Several days after I saw Stolas off, I spent time to think on what to do next while also improving my war potential.

Young Demon Lords had formed a faction focused on going against me. That being the case, I had no intention of dealing the first blow. So long as they haven’t actually done anything, there was no need to be more cautious of them than I would with other Demon Lords.

“But as to be expected, a faction being formed against me is worrisome.”

A young Demon Lord wasn’t the same as a new Demon Lord like me. For one, after living a few decades, their ambitions were burning hotter than ever before—and perhaps ever will.

Catching up to them in half a year was a tall order, but if things were to go as I feared, I had to do it regardless. I could form my own faction, but unless it was very strong, it would be useless. To be blunt, putting together war potential that could barely match the strength of multiple older Demon Lords would ordinarily be impossible.

…which is why I should do something not ordinary.

“The very first goal I should do is make a new S rank monster.”

S rank monsters, including Kuina and the others, were worth at least 10 A rank monsters which most other Demon Lords would already consider their trump cards. Even one could potentially change the tide of battle.

And the only one that could make them almost freely was me.

Soon, the 1-month cooldown restriction would be over and I could then again make another [Creation] medal which I could use to make another S rank monster. Considering that I would make that monster be able to level up, it was best that I make it as soon as I obtain the new medal. After all, without any large-scale battles that Kuina and the others were able to gain ma.s.sive amounts of experience points from, it would take some time before the new monster caught up in levels.

“The first question is: which medals do I use?”

For me to make an S rank monster, I needed at least one other original A rank medal other than my [Creation]. And at the moment, the only A rank medal I had was the [Time] medal. Aside from it being my only one, it was a very powerful medal, so I saw little reason not to use it for the new monster. The question then was what to use as the last medal.

“Whatever medal it is, the new monster has to have the ability to fight in the other dimension.”

I said so while remembering what Ruru did during our campaign to save Marcho.

Ruru was my only S rank monster that could fight in the other dimension. Because of that and the overwhelming amount of enemy forces there, she was forced to use a risky ability of hers. By doing so, she was able to hold the line, but it was at the cost of corrupting herself.

According to her, she could still revert after a second use, but a third use would definitely cause her to lose herself forever and be someone—or something—else. So, for her to not have to use it another time, it was imperative that I make monsters that could help her in the other dimension.

“But how could I obtain more medals?”

It might be fine for now, but I needed to find a reliable source of original A rank medals. One way was to destroy another Demon Lord’s crystal. By doing so, I would gain the ability to make that Demon Lord’s medal. It wouldn’t increase how many medals I could make in a month—which was still limited to one per month—but it would increase my options.

In my case, other than my [Creation], I could also make [Evil], [Viscosity], or [Steel] medals if I wanted to. However, those 3 were just B rank medals, so I wasn’t excited in using them.

If they were A rank medals though, that would mean that I could use them with my [Creation] medal to make an S rank monster once every two months.

“I should aim to break the crystal of a Demon Lord who has an A rank medal. Is it time to break the crystal in the [Crimson Cavern]?”

Marcho had already given me permission to do so.

Should I go with it, the [Flame] medal would be added to my pool of options when making a medal. On the other hand, I would then lose such a convenient hunting ground for leveling up my monsters.

“No, wait… Marcho still has [Demon Lord Powers], right? Is it possible that other than still being able to manage her dungeon, she could also still make medals?”

Despite becoming a monster, Marcho still retained her Demon Lord abilities through a skill. If she could still make medals, I could ask her to give it to me.

I need to verify this as soon as possible.

If things went as I imagined, the new monster would be made using [Time], [Beast], and [Creation]. It would be a monster very similar to Fel the Celestial Wolf, but also be entirely different.

[Time] had great affinity for different-dimension monsters. The [Beast] medal, meanwhile, was very versatile and could work with almost all combinations. And, if I changed my [Creation] medal into one that could provide excellent different-dimension abilities, I just might be able to make an ideal different-dimension monster. Needless to say, I was looking forward to it.

“But before anything else, there’s something that I have to do. She should be arriving soon from the royal capital. It wouldn’t do to make her wait more than she already has. Alright, I should finish all the remaining work.”

I said so and tackled on the remaining paperwork.

◇

I had finished the paperwork at last.

With just enough time to spare too. Today’s the day she’s coming back to Avalon. I bet as soon as she comes back, she’s going to go to my estate and complain about how much of a slave driver I am. She’s going to slip the idea of a bonus for her work too.

While I was thinking of such, a bell notified me of incoming visitors.

“Master, the preparations in the a.s.sembly hall are going well!”

