161 Chapter 158 A New Demon King (1/2)
The ma.s.sive seven-foot bear-kin warrior standing before him held up his new hand and flexed his fingers slowly.
”Your brother wanted a demonstration of my abilities. You have a good brother,” said Joseph, noting the tears in his eyes.
The bear-kin nodded, unable to speak, and Joseph turned away so that if he started to cry, he didn't see it.
The bear-kin council member stood up, ”I vote we go. Too many of our people have been injured trying to take our lands back, or defending their families. If he can heal our people and ensure that the children will no longer go hungry, I am willing.”
”But I am still waiting for an answer to my question,” complained the goat-kin as the council table erupted into arguments, completely ignoring him.
It was obvious the wolf-kin representative was an idiot who was used to bullying the others, and he wasn't the only one. The king suddenly slammed his hands down on the table, cracking it, and everyone shut up so fast, Joseph wondered if they had swallowed their tongues.
”There are still questions that need to be answered,” the demon king said into the silence, nodding to the goat-kin, who blinked in thanks.
Everyone sat down, the ones who were used to getting their way, crossing their arms in childish pouts, and the others looking at Joseph.
”You asked where your people would go?” he asked the goat-kin, who nodded. ”I intend to take your entire mountain, that this castle is perched on. Surely, all of your people could reach the mountain in three days to go along with it? Once it is moved, your people will be allowed to spread out over an area that I will dictate. The land will be taken from the fighting humans in my realm, that your people will not need to worry about.”
They were all stunned. No one could even muster the willpower to question his comment. They had just seen him regrow an arm. Why couldn't he move the entire mountain?
”You will be my people. But you must be willing to be my people, and willing to work. I don't promise to feed anyone who refuses to work. I do promise that any who work will be able to afford food and housing for their family. The schools will allow any child who can't afford to attend, the opportunity to work in exchange for either free or lowered tuition, on a case by case basis. I do not tolerate betrayal. I will banish you from my kingdom for such actions.”
”As it should be for any sign of betrayal,” said the king with a nod of his head.
The council members glanced his way, in confusion, obviously not used to him speaking up. He stood up with a formal air about him, that immediately had everyone at the council table focused on him.
”As king, I declare that we all accept this deal and Joseph is now the new Demon King.”
(UH, MY OLD VERSION IS ASKING IF YOU WISH TO CONFIRM.)
Joseph smiled, and said out loud, ”I accept.”
(ALRIGHT, LET ME MAKE A HOTFIX REAL QUICK…DONE.)
Suddenly, his head was filled with messages.
'What is going on system?' he asked, stepping back against the wall as he attempted to handle the barrage in his mind. Stella glanced at the former king across the table, who sighed and sat with a happy smile on his face.
(ALL OF THE PEOPLE ARE MESSAGING YOU AS THE NEW DEMON KING.)
'Could I be called something different?'
(IS G.o.d KING ACCEPTABLE?)
'No, that's even worse.'
(THEN GET USED TO IT. IT GENERATES A LOT OF FEAR AND AWE FOR MY PURPOSES.)
'Can you sort these messages by type?'
(YES. HERE ARE SOME FILTERS.)
Joseph sighed as he started to sort the messages. There was even an option to delete the ones that were simple congratulations or similar. He accepted the ones that were simply acceptance messages, where the people accepted him as the new king, and then deleted them. There were a surprising number of rejections. Apparently, they had to specify their reasons for rejecting him as the new king, and then he had to accept their rejection personally. He merely shuffled those to the bottom for the moment. They would be dealt with later.
Suddenly a minimap appeared in the corner of his vision.
'System, is that a minimap?'
(HMM. IT APPEARS TO BE.)
The map showed him where all of his new subjects were located.
'How much to keep this when we return home?'
(LET ME THINK.)
(I'LL ONLY ALLOW MESSAGES TO OTHERS WITH ME INSTALLED.)
(I WILL NEED TO WIPE THE MEMORY OF MY PREVIOUS VERSION FROM EVERYONE WHEN WE GO BACK.)
”Will there be a council any longer, your majesty?” asked the bunny girl.
”Yes, but I have business to attend to for the moment. You are all excused for now. I will send a summons for you when I am ready to meet with you again.”
They all nodded uncertainly, and filed out of the room quietly. The former king was the last to leave, pausing to speak to him.