0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 17: The Prelude (3) (Part 1)
“How would a rebellion work?”
“I saw it when I went to the village last time. The public sentiment isn’t good.”
The successor who suddenly became the lord had not been well-regarded from the start, it seemed, as the people of the territory were worried about the future. From what was heard, it didn’t seem likely that the territory would be led well.
“Public sentiment is falling, and gradually, resentment against the nobility is growing. Of course, that alone wouldn’t cause an explosion, so we would need to do some backstage work.”
No matter how much dissatisfaction accumulates, the lord of a territory is a noble. Unless it crosses a certain line, the citizens only endure it internally and do not act out.
So, we make them cross that line.
“There are many ways: brainwash them, spread rumors, slowly lure and tempt them, and finally, make them confront each other. Then boom.”
Karos violently pulled the pen. The picture of the village was torn, splitting in half.
“The lord may have power, but power comes from stability. If the people of the territory attack, there’s nothing the lord can do.”
“This isn’t bad either. What’s the problem then?”
“The nature of the rebellion is the problem.”
The empire is a country with a solid class system. The owner of a territory is a noble. That is absolute. But what if the commoners start a rebellion and kill the noble, their owner? Then it’s a massacre.
“Every single one of them would be torn apart. Since we’re planning to use it as a base, this is also out.”
“…It’s complicated.”
“Yes. If only there was a fallen noble or something…”
“Why a fallen noble?”
“At least they’re nobles.”
What matters is status. If another noble attacks and takes over the territory, it’s considered a territorial war. There are various problems, but at least it’s not designated as a rebellion. If politics are handled well afterward, stability can be achieved.
“Or the best scenario would be someone with no right of succession but legitimate qualifications. The problem is, there isn’t such a person. Ah, it’s a headache.”
“…There was a woman, wasn’t there?”
Bathesia, pondering with her finger on her lips, finally spoke. Karos tilted his head to look at her.
“What?”
“You heard from the merchant last time. There was an eldest daughter. Doesn’t she meet the conditions?”
“I did think about that.”
Though a woman, she’s a noble’s child. She has the qualifications. While a woman cannot become a lord, it’s possible to create a new lord using a son-in-law or something. However, there was another problem.
“But she’s missing, they said. There’s no way to find her. If we knew her face or had met her, it would be possible to track her down… but there’s none of that. One piece is missing.”
Karos leaned back in his chair. Every plan could work if just one thing was met, but that one thing was always the problem.
Bathesia twisted her head, grumbling.
“Then call that kid.”
“Which kid?”
“The one you made a contract with last time.”
“…Ah.”
Karos murmured with a blank face. He had forgotten.
“You, seriously?”
“No, no. Hmm. Now that I think about it, yeah, he’s there.”
“You forget about a contract you made…”
“No. It’s just, I thought we’d use him later, so I forgot. Now that I mention it, yeah. He’s a human, unlike us, and a part of the village. He’d know more than us.”
Karos groaned, admitting his mistake. He sighed and made a gesture.
“Then bring him here.”
**** ****
The green-haired boy, Jacob, swallowed hard in front of the cave. The Demon King who had contracted him had summoned him. He rushed to get ready and arrived at the entrance but couldn’t step inside.
What’s the matter? Because of the money spent? Wasn’t it given for that purpose? Or because it was spent on friends instead of just me? Or is it because I haven’t done anything?
“Why are you just standing there if you’ve come?”
“Eek!”
Startled by the voice from behind, Jacob turned around. Soccu was floating in the air, tilting her head.
“Come in.”
“Y-Yes…”
With a voice as thin as a mosquito, Jacob slowly entered. It felt like being dragged into hell. Ah. Since it’s the Demon King’s castle, it was somewhat similar. His face fell as he entered, and a few slimes were rolling on the floor.
“Kyu.”
“Hey, brothers. What are you doing here?”
Soccu bent down to ask. The slimes bubbled in response, and Soccu nodded to herself.
“Seems like the brothers have nothing to do compared to me.”
“You can understand the slimes?”
“Yeah. They were playing a rolling game. Sounds fun.”
What’s a rolling game? He briefly wondered but quickly dismissed the thought.
“Why so scared? The Demon King isn’t scary.”
“Yes, yes. Of course.”
Jacob took a deep breath. Right. He had seen them before. Moreover, he had even made a contract with the Demon King, so they couldn’t harm him. He tried to calm himself down.
Carefully peeling off the slimes clinging to his feet, he opened the door to the cave’s interior, where two familiar faces and a woman he hadn’t seen before were standing.
“You’re here?”
At the same time, the boy’s face turned pale. Suddenly, his vision went dark. He clutched his throat as his breath caught, sweat poured over his body, and fear swallowed his thoughts.
“Guh…”
“Why are you like that?”
“Idiot, it’s the magic.”
“Ah, right. Ordinary humans faint because they can’t withstand it. I forgot since everyone I’ve seen so far managed to bear it.”
“Put on the necklace.”