PoV Rir's Wife:
I see, this humanoid was my husband's master.
I observed this male of the human-like being with interest as he spoke in front of me with a slightly fearful look on his face.
The small body of this humanoid was filled with immense magical power.
He was stronger than me, perhaps even as strong as my husband.
However, even though he was that much more powerful than me, he did not seem to be the kind of being who thinks everything in terms of power, since he was showing such an expression of fear even towards me.
I could understand why my husband likes him so much.
I could tell by looking at them.
They were two very similar individuals even if their species were different.
The atmosphere they created, and the impression I got when I talked to them were really similar.
They had the air of those who were in authority, but at the same time, they seemed to be somewhat relaxed.
Our species were not the type to form groups, even with those of the same species.
Basically, we were a species that lived alone, so it could take hundreds of years for us to find a master or a mate.
Therefore, it could be said that I was very fortunate to have met a good male who would become my husband after wandering around… but that mate was actually one of the guardians of the labyrinth, and there was a master whom he served.
Labyrinth was the abode of the demon lords who were known for challenging other creatures to battle in order to expand their domain.
As I too have been alive for a good number of years, I had encountered and killed several demon lords, so I was somewhat familiar with their situation and behavior.
In most cases, they would look at me and say, "Get under my command!" and attack me.
And often, the dependents under their charge were just pawns for the demon lord.
I honestly wondered what I would have done if I had been working for a strange one, but I knew that, by the looks of things, there would be no problem.
I talked about this with my husband once.
I wondered if he was staying here because he was part of the demon king's family.
My husband, who was usually quiet, angrily answered, "It is true that I started to follow him because I was born as a kin of the Demon Lord. However, the reason I am still here with him now is not because of an order, but of my own free will."
I did not ask his exact age, but my husband was very young compared to me.
Well, we, non-human species, seldom worry about such things as long as our partners have a certain amount of power. However, I could not deny that I had a suspicion in my mind that I was being seduced.
But when I looked deep into my husband's eyes, I quickly discarded that thought.
My husband's will was free…
Even though he was a Demon Lord's kin, his soul was not bound, and he was living as a guard on his own volition.
I could understand from my husband's eyes that he believed in and adored the demon lord, and that was why he was living here.
I was a female, so I don't really understand how males think. I did not know why my husband believed him or was attracted to him.
Still… if my husband believed him, then I would believe him as well.
That was why I was going to try my best to make him believe in me and accept me.
"Kuu." (Rir's Wife)
"Thank you for taking care of Rir. If there's anything we can do for you, please let us know, and we'll take care of it right away, so don't be shy about it because if you're Rir's family, you're like family to us, too." (Yuki)
My husband chuckled at his words, who was apparently named Yuki.
"…Kuu." (Rir's Wife)
"…Well, of course I won't talk to her like I did with you. Rir. I am used to speaking with you as you have been with me my whole life. So shut it. Your wife has a different aura about her compared to you." (Yuki)
Seeing my husband's master slack-jawed as he spoke to my husband, I called out to them while giggling.
"Kuu." (Rir's Wife)
"No, wait, give me a break. I would certainly feel happy if we could get along, but to say that even your wife thinks that I and Rir were similar is just too much!" (Yuki)
I laughed with amusement at his dispirited appearance.
***
Allysia Kingdom.
At the office of the King.
"…You've left me a messy legacy." (King)
Checking the documents, Raid Glorio Allysia sighed.
The human supremacist.
This group was actually started by those who held a grudge against this country rather than another race… but their ideas had a great impact on this country.
All the central figures aiming for a revolt were captured, and although their followers were kept in the dark to stop them from further spreading their ideology, the country was unable to completely prevent it from happening.
It seemed that the kidnappers were thinking about what would happen after they were caught, and had made several strategic moves to spread information through channels that would never be seized.
The idea, which had been whispered quietly, little by little, was now slowly spreading on a large scale.
It may be a temporary thing, but it would be bad for it to spread at this time and situation.
To be honest, there was a time when the government took the initiative in spreading this idea itself.
No, not only in this country, but the governments of every human nation had done the same thing to a small extent.
To divert the hostility from the regime, the government would make an example of those outside the country, even those of a different race, and prepare a convenient [enemy] for the masses.
But… that should never happen again.
No, it must never happen again.
Cooperation with other races was the decision of this country, and it was something that must never be changed to see what the future would bring.
It was a path for this country – and indeed, for the world around this country – towards peace.
Therefore, as a king, I must decide.
As a king, I must exercise my power.
Oppression… A decision of the "Mere Old Man".
I must not allow myself to be swayed by the circumstances.
"…I've been wanting to retire as soon as possible for a long, long time now." (King)
I leaned back deeper in my chair, looked up at the ceiling, and let out another sigh.
I know… I know that I was an ordinary man, far from being called a hero.
I was born into royalty, so I was given the position of King.
Although I acted like one, it had become clear that I was not the right man for the job after all.
If I had acquired even a fraction of the abilities that the former emperor of the Rogard Empire, the King of the Demon Realm, and the Queen of the Elves had, I would have been able to implement my policies better, prevent damage before it occurred, and not cause such trouble for the Demon Lord.
Even if it was said that this was the result of my own incompetence, I could not deny it.
"…Still, I don't have time to beg for something I don't have, do I?" (King)
I then took a deep breath and slowly looked forward.
If I was unable to increase my cards… then I would have to go on with what I have in my possession.
Since the death of my son, I decided that I would no longer grieve and stop.
I would keep moving forward until my body, which had begun to grow old, was no longer able to support me.
Only then, when I met my son in the afterlife, would I be able to be proud that I died as a king.
And as I was alone, thinking about how to respond in the future, there was a knock at the door of my office.
"…Your Majesty. It is time for the meeting. Everyone is already waiting." (Random Attendant)
"Okay, I'll be on my way." (King)
I got up from my seat and left the room.
Come on, it was time for me to fight.