Chapter 317

Chapter 317

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 317: Lady Vera (8)

“Sharan. But, Master.”

“Hm? What’s wrong, Sharan?”

“These guys, weren’t they made from dirt?”

“That’s right.”

“Then, can I plant flowers on them?”

“Huh?”

Plant flowers?

“Sure, decorate them however you like.”

“Shasha!”

Sharan immediately started planting flowers on the golem. But to call it planting would be an understatement. As soon as Sharan used her power, flowers began to bloom all over.

“Oh, that’s nice, Sharan.”

Watching the golems get covered in flowers was oddly soothing. Yes, this was what healing felt like—forgetting all about wars and simply admiring flowers.

This was healing.

“Hm?”

But as the flowers covered the golems, their camouflage effect became no joke. No, not just flowers—if I added grass and vines and hid them somewhere…

“They could be the ultimate immortal ambush army…!”

Since they’re golems, they wouldn’t feel boredom no matter how long they waited in ambush, and they’d carry out only my orders! Thinking that way, golems started to seem like incredible war machines.

If I actually camouflaged them and stationed them at critical chokepoints? Their behavior patterns were simple, but they could easily follow basic commands like advancing with weapons drawn.

The moment an enemy entered their range, the flower-camouflaged golems, who had been silently lying in wait for days, would charge forward with their spears. The enemy wouldn’t stand a chance. Just imagining it gave me chills.

“Shasha!”

“Wait! Hold on! Sharan!”

“Master?”

Wait!

If they could be planted with flowers, then they could do more than just camouflage!

“Sharan! Quickly! Plant a tower of carnivorous plants on the golem!”

“Shasha? Shasha! Got it, Master!”

Sharan let out a loud cheer as if it was a great idea and started creating a giant Venus flytrap on the golem’s head…!

And then!

—Chomp!

Using the golem’s head as a pot, the massive Venus flytrap grew to about a meter tall, opening its jaws wide!

“Golem! Advance!”

—Thud!

The moment I sent my will to it,

—Boom.

—Boom.

The golem with the giant Venus flytrap on its head began advancing mechanically. That’s it! I had given legs to the plant tower! With this, it’s a close-combat-specialized golem. And if I planted seed-shooting bolt plants on it?

“That would make it a long-range golem! Wow! I didn’t think this was possible! Great job, Sharan!”

“Shasha! Master! The plants are moving on their own!”

“Exactly!”

Basically, this was like a mobile Sunken Colony that could also attack! This incredible discovery left me amazed!

“Alright!”

From now on, I’d focus on training both the tentacle skills and the golem skills! The next page in the black magic book was about necromancy, but for now, golems came first!

I needed to invest in this war machine!

“Kergh…! Master! This is incredible! Kergh!”

“I know! Even I’m amazed!”

Buril stared at the golem with his mouth agape. If I could make more of these golems, it would surely reduce the burden on the goblins.

“Honestly, I’m so shocked I can’t close my mouth. Combining dark magic from the Demon World with the Demon King’s sinister imagination… something truly horrifying has been born.”

“Should we desert now?”

“Can you give up sex and tentacles, Reika?”

“No. That’s a bit much.”

Vanessa and Reika talked like that while looking at the golem. It seemed even the two of them found the golem plant tower fascinating.

Well, it looked like desertion was off the table.

“What do you think of my abilities?”

“What’s there to say? Use them well to conquer the world, Demon King.”

“Of course I will!”

Vanessa had fully acknowledged me.

“A guy capable of creating something like that being obsessed with bikini armor… If you conquer the world, are you planning to make all women walk around wearing nothing but underwear?”

“Got me there.”

“Crazy bastard.”

“Hey, Reika, why the insult again?”

Anyway, I tidied things up and dismissed everyone.

“Master! Can Sharan keep playing flower-planting games with the golems?”

“Sure! Let’s do a lot of it today!”

“Shasha!”

Looks like I’d have plenty of time to play with Sharan today!

A few days later.

“Kya-ha-ha-ha! Everyone’s so slow!”

“Serinu, you’re way too fast!”

“How can she move so quickly with such heavy breasts?!”

“It’s because her golem is the best! Switch rides!”

“If you want to switch, try to catch me first!”

The pixies were racing on the golems, having fun. In the meantime, I had created ten golems. Five were equipped with plant towers, while the other five remained in their original state.

Anyway, the golems were endlessly circling the training ground under my orders. It was only natural for the pixies to take an interest in these golems and play with them.

They were treating the golems entirely like bumper cars.

“Cute little things.”

