Stepping out onto the balcony in front of the castle, I saw the city below packed tightly with citizens all looking up at us.
「There are so many people…」
「I didn’t know this many lived here…」
「Indeed…」
While we were surprised by the huge crowd, Noctarl-san stepped forward. Gradually, the noise died down.
「Everyone! We thank you all for gathering today for the introduction of the new Demon King and his wives!」
「「「「「Waaaaaaaahhh!!」」」」」
「Congratulations, Princess!!」
「Hey, isn’t that the girl who sometimes patrolled the streets?」
「Wait, is that the Saintess over there?」
「「「「「Who’s that guy?」」」」」
Such voices reached us. Wait… does nobody know who I am? I’ve been doing patrols and errands around town quite often though…
「Now then, everyone! The person standing here is the new Demon King!」
「「「「「Ehhh～!?」」」」」
Don’t sound so shocked… it actually makes me a little sad…
「You may have your doubts, but he is far stronger and wiser than any of us!」
The crowd stirred at those words. Demons generally do not discriminate against humans, but they still believe they are superior in lifespan and power.
「With that strength, he suppressed the disturbances at the border and built an entire city in the blink of an eye!」
「I heard about that… the Demon King-sama destroyed the spot where the human army was going to clash with us and ended the conflict… so that was the new Demon King-sama…」
「Come to think of it, a new town appeared near the royal capital recently. I heard they have some baths called ‘Thermae’ that are really popular…」
「That’s the one! I’ve been there too!」
「He actually built something like that… he’s amazing…」
The city square grew noisy, mostly talking about the baths… Well, I knew the baths were so popular that I had two more built, but I didn’t realize so many people from the royal capital had already visited…
「Thank you, new Demon King-sama～!」
「Thanks to you, my son was able to come home～!」
Somehow… this isn’t quite the reaction I expected… but it’s fine. At least no one is saying anything bad.
「To be accepted in this way… it really surprises me…」
「It does! But this is just like Yuuki-san!」
「As expected of Yuuki-sama!!」
The three of them were smiling with satisfaction. By the way, why is Liliana linking arms with me…?
「Now then, new Demon King, please step forward!」
Called by Noctarl-san, I moved to the front. Everyone turned their eyes toward me with curiosity.
Their gazes mixed with expectation, envy, and a slight hint of hostility.
「Yuuki-dono, please say a few words.」
「Yes…」
I have stood in front of large crowds several times, but I still can’t get used to it. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
「Everyone, I am Kaminagi Yuuki. I was recently married with the Princess and inherited the title of Demon King. From now on, your daily lives will change in many ways, but I intend to respect tradition and work hard as your new king!」
I bowed. After a moment of silence, applause rose from the city below.
――――Pat pat pat pat!
The applause gradually spread like a flood, turning into a roar of countless voices that became impossible to make out.
「You really said something bold.」
Noctarl-san stood beside me and spoke.
「Well, when I patrol the streets on watch duty, those problems really stand out…」
Even after renovations, the city has barely changed in over two thousand years.
「I was right to leave it to you after all.」
「I’m leaving all the actual work to you though…」
「Hahaha, that can’t be helped. I have decades of experience built up. Besides, what I’m counting on from you is your knowledge and your desire for peace.」
Once the excitement calmed down, it was finally time for the main event: presenting the wedding tokens to Liliana and the others.
「Now then, let us proceed to the engagement ceremony!」
At those words, Liliana and the others stepped forward.
「Demon King-sama, here you are…」
Lattiti, dressed in formal attire, brought three tiaras.
「Thank you, Lattiti.」
Alright, starting with Liliana.
「Yuuki-sama, I have been waiting for this day…」
「Sorry. I really wanted to do this a little sooner.」
「No, it’s perfectly fine this way!」
She turned her head toward me. When I placed the tiara on her head, cheers erupted.
「Next…!!」
The moment I turned toward Amilia, a massive arrow as tall as a person suddenly flew toward us.
――Gakin!!
I instantly drew the sword from my spatial storage (item box) and sliced it down, then looked in the direction it had come from.
「Yuuki, look!!」
「Yeah, I see it…」
A gigantic evil god was writhing at the entrance to the royal capital. It was probably an assassin who had been repelled by the guards outside the city.
「Yuuki-sama!」「Yuuki!」「Yuuki-san!」
All three of them drew their equipment and took combat stances. At this distance, Liliana and I would be the best combination…
「The distance is far, so Liliana and I will fly over… wait, Amilia!?」
Amilia leaped forward in a single bound, jumped over the crowd, and landed on the roof of a private house. Then she kicked off so hard that the roof tiles nearly peeled away and dashed forward.
「If someone interrupts my turn, of course I’ll get angry!」
「Yuuki-sama! Leave this place to us and go after Amilia-san!」
「Got it! I’m counting on you!! 『Blood Battle Magic Armor Deployment』」
I covered my entire body with blood-rage magic armor and combined it with my magic outfit for reinforcement. The appearance looked like a mix between a knight and a certain rider.
I spread my wings from there, mixing leaps and gliding to catch up with Amilia.
「Amilia!」
「Yuuki…」
When I saw her face, it was an indescribable expression mixed with anger and sadness.
「Amilia, let’s quickly crush that thing and get back to the ceremony!」
At those words, Amilia’s eyes widened for a moment, then she smiled.
「You’re right! We’ll defeat it quickly and let everyone see the rest of our special day!」
We leaped over the city wall and landed right in front of the evil god.
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