3
“…Right. It’s the peace that has finally come after centuries. I don’t want to see countless people dying meaninglessly anymore.”
“…….”
Clyde remained silent for quite a while after that.
“…Clyde?” Feeling uneasy, I called out to him, and finally, Clyde opened his mouth again.
“Sure, fine. If that’s what you want, there’s no reason I wouldn’t listen.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah.”
Clyde looked at me and faintly smiled, moving only the corners of his mouth. It was a strangely fleeting smile that made my chest feel heavy.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him still.
“Thank you, Clyde.”
“…….”
Clyde wordlessly stroked my head.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
After confirming that Eila had fallen asleep, Clyde quietly left the room.
What he said to Eila was genuine. In truth, he wanted to grant her every wish. He was going to fulfill them, whatever they might be, as long as she didn’t leave his side.
As he entered the Grand Hall, Sakaya hurriedly approached.
“Your Majesty.”
Clyde stroked my head silently.
Sakaya’s shoulders stiffened with tension. It wasn’t just a matter of mood that made it sound like he wouldn’t let anything go unless it was an important issue.
“I apologize. However, since your return, the high lords have been requesting an audience every day…”
“Are they still in the castle? I distinctly remember ordering them to disperse.”
“Yes. All seven have not returned to their estates and are on standby.”
Clyde frowned.
“Summon them to the meeting room.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sakaya bowed and hastily left the room.
About ten minutes later, the seven high lords entered the meeting room. At the head of the table, Clyde was already seated and waiting.
“You’re late,” Clyde said expressionlessly, his chin resting on his hand. Although his voice lacked any apparent emotion, it sent a chilling shiver down the spines of the listeners.
“Apologies, Your Majesty. We rushed as much as we could upon receiving the summons…”
Gorath, high lord of Helven, said, bowing his head. Despite his giant stature, nearly twice that of a human, he was the most mild-mannered of the seven high lords.
Clyde simply nodded. The high lords quickly took their seats.
“So?”
The words were thrown out without context. The high lords exchanged glances reflexively.
“I’m asking why you disobeyed my orders to disperse and not disturb me.”
“…….”
A perplexed and subdued atmosphere filled the meeting room.
At that moment, Vanderyl raised his hand.
“With your permission, Your Majesty, may I speak a few words?”
Clyde gave him a nod.
“We’re all curious about the sudden return during this expedition. We’ve heard that our forces were advancing triumphantly, reaching right in front of Palma’s capital. So, why did you suddenly retreat with the goal right before you?”
Clyde smirked. Everyone blinked, not fully understanding the meaning behind his smile.
“Who said that the capital of Palma was my goal? I didn’t say anything like that.”
“…….”
“And ‘our forces’? I fought this war alone. You all just forcibly organized an army to follow me. Isn’t that right?”
Despite the languid mockery in his voice, Vanderyl maintained a calm expression.
“May I ask what the objective of this war was then?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
In response, Vanderyl’s eyes subtly narrowed.
“…May I inquire about the fact that, although Your Majesty is undoubtedly the most powerful figure in this demon realm, we, too, hold positions representing various regions of the demon realm? Throughout history, kings have always taken into account the opinions of the seven high lords in making decisions. We humbly request Your Majesty to consider this.”
“Are you giving me orders now?”
Clyde stared at Vanderyl with narrowed eyes. Vanderyl’s face stiffened.
“Your Majesty, that is not what I meant.”
“Whatever previous kings did or how they made decisions has no relevance to me. I am the king now. Traditions from the past mean nothing to me.” Clyde abruptly stopped speaking.
Vanderyl and the other high lords looked at him with puzzled expressions.
「I just… I only wish that your position remains steadfast. If you continue to neglect your duties as a king, it will naturally become an issue….」
The words of Eila echoed in his mind.
His conversation with Vanderyl and the words he spoke to Eila were true. His position as Demon King was merely a means to get and possess Eila.
