NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1 – The Creepy Demon King (1)
The Demon King. The pinnacle of evil, the embodiment of malice.
A dreadful villain often appearing as the strongest and most heinous final boss in numerous creations. But at the same time, a character that can become very charming—a good material, indeed.
However, to be an attractive Demon King, one thing was essential.
It was appearance. Be it a dignified handsome middle-aged man, a tall and charming young man, or even a stunning beauty—at the very least, a cute girl.
If not, they’d just be an utterly detestable villain. But imagine if that Demon King didn’t even have a human form.
It’s a thought too dreadful to entertain, yet the reality is exceptionally cruel. Superficiality—no, human-centric standards—have already taken deep root in this world.
Anything deemed ugly by human standards is evil. Therefore, they all must be exterminated.
“Your Majesty, the envoy from the Human Empire has arrived.”
[Great]
Yet, I didn’t want to be reborn just to become a villain serving as a stepping stone for heroes. I moved as I listened to my butler, the vampire Robert.
This was the result of a century of effort. I had walked the entirely opposite path from the predetermined image of a Demon King. I united the demon tribes scattered over various tribes and resolved their conflicts.
With the strength gathered this way, I focused on internal development, economic progress, and social stability rather than invasion.
“The Demon King has arrived!”
At Robert’s bellow, everyone lined up neatly.
On the top floor of a modern steel-concrete building, various faction officials dressed in uniforms stood on either side, with a few visibly tense humans lowering their heads in deference.
[Long time no see, Count Kruger]
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Edward von Kruger, the foreign minister of the Human Empire and a great lord owning territory in the northern realm of the Empire. He was also an aristocrat with pro-demon tendencies, maintaining close ties with our Demon Realm.
“Our Emperor has confirmed once again that he strongly supports the marriage alliance both parties are pursuing, alongside this year’s diplomatic correspondence.”
[…Great]
Kruger respectfully stated his purpose, though honestly, I had little to say about it.
Since the Empire first allied with our Demon Realm, it had been striving to strengthen this alliance. They had no choice; the world-setting of this piece indicates we demons alone could lead the entire world to ruin.
However, even I was taken aback by the actions of the young Emperor. No matter how intoxicated by power one might be, attempting to forcibly marry their sister to a Demon King was outrageous.
[As always, just enjoy it and let it be]
This wasn’t my first rodeo, and honestly, I didn’t have much to say. I sent the humans off to the banquet hall and returned to my chamber.
To be frank, I wasn’t feeling great. In fact, it had been worsening lately. This recurring wave of depression turned into a significant issue.
“Your Majesty…”
[While I can’t refuse out of respect for our Demon Realm’s reputation, it’s honestly a bit much. If you were sending someone appealing, like the Dark Duke or the Infernal Count, that’d be different.]
“Please don’t say that. You are the strongest pinnacle of malice, the Demon King.”
[…Right]
I nodded, but inside, I sighed. Ultimately, Robert, who was demon-born, would never understand.
In the eyes of demons, their standards are based solely on strength—that is, brute force. The strong are beautiful, noble, and righteous.
Even I could confidently say that a succubus queen or Captain Yaho, blessed with extreme beauty, would beg for my seed if I proposed.
Still, even now, a century later, I find it impossible to accept such values, holding onto the human sense of worth I possessed before my possession.
[Ugh…]
Left alone, I grabbed a hand mirror placed on the table only to recoil in horror and set it down.
I felt pathetic. Even before my possession, I hadn’t been this insecure about my appearance, but now that I was away from humanity, those feelings had intensified.
I knew it was wrong, yet that realization only intensified the feeling. Once again, I looked into the mirror and tightly shut my eyes.
After all, having a tentacled monster with one large eyeball was simply too much.
“The humans say the princess will arrive at the soonest possible time.”
[Hoping for a delay. Understood, now everyone focus on state affairs. There are many areas where national development is still incomplete. Especially pay attention to those.]
“Understood.”
Now, I didn’t need to worry about administrative matters; everything flowed seamlessly.
Those who served me were strong demons. Due to their tendency to be fiercely loyal to the strong, there remained only the task of expanding and stabilizing our Demon Kingdom.
[Just in case, prepare well for the princess’s stay here, so she doesn’t face any discomfort.]
“Your Majesty.”
[Not that I’d do anything nasty to someone who’s effectively being sold.]
