Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire Chapter 11

Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire

Chapter 11: A Man’s Pride

“Your Lordship, reports confirm that the orc army is advancing toward the plains.”  

“How many?”  

“Ten thousand.”  

Gideon, lord of Rebellion Fortress, scoffed in disbelief.  

What is Rebellion?  

A fortress that had once held out for over two months against fifty thousand orcs with barely seven thousand defenders.  

“Orcs aren’t foolish enough to march on a suicidal campaign with just ten thousand. Either they have another plan, or our intel is wrong.”  

“The information is confirmed, but we’ll double-check.”  

“Hmph.”  

The lord nodded, satisfied.  

The winds of war stirred the old warrior’s blood.  

Wasn’t battle and glory the very reason Rebellion and his house existed?  

“…Are you afraid?”  

But his children thought differently.  

The eldest son, heir to the house, was tense. 

The second son, who had never seen war, trembled in fear.  

Only the youngest daughter, Angela, remained calm—cradling an infant in her arms.  

“Pathetic. Cowering before mere orcs.”  

“……”  

“The undying fortress, Rebellion’s three-hundred-year legacy, rests in your hands… And yet, the mere thought of tarnishing it makes you too ashamed to face our ancestors.”  

Gideon glared at his cowering children in disgust.  

How could his blood produce such weaklings?  

At least his late wife’s last daughter had been born with magical talent.  

And her courage was as unshakable as any warrior’s.  

“My lord.”  

Even now.  

After a long silence, she was the one to break it, proof that she was the most fit to inherit the house.  

“Speak.”  

“Something’s odd. Most border villagers have taken refuge in the fortress, yet the orcs haven’t pillaged a single one.”  

“Get to the point.”  

“If they aren’t looting, why is their advance so slow? Understanding why might reveal their true objective.”  

Indeed, her insight was that of a seasoned strategist.  

And she didn’t stop there, she even hinted at the enemy’s possible motives.  

A true tactician.  

Gideon lamented the era that barred women from inheritance.  

“Hmph. Know your place, bastard. What does a whore’s daughter know of war?”  

Her half-brother’s venomous words made Angela fall silent.  

It was true.  

The scandal of the lord’s missing daughter returning pregnant bearing a child of unknown fatherhood was infamous across the city.  

“Enough. Angela, continue. If you were lord, what would you do?”  

“…If their goal is to take the fortress, I’d request reinforcements from Lodeland.”  

The eldest son’s eyebrow twitched.  

Reinforcements from Lodeland? Did she even grasp the weight of that request?  

“Disappointing. Calling for aid over ten thousand orcs would stain our house’s honor.”  

“……”  

“Angela. Remember your child only exists because this house allows it. One more outburst like this, and—”  

“Forgive me, my lord.”  

Angela clutched her baby and bowed.  

She hadn’t wanted this child… but it was still hers.  

And if it was in danger, she’d sell her soul to the devil to protect it.  

“…Huh? Already over?”  

A childish voice cut through the tension.  

Everyone turned as if controlled by strings.  

“I was just getting interested. Keep arguing.”  

Sunlight streamed into the audience chamber.  

Perched on the second-floor railing, a girl swung her legs, twirling a parasol.  

“Who—Who dares—?!”  

The eldest son’s outrage died in his throat.  

The girl’s crimson eyes pulsed with eerie demonic energy.  

“…Guards.”  

“……”  

“GUARDS—!!”  

Lord Gideon’s roar shook the room.  

His children flinched, goosebumps rising.  

“Ah, youth. So lively.”  

“……”  

“No need to shout. The less refined you are, the more your age shows.”  

The platinum-haired girl leaped down, her skirt fluttering as she landed gracefully.  

“A bit shabby, but passable.”  

She strolled across the carpet like a noble at a ball.  

Beautiful, yet still carrying a childlike charm.  

“You’re no ordinary demon.”  

“Correct~ Want a prize?”  

