The Study at Midnight

Author: Unicoon
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8138gc/6/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Late at night.
The hour even vampires have gone to sleep.
A small light burned in King Zenon’s study in Romulus Castle.

King Zenon sat on a lavish sofa, knocking back drink.
On the sofa across from him sat a slim man, a little older than the king.

“The Demon King’s arrival… I was surprised when I heard.”

The man tipped a glass of ice with a clink.
Rudolf, one of the ministers who held up the Kingdom of Romulus.

“And then enrolling that Demon King in the academy… I truly wonder what Your Majesty is thinking…”

“Sorry. I didn’t consult you.”

“I’m not attacking you. I’m worried.”

Rudolf’s manner was far too blunt for a king.
That tone and bearing were also a measure of how much they trusted each other.

“But a Demon King… is she the real thing?”

“Who knows. There’s no way to confirm it. However…”

King Zenon drained his glass in one go, ice clinking.

“I think she’s real.”

“May I ask your grounds?”

“Two. First: her combat ability is outstanding. There may not be a single person in the Kingdom of Romulus who can match Ulrika.”

Rudolf’s eyes went wide.

“Not a single person in the country? That’s overstating it, surely?”

“It isn’t. If anything I meant it as an understatement. The strength that brushed Govan aside was tremendous. A Holy Knight was, quite literally, an afterthought.”

“That Govan, an afterthought… I still can’t believe it…”

In the quiet study, ice chimed in the glass.

“And the second?”

“My gut instinct.”

“Instinct, is it…”

“Closer to ‘awe’ than instinct.”

Rudolf started.
Seeing that, King Zenon grinned, as if enjoying the reaction.

“Awe? King Zenon, known as a wise king, speaking of awe—what kind of joke is that?”

“It isn’t a joke. The presence and pressure I feel from Ulrika are the kingly aura of someone on a far higher peak. At the very least I wouldn’t come close to her feet…”

“For Your Majesty to go that far…”

“She said she wanted to attend school, but I’m the one who wants to learn from Ulrika.”

The clock’s ticking filled the study.
Time flowed quietly as King Zenon and Rudolf drank, slowly.

“Even so, of all places, Romulus Academy… that institution isn’t straightforward.”

The talk of the academy made King Zenon frown.
He listened, looking troubled.

“Romulus Academy is an educational institution fully independent of the monarchy. Under the principle that ‘scholarship and politics ought to be kept apart,’ even royal authority bounces off it.”

“I know. I had to force permission even for Ulrika’s entrance exam. I went and asked the headmaster directly.”

“And if, after all that, the Demon King still can’t enroll?”

“Mm. In that case…”

“In that case…?”

King Zenon closed his eyes and tipped his glass.
Clink, went the ice.

“Resign ourselves to the country being destroyed?”

“Your Majesty!?”

“Ha ha ha. A joke.”

King Zenon laughed lightly.
Rudolf did not hide his anger.

“Don’t look so angry, Rudolf. Think calmly. It’s not as if the country being destroyed is impossible, is it?”

“Well… if the other party is a real Demon King, the possibility exists, but…”

“See? Don’t worry. I became Ulrika’s friend with that in mind.”

“Friends, is it…”

“Yes. At this point it doesn’t matter whether she’s a real Demon King or a fake. Better to stay on good terms.”

“…I see…”

Watching Rudolf’s expression settle, King Zenon let out a breath.

“If she is the real Demon King, opposing her isn’t even an option. We need to stay close so the country isn’t destroyed. If she’s a fake, she’s still a fighting force that brushed aside a Holy Knight. No loss in pulling her to our side, is there?”

“That’s true, except…”

Click. The clock’s hand pointed to midnight.

“That’s on the premise that the Demon King is not an evil being.”

“Ha ha ha! No worry there. I’ll guarantee she isn’t evil!”

“That’s instinct too?”

“Yes. Instinct!”

Rudolf’s deep sigh filled the quiet study.

“Then I suppose I’ll steel myself as well. Steel myself to accept a self-proclaimed Demon King.”

“Yes. And while you’re at it, cut down my official duties. Dealing with Ulrika is taking—”

“That’s a no. You’ll carry out your duties properly.”

King Zenon looked resentful.
Rudolf kept drinking, unbothered.

“Guh… Rudolf, you…”

King Zenon’s lament rang through the study.
And so the night at Romulus Castle wore on.