Chapter 38 - Coronation
"What happened?"
Instead of the hesitant Shiltnaro, Beatrice answered Clay's question.
"I gave her some education."
"Education?"
"That's right."
Beatrice smiled slightly, seating Shiltnaro in a chair.
"On how to show proper deference to the next Demon King."
"Hmm."
Just moments ago, Shiltnaro had attacked Beatrice as if to kill her.
Even with the change in circumstances, Clay expressed doubt that Shiltnaro would have simply followed her words.
"It's surprising that she followed what you said."
"Why? Because after tearing each other apart, we had a conversation?"
Beatrice chuckled again.
She lightly ran her hand down Shiltnaro's shoulder and said.
"Well, isn't it thanks to you, Clay, for demonstrating the dignity of a Demon King?"
The dignity of a Demon King.
Shiltnaro was the first subject Clay had overwhelmed, after discarding his pure Hero's body and transforming himself into a vessel solely for accepting power.
Since Clay also had never possessed such a body before, there was a slight awkwardness in his wielding of power over Shiltnaro.
But that awkwardness, conversely, became the very catalyst for Shiltnaro to vividly feel Clay's overflowing magi.
Shiltnaro was already completely overwhelmed.
"Although the demonic sword itself contains a considerable amount of magi, its basic role is to help you release your magi sharply," Beatrice continued.
In other words, no matter how much of a demonic sword Shiltnaro was, it would be useless if the one wielding it wasn't strong.
"And conversely, that means it has a nature that easily succumbs to your strength."
As Beatrice stroked Shiltnaro's cheek with her finger, Shiltnaro trembled.
"Whatever the case, this demonic sword is now yours. That means you can do whatever you want with it."
"I-I didn't say that much."
Shiltnaro spoke as if resisting Beatrice's tyranny.
"I decided to stay here. I said it was a reservation."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
Beatrice moved to stand directly in front of Shiltnaro.
"You've already lost, Shiltnaro."
"W-What...!"
"Are you going to cause a commotion again?"
Beatrice formed a question mark with her expression.
"You agreed with my explanation that it would be good to show deference to the Demon King, didn't you?"
"Ugh..."
"So, after even using respectful language, trying to save face now probably won't look very good, will it?"
Then Beatrice directed her gaze at Clay, as if asking him to add something.
"...Alright."
Clay spoke with a sigh.
"There's no need to protect your pride like before."
After all, going out to the coronation together was tantamount to announcing that the demonic sword had allied with him.
So, Clay had mentioned it with the intention that they could now converse comfortably in private, but Shiltnaro swallowed hard.
"Y-Yes, yes...!"
Perhaps, in that short time, she had replayed what had just happened and realized what an absurd thing she had done.
Clay inwardly sighed, watching her reaction.
'Perhaps it's thanks to her reason returning.'
When she was acting like a beast, she might not have known what she was doing, but having lived as a demonic sword, she couldn't possibly be unaware of how important her future conduct would be.
For the demons, and all things related to them, where strength was practically the absolute measure of rank, Clay's existence was an irresistible force.
"Shiltnaro."
Clay said.
"Tomorrow is my coronation."
The moment he would take a step as the Demon King was imminent.
"It might be a bit sudden, but I'd like you to grace the occasion tomorrow."
"Huh? Me...?"
"What you can do is already determined."
A determined task.
Shiltnaro gasped, as if understanding the meaning.
"Do you mean for me to become a weapon right now?"
"Yes."
Before proceeding with the coronation, Clay had something he needed to confirm.
"Since I haven't yet wielded you as a weapon."
If he couldn't wield her properly, he would present a disgraceful appearance before many demons.
Clay extended his hand.
"Do I need to do something?"
"Oh, no."
Shiltnaro, after a brief expression of conflict, swallowed hard and closed her eyes.
Then her form changed.
All that remained was the blade.
『I'm ready.』
A sword speaking while floating in mid-air—that sight, which he had seen during his time as the Hero, still seemed bizarre now, but Clay no longer hesitated.
He immediately gripped the sword's hilt.
CRUNCH!
A bone-twisting vibration.
Clay slightly furrowed his brow.
"Indeed."
His power was forcibly transforming through the demonic sword into a sharp essence.
A power solely for destroying the opponent.
"So this is what it was."
He had wondered how the previous Demon King could use magi sharp enough to cut through Holy Power—it was because he had such a weapon.
"Thank you, Shiltnaro."
He expressed his honest feelings.
"Regardless of how I came to possess you, I want to express my gratitude."
『...』
There was no answer.
But Shiltnaro was considerably flustered by Clay's demeanor.
It was because it was behavior the previous Demon King had never shown.
SWISH.
