0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 21: Hidden Evil (4) (Part 1)

“Sigh.”

Irina ran her fingers through her hair. Her once well-cared-for silver locks regained their original shimmer, shining brightly. Her skin had also returned to its smooth and soft state.

It was a sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time, though she knew it might disappear by tomorrow. Swallowing her saliva, Irina calmed her trembling heart and opened the door.

Creak.

The door, as large as a city gate, quietly opened. Irina slowly stepped into the hall and stood before the majestic throne, bowing deeply.

“I greet the great Emperor.”

No response came. She remained bowed for a while until a voice, as if awakened from sleep, sounded.

“Ah, right. And you are?”

“Irina Astoria, here by the command of His Imperial Majesty.”

“Ah. You’re the woman of the rumors. Yes, the one who drove out her kin and became a lord.”

The voice gradually became clearer, murmuring with a hint of interest. Irina kept her head bowed.

“Lift your head.”

Irina raised her head to see a man seated on the grand throne.

The man was young, barely in his mid-twenties. His golden hair shone nobly, and his ash-gray eyes looked at her gloomily.

His physique appeared fragile, as if it might break with a touch. A handsome bookworm, nothing more or less, but the man before her was undoubtedly the Emperor of the Empire.

A being higher than any other human, capable of crumbling continents with a mere gesture. The guardian of humanity that defeats demons.

And a mad Emperor.

She bowed her head again.

**** ****

“It’s done.”

“Well done, Lord Demon King.”

A modest celebration party was held at the Demon King’s castle. The dishes prepared by Lillis were served one after another on the table. Soccu swallowed her saliva at the sight of the steaming dishes.

“Looks delicious…”

“Don’t you dare touch it yet. Let’s have toast first.”

Karos raised his glass, filled with a red liquid that emitted a fragrant aroma.

“This is our first stronghold. Well done, everyone.”

“Indeed.”

“Cheers, congratulations.”

Though there were only four or five participants, the atmosphere wasn’t bad. As they ate and drank, the mood brightened.

“Kieek!”

“Why is the village chief like that?”

“He acts like this when he drinks. Must be weak to it.”

Karos drank his wine, using the frenzied dance of the village chief as entertainment. Although the wine was cheap, it was enough to get them drunk. Bathesia muttered as she sipped her drink.

“It seems premature to celebrate. That woman went to see the Emperor, didn’t she?”

“Uh? Right.”

Karos nodded, forking a sausage. Irina had gone to the capital at the Emperor’s summons.

Bathesia’s face showed discomfort.

“It doesn’t seem right. No matter how you look at it, it’s a rebellion, and she’s a woman. It feels like she’s heading to her death. There won’t be any repercussions for us, but who knows what will happen.”

According to the strict laws of the Empire, women could not become lords. It seemed unlikely that such a law, which had been in place since the founding of the Empire, would change now.

However, Karos was unfazed.

“Don’t worry. I gave her a few words of advice.”

“A few words? That’s not going to solve anything.”

“It’ll be fine. Because the current Emperor is just the kind of person for it. He’s not normal.”

Karos laughed mischievously, feeling lightheaded as if he had taken some drug.

“Our job is just to lay the foundation.”

“Sounds like you know the Emperor well?”

“A bit of a connection.”

“Such nonsense. When have you ever met the Emperor? You’ve just entered the world.”

Bathesia scoffed, but Karos simply smiled without retort.

“There was a time. I miss it now. Though I have no intention of returning, those were spiritually rich days.”

Karos murmured nostalgically, sipping his drink. Bathesia looked at him as if seeing a stranger. Karos waved his hand dismissively.

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. Anyway, don’t worry. And worrying is pointless.”

“Ugh… Since you’re the Demon King, it’s strange for me to say this. Fine. Let’s just enjoy the drink.”

“Exactly.”

Karos bit into a sausage, its juices bursting out.

‘She must have met him by now.’

How would she feel? Karos smiled to himself.

**** ****

Irina swallowed her saliva. This audience with the Emperor was her last chance. Either she would leave with her life or lose her head. The latter seemed overwhelmingly likely, but she could not afford to die.

“Lift your head. Why do you keep bowing?”

“Your Majesty, I am humbled.”

Irina raised her head again. The Emperor’s ash-gray eyes seemed to scan her entire body. He smiled.

“You don’t need to be so formal with me. Such customs mean nothing to me.”

Irina remained silent. To speak informally to the Emperor was unthinkable, an act of madness. The Emperor muttered as if bored.

“I wanted to meet you. The woman who drove out her kin and took their place. I wondered what a woman similar to me would be like.”

“Your words are too generous.”

“No, I really wanted to see. It’s hard to find someone like you among these old-fashioned fools.”

The Emperor chuckled. Irina quietly suppressed her heartbeat.

“It’s impossible for me to compare to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor before her was not meant to sit on the imperial throne.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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