Chapter 8: Let’s guess who will win

A castle located in a remote part of the Demon Realm that lost its master long ago.

Thanks to its unique opulence and advanced magical constructs that sustain it despite having no master, the castle has preserved its radiance and beauty for centuries without losing them, even without anyone to manage it.

Of course, there were quite a few demons who coveted the castle’s structure and sought to take it, but for some reason, even higher-ranking demons were reluctant to enter and did not approach it.

Thus, the castle became forgotten in the memories of many demons and remained only as a relic of the past, merely existing in its place.

Other than the frequent interactions with humans, there was little to no interest from demons regarding the castle.

“Just now, what on earth was that…?”

“It was just a day ago.”

However, as of today, the mysterious castle has attracted the attention of demons.

This incident involved the destruction of a patrol’s familiar, which had been sent to monitor human activities.

A familiar sent to patrol the area simply because of reports that human adventurers had been passing through was destroyed.

If it had been an attack by magic, it should have been immediately detected, allowing it to avoid the area.

Even if it wasn’t magic, the automatic defense system should have activated, preventing any damage.

A state-of-the-art familiar, known as an ambitious project created by the chief engineer of the Demon King’s Army’s Magical Engineering Department.

Such a familiar was annihilated in a single blow without being able to respond at all.

By an inexplicable attack that wasn’t even magic.

“Contact the surveillance unit immediately!”

It was not something that could be ignored under any circumstances.

There was a need to verify what had happened there.

“First and foremost, we need to confirm the facts!”

“Can you find it?”

“…No, in this mess, no one would be able to find it.”

Arsep stated that we need to find the familiar immediately and headed towards the ruins, which used to be a forest.

Originally, it was a forest with a bleak appearance due to the nature of the Demon Realm, but because of me, it became an even more desolate landscape.

Even though I had controlled my power as best as I could, this was the result.

“But what is a familiar that you’re so worried about?”

“A familiar is a kind of eye. Perhaps it’s because humans have been frequenting the area recently… The fact that the familiar was observing this place means it might have noticed our existence.”

According to Arsep, a familiar is an eye of surveillance that roams freely under the commands of its owner.

“You can think of it roughly as a remotely controlled surveillance drone.”

Anyway, the fact that it was observing the castle here means that someone among the demons of the Demon Realm might have noticed or taken an interest in our existence.

Actually, from my position, I don’t know how big of a problem that is, but judging by her reaction, it seems as bothersome as if people were trying to exterminate us, thinking we are demon lords.

“If demons find out about us, is there a problem?”

“I’m fine, but you would become the problem. I might only appear as a servant of this castle, but to the eye, you unmistakably look like a human.”

“I’m actually a human, after all.”

“…You, first of all, the humans I know wouldn’t just throw a single stone to turn a forest into a wasteland.”

‘That’s absolutely true.’

“At least it seems the familiar has been completely destroyed, which is fortunate. Since humans appear frequently, they probably stationed the familiar here. If possible, I hope we don’t get entangled with other demons.”

“If you say that, we always end up getting involved.”

“Don’t say such ominous things.”

By the way, other demons?

The only demon I’ve seen is Arsep herself, so I’m curious about what other demons look like and what their personalities are.

Based on her case, she might just have horns or wings added to a human and insist she’s a demon, but maybe they truly have monstrous and alien appearances.

***

“Are demons strong?”

“On average, they are stronger than humans, but it’s relative among demons. For example, if it were the humans who came last time, even a group of lower-ranking demons wouldn’t stand a chance.”

‘Could it be that they are talking about a combat power meter?’

“I roughly understand what you mean.”

Mid-ranking demons would be equivalent to lower-middle-level officers in an army.

Arsep mentions that mid-ranking demons hold a certain status among demons, and the humans that appeared at that time each possess strength comparable to mid-ranking demons.

Perhaps because of that, mid-ranking demons are much fewer in number compared to lower-ranking ones, and since most demons’ strength is determined innately, it’s impossible for lower-ranking demons to grow into mid-ranking ones.

“So saying that one can become strong through mere diligence and effort is considered foolish among demons.”

“It’s a sad story.”

“Of course. That’s why mid-ranking demons often mate among themselves, and high-ranking demons do the same. It’s not always the case, but if the parents are strong demons, their offspring inherit most of that strength.”

It’s unfortunate that the ‘rich-get-richer’ phenomenon also exists in demon society.

In any case, based on what Arsep said, mid-ranking demons can probably be driven away from the castle without much issue.

Then, the only ones left are the high-ranking demons.

“And as for high-ranking demons… Firstly, they can’t be compared to mid-ranking demons. To be classified as high-ranking, they must have the qualities of a ruler.”

“Qualities of a ruler?”

I thought of something similar in my head, but ignored it.

“Actually, if we only consider the strength they possess, there are mid-ranking demons who have power comparable to high-ranking ones. However, because they lack the qualities of a ruler, they are not classified as high-ranking demons.”

“If we’re talking about the qualities of a ruler…”

“Literally. It could be seen as whether they have territories. Whether an individual can control lands or command other demons as their subordinates.”