Clay released Shiltnaro.
"Rest until the coronation. You've worked hard."
Shiltnaro, who had returned to the form of a woman holding the blade, wore a bewildered expression before reluctantly bowing her head.
"Yes. Then..."
She turned and walked out of the room with a rather complex expression.
"You're mischievous, Clay."
Once they were alone, Beatrice spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"Shiltnaro has never been treated as a proper sentient being."
Even to the previous Demon King, she was merely consumed as a tool for revenge.
"I thought you would just overpower her again, but speaking like that would inevitably agitate her. She has no experience with it."
"I didn't specifically intend that."
"Well, I guess."
Even if he didn't intend it, Clay was different from the previous Demon King.
Despite throwing himself into darkness, he had a personality like an unyielding core.
'I wonder if that will only help you.'
Desire or anger.
These were the elements that constituted a Demon King.
Clay himself was only in this position because he possessed them.
But if that was all that defined Clay, it wasn't true.
He still possessed something from his time as the Hero.
'Just don't hesitate.'
That was entirely for Clay's sake.
'If you stop, you'll be the one who suffers the most.'
The path Clay had chosen only held meaning if he saw it through to the end.
Otherwise, only pain would remain.
"Beatrice."
Clay looked directly at Beatrice.
"No problems will arise."
Clay spoke as if piercing her thoughts.
"Because I will only show mercy to those I must protect."
Clay knew better than anyone what responsibilities came with choosing a certain position.
"If I decided to become the Demon King, then I truly will become the Demon King. As a being worthy of that position."
Clay had always done so.
Even when he was the Hero.
"So don't worry."
"Hmm~."
Beatrice nodded slightly.
"Well, I know you well too. What kind of mindset you possess."
Clay had changed.
More accurately, he was changing.
He was controlling all his words and actions to assimilate himself into the Demon King's army.
'Even the emotions he showed me...'
Concealing the tears he shed, asking what she knew about humans, Clay was injecting the role of the Demon King into himself.
"Still, don't overdo it. You can frankly rely on me."
"...Alright."
Clay's expression softened a little.
Beatrice smiled, looking at him.
A smile of acceptance, different from the one she had shown Shiltnaro.
♧
All preparations were complete.
The return of the demonic sword Shiltnaro briefly caused a commotion in Barungenia, but ultimately, it brought practical gains to Clay.
Just wielding the demonic sword was enough to give a powerful impression that Clay had inherited the position of Demon King.
"Everyone has assembled."
The next day.
Kardine bowed and informed Clay, who was seated in the office.
Clay rose from his seat.
And slowly began to walk.
Kardine immediately followed behind him.
'What could he be thinking?'
Kardine thought, looking at Clay's back.
The former Hero, Clay.
He was now wearing pitch-black clothes and walking through a dark passage.
It was a space distinctly different from the path of his past.
'Whatever it is, I know he's resolute.'
Clay showed no hint of hesitation.
Kardine didn't precisely know the circumstances under which Beatrice brought Clay here, but he could vaguely sense what she had glimpsed in him.
Determination.
The will to make those who pushed him into a deadly situation pay a deserving price resided within him.
'That's enough.'
If they could instill fear in the humans who believed themselves to be the only recognized race in the world,
If they could awaken the minds of those who, despite committing all sorts of evils by branding demons as infidels, pretended to be noble,
'Then we can repay everything our demon race has suffered.'
Kardine placed that hope in Clay.
No, every demon gathered there must have felt the same way.
WHOOSH.
Passing through the main gate of Barungenia, those gathered before it came into view.
The Gargoyles, Butcher Golche, Rin Ciart, the Slime Tailor, and others—though their numbers were small now, it seemed sufficient for the moment.
"Thank you all for gathering."
At least, for announcing the birth of a new Demon King.
"I know it wasn't easy to accept me, a former Hero."
Yet, they had accepted him.
Solely because he was the only one capable of raising the demon race.
"Even though I didn't wish for it, I am now in this position."
Clay's eyes glowed red.
"Everything will change from this moment forward. Oh, race born of the logic of power, I too shall ascend to the highest place, based on the same rule."
He asked.
"Is there anyone who opposes this will?"
There was no answer.
No, silence became the answer.
"Beatrice."
Clay spoke to the Heavenly King who had brought him here and had now drawn close to his side.
"Thanks to you, I've come this far."
She silently handed him Shiltnaro, who had returned to her sword form and was held in her hand.
Clay gripped Shiltnaro firmly.
She too seemed to accept the situation and said nothing.
Silence enveloped them like a curtain hiding the sunlight.
Clay held Shiltnaro vertically and opened his mouth.
"I, Clay, declare myself to be the Demon King..."
He announced.