Bribed by the Demon Lord Right Before the Ending

■ First Request □

“Sto, stop looking!”

In a fluster, Ozma covered her exposed chest with both arms and curled up. Barnett, who had been holding her, quickly placed her helmeted head on top of her neck and took off her cloak to hand it over to Ozma.

On the other hand, I couldn’t figure out how to react to the farce unfolding right before my eyes.

So, standing awkwardly and staring at the two of them, I was interrupted when Ozma, who had just regained her composure, stood up from Barnett’s embrace and said,

“…I’ll go back for today, Barnett.”

“Yes! Lady Ozma!”

Ozma, whose broken armor was hidden by the cloak, was about to leave the training ground when she suddenly stopped.

Then, turning to look at me, she said,

“…Today’s sparring was excellent. If there’s another opportunity, I’d like to sit down with you over a cup of tea and have a deep conversation.”

After saying that, she abruptly left without waiting for a response.

Left alone on the training ground, I thought since my body was already warmed up and there was nothing else to see, I should head back to my room.

Just as I was about to speak to the maid waiting behind me,

“Caldlasth, His Majesty the Demon King requests your presence.”

I couldn’t help but marvel at the impeccable timing of this summons.

“Really spooky.”

“Pardon?”

“No, I didn’t say anything.”

I mumbled something vague and asked the maid to guide me, thinking that since it was just a meeting between men, they wouldn’t complain about a little sweat smell.

Since I wasn’t familiar with the structure of the Demon King’s Castle and followed the dedicated maid blindly, we ended up in a completely new room instead of yesterday’s audience chamber.

When I asked the maid where we were, she politely replied, “This is the office where His Majesty handles various issues reported from different parts of the territory.”

“…Oh.”

Even the Demon King has paperwork to do.

The more I think about it, the less difference there seems to be between him and the human kingdoms, aside from animal ears or horns.

Well, considering that demons are intelligent beings on par with humans, their basic lifestyles shouldn’t differ much either.

And given that the two races have interacted for long periods, influencing each other’s cultures makes sense.

Knock-knock.

As the maid knocked on the door first, a thick voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

The maid stepped aside slightly and opened the door for me.

“I’ll wait outside.”

Passing her, I entered the office, which revealed a 30-pyeong room decorated with antique wooden furniture.

Perhaps because the Demon King is usually tidy, or maybe the servants clean thoroughly, there isn’t a speck of dust on the floor.

As I curiously looked around the office, the Demon King rose from his desk and spoke.

“Please take a seat.”

Following his words, I sat on the guest sofa placed in the middle of the room.

The Demon King, who seemed to be busy with work, was holding a thick stack of papers.

Once seated opposite me, he began speaking.

“I hear you met my daughter at the training grounds?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Out of nowhere, she challenged me to a one-on-one duel, claiming she wanted to see my skills.”

At this, the Demon King chuckled wryly and continued.

“You understand, she’s been proclaiming since childhood that she would succeed me as the Demon King. She must be trying to increase her strength by any means necessary.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but express some doubt.

“The position of Demon King isn’t hereditary, though, right?”

The Demon King nodded and leaned further into the plush sofa.

“As you say, the Demon King is selected among the descendants of the original bloodline as the strongest young individual of the era. This rule has been maintained unbroken for a thousand years.”

“Original bloodline?”

“That refers to the seventy-two demons directly created by the Goddess of Power and sent down to earth. The first Demon King Octavius and the second Demon King Tiberius were part of the second generation born from their interbreeding, and all subsequent Demon Kings have been their descendants.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard this story.

Given its antiquity, it might already be forgotten history among humans.

The current kingdoms themselves were only established three hundred years ago.

“It feels quite different from the heroes’ side, where lineage doesn’t matter much.”

To this, the Demon King retorted with a hint of frustration.

“But don’t heroes always turn out to be mutants with extraordinary talent and five attributes?”

“That’s true.”

