NOVEL NEXT Chapter 63 - Episode 63: Will the Lionkin Become Allies?
Episode 63: Will the Lionkin Become Allies?
〜〜Zaus’ Perspective〜〜
I defeated the boss Lionkin, Gaonga.
Well, I did try to restrain my strength as much as possible.
Even though I say “defeated,” it’s probably more accurate to say he’s at the level of full-body compound fractures.
“Th-Thank you, Lord Zaus!”
“Hmm. Well done, Stasa. Calling me was a wise decision. Any injuries?”
“I’m fine! Riza and the others protected me.”
“I see.”
Setting aside Gaonga for now, priority is to prioritize the recovery of Riza and the others. They seem to have received considerable damage from the Lionkin.
Lizardman Riza’s right side is gone.
Harpy Hapie’s wings are torn off.
Goblin Gobko is covered in wounds.
Everyone fought hard to protect Stasa.
I waved my hand in front of my subordinates and cast healing magic.
“Supreme Extra Healing Heal.”
All three of my subordinates had their wounds healed. Riza’s arm returned to normal, Hapie’s wings regrew, and Gobko’s wounds disappeared completely.
“Thank you, Riza!”
“Lord Zaus! Thank you, Hapie!”
“I didn’t expect you to come, Gob!”
“Everyone did a great job.”
My words brought relief to my subordinates.
Now then.
It’s this guy’s turn.
I stood in front of the level 600 mystery.
Boss Lionkin, Gaonga.
In the Breckway scenario, he was the boss fought by the hero who defeated the Archduke Zaus. At that time, he was probably around level 120.
But now, he’s risen to level 600.
He’s practically at the Demon Lord level.
He said he received power from Idream Dal.
Idream Dal is the final boss of Breckway 3.
If that guy is involved, it’s going to be troublesome.
“K-Ki… Kill…”
“Sigh… Do you want me to finish you off?”
It’s the way of the samurai.
Well, unfortunately, I’m not a duke, I’m a Demon Lord. I don’t have “mercy” in my dictionary. Hehehe.
“Supreme Extra Healing Heal.”
I fully healed his damage.
“What?! You… You healed me!? What’s going on, Gao?!”
“Hehehe. There are things I want to ask you. It would be a waste if you died now.”
“Grr! Are you planning to extract information from the Demon Lord’s army, Gao?!”
“Well, it might turn out that way. It’s not too late to kill you after getting the information.”
“Gao… I-I am a proud warrior of the noble demon race. I won’t assist a traitor, Gao!”
“Hmm… I know you’re prideful.”
Even in the game, he was a surprisingly likable character. He had a cool lion face. I even had a figure of him.
Now then, how about attacking like this?
“Your Lionkin subordinates look like they’re in pain. Stasa’s magic bullets hit them directly, but they’re still alive, right? If you treat them now, they might survive.”
“Grr! Are you using my subordinates’ lives as hostages?! Y-You coward, Gao!!”
“Hahaha! I am a Demon Lord, after all! I’ll use any means necessary.”
“Ganoouuu…! I-I won’t talk! I won’t say anything, Gao! I won’t give out information that would disadvantage the Demon Lord’s army, Gao!!”
“Hmm.
“Then, I’ll give you a benefit.”
“A-A benefit?!”
“If you become my subordinates.”
“W-What?!”
“If you join my ranks, sharing information will be easy. Your subordinates will be saved, and you won’t need to cling to loyalty anymore, right?”
“W-What are you saying, Gao?! You’re a traitor! A foolish demon who dared to challenge the Demon Lord, Gao!”
“Hmph! Then what? How much appeal do you think the Demon Lord has?”
“W-What did you say?! What are you talking about, Gao?!”
“Be a true demon if you’re a demon!”
“!?”
I clenched my fist and pushed it forward.
“Strength is justice.”
Hehehe.
This is the proof of being a demon.
If you were born as a demon, there are absolute rules.
“Following the Demon Lord because the Demon Lord is strong, right?”
“W-Well… Of course, Gao.”
This guy received a level cap breakthrough from Idream Dal.
As a result, his level has risen to 600. His strength rivals that of the Demon Lord of this world, King Heb.
These monsters can’t see their own stats. They don’t realize how strong they really are.
The Demon Lord’s level is 666. It means that Gaonga, at level 600, isn’t a demon worthy of serving the Demon Lord.
“Didn’t you understand from our fight earlier? I’m stronger than the Demon Lord.”
“Ugh…”
“Following a strong demon is the rule of demons, right? Strength is justice.”
“Ughhh…”
“Now, become my subordinate! Join me!”
“Ughhh!!”
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Guess I’ll have to use these guys.
“Come on, make a decision quickly, or your Lionkin subordinates will die, right?”
“Ugh! S-Stop it, Gao! They’re not guilty of anything, Gao!!”
“Hehehe.”
A fireball appeared in the palm of my hand.
“If I use fire magic, I can turn these Lionkin subordinates into ashes in an instant.”
“Stop it, Gao!”
“Now, decide! Make a decision!!”
“Ughhhhh!!”
“Now!”
“Unguuuuuu……!!”
“Now!! Now!!”
“Ugggggggghhhh……!!”
“Join my ranks!!”
“Nuugggggghhh……!!”
Ughhh!!
This is getting tedious!!
“Negotiations have broken down.”
