Demon King of the Royal Class-Chapter 687

It was the evening of the Commendation Banquet.

The banquet, held to honor those who contributed to the Gate Incident, was a grand affair. There were a plethora of guests, and the Spring Palace buzzed with activity.

Since the banquet was being held to celebrate those who had attained significant achievements, influential figures from various regions were in attendance, and anyone who had demonstrated remarkable accomplishments were invited, regardless of their status.

Most of the Empire’s key figures were present, and the event was also graced by the Emperor and all five empresses. It was a magnificent affair.

Airi, the last of the five empresses to arrive, commanded immediate attention.

The Succubus Queen.

She hailed from a powerful demon lineage, even among demons. She belonged to a great demon race, the succubi, known as the demons of allure. Naturally, her appearance drew the eyes of everyone in the room.

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

Airi nodded slightly as she made her way up to the second floor, where the Emperor awaited her.

The guests, momentarily captivated by her presence, soon returned to their conversations and dancing. Yet many couldn’t help but cast subtle glances her way.

Airi was a formidable demon, and had married the Emperor as a representative of her kind. That was how she saw herself. In truth, Airi dedicated herself to leading the demons, seeking out remaining demon factions in the Dark Land and integrating them into the Empire. Though Charlotte was also an Archdemon, her responsibilities to the rest of the Empire meant that Airi was left to manage this task.

“Isn’t it strange that you’re the most favored among the Empresses?” the Emperor remarked, prompting a gentle smile from Airi.

“Life is full of surprises.”

Airi, known as the Demon Empress, was the most renowned figure among the humans.

An Archmage.

The last princess of the Gradias imperial family.

Regent of Kernstadt.

And the ruler of the Holy Empire.

Each of those figures were significant, but Airi stood out from the rest as the only demon.

Humans supported Airi for one reason: she was the most beautiful Empress.

She was the great demon who could captivate anyone. And that reputation was effectively etched into the minds of the whole populace.

The work that would need to be done to shift human perceptions of demons, and the unimaginable cost it would take to achieve such a change through propaganda alone, was profound. But when Charlotte discovered that the Demon Empress was making public appearances and that rumors of her beauty were spreading among the people, she sprang into action.

Just as she had done in Edina, she organized succubi to provide psychological counseling and lead initiatives like poverty relief, with the Demon Empress herself taking center stage. She, the only demon among the Emperor’s consorts, would reach out to those in the most desperate situations.

Airi, along with the other succubi, had grown accustomed to such tasks during their work in the Edina Archipelago, and found joy in it.

Ironically, the other empresses were too burdened with other important state duties to participate in these public activities, and so Airi became the empress most connected to the people of the capital.

She was the perfect choice to be the public face of all projects aimed at improving the perception of demons by humans. As a result, Airi became the most famous and beloved empress, despite being the only demon among them. There were even humans who disliked the Emperor but supported Empress Airi.

Airi won people’s hearts in the simplest and most genuine way.

“I think the Shadow Walkers will be joining us this time,” she said.

“Really?” he replied, intrigued.

“Yes. They’re naturally a bit gloomy, but they’ve survived well by being excellent at hiding. They prefer dark places and have keen hearing. And don’t worry—they don’t eat humans. They could be a great asset to the intelligence unit, and it’s perfectly fine to let them live in the capital.”

“That sounds good,” he agreed.

Despite her new role in this budding Empire, she remained the spokesperson and protector of the demons. Even though humans were still the overwhelming majority, demons needed to coexist alongside them. For demons who were unable to dwell in human lands, she needed to provide a sanctuary, a place they could call home.

The Emperor quietly surveyed the banquet hall. There were both familiar and unfamiliar faces, and some he hadn’t seen in ages. Old acquaintances exchanged warm greetings, while the Emperor observed in silence.

He shifted his gaze away from Airi and focused on Scarlett, who was ever-present by his side.

“Head down there,” he instructed.

“Sorry? Your Majesty, but I...”

In a hall where everyone was adorned in gowns or suits, Scarlett stood out in her armor.

“Go on. Say hello to Evia. It’s been a while.”

Scarlett hesitated, torn between staying by his side and seizing the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces.

The Emperor watched her quietly as she finally descended the stairs.

***

The entire Spring Palace had been transformed into a grand banquet hall, with people eating and drinking everywhere.

Naturally, the guests formed little clusters, each corner of the hall hosting its own group. Secret conversations buzzed through the air, covering topics from personal gossip to public affairs.

Amidst the stories woven into the music, some guests reveled in long-awaited reunions. Yet, there were also many who regularly saw each other, gathering together as if it were routine.

Harriet and Adelia were among them. Though they’d been separated for a time, they now met frequently, just like in their days at the Temple.

The two of them whispered over the papers spread out on one of the tables in the banquet hall.

“If we follow this blueprint, it would increase efficiency, but won’t it lack versatility? It would be great if it could be used for more than just harvesting.”

“No, you can make it work. Look, there’s a joint here at the front. If you replace it like this—yes, just like this.”

