Demon King Satanleaf
1259 Words
At this point, it’s time to briefly explain exactly what a Chancellor is. In short—a profession developed by Ira to harvest the life force of demons on a massive scale.
There are many professions in this world, and most require the consumption of magic (mana) in battle. This means that no individual can single-handedly change the outcome of a war, because people tire and replenishing mana also drains one’s energy.
This was the reason the empire suffered successive defeats against demonic invasions. Although neither side really remembers who attacked first, it is certain that before Ira’s arrival, the empire was on the brink of collapse.
The emergence of Ira and the Chancellors changed everything…
Chancellors themselves possess almost no innate combat abilities—they don’t train in martial techniques or study magic. Instead, they harness the power to steal demon mana by channeling it through their Rune Conduits. They then expend the world runes imbued on these conduits—restored over time—to manifest the mana stored in their wing pillars (their spines) as “Wings,” which are employed in a variety of killing and combat techniques.
They quickly substitute the wear and tear of their “Wings” for physical fatigue. When one pair of Wings is nearly exhausted, they immediately reload by siphoning mana from nearby demons, continuing the fight. Alternatively, when demons are densely packed, they can repeatedly employ the Wing Shatter mode—rapidly consuming their stored Wings to inflict maximum damage while swiftly replenishing demon mana by eliminating foes.
On the battlefield, they are like meat grinders, indiscriminately harvesting demon life. But this profession isn’t invincible—in fact, its weakness is glaringly obvious…
A Chancellor with no Wing reserves has not even a hint of combat power beyond that of a “normal human.”
That is why Ira’s first lesson to his subordinate Chancellors was: “Never detonate your last Wing.”
And it turns out every Chancellor followed that lesson to the letter, except… for him.
Ira regarded the Crimson Dragon Demon King before him with a scrutinizing gaze, while she, in turn, observed him from head to toe. It should be noted that despite her appearance, she was, in fact, an exceedingly cute demonic girl—a description based solely on her looks. But demons are not things to be described as “cute”; they are far more appropriately characterized as dangerous.
Ira absorbed the intensity of her appraisal. In the silence, he returned her gaze. He wasn’t entirely sure what she discerned, but he sensed one thing clearly—she was not as mighty or confident as her father.
If her father was a massive, scarlet demon dragon—a being that embodied blood and searing heat incarnate—then the little Demon King before him seemed more like a snarling, ruddy juvenile beast, resembling a feeble lizard gnawing on a scrap of dried meat. There was an ulterior motive behind her display, yet she was bluffing fiercely.
“Shilina.”
The little dragon-demon king spoke, her small, calm voice carrying clear authority. She then ordered the succubus by her side, named Shilina as well, saying, “Prepare some food for our guest.”
“Demon King? But…” Shilina protested in surprise. After glancing at Ira and then at the Demon King, she ultimately decided to obey, bowing her head meekly as she left… though the frantic swishing of her heart-shaped tail betrayed her inner unrest.
Silence fell over the cell, broken only by the quiet presence of the two headless knights standing guard outside, as the little Demon King and Ira remained alone in the cell. They exchanged steadfast gazes, yet neither spoke first.
“Ira Elcaras?”
Finally, it was the little Demon King who broke the silence. With her scarlet dragon eyes fixed on Ira, she asked in a voice strained to remain composed, “Why did you betray the empire?”
This news had apparently spread throughout the continent during the three days that Ira had been unconscious.
Ira realized this, and he could hear the complex emotions the Demon King was trying hard to conceal within her tone. Unfortunately, he was not someone who could read minds, so he couldn’t quantify her feelings in any measurable way. However… he guessed that at least 20% of her heart harbored fear.
“Put your wings through the bars, and I’ll tell you.”
Ira said this, watching as the little Demon King instinctively recoiled in alarm. Without much expectation, he simply continued, “Because of the nobles… Some of the more radical nobles. But I’m not at a loss—I lose only because of their own doing.”
After all, Ira’s faction still held power within the empire… The Ira Faction was an integral part of the empire, one that could not be easily eradicated. He hoped that Izabella would still keep them in check…
The little Demon King clearly hadn’t expected Ira to answer seriously. Her face registered genuine surprise. Yet, in retrospect, it was obvious—there was nothing left unsaid. As a prisoner, he had no reason not to cooperate.
“I find it hard to fathom why the empire would abandon a meritorious official, even punish him for his crimes… Even among the demons, your reputation, Ira Elcaras, is legendary.”
It seemed the little Demon King wanted to forge a closer bond. “Surely that can’t be a good reputation…” she continued. “But it is precisely because you are a living embodiment of terror in the eyes of our enemies that your contributions to the empire are so significant. The way the empire treats you only proves what a miserable place it truly is.”
Ira fell silent for a moment. The little Demon King’s intentions were obvious, so he paid little heed to her words. Still, he asked, “Young Demon King, what is your name?”
“I am called Satanleaf,” she replied.
The crimson demon king before him pressed her hand against the rose-patterned panel on the lace of her dress, solemnly declaring, “My race is the Crimson Evil Dragon.”
Ira had already deduced her race from her appearance, but her name struck him as rather absurd.
“Satanleaf… is it?”
Watching Satanleaf as she earnestly tried to appear sincere, Ira, for reasons he couldn’t explain, was reminded of Empress Izabella. When she once implored him to teach her statecraft, she had worn a very similar expression. Unwittingly, he recalled something Yusef had once said…
“Ah, loli! When you see that look on a little girl—like my daughter’s—you know she’s asking for help! A little assistance and she’ll be forever grateful! You wonder what look? Well, let me demonstrate… Haha, there’s no need to look like you’re about to vomit!”
Yusef! What an impressively memorable king you were!
“Mr. Elcaras!”
Satanleaf said this as she unconsciously pursed her lips. Behind her, her scarlet wings flapped lightly, and the black hair cascading over her wings danced in the wind. It seemed she had made a decision in her heart—perhaps she was taking a bold gamble…
“…If possible, please go ahead… After all, I’m nothing but a useless Demon King.”
Ira looked at the crimson wings protruding through the bars, and as he lifted his head, his eyes met those of the little girl called Satanleaf—eyes filled with decisive resolve.
- Writer