“S-Stop it, Gao!!”
“Supreme Extra Healing Heal.”
“Huh?”
The Lionkin subordinates’ wounds were fully healed.
“Jeez. What a stubborn one.”
“Huh? Huh?? …W-Why did you heal us, Gao?”
“If you die now, I’ll have fewer pawns when you become my subordinates.”
“S-So you had to heal us, Gao?”
“Of course. Subordinates are valuable labor, you know.”
“N-No… I haven’t agreed to become your subordinate, Gao!”
“I know. But if I don’t heal you quickly, your lives are at risk. Resurrection magic consumes a lot of magic power. It’s more efficient to use healing magic for recovery.”
“I-I don’t really understand the logic, Gao.”
“It means I can take your lives at any time.”
“Ugh…”
“Anyway, become my subordinates. There are more benefits than serving in the Demon Lord’s army.”
“Y-You’re a traitor, Gao!”
“What a stubborn one. If you become my subordinates, there will only be good things. The Lionkin village will definitely prosper. In my territory, there’s a sharing of the harvestable items, of course. You’ll benefit from the industrial development in Zaus Town. My territory has made remarkable progress in pharmacology. It’ll contribute greatly to disease treatment. Recently, I’ve been constructing a monster-exclusive school. I plan to contribute to child-rearing. Oh, and… right, right. There’s a Earth Soldier among us. Sewer work and road repairs will go smoothly.”
“A E-Earth Soldier? …Could it be the vanguard of Captain Kakgaridan, Gao?”
“Yeah. You know it well.”
“I heard they were wiped out, Gao?”
“No. They’re all under my command. Every last one of them.”
“W-What a thing, Gao…”
“I intend to rule over the Demon Lord’s territory. If the battle continues as it is, the casualties will increase. The Lionkin village will be the same. If they’re my enemies, I’ll have no choice but to annihilate them.”
“Ugh…”
“Now’s the time to decide.”
Gaonga looked at the Lionkin subordinates, who had healed and were smiling cheerfully.
“…Alright. We’ll become your subordinates, Gao.”
Their faces didn’t look convinced.
Their proud ears drooped down, completely submissive like obedient cats.
I made a master-servant contract with them on the spot.
The back of Gaonga’s hand bore the slave mark.
Now he couldn’t attack me, and my orders were absolute.
Now, I want to hear about the Demon Lord’s army.
We’re right in front of Yorno Village. Priority should be occupying this village.
The Lionkin were assigned to guard this village under the Demon Lord’s orders.
With their guidance, we should be able to meet the village chief smoothly.
As expected, the conversation went smoothly. With the Lionkin joining my ranks, the village chief didn’t resist.
Yorno Village smoothly became my territory.
That night.
A victory feast was held in the Demon Duke’s castle.
Lionkin mingled with the crowd, celebrating with alcohol and food.
The dish served was a specialty of Yorno Village. Subutta.
Well, it’s basically sweet and sour pork. The chef from Yorno Village came all the way to this castle to make it for us. Everyone was delighted. The demon-slaying swordsman, Arjena, seemed to really like it.
“Wow. They put pineapple in the fried pork. It’s sweet and sour and delicious! I might love it!!”
Meanwhile, Stasa furrowed her brows looking bored.
“Ugh. Somehow or another, I ended up getting help from Lord Zaus, huh?”
Come to think of it, I also accompanied the negotiations in Yorno Village. For her, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, my intervention might have been unwelcome.
However, there was the Lionkin matter to consider. Having me there definitely sped up the negotiations.
“Well, don’t feel down about it. I’m leaving all the detailed negotiations in Yorno Village to you.”
“Oh, no… That’s not what I meant. I feel bad for taking up Lord Zaus’s time…”
“It can’t be helped. I didn’t expect Gaonga’s level to rise so much. You made no mistakes in your judgment. In fact, you covered for my miscalculations.”
“Huh? M-Me covering for Lord Zaus?”
“Yeah. I misjudged the enemy’s growth. My mistake in judgment. After all, I thought if Gobo killed the vanguard of Kakgaridan alone, then Yorno Village could be handled with just Lizardo and Hapi. I’m sorry for scaring you. If it had continued like that, I would have lost important subordinates. Thank you for everything. Making you the Minister of Foreign Affairs was the right decision. I owe you one.”
“Hehe… Hehehehehehehe…”
“Something special as a reward──”
Just as I was about to say that, Stasa turned her head towards me.
“S-So, um, could you…?”
She said, her anticipation swelling.
Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Is this really her idea of a reward?
Money, rare items, good treatment…
There must be something else she wants.
“L-Lord Zaus… Is… Is it not acceptable?”
Well, it’s not that it’s not acceptable, but…
Well, if this is what she wants, then I’ll do it.
People’s values are diverse, after all.
“Alright, alright. You did well.”
I said, gently patting her head.
For her, this is the ultimate reward.
“Hehe. Lord Zaus. I’ll work even harder, so… hehehehe!”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. She’s like a kitten given catnip.
At that moment, two lizardman children came over.
“Sis, thanks for helping Dad, Liza.”
Ah, they’re Lizardmaru’s kids.
Behind the children was a female lizardman. Lizardmaru’s wife had arrived.
It seems she has something to discuss with Stasa.
It might be difficult with me around. Maybe I’ll step away for a bit.