“A surprise party truly is quite the tasteful choice, my lord.”

The ones that entered were Aura the Ancient Elf and Duke the Black Dragon of Death Siegwurm.

They were the ones I entrusted with the preparations for the surprise party.

“Thanks for your hard work. I just thought it’s the kind of thing she’ll like… on another note, Duke, how are the souvenirs I gave you?”

Upon hearing my question, the middle-aged dragonewt showed a broad grin on his face.

When I said souvenirs, I meant the corpses of the artificial heroes that attacked us in the royal capital.

“They have been turned into my subordinates, my lord. They have further strengthened our undead corps. There is one issue though: the graveyard dungeon room is now too populated. It seems the number of corpses from Marcho-sama was more than we have antic.i.p.ated.”

I didn’t foresee such an issue happening. Without doubt, the number of adventurer corpses from Marcho’s dungeon were a lot, but I didn’t think it would be this many.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll make a new dungeon floor. The original graveyard room will now be used for  the bread factory and the weapons factory only. Meanwhile the undead corps will be moved to the two graveyard room I’ll add in the new floor. As for the last dungeon room in the new floor, I’ll add a valley so that the Darkness Dragons can fly around freely there… hmm, no, before that, I should add another [Mine] instead. Half of all the golems, except those in charge of the city’s defense, will remain in the original [Mine] while the other half will be moved to the new one.”

“That will be a great help. I’m sure everyone will be delighted with this news.”

The undead corps wasn’t the only force that had exploded in numbers.

Through the two [Maelstrom] I bought, the number of my Darkness Dragons increased automatically by two each day. There were also the low-ranking golems made daily by the Dwarf Smiths, and of course, the Avalon-Ritters made by Rorono.

Coupling this daily increase in war potential with the fact that my dungeon only had two dungeon floors and also the increased risk of being attacked, increasing the number of floors in my dungeon could be said as an inevitable task.

“Master, I have a proposal in regard to our goal of increasing our war potential.”

It was pretty unusual for Aura to say such a thing.

Naturally, I was quite interested in any method to improve our war potential besides those that I had already tried.

“Tell me. What is this proposal?”

“Let’s use the [Evil] skill you’ve obtained and make a child! If you make a child with an S rank monster, S rank will be the least–”

“Proposal rejected.”

I interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. In response though, she puffed her cheeks.

Breaking another Demon Lord’s crystal not only allowed one to make that other Demon Lord’s medal, but also use their Unique Skills. As a sort of limitation however, one could only use up to three Unique Skills other than their own.

In my case, however, [Steel] was pretty much just an inferior version of [Creation], [Viscosity] was frustrating to use, and [Evil] was completely out of the question.

“I thought it was a good idea though…”

“Sorry for saying it like that. It’s just contradicts with my set of values. You girls are my important daughters, you hear?”

The [Evil] Unique Skill allowed its user to impregnate humans and monsters, with the child becoming stronger than the mother.

It wasn’t that I never thought of using this ability, it was just that I didn’t want to use it on them. I wasn’t inclined to a.s.saulting adventurers either.

“What a shame. Oh, hmm, it seems Ruru-chan has come back.”

Thanks to Aura monitoring the surroundings using her wind, she was the first to know that Ruru has come back.

Soon enough, the door to my estate opened.

“I’m back. I’m finally home after going around three cities. Patron, you’re such a slave driver! I should be asking for a bonus now.”

Ruru has just returned from a tour to the three new cities we built a church in. Since Prince Leonard no longer needed to be guarded, she was free to focus in the wors.h.i.+p meetings.

The plan was for her and the Ocean Singers to visit each of the three cities and the royal capital once every week. They were to sing while those that would attend the wors.h.i.+p meetings enjoyed a special wine called [G.o.d’s Smile].

According to the reports, we were a hit in every city.

“Very well. For your hard work, your salary would be increased from next month onward.”

“Ah, I was just kidding. But if you’re willing to give, I’m not going to complain. Thank you, Patron.”

As money-grubbing as always.

“Also, sorry to be sudden, but I have an important task for you in the dungeon proper. Let’s go there right away.”

“Eeeeehh. But I just got back. I’m tired. I wanna rest instead.”

“Are you sure? Even if I say you’ll regret it if you don’t follow me? I’ve prepared a special reward and all, you know.”

“Say that sooner, Patron. Well, come on, let’s go already!”

In a complete 180, Ruru leaded the way.

At that, Aura and Duke both chuckled.

Alright, time to do what I should have done long ago.

