Chapter 7: Rehabilitation (2)

“The first question. Who were you searching for just now?”

“…”

As soon as the first question was asked, the security officers exchanged nervous glances.

No matter how they thought about it, this creature was undoubtedly from the Demon Realm.

For someone to do such a thing to the Empire’s security officers, it could only be a demon.

Moreover, it had to be a hidden powerhouse within the Demon Realm, one that even the Empire’s governor-general was unaware of.

Could the Demon Resistance have sent one of their agents?

While pondering this, one security officer gathered the courage to answer the question.

“We were searching for a secret magical artifact as ordered by the Empire—”

“That’s a lie.”

The courageous officer who dared to utter a lie was instantly killed, his head crushed by the monster.

The creature then casually chewed and swallowed the officer’s mangled body.

The sickening sound of bones being crushed numbed the sanity of all the remaining security officers.

“Some of the questions I ask will include things I already know. You would do well to answer carefully.”

The boy repeated his earlier question.

“Let me ask again. Who were you searching for just now?”

“We were searching for the demon sorceress, Lerelazie.”

This time, another officer, perhaps brave or simply desperate, answered truthfully.

This officer’s head remained intact.

The security officers felt an invisible pressure, realizing that the boy truly knew the truth.

The Demon King memorized the voice of the one who had spoken and quickly moved on to the next question.

“Is the human world currently unified under the Empire?”

“N-No! The human world has never been unified. It is still divided into many nations.”

A question that was no more than common sense.

The officers were certain it was just to verify the reliability of their answers.

However, for the Demon King, it was newly acquired and immensely useful information.

“Then does the Empire hold complete control over the Demon Realm?”

“Th-That’s not true either! Each nation has divided the Demon Realm into territories.”

The thought that the unified Demon Realm he had built was now being carved up like a cake enraged the Demon King.

He stoked the flames of his hatred with this knowledge, though outwardly he remained calm.

The Demon King continued his questioning.

“How does the Empire govern this land?”

“…Well… it’s…”

“The governor-general’s office handles all the administration here!”

When one hesitant officer faltered, another, sensing the danger, quickly answered.

The Demon King memorized this voice as well.

“And which department do you belong to? What is your role?”

“We… we are with the Department of Security! We monitor to ensure sufficient ‘profits’ are obtained from the Demon Realm.”

“Ah, so you’re auditors.”

The Demon King contemplated what else to ask.

These officers were no more than pawns in a vast organization.

Would they even know the structure of the governor-general’s office?

Did they understand the intricate political dynamics of the human world?

What happened to the Hero from the distant past that allowed this colonial system to come to fruition?

Even if they did know, could their information be trusted?

The Demon King decided to shift the goal of this “interrogation.”

“How many security officers are stationed here?”

“…About 100… 100—”

“How much more will you reveal? Are you still an officer of the Empire? A descendant of the Hero?”

As the officer continued to disclose information, another officer voiced his disapproval.

“You fool! Can’t you tell this demon doesn’t know anything about the world—”

The monster decapitated the protesting officer.

“That fool is gone. Continue.”

“We are about 100… a single company.”

“With the ones you lost here and those included, there should be about 50 left. Where are the others?”

“After the rain, the 1st and 2nd platoons retreated to the detention center, and… Commander Mitae went to requisition reinforcements.”

Perhaps the gruesome display had its effect.

The officer began to confess even unasked-for details.

“And the reinforcements they’re requisitioning, who are they?”

“T-There are slave traders operating nearby. They have licenses from the Empire and must comply with orders from the governor-general’s office.”

Surely, these “slaves” weren’t humans from the mortal world.

The Demon King clenched his fists, suppressing his fury upon realizing that children of the Demon Realm were being sold into slavery.

“What is the scale of these slave traders?”

“I… I don’t know.”

“Fine, that will suffice.”

The unexpected leniency puzzled the security officers, who cautiously looked up at the boy.

“The sorceress girl you were searching for—she had companions. Where are they now?”

“…That… I don’t know either.”

But it wasn’t leniency at all.

It was merely the resignation of someone who had long since stopped considering these people as equals.

You don’t even know that?

The Demon King sighed and shook his head.

In any case, they weren’t reliable sources of information.

Keeping them alive any longer seemed pointless.

“One last question. What does the Hero mean to you?”

“E-Excuse me?”

The Demon King looked down at the officer who had stupidly repeated the question.

Overwhelmed by the boy’s gaze, the officer finally lowered his head and hesitantly replied.

“To us… the Hero is… a savior, the founding father of the current world—”

“That’s enough.”

Interrupting the officer, the boy rose from the body of the squad leader he had been sitting on.

“You two answered my questions sincerely. I sincerely thank you for your efforts.”

Of course, it was an empty gesture.

There wasn’t a hint of genuine gratitude in the boy’s tone.

“Except for these two, you may devour the rest.”

