Oh, it's still glowing. Edo tries to stop me, but it feels like he's slowed down. I can see his movements clearly and easily dodge them. My power is also increasing every second.
"What the hell, you brat?" Edo exclaimed.
My fist... something is happening. Edo approaches me, and I punch him, sending him flying.
What was that? A mark. Suddenly, a mark appears on my left hand. What is it? A bird, a Phoenix? It's the first time I've seen this mark.
Finally, the glowing subsides, and my evolution is complete. I use the "Appraisal" skill.
DEMON LORD DIABLO - HALF DEMON - GOD BLESSED
Age: ~ Male
Title: Demon Lord, Phoenix Child, God Retainer, Reincarnated
Level: 105
Strength: 250,302
Skills: Supremacy, Appraisal, Element Control, Telekinesis, Teleportation, Flight, Super Speed, Mana Maximization, Devour, Regeneration, Hide Appraisal, and more...
Wow, lots of new skills. And look at that Strength.
"What the fuck, you die," Edo shouts and once again uses his Black Hole attack.
"What are you thinking? You failed twice, and now you're using that again?" I devour his magic once more. Now it's time to counter-attack. I use my Super Speed skill and, at the same time, unleash my Super Strength. With just my hand, I'm able to cut his neck.
"Imm..." Before he could finish his word, he dies.
What the hell? I just cut off his head like it was nothing. Huh, now I feel like I'm truly unbeatable. What the hell? All the citizens of Paradise are coming this way. Analysis shows there are around 30,000 of them. Why are they coming? Don't tell me they're seeking revenge?
A high-ranking demon comes forward and kneels in front of me, followed by everyone else kneeling.
"I am Philio, the Demon General. May I speak?" he asks, visibly scared.
"Yes," I reply.
"Dear Lord, I know our former Lord declared war against you, and as a result, he died in his own territory. When you fought him, we all felt your overflowing power. There was no way he could have won. Even then, the demon army came to his rescue, but our former Lord deserves no respect. His behavior never befitted the position of a Lord. So we wished for you to kill him, and you did. There's no mercy in war. That's why we ask you to kill us, the demon army, but please spare the citizens. If you wish, you can enslave them, but please spare their lives." Philio trembles as he speaks, but his words are sincere.
I see. In this war, I emerged victorious, so it's only natural that I rule over this place. Good, I need more people to run the city. If I can govern an original town, that would be even better.
"Well said. I accept all of you, and I shall become your new ruler. Those who don't accept me can leave the town. As for you, Philio..." I pause.
"Yes, my Lord?" Philio responds.
"When I arrived in this town, I witnessed some high-ranking demons using their power to enslave the weak. From now on, I give you one month to investigate them. In Paradise, I will establish new rules. When I return in a month, I expect slavery to be abolished. Use the kingdom's treasury to buy food and distribute it to the weak who are unable to work. Understood?"
"Yes, my Lord." Philio looks relieved.
"Thank you, Great Lord!" Everyone shouts, expressing their happiness.
"Okay then, see you in a month," I say and take to the skies, leaving them all surprised.
[Vendaline]
"Lady, look at those marks. What are they?" Lily asks.
"That's a phoenix," Lady Gleen replies.
"A phoenix? But I've never seen that mark anywhere," Lily says.
"Neither have I," Lady Gleen remarks.
It's a legend. When I was still just a demon, I heard that a phoenix mark only appears on a phoenix child, a legendary hero who managed to kill the True Demon Lord. But it's just a legend. No one knows if it's true or not. But seeing that mark, who are you really, Diablo?
[Elisabeth regains her senses]
"How do you feel?" Lady Gleen asks.
"Lady Gleen? It's like my power has increased," Elisabeth replies.
"Yes, I can see that your power has increased threefold from before. But only yours. Others have also increased, but not to the same extent. Why is that?" Lady Gleen wonders.
"I don't know," Elisabeth admits.
"Did you do something with him that the others didn't?" Lady Gleen inquires.
"The others?" Elisabeth ponders and remembers that day, feeling embarrassed.
"Are you okay?" Lily asks.
"It's nothing," Elisabeth blushes.
Lady Gleen smiles, and at that moment, Diablo enters the scene.
"Yo."
Elisabeth looks at him, runs to him, and hugs him, bursting into tears.
