NOVEL NEXT Chapter 209 – Conclusion (3)
“Now the choice is up to you. Whatever you do, it’s your freedom. That is the last gift I give you.”
“Well, that’s very kind of you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I had to laugh. After all, it was Yggdrasil that managed to handle everything according to its intentions and reap the benefits.
It spent a massive amount of resources to resurrect me, but by bringing me back as a Magical Girl, it would be able to happily feast on the nutrients I create in the future, wouldn’t it eventually make up for that loss?
Furthermore, it didn’t return the source to Michael, who was resurrected alongside me as a Magical Girl, so he hasn’t been able to regain his proper status.
That source? Yggdrasil gobbled it up for itself.
“I’ll give you a gift, too. I originally wanted to mess things up because I really didn’t like what you were doing, but I’ll let it slide.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Very clever of you.”
I clicked my tongue and turned away. I would’ve loved to give that scheming World Tree a good punch, but Yggdrasil wasn’t that easy to deal with.
“You don’t need to worry too much. Even without my orders, the Fairies and Magical Girls will change quite a bit now.”
“…Of course they should.”
“So, Takilas. What will your choice be? Will you return to Earth and continue your life as a Magical Girl, or go back home to reclaim your position as the Demon King?”
Just before I was about to leave, Yggdrasil asked me about my choice. The moment I heard that question, I hesitated.
“I’m not the Demon King anymore.”
Thinking about the Demon Realm made my heart ache. Having lost my status after the fight with Michael, the throne of the Demon King is currently vacant.
Even if I returned to the Demon Realm, where I’d spent so long making changes, I wouldn’t be able to receive the treatment of a Demon King anymore.
To become the Demon King again, I needed to prove that I am the strongest Demon once more.
“Then you just need to prove it again.”
Yggdrasil said that with a chuckle, as if it were nothing. I frowned but couldn’t argue with it.
In fact, I had been thinking that way. I would return to the Demon Realm and climb back up again.
“If I manage to regain the Demon King’s throne, would you like to go into business with me in that world?”
“Wha-what?”
“I think it wouldn’t be bad. A Demon King from a Magical Girl and Magical Girls from Demons.”
The problem was that Yggdrasil was crazier than I had imagined. I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at her unexpected proposal.
*
“So, you really accepted that proposal? The World Tree wants to create Magical Girls in your world?”
“Let it be. I didn’t care much about it.”
“What a crazy plan.”
Ren, who had heard about Yggdrasil’s plan from me after I returned, was shocked before I could explain what had happened with Michael.
Honestly, I was still dizzy myself, so it was understandable.
“Honestly, I’m more worried about other places than the Demon Realm. Isn’t the world going to turn upside down?”
I chuckled, thinking about the chaos that would ensue in the continent due to the emergence of the Magical Girls. Just when the Earth had been thrown into chaos with the appearance of Magical Girls, that world, even more rigid, wouldn’t be any better.
“That’s why you all play an important role. You all are experienced, so you can help others get along well with the Magical Girls, right?”
“What does that even mean…”
“What kind of absurdity is that? I just came back after a year, and that’s what you’re saying?”
At that moment, I turned to the two Magical Girls who had come to find me. Those with beautiful blonde and silver hair. Naturally, upon hearing what I had to say, they were in shock.
Especially Rene, who froze in place after trying to hug me without realizing it.
“You can continue your activities on Earth. I’m just making a suggestion. The choice is yours.”
I smiled at the flustered Shia and Rene, their faces turning pale. Being locals, they were shocked at the idea that the Magical Girls, the center of all events on Earth, would show up there.
“There are no choices. If you don’t want to repeat the incidents you saw on Earth, then you have to do well from the start.”
“Th-then what about the Demon Realm? Will there be Magical Girls appearing there too?”
“Probably so? But don’t worry about the Demon Realm. I’ll take care of everything.”
When Rene asked with a trembling voice, unsure if she was happy or scared, I nodded. If I became the Demon King with absolute power, the Demon Realm should be safe no matter what happened.
“Once again, I will conquer the Demon Realm and become the Demon King again. Can you do that? Without even transforming back?”
“That’s enough.”
It seemed like she was worried about me, but it was an unnecessary concern. I still had plenty of power.
“This is the Demon Realm…”
“We don’t have much time. I need to become the Demon King again before the number of Magical Girls rises in the Demon Realm.”
Having bought time to prepare by meeting with Rene and Shia, I opened a Dimension Gate for them to return home, and I, too, crossed over back to the Demon Realm.
“It’s already getting heated.”
The atmosphere in the Demon Realm was different from the start. Many were competing to claim the vacant throne of the Demon King.
Fighting spirit is the most essential mentality and instinct for Demons. So, this was the perfect opportunity to prove it now.
“Are you really going to get there that quickly? Why not just reveal your identity to your old subordinates and ask for their help?”
“Subordinates? They’re no longer my subordinates. I need to win against them to make them my subordinates again. And don’t rush me. I’ll get there soon enough.”
Though Ren seemed to not trust me at all, I was confident. Just ahead, a carriage was racing across the wasteland where we stood.
“What’s this brat?”
The purple-skinned Demon in the carriage stopped when he saw me and grinned, showing off his sharp teeth.
“A toy worth using…”
“Hey.”
“Huh?!”
I grinned as I looked at him, who seemed to want to pick a fight for no reason. After all, it’s quicker to just punch whoever seems to be a big shot first.
“Before heading to the Demon King’s Castle, I should at least qualify as a challenger.”
Thinking the guy mistook me for a human girl, I knocked him out with a single punch and then stomped on his neck, pointing at the carriage.
“If you’re a Demon, you know who’s in charge now, right? You’ll cooperate and guide me willingly.”
“Of course. Ugh…”
Things were going smoothly. Since I had already done this once, I figured it wouldn’t take more than a few days.
*
“Honestly, I don’t really get what the difference is, Demon King. It seems exactly the same as before.”
“Not at all. Back then, the Demon King became a Magical Girl, and now, a Magical Girl has become the Demon King.”
The process of becoming the Demon King again wasn’t that difficult, as expected. I knocked out all the challengers, and it took just a week to reclaim the title.
The commanders who swore they would defeat me this time were all defeated and came back under my command.
“…Thinking about it, it really is a lot of difference.”
Robert, who was standing beside me, looked down at me seated askew on my throne and smiled faintly. Everyone else lined up was watching me as if nothing had changed.
“Anyway, I’m glad. The current Demon Realm is significantly different from the past. The Demon King’s governance is absolutely necessary.”
“You aren’t wrong. The world is about to change again.”
Whether you like it or not, change continues. Ultimately, having wrapped up most things, I stood up from my seat.
“I need a vacation. You’re all used to that, right?”
“Huh?”
I had prepared well enough. So now, it was time to enjoy everything I hadn’t been able to because of all the interruptions.
And with my stunned subordinates left behind, I returned to Earth.
This time, I was determined to relax peacefully.
*
“Is that really the whole reason you came back?”
“Honestly, I was never that dedicated a Magical Girl to begin with.”
After hearing this entire series of events, Aria looked at me with a bewildered expression, clearly realizing I was ready to take on anything.
I approached her and gently stroked her abdomen, where muscles were forming sharply.
“Do as you wish. I’ll do things my way, so you can either chase me or give up.”
I poured magic into her body, which was already battered and broken, healing her.
She could come at me again with that body or live her own life.
“But how about we deal with those guys first?”
I pointed to the criminals staring blankly at their dead comrade, wondering what to do next.
“Okay, wait. Let me talk first.”
“When have I ever listened to you, senpai?”
“W-wait! Takilas!”