“Really? And then?”

“Then it can function as a plow, letting you dig into the ground as much as you need.”

“Oh... I see. If you just replace the parts, it can be used in various ways... It’s efficient. Since the core is the same, it’s easy enough to repurpose it for various uses.”

“Exactly.”

.

.

.

As Adelia and Harriet delved into their conversation at the banquet, Riana, who had been sipping her champagne, set her glass down with a sharp clink, her appetite clearly waning.

“Ugh. Do I really have to listen to all that nerdy stuff about organic matter here?”

“Huh?”

“Oh...?”

“Do I have to endure discussions about farming with golems even at a place like this? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sick of it.”

At Riana’s words, Adelia and Harriet quickly gathered up the blueprints that had been carelessly spread across the table. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

It had all begun when Adelia brought up the topic, and Harriet responded with interest. Adelia then pulled out the blueprints, and they had started muttering excitedly.

Riana, dressed to the nines in a fancy gown with earrings and necklaces, was understandably appalled.

Beside her, Cliffman chuckled.

“Is something funny?” she asked.

“Sorry...” he replied, bowing his head as soon as Riana shot him a look.

It was no wonder Riana was frustrated with all the farming talk. She was in charge of the vast Saint-Ouen Agricultural District, known as the Empire’s breadbasket. She was responsible for overseeing agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fisheries, from managing the land and fishing stocks to harvesting and processing. In essence, she managed everything related to food.

Once a formidable war power thanks to her supernatural abilities, Riana now held the vital role of feeding the entire Empire. In many ways, the task she handled was even more crucial than her wartime responsibilities.

The region she managed was larger in size than most countries, and produced food that was distributed across the entire continent. If any single nation fell, it would affect only that nation. But if Riana’s Saint-Ouen Agricultural District were to collapse, it could lead to famine throughout the continent.

As a result, Saint-Ouen was heavily fortified, with a military presence second only to the capital. She was also one of only two people with the authority to summon the Archmage in an emergency, the other being the Emperor himself. Riana was the only person besides the Emperor who could summon Harriet immediately in a crisis.

Food was a topic of utmost importance to Riana, yet it was also one she found tiresome to discuss in this setting.

The Empire’s vast food storage facilities were strategically located in the Grand Duchy of Saint-Ouen.

Adelia had spread out the blueprints again, and Harriet was keenly interested in them.

“If we complete the automated golem, not only will food production skyrocket, but distributing it across the continent will ease your burden, Riana. It’s actually beneficial for you,” Harriet explained, and Adelia nodded in agreement.

The technology once used to create golems for warfare was now being repurposed for food production, and development of automated agricultural machines was underway. In fact, many golems were already employed in agricultural projects, and they were now envisioning full automation.

Thanks to the knowledge of golem technology belonging to the Grand Duchy of Saint-Ouen and Adelia’s own intellect, the knowledge that had once created Titan was now being partially adapted for agriculture and mining.

Even so, everyone was aware of the unsettling possibility that with a minor adjustment in the production line, these agricultural golems could be transformed into formidable war machines. Depending on the parts they were equipped with, they could serve purposes of either creation or destruction.

When Harriet mentioned it was ultimately for Riana’s convenience, Riana narrowed her eyes.

“Who said not to do it at all?” she retorted.

Riana’s fingers, with their finely painted nails, trembled slightly as her carefully drawn eyebrows furrowed and she parted her red-painted lips.

“Just don’t talk about it today,” she insisted.

“Do you know what my usual days are like?” she continued. “Do you think I sit elegantly in a salon, casually saying, ‘Let it rain, let it stop, let it snow, let it stop?’ I’m usually in overalls, digging through manure, staring at fields that desperately need rain.

“When there’s a problem, I’m the one wading through the mud to figure out why the crops are dying, asking farmers questions all day long. Whether it’s wild boars uprooting plants, monsters ruining crops, or pest infestations, I’m the one comforting worried people and taking action.”

“And here I am,” she said, her voice softening. “For the first time in a long time. I’ve put on a dress, done my makeup, painted my nails, and even my toenails. I came all the way to the palace just to show off, didn’t I? And now I have to deal with this.

“Do I really have to listen to all that today, too? Can’t I just forget about it for now and deal with it tomorrow? You all don’t get me because you’re always buried in your books. You who love studying so much don’t understand me. You who wonder why it’s bad to be studying all the time can’t possibly understand how I feel...”

Adelia and Harriet were exactly those sorts of people. They would genuinely question why studying all the time could be a problem. They didn’t even see it as work.

“You have no idea how much I just want to have fun...”

In the end, Riana’s eyes went blank with despair, and she muttered absentmindedly, “Y-yeah... We can talk about this later at the magic council...”

Adelia and Harriet exchanged a knowing glance and nodded to each other.

Eventually, Cliffman guided the weary Riana to the dance floor.

“Does he know how to dance...?” Harriet asked, observing Cliffman as he moved off with Riana hanging onto him limply.

