“It doesn’t matter what I do now…”

“Why’s that? Are you hurt?”

“No, it’s nothing. Why are you here?”

“I was just looking around and happened to find the castle! So I came!”

“An interesting reason.”

“Yep. But it wasn’t fun, so I was about to leave when I saw the way to the underground. I thought there might be a treasure chest, but there wasn’t…”

“I’m sorry for being such a disappointing human.”

The woman said with a bright expression. They continued to converse for a while. It was mostly a one-sided conversation from Soccu, but the woman seemed to enjoy it.

“Ah. It’s about time. Bye, sister.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah! I’ll come back tomorrow!”

“Hehe. Do come again.”

Soccu headed outside. The smile on the woman’s lips slowly faded.

* * *

“Alright.”

In the Demon King’s office at the castle, all of Karos’s subordinates were gathered. The secretary, a juvenile succubus, a former Demon King, a bunch of slimes, and a goblin. Though few in number and hardly a force to reckon with, they were the enemies of humanity, the authority of the Demon King.

“Let’s find a way.”

The owner of that authority, Karos, sat at his desk, tapping his chin. He broached a problem that had remained unsolved despite numerous meetings.

“Is there a way to invade humans without revealing our names?”

“It’s doubtful.”

Bathesia, the former Demon King, cradled the slime in her arms and muttered with a grim face.

“…Is there a possible method?”

“Magic use is forbidden. Using more than a certain level of magic power is not allowed. Appearing in front of them is also not allowed… Above all, you’re the biggest problem.”

Karos’s gaze turned to Bathesia. She was one of the four sovereigns, well-known among people. In a rural area like this, few might recognize her, but it was better to avoid showing herself in public just in case.

“There are a few methods, but the risks are too high…”

“Did you come without properly finding a way?”

“There’s a limit to theoretical discussions. Lillis, do you have any ideas?”

“Nothing conclusive so far. It might be too risky.”

“Hmm.”

Karos frowned at Lillis’s definitive response. The strategy was good, but the method was the issue. Blocked from the start, there was nothing to proceed with.

“Soccu, did you observe well?”

“Yes! I helped some poor people and talked to a strange sister!”

“…Strange sister!”

“Yes! She was trapped.”

“A prisoner, then.”

Karos listened without much interest. It wasn’t unusual to have prisoners in a territory.

“Should we use monsters?”

“That’s old news. If suddenly different species start moving together, it’s obvious the Demon King is behind it. A single species can’t even break through a village’s shallow defenses. Oh, speaking of which.”

Karos’s gaze shifted to the village chief. The chief, who had been idly drawing on the floor, straightened up in surprise.

“Kyark! Yes!”

“How’s the goblin village?”

“Yes! Thanks to the generous grace of the Demon King, we are gradually expanding our power!”

“That’s good to hear.”

Karos had recently subdued an ogre, making it a subordinate. A strong monster, useful to other Demon Kings, but Karos had no use for it. He intended to avoid open conflict as much as possible.

Still, there must be a way to use it effectively. Having more cards in hand is always better.

“I heard there are orcs here too. When will you deal with them?”

“Not now.”

Karos clicked his tongue. Bathesia nodded, understanding his disapproval.

“They won’t suit you.”

“Those crazy macho freaks.”

He gritted his teeth in disdain. Orcs were completely incompatible with him.

“But that’s not the problem.”

Karos’s hand pointed to the center of a forest drawn on the map. Not the territory of orcs or goblins, nor the domain of ogres, but an empty space.

“What’s there that even monsters avoid, village chief?”

“Um!”

“I don’t know!”

“You don’t know? But you avoided it? Even you goblins?”

Karos’s expression turned serious. Goblins were known to be foolish, not believing in anything they hadn’t seen with their own eyes. Many had died defying the Demon King.

For goblins to avoid a place without knowing its identity… The chief, looking defeated, spoke.

“Kyah, kyark. I don’t know. It’s just dark and eerie. I don’t feel like going. Kyark.”

“Since when?”

“My dad’s dad’s dad’s dad’s dad’s… Huh?”

“So, a very long time ago.”

Ignoring the chief, who seemed to reach his mental limit, Karos pondered.

‘Dark and eerie.’

Not a demon race. Monsters find the magic of the demon race familiar. Something darker and deeper than that.

“Dangerous.”

He suddenly felt uneasy, as if he had learned there was a magic explosion device nearby.

“…Let’s pass for now. No need to stir trouble.”

“Kyark, kyark. That seems best.”

The chief unusually agreed with a fearful face. He truly seemed to be afraid of it.

“So, we end today without gaining anything?”

“For now. If only something would pop… There’s nothing to gain from the village…”

“Can I go now?”

“…You seem to have it easy?”

Karos’s face twisted momentarily at Soccu’s nonchalant remark, but he sighed and waved his hand.

“It’s strange to expect anything from you. Go ahead.”

“Thank you!”

Soccu quickly left the Demon King’s castle. Watching her leave, Bathesia muttered absentmindedly.

“Why is she in such a hurry these days?”

“Maybe she made a friend.”

Karos spoke indifferently.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!