“What…?!”

“Wait, what?”

“Ah… no, please!”

The remaining officers, who had been silent until now, cried out in protest.

But the Demon King’s command had already been given.

The officers closest to him drew their swords and charged at the boy, only to collapse, their throats slit by an invisible force.

The constables who had hesitated to pick up their swords finally mustered their courage and faced the monster. However, none of them managed to inflict significant damage.

The 3rd squad, initially composed of 25 members, was reduced to just 2 in an instant.

The corpse monster consumed the bodies one by one, crushing the lingering souls within to make them part of itself. Until the spiritual energy contained in those souls was entirely depleted, the corpse monster would remain intact.

Only two constables, spared by the Demon King’s permission, survived.

“Wh-what… will happen to us?” one of them stammered.

“I intend to repay you in a way,” the Demon King replied.

“R-repay us…? Are you going to spare us?”

“I’ll give you the chance to ask about me. Shouldn’t you know who you’re dying to?”

One of the constables clenched his jaw tightly. It was clear their deaths were already decided.

“Arghhh!”

One of them, deciding to take his chances, gripped his sword tightly and charged at the Demon King. But it was a futile effort. The constable collapsed with a poisoned needle lodged in his neck.

The Demon King looked at the fallen man and remarked, “I commend your final act of bravery.”

Now, only one remained.

The last constable, his expression filled with resignation, cautiously asked, “W-who… are you? Why are you doing something this dangerous?”

“I am the resurrected Demon King.”

“The… Demon King…”

Hearing those words, the constable’s focus drifted, his eyes blank.

The Demon King raised two fingers, aiming them at the constable. The tips of his fingers were charged with a multitude of abilities.

“For the hero’s sake, I’ll ensure you pass without pain.”

The Demon King’s power pierced through the constable’s forehead. He fell backward slowly, without uttering a single scream.

The white uniform crumpled to the ground, gathering dust.

Leaving the two corpses behind, the Demon King and the corpse monster departed.

In just one day since the Demon King’s reawakening, half of the Mita constabulary was dead.

“Guard the entrance to the facility. I am going to meet Lerazie.”

The corpse monster, obedient like a loyal dog to its master, gave a light gesture of acknowledgment as the Demon King turned to leave. It wasn’t an obvious gesture to others, but the Demon King, who had created the “dog,” recognized it as a salute.

The Demon King returned to the facility and headed straight for Lerazie’s room.

Upon entering, the first thing he saw was Lerazie bowing deeply as if she had been waiting for him.

“What… are you doing?”

The unexpected greeting caught the Demon King off guard, a rare moment of surprise for him.

Hearing the question, Lerazie hesitantly raised her head, stealing glances at the Demon King.

“Is this… not right?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I… I wanted to express my gratitude to you.”

Still bowing, Lerazie explained her actions timidly.

“When I woke up, I realized you had healed my body… even dressed me in new clothes. I… I wanted to thank you but didn’t know how to properly show my respect…”

So, bowing deeply had seemed like the only option.

Amused by her innocent logic, the Demon King chuckled softly.

“Since before my heart stopped, and even after my resurrection, I’ve never once laid down the weight of my thoughts.”

He spoke while gently stroking Lerazie’s head, as if caressing a precious jewel.

“But you bring me joy. From you, I learn purity.”

“Are… are you okay?” Lerazie asked, concerned.

“I gladly accept your gratitude,” the Demon King replied. “Now, rise.”

“Th-thank goodness…” Lerazie sighed in relief, her heart clearly lighter after his reassurance.

The Demon King found himself growing more fond of her. Unlike the feigned emotions he had shown the constables, this was genuine affection.

“Sit on the bed. I know your wounds have not yet fully healed,” he said.

“Yes, but—”

Lerazie hesitated, as if she had more to say, her words catching in her throat.

Sensing her lingering unease, the Demon King asked, “Is there something you wish to request?”

“Yes! Yes, there is!”

“Speak.”

“I need to save my friends. I can’t do it alone! I need your help, Demon King.”

“And what will you give me in return?”

“Pardon?”

“What can you offer me?” he asked.

The Demon King had no intention of demanding anything from her. As a child of the demon realm, she deserved his aid if she harbored a dream worth pursuing. It was part of the oath he had made upon his resurrection.

But this was merely a playful jest, perhaps a whim brought on by his youthful form.

“I… I… well… m-my body? I mean, my chest is fairly—”

“Hahaha!”

The Demon King burst into laughter, unable to contain himself. In that moment, he seemed more like a boy than a king.

“Rise,” he said, still smiling.

After enjoying her earnest, albeit awkward, offer, the Demon King helped Lerazie to her feet. She stood, avoiding his gaze, too flustered to meet his eyes.

Looking at her, the Demon King promised with a gentle smile, “Your wish will be granted. I give you my word.”