◇

After some time, we arrived in the graveyard dungeon room. There, most of the monsters in Avalon were gathered.

Food and drinks were aplenty. The High Elves played instruments, the Ocean Singers sang to that tune, and the Mythological Foxes danced, gleefully shaking their tails.

“Patron, what’s going on here?”

“It’s a celebration.”

“A celebration for what?”

“For you, of course.”

After replying so, I took her hand and led her to the prepared stage.

“Sorry for being late, everyone. But, at last, the star of our show has come!”

The monsters cheered.

Meanwhile, Ruru was pretty confused with what was going on. It would seem that although she normally had good intuition about things, when it was about her, she was rather slow on the uptake.

“To recognize your distinguished service and devotion to Avalon, I am going to give you a name and make you a special monster. However, know that this name comes with the duties and responsibilities expected from a member of Avalon’s top executives. Are you ready for that?”

I asked her so and stretched out my hand.

I couldn’t give her a name unless she was ready for the responsibilities it entailed. As a special monster, she had to be ready to support and protect Avalon with me.

“Oh, so it’s that. Ahaha. You’re so sly, Patron. What a surprise attack. But, thank you. This has made me so incredibly happy.”

Now fully knowing what was going on, R’lyeh Diva smiled and then continued speaking.

“But asking me whether I’m determined enough for that is kind of a silly question, don’t you think? I love this city and you, Patron, and I would do everything to protect you all. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have gone so far as to use that power, right? So, I swear that even after I receive my name, I shall continue to protect Avalon and you at whatever cost.”

Ruru answered so with a smile before taking my outstretched hand and shaking it.

“I have confirmed your resolve. R’lyeh Diva, from here on, you shall be known as… Ruhe.”

The moment I said her name, tremendous amounts of magic power flowed out of me along with my Demon Lord powers, and into Ruhe.

Upon naming a monster other than their would-be [Monsters of the Covenant], a Demon Lord had to one-sidedly bear the burden of the naming due to the lack of a special connection present in the former.

That being said, even if it was only while my powers were flowing to Ruhe, I did feel a connection between the two of us. She was always joking around and teasing people, but deep down, she had the most affectionate and considerate heart out of all others.

After a while, the flowing out of my powers ended.

Unlike when I named Duke, I felt better. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say I didn’t feel as weak. Naming S rank monsters truly was taxing.

Still, in order for her not to worry or feel guilt, I tried to hide my weakened state.

Just smile, I told myself, this is the time to show your willpower.

“Ruhe… my name is Ruhe.”

“Yes. In an old and forgotten language, it had the meaning of peace.”

After much deliberation, I concluded that Ruhe was the most fitting name for her.

“Fufufuu. What, are you serious, Patron? Peace is so not me.”

“It is my wish that someday, Avalon would be truly peaceful and free of conflict. In that dream of mine, I always picture you singing songs you genuinely love. Won’t you help me accomplish this silly little dream of mine… Ruhe?”

When I said so, Ruhe, who had tears falling from her eyes, smiled.

“Again, what a sly way to say things. But as I thought, you’re hopeless without me, aren’t you? Alright, I’ll support you, Patron. And, when this city is finally and truly peaceful, I promise I’ll sing of love.”

With her accepting and appreciating her name, the ceremony was over. My monsters clapped their hands and shouted their congratulations.

By the way, it didn’t seem like she has noticed it yet, but the black markings on her skin—which she got when she used that power—looked a tiny bit fainter than before.

Could it be that the naming allowed her to purify herself a little bit?

“Ruhe, sorry to ask so soon but I have a request. Won’t you sing us a song? Preferably one that matches what you are feeling right now?”

“Well, if you insist, I’ll play along with your selfish wishes.”

In contradiction to her words, Ruhe seemed happy as she began singing.

Meanwhile, my monsters and I were enthralled as we listened. By far, it was the most beautiful and heart-warming song I have ever heard. It was a song that could make anyone who heard it feel happy.

TL note:

1. Just as a sort of disclaimer, the Demon Lord Powers referred to when naming is 魔王力. The Demon Lord Powers all other times is 魔王権能. I think I have translated the latter as Demon Lord Authority before. To me, they sound to function pretty much the same so I’m going to translate both as Demon Lord Powers until a distinction is made clear.

2. If you recall, Procell has also regained the [Bow] Demon Lord’s abilities by killing them. I don’t see anything about that mentioned here though. I don’t know how that fits into the whole mechanics of things either, but I’m going forward with the a.s.sumption that it fits nicely.

3. Lastly, as far as I can tell, Ruhe is German. It’s written as ルーエ /Rue.