Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Interlude The Melancholy of the Demon King

Translator: ShiroiKaze/Soyokaze Translations

“Shit, where the hell did I go wrong!?”

In confused frustration, I threw the silver goblet from my hand down the floor.

The goblet collapsed, was crushed, flattened, and stuck to the floor from the impact.

The polished marble floor was unable to bear the impact, and a small crater formed in it.

It’s the effect from one of the gifts I hold, “Strong Arm.”

“Your majesty, what might be troubling you?”

“Every single goddamn thing!”

I answered crudely to my subordinate, waiting nearby.

Yeah, a subordinate… It’s already been two years since I came to this world. I’ve made a multitude of subordinates.

I was filled with hopes and dreams after being sent off to another world.

A world of swords and magic, monsters and dragons, plus demi-humans like elves and dwarves.

I also held multiple powers called gifts.

There were three that I had. “Strong Arm” to beat down enemies, “Full Guard” to endure all attacks, and “Magical Talent” so I can use magic spells.

After beginning my activities in this world, I had intended on building up a harem by buying blonde elf or silver haired little girl slaves, and having them praise me, saying “Master is so amazing!”

“And yet, what did I get…? The second I reached this world, I was attacked by monsters. There was no heroine or anything like one for me to save.”

It’s not even as if the monsters were frightening.

In truth, their attacks couldn’t get through my “Full Guard,” and I laid them flat with “Strong Arm” easily.

I mowed down the monsters who came to attack, beat the shit out of them, and before I knew it, I started being worshiped by them…

“And now I’m the Demon King?”

“Yes, my lord. The most powerful being in this world.”

“That’s what’s bothering me.”

These aren’t even close to heroines. These things at my side don’t even have human forms.

At best there are the ones with the lower halves of snakes, lamia, or of squids, scylla.

“Hey, aren’t there at least some beautiful vampire girls, or mature succubus women around?”

“Might you be seeking concubines? The vampires are of rather independent character, and are not joined to our camp. The succubi similarly… My deepest apologies.”

“Aren’t there any cat-eared or dog-eared women?”

“We do have kobolds and lycanthropes among us.”

“Those are ENTIRELY beasts!”

Yeah, someone at the animal level of Mrs. Hudson is seriously not my thing.

“We do have several candidates among the ghosts.”

“I can’t even fucking touch them!”

It was stupid of me to even try asking an aide who has the body of a skeleton…

“Shall we assault the fairy village?”

“That would make us the villains.”

“You are the Demon King.”

“Oh, right… That’s not the point!”

Who would praise someone that attacked their village and forcibly carried them off?!

These guys are too used to the law of ‘survival of the fittest.’ They don’t get the subtleties of a harem at all.

“Certainly your majesty is of mortal body. I believe it is reasonable to consider solving the problem of inheritance now, while you are full of vim and vigor.”

“Shoulda freakin’ asked for “Eternal Youth” and “Immortality” in that case.”

“That should be no problem though. If your majesty is dissatisfied with creating a successor, then your majesty need simply obtain “Eternal Youth” and “Immortality”.”

“Can that kinda thing even be done?”

“We have been left with tales saying it can be done by consuming the sprout of the World Tree.”

Oh…? So there’s a way to get eternal life after the fact? This is music to my ears.

“The World Tree is that ridiculously huge tree, right?”

Its enormous shape, which practically stretches up to heaven, can be seen to the south of this monster-filled country.

If I eat that thing’s sprout, then I can become immortal, too.

“The World Tree’s sprout is a valuable item which only grows once every hundred years. According to my calculations, it should take form roughly five years from now.”

“Then hurry, gather the troops, and…”

“About that… To obtain the sprout, once must climb to the top of the tree. It is at a height which not our garudas, nor harpies, nor even our rocs can reach.”

Garudas and harpies are types of bird people. Rocs are giant bird monsters that are tens of meters long.

They’re all specialists in flight, but… Well, just by looking, that huge tree is probably taller than where there’s any decent air.

“Consequently, the labyrinth built within its trunk must be surpassed to climb the tree.”

“Why is there a labyrinth in the tree’s trunk?”

“In this world, it is said that those which hold magical power build labyrinths to protect themselves. However, the truth of the matter is unknown.”

“So it’s a type of defense mechanism then.”

“At one time, we are told a hero brought a thousand braves along to achieve conquest of it. However, in response the World Tree’s defenses strengthened. Only a fraction of that number are now allowed to enter at once.”

“Tsk, left us to deal with the trouble, huh.”

Only a fraction of that, huh? Guess I can’t just send a horde of monsters at it then.

Well, nothing can impede my “Herculean Strength” of course.

“Moreover the country of people at the foot of it strictly limit entrance to it. I believe overwhelming it with our army would be impossible.”

“How obnoxious. Why don’t we just crush that country?”

“With your majesty’s power that may be possible, but regrettably it is an important country in the center of the continent. Were their strength to weaken, the surrounding nations would wisely come to involve themselves in the affair.”

“That’s a pain too… Ah, hell, guess we’ll do things their way.”

It’s not like I’m trying to start a war. If I can just obtain eternal life, I’m sure I’ll get the opportunity to buy a blonde elf of silver haired little girl slave at some point.

Oh—, a cat-eared beast woman might be good too.

“So we just need to go with a few people. How many can we have?”

“Six people are allowed. However, considering it is managed by a country of humans, we will require those who can take on human guise if we are to avoid causing problems.”

“This is such a pain… Choose some skilled lycanthropes, and guys who can use magic to transform into people for me. Five of ’em.”

“Five… Meaning your majesty will go himself?”

“If I don’t go, then who will?”

“As you command.”

~*~

“Achoo!”

Assaulted by a sudden chill, I reflexively sneezed.

Haster’s face in front of me took the sneeze full on.

“Uh, sorry about that.”

“Err… Sneezing in the middle of a kiss… Am I actually that bad?”

“Not at all. I’m head over heels for you, you know? I had a sudden tingling in my spine, and it just happened.”

“As long as that’s all…”

I twined my hands around his neck and brought my face closer for a do-over.

Then a question about my appearance came to mind.

“Haster, do I have to wear this collar?”

“Do you want to take it off? I wanted it to show as proof that you belong to me though.”

“For goodness sake, you hardly need to… But, I guess it’s fine then.”

I don’t really enjoy looking like a slave, but if it’s his slave, then that’s a bit more… It’s a little distorted, but it’s proof of his affection.

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Author’s Note: I hold no malice towards Mrs. Hudson. I actually really like her lol