Once the meeting wrapped up, I gave Robert specific instructions. The Imperial Princess Seria Rene Raose would soon be coming to me.
I already had a grasp of what kind of person she was. I didn’t want to shock a young woman by slapping my appearance in her face.
This was indeed insecurity speaking. But factually, I could only writhe in my own displeasure. No one could fathom my plight.
[I’m going to sleep…]
“Shall I send in the girls?”
[…No, I’m going to sleep alone tonight.]
Up until now, I had genuinely enjoyed plenty of wild nights with beautiful and sexy demon women, but tonight, I simply couldn’t muster that mood.
I climbed onto the bed, which was broader than my old studio apartment, and pulled the blanket over myself with my tentacles.
I wish to return, no, I want to be a person again.
Despite everything that has happened, I feel as though I remain stuck in that moment of possession rather than growing accustomed to my situation.
Tears rolled down my eyes as I experienced the lingering agony and emptiness once more.
“…My lord!”
[?]
“Please, please listen to me, creature of this realm!”
But at that moment, I instinctively opened my eyes wide.
[Who are you?]
“Ah… aaaaaah!”
In an instant, I peeled away the blanket, extending dozens of tentacles to swiftly subdue the intruder.
Each tentacle could deliver a blow so powerful that not even a Sword Master could withstand it. I’d bet the current hero wouldn’t escape either.
“Cough… p-please spare me…”
[Fairy? But a bit different.]
I opened my eyes wide and carefully examined her.
With pink hair cascading down and wearing a pure white dress, her ears were pointed. But she wasn’t an elf. She had wings resembling those of a butterfly sprouting from her back.
My memory dug deeper.
In our Demon Realm, as well as in human territories, there are no records of such a species living among elves or celestial beings.
[How absurd. Do you know who I am, fairy?]
“Ugh…”
My eyes widened. Nevertheless, an interesting incident had finally occurred.
“Umm…”
[What?]
“My… my business card…”
She shakily rummaged through her pockets and produced something. I extended a tentacle and swiftly snagged it.
Business card? That was both an exceedingly familiar yet strange term.
“Scouter and manager of Fairy Company Rana Land, Yuria?”
What on earth is this hideous hybrid? Startled, I gently released her neck.
After all, within this space enveloped by my energy, she couldn’t escape, nor could any of the other demons find her.
*
[Alright, now spill it.]
‘Looks like I got tangled up in something awkward.’
Fairy Yuria sat on her knees calmly but was sweating profusely. Until now, she had only lowered her head for fellow fairies and, among them, a few upper-class ones.
Yet, at that very moment, she was genuinely terrified.
“I… um, so…”
[You said you’re a scouter. Why did you come here?]
‘If I tell him, I’ll die.’
Pale-faced, Yuria desperately racked her brain.
But there was no answer. She couldn’t dare utter a lie to those giant eyes staring down at her.
“I came to… arrange a contract…”
[What kind of contract?]
“For… magic… girl…”
[Speak louder. I wonder if a bone will snap for each word you say.]
“EEEK!”
As the tentacles around her drew nearer, she shook her head vigorously.
“I’m here to arrange a Magical Girl contract!”
Finally, she let out a scream when one tentacle wrapped around her ankle.
[What kind of nonsense is that?]
“Well, Your Majesty, of another realm. You obviously wouldn’t know what a Magical Girl is. But if I explain…”
[No, I think I know what a Magical Girl is. What I’m asking is why you came here.]
“That’s…”
A slightly startled Yuria glanced around before slowly revealing her information.
Recently, the Fairy Company Rana Land, to which she belonged, had been lagging in competition with other companies and performing poorly.
Thus, dazzled by ambition, Yuria sought more robust and beautiful Magical Girls, knowing it was illegal, and dared to leap across the boundaries of worlds by herself.
Only having relied on talent, but having made a mistake and ending up here.
“I’m genuinely sorry, Great Demon Lord. I’m not evil; I merely cast the spell and set it on auto. I’m so sorry for causing you disrespect. I’ll do anything—please spare me and send me back. I’m really reflecting on this. My siblings, though not like rabbits, are looking up to me. If I die here, our company will collapse, and surely the Earth, where I’m vigorously working on my business…”
[Wait a second. Did you just say Earth?]
Yuria, who had been bombarding me with words while banging her forehead against the floor, suddenly fell silent.
Before her, that big, hooked, one-eyed monster was glaring right back at her.