3 – The Unified Demon Realm
Every change is accompanied by both positive and negative aspects. If something improves, there’s bound to be something else that deteriorates.
The same was true for me, having been unexpectedly promoted to one of the Demon King’s direct subordinates, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. While my influence within the demon castle had grown, which was a benefit of my role as a spy, there seemed to be nothing but disadvantages in any other respect.
Firstly, the workload had increased ridiculously.
From a foot soldier to, suddenly, a mid-tier manager… no, a high-ranking official, there was no way I could adapt. Without a proper handover, I was just ordered to perform tasks, making it even harder.
Another reason for the increased workload was that I ended up taking on the majority of the tasks meant for all the Heavenly Kings. Having to deal with the tasks that were meant to be shared among four, I barely had a moment to breathe. This was an even bigger problem upon reflection.
In any case, unable to cope with the deluge of tasks, I had no choice but to use a forbidden spell.
“Rein…”
“Ah, Scarlet.”
“Why am I doing paperwork…?”
It was a case of dumping work that had been dumped.
Scarlet, who had handled a few unfamiliar tasks, looked visibly exhausted. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. Despite her haggard and pale appearance, perhaps because she was a succubus, she seemed even more enchanting.
“Well, because Scarlet offered to help.”
“Did I…?”
“Why, can’t do it once you’ve tried?”
“Tch, I was just whining a bit…. I couldn’t just leave Rein to do it all alone.”
“I wouldn’t mind not helping…”
“I’m struggling just assisting you, and there’s no way Rein could do all of this by himself, right…?”
Truth be told, I could manage on my own if necessary. I was fairly experienced with administrative work, so it wasn’t too difficult.
Still, it seemed beneficial to have at least one aide. Doing everything alone was inefficient, and having Scarlet as an aide seemed like a terrible waste of talent. Definitely.
“If Scarlet is struggling, it’s fine for me to do it alone.”
“The fact that you say that sincerely, and not just out of politeness, is what’s terrible about you, Rein….”
“Huh?”
“There’s no way you’re really okay with it, so why say you are…?”
“Umm…”
Putting aside the matter of difficulty, this was a task I needed. It presented an opportunity to scrutinize the current situation and administration of the Demon King’s castle as closely as if examining through a magnifying glass, and even possibly steer them in line with my plans.
So, I felt a tinge of gratitude towards the Four Heavenly Kings who treated the task as something to be dispatched with casually. After all, all of this would eventually lead to my power.
But I couldn’t explain this to Scarlet. Once again, I had to hide the truth and only provide the facts.
“The budget that we can use in the Demon King’s castle is limited, right? That’s true for administrative power as well.”
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“Yes…?”
“It seems like the current Demon King’s castle’s support is overly focused on a few mainstream demon tribes. By changing the distribution method slightly, resources that could well have been allocated even to the minority tribes are often ignored and wasted.”
“…….”
This was an undeniable truth.
Regardless of how desolate the demon world was, logically speaking, there should be no lack of resources at the heart of all power, the Demon King’s castle. The mainstream tribes of the castle lived relatively abundant lives.
However, it was different for the minority tribes. Although fewer in number, these tribes were incredibly diverse. There were demon tribes that resembled mollusks or others that could not even be explained with conventional biological features. Naturally, their needs varied greatly as well.
The existing administrative structure of the Demon King’s castle wasn’t detailed enough to account for all these tribes. No matter how it was considered, the efficiency was poor in relation to the needed administrative resources.
This led to a significant administrative void.
“I want to fix this. Had I been powerless as before, I might have overlooked it, but now that I’ve become one of the Four Heavenly Kings, I have found ways to solve these problems.”
“Rein, why would you go to such lengths for us?”
“It’s ‘for us’, Scarlet.”
“…Thank you, Rein.”
Indeed, it was for us all.
I planned to increase my influence within the Demon King’s castle, to boost the influence of the minority tribes that followed me, and to thoroughly exploit the trust the demons had in me. As a spy and as a leader of the minority tribes, I intended to use every means at my disposal.
