New chapters of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (3/4 chapters)

Short Story (12): The Return of the Emperor

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(POV switch – Gilford)

There were no extravagant decorations or dazzling lights. Only things that had aged over the years existed, creating a solemn space. That was the emperor’s office, or rather my own office.
The furniture and work tools that had supported emperors for generations were there. Only things that could no longer be used were replaced, but more than half of them were probably older than I was. Perhaps because of that, the room had a unique atmosphere, and being there was the most calming.

After sitting in the chair and exhaling once, I rang the bell.

“Summon the Chief Court Magician.” (Gilford)

Even if I had left him be, he would surely have learned of my return and brought a mountain of documents in a few hours. However, since there was something I wanted to talk about quickly, I had him come at once. Also, I wanted him to refrain from bringing the document mountain. I was tired from the inspection. Or rather, it had not exactly been an inspection.

The inspection ended as usual. The marquises and dukes showed no overt movements toward independence, and things behind the scenes also seemed mostly unchanged.

Now that I had made a show of keeping watch, they would probably refrain from acting for a few months, so there was no problem. The problem was the Demon King I had encountered at Baron Farce’s domain. Even though the face had been as simple as one a child could draw, like a haniwa figure, the inside had been complex and mysterious. That Demon King had been a monster far surpassing any I had seen or heard of before. If not for that incident, my fatigue would probably have been cut in half.

“Your Majesty, it is Mand.” (Mand)

“Enter.” (Gilford)

He already arrived. It seemed he was waiting quite eagerly. The one who entered was a small old man, about the height of a child. The crimson robe, which only the Chief Magician wore, was custom-made just for him, or so I often hear.

When I saw that Mand had no items in his hands as he opened the door, I first believed I had won. However, upon seeing his disciple behind him carrying a mountain of documents, I immediately realized my loss.

Go throw those away.

“It has been a while, Your Majesty. It seems you stayed quite long at Baron Farce’s domain.” (Mand)

While I was away, all administrative duties were taken on by the Chief Court Magician, Mand. In other words, this was a sarcastic remark. However, compared to that butler, this level of comment was gentle. It almost sounded like normal concern.

“There was a troublesome matter. I will speak of it later. I want you to look at this. You there, place the documents over there and return.” (Gilford)

By saying so, I indirectly told them that Mand’s disciples were not allowed to see it, and I drove them out of the office. After confirming they had left, I took out a single sheet of paper. It was a simple political proposal.

“Excuse me… Hmm, I see. This word ‘kanryou’? I have never heard it before, but it is quite interesting. And…” (Mand)

Mand deliberately paused.

“A rebellion will occur.” (Mand)

He said what I had feared most, and also what I had hoped for. It seemed he knew that I had been waiting for those words. He smiled slyly as he watched my reaction and returned the paper.

“Is this sufficient?” (Mand)

“Of course not. I also want to hear the reason why a rebellion would occur.” (Gilford)

That was what mattered most. If the reason had differed from what I was thinking, then the story would have changed. If it had been the same, then it would have become an enjoyable discussion. Whether he knew my thoughts or not, Mand took the paper again.

“Let me see. For example, under the current system, politics are the responsibility of the nobility. The authority within the nobility changes according to the strength of each house at the time. But with this, duties must be clearly divided, and authority must be made explicit. It would no longer change with the trends of the time, so from the nobles’ perspective, it becomes inflexible.

However, this is merely a point of dissatisfaction. The main reason is that this structure does not require the nobility at all. If Your Majesty were to adopt this, it would be seen as a move to eventually reduce the authority of the nobles, or even the nobles themselves.” (Mand)

That was the fear of a family line being extinguished someday. It was something the nobles absolutely wanted to avoid. If I had had a friendly relationship with the dukes and marquises, perhaps it would have been possible. However, as seen from those inspection missions, which were really acts of surveillance, there had been no such goodwill. If I had proposed this plan, rejection would have been inevitable. If I had pushed it through by force, a rebellion would have happened. He had likely come to the same prediction.

“Even so, will you force it through?” (Mand)

He offered a most enticing proposal. It was like the most delicious poison in the world. It drew me in, but I did not take the bait. He must have already known my answer.

