Coronation

I rode upon the Emperor Dragon of the Abyss, Bel-ga-Elfieda—Bel—and soared through the skies of the Demon Realm.

The four regions spread out from the Royal Capital.

Scorched earth and pure white ice fields.

Green grasslands and reddish-brown wastelands.

Rugged mountain ranges and vast oceans.

Various forms of nature breathed within this land shrouded in darkness.

I saw cityscapes scattered here and there.

I realized anew that demons have their own lives.

When I was human, I only recognized them as “monsters that attack people.”

In truth, there were many like that.

I fought to protect people.

But now…

“What is it, my Lord?”

Bel turned its long neck to look at me.

“Getting sentimental? You really are quite human-like.”

“It’s just the first time I’ve looked out over the entire Demon Realm like this,” I replied.

“Is it different from the human world?”

“Hmm… the races living here are different, and there’s no sunlight in the Demon Realm. The atmosphere is quite distinct.”

“I see.”

“But there are all sorts of people, and so many lives—essentially, there isn’t much difference.”

“Well, this place is its own ‘world,’ after all.”

We continued to fly while engaging in idle conversation. Then—

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say earlier that there was ‘divine power’ within me?” I suddenly remembered and asked Bel.

“Hmm… I can smell it on you, Fried-sama.”

“Smell…”

“The scent of power belonging to the gods, neither human nor demon.”

“Power belonging to the gods?”

What does that mean?

“Ah, the castle is in sight.”

Following Bel’s word, I redirected my attention downward.

A massive castle, painted in jet black, towered above.

The Demon Castle.

Even from the sky, it was truly immense.

I heard cheers coming from near the castle.

“That is…”

Straining my eyes, I saw demons looking up at us.

“Fufu, I’ll circle slowly, so why don’t you wave? A Demon Lord who has tamed the strongest dragon… I think it makes for a fine picture,” Bel said.

“It’s good to show your majesty as the Demon Lord. Dignity is important. You have to keep up appearances.”

“Well, you might have a point.”

With a wry smile, I waved my hand.

The cheers grew even louder.

I landed Bel in front of the main gate of the Demon Castle and dismounted from the dragon’s back.

“Welcome home, my Lord.”

Stella came running toward me.

Behind her, the subordinate demons were lined up in a row. It felt like a formal royal reception.

“I’ve brought back the crown,” I said, handing it to her. “Put it back where it belongs.”

“Understood… Um, my Lord. Were you with the Emperor Dragon Bel-ga-Elfieda…?” Stella asked. “The one that was supposed to have fled during the previous battle with the Heroes…”

“Calling it ‘fleeing’ is a bit rude. I simply left the castle because I was fed up with how weak everyone was,” Bel snorted, venting breath from its snout.

“You are the exclusive mount of the Demon Lord; what good are you if you run from a fight?”

“I didn’t feel like fighting alongside a bunch of weaklings.”

“She can be a bit moody, but her combat and flight capabilities are top-notch. She’s a reassuring ally,” I said, mediating for Stella. “And this is the true identity of the Hellhound from earlier.”

I explained the situation.

“Stealing the crown was just to lure me out. Well, it was her way—of testing me as the new Demon Lord.”

“Ehehe, sorry for the commotion.”

Bel lowered her head.

“As a result, I’ve gained the best possible mount. Let’s let this matter go, shall we?”

“If the Demon Lord says so.”

Stella nodded respectfully.

“Even so, to think the Emperor Dragon could transform into a Hellhound…”

She likely knew Bel was the mount of successive Demon Lords, but she didn’t seem to know she could take the form of a dog.

“I don’t usually transform in front of anyone but the Demon Lord.”

Bel shook her massive body. With a poof of smoke, her form changed into a small black dog.

“Staying in dragon form consumes a lot of energy, so I think I’ll spend my time like this for a while.”

“Yes, do that,” I nodded to Bel.

“Ah, so the Emperor Dragon Bel-ga-Elfieda is female,” Stella remarked.

“Bel is fine. That’s what the Demon Lord calls me.”

“Bel…-chan? Looking at her again, she’s quite cute…”

Stella smiled. It was a soft smile, a complete reversal of her previous attitude.

Or rather, more importantly—

“Wait, you weren’t male?” I asked Bel.

“?” Bel tilted her head in confusion. “I never said a word about that.”

Based on her tone, I had assumed she was male, and her voice sounded somewhat boyish… but she was female.

“M-may I touch her… just a little?” Stella asked hesitantly.

“Sure, go ahead—”

“Then, nuzzle nuzzle nuzzle.”

Stella hugged Bel the dog. She was happily rubbing her cheek against her.

“Ahaha, that tickles a bit.”

“Mmm, she feels so good. The ultimate fluff…”

Bel laughed, and Stella looked entranced.

Watching them, my heart felt at ease.

In the Audience Chamber—

I wore the crown, held the staff, and sat upon the throne.

It was my coronation.

“It suits you, Fried-sama,” Stella smiled.

Since it was outside of audience hours, it was just the two of us.

“Formal attire for the Demon Lord.”

“Wearing a crown feels restless, somehow.”

“I believe you will get used to it eventually,” Stella smiled. “From now on, you will be expected to carry yourself as a King more than ever before.”

Living as the Demon Lord.

More than ever before—.

The heart of a human and the position of a Demon Lord.

Within me, the memories and emotions of living as a human are deeply ingrained.

I can’t simply compartmentalize everything.

But I—.

“…Stella.”

“Yes, Fried-sama.”

Stella nodded respectfully at my call.

“I’ve decided.”

I want to protect this smile before me.

I want to protect the smiles of the many demons who aren’t here.

“I will organize the defenses of the Demon Realm and the structure of my subjects, one by one.”

A kind, warm place to belong—something I could never manage to create when I was human.

Perhaps it exists right here.

Then, I will do my utmost to protect that place.

If there are those who would destroy it or harm it, I will fight with everything I have.

As myself.

As the King of the Demon Realm—Fried.