The deep bathroom located within the imperial palace.
Although it was made by humans, even to the eyes of demons, it was quite well-crafted.
The Great Demon King was in the bathtub, slowly washing her body.
A girl’s body that appeared delicate in many ways.
Though she possessed the power to erase an entire city, unfortunately, this was the one thing she could do nothing about.
Despite living for over a thousand years, only this outward appearance had remained unchanged.
And at this moment.
On the opposite side, there was a being with a body that contrasted with hers, washing herself.
“Mmm…”
“I…”
“…? What’s wrong, Teriya?”
“No… it’s nothing.”
A massive mountain peak in contrast to a flat plain.
A pair of breasts with a size incomparable to her own flatness.
Looking at Mari who had these on her chest, the Great Demon King unconsciously began to touch her own chest.
“…Mmm… I wonder if men really do prefer larger ones?”
“…Ahem.”
Though the Great Demon King muttered this quietly to herself, her words couldn’t help but be clearly heard by Mari who was nearby.
Along with a bonus feeling of unnecessary guilt.
At that moment, other people began to enter as the bathroom door opened.
“Master. You’re already bathing.”
“Welcome, Irushil.”
Mari showed a caring smile.
Watching Irushil sit close beside her, the Great Demon King spoke in a quiet voice.
“…You two look quite alike.”
“Pardon?…”
“Of course we do, we’re mother and daughter after all!”
“…Hmm.”
Though they weren’t actually related by blood, Irushil was nonetheless delighted by the comment about their resemblance.
However, understanding the meaning behind the flow of conversation, Mari glanced at Irushil’s chest.
That which rose prominently in front of Irushil.
Enough to make many men’s hearts flutter…
That which possessed a generous size, pleasant to look at and (perhaps) good to eat, certainly wasn’t much different from Mari’s.
“Haha… Well, Teriya is still young, isn’t she? If you wait a bit longer, they might grow someday.”
“…Haha… If that could really happen… I would truly be happy…”
Unable to refute such unhelpful words of comfort, the Great Demon King could only force a stiff laugh.
In the slightly awkward atmosphere that followed, Mari deliberately continued speaking to smooth things over.
“By the way, did you perhaps develop an interest in a man? Why such concerns suddenly…”
“…Well, you could say something like that. In the end, it didn’t go as well as I thought.”
“Hmm… that’s unfortunate.”
Mari expressed her regret for bringing up what was clearly not a pleasant memory.
Though she couldn’t say it aloud, she could inwardly guess what thoughts might have led the other party to reject Teriya’s ‘confession.’
‘Looking at the picture alone, it would be a crime…’
Honestly, Teriya had an appearance closer to a young girl than a lady.
Of course, considering the long lifespan of demons, her actual age was likely much greater than her appearance suggested, but even taking this into account, from a man’s perspective, accepting her confession(?) would have been difficult in many ways.
Anyway, without delving into detailed discussion, Mari felt unnecessarily embarrassed and washed her chest a bit roughly.
Each time, as the bathwater rippled more strongly, Mari failed to notice the Great Demon King’s pupils trembling even more intensely.
“You… you rejected… her? The Great Demon King’s proposal… you mean?”
“Yes.”
Flantsu spoke with a stammering voice.
I answered in a calm tone, but upon hearing this, Flantsu visibly displayed obvious bewilderment.
“Why on earth did you do that? The other party is the Great Demon King herself. If you had accepted her proposal, you truly could have gained the power to rule over all demons… but having rejected it, isn’t it more likely that you’ll suffer disadvantages rather than gain power?”
I rejected the proposal from the supreme ruler of all demons.
Certainly, from a political perspective, this could be a considerable blow, and from a strategic viewpoint, accepting her proposal would have been the right choice.
However…
“Even if I could go back to that moment, I would make the same choice.”
“Why? This isn’t like you, Lord Kesar. Why would you make such a choice…”
“Because I made a promise to you first.”
“!”
Flantsu showed a surprised expression at my answer.
