188 #22. Well, this is merely the beginning (3) >

“From this moment on, I am your demon king.”

I spoke in a dignified manner while ever so slightly looking down on my new subjects.

-But, master, you don’t look dignified at all? You just made people want to beat you up, you know?

-Shut up, will ya?

The metal bat tried to get on my nerves again today, but I have become rather used to ignoring her.

“Are you really.. Mister, you’re really our new king sent by the Demon God?”

“Oh, I’m a ‘Mister’, now is it?”

“S-sir, are you truly our king?”

Yup, that’s better.

Maybe the confusion hadn’t abated yet, since the situation was unfolding in a very favourable direction for me. I mean, just one short observation from me, and these people were willing to correct themselves and all!

“That’s right, I am.”

“Oh, ohhh!”

“The Demon God has finally sent us our new king!”

“Our dear Demon God!”

The way they started exalting me and the Demon God exceeded what Belegrea told me earlier. As expected of the high-ranking priests belonging to the Demon God’s temple! Their faith in the Demon God is truly strong!

“N-no, wait! Not yet!”

However, it seemed that there was someone still unconvinced by what happened.

“What is it?”

“The Demon God is a benevolent god but can also bring down merciless punishment to foolish individuals!”

“Okay, so?”

“The Demon God has said that the one bestowed with the divine power can only be thoroughly awakened through the endless pain!”

“Ooooh..”

I think I’ve heard that from before. If I were to alter that statement a bit, it kind of sounds eerily similar to what I often said as the evil organisation’s henchman, doesn’t it?

“As such, I shall not acknowledge you as the demon king chosen by the Demon God until you demonstrate the divine power!”

“I-I see.”

“I-indeed, there’s that still remaining!”

One by one, the others around me began nodding along as if their opinions were gradually lining up.

“Yes, there’s that.”

So, I also followed along and nodded away.