The Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm

Author: Unicoon
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8138gc/24/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

This was the Demon King Castle.
A vast castle standing at the heart of the Demon Realm.
In the audience chamber without Lady Ulrika, mighty mana had gathered.

“Thank you all for assembling.”

Chancellor Zephard of the Demon Realm bowed politely.
Before him, five demons stood in a line.

Six demons, including Zephard.
They were the Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm, under Lady Ulrika’s direct command.

Chancellor, Zephard van Steincross.
Silver Star, Emilio Astercross.
Flame Emperor, Mia Ragnacross.
Black Dragon, Dralg Draniacross.
Fiend, Jubei Yatsuse.
Hundred Beasts, Vermilia Animacross.

Each of them was a mighty demon of a class that would not be strange if they called themselves Demon King.

“Today is a matter of great—”

“Grrr…”

A low growl cut Zephard off.
The speaker was a huge jet-black dragon: Black Dragon Dralg.

“Grrr. Preliminaries are unnecessary. Begin at once.”

Following Dralg, Hundred Beasts Vermilia and Silver Star Emilio raised their voices as well.

“That’s right~. Get to the point already~”

“Zephard, let’s hurry!”

“Now, now, everyone, please calm down.”

“Mm… as the chancellor says. There is no use in rushing.”

Fiend Jubei showed a composed air.
Flame Emperor Mia, however, seemed fidgety and unsettled.

“Hurry up! I can’t wait anymore!!”

Pressed hard by the grand dukes, Zephard sighed, “Haa,” and got to the point.

“Very well. Shall we begin…”

At Zephard’s word, a taut tension flowed at once.

“The magic we are about to perform is extremely high in difficulty, and dangerous… Never let your guard down… Understood?”

The grand dukes nodded quietly.

“Then… please gather your mana in me!”

At the signal, the grand dukes’ mana flowed into Zephard.

“Kh… here we go!!”

The audience chamber filled with vast mana and a swarm of magic circles.
The air trembled with the shock; cracks ran through walls and pillars.

“Activate! Spacetime magic!!”

Mana gathered to a point. Magic circles overlapped.
And then—

—

“Haa… haa… well? Did it connect?”

A hole had opened in empty space.
A dimensional hole, made by spacetime magic.

“It’s quite small, but wait a moment~…”

Vermilia peeked carefully into the hole, about the size of a clenched fist.
After a while she let out an “ah.”

“I found her~! Lady Ulrika!!”

The grand dukes surged.
They all rushed the dimensional hole at once.

“Out of the way! Show me as well!!”

“I will look first! Please don’t get in the way!!”

“I want to see Lady Ulrika too!”

“Mm… show me a little as well…”

Before the tiny dimensional hole, huge mana collided.
The clash among grand dukes shook the entire Demon King Castle.

“Calm yourselves!!”

Zephard barked it in a loud voice.
At that force, the grand dukes quieted down.

“I understand wanting to see Lady Ulrika! Beautiful, lovely, adorable—that wish to see her even once, I understand it painfully well!!”

Unusual heat filled Zephard’s words.
His love for Lady Ulrika seemed ready to overflow without end.

“But here we take turns! Otherwise Lady Ulrika’s Demon King Castle will break!!”

“Mm… understood.”

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped~”

Under Zephard’s direction, the grand dukes lined up before the hole.
A scene like children lining up for a toy.

“Then first, Emilio. Please.”

“Um… ah, it’s Lady Ulrika! As adorable as ever. O~i, can you hear me~?”

“That’s enough. Next, Dralg’s turn.”

“Ohh, Lady Ulrika! She looks well… she looks like she is having great fun… and she is adorable…”

“Yes, next, Vermilia.”

“What is that adorable outfit~? It suits her so well~… aahn, I want to hug her!”

“Next. Mia’s turn.”

“Let’s see~… there! Cute no matter when I look. Lady Ulrika, look this way!!”

“Jubei’s turn. Please.”

“Hmm… Lady Ulrika, nothing could be more adorable…”

“Now then, is it my turn…”

Last was Zephard’s turn.
He peeked into the dimensional hole, and then—

“Uwoh~! Lady Ulrikaaa!! As ever, the beauty, the loveliness! And the adorableness!! Mmm!? That outfit she’s wearing… it suits her extraordinarily well! As expected of Lady Ulrikaaa!!”

Zephard cackled, shedding tears.
It was as if his love for Lady Ulrika had exploded. It probably had, in fact.
The grand dukes were left utterly exasperated at the transformation.

“Zephard… you’re always so sharp, but when it’s Lady Ulrika, you know~”

“His love for Lady Ulrika is too deep…”

Then a small voice came from the dimensional hole.

“—O~i—”

The grand dukes started.
They packed in and peered through.
On the other side, Lady Ulrika in uniform was waving with both arms spread.

“O~i!!”

“Lady Ulrika! She noticed us!!”

“She’s waving! So cute!!”

“Ohh! How dear…”

Lady Ulrika hopped and bounced, waving big.

“I’m going to school~!”

She winked, snap, and went into the auditorium.
At that overly adorable gesture, the grand dukes surged.

That day, the Demon King Castle is said to have been in its highest spirits in a thousand years.

✦ ✦ Bonus ✦ ✦

I’ll introduce my cute subordinates!

Chancellor, Zephard van Steincross.
My right hand. His race is devil.
He always wears a proper tuxedo. A tall, handsome man.

Silver Star, Emilio Astercross.
A genius of magic. His race is mixed-blood.
He looks about Livi’s age. A cute boy.

Flame Emperor, Mia Ragnacross.
An energetic giant girl.
She’s a bit of a klutz. Sometimes she breaks the Demon King Castle just by walking.

Black Dragon, Dralg Draniacross.
A jet-black male dragon.
He looks big and scary, but he’s very friendly.

Fiend, Jubei Yatsuse.
A bushido swordsman. His race is oni.
A quiet, serious man. He doesn’t stand out much, though.

Hundred Beasts, Vermilia Animacross.
A tall older-sister type. Her race is chimera.
The moment she sees me she scoops me up. Sometimes it’s a bit much.

They’re all so cute. I’m relieved they look well!!