episode_0024

Episode 24

Upon hearing Scarlet’s report from infiltrating the Law Kingdom, Lumaniel nodded with a blank expression and said,

“…Is that so. You’ve worked hard. Step back and rest.”

“Yes.”

As Scarlet stepped back, no one remained around the Demon King’s throne. Leaning against the throne, Lumaniel breathed softly and thought about Edward.

“He wishes for coexistence… You always perplex me.”

The claim of going to the Law Kingdom for her own sake was probably not entirely false. The main purpose must have been to remove the horn, but it was clear that Edward did not desire war.

If he truly harbored hatred towards demons, there would be no reason to spare Scarlet and let her go back.

Above all, if he desired conflict, it made no sense for Dweor to inform him that the Law Kingdom had armed itself with magical weapons, including priests.

“No matter what, this is too difficult, Edward.”

Lumaniel thought he wasn’t typically malicious. She felt it would be much better to face enemies driven by hatred.

She is the Demon King, and humanity is the enemy of demons. There is no need for debate or theory on this fact; it is common sense and the world’s consensus.

Lumaniel still sincerely believed that. However, recently, glimpses of a scene she had seen not long ago occasionally flashed in her mind.

“That woman who claimed to be Bell’s daughter, her name was definitely Leila Bell.”

Leila Bell protected Edward without concern for his transformation into a demon.

Whether it was due to strong love or the fact that Edward was originally human, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that humans and demons were looking towards the same direction together.

“No, it can’t be possible. This is just a fantasy.”

Shaking off distractions, Lumaniel shook her head as if trying to return to her role as the Demon King.

However, despite her efforts, what resurfaced in her mind were the brief days she spent with Edward.

The times he had relayed through Scarlet that there were no lies.

“Oh, really!”

In the end, Lumaniel exploded in anger, not knowing whom to blame or why she was angry.

She simply vented her frustration.

—

The Law King Victoria Saint looked around at the nobles and officials she had secretly gathered and asked,

“Isn’t there any way? At this rate, the Law Kingdom will fall into the hands of the saint possessed by demons.”

Her voice carried a sense of urgency, but no answers came back.

Just by looking at the fact that they had gathered in a hidden room rather than the court chamber, it was evident that those present were all close aides of the Law King.

They were the ones who believed she would never betray them.

Therefore, it was natural that they couldn’t come up with a solution.

“Why is no one saying anything! Say something, anything!”

Despite the Law King shouting in the court, heads did not turn just because she raised her voice.

The current state of the Law Kingdom was stagnation, relying solely on the unique power of magic, leading to decline rather than progress.

Those gathered here were professionals in accumulating wealth through illegal means, flattering others, or using power to suppress weaker individuals, but they did not know how to fight against opponents stronger than themselves.

“Frustrating, so frustrating! Can you even call yourselves men! That’s why this gathering is meaningless! It seems like your existence has no purpose!”

Only after the decree containing the implication that if their mouths didn’t keep smiling, they would all be killed did they start speaking one by one.

However, it was utterly impractical.

“What nonsense is this! How can you kill an envoy! Even if it’s an unofficial dispatch, killing an envoy will only give Deuwer a reason to take military action!”

“Oh, then should we kill the saint?”

“…How did you become a Grand Marshal in the first place?”

Recommended by virtue of parentage, connections, and household power, though the Law King himself appointed those recommended, at this point, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

“As long as Deuwer is healthy, there’s nothing we can do about envoys or saints! So, isn’t it natural to seek ways to control them!”

If the saint is left to wield power unchecked, there was a possibility that the Law Kingdom would eventually become a vassal state of Deuwer.

Of course, the lives of the Law Kingdom citizens would prosper in that scenario, but it was evident that including those gathered here, the existing vested interests of the Law Kingdom would no longer be able to live as freely as before.

The incomeless conversation continued until dawn, and everyone, including the Law King, grew weary. Amidst this, something came to someone’s mind.

“How about reviving the Knight System?”

“Knights?”

It was an old, outdated custom and tradition that tasked specially skilled forces from various directions to infiltrate the demon realm and cut off the Demon King’s head.

That was the Knight System.

For the first time, a plausible story emerged, and gradually, the Law King and others began to express their opinions.

“But the Knight System was deemed to have more cons than pros and was abolished in ancient times. In fact, having just a few face the entire Demon King’s army was no different.”

In the past, the Saint Law Kingdom dreamed of creating hero myths akin to those in ancient tales, recruiting numerous knights to penetrate the demon realm.