“When the problems are resolved.” (Gilford)

A rebellion alone was not a problem. If that had been the only issue, I would have rather welcomed it. Those negative legacies we had been forced to accept during the last war and if I could have cut them away with my own hands, then a rebellion would have been tolerable. The problem lay elsewhere.

“Those nation groups that will exploit the opening created by a rebellion. The demon leader of the western mountains, Don Ogre. The issue of succession. Ah yes, and the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa as well.” (Gilford)

It is not as if only our country faces such issues, but it is a fact that we have many problems. The succession issue in particular is a problem without an answer. And the last one is a dangerous case that could be either medicine or poison.

“However, I have good news for Your Majesty. Though not yet confirmed, it appears the Allied Nations have started a war.” (Mand)

Something twitched inside me.

The Allied Nation? That’s right, Nobunaga had shown concern, calling it a military exercise or something. Could it be that?

“What happened?” (Gilford)

“Oh my, perhaps Your Majesty had already obtained this information? You asked not where, but what. As Your Majesty says, the origin of the matter is the core of the nation group, the Carnea Duchy. There, the Duke was assassinated.

The suspect is Princess Suzuri, who recently… although, since information transmission takes time, it was likely about half a month ago… married into the country from the Dadara Mining Kingdom. It is said she beat him to death in the evening and finally strangled him. The younger Duke flew into a rage, but by the time he tried to capture Princess Suzuri, she had already fled. That anger then turned toward the Dadara Mining Kingdom.

However, the Dadara Mining Kingdom claimed it was an independent act by Suzuri and insisted on having no involvement. They offered neither apology nor compensation. The younger Duke then denounced Dadara as a vile country that made his daughter an assassin and killed his elder brother, and he raised an army. As for who will win, please wait for further reports.” (Mand)

Mand reports in an oddly cheerful tone, but I cannot understand it no matter how hard I try. Could this really be Nobunaga’s doing? It is unthinkable for a bride from another nation to kill her husband. It would drive a wedge into the relationship between the countries. I also find it suspicious that the girl has not been caught. Still, is this Nobunaga’s strategy? If so, there would be no reason to request military exercises from us.

I tried to convince myself forcibly that the result had, in any case, worked out in Nobunaga’s favor.

“And so, Your Majesty, I heard you stayed a long while under Baron Farce. What happened there? I also do not see Flune.” (Mand)

“Hmm? I see, I had not spoken about it. Where should I begin… That’s right, I should call Ban as well. Someone, tell the Captain of the Royal Guard to bring that thing after preparing it. He should understand what I mean by ‘that thing’.” (Gilford)

It is troublesome to break it into parts. I will just prepare what I can and explain everything at once.

I told Mand that it would take a little while. In the meantime, I resumed governmental work. Even just checking requires this much of a mountain. Perhaps, I was away too long.

 

—

 

“Your Majesty, this is Ban. I came as you summoned, but if possible, please refrain from making me enter the kitchen.” (Ban)

“It cannot be helped. It is still too early to reveal its existence.” (Gilford)

Ban entered during my review carrying a dish with boiled Totsutotsu.

Well, the chefs must have been surprised to see the Captain of the Royal Guard enter. Besides, the recipe for Totsutotsu must remain secret until next month’s noble assembly. It will be a part of my contribution to the food problem, and I plan to speak about Nobunaga at that time as well.

“Oh? Ban-dono, what is that?” (Mand)

“This is the flesh from inside a Totsutotsu, boiled. Mand-dono, please have one.” (Ban)

I also took one from the plate. He had already cut them in half, which showed some thoughtfulness, but the cross-section looked different from back then.

“…It’s hard. Ban, didn’t you boil it for too short a time?” (Gilford)

“Is that so? I don’t think the taste is bad. Well, maybe it is hard.” (Ban)

Ban hastily shoved a Totsutotsu into his mouth and made a bitter face.

“Eh? A-at that time, I only ate the raw thing. I didn’t know how long to boil it…” (Ban)

A weak excuse. Certainly, I did not clearly state the time, and since there were other chefs watching, he likely wanted to finish quickly. But if he had observed that butler’s movements, he could have estimated the approximate time. I would like the Captain of the Royal Guard to have a bit more boldness, enough to ignore the presence of cooks.

