0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 48: The Masterless (4) (Part 2)

“But… they could have searched for me, right? So why are they staying put?”

“They must have their reasons. Don’t worry about it.”

“B-but…”

“And right now, we have other things to do, don’t we?”

Karos waved a piece of paper.

“House renovation… right.”

Bathesia murmured.

“Who will you ask?”

Renovations, like most tasks, varied greatly depending on the demon. If entrusted to the wrong person, the Demon King’s castle could collapse, as had happened to some demons.

“I have someone in mind. You know them too.”

“Someone we both know from the Demon King Academy? A demon who learned renovation…”

Bathesia trailed off as memories resurfaced.

“Wait, you don’t mean…”

During their time at the academy, Karos didn’t get along well with most demons, especially the females. Among them was a demon who didn’t become a Demon King but learned how to renovate the Demon King’s castle.

Karos smiled broadly.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to use her.”

*** ***

“You! Karos! You bastard!”

A woman with brown hair, dressed in a thin outfit that revealed her toned muscles, staggered back, cursing.

“Bastard! Do you think I’d work for you!”

“Hahaha!”

Karos burst out laughing at her fierce resistance. He arrogantly threw the paper like a noble addressing a servant.

“You will build my house! Get to work!”

“Grr! Kill me!”

The woman, touching the paper, flinched and shouted with a flushed face.

“…What are you two doing?”

Bathesia watched them with a bemused expression.

*** ***

“That was fun.”

Karos stretched with a refreshed face. Bathesia clicked her tongue.

“You realize your image changes drastically, right?”

The Karos who conversed with Nevilos had been impressive, even to her. But now, he seemed so lighthearted he might float away.

The difference was so stark it made Bathesia forget her own worries.

“Can anyone live with just one side?”

“Yours is too extreme.”

“That’s just who I am.”

Karos shrugged.

“Besides, talking with that old man drains all my energy. I need to vent.”

“Old… never mind.”

She shook her head, chuckling at the absurdity.

“You weren’t on such bad terms with Ruberia.”

The woman with brown hair who had been humiliated by Karos was Ruberia Brondri, a fellow student at the Demon King Academy.

She wasn’t a noble but grew up in a wealthy family. She was friendly to everyone, including Karos, and was one of the few who didn’t see him badly.

“Really? I disliked her as much as you. Damn, musclehead.”

Karos grumbled. While Ruberia didn’t view him negatively, she saw him as weak.

Every morning, she dragged him to exercise, which made Karos hold a significant grudge against her.

“A guy who withstood divine power holds a grudge over exercise…”

Bathesia muttered in disbelief as Ruberia approached with a scowl.

“Damn it. It’s done.”

“Already?”

Karos looked surprised. She had been gone for less than an hour to build the Demon King’s castle.

“I heard it usually takes a week. Did you rush it?”

“Who do you think I am?”

Ruberia scoffed arrogantly.

“I may have done it reluctantly because of the Great Demon King’s order, but I’m the best at this! Everyone respects me!”

“Well, you may say that, but I still see you as a failure. I can’t trust it.”

“…Shut up!”

The Demon King Academy was for those aiming to become Demon Kings. No matter how good she was at her job, Ruberia had not become a Demon King. Seething, she then smiled.

“Oh. Hi, Bathesia.”

“…Hi.”

Bathesia responded awkwardly. They weren’t exactly friends but knew each other professionally. Bathesia’s lack of social skills didn’t help.

“Wow. I never thought a Sovereign would come from our peers.”

Ruberia’s sociability, however, was abundant. She grabbed Bathesia’s hand with sparkling eyes.

“Can I get your autograph?”

“A-autograph?”

“You’re a Sovereign! A star and hope for us all! Of course, I want your autograph!”

“Oh. I-I see.”

Bathesia remembered. Demon Kings were adored and idolized by all demons. Sovereign, the most powerful Demon Kings, were especially revered.

Bathesia, as one of the Sovereigns, had countless demons who worshipped her. Even dolls and merchandise of her sold like hotcakes on the black market.

“I’ll give it to you later when I get it back.”

Bathesia trailed off. Not noticing her oddity, Ruberia clapped her hands.

“Wow. You came with Karos, so the rumors must be true. You really defeated the Sun God?”

“Do you think it’s fake?”

“Huh.”

Ruberia mumbled in amazement at Karos’s curt reply.

“I never thought the weakling would become a proper Demon King.”

Karos hadn’t been a promising student at the Demon King Academy. Despite high grades, his poor aptitude for magic meant none of his peers believed he’d actually become a Demon King.

“We’re all shocked. People are starting to take an interest in you. Where the Demon King’s castle is, if the rumors are true.”

“I don’t need interest from demons who stay in the Demon Realm.”

Ruberia disagreed with Karos’s nonchalant remark.

“Even Demon Kings are interested.”

“Demon Kings?”

“Yeah. Several of our peers became Demon Kings.”

About 30% of the Demon King Academy graduates became Demon Kings.

Karos recalled that fact.

“…Who?”

“Let’s see.”

At Karos’s cautious question, Ruberia counted on her fingers.

“Blue, green, the yellow kid, oh, and the old man was curious too. And…”

Her fingers folded and unfolded repeatedly. Karos’s mouth fell open and Bathesia muttered in disbelief.

“Almost everyone.”

“And finally, the Bug Princess.”

“…Even the Bug Princess?”

“Yeah. That makes eleven! Congratulations, Karos!”

Ruberia laughed brightly.

“One-seventh of the Demon Kings are interested in you!”

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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