Chapter 59
At a suitable moment, Yuurai stepped away from Fia.
Fia seemed dissatisfied, but Yuurai had no intention of being any kinder.
On top of that, Claire's gaze was laced with icy coldness, making it even harder to stay close.
Anyway, when Yuurai asked Fia for more details about the cult.
The cult has one leader and five executives, each with a title.
The Thorn that Devours Stars, Fia.
The Warhammer of Destruction, Rodi.
The Black Scripture, Lucifer.
The Beast of Calamity, Galiera.
The Bird that Heralds Death, Dievel.
The most important figure is the cult leader, who schemes to dominate the world with the power of darkness.
The five executives are generally chosen based on their strength and loyalty to the Demon King. While some command subordinates and others act alone, they all work for the cult's cause.
Their activities, until Yuurai was recognized as the Demon King, were preparations for the Demon King's birth. This included gathering followers, securing funds, increasing military strength, placing followers in key positions in various countries, and assassinating those who might pose a threat.
Incidentally, Fia mainly handles assassinations on her own.
It's strange to endlessly prepare for a Demon King whose arrival time is unknown, but in reality, it seems they were acting to fulfill the cult leader's desires. However, by viewing the Demon King as a god, they've united and apparently become an organization with considerable influence behind the scenes.
Now that the Demon King has been born, the cult is devising ways to dominate the world alongside Yuurai.
Since it hasn't been long since the Demon King's birth, they seem to be assessing Yuurai's qualities and nature as the Demon King. Fia didn't seem to understand it well, but it's likely they're considering how best to manipulate and use the Demon King.
And so, Fia had been staying in Yusef to be ready to contact the Demon King at any time. Although no instructions for contact had come from the cult, when Yuurai arrived in Yusef, Fia couldn't hold back and made contact without waiting for orders. As a result, she was restrained and rendered powerless by Yuurai.
Fia hasn't communicated with anyone from the cult since meeting Yuurai, but she believes the situation has likely been reported.
Fia doesn't know the total number of cult followers. Over their long history, it's said to exceed a million.
However, not all of them necessarily desire world domination by the Demon King. Some seem to have simply despaired of God and turned to the Demon King for a different kind of salvation.
"......Hmm. I've got a rough understanding of the cult and of you, Fia. It's really annoying that they might do unnecessary things against my will...... So, where is this cult leader? I want to meet and settle things."
"I do not know the whereabouts of the cult leader. The leader calls for gatherings irregularly, and the locations vary each time."
"I see...... Is there a way to contact them?"
"There is. The necklace I wear is a Magical Tool. When I speak a message into it, it is conveyed to the cult leader. Afterward, a message comes back from the leader."
Indeed, Fia was wearing a necklace adorned with a black gem.
(Isn't that less of a communication tool and more of a surveillance Magical Tool? Fia is constantly being watched, and everything she sees or hears is probably transmitted...... Our current conversation might be completely exposed...... Well, whatever......)
"......So, can I just speak to the cult leader like this?"
"Before that, I need to infuse the Magical Tool with magic power."
"Hmm. Can I use my magic power for that?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Alright then......"
Yuurai stood up again and approached Fia. Ignoring the enraptured gaze Fia directed at her, Yuurai touched the necklace and channeled magic power into it. The black gem began to glow faintly.
"......Cult leader, can you hear me? I'm Yuurai, the Demon King. I'd like to meet and talk. If you can meet, let me know the location. Or come to Grimoire. That's all for now."
Yuurai stopped channeling magic power. The glow faded, but it's unclear whether it truly became just an ornament again.
(......The cult has a long history and a large scale. Someone who manages all that must be a troublesome opponent......)
Even if Yuurai possessed power rivaling that of a god, she mustn't be overconfident. Yuurai reminded herself of this. There are opponents in this world who can't be countered by strength alone. If they meet, she must proceed with caution.
"......Well, that's that. Let's put aside Fia and the cult for now. We're done with what we needed to do, so let's head back to Grimoire tomorrow. If I'm away for too long, some weirdos might invade."
The tasks in Yusef and Rugimano are complete. Having unintentionally expanded her territory, various troubles are likely to arise. She'll deal with them when the time comes.
"Fia, for now, come with me. Or rather, I'll take you along while keeping you restrained."
"Yes! Please take me with you! I will never leave the Demon King-sama's side!"
"......I don't like that. I don't even like you."
Yuurai felt like abandoning Fia altogether. However, leaving her alone would undoubtedly lead to more unnecessary trouble, so she decided to take her along.
And the next morning, when the five of them stepped outside the house.
In front of the house, four severed heads were lying on the ground.
They belonged to a young man, a middle-aged man, and two young women.
Their expressions were calm, almost as if they were sleeping.
"......Huh?"
Why were there severed heads in a place like this? For a moment, Yuurai's thoughts came to a halt.
But upon closer inspection, behind the heads, a young man was kneeling on one knee.
He seemed to be nearly 180 cm tall, with refined features and pale blue hair that reached his shoulders, giving him a somewhat androgynous air.
His clothes were stained with what looked like blood splatter, making it clear that he was the one who had severed the heads lying there.
"......Now what? Who are you?"
"My name is Gildin. I have come to serve the Demon King-sama."
"......Serve me?"
"Yes. I was merely a soldier, but I was overwhelmed by the Demon King-sama's immense power and decided to dedicate myself to serving you."
"......Don't decide that on your own. So, what's with these severed heads?"
"These individuals were plotting rebellion against the Demon King-sama, so I dealt with them by my own hand."
"......Ah, I see."
Having someone eliminate potential enemies could be helpful in a way.
However, it's troublesome to have someone act on their own without being ordered to do so.
It might create the impression that the Demon King punishes anyone who shows the slightest defiance.
(Even if executions happen without my consent, it just damages my reputation. Why do they act on their own like this...... Are all the people drawn to me complete idiots?)
"......Did I ask you to do something like this?"
"I acted on my own judgment, thinking it would be of help to the Demon King-sama."
"Whether it's Fia or you, stop doing things I didn't ask for. I don't want to rule through violence or fear."
Yuurai kicked the young man in the face. Perhaps not expecting the attack, he neither dodged nor defended himself. His head snapped back, and he fell backward, hitting the back of his head on the ground.
Yuurai kicked with enough force that she wouldn't have minded if his head came off, but the young man seemed to have a somewhat sturdy body, as his head remained attached.
"D-Demon King, sama......!?"
The young man was still conscious. Blood streamed from his nose, but that was all.
"I'm sick of thinking that more people like you will keep showing up. Don't assume I'm pure evil just because of the Demon King image. Though I've killed tens of thousands, don't act like you're justice personified either."
Yuurai kicked the confused young man's head once more. She considered kicking him hard in the groin but refrained, considering her past as a man.
"I-I just, for the sake of, Demon King, sama......!"
"That's exactly what I'm saying doesn't help me! Don't assume I'm just mindlessly killing people! Don't ever do something like this again!"
By the time she stopped kicking, after he lost consciousness, the young man's face had changed drastically. His handsome features were ruined.
"Haa...... Can I really go back like this? If I don't keep watch, will more people hurt others without regard for my will?"
As Yuurai sighed in frustration, Claire responded.
"I think more people who misunderstand will show up. Even if actual governance is left to the guild leader, it might be better for you to make your intentions as Yuurai clearer."
"......I guess there's no helping it. It's a hassle, but I can't let people like this run rampant......"
What a pain.
With a heavy sigh, Yuurai decided to stay in Rugimano a little longer.