That was unexpected. "There, there. I'm okay. Sorry for worrying you," Diablo consoles her, patting her head.
"So, you've become a Demon Lord? And what was that Phoenix thing?" Lady Gleen asks.
"I don't know. It's the first time I've shown something like that," Diablo replies.
"Not only you, huh? But you are truly a mystery," Lady Gleen remarks.
"Haha."
"Well, I'm glad you're okay," Lady Gleen says with a smile.
Everyone congratulates me and greets me.
"Lady Gleen, is it now my responsibility to rule over Paradise?" I ask.
"Why not? You won the battle, so now it is your territory. Do whatever you want," Lady Gleen replies.
"Just don't forget our deal. We need sweets and snacks from you," Lily reminds me.
"Yes, I totally forgot. Give me more cookies quickly," Lady Gleen says, acting like a puppy.
Throughout this time, Elisabeth holds onto me.
"How long are you going to hold onto him, Elisa?" Lady Gleen asks.
Elisabeth realizes and becomes embarrassed, running away.
"Fufu, that's so entertaining," Lady Gleen chuckles.
After that, I fix the town, bury the dead, and improve the town's security.
After a month, it's time to go to Paradise. This time, Eli is coming with me.
I use teleportation, and the town looks different from the last time I visited.
As I walk through the streets, everyone looks at me with happy faces and kneels down. Finally, I meet Philio, and we head to the town hall.
All the citizens gather, and Philio reports that he has arrested 40 demons who have done wrong and failed to follow my orders. I decide to leave them in Philio's hands for now, and I will determine their fate later.
"Dear Paradise citizens, from now on, I, the Demon Lord Diablo, rule this
town. First of all, I am abolishing all rankings. Everyone is equal for now—no nobles, no commoners. I have established a guild for you."
"A guild?" everyone asks.
"Quiet, everyone. Don't interrupt the Lord," Philio shouts.
"Forgive us," everyone says.
"No, it's okay. Um, yes, I have established a guild. Everything will be organized in this town through the guild. Whether you're a blacksmith, farmer, hunter, or anything else, you just need to come to the guild and register your name and occupation. After that, you're free to work on your own. Those who fail to register and engage in business will be arrested and fined. So, don't forget to register. Additionally, any complaints, suggestions, or requests should be submitted through the guild. And for those who don't have a job, you can come to the guild, and we will provide you with a job that aligns with your interests. Those who are already working under someone else don't have to pay taxes to us. Instead, they should pay the landlord. If you want to purchase land or have any requests related to land, submit them through the guild. If your request is approved, we will sell you the land or allow you to rent it." After that, we discuss various matters.
Then I establish the guild, and everyone is surprised at how efficiently things are being organized. For military affairs, I leave them in Philio's capable hands. As for the guild, I assign a few of my staff members, and a few humans join as well. I strictly instruct them to behave normally around humans, but they don't seem too surprised and immediately accept the humans.
A few days later, in my chamber, I look up at the sky, and Eli enters the room.
"Diablo-sama, you look worried," Eli observes.
"Well, I have to go to the east. There's someone there who needs me, so I have to leave as soon as possible. But I'm worried about how others will accept her."
"Her? It's a girl? Who is she?" Eli is curious.
"Yes, she's an important person, but it's not like that. She's a friend," I explain.
"Really?" Eli wonders.
"Yes," I say, holding her hand and kissing her.
"I like you, Eli. Can you accept me?" I ask her sincerely.
Tears of joy well up in her eyes as she responds, "Yes, please accept me as well. I love you."
I kiss her, and then we embrace.
The next day, I leave the town and head east. Elisabeth is accompanying me, and Aly, wait a little longer. I'm coming.
[The Demon Lord Elvis's palace]
"So he has evolved into a Demon Lord. Fufu," Lady Elvis chuckles.
"Yes, and now he rules over Paradise. It truly lives up to its name," Proxy remarks.
"Fufu, let's send him an invitation. I want to meet him," Lady Elvis decides.
"Yes," Proxy responds and leaves.
That power is interesting, Diablo. I think I'm falling for you. Please turn out to be a handsome guy, fufufu.
[East, in a cave]
"He's coming," Aly says.
Chapter 10: Birth of the Demon Lord
Volume 1: End / Demon Lord Arc /
Next Time: Volume 2: True Demon Lord Arc