this turmoil would likely be purged immediately if they caught Durin’s attention.

“To witness the selection of a regent in my lifetime. What strange days these are.”

“This is the first time a king has fled since the Celestial War.”

“If he had been defeated by angels, that would be one thing. But to run away after falling for a human hero—truly lamentable.”

“Still, with Durin there, we should be fine. The Demon Lord was planning to transfer most of his power to him anyway.”

“Thanks to that, he wields power nearly equal to the Demon Lord’s, so immediate problems shouldn’t escalate… I’m not sure whether to call this fortunate or a sign that our era is in decline.”

Though they could only manage hollow laughter, the high-ranking demons, like the castle soldiers, acknowledged Durin’s strong authority. They believed his power could restore stability and find a new breakthrough.

However, not everyone accepted the situation.

“Fortunate? I see you all haven’t come to your senses yet.”

Rudmila Del Lakunda.

She was a noble who led the largest faction among the many heads of the Demon Lord’s Castle and was known as the left arm of the escaped Demon Lord. While Durin, the right arm, suppressed other demons with his overwhelming power, Rudmila had established her position in the castle through her dazzling rhetoric and enchantment magic.

If the Demon Lord’s army stood with Durin, the shamans and judges responsible for wisdom supported Rudmila.

Of course, this power alone was insufficient to confront him directly. But as a check, she could prevent him from controlling everything in the castle.

“You should consider that he might do to us exactly what he did to those soldiers earlier. You all know better than anyone what kind of demon Durin is.”

“We just need to carry on as usual. I think you should worry about protecting your own head first.”

“Already lying flat in submission, I see. The great Chief Justice of the castle, rolling over and exposing his belly. You should be ashamed.”

Rudmila looked around with a sneer. Those supporting Durin wore expressions as if they’d seen an angel or bitten into something foul. Yet none dared to respond to her colorful criticism.

Because it was all true.

Demons who prided themselves on honor in battle were now immobilized, hiding behind excuses of authority. Too ashamed to admit their fear, they spoke in roundabout ways. Knowing full well what they looked like, Rudmila could look down on them in this moment.

“Unlike you all, I have no intention of cowering. Just sit there and watch.”

Rudmila leaned back in her chair with a sneer.

“As the Chief Justice said, it might be fun to bet on whether my head gets smashed. Does anyone want to place a wager?”

She was raising her flag of resistance against powerful authority, even at the risk of losing her own power, as befitting a high noble.

*Clink, clink*

Simultaneously, a sound came from the far end of the corridor.

Durin. It meant his arrival was imminent.

Tension began to fill the meeting room. Though both were second-in-command, the weight Durin and she carried was different.

“……”

Rudmila secretly clenched her fist. Though the king had disappeared, the remnants he left behind still gripped the deepest roots of the Demon Lord’s Castle. The others remained silent due to the logic of power. She too was afraid, but she endured.

*I will not surrender my power so easily.*

The greed that was like a demonic instinct was once again etched into her heart.

*Thud!*

“Are you ready?”

Rudmila faced the heavy voice, confronting an enemy she would eventually have to overcome.

####

At Durin’s request, five individuals gathered, including himself.

The High Shaman, Chief Justice, Storekeeper, Captain of the Royal Guard, and Defense Captain.

All were core members of the castle.

The high-ranking demons seated around the circular obsidian table looked at Durin. Their eyes held different emotions.

Some showed reverence, others emptiness, the weariness of the experienced, and the anxiety of the young.

Most prominent among them was hostility toward a competitor.

“I’m always ready. But I must say, you’ve already done everything, so I’m not sure what we’re supposed to prepare for.”

Rudmila, the High Shaman of the Demon Lord’s Castle, spoke with sarcasm. Her presence was as imposing as an armored demon knight. The red glows from Durin’s and Rudmila’s eyes clashed in midair. A heavy atmosphere pressed down on the meeting hall, choking the other demons as the two continued their exchange.

“My authority extends only to the defense of the castle and control of the military. I found myself without means to address diplomatic or administrative matters.”

“Hmm. Is that so? So that’s why you called for this regent council or whatever? Is there any point? No, rather, there’s something else I want to ask.”

Rudmila pulled herself forward. A fake smile spread across her sharp face.

“Have you found someone to sit on that throne? There’s no blood relation to the previous Demon Lord, and as I recall, all central demons suitable for the throne were… thoroughly eliminated when the Demon Lord was arranging his succession.”

“That’s right.”

To wield absolute power as king, one must always clean house around them. This was a common occurrence in the demon realm where power was everything. Rudmila pointed this out as she asked:

“Then that means we have to go by order of rank, and one of the demons sitting here will become regent.”

“Correct.”

“You’ve already decided the answer, haven’t you?”

“I didn’t even need to think about it. There’s only one person suitable to be regent.”

Durin answered without hesitation. It seemed as though he had already arranged everything. The Chief Justice and the other high-ranking demons showed visible relief. But the expression of the red-horned High Shaman was distorted.

“So you decided on your own. Without any consultation.”

“Don’t forget this is an emergency situation, Rudmila. If you have complaints, we can arrange a separate meeting. It’s not good to delay urgent matters because of such trivial issues.”

“You call it trivial that you’re trying to resolve everything with your unilateral decisions? I too have served closest to the king. I think it’s absurd that I’m being treated this way.”

