Chapter 77

After the rice planting was completed, King Demon Zedan visited our settlement once again.

His travel to and from this land is made easy by the transfer point managed by the demon girl Berena, so he can come and visit quite casually.

Still, as it had been a while since his last visit, everyone welcomed him with great joy.

King Demon is a person of character and is admired by everyone.

Naturally, Astares, who has become the Demon Queen, was also with him, and she was happily reuniting with her former subordinates, Bati and Berena.

“Astares-sama! It’s been so long!!”

“You’ve become even more beautiful since the last time I saw you!!”

This is not just flattery from her former subordinates; even I, a complete stranger, think so.

Astares, one of the Four Demon Kings, has become the Demon Queen, and she has grown even more beautiful, as if to match her new title.

Not only is she beautiful, but she exudes a sense of authority.

The loose dress (made by Bati) that she wears, which seems to restrict her movements, only enhances her regal presence as the Demon Queen.

I thought they were just as they always were, but there was something different.

“…Who is this person?”

There was another companion with them.

A woman.

However, at first glance, it was difficult to tell if she was a woman or not; she was a robust woman.

She was generally thick and wild.

She was muscular, and her demon-specific dark skin was even darker, as if from a tan.

She was tall, almost as tall as King Demon, and she was a large, sturdy, and rugged wild beauty.

“Let me introduce her. One of my trusted Four Demon Kings, Grashara of ‘Resentment.’”

Oh, this is her.

“Before I explain more about her, let me apologize for my absence.”

According to King Demon, during his absence from the Demon Capital, he spent time suppressing the rebels who had emerged.

He finally managed to finish that task recently.

“The one who had been advancing the marriage proposal with Plati and plotting against Astares was, as expected, another of the Four Demon Kings.”

“Could it be the one over there…?”

I looked at the sulking female Demon King.

“No, it’s a different one. That person has already taken full responsibility and stepped down from the position of Demon King. I hope the Holy One and Plati will accept this as the resolution of the situation.”

“That’s all well and good…! But then, who is the person you brought today?”

Everyone’s interest naturally focused on the sulking female Demon King.

Of course, not the one who became the Demon Queen.

The Demon Queen, on the other hand, only smiled wryly.

“The purpose of today’s visit is about that matter. I am reluctantly asking for the Holy One’s assistance once again.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Upon hearing the details, it turns out that this Demon King, Grashara, had attempted to take the throne during King Demon’s absence.

There were others who had shown similar movements, but they were all eliminated in the recent operation.

Welcoming Astares as the Demon Queen and establishing the new regime created a very favorable situation.

“The only remaining issue is this Grashara.”

King Demon said this with a troubled expression.

“This one was the highest-ranking among those who planned the rebellion, and her actions were the most conspicuous. She openly declared that she would defeat me and become the next King Demon.”

“That’s a point of no return. So, if she was suppressed, would she be executed?”

To Plati’s frightening question, King Demon shook his head.

“I admired Grashara’s boldness. The others were only plotting to legally remove me from the throne through cunning schemes and underhanded plots.”

King Demon spoke with a heroic tone.

“So, I thought it would be a waste to lose someone of Grashara’s caliber and decided to use her again as one of the Four Demon Kings. I believe that if I thoroughly defeat her and make her submit, it will convince the others and maintain order.”

Incidentally, those who tried to take the throne through plots and schemes did not get off scot-free.

They had their territories taken away or were dismissed from their positions.

In short, they were stripped of all their power to do any harm.

“However, Grashara’s resolve seems firm. No matter how much I encourage her to submit, she refuses to comply. She won’t even apologize, so if this continues, I will have no choice but to execute her. I am truly at a loss.”

King Demon said this with genuine concern.

He wants to avoid taking lives. He is fundamentally kind.

“I understand the problem you are facing, but why come to us?”

It seems they came for advice.

Given the nature of the problem, it feels like an internal matter of the demon race, and it’s not something outsiders like us should interfere with.

“Well…!!”

King Demon hesitated.

This was unusual.

What is he hesitating to say?

“King Zedan, let me explain from here.”

Astares said this with the authority of the Demon Queen.

I could sense a hint of charm in her voice.

“The problem is… Grashara is in love with King Zedan.”

“Huh?”

“She is demanding to become the Demon Queen, and if that’s not possible, she insists on being executed.”

The rebellion that shook the Demon Kingdom is taking a surprisingly mundane turn.