“Th-thank you so much!” Lerazie exclaimed.

“I’ll make you useful to me instead.”

“…Huh, what?”

To the puzzled Leraijie, the Demon King kindly elaborated.

“I have a goal too. To restore this demon realm to its former freedom and brilliance. To achieve that, I need capable individuals. You’ll have to become one of them.”

“…Me… playing such an important role…”

“This is the deal between you and me. Can you promise that?”

“…Yes! I’ll do my best!”

“Good. Then quickly lie down on the bed.”

“Excuse me? Oh… but what about my friends—”

“I’m not taking the risk of dragging around demons who are nothing but deadweight.”

Leraijie’s face fell as if wounded by the harsh words.

“You expect me to wander outside, carrying an injured, clueless demon who doesn’t even understand magical theory, all while saving your friends?”

“Oh…”

It was only then that Leraijie seemed to grasp the true meaning of the Demon King’s words. She slumped down like a boiled vegetable.

At this moment, Leraijie was nothing but a burden to the Demon King—a fragile girl who always needed his protection in the dangerous outside world. If she were just an ordinary girl, that would be one thing, but her wounds hadn’t fully healed.

If she were to die, both her dreams and the Demon King’s ambitions would be for naught.

“When your wounds are healed, we’ll set out. I’ll fulfill your wish.”

“Understood…!”

For now, Leraijie chose to find joy in the fact that she could learn magic.

Ever since her days in the detention center, she had dreamt of the moment she could properly study magic. Perhaps there was no better opportunity than being personally taught by the Demon King.

“Stop resisting and lie down. Resting is your top priority right now,” the Demon King instructed.

“Yes, sir…”

“Now, stop—”

As the Demon King’s tone grew stern, Leraijie hesitantly slipped into the bed. Even her reluctant compliance struck the Demon King as endearing.

“Thanks to you, I’ll have some entertainment for a while.”

The Demon King gazed at Leraijie on the bed with a faint smile.

“Do you think Leraijie is still alive?”

“She’s alive. Grandma said the Demon King needs her.”

“I believe in Grandma.”

“I believe in Leraijie.”

Meanwhile, Leraijie’s friends were confined in a small, portable cage.

In their frail condition, they hadn’t been able to escape when the detention center collapsed. If one of them had been a beastkin, escape might have been possible, but no one had the heart to abandon their friends.

Though they had initially feared for their lives, Mitaye had other plans—taking them all as captives.

“Leraijie will bring the Demon King here and destroy all these bad people.”

When the children began cursing vehemently, one of the guards slammed the cage to silence them.

Instead of cowering, the children collectively glared at him with sharp eyes, their defiance resembling a pack of meerkats standing their ground.

The sight made the grandmother of the group smile deeply, finding their determination adorable.

The guard, however, seemed unimpressed by their defiance.

“Where are we, anyway?”

“I don’t know. But I’ve noticed more people wearing strange clothes.”

Unbeknownst to the children, they were now at the headquarters of a slave trading syndicate.

Just as the Demon King had suspected, Mitaye had conscripted the syndicate’s forces to aid in finding Leraijie, no matter the cost.

This would serve as his excuse to the higher-ups for the collapse of the detention center.

Even if his subordinates perished and he had to sacrifice his entire security force, capturing Leraijie might earn him a commendation instead.

Thus, he had already sent a detailed report on Leraijie to the central authorities.

The syndicate’s workforce numbered in the hundreds—more than enough for a simple search operation. The only challenge was their lack of cooperation.

“Wouldn’t it be profitable for you too if we found Leraijie and captured some runaway demons to sell as slaves?”

“Watch your words, Chief Inspector,” a merchant retorted coldly.

These people were, after all, businessmen, driven by a primal instinct to pursue profit.

Deploying hundreds of men for Leraijie’s capture didn’t make financial sense.

“And even if we catch her, we won’t be allowed to sell her. The Empire will just demand we hand her over, claiming it’s for the greater good, won’t they?”

“…The Empire wouldn’t disregard your efforts—”

“Spare me your empty reassurances. Look around.”

The leader of the slave syndicate, Pena, gestured to their surroundings.

Hundreds of laborers and even more slaves were crammed into cages.

“The harvest is done. It’s time to sell and turn them into money,” he said, stroking his mustache.

His fingers deliberately showcased the gold ring he wore, a symbol of his obsession with wealth.

Clearly, he had been flaunting it intentionally.

Mitaye, realizing this, clenched her teeth in frustration.

Should she assert her authority or resort to threats? While weighing her options, unexpected news arrived.

“Chief Inspector! Urgent report!”

“…Can’t you see I’m in the middle of negotiations?”

“Third and fourth squads have lost contact!”

“What?!”

The alarming news caught everyone’s attention, including Pena.

“…Oh?”

The reaction from Pena, ever the shrewd merchant, hinted at intrigue.