Chapter 31
Ariella’s mouth hung open, unable to speak for a moment.
“…I didn’t know. If you defeat the current Demon King in battle, you automatically become the new one.”
“Wait. Let me get this straight.”
Her head throbbed.
“So, you becoming the Demon King wasn’t even your choice?”
Ludwig confirmed with silence.
Ariella was stunned.
So Ludwig had never wanted to rule this land in the first place.
I knew it. He’s not the type to care about that stuff.
If he’d really been interested in ruling, he would’ve at least prepared a little… like learning how to read.
“You couldn’t refuse? Tell them you didn’t want to rule a territory like this?”
“That’s the same question I asked my subordinates that day.”
Right after accidentally becoming Demon King, Ludwig had asked if there was a way to avoid the role.
The answer? There’s no such thing.
“The moment I killed the previous Demon King, my soul connected to the sun. That means I have to protect this Demon King’s Domain no matter what.”
“Because if you don’t… you die?”
“Because if I don’t… I die.”
The magic linking the Demon King to the sun was part of the laws that shaped this world. Just like humans couldn’t control the sun’s orbit in their world, demons couldn’t change the sun’s rules here.
So that’s why.
At last, she understood how a demon with no idea about territory management ended up becoming Demon King.
Ariella tested him with another question.
“So… you still don’t want to be Demon King?”
Had he been forcing himself to do something he hated just to survive?
Ludwig snorted.
“I didn’t know, but it’s the path I chose. I’ll accept it.”
“You didn’t choose to be Demon King though.”
“I did choose to cut down the demon who picked a fight with me at the fishing pond.”
“And you didn’t know that demon was the previous Demon King?”
“That’s no excuse.”
He stared at her quietly. In his ruby-red eyes, her face was reflected.
“When I made the contract with you, I also didn’t know we’d be sharing our lives from then on.”
That was true.
“But should I abandon you because I didn’t know? If I did, we’d both die. It’s the same with the territory.”
Becoming Demon King and making a contract with Ariella — both had happened unexpectedly.
The biggest similarity? Ludwig had chosen without knowing all the facts.
“Doesn’t it feel like a burden? This land, the people living here… maybe you even resent them?”
If it weren’t for the Demon King’s Domain, Ludwig could be roaming the Demon Realm freely instead of struggling like now.
But his reply melted away her worries.
“You’re saying foolish things today. I thought you were a smart human.”
“…Huh?”
“Just like I protect you, the people of this domain are also under my protection. That’s all. No need to think about liking or hating them.”
He had taken responsibility, so he would carry it out — no excuses.
“I’ve wandered many lands since I was young, seen all kinds of people. Their lives change depending on the ruler they serve.”
“You noticed that?”
“I may be uneducated, but my eyes and ears work fine. I listened to them, saw how they lived.”
He paused, then continued.
“…If you think about it, because I killed that drunken fool, the people here were forced to accept me as their Demon King. They had no choice.”
In other words, they’d been dragged into this without any say.
“They’re worse off than me. They didn’t want this, but they still have to obey me. Whether they live or die depends on what I do.”
Ariella nodded in agreement.
She had once been heir to a kingdom. She knew how much a ruler’s actions affected the people.
“One year ago, I didn’t even know who I was killing. That was my mistake. But my people shouldn’t have to suffer because of it.”
If a ruler ignored their duties, the people’s lives would collapse.
“That’s why I’ll do what I can.”
Ariella remembered when she had summoned Ludwig.
He said it was his first vacation since becoming Demon King.
She also recalled how often he’d gone to the front lines himself before Bephar’s death.
It’s not forced. He’s doing it because he believes it’s his duty.
She looked at him. His profile was still boyish, but today, he seemed… more grown up.
Although it was still day, the further they went from Ludwig’s domain, the darker it became. The light faded because they were moving away from the sun tied to him.
Without its magic and life force, even the plants disappeared from view. Naturally, so did any sign of animals.
I knew the sun was important, but this much…
Then, slowly, the world brightened again. They had entered the range of the neighboring Demon King, Delac.
“Come out, both of you. We’re almost there,” Richmond called.
When the rough downhill path leveled out, he stopped the carriage.
The outside was now much brighter.
“Ah! Fresh air!” Ariella stretched and breathed deeply.
The old carriage still smelled terrible even with the windows wide open. Not just musty — but like something had died inside.
I should check the floor later.
She didn’t even want to imagine what the previous owner had done in here.
Compared to this, the driver’s seat outside seemed more comfortable.
Did he take that spot on purpose?
She eyed Richmond suspiciously, but he only spoke calmly.
“First, we need disguises.”
“Disguises?” Ludwig’s brow twitched.
“Since Your Majesty took the throne, there’s been no official contact with Delac’s territory, but they probably know what you look like.”
Black hair and red eyes were rare even in the Demon Realm.
“True. Showing up like this is basically announcing you’re the Demon King next door.”
The two domains weren’t enemies, but they weren’t allies either.
“%$#@!” Richmond chanted, and magic rippled in the air.
Is this transformation magic? Ariella instinctively widened her eyes.
The magic waves were complex yet smooth, like clockwork gears turning in water. It was almost… art.
She felt every hair on her skin react to it.
Then—flash!
Ludwig’s appearance changed to a more common-looking demon.
But he didn’t seem pleased.
“This gloomy magic is so you, Richmond. Sticking it on me is disgusting.”
“…That’s harsh.”
Richmond conjured a water mirror, showing Ludwig’s new face.
“What’s with this stupid-looking face?” Ludwig muttered.
Ariella grinned. “Mission accomplished. No one will think that guy is a Demon King.”
Then it was her turn. Flash!
“Oh, I have horns now?” She touched her forehead.
Two small, real horns had grown.
“If they find out you’re human, it’ll draw unwanted attention,” Richmond explained.
Then he transformed himself — the robed skeleton disappeared, replaced by a gray-haired demon youth.
Watching his magic, Ariella suddenly asked, “If you can transform, why not stay like that in our domain? Like a normal demon.”
“Why should I?” he replied.
She hesitated. The truth? She just thought he looked better without the skeleton form.
But Richmond only chuckled. “It’s just a thin layer of flesh. Why waste magic on that?”
Still, Ariella thought his skeletal appearance was why most residents feared him.
“You don’t care what others think?”
“I never did, even before I became a lich. You only live twice — no time for worrying about stares.”
With that, the three, now disguised, entered Delac’s domain.
And there, Ariella was shocked. Twice.