As I watched her face begin to redden, I quietly continued.
“Certainly, if thinking about the future, accepting the Great Demon King’s request would be best. But I cannot break a promise made to a woman for the sake of my prosperity. Even if it means I might marry again later.”
“…Sob…Lord Kesar… sob…sniff…”
At those words, Flantsu began to express her gratitude while shedding tears.
Of course, it was right to keep a promise made first, even if the other party was the Great Demon King.
But in this world, how often are such promises actually kept at face value?
It was extremely common for people to break their trust for immediate small benefits.
In such a world, Flantsu embraced me tightly with tears in her eyes at my answer that I chose our small promise instead of an opportunity to have everything.
“Thank…you. Really… really thank you… Lord Kesar.”
Repeated words of gratitude from Flantsu’s lips.
However……
While the promise to her was indeed a factor, there were several other reasons why I rejected the Great Demon King’s proposal.
The biggest reason was definitely…
‘Looking just at her appearance, it would be a complete crime…’
It was truly an apologetic thought about someone who had lived dozens of times longer than me, but regardless, marrying someone who looked like a little girl was too much of a mental burden.
Especially considering that the other party was the Great Demon King, the absolute ruler of this country, it would likely be very difficult to take additional wives afterward.
A future where I’d suddenly have to live with a young girl as my wife, constantly being cautious around her… no matter how much wealth and glory I’d enjoy, I wanted to decline.
On the other hand, if I keep my promise to Flantsu here, I can secure safety from that dangerous future(?).
Demons fundamentally permit polygamy.
It was just that exceptions were likely to apply when the other party was the Great Demon King, but there were no legal prohibitions.
In this situation, if I marry Flantsu first, even if the Great Demon King requests marriage again later, the burden would be greatly reduced.
Moreover, if two are acceptable, three isn’t difficult.
Even if I take additional women later, it wouldn’t be a major issue.
‘It’s impossible for me to be with Teacher Mari first anyway… I can’t do that, at least for the sake of Flantsu who has loved me and devoted herself to me more than anyone. But……’
After repaying Flantsu for her efforts and resolving the sudden intrusion of the Great Demon King, I would finally be able to complete the relationship with Teacher Mari that I secretly desired.
Thus, hoping that things would be resolved according to my best calculations.
I gently patted the back of my precious subordinate who was embraced in my arms.
“Wedding ceremony?”
“Yes. I heard they’re going to hold the ceremony immediately when they return to the Demon Nation on leave this time.”
“I see… so that’s how it is…”
The news of Kesar and Flantsu’s marriage that Irushil delivered.
Mari felt somewhat disappointed inside, but decided not to dwell on it too deeply.
She was already well aware that the two were meant to be together.
After all, hadn’t Flantsu even issued a warning regarding this in the past?
“I’ll be too busy to attend in person, but we should offer some small congratulations. Ask the Magic Tower here to create and send a wreath.”
“Yes, Master.”
The (former) Leaf Empire’s Magic Tower that had once again come under her control after various events.
As a place where her shadow from the Great Witch era had not completely lifted, the Magic Tower was currently serving as her most crucial asset in operating the internal affairs of the imperial capital.
“Now that we’ve settled this matter… how are the planned affairs progressing?”
“Don’t worry. Everything is prepared to proceed smoothly according to your instructions, Master.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear. I do hope everything continues to go according to plan from here on…”
Mari spoke with a serious expression.
Watching her, Irushil smiled with anticipation.
“It’s a plan you prepared, Master! Honestly, I’m already looking forward to seeing how those guys will fall apart.”
“Fufu… speaking like that makes you seem quite wicked too.”
“Well… I’m now the daughter of the Demon King, aren’t I? And not just any Demon King—the daughter of the great Demon King Mari who destroyed the human empire.”
“You little…”
Mari gently stroked the head of her disciple who was like a daughter to her, responding to her playful words.
In what appeared to be a peaceful atmosphere.
Thus, the Demon King began to extend her wicked claws.