Chapter 81

Using the resurrected holy sword, destroy the human race.

That was the condition for Grashara to marry the Demon King, breaking the blessing given by the gods.

It might be a reasonable reward for his efforts, but...

"Well, what will you do? The Demon King of this era?"

The god of the demons, Hades, pressed Zedan, the king of the demons.

Only the Demon King could make such a significant decision to annihilate the human race, so it was natural to ask him.

What answer will the Demon King give?

"I should have... thought more about the matter with Astares," the Demon King said solemnly.

"Marrying her, whom I had longed for, was not something to hesitate about. However, even so, I should have paused and thought a little more, as one who bears the heavy responsibility of being the Demon King. Because I did not, we are now in such a difficult situation."

The Demon King Zedan, without hesitation, accepted the blessing of the "Husband of the Earth Mother" which allowed him to have only one wife.

However, it was clear that his position as the Demon King and his own greatness could not be confined to making just one woman happy. The harem was bound to form!

"My intuition warns me that I should not easily agree to this matter. Ending the war with the human race is the most important duty of one who leads the demons."

There is no reason to refuse.

However...

"However...! The human race has now lived on this earth for thousands of years. Is it right to destroy them so easily just because of the gods' convenience? Each human is now born on this earth and struggles to live on the land!"

The Demon King roared, as one who has the right to live and rule on this earth.

"O Hades, the god of the demons. I, the Demon King Zedan, swear here and now to destroy the human political system."

"The human... political system, you say?"

"Exactly!"

The Demon King continued.

"Among the humans, only the royal family and the church, who worship the Sky God Zeus and consider themselves superior, are arrogant. If I eliminate them and dismantle the human nation, what will remain are people who strive to live their daily lives, no different from the demons."

"Hmm..."

"To fulfill the duty of the Demon King who protects the earth and to give Grashara a reward, I request this."

"However, among Zeus's children, there are always those who will resort to underhanded tactics..."

Hades's reaction was not favorable.

"That's fine, my dear,"

It was his beloved wife, the goddess Demetersephone, who interceded.

"Since the great destruction four thousand years ago, we gods have been unable to interfere significantly. If the human king and the church are destroyed, Zeus will have no more power."

"Is that so...!?"

"Most importantly, the Demon King who makes such a kind decision is admirable. The creatures of the earth should be like this."

"Indeed...!"

The gods were convinced.

"Then, Demon King of this era. I will recognize your achievement by destroying the human king and the church as you propose. ...No, you and your wives."

"Thank you, thank you!"

The Demon King knelt on the spot.

"I will give the reward in advance."

When the Earth Mother Demetersephone raised her hand, the light emitted from it split into two, enveloping two women.

"Eh!?"

"Me too!?"

The two women enveloped by the light of the Earth Mother were Grashara and Astares, the Demon King's two wives.

"I have given both of you the 'Blessing of the Earth Mother' equally. This blessing is usually given to only one person per generation, but those who possess it can marry the hero recognized by my husband."

"Really!?"

"Yay!"

Grashara rejoiced at the news from the Earth Mother.

"My dear, aren't you being too generous? Giving the reward before anything has been accomplished?"

"It's fine. The seven holy swords you gave as a surefire strategy. Two of them have blossomed into true holy swords, which was supposed to be impossible. Right?"

The Earth Mother's eyes caught mine directly.

"Will you reforge it? The broken holy sword of that poor girl?"

She must be talking about Grashara's holy sword.

"I will. I will, but...!"

Why is she pressuring me so much?

"I hear that Hephaestus, despite being the best blacksmith among the gods, is disliked by his father Zeus because of his ugly appearance. It must be refreshing to see Zeus's ambitions shattered by the gift from Hephaestus."

Hades smiled like a child who has finished reading about the end of a wicked old man.

"You were originally on their side, summoned by Zeus's miracle and given a gift by Hephaestus. Is it alright to side with our children?"

"Not at all."

Indeed, I was summoned by the human king, but I consider the connection severed when I bought this land for nine gold coins.

I am grateful to Hephaestus for giving me the "Bearer of the Supreme," but Zeus is completely irrelevant to me. Who is he?

"Perhaps it was a great fortune that he became friends with our children."

"You might be right. To solidify this connection, I will use my power."

Hades raised his hand, and light was released, scattering in all directions.

"I have given my blessing to the entire land. There is no need to worry. It is a very thin and weak blessing that will not incur any obligations."

"Since you have already received a gift from Hephaestus, I cannot give you anything more. 'One cannot give more to one person.' That is one of the promises the gods must keep."

"The blessing will only slightly improve the crops grown on this land. I hope you will continue to get along well with my children without conflict."

With that, the Earth Mother and her husband disappeared from this world.

The problem is resolved.

...Is it?

For now.