Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire Chapter 8

Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire

Chapter 8: The Secluded Star Palace

Sitri stopped by the Dominion’s territory for a while on her way to the imperial palace to report on diplomatic relations with the human kingdom.  

Among the five divided territories of the Demon Continent, the Dominion’s territory was especially resplendent, second only to His Majesty’s Demon Lord’s Castle in terms of developed civilization.  

“Sister, are you in?”  

Arriving at Cecilia’s residence, Sitri familiarly stepped forward and opened the door.  

As expected, antiques poured out through the gap in the slanted door.

“Ugh, I told you to clean up a little… Like this! My chest is getting squeezed! I can’t even get in!”  

Putting emphasis on her words, Sitri barely managed to force her way through the door, but what awaited her inside was even worse.  

Inside Cecilia’s room, unknown objects gathered from who knows where were piled up like a massive garbage dump.  

Despite being a single room, its structure resembled a labyrinth.  

“……Should I just turn back?”  

Since the entire floor was used as a room, meeting Cecilia required passing through winding paths, climbing mountains, crossing ridges, and even navigating tunnels—a true trial.  

“Huff… Huff…!”  

After completing this absurd mountain trek, Sitri finally managed to meet Cecilia.  

“Sister! I’m going to see His Majesty, so lend me some earrings…”  

“Sniff, haaa… Sniff…! Ah, it’s spicy!”  

Sitri’s eyes widened in disbelief.  

A vampire was crying while eating garlic.  

With reddened eyes, the girl was meticulously peeling the garlic skins.  

“Sigh, where did I put the water…? Ah, I’m out of water!”  

“……?”  

“Ah! You came at the perfect time. Go fetch some water. Hurry!”  

Her sister threw a water bottle at her, but Sitri didn’t catch it.  

Without a word, Sitri smiled, turned around, and left.  

“Hey! Where are you going?”  

Ignoring the shout, Sitri quietly closed the door behind her and walked away.  

‘Is she insane?’  

Well, after living for over a thousand years, dementia was bound to set in eventually.  

“Hehe, a senile old hag.”  

Not wanting to live under the same roof as such an elder, Sitri decided to give up on accessorizing for the day.  

***  

These days have been busy.

Reports of the orc tribe, discontent with the rule of the Demon Empire, finally staging a rebellion.  

Reports of dragons settled in the northern continent of the demon realm showing signs of unrest.  

On top of that, receiving real-time updates on the status of ambassadors dispatched to the human kingdoms left little time to rest.  

The only consolation was that the human kingdom wasn’t entirely hostile to establishing diplomatic relations with the demon realm.  

Of course, no one knew what truly lay beneath. 

Who could say if they were sharpening their knives behind their sorrowful smiles?  

Still, the benefits of successful diplomacy were immense.  

The more friendly nations the demon realm gained, the less justification the Hero would have to act.  

“……Your Majesty. We shall proceed now.”  

“Captain of the Royal Guard.”  

“Speak, Your Majesty.”  

“Don’t you think there are too many soldiers?”  

I pointed at the army gathered behind the palace.  

The Royal Guard, armed in golden armor and halberds, numbered around five hundred.  

“We only seek to ensure Your Majesty’s absolute safety. Please understand.”  

“Do I need an army to visit my own subjects?”  

“Forgive me. Even if the noble gatherings are for peaceful discussions, it is our duty to remain vigilant…”  

“An army won’t help. It’ll only provoke her. All of you, withdraw. And don’t try to persuade me on this matter again.”  

“……”  

“…Even if I say that, you’ll still disobey and follow me, won’t you?”  

“Forgive me.”  

“I’ll allow ten of you.”  

Having said that, I glanced at Sonia, who stood beside me, unsure of what to do.  

Normally, I moved alone, but bringing Sonia along meant preparing for unforeseen circumstances.  

“Um… Your Majesty? Where are we going?”  

“The Secluded Star Palace. Where my subject slumbers.”  

“……”  

“There’s something I need you to do.”  

“Is it about the contract you mentioned before?”  

“Quick to understand, I like that. Surely you didn’t think I brought you here because I needed a human to make garlic stew?”  

“Ah, no! Of course, Your Majesty wouldn’t—”  

“Actually, that’s also true.”  

“Huh?”  

Sonia, who now reacted with bewilderment even to small jokes, was adapting surprisingly well to the demon realm.  

But that wasn’t enough. 

There were still those in the imperial palace who disapproved of her presence.  

To survive as a noble in this empire, Sonia had to prove her worth through her own strength.  

“Th-the sky suddenly darkened.”  

On the way to the Star Palace, Sonia looked up at the sky in confusion.  

To the Royal Guard, this was nothing new. 

Whenever I went to the Star Palace, dark clouds always gathered in the sky.  

“You look uneasy.”  

“…Yes. I’m not sure if I can fulfill the task you’ve given me.”  