Even if the Demon King were to be defeated by the hero, I would remain the hope of the minority tribes forever. That is what the minority tribes would want, and what I would wish for too.
The hero from the human world will prevail over the Demon King, and the demons in the demon world will become a bit more equal. On the desolate lands of the demon world!
“I should be the one thanking you, Scarlet, for always being helpful.”
“But won’t the other mainstream tribes be displeased if you help us like that?”
“I guess not? More accurately, I have to make sure they won’t be displeased.”
“How…?”
“It’s not only the minority tribes that suffer from inefficient administration. If things go the way I plan, the satisfaction of the mainstream tribes might actually increase.”
“It sounds like magic…”
It is magic. Administrative resources don’t just duplicate themselves when you sacrifice a person.
This is all based on my experience and expertise. I knew how to distribute resources efficiently, that was why it was possible. It wasn’t merely about pouring time into it; creating one efficient structure was far more effective than wearing down several workers, especially in administration.
If not magic, what else would you call it?
Of course, as mentioned before, every change comes with pros and cons, but at least until I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings, I can cover for the downsides. Besides, I had a sizable workforce at my disposal.
“Ah, while I remember, I should collect everyone’s opinions now. Scarlett, could you call our devilish family members?”
“Yes!”
Scarlett energetically ran off, and in a few minutes, dozens of devils were assembled. The way they looked at me modestly; they reminded me of puppies waiting for praise from their master. I could have just told them to come over when they had time.
Well, it’s quicker and better to do everything at once. I patted Scarlett’s shoulder in appreciation.
Let’s see.
“Slug isn’t here?”
“Ah, Slug has been dispatched to dungeon management. Didn’t Rain advise this? A narrow dungeon would fit better than a swamp.”
“Ah, right.”
Slug was a devil in the form of a snail. When it roared with all its strength, it made a sound like an elephant, and the overwhelming pressure was no joke.
It had sticky mucus and thousands of teeth, and its incredibly slow speed was a concern. So, we suggested it might be better off working in a dungeon-like a cave. Its ability to crawl on walls by using its mucus could be utilized there.
Even if Slug was a bit slow, it was a kind fellow who listened to others well. I am a bit sad thinking that Slug had gone somewhere else.
“Is this all then?”
“Maroon will be sleeping now because it’s the night shift.”
“Ah, I’ll talk to Maroon separately then.”
I looked over the devils gathered. There were animal-like devils, such as Black Cat with cat ears and tail, a mountain madman with hair like thorns, a rat with a long beard, and even special devils with tentacles or hard shells, and a snake with two heads.
All of them were devils far from the mainstream in the devil world. Black Cat was light and fast, but had no lethal fangs. While the mountain madman was purely defensive, the rat was cunning but short-sighted, the tentacles were supple but weak. Everything considered, these devils were inferior counterparts of other species.
When they worked together, they could barely do the work of one being.
However, they were all chattering happily. I had put a lot of effort into making them drop their guard with each other. Now they host parties and dine together happily, but it was not always that pleasant.
Their self-esteem used to be crushed, and they were tightly bundled in defense mechanisms.
“Leader! Thanks for the headband you gave last time. It’s really sturdy.”
“You aren’t wearing it today.”
“Scarlett dragged me here all of a sudden. I didn’t have time to dress up.”
Mountain madman, Mono, came over with a big smile. This devil had a black and white hair resembling thorns. Usually, they were organized like normal hair, but during a battle, they could shoot out for attacking or defending.
Ironically, Mono had a complex about this hair, so I gave him a sturdy headband as a gift.
“Thanks for coming, everyone.”
“We didn’t come; Scarlett dragged us here. hehehe.”
“I’m grateful to Scarlett for bringing you.”
I briefly explained why I called them.
I sorted out the necessary items, those that hadn’t been received, the problems needed help, and the goods needed for supplementation, and also heard some disputes amongst the devils.