“Even if he didn’t before, he probably does now,” Adelia replied.

“That guy is so intense, it’s unsettling sometimes.”

It wasn’t Adelia who had spoken; it was Kaier, who had come up to him.

“Oh, Kaier.”

Kaier Vioden wasn’t alone. A woman was pushing his wheelchair.

“It’s been a while, Adelia, Archmage,” he greeted them.

“Hello,” Adelia replied.

“It’s been a while,” the Archmage echoed.

Behind Kaier stood Rudina.

Kaier Vioden had awakened from his coma about two years ago.

***

Kaier had slipped into a coma at the end of the war, and Rudina had taken care of him.

Naturally, since both of them were war heroes, their daily living was taken care of, and priests regularly visited to check on Kaier’s condition. Yet, Rudina was always by his side. In truth, there was no need for her to care for Kaier so devotedly. But for the entire three years he lay in a coma, Rudina remained steadfastly by his side.

No one knew back then if Kaier would ever regain consciousness. For those three years, Rudina stayed with him, even while he seemed like a living corpse, sustained only by the beating of his heart.

Then, one day, Kaier opened his eyes.

From that moment on, they had stayed together, working through his rehabilitation and sharing their lives. Rudina often reassured Kaier that if his rehabilitation went well, he might eventually regain enough strength to leave the wheelchair behind.

“Here, take this,” Rudina said gently.

“Alcohol...?” Kaier hesitated, unsure. “I wonder if it’s okay? Perhaps I’d better not drink.”

“Is there anything you want to eat?” she asked.

“Do you want to go walk around for a bit?”

.

.

.

Harriet and Adelia quietly observed them from a distance. It felt like a miracle that Kaier had regained consciousness, and they often visited and witnessed Rudina’s unwavering care for him. It seemed as if the heavens themselves had been moved by her devotion. There was nothing more profound than that.

“...”

“...”

If Cliffman was the epitome of masculinity, then Rudina was its counterpart in femininity.

They were relieved that everything turned out well in the end, but it had been a chaotic journey.

While Rudina fussed over Kaier, asking if he was uncomfortable or if he needed anything, Kaier finally asked for a moment alone with his friends, giving Rudina a chance to catch her breath.

Rudina turned to Harriet with a smile.

“By the way, I read the book you wrote, Archmage.”

“Oh... that one?”

“Yes, ‘The Tome of All Things.’ You’ve only written the introduction, right?”

“Yes.”

That was the magic that had elevated Harriet to the status of Archmage.

After the war, Harriet had attempted to put her newfound enlightenment into writing. Rudina, who excelled at magical calculations but struggled with limited mana reserves, hoped to address her chronic issue by understanding and harnessing the magic Harriet had discovered. Therefore, she tried to make sense of the book Harriet had written, starting with the introduction.

“Can anyone actually understand it, though? I didn’t get any of it. Not even a little.”

This tome was not available to anyone who wanted to read it. Rudina, like Adelia, was a member of the Magic Council, which granted her access and allowed her to read the introduction of Harriet’s book.

“Hmm... Is that so...”

“Don’t be disappointed. If anything, that means you’re free to write more.”

“Right. Honestly... I couldn’t understand it at all either,” Adelia added.

There was a reason they could admit they didn’t understand Harriet’s book and still suggest she write more.

The Magic Council was a place reserved for the most elite mages, and even the best struggled to earn a seat on it. When Harriet, the head of the council, first announced she would document her greatest enlightenment, everyone opposed the idea. They argued that the magic was too powerful to be shared freely.

Therefore, Harriet only wrote the introduction, and told the council members that those interested could read it.

Both Rudina and Adelia couldn’t make sense of it at all, and neither could the other council members. Although Harriet had described the magic she had discovered and grown to understand, the other mages could not grasp how what she did was even possible.

Some couldn’t fathom how the magic functioned at all, while even those who understood its mechanics couldn’t believe a person could wield it. The theory was sound, and it worked, but the undeniable truth was that Harriet was the only one in the world who could make it happen.

“You’re free to write this magic tome, since no one will be able to use the magic anyway.”

Even if she documented it, no one alive would understand it. But for the sake of future generations, it was crucial to document great magic. Leaving behind a magic tome that no one from the current generation could comprehend would still be incredibly significant.

“Imagine writing a magic tome before turning thirty—no wonder you’re the Archmage,” Rudina mused.

And this wasn’t just any magic; it was one worthy to be called the greatest magic in the world.

Harriet blushed at Rudina’s words.

“By the way, I heard you’re getting married soon, Adelia,” Rudina continued.

“Oh, that... yes,” Adelia replied, a hint of shyness in her voice.

Adelia was soon to marry the third son of Grand Duke Saint-Ouen.

Across the table, the grand duke himself, also a member of the Magic Council, was deep in conversation, with his three sons in attendance.

“Then we’re family now?” Harriet asked with a hopeful smile.

Adelia blushed, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“Oh, uh... I guess so...”

Seeing Adelia’s shyness, Harriet’s smile grew even brighter.