A Demon Lord’s Tale: Dungeons, Monster Girls, and Heartwarming Bliss

CH 374

Default Dyslexic Roboto Lora

e only way for anyone else’s essence to change was for them to evolve, which was to say that only demon lords could truly inherit dungeons, while everyone else that tried would end up with a downgraded version that only kind of worked.

Actually, what if it’s just a matter of time? It’s like how dragons get stronger as they age because their bodies adapt better to magical particles.
What if someone just lived in a dungeon basically forever and had their body slowly adapt to its conditions? Couldn’t they technically end up qualifying as a demon lord eventually? I mean, it obviously won’t work for humans because they die too fast, but still.

“And that simply won’t do,” continued Draggodt, who was still ranting in a scholarly manner.
“Rogarde is surrounded by potential enemies on all sides.
We’ve fought with each other for generations, and though we’ve cooperated on many occasions in the past, it always does come back to war in the end, whenever the thrones change hands.
It is largely in part because this region contains little but grassland, and it is difficult for us to use geographical features to demarcate our borders.
The climate is also rather unstable, and it appears that while peace comes whenever warm winds blow over our plains, we quickly descend to war whenever the weather takes a turn for the worse.”

Is it just me, or does he seem more like a science guy than a king?

“The previous emperor focused his policies on peace and reconciliation.
Striving towards his ideals earned him nothing but scorn and disapproval.
Others looked down on him for being weak and took advantage of his kindness, cutting us deals that were far from favourable by any means whatsoever, which in the end led only to strife and suffering for our people.
Everyone wants peace.
But peace is not something that can be truly achieved without power.”
“Uhhh… dude, is it just me, or are you trying to preach about peace when you literally just started a war? And haven’t you guys been doing nothing but fighting wars for a good while now anyway? How’s this any different?”
“Most of our previous conflicts were born of the passive stances we took.
This war, however, is one we chose to enact of our own volition.
It isn’t one we were forced into.
Naturally, it is possible that many will not understand the difference and that they will simply think that war is war, and perhaps it is.
But at the end of the day, I am Rogarde’s emperor.
I will not hesitate to open hostilities against another nation if it means ultimately bettering the lives of my people.
As you can see, it has clearly ended in failure, but the effort was made nonetheless.” He scoffed at himself.
“In the end, I’ve nothing but ideals.
I am good for nothing but coming up with theories that I cannot see through.
But you are not me.
You are like the first emperor, one of the chosen, capable of drawing out all that the dungeon can offer.”
“…”
“Your power exceeds the norm to such an extent that you are able to bring the Hadean Helldrake to its knees.
If you become this country’s supreme leader, then those who border us will fear you and Rogarde by extension.
Their respect for your power will bring about an era of peace and stability,” he smiled.
“And there are benefits for you as well, demon lord.
As I know you are already aware, a demon lord’s strength grows with the size of the domain under his control.
The Rogardian labyrinth spans far, very far indeed.”
“So uhhh… what’ll you do if I decide that I don’t really give a shit about your country and go on a killing spree?”
“If you were stupid enough to make such a choice, then you would not be here to begin with.
They trusted you.
That is why they called upon you for aid.”

Following his eyes, I realized that all the other monarchs had gathered around.
They were standing by, listening in to our conversation.

“I’m not saying that you have to take control of the politics and function as a true ruler.
All I ask is that you eliminate anyone who attempts to invade us.
The rest, you can leave to all the other rulers.
I am sure they are willing to oblige.
There is profit to be had in it for them as well, and that alone dictates that they have little reason to refuse.” He turned back to phynar.
“King of the Demon Realm, I repeat, the condition for my surrender is that you allow Rogarde to stabilize itself under this demon lord’s rule.
And that is all I ask for.”
“Well, Yuki? What do you think?”
“I mean… I kind of get what you’re saying… but why?”
“Because bettering the lives of my people is my duty as emperor.” Draggodt smiled, as if he was awaiting the question all along.
“They are in your hands now.
Please, take care of them.”

***

A fiend by the name of Delvis, the faction’s supposed second in charge, showed up shortly after we dealt with Draggodt and surrendered.

From him, I learned that Gojim was dead.
The man I had planned to kill had already fallen at Draggodt’s hands.

Not exactly what I was expecting, but oh well, whatever.

“…I think he said it was here?”

I entered the emperor’s private quarters, as per some instructions he left me.

And in the middle of the room was the core.

“You sure you’re okay with this, Phynar? ‘Cause there’s not really any take backs.
This whole area’ll be mine the moment I touch it.” “It was the condition for Draggdt’s surrender, and not something I personally consider a problem,” said Phynar.
“None of the other monarchs seem to mind either.
Just think of it as an additional reward.
We probably would’ve lost the war without you to begin with.
The Helldrake was a teensy bit too big of a problem for us to handle on our own.”
“Works for me.”

The core was, like the first I touched, sucked into my palm the moment I laid hands on it.
The option to view the sub region that was the Rogardian Empire showed up in my menu right away as well. Looks like I can just put a gate here too, and go back and forth between the empire and the Wicked Forest whenever.

“Did it work?” asked Phynar.
“Yeah, looks like I’m in control of it now.”
“And I believe that means that, by Rogardian law, you are now the emperor.
Congratulations! You’re a king now, just like the rest of us,” he said, with a chuckle.
“Lay off,” I groaned.
“I don’t know jack shit about politics or economics, and there’s no way in hell I’m going to be able to get the people to think of me as some sort of benevolent overlord.
I’m staying the hell out of government affairs altogether.
All that shit’s going to be on you guys instead.”
“I’m well aware,” laughed the king.
“But since you are still the king in name, we will be respecting your decisions if anything happens.”

I looked around the room as we spoke and confirmed the suspicion that its previous owner was much more of a science guy than he was a ruler.

There was nothing about his private quarters that served to indicate that he led anything even remotely close to a luxurious lifestyle.
There were nothing but notes and various pieces of scientific equipment lying around.

Honestly looks like he lived a pretty humble life to me.
You know, it really goes to show that the winners are always the ones writing history.
One country’s hero is another country’s villain and whatnot.
I know everyone says it, but it really is how it is.
There really aren’t any clear good or bad guys.
Everyone’s just a different shade of grey.

“Ughhh… Fucking asshole making my life harder and shit.
I can’t believe he pushed this onto me at the last goddamn moment.”

You know what, man? Fine.
I’ll fuckin’ do it.
I’ll at least watch over this country and see your will through.
Because this country is now my territory.
The least I can do is keep an eye out for any invaders.