“Then, Your Majesty, could you please explain why you prepared such things and made an unscheduled stay at Baron Farce’s place?” (Mand)

“Ah, I shall explain. It’s very simple. I went to meet the Demon King.” (Gilford)

Immediately afterward, Mand froze with his mouth wide open, and bits of food began to fall out. What a filthy man. Mand turned his face toward Ban, as if seeking confirmation. After Ban nodded, he began to tremble.

“W-what are you doing, Your Majesty! To go to the dungeon of the Demon Leader Don Ogre!” (Mand)

“You misunderstand. Not that one. I mean Nobunaga, the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa.” (Gilford)

“Haah.” (Mand)

Mand looked momentarily convinced, and then, quickly returned to his senses and grew angry once again.

“That is not the issue! Even if it is a new Demon King, it does not change the fact that it is a threat! Even with Ban-dono present, there is no assurance of safety! Hah, could it be… Flune…?” (Mand)

“It seems you are misunderstanding, so I will tell you. We are not hostile toward Nobunaga. On the contrary, we have agreed to trade, so it would be accurate to say relations are friendly. Incidentally, that Kanryusei, the Totsutotsu cooking method, and such were all taught to me by Nobunaga. You understand what that means, don’t you?” (Gilford)

Mand’s furious expression changed rapidly to one of suspicion, then to blank shock, and finally to the serious face he made when engaged in magical research.

That likely meant he understood. Nobunaga is…

“A Demon King with reason… no, with intelligence?” (Mand)

“More than an average person. And to think that one has only just been born. It’s terrifying.” (Gilford)

A Demon King was not supposed to be such an intelligent creature. Perhaps if they lived a long time it might have been different, but there had never been a Demon King overflowing with such intellect. They attacked humans, enslaved demons, and tried to expand their dominion. That was the basic and normal behavior of a Demon King.

However, Nobunaga was the complete opposite. He sought relations with the human race, and his relationship with other demons appeared friendly. There was no sign that he intended to expand his territory. Above all, he had wisdom.

If that one had been an ordinary Demon King, then by now this continent would already have fallen into the hands of the Demon King. That Kanryusei was a perfect example. It appeared beneficial, but beneath it lay poison. If he had used such means, then humanity would have had no chance of winning. The only reason humans could still subjugate Demon Kings was that we surpassed them in intellect and civilization.

“There is nothing to call it except dangerous. Should we proceed with a subjugation at once?” (Mand)

“Ha ha! Can you truly say we would win with certainty? I find the Great Forest of Owa’s Demon King Nobunaga far more terrifying than Don Ogre, more than the Twin Demon Kings, or even the two Demon Kings said to be lurking within the kingdom. After we have finally managed to become friendly, you would make us antagonize him?

We do not know what kind of dungeon he has, how many subordinates he commands, nor even what species Nobunaga is. And as I said earlier, we cannot make any move until this issue is resolved.” (Gilford)

Is it too much of a shock? If he is thrown into confusion from this alone and begins to suggest such reckless actions, it might be better to let him rest a while.

When I asked Ban if he wanted to fight, he replied that if it were an order, then yes, but he would prefer to avoid combat if possible.

Well, that eerie feeling is something you would not understand unless you see it for yourself.

“I see… my apologies. However, even though we already have so many governmental matters to report to Your Majesty, there are just as many things we must hear from Your Majesty. And with preparations for next month’s noble assembly too.” (Mand)

There was so much to do. Though most of it applied to me as well. I sent a glance toward Ban, thinking to drag him into this labor too, but he shook his head. Unfortunately for him, we were short-handed, so his participation was inevitable.

“I would also like to use this opportunity to teach Flune about politics. But that one still has not returned. Where is he?” (Mand)

“Ah, I had the same thought. I left him with Baron Farce in order to send him to my friend, so that he could learn politics.” (Gilford)

“Oh. That is appreciated, but may I ask who that friend is?” (Mand)

“I already mentioned him. It is Nobunaga, the Demon King of the Great Forest of Owa. I had Flune take part in the preparations for trade. Well, things will be busy over there for a while, so he will probably just make it in time for the noble assembly.” (Gilford)

While I laughed heartily, Mand had gone past surprise and could say nothing, and Ban stared at him with an indescribable expression.

 

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