NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8
Chapter 8: The Insane Class Society
Should I say fortunately, I didn’t have to storm the palace on the day I sprouted horns.
That’s because it seems there’s a bit of time needed for the procedures to grant me a status now that I’ve graduated from being “hornless.”
Specifically, I’ll be bestowed the rank of a squire.
The Demon Lord Kingdom has a rather bizarre class society where nearly all demons are treated as nobility. Once you grow horns, you become a squire; at 15, you’re considered an adult and become a knight, and then you can climb to the ranks of baronet, baron, and viscount based on military achievements and special contributions to the kingdom.
This system differs quite a bit from that of human nobility, as status isn’t tied to land or the firstborn, and even the Demon Lord’s children start at the bottom with their status determined by their efforts.
Moreover, these ranks are directly connected to the command structure on the battlefield. It goes without saying that the “Demon Lord” reigns at the very top.
Demons, who love standing above others and hate being ordered around, are pouring their heart and soul into climbing the ranks.
By the way, other races can also be granted statuses.
Such as the high elves or dragons, who are considered first-class citizens. Or high-ranking undead who pledge loyalty to the Demon Lord. The leadership of beastmen (the beastman king or tribe leaders).
And demons are treated as virtually equal.
“As for me? I’m technically a baron.”
It was study time. While correcting my scribbles in demon script, Sophia said with little interest.
“You don’t seem too concerned about it.”
“I don’t usually do manual labor, so I’m not interested in mere titles. For demons, you can usually tell who’s superior just by looking.”
And that’s understandable.
For demons, magical power and strength are directly correlated. Even I’ve seen some of the castle demons since sprouting my horns, and it was clear, “This one’s weaker than Sophia” or “This one’s much stronger than Sophia.”
If even newly horned demons have such clarity, it must be obvious to demons themselves. If a lesser demon who achieved the rank of viscount boasts to Sophia about being superior, it would just be laughable, provided such a lesser demon even exists.
“…That said, if any demon can rise through the ranks based on strength, won’t problems arise when it comes to inheriting the position of Demon Lord?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“If someone rises to the rank of ‘Duke’ right after the ‘Demon Lord,’ isn’t everyone going to try to become the next Demon Lord? The succession battle would likely get out of hand.”
“I don’t quite understand. What’s the problem with that?”
With Sophia looking puzzled, my hands stopped writing.
…I see, the position of Demon Lord isn’t even tied to blood.
If you’re genuinely strong, it doesn’t matter if you aren’t related to the Demon Lord. And it doesn’t matter how fierce the competition becomes. Perhaps it sounds insane because I’m originally human.
“The current Demon Lord has eliminated any rivals, including siblings, who didn’t sincerely pledge their loyalty before ascending.”
Sophia stated this matter-of-factly.
“Unless you’ve proven yourself to be worthy of inheriting ‘the Demon Lord’s Spear,’ you won’t be able to govern the strong-willed demons, Zilbagias.”
“…So, unless one has overwhelming strength, no one will obey, huh?”
“Indeed. You must prove you are worthy of inheriting ‘the Demon Lord’s Spear.’”
…That ‘spear,’ huh?
I recalled my battle with the Demon Lord.
It was a simple spear, rugged and with a texture like obsidian. There was no doubt it concealed terrifying power. It pierced through our shield, reinforced with layers of protective magic and prayers, as if it were mere paper. My companion, the Sword Saint, had struck with all his might, yet it seemed to suffer not a scratch.
“What exactly is the ‘Demon Lord’s Spear’?”
I decided to ask the demon of knowledge about its true nature.
“Oh right, I hadn’t explained it, had I? It’s such an obvious thing for demons that I assumed you, Zilbagias, would already know.”
Clapping her hands, Sophia began to explain with delight.
“The spear passed down by the Demon Lord is the magical spear created by the first Demon Lord, Raougius—your grandfather, Zilbagias—at the cost of his own life.”
