The Feast

Roooooooooooooooar!

A bellow echoed through the village square.

In front of me stood a dragon covered in black metallic armor. From the gaps in its plating, intermittent bursts of heat were being vented with a loud pshhh sound.

I had come all this way after receiving word that a mechanical dragon—an autonomous-type Miracle Armament—was attacking a village on the outskirts of the Demon Castle.

“To think an individual actually escaped my Homing Rays,” I muttered.

Previously, I had fired about a hundred Homing Rays to wipe out the autonomous Miracle Armaments. But it seemed one had been missed. Its appearance was different from the ones I saw before; perhaps it had undergone some form of self-evolution. Or maybe it was a different model entirely.

“Fried-sama, the evacuation of the villagers is complete.”

Stella stepped up to my side.

“Good work. Stand back.”

With that, I walked toward the dragon.

“Now, just to finish this thing off.”

“Giii… Demon… perish… from this world…”

The dragon spoke in a voice like grinding iron. The Miracle Armaments I fought before didn’t have the capacity for speech; it really was likely a self-evolved unit.

“You’re the one who’s perishing.”

I unleashed a lightning spell. A dazzling sphere of golden light swallowed the black dragon’s massive frame—.

And erased it in an instant.

Along with a massive explosion, a crater with a radius of several dozen meters was formed.

“I thought I held back, but that’s quite a spectacular gouge…”

I hadn’t really wanted to destroy the village buildings.

“Oh! The Demon Lord has saved the village!”

“Thank you, Demon Lord!”

With cheers of joy, the villagers came running from the evacuation site.

“A-amazing… is this the Demon Lord’s high-level magic!?”

“What incredible power for a lightning strike.”

The villagers were buzzing as they looked at the crater. …For the record, that wasn’t ‘Mega Thunder’; it was just a simple ‘Thunder.’ It’s a basic spell, not high-level at all, but when cast with my mana, it becomes powerful enough to instant-kill even a Miracle Armament.

“Splendid, my Demon Lord.”

Since the villagers had returned, Stella’s way of addressing me switched from “Fried-sama” back to “Demon Lord.”

“Subjugation complete. Let’s head back, Stella.”

I turned my back to the villagers.

“Time to clear out the remaining paperwork.”

“If I may, might I suggest one thing?” Stella said, falling into step beside me.

“What is it?”

“You have been working non-stop for days. How about taking a little rest?”

“Rest, huh…”

True, ever since I was reborn as the Demon Lord, I felt like I had been running around every day. Perhaps because my stamina is in a different league compared to when I was human, I don’t feel particularly fatigued, but still.

“How about holding a party?” Stella proposed.

“A party?”

“As a celebration of your victory over the Heroes, and to honor your hard work.”

“I see. That might be a good idea.”

“Then I shall handle all the fine arrangements myself.”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

Stella handled everything—the venue setup, the food, the entertainment, and the guest list—with incredible efficiency in no time at all. I could never have managed it so smoothly.

“You really are capable.”

“I am honored.”

Stella bowed respectfully at my words.

Three days later, we held the celebratory feast at the Demon Castle. Even though it was a “party,” it wasn’t stiff and formal like in the human world. It had the relaxed vibe of drinking with friends at a town tavern. Ministers, nobles, the Royal Guard, garrison soldiers, and even nearby residents had gathered, and drinks were being shared all around.

“Demon Lord, here, have a drink!”

Rilim, the Castle Guard Captain, came over and poured me a drink.

“Oh, thank you.”

This was my first time drinking demon-realm liquor. The skull-shaped chalice was a bit eerie, as was the deep purple liquid poured to the brim.

I removed only the mouth portion of my mask. Stella had modified the mask specifically for the feast. She really is a thoughtful aide.

“Let’s see…”

I drained the cup.

“This is good!”

It was sweet on the palate, yet had a rich depth. It seeped comfortably into my body, bringing a sweet sense of euphoria. Demon-realm liquor isn’t bad at all. This would pass for a first-class vintage even in the human world.

