There is a saying that the scariest animal on earth was man, but I think differently. Humans are the animals I can feel most secure with.
I cannot fool a bear. If I find a wild boar, the most a weakling like me can do is be killed.
But humans ...
Humans can be deceived.
Through a performance, you can play with their hearts.
'Son...'
'... You are more demonic than me ...'
'... You would be the best Rhardosean Emperor that the Rhardosean Empire has had in the entire three thousand years of its existence ...'
My father was right.
I didn't want to admit it, but since I was born I have a talent for deceiving people.
Personally, I don't think it's a very desirable skill. It is better to earn people's trust with sincerity than through lies.
That is why I avoided using deception unless my life was in danger. Being good at lying is not an ability to boast.
And it continued that way.
"Ah, but ..."
If these adventurers hadn't threatened me.
If they had approached with a little more education.
I wouldn't have to show my fangs.
"... Guys - if we take too long, other groups of adventurers can arrive."
"What?"
"As you already know, there isn't even a goblin in my castle. Being an empty castle, other adventurers are also likely to come after the vault. It can get in your way… "
The adventurers looked at each other uncertainly.
There were no more monsters in the castle. And even if there was one left, they could use me as a hostage to repel them. However, there was something more dangerous than monsters.
Other humans.
Adventurers competed with each other strictly. The hidden treasure in Demon Lord Gremory's castle. The platinum reward on your head ... Anyone would like to get these things. Even if, for that, they had to kill other humans.
In Holy Demonic Holiness, the 'hero' was not just facing Demons and Monsters. There were also many groups of adventurers who attacked in search of their wealth. They claimed to be adventurous, but they were nothing more than groups of thieves.
"Shit, I didn't think about that."
"It is not certain that other adventurers will come."
They started to frown. They took my lie seriously.
"Delayed. Didn't you hear that this place has been attacked 3 times? Other vultures, who also heard the rumors, will come. "
"Not good. This is not good ... We just captured a Demon Lord and now you tell me to risk your life facing other adventurers? Don't play with my precious life. "
"Shit, like we're going to hand him over to a bunch of hungry dogs."
These adventurers just left their cities for the first time to get rich quick. They couldn't contain their excitement right after they had the chance to change their lives presented to them.
"Folks."
I spoke calmly. Their gaze naturally fell on me.
"At this point, other adventurers may already be approaching. How about we go to the safe first? We do not have much time. We can discuss it as we move on. "
The men looked at each other again and everyone nodded.
"Your Excellency is right. Let's get the treasure first. That's right!"
"Let's get going! We have no right to show our faces in Valencia without a scratch or two. "
Speaking loudly, the adventurers continued their march.
Good.
That was enough for now.
I gave you an acceptable suggestion. Their guard over Demon Lord Gremory might not have disappeared, but at least they no longer saw me as an 'enemy'. Their affection continued to rise. That was a good sign ...
"Newbie, carry Your Excellency on your back. This is going to be faster. "
"Understood captain!"
The newbie got me up quickly.
"Ah, thank you very much."
"What do you eat to be so light? You look normal, but it's like you are empty inside. "
As if he had no weight, he kept walking quickly. I ended up getting 'piggyback', but that was a lot better than forcing me to walk.
I think I could say that I passed the second obstacle.
I should open the treasure chest, then give them a reason to stay alive. Furthermore, I managed to increase their affection for me, giving the group the false impression that I was at their side. That was positive, but there were still two problems left.
The first is that I had no idea if there really was a treasure. As soon as they found out I lied, they would kill me, regardless of the points of affection.
'Base status.'
I moved my lips slightly and whispered.
Nothing happened.
Without being discouraged, I continued experimenting.
'Dungeon status, dungeon situation… Hmm, not that one, huh.'
I had the ability to access the game system.
It was just an assumption, but I should be able to use status windows other than the affection points. For example, being able to see the castle map. I was trying to do that.
My prediction was soon confirmed.
'Status of the Demon Lord's Castle. '
A sound sounded in my head 'Tirring ~'.
White words appear in front of me.
------------------------------
Demon Lord Gremory Castle
Type: Cave.
Title: None.
Rank: F
Special Effect: None.
Military forces: None.
Residents: None.
Wealth: 100 Gold Coins.
* The castle is in ruins. Children in the neighborhood refer to the place as a fun playground. This place is in danger of being conquered at any time. Open the 'Hiring Window' urgently and hire forces. *
------------------------------
That's right? At least that was what it looked like.
I hoped I had at least a little bit of strength left, but I had nothing. This was really nothing more than a playground for children.
I was grateful to have some wealth at least.
'Gold Coins' was the name of the coin in ‹Holy Demonic Holiness›. The coins in Holy Demonic Holiness were divided into copper, silver, gold and platinum. A platinum coin was worth a hundred gold coins, a gold coin was worth ten silver coins, and a silver coin was worth ten copper coins.
I currently had 100 gold coins. In other words, 10,000 copper coins.
How much could I do with this?
After searching for all sorts of functions in the game, I finally found what I was looking for.
'Hiring window.'
A semi-transparent list appeared in front of me.
------------------------------
Monster | Resistance | Attack | Defense | Price
Smile Monster. Resistance F. Attack F. Defense E. Price 4 Gold Coins.
Weak Fairy Monster. Resistance F. Attack É. Defense F. Price 8 Gold Coins.
Cowardly Goblin Monster. Resistance E. Attack E. Defense F. Price 12 Gold Coins.
Weak Golem Monster. Resistance D. Attack D. Defense C. Price 20 Gold Coins.