Even if the high lords harbored discontent towards him or, in an unlikely scenario, if they dared to rebel, it didn’t matter to Clyde. He had no qualms about killing them or even annihilating the entire demon realm.
But that was only if he was alone.
Now, Clyde has Eila. Eila was an irreplaceable presence, something that couldn’t be weighed or compared with anything else.
If the high lords were to harm Eila, and if even a single strand of her hair were to be harmed, Clyde wouldn’t be able to forgive himself more than them.
Having finally had Eila after all that time, Clyde still couldn’t escape the fear and anxiety that he might lose her at any moment.
Even when sleeping with Eila in his arms, there were days when he would wake up from nightmares, startled and gasping for breath. Fortunately, Eila was completely exhausted every night and didn’t notice this fact.
“Your Majesty?”
Vanderyl looked at Clyde with a furrowed brow.
“…The fall of Palma was never my purpose in the first place. This expedition was started for personal reasons, and it ended the same way. It’s already done, so I’d rather not dwell on it. Instead…”
Clyde paused for a moment, then, with a hesitant expression, he opened his mouth again.
“In the future, when making decisions related to state affairs, I will consider the opinions of the high lords. With that understanding, I hope you will refrain from commenting further on this matter.”
Those words caused a small stir in the meeting room.
No one had expected Clyde, known for his arrogance and stubbornness more than any other Demon King in history, to say such things. Just a moment ago, he had been consistent with his usual attitude, but now he has abruptly changed his stance.
“…So, may I inquire about future expedition plans?”
“There are no future expedition plans,” Clyde asserted. The high lords began to murmur again, more bewildered than they were just moments ago.
“What do you mean, Your Majesty? No future expedition plans?”
“It means exactly that. I’ve only just been crowned, so for the time being, I’ll be focusing on building up the demon realm. We will maintain a ceasefire with the human realm during this period.”
Actually, he wanted to say ‘permanently,’ but doing so would undoubtedly provoke strong opposition.
“For the time being… how long do you mean?”
“I haven’t decided on a specific time frame yet.”
“…What?”
Vanderil widened his eyes, almost in disbelief.
“The war with the human realm has been a senseless, protracted conflict for hundreds of years. The decision was made based on the judgment that maintaining this situation would be futile.”
“But, Your Majesty, that’s problematic!”
The Sinfarel species, ruled by Vanderyl, considered human blood the finest delicacy. The declaration of a ceasefire was essentially blocking their most crucial route to obtaining human blood.
“Problematic? What problematic? Isn’t it more problematic to deplete our national strength just for the sake of one issue from Sinfarel? Considering the entire demon realm, wouldn’t that be more problematic?” Clyde said expressionlessly.
“I am aware that only a few high-ranking individuals actually benefit from using human blood as a commodity. Isn’t that a minor sacrifice worth enduring for the greater good?”
“…….”
Vanderyl gritted his teeth in silence.
“That’s all I have to say. Let’s discuss it further at the next regular meeting.”
Clyde spoke and stood up from his seat.
“Is it because of the consort?”
All eyes in the meeting room turned to Giyu.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden, Giyu?”
“I’m asking if your decision to declare a ceasefire is related to the Queen Consort being human.”
Clyde’s red eyes flickered for a moment as the aura of crimson magical power began to swirl around him. The others in the room tensed at the sudden change.
“When did I ever mention the consort?”
“But other than that, there isn’t a reason to stop the war. The fact that you returned from this expedition must be related to that… Ugh!”
Giyu couldn’t finish his sentence as Clyde suddenly grabbed his throat. In no time, the magical power extended from Clyde’s hand was constricting Giyu’s neck.
The chair crashed to the floor with a loud noise, and Giyu’s body remained suspended in mid-air.
“I warned you not to mention the last expedition again. Do you find my words ridiculous, Giyu?”
“Keuk, ugh, no…”
“I’ll add one more warning. Never talk about the consort again. If you do, your neck and body will be separated. Do you understand me?”