At the cost of his own life, huh?
“He’s just like a dwarf.”
He resembles the ‘true master’ of the dwarves. They elevate their craft to the point of magic with their race; once in a lifetime, they pour their soul into creating an incredible magical weapon.
“Exactly! You know quite well! …How do you know?”
Sophia, who nodded along with my mumblings, gave me a puzzled look.
…Oh no. I shouldn’t know more than I’ve been taught! And the one in charge of all that is the demon right in front of me!!
“I…I think I read it in a book.”
Sweating nervously, I replied in desperation.
I’m not the same as before. I’ve learned demon script, studied human script, and even dabbled in elven script. I can read books now, and I’ve actually finished several textbooks. Perhaps because my body is young, learning hasn’t been too strenuous.
Thanks to the demon’s education, my hatred for studying has significantly improved…
“Oh, there’s a mention of dwarves in the history book you read 371 days ago. I hadn’t explained it, but you did read it properly.”
With a narrowed gaze, Sophia glanced into the void, nodding as if convinced.
…Oh, that was close. She’s aware of everything I’ve read!
If there hadn’t been any mention of dwarves in the books I’ve read, it would have raised more suspicion…!!
I should stop nodding in agreement. I shouldn’t speak out my thoughts either.
“…I’ve digressed. So?”
“Yes. As Zilbagias-sama may have guessed, ‘the Demon Lord’s Spear’ is a magical weapon. It contains the power of ‘Soul Devourer,’ which the first Demon Lord gained through a contract with the Demon God.”
The mention of ‘Soul Devourer,’ the source of the Demon Lord’s incomparable power, arises here.
We, the Pan-Humanity Alliance, know the name but are shrouded in mystery as to its true nature. The Demon Lord Kingdom is severely lacking in information as human spies cannot operate within.
Feeling my heartbeat quicken, I silently urged her to continue.
“‘Soul Devourer’ is the power of the demon Cannibal, a magic that transmutes the souls of slain prey into magical power. And ‘the Demon Lord’s Spear’ is imbued with that magic, along with a significant portion of the magical power held by the first Demon Lord; the wielder inherits all that.”
———.
So, the insurmountable power of the Demon Lord.
And the cursed magic of ‘Soul Devourer’ stemmed entirely from the spear…!
“Thus, the struggle for the position of Demon Lord can also be seen as a struggle for the spear’s wielder. It’s not enough to merely possess it. You must compete, kill one another, and only the last one standing is the rightful bearer, completing the curse that allows the king to govern his subordinates.”
“…………”
My mouth felt parched.
So, in other words.
“Then, what if…”
…I just swore a moment ago not to speak excessively, but I can’t help but ask this one.
“If, by any chance, that spear were to be lost… wouldn’t it spell disaster?”
“Well, yes.”
Sophia nodded.
“If the spear were to be lost—if a ‘king’ with immense power were to be gone, unfortunately, the demons would also lose their cohesion.”
There was a hint of sarcasm in her words.
“However, I doubt anything in this world could destroy that spear. It’s the crystallization of the first Demon Lord’s soul, forged with the power of the Demon God. Besides, the current Demon Lord would never allow such a thing, always keeping it close at hand.”
It doesn’t matter.
Ah, it doesn’t matter at all.
Whether allowed or not, I intended to ‘do it.’
I glimpsed a weakness in the mighty Demon Lord Kingdom. That alone is enough for me right now.
“Oh, there’s a book that details all this. It was written by the first Demon Lord himself!”
Suddenly, Sophia opened her butler uniform’s chest and pulled out an enormous book that looked like a dictionary.
“Where on earth did that book come from?!”
“It’s from inside my body. It’s like a library.”
“A library?!”
Even if there are no physical constraints, that’s just too free!!
Confused, I reached for the book.
It had a sturdy, unembellished binding.
And fittingly, the title was written in demon script without any frills.
———“The Founding History of the Demon Lord.”