Most demons have very strong pride, so they don’t follow orders from those weaker than themselves.

Even if they are stronger, they tend to have a rebellious nature.

However, high-ranking demons with qualities of a ruler are different.

Their orders must be followed by lower-ranking demons without exception.

“So, some high-ranking demons have looked for young demons born with the qualities of a ruler in order to continue their lineage. Of course, just because they have the qualities of a ruler doesn’t automatically make them high-ranking demons. They must inherently possess the strength to be called high-ranking demons.”

The Demon Realm reverted to a strict class-based society.

The demon society is operated in three main classes: lower, mid, and high.

Arsep confidently stated that this aspect is like the demons’ innate instinct, and even after dozens of centuries, it remains unchanged.

***

“So, the Demon King must be a high-ranking demon, right?”

“That might be true, but if he’s called the Demon King, he would be referred to as a lord rather than just a high-ranking demon.”

“Basically, does that mean he rules over the Demon Realm?”

“Yes, but in my opinion, this current Demon King doesn’t deserve to be called that. It’s pathetic that he can’t even stop humans from entering the Demon Realm…”

It seems that the self-proclaimed Great Demon King is very displeased with his subordinate.

From what I see, it’s not just because of the Demon King that humans are coming to exterminate him.

“Let’s start heading back. I want to return quickly and eat the delicacies you’ve prepared. So, what’s today’s lunch menu?”

“I marinated some pork bought from the village in seasoning… Wait a moment.”

“Wait, what are you doing right now…?!”

Just as we were about to return to the castle, assuming the familiar had been dealt with, I quickly grabbed Arsep’s hand and hide among the rubble.

Someone was approaching this way.

Not just one person, but several, approaching from multiple directions.

“Are you…?”

“Please endure even if it’s tight.”

We quietly hide to see who would be coming to this place this time.

“What was that explosion just now?”

A voice.

“And it was a human voice.”

“Maybe a wizard passed through? But I couldn’t sense any magic at all…”

A group of people, presumed to be adventurers, arrived here in greater numbers than before.

There were as many as twenty.

People holding swords or spears were obvious, and there were many with bows or leaning on staffs.

It seems they all gathered because I threw bricks and destroyed the familiar.

“The humans have come in larger numbers than last time… They’ve never come this much before, even though they have come before.”

“Of course. Even someone like me, after experiencing such things, would call others to come if I went back.”

“Wait.”

Was it a mistake to just send away the people who came last time?

If I had known this would happen, I would have silenced them before letting them go.

But I’m not sure how to silence them.

“Could it be that they’re trying to storm my castle with those numbers?!”

“That doesn’t really matter… Let me take a look over there.”

“What else is coming…? …Is that a demon?!”

However, the visitors approaching here were not only humans.

From the opposite direction of where the humans came, demons that looked like they were born from the mating of bats and wolves appeared.

[The place where the familiar was destroyed is here! Search the surroundings thoroughly!]

The demons were rapidly flying towards us, all armed with armor and weapons, making it seem like they weren’t ordinary demons.

Their numbers matched those of the adventurers who had gathered there.

“Th-that’s impossible… Those are demons belonging to the Demon King’s army. I’ve seen such armored demons flying around a few times before.”

Maybe the standards for demons are different, but just based on their appearance, they’re quite unsettling to me.

Their heads are that of wolves, with bat-like wings on their backs, and their bodies are as rough as gorillas.

Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations that other demons would be similar to Arsep, but it seems that was a futile hope.

Still, it’s too early to conclude that all other demons look like that.

They just looked a bit creepy.

“Wh-what should we do about this? Managing just the humans is already overwhelming, and now demons are also coming…”

Thanks to this, Arsep fell into a panic.

Not only humans but also demons were attacking, making her unsure of what to do.

“Let’s just go back to the castle?”

“What are you talking about?! With so many humans and demons attacking like that, how can you say such a carefree thing… No matter how strong you are, those numbers are…”

But I wasn’t worried at all.

“Uh…?! Shouldn’t we still stay hidden?!”

I grabbed Arsep’s hand and came out from between the rubble.

“There was no need to hide anymore.”

“Calm down and think carefully.”

“What do you mean?”

In fact, having both humans and demons come was a good thing.

“Demons and humans are at war, aren’t they?”

“…They are, right?”

“If demons and humans meet in one place, the next thing that happens is obvious without even seeing it.”

“Ah.”

Arsep finally looked like she realized it.

As we opened the castle gates and went inside, behind us, a large-scale battle broke out with a flash of light.

That fight had been ongoing since after we finished lunch and were drinking tea, and it continued without ending.

“Who do you think will win?”

“I don’t care who wins, but since I’m human, I’ll bet that humans will win.”

“Then I’ll bet that demons will win, so the losing side will have to do the dishes. How about that?”

“That sounds good.”

Unfortunately, the fight ended with both the adventurers and the Demon King’s army retreating.

In the end, the dishwashing duty was decided by rock-paper-scissors, and Arsep grumbled that demons nowadays lack perseverance.