Chapter 10 (1/2)
10、Rain, Offerings, and Ascertaining the Situation (A-side)
The rain finally let up, but in its stead the fog rolled in.
The <dethroned crown=”” prince=””> Drake gathered his soldiers and had them recuperate in an abandoned castle just off the main road.
Abandoned castle though it may be, it was not very large. With Lu Gan's 300 soldiers added in, there was not sufficient s.p.a.ce for an army of 500. But even so, they slept in s.h.i.+fts to avoid the damp evening dew, though it was no small feat. A fire was also lit, as the previous lord of the castle didn't take any of the surplus firewood reserves with him.
”Evil G.o.d-sama, you have my most sincere grat.i.tude for your help earlier.”
Offerings of bread and wine were placed on a round s.h.i.+eld serving as a tray.
The Evil G.o.d's Emissary Eleena had the job of serving him.
Lu Gan was also in a position to serve him, but for now stayed seated with his soldiers. It's very likely the soldiers were too in awe or afraid of the Evil G.o.d to look upon him directly.
”No, I am also thankful that Drake was able to cooperate so flawlessly.”
The Evil G.o.d sipped on his warm wine while conversing, and seemed almost as if he were just another one of the Demons.
He had black hair and dark eyes, and his clothing appeared foreign, but he did not have the intimidating aura you'd expect of an Evil G.o.d.
Even so, Drake came to believe in this Evil G.o.d, and working together with his Evil G.o.d the <dethroned crown=”” prince=””> Drake was saved. Such a kins.h.i.+p between Demon and Evil G.o.d was unheard of.
It was something of a give and take relations.h.i.+p with the Evil G.o.d. The Evil G.o.d and Drake acted like comrades in arms, working hand in hand, eating together, all without a need for words.
TL Note: Aw yeah son, let the bromance begin!! (º﹃º) /drools - Solistia
”Now then, Eleena. I appreciate your explanation of current events, but I'd like to go over it one more time please.”
”Of course, Evil G.o.d-sama.”
○
I catalogue the information in my head that this girl, Eleena, told me. This Eleena person, with flaming red hair tied in a ponytail, is quite courteous. Throughout our earlier conversation, I was able to wrap my brain around everything pretty fast. All the things I understood and didn't understand she immediately caught on to, and explained all the important points detailed and efficiently.
I had a pretty good understanding, but my first priority now was to have someone explain the current situation we were in.
”Firstly, right now we're in an age of war.”
Drake and Eleena nodded at the same time. Apparently they weren’t real siblings, but their mannerisms were very similar.
Their parents were sworn brothers, and not only that, they were also raised together.
”And thus, Drake was caught in the middle of that chaos. All because he's from the Great Demon King's bloodline.”
”Yes. His Majesty, the previous Great Demon Lord, was my grandfather.”
I was good up to this point, but after that it got a bit confusing.
”Right now there are 3 male heirs of the Great Demon Lord's family. The <dethroned crown=”” prince=””> Drake, <bishop> Rhorkain, and <crown prince=””> Lennith. And <the northern=”” overlord=””> is backing Lennith.”
Even saying it is complicated, but basically the problem lies between Drake and Lennith. Rhorkain, Drake's uncle, isn't very involved in the conflict.
”Lennith is of matrilineal lineage, and is the son of my Aunt. His father is also a descendant from the Great Demon King's bloodline, but far removed.”
”So that means Drake's claim to the throne is more legitimate?”
”Yes.”
The sovereign Great Demon Lord died without naming a successor.
Under normal circ.u.mstances, his direct descendant Drake would become the successor, but <the northern=”” overlord=””> Xirdish interfered. According to him, Lennith should succeed the throne, not Drake. This Xirdish guy is a devious b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
In reality, he was quite elderly.
His desire for revolution had no room for Drake, so he took the previous Great Demon Lord's advisor as his p.a.w.n, and ”found” His Majesty's last will and testament. It's a common tactic used throughout history.
”And then the battle to divide the country into two....didn't happen.”
”Eh, is that so?”
”That irritating Demon Lord...”
In the Demon Lands, there were 108 Demon Lords. At least there were supposed to be.
When I asked Eleena about it, the number varied by generation. Right now there are 100, a little below the standard. All those Demon Lords were each independent ent.i.ties.
”Originally, His Majesty the Great Demon Lord held absolute power, and there were many Demon Lords discontent with that.”
”Those named 'Demon Lord' are usually chosen as representatives of clans and tribes. They are Demons who are masters of words, but can also read between the lines and recall ancestral information about their enemies.”