Chapter 219: Demon King (9)
“First of all, as for the first reason, it is above all for that child’s safety. As I just told you, Lily’s existence won’t be easily accepted at first.”
But if she becomes the consort of the Demon King, and the Primordial Demon King at that, who would dare treat Lily carelessly, Lilith said.
“And to add some personal pressure, if you don’t accept Lily, it will be impossible for this humble concubine to even dream of daring to speak your name and converse like a friend on equal footing with Your Majesty like this.”
So, wouldn't she be allowed to dare sit at the same table at eye level without bowing her head like this only if she at least became a mother-in-law?
Lilith showed a mischievous smile.
“…….”
Until now, to be honest, I was always in the position of teasing, not being teased.
But Lilith was different.
Should I say her accumulated inner strength is different?
“Also, if I may advise as a loyal subject, keeping Lily, who is like a symbol of the bridge connecting demons and humans, by your side will surely be of great help for you to achieve the great cause in the future, Lord Bin.”
Even though she was used as a vessel for resurrection, it is an undeniable fact that she possesses a human body not of a demon, so wouldn't Lily, who possesses both demon and human blood, be the marriage symbolizing the new era Your Majesty will open in the future…
Hearing even this, I couldn't find room to refute.
Because it was all correct.
But just because of that, to accept this proposal readily… I also had a conscience.
If I said I had absolutely no feelings for Lily, that would definitely be a lie.
But I had made a choice.
I had already responded to Evie's feelings.
“I know why you are hesitating.”
Lilith, seeing me like that, said she understood and continued calmly.
“But you are now a body that must become the Demon King, Lord Bin, so you shouldn't be bound by human customs.”
Lilith said that Demon Kings so far have formed alliances through marriage as one of the ways to maintain order among various tribes, and among them, there were cases where they held wedding ceremonies over thirty times.
And in the first place, such traditions of demons.
“It was a tradition that initially came about to emulate none other than the Primordial Demon King’s conduct, but it gradually began to be used politically for harmony between tribes.”
That they came into existence because of me, not anyone else.
“I didn't meet him personally either, but according to legend, I heard he possessed immense vigor. If there was someone he liked, regardless of gender, sleeping with several people at once was a daily occurrence. And if the partner wanted, he tried to take responsibility by making them his consort.”
“……I see.”
Lilith seemed not to have fully understood yet (in fact, it is really hard to understand), but actually, I was now practically that ‘him’ she was talking about itself.
Therefore, knowing better than anyone that everything Lilith was saying now was true, I felt a truly strange feeling with a mixture of pride and shame.
“Emulating such a Primordial Demon King, the strong among demons, especially Demon Kings, have rather considered having only one consort a disgrace.”
This is probably what they call reaping what you sow.
“…I feel like I’m committing a sin.”
“Both as a Demon King and as a Bard, you are a very peculiar person.”
Lilith, hearing my honest feelings, seemed to smile once, then.
“Yes. If I may dare say so, you are committing a sin.”
Spoke seriously again.
“Since I also belong to the peculiar side as a succubus, I can’t tell you that not being faithful to only one person isn’t a sin.”
“Then why…”
“Honestly, if you were someone who would have accepted it right away saying good, I would absolutely never have made such a proposal. But since you know you are committing a sin yourself, you will try more than one person's share to make up for it.”
“I am grateful you look upon me favorably, but… this is practically a political marriage.”
“Depending on the perspective, it could be.”
“Whatever the intention, I am uncomfortable with Lily receiving such treatment because of me who is unqualified.”
“Naturally, if it were something that child didn't want, no matter how much the Demon King wanted it, I would have stopped it even at the cost of my life. Conversely, if it is something that child wants, I want to make it happen even at the cost of my life.”
Lilith, who said this, suddenly let out a smirk.
“Of course, if you ask that child directly, she might say she cannot accept it because she is a body serving a god.”
“Last time, didn't you clearly say you wanted to respect that will as well?”
“If it were sincere, yes. But knowing well that it is not her true feelings, as for me, I can’t stay still even more.”
Lilith said.
“…Because I don’t want that child to experience having to make a decision different from her heart, bound by things like position like me.”
At that single remark stained with regret and thoughts about the past, I was momentarily speechless.
“…I understand that feeling, but I still think it is not right for us to make such a decision among ourselves in the absence of the person concerned.”
“Our new Demon King is truly a very straight-laced person, really different from the Demon Kings until now. ──Yes. Certainly, those are correct words. It is absolutely not a story for us to decide arbitrarily among ourselves.”
“Then this story is──”
“Since your will is so, Lord Bin, let’s ask that child directly.”
“──?”
Before long, I came to understand the meaning of Lilith’s words.
“…!”
