第１１４掘：はいじゃ本題ね
**Dungeon 114: Right, Let’s Get to the Point**
**Side: Yuki**
Hmm, hmm. Well, the origins of the Demon race are about as I expected—or perhaps I should say, if you look at the root of it, it’s a trivial matter. In any case, it’s so trivial, so mundane, that it’s not something that can be easily fixed at this late stage.
Well, that’s neither here nor there. If peace with the Demon King leading the Demon race could be achieved so easily, someone else would have succeeded by now.
"So, Zargis. Can we get to the main point?"
"Yes, of course."
As I urged Zargis to move on, everyone around me slumped over. "Slumped" might be the wrong word; to be precise, some scattered the documents on the table, while others slammed their heads into the desk. Given the reaction to my bluntness, perhaps "slumped" is the most accurate description after all.
"What’s wrong?"
"What do you mean, 'what's wrong'?! We just learned an incredible fact from Zargis's story, and you’re just going to move on like it’s nothing?!"
Seraria barked at me, sounding just like she did when we first met. It’s only been a few months, but it feels nostalgic. Should I call the "tsun-tsun" era the golden age?
"I know, but it’s not like we can do anything about it now, and our meeting is about how the Demon King will move. Zargis was just providing some supplementary information, right?"
"W-well, that’s true, but..."
Rurua also seemed unable to let go of the previous topic. It was a shocking truth, sure, but it’s a common story in the modern world. False accusations, trivial causes—and besides, we don't even know how much of that story is actually true.
"Anyway, now that we know the origins of the Demon race, let’s talk about the current Demon King’s administration."
"Administration?"
Shera tilted her head, voicing her confusion. Her rabbit ears drooped with gravity, which I found quite cute. Ratz is the same, but rabbit ears are surprisingly muscular and are often used to express emotion. Right now, Shera’s ears were twitching as if to ask, *Why? Why?*
"Yes, the administration. The political structure. From there, we can see how they might move."
"I see. Since you call them the 'Demon King,' should we assume it’s a monarchy, Zargis?"
"Yes, that’s correct. It is a monarchy. However, unlike the human kingdoms, it’s a meritocracy of sorts. Simple ability is required, but the person who becomes the Demon King is someone the Demons feel they can follow. How should I put it... is it similar to Weed’s elections?"
"Elections?"
"Yes. Well, it’s not like everyone in the population has the right to vote like in Weed, but the personnel working in the Demon King’s Castle—the equivalent of the General Government Office here—conduct the selection. They call for candidates and gather votes."
"I see. So, while there are differences, the fundamental structure isn't much different from ours."
"Exactly. Only the selection of the King is unique; otherwise, since they originally came from humans, the political system and culture are quite similar."
"So, things change depending on the King's policies?"
"Yes. They need the approval of the assembly, but most things pass."
Hmm, I see. Then I should ask about the current Demon King’s policies and personality. From that, I can predict their actions to some extent.
"Can I hear about the current Demon King?"
"Of course. We can’t do anything without knowing that. As for the current Demon King, it’s a woman named Liliana Liliana. She has quite the figure, and—*oof!*"
The moment Zargis’s story started to veer off-track, he was sent flying again.
"You idiot!! I told you not to cast such lecherous eyes on Liliana-sama, to whom we owe so much!!"
"Stinks! This brush stinks!"
"It’s for washing cows, after all."
"Don't throw such things at me! It’ll interfere with my genius brain!"
"Just rot away as you are."
Zargis and Leia began to bicker.
"Alright, alright. Leia, did the cow finish giving birth?"
"Yeah, it went well. A healthy calf."
"That’s good. Sorry, but we’re in the middle of discussing the current Demon King. As you can see, Zargis tends to get sidetracked. Can you explain instead?"
"I see, no wonder Zargis is acting like an idiot. Leave it to me. I know Liliana-sama very well."
Leia puffed out her large chest. Well, it is said to be the biggest in Weed.
*Twist.*
"Ouch!?"
"Is my chest not enough for you?"
"You can knead them to make them bigger anytime, you know?"
Seraria and Rurua, on either side of me, said this casually, though they looked angry for some reason.
"What’s wrong? Are we talking or not?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
I endured the pain of being pinched. It felt unreasonable no matter how I looked at it, but since I’m running a harem, I suppose it can’t be helped.
"Liliana-sama is famous for being part of the peace faction. She protects the land they have and strives to protect the Demons. She also possesses the ability befitting a Demon King. Even I can’t beat her. Well, even so, she can’t really talk to humans."
"Hmm, the peace faction, huh? If you guys were captured here, what do you think would happen?"
"She would definitely come to rescue us."
"Ah, Leia wasn't here, so she wouldn't know, but do you think they’d attack Weed through underhanded means? Like declaring that we’re working with Weed to isolate us?"
"That won't happen. No matter how much of a peace faction they are, they wouldn't go that far. Just because we’re in Weed doesn't mean they’d waste Demon military resources, and I don't see the point in damaging Weed."
I had summarized the situation for Leia, but she answered without hesitation.
"I see. What do you think, Zargis?"
"No concern for me, then? But I share Leia’s opinion. We left on our own accord, so I don't think they’d risk everything to take us back."
"Even if they’re the peace faction?"
"Precisely *because* they are the peace faction. We left on our own, so they can’t stir up trouble with humans just to save us."
"Ah, I see that perspective."
"Even if they were the war faction, they wouldn't do it. This Weed is inside a dungeon. I don't know how much the Demons believe it, but we’ve built a city inside a dungeon and live there. If they can think rationally, it’s easier to take other lands than to attack this place."
Well, that’s probably true. I don't know about other dungeons, but I won't let them do as they please in my garden.
"So, our policy should be to strengthen surveillance at the entrances in case any Demon scouts or spies show up."
"Agreed."
"That’s about it. If we happen to catch a spy, I want you to let me handle the talking. I promise we won't cause any trouble for Weed."
"I want the information too, so I’d appreciate the cooperation."
Hmm, the Demon King seems less active than I thought. I suppose that’s inevitable when you have a country to run.
Now, what should we discuss next? The Demon King has a country, so it seems unlikely they’ll move. What should we focus on now?