The result was inevitable annihilation. Most of the knights couldn’t even break through the entrance to the demon realm, the Rimen Forest.

“History has proven that unless it’s Deuwer’s Bell, increasing a small force is meaningless against the Demon King’s army. Giving titles to the powerless won’t make them effective countermeasures against the saint.”

Saint Maria’s sudden acquisition of power and authority was primarily due to her exceptionally outstanding charisma.

Without that, it would have been impossible for her to quickly establish a position surpassing the Law King solely based on the title of Saint.

Therefore, another person brought up the opinion that to appoint a knight, one must possess at least some power, aligning with the Law King’s view.

“What about utilizing the Academy’s test subjects?”

“…Hmm. It’s not a bad idea, but there might be a risk if the Academy’s true nature is exposed to the world?”

“As long as the details are not revealed, there shouldn’t be any problem. Even if they are exposed, it’s better than letting the country be swallowed by the saint as it is now.”

Others seemed to share the same opinion. It was about taking risks rather than being stripped of what little they had.

After briefly pondering their attitude, the Law King finally nodded and said, “Alright, let’s start selecting candidates right away. If this matter reaches the saint’s ears, she will surely intervene. Everyone, tighten up security.”

—

“…The meeting just concluded in the direction of reviving the Knight System, Edward.”

“I see. Thank you, Maria.”

Expressing gratitude, he caressed her belly, causing Maria to blush and lean into him shyly.

He had always thought the Law King was a fool. With his entourage all being the same, could such individuals truly have loyalty?

Several who attended the secret meeting convened by the Law King reportedly rushed to find Maria competitively as soon as the meeting ended.

And the content was delivered to me intact, so to speak. It’s so simple that it makes me laugh.

“Knight system. I’ve never heard of such a thing before.”

It was the name of a being that everyone dreamed of at least once in their innocent childhood. In my case, I didn’t want to become a knight; I just hoped that a knight would appear and defeat the monsters.

As evidenced by the frequent inspections by my wife, Layla, the Bell family’s territory was better managed compared to other territories undergoing changes.

However, it couldn’t completely prevent damage. Since Bell couldn’t exist everywhere simultaneously, the residents of the territory had no choice but to live with it.

It could be called resignation or even acceptance. At that time, it didn’t seem strange, but looking back now, it was a period I wouldn’t want to experience again.

While there doesn’t seem to be a selfless aspect to myself, I hope others, especially young children like I was then, don’t have to go through it.

“Uh, Sir Edward…?”

“Yes? Oh, sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment. Anyway, I understand that the Law Kingdom used to operate a knight system in the past, but why did they create such a thing?”

Maria continued her explanation in response to my question.

“Well, I learned about it to some extent at the theological school, but at that time, it was considered somewhat rational. As you know, our Law Kingdom is small in land and population, so besides military strength, there were few ways to contribute to the war against the demons.”

So they tried to create a small special force to operate.

In a time when magic wasn’t developed, if priests and paladins were all sent to war against the demons, the country would lose its ability to defend itself from the undead. So, as Maria mentioned, it might have seemed somewhat rational at that time.

“So what about the Academy? From the way they handle experimental subjects, it doesn’t seem like a proper educational institution, does it?”

“Well, I don’t have the authority, so I don’t know much, but I’ve heard it’s an experimental facility with a certain purpose. The name ‘Academy’ is just a cover, as Sir Edward said.”

“Experiments?”

“…I-I heard it’s a place to artificially create humans with strong magical abilities.”

This is quite shocking.

After the first Demon Lord appeared, humanity faced a common enemy, the demons.

Although they can’t be said to be completely united even now, the mindset that fighting among humans should be avoided became prevalent compared to before the first Demon Lord appeared.

That doesn’t mean wars disappeared, but thanks to this mindset, countries like Amazones, which thrived on plunder, declined, so it can’t be considered a completely meaningless perception.

“In an era like that, conducting experiments on fellow humans could become a huge issue if it were to be revealed.”

On the other hand, Maria must be seen as threatening to them if she’s willing to risk being exposed.

Leaving things as they were seemed like it would become troublesome.

“If a hero were to emerge as a rival to Maria, who is currently gaining popularity, the Law Kingdom could split apart. If that happens, the balance of power may shift towards the demons.”

If it were Lumany, they wouldn’t miss that opportunity. Originally, I didn’t intend to get involved so deeply, but now I’ve gone too far to turn back.

What can I do? I’ll have to see how far this will go.

“Maria, do you know the location of the Academy?”

Might as well steer things in a positive direction.