I asked for help where I could, and scheduled tasks that needed time. There were things that I could only know from them, not from the papers. Anyway, there was little information written on the forms in the first place.
I spent two full days and nights meticulously organizing the newly investigated materials. After all the arduous work, I finally succeeded in revamping the administrative procedures of the Demon King’s castle.
Now, all that’s left is to present this prototype to the Demon King and obtain his approval.
‘…After going to such lengths, he wouldn’t just tell me to dispose of it all, right?’
…
…
“…Therefore, it is possible to simplify the existing administrative procedures in this manner. The benefits of this change include…”
“No need for further explanations, thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“Aye, I’ve understood enough, no need to elaborate. You may proceed with this part as you wish. You don’t need my permission for future matters either. After all, you are one of the four great demons I personally appointed. You have sufficient authority.”
Phew, I nearly panicked, thinking I’d been rebuffed. Fortunately, the Demon King seems to be fond of my reform proposal.
“Rather, I have a question for you…”
“A question… your Highness?”
“Yes. Why do you go to such lengths? Your assigned role, as I requested, was merely to… be present. Couldn’t any other demon have carried out these tasks?”
It doesn’t seem to be an accusation of acting beyond my station. His tone sounded genuinely curious.
Yet, despite the simplicity of the question, I couldn’t help but feel a peculiar pressure. My position as a spy from the human realm caused this pressure.
My motive is of the sort that can’t be shared with others.
Luckily, I’d faced a similar question before, during my mock preparations against the descendant of the hero. If anything, I had perfected my excuses.
My mouth moved on its own, weaving a narrative while adeptly dodging lies, fabricating a tale with not a single falsehood.
“Like you mentioned, sire, I am a representative of the minority races in the Demon King’s castle. I am their leader, as well as a friend to all. I strive to create an environment where within the fence that is me, no one faces discrimination, and everyone lives in equality.”
“Hmm?”
“I wish not for that fence to only surround my friends and end there. I hope such can be the case within this castle, and for all minority races in this demon realm – to reach a point in our relations where we can laugh off discrimination as a mere joke.”
“I’ll ask once more. Why do you desire such a thing? There’s no need for you to take up such a responsibility.”
As a naïve youth, I once harbored such thoughts. If being a half-demon – a crossbreed of human and demon – meant facing discrimination, I reasoned that creating a world without conflict between humans and demons would end it. In such a world, one wouldn’t be discriminated against simply for being a half-demon… such was the idealistic theory I entertained.
Now, I’m all too aware that such a thing is impossible. I’ve learned far too much about the history of this world.
Thus, all I could do was offer a bitter smile. The incompetent spy, failing even in maintaining his facade, answered with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“Would it be insufficient to say that I wish to see a world where my friend can laugh freely and comfortably?”
“……”
“……”
“…hahahahaha! Ah, that’s true. A grand reason isn’t necessary, is it? I asked a foolish question. Let’s forget what I just said.”
“I will do so.”
Afterwards, there wasn’t much of any special conversation. Reporting on the work completed so far, getting some documents approved, and seeking permission for a few tasks were all.
But one thing was for sure.
Whatever I decide to do from now on, the Demon King will grant permission without hesitation. Not because I am working for him, but because he believes that the ideal world I desire aligns with the outcome he seeks.
When goals align and capabilities are recognized, there’s no need for meddling. I have persuaded the Demon King that his desired ‘unified demon world’ is also my ideal.
Of course, that is true to some extent—if the Demon King’s idea of a ‘unified demon world’ is one where all forces are gathered to confront the human world.
The unified demon world I envisage is…
A ‘paradise’ where everyone receives equal reward regardless of talent and skill.
***
Before I started my undercover job in the Demon King’s castle.
Even before I was forced to join an evil organization under the guise of a secret organization in the human world.
And earlier still, before I roamed the streets of the empire as a vagrant.
Before I was even born into ‘this world,’ where the human and demon realms coexist.
I lived in a place called the Republic of Korea of the 21st century.
Reincarnator