An Emperor’s Duty

Editor(s): Speedphoenix, Joker

“Thank you, Yuki. We really couldn’t have done it without you. I’d like to talk to you about a whole lot of different things, but I think you should see some of our medical staff first. I’ll call them over immediately,” said Phynar. “To be perfectly honest, I’m not really sure how you’re still standing or why you seem like you’re perfectly fine. The amount of negative mana you have in your system right now should be enough to kill just about anyone.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t say I’m perfectly fine. I am feeling a bit sluggish.”

“Normally, you’d be a lot worse for wear than just that.”

Having noticed that I was still somewhat affected by all the negative mana that had eaten its way into my body, the demon king asked someone to call for some of the field surgeons hovering around nearby.

“So…. what now?” I asked, as they started looking at and treating me.

“I think it’s safe to say that this war is as good as won. There may still be a battle or two, but their capital has already fallen into our hands. They retreated as soon as they unleashed the dragon. I suspect they were under the impression that we wouldn’t be able to defeat it.”

“You think they had any idea what they were going to do if it kicked our asses? ‘Cause it looked to me like they didn’t actually have it under control. It was kind of doing whatever the fuck it wanted.”

Gallia had been more or less totally destroyed. I had certainly played a part in its demolition myself, but most of it was undoubtedly the helldrake’s work.

“Oh, don’t be silly. I’m sure they had something or another in mind. They didn’t raise it just so that it would destroy everything, after all,” said the demon king. “Oh, and I know that this is totally unrelated, but I’ve been a teensy bit curious about it for a while now. Are all the severed right hands on the ground yours?”

“Yeah. Hurt like a bitch every time.”

“I… see. I think it’d be best if I didn’t ask for any more details,” he laughed awkwardly. “Thankfully, we’ve managed to clean up all the undead as well, largely thanks to your pets. All there is left to do now is to capture the emperor, and we’ll be done.”

“I have him right here.”

A man dressed entirely in black walked over. He wasn’t alone, there was another less conscious man slung over his shoulder. I swear I’ve seen this guy before… I think his name was supposed to be Lunogill or something? Dude was one of the king’s strongest guys.

Analyzing him proved that my memory had served correctly.

“Lunogill! I didn’t think you lived. What a wonderful surprise.”

“I’m terribly sorry that I wasn’t able to provide you with any timely reports, Sir. I happened to run into a few minor setbacks along the way,” he said, before turning my way. “And Yuki, it is a pleasure to see you again. Thanks for all your help.”

“Yeah, we pretty much haven’t seen each other since the last time I was in the demon realm. So is that guy who I think it is?”

“He is,” said the secret agent, as he dropped his hostage. “He’s Draggodt, the emperor.”

The impact caused the man to awaken with a groan. After blinking a few times and examining his surroundings, he sat up and immediately began to speak.

“Did the Hadean Helldrake fail?”

“It did. Quite the awful surprise you had in store for us, Emperor Rogarde,” said the femboy. “Oh, I should introduce myself, seeing as how this is the first time we’re meeting in person. I’m Phynar Leginerris Satalunia, King of the Demon Realm.”

“I’ve heard of you, yes,” said Draggodt. “Your reputation marks you as wise and sharp. And that’s exactly what I—wait. You.”

The emperor suddenly called out to someone standing off to the side. Yours truly.

“What?”

“You’re a demon lord, aren’t you? I’ve some information on you courtesy of the labyrinth and its functions, and that was the understanding I came to. Your ability to defeat the helldrake only seems to cement that theory, and if it is true then I can see why I have lost.”

I spent a moment contemplating the consequences of my answer before going ahead and stating the truth.

“Yup. You’re right. I’m a demon lord.”

“I knew it,” he muttered. “King Phynar, is this demon lord someone that you believe to be trustworthy?”

The demon king narrowed his eyes, as if racking his mind for the question’s purpose before finally giving an answer.

“…Yes, I believe so. As I’m sure you’ve seen, one way or another, he put his life on the line for the sake of supporting our forces.”

“…I see.”

The emperor shut his mouth, closed his eyes, and took several deep breaths.

“I do not mind surrendering, but I have a condition I would like you to meet.”

“