0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 49: A Human's Warfare (1) (Part 1)  

There are seventy-two Demon Kings. Among them, eleven are interested in Karos.

One-seventh was not an exaggeration. Karos looked puzzled.

“Why are there so many Demon Kings among our peers?”

All those mentioned by Ruberia were Karos’ peers from the Demon King Academy days. The number was astounding, but Ruberia looked like it was only natural.

“Most Demon Kings die quickly. Positions open up fast. I thought you’d end up the same way.”

“Sorry for not living up to your expectations.”

Karos grumbled, furrowing his brow.

“But why the hell is the Bug Princess, that shut-in, interested?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes when we gather, she asks about you. The others do the same.”

“Damn it.”

Karos was disgusted. Interest wasn’t bad. The more his deeds were known, the more his influence in the Demon World grew.

But this was too much. Double-digit Demon Kings were interested in him. There was no telling how this interest would change.

“Moreover, most of them are the ones I don’t get along with!”

“Right?”

“Damn it.”

It was clearly unwelcome interest. Ruberia suddenly seemed to remember something.

“By the way, wasn’t Borkenia also involved?”

“Chased by one of the Sovereigns, right? Is she still alive?”

“Her territory is completely destroyed, but she’s not dead yet.”

“That tough nut.”

There had been bad incidents involving her, but Borkenia would eventually die. That was certain, so Karos didn’t pay much more attention.

Karos steadied his breathing.

“Others won’t be able to come here either.”

His residence was still unknown. Even if it was discovered, his Demon King Castle was within human territory. Even if the Sovereigns led an army, they would be blocked by the empire before arriving.

Wars were confined to the frontlines. Karos calmed himself.

“Still, I should be prepared.”

“Do as you like. But who’s that woman next to you? I don’t feel any demonic energy.”

Ruberia asked, looking at Sinclair who had been silent. Karos answered nonchalantly.

“A retainer.”

“A retainer… Oh. A human? You made a human a retainer?”

Ruberia looked slightly puzzled but soon understood.

“You’re strange enough to do that.”

“Are you picking a fight?”

“Of course not.”

They continued with casual chatter. It was time for Ruberia to leave for other matters.

“See you later! Bathesia, sign for me when you regain your strength!”

“Sure. Sure.”

Bathesia waved her off with a wry smile. Watching Ruberia run off, Bathesia murmured.

“When I regain my strength, huh.”

“Still uneasy?”

“I understand logically, but… emotionally, it’s hard.”

Reason and emotion often work separately. Bathesia was uneasy about what her retainers were doing and thinking.

Karos bluntly interjected.

“You’re quite the soft-hearted Sovereign.”

“Indeed.”

Bathesia bit her nails. Seeing her anxious, Karos spoke again.

“Bathesia. Let me ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Are they your slaves? Your subordinates?”

“Neither. They are all my family.”

They were not slaves or retainers but each one was her family. The bond with them was Bathesia’s pride and strength.

“Then that’s enough, isn’t it?”

“What?”

Karos spoke gruffly, looking down at Bathesia.

“Do you think your family will betray you? Don’t you trust them at all?”

“That’s…”

She trailed off, her expression wavering and then slowly settling down.

“That’s… not true.”

“Then that’s it. Don’t worry about it anymore.”

Karos spoke dismissively and walked away. Bathesia watched him, then burst into a hearty laugh.

“I never thought I’d be comforted by you.”

“If you’re grateful, don’t kill me later when you regain your position.”

“…Right.”

Though she was now Karos’ retainer, Bathesia was once the Demon King of Screams and Rampage, a Sovereign. One day, she would reclaim her place.

“Karos.”

She looked up at him with calm eyes.

“When I regain my position as Demon King… I have a proposition for you.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll tell you when I get it back. You wouldn’t believe it if I told you now.”

“Then don’t mention it. You’re making me curious.”

Karos grumbled, and Bathesia smirked.

“It’s a secret.”

“By the way.”

Sinclair, who had been silent, spoke up.

“Are we going back to the surface now?”

“There’s no reason to stay since we’re done here.”

“That’s a relief. I was getting tired of just listening.”

“You have no patience.”

Karos dusted his hands. A door leading to the Demon King’s castle began to open, one of the powers of the Demon King.

“Whew.”

Back at the entrance of the Demon King’s castle, Karos shook his head. He was tired and thought of resting first.

“Demon King.”

Lillis’ voice echoed. She approached faster than usual from the castle.

“What did you do?”

“What are you talking about as soon as I get back?”

“…Come in and see.”

“What now? Did Soccu cause trouble again…?”

Entering the Demon King’s castle, Karos closed his mouth.

“What the…”

“I want to ask you that.”

Lillis asked with a frightened face.

“What did you do in the Demon World to make this happen?”

The Demon King’s castle was small. It was a single cave with very few rooms, barely enough for five people.

But now, there was no trace of that old castle.

“Wait! What is this!”

Karos screamed. Smoothly laid marble reflected light. A splendid chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the walls glittered as if coated with gold.

It was luxurious enough to be mistaken for an imperial palace, but the size was even more shocking.

“No matter how much space can be compressed, this is ridiculous!”

“What? You didn’t know?”

Bathesia stroked the golden walls.

“Ruberia said she was the best at this.”

“…Wasn’t that just talk?”

“It’s true. I also commissioned her to modify my Demon King’s castle. She made it quite usable.”

“Good grief.”

Karos looked at his castle in disbelief.

“It’s bigger than Irina’s territory.”

“There seem to be floors too. It looks like there are at least four floors…”

“Ho, ho. This is impressive.”

Even Sinclair murmured, looking slightly overwhelmed. Bathesia remained calm by herself.

“It feels a bit small, but this is good enough.”

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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