“No need to worry. I don’t assign tasks to those incapable of handling them. This is no exception.”  

In the original story, the Witch of Ember birthed the ‘Calamity of Ten Thousand Sorrows’ out of sheer hatred for humanity.  

Originating from a single kingdom, the calamity multiplied endlessly like dividing cells, spreading like a tumor until it turned the continent into a land unfit for human life.  

But in this world, it was different.  

To me, the Calamity of Ten Thousand Sorrows was useless.  

What I valued was Sonia’s infinite potential, the miracle of casting magic through words and thoughts.  

“Step back, Your Majesty. I’ll open the door first.”  

“Unnecessary. I have hands of my own.”  

“It’s too dangerous! In case of unforeseen circumstances”  

“Perhaps bringing you was a mistake.”  

“Y-Your Majesty…!”  

I pushed open the doors of the Star Palace.  

At the same time, Sonia’s eyes widened in shock.  

Beyond the door wasn’t a corridor.  

Instead, there was another world, a blindingly clear sky and an endless expanse of grasslands.  

And then…  

“HISSSSS!!”  

“Royal Guard! Protect His Majesty—!!”  

A crouching cat arched its back, puffing up its tail and hissing.  

Its fangs were as thick as a human forearm, its fur ashen, and its sharp face looked downright savage, perhaps because of the spears pointed at it by the Royal Guard.  

Sonia collapsed under the pressure.  

“Y-Your Majesty. Is this the subject you mentioned…?”  

“That’s her.”  

Long ago, when I was busy taking in Endymion and managing the dungeon, I sought out the Four Great Calamities to ensure survival.  

The Calamity of Dominion—Cecilia.  

The Calamity of Corruption—Sitri.  

The Calamity of the End—Echidna.  

And 

The Calamity of Destruction—Hilde.  

Until just 300 years ago, Cecilia and Sitri had been sealed by the Holy Church.  

Echidna was the core test subject of a secret experiment conducted by the Dungeon Merchant Guild, so I lacked the power to rescue her.  

Thus, I sought out Hilde first.  

“I went to persuade her when she was just a child. I told her that if she joined me, she wouldn’t have to live oppressed by her own kind. That she’d never go hungry again. I promised to create a world where everyone could live without worry.”  

Looking back now, it was all lies.  

The adult from those days, who manipulated a child solely for his own safety was a despicable, wretched human beyond redemption.  

“One day, she was killed by humans. She died obeying my order not to harm them. When I first found her, her lower half severed and bleeding, I made a decision.”  

Only a god could revive the dead.  

But if I used the stolen souls of past Demon Lords as a medium, perhaps I could reverse her time to before her death.  

So I tried.  

“In the end, I succeeded in reviving her, but she became a monster. She lost her sanity and ran wild.”  

“MEOWWWW!!”  

“Your Majesty! Evacuate at once!!”  

“You all… never change.”  

“Your majesty!!”  

“Guh…!”  

“You fools! What are you doing?! Hurry and escort His Majesty!!”  

The Royal Guard, sent flying by Hilde’s cat punch, were truly a nuisance.  

Using telekinesis, I grabbed the buzzing pests and hurled them outside the Star Palace.  

Even as they flew away, their mouths never stopped moving.  

“Your Majesty! You mustn’t! It’s too dangerous! Your Majesty!”  

“How noisy.”  

—SLAM!  

Finally, I closed the doors, allowing the grasslands to return to peace.  

As the echoes of the door faded, Sonia spoke.  

“Y-Your Majesty……”  

“Slurp.”  

While I was dealing with the Royal Guard, Hilde had approached Sonia and was now sniffing her intently.  

Though it was merely an animal inspecting a stranger, Sonia was too stiff to even make a sound.  

“S-save me…!”  

“Stay still. She won’t harm you if you don’t provoke her. To those bound to me by contract, she is endlessly gentle.”  

Though, to be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure.  

Hilde was only docile around men.  

Around women, she turned hostile as if they were sworn enemies.  

For example, when Endymion visited, she’d happily play by tearing off skulls.  

But when Cecilia or Sitri came, she’d bite their hair, spray urine, or find other ways to torment them.  

“Nyaa~”  

Hilde then approached me, rubbing her face against mine.  

After circling me and covering me in fur, she—as always—showed me her rear, which I’d rather not see.  

“Lady Cat really loves you, Your Majesty…”  

“Unfortunately, yes.”  

Hilde stretched lazily in her cat form.  

After watching for a moment, Sonia cautiously asked.  

“……Is there no way for Lady Cat to return to being human?”  

“There is.”  

Silence followed.  

Sonia waited for my answer like an expectant child.  

But the answer wasn’t mine to give.  

As the wind blew from afar, I paused before speaking.  

“That’s what you must accomplish from now on.”  

Sonia’s eyes slowly widened.  

Her face looked as if she’d been struck by a hammer, dazed—before she finally gathered her courage.  

“……Me?”