The fact that, from the start, it wasn't ‘among ourselves’.
“T-Th… S-Sorry…”
Perhaps, Lilith had cast 「Disguise」.
That must be why as soon as Lilith snapped her fingers, the ornament placed in one corner of the room changed into Lily’s appearance… no, returned.
“…Did I fall for, a maneuver?"
“Huhu. I am the Queen of Night. Such machinations are my specialty.”
Saying that as long as I intend to become King, I will have to get used to things like this now, Lilith smiled mischievously.
“…….”
Meanwhile, Lily, perhaps very embarrassed, couldn't bring herself to meet my eyes and was wiggling her fingers while avoiding my gaze.
“Then… did you hear everything?”
At my cautious question, which I couldn't easily ask due to embarrassment and shame, Lily seemed to hesitate, then soon slowly nodded her head.
If it were before, she would have tried to cover her face dyed bright red by pulling her veil down as much as possible.
“This is what Lord Bin thinks.”
But Lily didn't wear a veil anymore.
Was that why?
“What do you think, Lily?”
When Lilith asked in a gentle tone.
“…Mo-Mother’s words, are correct.”
Instead of hiding or running away, she opened her mouth cautiously again.
“While listening to the two of you talking… I kept thinking about it.”
As if she wouldn't run away anymore.
“I probably… no, undoubtedly would have tried to suppress my feelings with the excuse that I am a body serving Lady Sistina.”
Looking straight at me.
“But that, is clearly not my true heart. ──Yes. I, Lily, am in love with you, Lord Bin. If possible, I want to spend my whole life by your side, Lord Bin.”
She spoke her true feelings without hiding them anymore.
“She says so.”
Lilith, who was watching that appearance with gratification, said.
“If what I know is correct, wouldn't a marriage where the intentions of the parties involved were fully respected not be called a political marriage?”
***
Lilith said she would create a perfect stage for the Demon King.
“I swear by shedding blood in front of all demons here!”
And actually, she created it.
That Lilith, who always tried to keep her integrity, had come forward more than anyone else and knelt down, even going as far as to expose with her own mouth the secret that could be a fatal weakness──that she had a child she had been hiding all this time.
That Queen of Night with high pride, who didn't try to easily bow herself even to the Demon King, the strongest demon.
If I were truly not the Primordial Demon King, how could she do that?
“If there are those here who still haven't opened their eyes and dare to commit disloyalty to the true Master of All Demons, Lord Yubin, you will have to face this Queen of Night, Lilith, first!”
My power, and Lilith’s authority.
Just looking at the eyes of the soldiers looking at me, the fact that they were overwhelmed by these two was obvious.
As expected.
“M-Master of All Demons!”
Eventually, one by one, they began to kneel just like Lilith.
What was one person at first soon became ten people, ten became a hundred soon, and a hundred became a thousand soon.
As they knelt in a swarm surrounding me and showed courtesy, soon I became the only one standing on two legs in this place.
Perfectly, it became my solo stage.
Of course, nearly half of them probably just knelt swept by the current situation, and didn't intend to offer loyalty to me sincerely.
It didn't matter.
For right now, that was enough.
“──I, the Primordial Demon King Yubin, swear by shedding blood in front of all warriors!”
Since the stage was set, it was time to perform the [Performance].
Because I am a Demon King and at the same time, a Bard.
Slash!
I grasped the dagger and slit my own palm just like that, shedding blood.
Then I clenched the fist stained with that blood tightly and raised it high.
“I will destroy the wall!”
Some soldiers flinched and stirred.
“But that is not through fighting with them!”
This time everyone stirred.
“I will make them destroy the wall themselves someday and welcome us!”
As all Demon Kings did, now was clearly the timing when words like charging immediately to destroy the wall should come out.
Therefore, those who had just knelt swept by the situation began to harbor doubts about me again and gauge each other's reactions.
However.
『I promise!』
I had ‘Charisma’.
Whatever I say, making them want to believe── no, making them have no choice but to believe.
Overwhelming ‘Charisma (CHA)’.
『I will lead you and open the gates of that lofty wall!』
Soldiers who agreed with my shout, no, 「Encourage」, straightened their knees and stood up from their seats one by one.
Even those who doubted me were flashing their eyes from some point.
Without even realizing it themselves, everyone became a prisoner of my ‘Charisma’.
『We shall reclaim our land, our freedom!』
There was no one doubting my words anymore.
Instead.
“Wooooaaah──!!”
Only the thunderous applause of the audience captivated by me followed.
『I am no longer the First Devil, nor the Master of All Demons, nor the Primordial Demon King!』
Just like usual stages.
『I am the Malevolent Star defying the will of the heavens! The guide for everyone on earth!』