The Tale of Hero Alice’s Social Death

hen, scratching his head, Davis said, “But according to the young miss, the new Demon King should be female, right?”

“Who says females can't become mates with other females?! Those are human values you are talking about! What does that have to do with demons?!” Flaman said with a displeased expression.
Then, as if someone had opened the floodgates, he began ranting, “The human realm's culture has been influencing the demon race too much recently.
The youngsters these days are reading so many hero novels that they're close to defecting to the humans already! Although there is worth in referencing human values, taking them for granted is unacceptable! At this rate, can demons even be considered demons anymore?!”

“Y-You're right…”

Davis wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about the phenomenon that Flaman mentioned.
Recently, someone had indeed been introducing a large number of cultural works such as novels, movies, and comics from the human realm to the demon realm.
This situation had seemingly opened up a new world for the demon race.

However, this situation couldn't be helped.
As a race that worshipped strength over all else, the demon race's development in technology and culture was inferior to that of the human race.
Thus, to avoid falling behind, the demons have copied many of the humans' technology and cultural works.

Currently, the many hero novels circulating in the demon realm worried many demons belonging to the older generation.
They feared that when war with the human realm began, the younger demons brainwashed by human culture might not join the battlefield.

“Cultural invasion, huh.
However, with the demon realm's nature that prioritized strength, even if we wish to correct this problem, it wouldn't be an easy task to accomplish,” Davis muttered.
He could see the situation for what it was.
He knew that this was a way the humans used to spread their soft power.
Greedy smugglers might be part of the reason why all those hero novels could reach the demon realm, but a larger part of the reason was because the human rulers were glad to see it happening.

Although Davis hoped that demons could develop their own unique culture and spread it to the human realm, the demon realm's problematic environment prevented that from happening.
Because of the environment, inhabitants of the demon realm were either focused on improving their strength or learning knowledge regarding management to attach themselves to strong individuals.
Even if some demons had the potential to become great authors and artists, these individuals would typically die before they could accomplish anything.

“That is why we do not need to adhere to these human values at all.
The demons who do so are an embarrassment to the demon race,” Flaman said, snorting.
“So, do you think it's possible between Heris and the new Demon King?”

“We haven't even met the new Demon King yet, so how would I know?” Davis said, unsure of whether to laugh or cry.
“We can only decide on this matter after we meet the Demon King.
Before that, I feel that there is a need to take control of another fellow.”

“Another fellow… Ah, I get it.
You're talking about that diviner, right?” Flaman didn't get what Davis was trying to say initially.
However, after seeing the gaze Davis sent him, he quickly realized who Davis was talking about.
“Indeed.
Since he can foretell the new Demon King's birth, it shows that he might be the real deal… Who is that diviner, by the way?”

“It's one of the second prince's, His Highness Tver's butlers.
Although he calls himself a diviner, he mainly manages His Highness's daily affairs, and divination is only a daily homework he does for his female colleagues,” Davis knew that his muscle-brain king wouldn't remember such details, so he gave a summary regarding the diviner's situation.
Then, when he saw the skeptical look Flaman gave him, Davis added, “Divination has become quite the popular activity among the demon realm's female circle recently.
It seems they rely on it to decide their daily activities… I have always found it to be mere superstition, but this time…

“I used to think that divination was an unreliable superstition as well.” Flaman nodded in agreement.
Then, his expression became serious as he said, “Go; call that diviner here and entertain him well.
I want to have a good chat with him before Heris returns with the new Demon King.