“Hehehe, it’s the highest-quality stuff prepared specifically for you, my Lord.”

“Then, I’ll return the favor.”

This time, I poured a drink for Rilim.

“Ah, thanks… hic.”

She’s already drunk.

“Demon Looord~ your performance the other day was truly woooonderful~. I was so mooooved…”

“Your speech is getting slurried.”

“Even if formalities are waived, you are facing the Demon Lord. Maintain some decorum, Rilim,” Stella said, coming over to issue a warning.

“Ah, sowwy, Stella-samaaaa~.”

“Honestly… here, watch your step.”

Stella sighed as she steadied the swaying Rilim.

“If you feel unwell, shall I bring some water?”

“Ahaha, I feel greeeeat! Stella-sama, you too, have a big drink!”

Rilim poured a drink for Stella.

“Fine. Then I shall gratefully accept… phew.”

Stella looked quite alluring as she drained the cup and exhaled softly.

“Here, one more!”

“Nn… ah.”

The soft sound Stella made was even more alluring. The corners of her eyes drooped slightly, and her cheeks were faintly flushed—.

“Hehe… Fried-sama.”

She leaned in close, using a somewhat spoiled tone that was unlike her usual self.

“Stella…?”

“There is no need to wear such a scary mask at a drinking party… ehehehe.”

She stroked the edge of my mask with her hand.

“You’re the one who made me wear it.”

“Show me your true face.”

“No, that’s not a good idea… wait, it’s slipping. The mask is slipping…!”

“Ehehehehehe.”

Stella playfully grabbed the edge of my mask and pulled. It was a complete departure from her usual cool attitude—an innocence like that of any girl her age.

“…Wait, are you drunk?”

“I’m not drunk, you know?”

Stella leaned her weight against me, laughing “ehehehe.”

“If you can get me drunk, you’re something else.”

“Even your way of speaking has gone weird!?”

“Numbeeer one, Rilim, heeeere I go! First, a contortionist act!”

“Captain, anyone could do that if they’re a slime.”

“I’m bending way more than usual today~!”

Over there, Rilim had turned into her slime form and was twisting and deforming her body. Apparently, it was a party trick. It was noisy and fun.

And then,

“—Must be nice, becoming the Demon Lord so suddenly and acting all high and mighty.”

I suddenly heard a prickly, whispered comment.

“What was that…?”

I looked around the room. In a corner of the venue, several beast-kin demons were gathered. The expressions they shot toward me were incredibly harsh.

“Ability Gear.”

I quietly cast a spell. This one has the effect of amplifying all five senses and physical capabilities. I limited the effect to just my hearing, boosting it several times over.

What I heard was—.

“Hey, stop it. You don’t know who might be listening.”

“Hmph, it’s just a drinking party. Besides, do you really think a rookie Demon Lord can act tough against us, the right-hand men of Zegart the Beast Emperor?”

“Unlike the fierce previous King Yurisha, the new one seems soft.”

“But I heard his combat power is high.”

“Pah, what matters isn’t combat power, it’s grit. A spineless Demon Lord like that—”

…They were talking a massive amount of trash. Well, I suppose formalities are waived when drinking. And I’m not a hot-headed teenager anymore. I didn’t like it, but I decided to let it slide. …Even though it was, frankly, a bit annoying.

“Anyway, based on merit, no matter how you look at it, the next Demon Lord should have been our leader—Lord Zegart.”

“Why did it go to a demon of unknown origin like that?”

“But he has the Demon Lord’s crest on his hand.”

“Hmph, a crest in the hands of the unworthy will eventually… “

“Just as planned… Lord Zegart will be the new… King…”

“After that… at the meeting…”

Their voices grew even quieter, until eventually, even my enhanced hearing couldn’t pick them up. Or rather, it seemed they had finished the conversation.

“…That’s concerning.”

I didn’t care about them talking trash about me. But their final words—.

They smelled of a conspiracy.