I’ve been considered a prodigy since I was young, but even so, the hero could mimic sword techniques he’d never seen before after observing them once, and after twice, he could master them completely.

If he hadn’t wandered aimlessly during our travels, he probably would have reached the level of Sword Master before even arriving at the Demon King’s Castle.

While enthusiastically discussing the overwhelming nature of the hero’s abilities, the Demon King suddenly realized the topic had veered off course and cleared his throat to return to the original subject.

“Anyway, for these reasons, my daughter strives daily towards becoming the Demon King. As her father and as a demon myself, if mother and daughter were to become Demon Kings in succession, it would be an unparalleled honor. However, it seems her direction is somewhat off.”

“In what way?”

“I don’t know where she picked up the idea, but ever since adolescence, she’s detested being treated as a woman. Consequently, now in her twenties, she hasn’t held hands with a man yet.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Demons generally live 1.5 times longer than humans. Considering this, she may not be too old to marry, but seeing a maiden of marriageable age show no interest in the opposite sex must be worrying for a father.

He probably wants to see his grandchildren soon.

With a deep sigh, the Demon King continued.

“Who knows if anyone will teach that wild child what happiness as a woman entails? Except for a few, none of her peers can keep up with her anymore, and I don’t know how to propose a marriage alliance.”

“Don’t worry. Even straw sandals have pairs; somewhere out there must be someone who can make your daughter happy.”

At this, the Demon King smiled warmly and praised me.

“Thank you, even if it’s just words. I couldn’t confide such worries to those around me or my subordinates, so I’ve been suffering silently. Fortunately, you betrayed the hero and joined us.”

“Haha, Your Majesty is really something. If not for your magnanimous character, how could I have betrayed the hero and joined the Demon King’s Army? It’s all due to Your Majesty’s grace.”

Thus, while enthusiastically flattering him, I was building camaraderie as man-to-man.

Suddenly, the Demon King exclaimed “Ah!” and placed the stack of papers he’d been holding onto the table.

“My goodness, I called you here for something important, but I’ve been rambling on about my daughter.”

“It’s fine. Between you and me, these are conversations worth having.”

Finally, the Demon King assumed a solemn expression, clasped his hands together in front of his face, and began speaking in a manner reminiscent of an evil organization boss.

“I reflected last night after dismissing you from the audience chamber.”

“Yes. About how you plan to use me?”

The Demon King nodded and provided details.

“First, as I mentioned yesterday, I’ve appointed you as the commander of my direct foreign unit. Of course, currently, you’re the only member. The creation of this unit is purely for appearances.”

“I see.”

“And for the time being, we should keep your defection to the Demon King’s Army a secret from the outside. Though it pains me to say this, there are quite a few people within the Demon King’s Army who bear personal grudges against you. Protecting you from them would expose me to public criticism.”

Hearing this, I tilted my head in confusion.

“But aren’t there already people who know I’m inside the castle?”

“All those who know are mine, so there’s no need to worry. We just need to ensure the information doesn’t leak outside.”

Impressed by the Demon King’s thorough handling, I nodded and responded.

“Well, if that’s the reason, there’s nothing to be done. For now, I guess I’ll have to wear a mask whenever I go out.”

“If you do that, I’d truly be grateful.”

Relaxing as if a burden had been lifted, the Demon King uncrossed his hands, gulped down the cold water on the table with his forearm, and wiped his mouth before speaking.

“Then, I have a favor to ask of you immediately.”

Finally, it’s here.

Straightening my posture and with a tense expression, I asked,

“Whom shall I kill?”

Startled, the Demon King waved his hands frantically.

“No, no, nothing that violent.”

“Uh?”

“We need to harvest crops in the village below the castle, but all the young people have been conscripted into the army, leaving a shortage of labor. Could you somehow assist with your magic?”

“Uh?”

Faced with the Demon King’s unexpected and earnest request, all I could do was repeat the same word like a parrot.