Watching the pixies’ pure joy was healing in itself. Yes, play to your heart’s content. Riding on moving robots and having fun—it must be delightful.

Whatever the case, I was diligently honing my golem-crafting skills. While I watched the pixies for a bit, I returned to my seat to resume my work when—

—Creak.

A dark elf clad in bikini armor entered.

“What is it?”

“Oh, Demon King, the Saintess says she will be visiting soon.”

“Ah, I see. Thank you. You may go.”

“Understood.”

The dark elf left, and not long after, the Saintess entered my office. It seemed she had something to say.

“What brings you here?”

“Does one need a reason to visit you?”

“Hehehe, come closer.”

The Saintess immediately perched on my desk, sitting neatly.

“The Duchess has sent a letter.”

“Ah, finally. So, what does it say?”

“She’s camping near a village within the barony.”

This was the noble way of etiquette.

Even when visiting someone, you never simply showed up. When camping somewhere during a march, you first send a courier to notify the host of your presence.

“Camping, huh. Hmm. Surely she’s not planning to use the peace talks as a pretext to bring an army and ambush us?”

“To be honest, such schemes do exist.”

Of course, such strategies were not uncommon.

“That’s why you station troops outside the gates and allow only the leader to enter. Naturally, strict security measures must also be in place.”

“But Saintess, will the other lord agree to enter under those conditions?”

Leaving her troops behind was another risk. It would be like walking straight into the jaws of her opponent.

“There’s no helping it.”

The Saintess shook her head in response to my question.

“Allowing an escort is the only concession. No lord moves without bodyguards.”

“Hehehe, whatever the case, doesn’t this put us at an overwhelming advantage?”

“It’s possible because they’ve shown us this much courtesy.”

Indeed.

Interestingly, the Duchess completely accepted our proposal. It was an unreasonable demand to hold the talks on my territory, in my castle, but she agreed.

Usually, such meetings take place in a neutral location that both sides can accept. This time, she catered entirely to us.

“Is it confidence or recklessness? I’m curious.”

“It’s not recklessness. I’ve heard she’s a capable ruler. She must have some reason to feel secure.”

“Confidence that she won’t be attacked, then.”

While the Saintess’s reputation might play a role, relying solely on reputation in such a harsh world is reckless.

In any case, this brought the Duchess closer.

I wondered what ambitions and schemes she might be plotting. A capable and confident woman like her coming here while showing us courtesy—what could her reason be?

Of course, I was also scheming about how to deal with such a Duchess. Naturally, she must have considered the possibility of betrayal, and she came prepared to escape if it happened.

“I heard the Duchess might also be a follower of the Goddess Church… but the truth of that is yet to be confirmed.”

“So, is she here relying on her faith?”

“It’s hard to say.”

“Hmm, this is challenging.”

Whatever the case, forming an alliance with the Duchess was essential to confront the Count.

Could this situation be her ploy?

“Let’s write a reply. How should we phrase it?”

“Carefully word it to suggest leaving her troops outside and bringing only an escort.”

“Ah, this noble habit of speaking in circles—it’s truly tricky.”

“Hahaha, I understand. This Saintess will write it for you. Just sit tight.”

“Yes.”

And so, while doubts about the Duchess’s intentions swirled in my mind, her visit grew imminent.

The day had arrived.

From the brief report I received, it seemed the Duchess had indeed stationed the bulk of her army far from the southern castle and only brought her personal guards with her.

And indeed, that was the case.

—Step, step, step.

—Step, step, step.

—Step, step, step.

Peeking slightly out the window, I could see the line of female knights waiting in front of the castle gate. However, some of the knights were holding parasols, making it hard to discern the Duchess’s appearance.

“Now, Nekri. Our guests have arrived. Please open the gate.”

“Yes, Demon King. Should we disarm them as you instructed last time?”

“Proceed as planned.”

“Understood.”

Guests had arrived from outside. All the dark elves wore plain armor, and my soldiers were stationed on the upper floors of the Demon King’s castle as a precaution.

Nekri immediately went out.

“Let’s head to the hall.”

I led the Saintess and my female officers down to the hall. Now, let’s see what kind of woman the Duchess really was.

“Duchess Vera.”

“Vanessa?”

“I’m curious about what kind of woman she is. Truth be told, I’ve admired her since hearing of her reputation.”

“Well, I know of her reputation as well.”

Vanessa openly admitted her admiration, while Lea, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, also acknowledged knowing the Duchess’s renown.

“But even such a Duchess will likely face a rough situation… sigh.”

“Vanessa, you never know until you see for yourself, so don’t jump to conclusions just yet.”

“You’re right.”

Alright then, let’s go.