Gideon moved—sword drawn in an instant.  

He’d already been fuming over the Demon Empire’s envoys.  

Even if their forces were overwhelming, this was an uninvited intrusion.  

I’ll take her head and—  

“…!”  

“What’s wrong? Can’t move?”  

Gideon’s killing strike froze mid-air.  

His muscles refused to obey.  

Every fiber, every vein—controlled by something unseen.  

“You—What do you want?!”  

Cecilia tapped her lips, pondering.  

First, he tries to kill me. Now he wants to negotiate?  

She’d come to propose an alliance before Rebellion fell.  

But with men like this, reasoning was impossible.  

His Majesty will be disappointed…  

“Hm?”  

Then she noticed Angela.  

Her eyes lit up—like a child spotting a new toy.  

“Oh-ho~”  

Angela met her gaze defiantly—until the demon’s eyes fell on her baby.  

“N-No! Not my child—!”  

“Shhh.”  

Cecilia peered at the infant.  

Soft skin. 

Almost enviable.  

And it resembled someone. Disgustingly so.  

After a thousand years, she knew one truth: Blood never lies.  

“A granddaughter who’s actually a daughter? What a revolting family tree.”  

She smirked at Gideon.  

Angela’s eyes widened.  

“This baby is your granddaughter, but biologically, your daughter, right? Am I wrong?”  

“…!”  

The brothers stiffened, glaring at their father.  

Gideon’s face twisted in horror—caught in his own depravity.  

He wanted to scream, but the demon wouldn’t even let him move his lips.  

“Tsk tsk. Exactly the kind of man His Majesty despises…”  

Cecilia tapped her lips, then snapped her fingers at Angela.  

“Ah. Right.”  

“…!”  

You’ll be the new lord.  

***

Meanwhile…  

With the missing adventurers still unaccounted for, the guild scrambled a search party.  

Knowing the Hero was in Rebellion, they naturally sought the temple’s aid.  

Not that they expected much.  

To them, the temple was less a holy order and more a merchant guild in disguise.  

But then—Leticia herself volunteered.  

All thanks to Lorian’s relentless badgering of the bishop.  

Had he not overheard their conversation, she’d never have known of the guild’s plea.  

The party was set: three members.  

Naturally, Leticia paired with Lorian.  

And the third?  

Ron, the Platinum-rank adventurer.  

“…I knew you wouldn’t refuse the guild’s request. Fate truly keeps bringing us together.”  

“Indeed. A strange coincidence.”  

“They say when coincidences repeat, it’s destiny. The Goddess must be watching over us.”  

Walking behind Leticia, Ron smiled—unnaturally.  

Lorian, trailing at the rear, noticed nothing.  

Because—  

‘Why won’t Appraise work on him?!’  

Lorian stared at Ron’s back, spamming the skill.  

But the status window refused to appear.  

A glitch? Impossible.  

Which meant—  

This guy’s suspicious as hell.  

Then—  

“…!”  

“Careful. Wouldn’t want you to fall.”  

On the steep slopes of the Karta Mountains, Lorian stumbled—only for Ron to catch him.  

Hah… Almost died there…  

Lorian shuddered, peering at the sheer drop below.  

Rocks tumbled into the abyss where his foot had slipped.  

“Th-Thanks. You saved me.”  

“Don’t mention it.”  

Ron gave a friendly smile before following Leticia.  

Lorian reconsidered.  

Maybe he’s a good NPC?  

His early-game trauma might’ve made him too paranoid.  

In Pandemonium Mode, they’d at least give one ally, right?  

…I’ll hold off judging Ron for now.  

But there was something more important.  

Lorian needed to enter the Karta Mountains—not just for EXP, but for—  

‘The Gigant Root.’  

A man’s pride.  

3cm—freedom was within reach.  

(No detailed descriptions existed, but—)  

‘Fuck, even 5cm would be enough.’  

Lorian had never been more determined.