Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire Chapter 9

Became the Emperor of the Demon Realm Empire

Chapter 9: Hero Leticia

The vast blue skies stretched over the endless grasslands, where the wind carried whispers of the wild.  

“Grrrr…”  

For the past ten minutes, Sonia had been trying and failing to communicate.  

“Grrr! Woof woof! Arf arf!”  

“……”  

“Why…? My dog impression was flawless!”  

In one regard, Sonia’s barking was indeed perfect, no one paid her any attention. 

But she had reached her limit.  

Exhausted, she slumped to the ground.  

For days, she had tried every trick in the book to lure the lazy cat out of its den, but nothing had worked.  

The Captain of the Royal Guard, unable to watch any longer, offered advice.  

“It’s useless. Lady Hilde only responds to His Majesty’s voice. Even if lightning struck right in front of her, she wouldn’t bat an eye.”  

“Then how am I supposed to”  

“The task His Majesty entrusted to you must be solved by you alone. I have neither the qualifications nor the authority to interfere.”  

“I see…”  

Sonia clutched her head in frustration. 

A village girl who had spent her life doing household chores, she couldn’t even read, let alone understand magic. 

Reverting a beast back to human form? Impossible.  

“Don’t expect immediate results. For now, focus on building a connection with Hilde.”  

Why had His Majesty entrusted the recovery of such an important subject to a fool like her? 

Did he truly believe mere interaction could be the key to healing?  

Doubt gnawed at her confidence.  

“Are you afraid?”  

“Yes… His Majesty trusted me with this task, but I fear I won’t be able to repay that trust.”  

“You must believe in yourself more. His Majesty’s judgment in choosing his subjects is unparalleled. He would never assign a great task to someone incapable.”  

“G-great task?”  

“Though she now takes the form of a beast, Lady Hilde is a hero of the Demon Empire, undefeated in the Unification War. Those who faced her calamity trembled before the heavens and starved in fear. If such a hero were to return, the Demon Empire would grow even mightier. If that isn’t a great task, what is?”  

The Captain paused, then added,  

“And if Lady Hilde regains her sanity, His Majesty’s eyes will shine brighter than ever.”  

Sonia looked up at him, realization dawning.  

For a long moment, she stood there, as if struck by an epiphany.  

“That’s an excellent expression.”  

“…I’ll try harder!”  

Motivated, Sonia steeled herself. 

The Captain smiled approvingly.  

“Ah! Come to think of it, I never asked for your name.”  

“The Royal Guard is His Majesty’s sword. A weapon dulled by use is discarded. Names are unnecessary.”  

“Oh… Is that so?”  

“Of course! Though sometimes, His Majesty calls me Bomin-dae!”  

“Eh?”  

The sudden loudness made Sonia flinch. 

The soldier’s stern demeanor shattered in an instant.  

“B-Bomin-dae?”  

“Short for ‘Purple Baldy Big-Head.’ The full name is too long, you see? So now I have two names! Probably the first in the army to achieve that.”  

“Uh… right…”  

“If you work hard like me, His Majesty might grant you a name too. Don’t be too disheartened.”  

Despite the name clearly not being a compliment, the Captain no, Purple Baldy Big-Head—looked proud. 

He genuinely cherished that ridiculous title.  

‘Well, if he’s happy…’  

Rather than point out the obvious, Sonia turned her thoughts back to the problem at hand. 

How could she lure that cat outside? If she could at least wake it up, she might have a chance to bond with it.  

“Ah, look at the time—Lady Hilde.”  

Just then, Purple Baldy spoke up.  

“It’s time for churu.”  

“Nyaa~”  

“???”  

Sonia’s eyes widened in disbelief. The cat, who she thought would sleep forever, came sprinting at the mere mention of churu.  

Feeling Sonia’s stare, the baldy explained,  

“Ah, this is Lady Hilde’s favorite snack.”  

