My head went blank for a moment.
What in the hell is happening? Why is this masculine chick calling me Demon Lord? I'm the Hero, you know.
"It's been several centuries since the demon race has been waiting for your arrival." The demon chick spoke with sentimental words. She raised her head and met my eyes. "With your arrival, the Demon Race will finally come out on top in the war against other races!"
Her enthusiasm even reached my stupor head. Before she continued, I raised my hand.
"Stop. Before that, who are you and where am I?" I spoke with authority. Since she had already lowered her head before me, I'll gladly use my position. This is different from when I was summoned before the King, to whom I had to kneel before.
The demon chick lowered her head with force. But before that action, did I notice her red cat eyes sparkle? No, no, no. You can only see that in a manga or anime, where expressions are exaggerated, but this is reality. You don't just see eyes sparkle in real life.
"My name is Krizkan Amo'tara, the Demon General who is temporarily holding the position of the ruler of the Demon Race until the Demon King, who is My Lord, arrives."
Gah! I knew it!
When King Melis mentioned the Demon General as 'her', I already took a mental note of that. Thus, seeing a demon gal as intimidating as her here in this dark hall made me think of the Demon General. My intuition is right!
"We are currently in the middle of the Demon Continent, specifically in the central city of Gania. I believe this is a different world from where My Lord originated."
Oh yeah, she mentioned that we are still in the same world as the Elithia Kingdom, the world of Thauteria. I am still unsure if I should be glad or worried.
"A different world… how come I am here?" I played ignorant.
The demon chick named Krizkan spoke of the same reason as that of King Melis. Their stories checked out. I intently listened even though I already knew the brief history of Thauteria just to have this confirmation. There's still a chance that King Melis has been deceiving poor me.
Krizkan continued to the part I hadn't known yet.
"We have perfected a spell that will summon the perfect candidate to rule the Demon Race. Although My Lord is originally not a demon and is an otherworlder, we have prepared a special World-Grade potion that will provide you with the blood of an archdemon!"
I feel like I've heard of this before.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. What makes you think I'll accept the position of a Demon King? You have taken me away from my original world."
The Demon General seemed shocked at my statement and was silent for a moment. Soon, her gaze returned with resolution.
"I am aware that My Lord has yet to know the privilege and honor of being the Demon King. As the Demon King, you'll be able to lead millions of demons to dominate the world and become the true ruler! You'll gain power never imagined by the other races and authority that no one can contest against! Furthermore, as subordinates, we will unconditionally serve the Demon King."
"You have a lot of trust in this Demon King. How can you know that I am the one?"
When I was summoned as a Hero, I was still not officially one. I have to take on the trial of the Hero's Blessing ceremony. However, in this case, I just have to accept and take on the role of the Demon King? I don't mind another trial, and without it, this seemed to be too good to be true. Furthermore, this may sound racist, but I have less trust towards demons than humans. After all, on Earth, the concept of demons is literally the opposite of beings you should put your trust in. Until I have a grasp of their true nature, I wouldn't be so naive as to accept the role of a Demon King even with the promise of great power.
"We put great pride in our summoning spell, My Lord. Only an otherworlder with the greatest potential and affinity to magic will be summoned. Furthermore, I am ashamed to admit that we are in desperate need of a great ruler. If My Lord, by any chance, did not accept the role of the Demon King, the Demon Race may have to wait another several centuries just to see the summoning spell bring a candidate again."
"Are you saying that you have already set up your summoning spell several centuries ago?"
"That is correct, My Lord."
Hmm, wait. Is the Demon Race that good or are the other races just shit at magic? The Human Race has only achieved its summoning spell today, but the Demon Race has already set up theirs centuries ago.
This is like comparing the Industrial Age to the Middle Ages of Earth.
If this is true, then how come the races are still in a stalemate? Did the Demon Race just got lucky and unlocked the secrets of the summoning spell earlier?
Again, I have little information, so I just kept these inconsistencies first in my head. I then asked the most important question.
"What will happen if I don't accept the role?"
"..." Demon General Krizkan stayed silent. Her expression became heavier.
Ohhh, shit.
So, I don't have a choice, huh?
"I understand. I apologize for putting you in a difficult position."
"No, My Lord! I should be apologizing for being meek!" Demon General Krizkan further lowered her head as if she were ashamed that I had to apologize.
"That's alright. I'm not the Demon King yet. Furthermore, that only shows your loyalty." I'm starting to get this Demon General's attitude towards the Demon King, so I put her at ease with these simple words.
"My Lord…" Demon General Krizkan raised her head, and I saw her eyes sparkle again. Wait, I'm not seeing things? Her demonic eyes are really sparkling, almost like an anime girl. It's like her dark red pupils have subtle stars within them, twinkling as she stares at me.
Isn't this masculine demon chick a bit cute?
Furthermore, it seemed that she was wearing an expression of expectations. Right, I said that I'm not the Demon King 'yet, so I'm already stating my intention to accept the role.
"It seemed that I had no choice here." I sighed.
"..."
"I am a man with ambitions, thus, it is not that I hate the idea of being the Demon King."
"Then…!"
"But, I still don't trust the situation."
Demon General Krizkan's expression turned more serious. Now, I'm getting nervous. Her expression threw me off.
Demons are not to be trusted. Well, it's not like I trust humans as well, but still. Let's take a step back. There are only two possibilities here: either she's deceiving me, or what she said is the truth. One, her reaction may mean that she realized that I'm aware of her deception, or two, she's taking my concern seriously.
Yeah, I am paranoid. I understand that because I know that logic says the Demon General means no harm. After all, if she does, she could've already harmed me moments ago. Even if she's not the Demon General, with those muscles alone, she could break me like a twig. Furthermore, what's the benefit of deceiving me? For entertainment? That's possible, but less probable.
However, I still have to be sure.
"You say that you are the temporary ruler of the Demon Race and will become subordinate to the Demon King. If you can prove your loyalty, I'll be at ease."
If I can trust the Demon General, that will be more than enough because even if I can't trust the other demons, what can they do about this massive mommy?
"I understand! My Lord, just give a word and I'll show you my loyalty!"
Jackpot!! I mean- this is essential for proving her loyalty!
I immediately suppressed my excitement and kept my aloof expression.
"Does that mean you'll do anything if I just say the word?"
"Yes, My Lord, anything!"
Come on, gal. If you say that to a man, how can he resist?
"Then…" my eyes gazed down at her body, "prove it." I resisted the urge to let out a lecherous smile.
At first, the lovely Demon General had a confused expression before realizing what I meant. I can totally see that moment since her body jolted and shook while her eyes revealed surprise.
"My Lord… do you mean?"
I kept quiet and let her figure it out.
"Right here?" she then glanced at the shadows. Wait, are we not alone?
"Where else?"
I then heard a loud gulp, and the Demon General raised her finger. A black orb appeared at her fingertip. Is she going to attack me? My fear didn't come true as that black orb expanded only to cut off the outside world.
This reminded me of the magic King Melis cast to make our conversation private at the feast before the Hero's Blessing. Demon General Krizkan did the same, but this time, both vision and sound are blocked off.
The immediate area around us has been cut off from the rest of the world.
Whatever happened in that closed-off space can only be described as brutal-... brutally delightful.
Soon, the break of dawn arrived, and a new legend among the Demon Race was born: At the arrival of the Demon King, he was able to 'dominate' the Demon General.