------------------------------
…
So weak…. And so expensive.
No matter the point of view, 4 gold coins for a single slime is a steal. You can buy 2 good cows with 4 gold coins. Not calves, cows. How can a useless slime be worth twice as much as a cow that can be used on the farm?
Most likely the price went up due to the difficulty of the game.
'Tsk. This gets in the way of my plan… '
First, I planned to spend my money to hire a group of monsters. But even if I spent all of my resources, and managed to get 8 Cowardly Goblins, it was uncertain whether they could really beat these adventurers.
No, these men could be even more pathetic than I thought. Would it be worth testing?
'Status'.
I mumbled in my mind as I faced an adventurer.
------------------------------
[You don't have enough affection for that person.]
[Only the simplest statuses will be visible.]
------------------------------
With the same sound effect as before, a text window appeared over the adventurer's head.
I probably needed more points of affection to see more specific information.
------------------------------
Name: Bruno de Ramos
Resistance: E
Attack: E
Defense: E
Affection: 6
------------------------------
"Uhg ..."
I let out a groan unintentionally.
A little stronger than a goblin.
He was certainly weak, but that small difference was a big problem for me. The others had roughly the same status. Even though I hired 8 goblins, they were far from overcoming the adventurers.
What to do… What to do… What can I do…
I wasn't sure if I would win or lose. Should I leave it to luck and bet? Risking my life on a bet. This was not my style. I preferred to increase my chances of winning before the fight started.
While I was lost in thought.
"We are coming!"
An adventurer shouted.
We were almost in the Demon Lord's quarters.
"Hah. Why is this cave so big? "
"This is your first time in a Demon Lord's castle. That's nothing. Usually these castles are full of traps, so you have to move very slowly. "
The adventurers were talking loudly.
There was not much time left, I had to make a decision quickly.
I should value quantity and hire several fairies and slimes. Or should I hire the strongest golem and attack them by surprise? No, both choices were far from bringing 'certain victory'. But if I took a chance ...
… Okay. That was the best option.
"Right! Lets go in."
The adventurers entered the room.
I bit my lip hard. The skin tore and blood entered my mouth.
If I had to calculate my chances, it would be 70%. It was a pathetically small number since I was risking my life. But even so, it was the best plan.
I thought it would be free after I abandoned my status and nobility. I ran away hoping that I could live a peaceful life.
I went so far and you come to tell me that my life is in danger again? Being thrown into a strange world and telling me to die without even knowing what's going on just because I became a Demon Lord? Do not make me laugh!
Who cares if I'm a Demon Lord or something. If someone wants to end my indolent life, then I will face them without mercy. I will survive no matter what…
The Demon Lord's room was a miserable mess.
"Is there really a treasure here?"
This place has probably been looted several times. Whether the bed or the chairs, the furniture was all overturned. It was hard to believe that there was a treasure in this mess.
The Captain, Bruno, spoke.
"Your Honor. Hurry up and open this Krhooonthighling. "
I nodded.
"Yes, do not worry. I know… Ack! "
I fell off the novice's back. I had sprained my ankle on purpose.
The adventurers reacted in a panic.
"Ouch, are you okay?"
"Hey! Hold it right! "
"And I'm fine. Everything is alright."
I stood up with shaking legs. The main point of the performance is to get sympathy. If I were to lean on someone else's shoulder here, I would risk being seen as an irritating wound.
I hobbled to the wall.
"Guys, it's here."
"In that place there is an inscription visible only to Demon Lords. If you put your hand on it and recite a specific spell, the safe will open. "
I lied without hesitation.
The adventurers had puzzled expressions on their faces
"Oh, magic, huh."
Beginning adventurers were ignorant of magic, these adventurers used to be simple farmers or woodcutters. Most of them have probably not seen real magic all their lives. If I said it was magic, they would just accept it and say 'So, okay.'
I placed an order with my face showing pain.
"Folks. Excuse me, but please take 10 steps away from me. "
"Why?"
"Only a Demon Lord can undo the magic in the vault. It will never open if an intruder is nearby. If something goes wrong, a defense mechanism can be activated and you can get hurt. "
"A defense mechanism, I know ..."
"In the worst case, the treasure can be sealed forever."
The adventurers' expression was immediately serious.
As if I had threatened to take money from these hard breads, the effect was immediate. Following my instructions, everyone backed up in line.
One step… Two steps… Five steps… Ten steps…
The adventurers spoke after taking exactly 10 steps.
"So? 10 steps, exactly as you asked. "
"...… .."
These adventurers were honest in the most useless moments.
I was stunned, but I kept my smile steady.
"Exactly 10 steps. No more, no less. There is a good chance that you will not be affected by the magic from this distance. Very well."
The adventurers gave big smiles.
"That's nothing."
"I'm a little bit of a perfectionist."
I think they really believed that.
I am always surprised when I meet people as self-confident as they are. Humans, with this type of brain, managed to separate from the Homo of the Sapiens in Homo-Sapiens.
Can't this be considered a miracle?
I turned my back on them and faced the wall.
"I will begin to recite the incantation. Everyone, please be silent! "
Obviously, there was no inscription on the wall. The fact that I had a treasure here was a big lie, as I said.
But there was something to believe in.
'Riches of the Demon Lord's Castle.'
White words appeared on the smooth wall.
------------------------------
Demon Lord Gremory Castle Riches
Withdraw amount: xxx Gold Coins.
Total balance: 100 Gold Coins.
※Warning. If you withdraw too much at once, you can go bankrupt.