“I can see why you might feel that way. But if you listen to what I have to say, your mind might change.”

Having finished speaking to Rudmila, Durin made a slight gesture. Spranches, who had been assisting him, moved upon receiving the signal. The small lizardman took out a small pouch from inside his garment.

“What are you plotting?”

Rudmila raised an eyebrow. Meanwhile, Spranches carefully placed the pouch in front of Durin and stepped back.

It had a rather unimpressive appearance. Durin extended it to her.

“Open it and you’ll understand.”

“What do you think this is?”

“Open it and you’ll truly understand everything. Don’t waste time, just look.”

Rudmila flinched at Durin’s heavy voice. But she didn’t want to appear weak at this crucial juncture that would determine her future position. She forced a smile without showing her true feelings.

“I don’t like this, Durin.”

*Rip!*

Rudmila cut off the top of the pouch with her nail. It was a gesture that clearly revealed her displeasure.

As she opened the pouch without any expectation, indifferently—

“Huh?”

The High Shaman’s hand trembled involuntarily. What caught Rudmila’s eye was a brilliant reflection.

Gleaming in the light of the ceiling chandelier was a seal made of jade. Though it had no elaborate patterns or decorations, a name engraved on the handle part shone golden.

“Are you… giving that to her?”

The old Chief Justice, who had been quietly observing the situation, couldn’t help but raise his voice. The others had similar reactions.

Though only the size of a thumb, its value was enough to control the castle, surprising the demons in the room.

[The Demon Lord’s Seal]

It was what the escaped king had used to issue decrees until the day before. Confusion seeped into Rudmila’s previously iron mask.

“Why give this to me?”

Her expression was broken, and her voice was off-key. She tried to maintain composure, but it wasn’t easy. The red glow in her eyes that had burned fiercely against Durin cooled as if doused with water. The hostility she had built up lost its direction and wavered. The high-ranking demon’s writhing greed for power had momentarily taken precedence.

“No, rather, if I use this…”

“If it were possible, I would have recommended you at the regent selection council, Rudmila.”

“Me? Why on earth?”

“I am the guardian of the castle. Not an administrator. If we want to maintain the castle until the next Demon Lord is selected, I believe we need a suitable manager for that position.”

Rudmila seemed at a loss for words and closed her mouth. She carefully held the Demon Lord’s seal in her hand. With this alone, she would essentially gain all authority in the castle except for military power.

“With you, I’m certain you can mend the divided central authority and restore a stable system. As the High Shaman of the castle, I do not doubt your abilities.”

“You need my enchantment magic and noble connections?”

“Soldiers can be governed with an iron mace, but nobles cannot.”

Durin maintained the same posture. It was exactly the opposite of how Rudmila had displayed all sorts of emotions and hostility. He was calm to the point of being serene. Even when she tried to peer into his thoughts using enchantment magic, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. The red glow burning inside his black helmet completely concealed his inner thoughts.

“But the position of regent I hold was directly passed down by the previous Demon Lord. Once imprinted on the castle, I cannot pass it to someone else. Instead, by giving you this seal, I’m transferring the authority to govern the castle. What do you think, High Shaman?”

“I’ll accept if you answer one question.”

“Speak.”

“Now that I have this seal, I can issue various orders to you.”

“That’s natural.”

“Sometimes, for the sake of the castle, I might demand sacrifices from you. Will you accept them without hesitation?”

“That’s a pointless question, Rudmila.”

Durin answered as if it were ridiculous.

“If it’s for the castle, I will gladly do it.”

“Even if your authority might crumble?”

“I don’t know what you’re so anxious about, but my answer remains the same. Everything moves for the sake of the demon realm and the castle. Nothing is more important than that.”

“That’s too foolish an answer for a high-ranking demon. I can’t understand it.”

“Don’t try to understand, just accept it. That’s all you need to know.”

He was forceful. Durin’s words were almost like a notification. It was the form she hated most. But the High Shaman didn’t object.

Before she knew it, her hand had already placed the seal inside her garment. The alluring energy emanating from the authority unconsciously drew Rudmila in.

She answered while avoiding Durin’s gaze.

“If you insist, I have no choice. I’ll accept it.”

“A good decision. Is there anyone who opposes this decision?”

“……”

“Then I will decide. While I lead the army, Rudmila will be in charge of all internal affairs and diplomacy of the castle. Everyone, accept this.”

The other demons bowed their heads, indicating they would not go against the prevailing opinion.

Durin looked at the quiet meeting hall and rose from his seat.

“Good. Then manage the castle’s emergency situation until the next agenda arises.”

“I’ll handle it well, so don’t worry too much about this side.”

“A good answer, Rudmila.”

There was no further comment.

Though Rudmila had answered perfunctorily, Durin left the meeting hall without looking back.

The rest of the demons, after checking the situation, quickly followed the regent once he had completely exited.

“……”

Silence fell. Rudmila leaned back against her chair.

She needed a moment to rest as her strength had completely drained. She silently fingered the seal in her pocket.

“What does this make me now?”

The picture had become strange. After all her talk of resistance, she had readily accepted the seal when offered.

The desire that inevitably boiled within a high-ranking demon stimulated her intensely.

“I don’t know.”

Rudmila closed her eyes.

The hard touch felt from the pouch. The seductive demonic energy rising from beyond it.

The scent of power was too sweet to reject based on pride and honor.