“…I see. But why didn’t anyone tell me about this sooner? Was this also something I had to figure out on my own?”  

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”  

At Sonia’s pointed question, Bomin-dae shrugged.  

“You never asked.”  

***  

Rebellion, the gateway city of the southern kingdom of Lodeland, was one of the most strategically vital fortresses.  

To the west lay a strait, crucial for supply and transport without naval control, siege tactics were impossible.  

To the east stretched the Spine of the Giants, the Karta Mountains, leaving the southern land route as the only viable path for invasion.  

But if we seized the Rebellion, the demon armies could march straight up the northern highway into the heart of Lodeland’s capital.  

In short, Rebellion was a critical foothold for striking the kingdom’s core.  

Of course, the kingdom wasn’t foolish; they would defend the Rebellion at all costs.  

The Holy Church’s Hero being dispatched here was proof of that.  

“Your Maj—I mean, Ron!”  

“Hm?”  

“What should I do now?”  

Echidna, gripping my hand tightly, looked up at me.  

Disguised as humans, we walked through the city partly for reconnaissance, partly for leisure.  

“For now, act like a human. By their standards, you’re just a young girl, so…”  

As we strolled, Echidna suddenly stopped.  

Following her gaze, I saw children her apparent age playing joyfully.  

For a fleeting moment, envy flickered across her face.  

“Do you want to join them?”  

“…Huh?”  

Our eyes met, but she hesitated, unable to nod. 

Her emotions were plain even without words.  

“It’s fine. Go play.”  

“……”  

“Don’t look to me for permission.”  

Giving her a gentle push, I watched her expression brighten instantly.  

Despite being a demon who had lived over 300 years, most of that time had been spent in slumber—inside, she was still just a child.  

“Just don’t eat them.”  

“…I can really go play?”  

I simply smiled and sent her off. There wasn’t much she could do in Rebellion anyway.  

Letting her enjoy the breeze until the Hero arrived was the least I could do.  

For someone who usually avoided the outside, even this was a rare experience.  

…After 300 years of loyalty, the Emperor’s dignity demands at least this much.  

Just as I thought that—  

“Make way! The Hero approaches!”  

‘The Hero?’  

The distant sound of hooves drummed against my ears. Holy Knights charged down the road, their clamor scattering the crowd.  

“You fool! Move, unless you want to die!”  

The panicked masses scrambled aside, but Echidna didn’t budge.  

She stood frozen, staring blankly at the oncoming riders. 

To her, unfamiliar with human customs, their urgency was incomprehensible.  

“H-Halt! There’s a child in the road!”  

“Rear ranks, stop! Stop!”  

The lead knight frantically signaled.  

If the front ranks halted abruptly, the rear would crash into them, a disaster waiting to happen.  

‘Your Majesty.’  

Echidna glanced at me, sensing an opportunity.  

Her instincts were sharp.  

“Damn it! Too late!”  

“You brat! Are you trying to get yourself killed—?!”  

At the perfect moment, I lunged forward, my magic subtly slowing time.  

A hushed silence fell over the street as the crowd watched, breathless.  

The knights’ horses skidded to a stop just inches from Echidna, or so it appeared. In truth, I had staged the entire scene.  

“Hiiiiii—!”  

The Holy Knights only managed to rein in their steeds several meters past where Echidna had stood.  

Gasping, they glared silently, their anger stifled by the presence of the sacred figure now dismounting before them.  

“O, Goddess… To grant us such undeserved mercy. Please forgive our transgression.”  

“……”  

“I commend your bravery. To throw yourself into danger for a child’s sake—it is a sight worthy of the Goddess’ favor.”  

Long, shimmering golden hair.

A cold beauty that stole one’s breath.  

A regal aura, yet a smile more charming than any other.  

A character from faded memories of a past life, now standing before me in flesh far more vivid than any game.  

“Might I ask your name?”  

Leticia, the Hero of promise.  

The woman destined to kill me smiled beatifically as she asked for mine.