—Delmapore, the Crimson Demon Nation.
Currently, I was having a discussion with the Prime Minister of the Crimson Demon Nation in a room within their capital, Delmapore.
The new nation ruled by Gil had been named Fiesta. Gil and the others had asked me to choose a name, so I gave it to them. It was a word from another world meaning "festival," simply a pun playing on "festival" and "governance." It didn't carry any particularly grand meaning.
The participants were myself, Rose, Asta, Fiesta's representative Gil, and Kiji.
"Our demands are integration into your nation and the protection of the people of our Crimson Demon Nation. Of course, as the ones who governed a defeated nation, you are free to execute us as you see fit!"
"Normally, doing that would be the quickest way. But despite ruling with such tyranny, Aldebaran still has many staunch devotees among the general populace here in the Crimson Demon Nation. There are several conceivable reasons for that, but you didn't willingly take on the role of villains either, did you?"
The Prime Minister bowed his head deeply.
"This Crimson Demon Nation has by far the least productive land in all the demon race's territories. In particular, our King, Lord Aldebaran, was originally nothing more than an orphan from the slums."
"And that orphan defeated one of the Four Great Demon Kings and ascended to the throne of Demon King?"
"Yes. At the time, Lord Aldebaran killed the Demon King who was enforcing a reign of tyranny and took the title of Demon King Aldebaran for himself. Initially, Lord Aldebaran was purely thinking about the future of this Crimson Demon Nation. However, among the demon race—a species where strength is the absolute standard of value—this Crimson Demon Nation needed to demonstrate power both internally and externally in order to survive. And so..."
The Prime Minister hesitated. Even without finishing his sentence, it was easy enough to guess what came next.
"He kept seeking power, and somewhere along the way, the means became the end, is that it?"
It was an error common among the young. Seeking power to achieve an objective, only for the pursuit of power itself to become the goal, until they ultimately stray from the path.
"That man should never have become a Demon King. If he hadn't, he at least wouldn't have lost sight of himself."
The Prime Minister squeezed out the words with an expression of bitter anguish. Judging by his demeanor, he had probably known Aldebaran since before he became a Demon King. Even so—
"I witnessed Aldebaran's end myself, and it was magnificent, bringing no shame upon a king. So, you can all take pride in that."
Regardless of his actual strength, for that single moment, he was a king. No, he strove to be a true king. No matter what anyone said, that alone was the truth.
"Is that... so? You have my gratitude. Those words alone offer us some measure of salvation."
The Prime Minister bowed deeply.
"Now then, let us get down to the specifics. Your Crimson Demon Nation wishes to integrate into Fiesta. You have no objections to that, correct?"
"None."
"Gil, please explain the details."
"Understood!"
Gil stood up, placing his right hand over his chest as he offered a respectful bow.
"I am the General Chairman of Fiesta, Gilbert. Gil is fine. Please elect fifty members of parliament from your Crimson Demon Nation as well. Together with our fifty members, a council of one hundred will conduct the governance."
"Pardon? What did you just say?"
"A council composed of our fifty members and the Crimson Demon Nation's fifty members—a total of one hundred members of parliament—will manage the government."
"Even we, the defeated, are allowed to participate in governance?!"
The Prime Minister of the Crimson Demon Nation raised his voice in sheer astonishment.
"Yes. This political system is something our sovereign strongly advocates."
Gil nodded firmly in confirmation. In truth, this parliamentary national system was an idea Rose had proposed, which I had tweaked to fit harmoniously into this world. What mattered most in governing a nation were resources and human talent. Unilateral subjugation would only lead to a wasteful squandering of both. Having the people of that nation run it was far more efficient. With this political framework, even if the number of subordinate nations grew in the future, it would allow for efficient administration.
"...Are you truly all right with that?"
"Every nation possesses its own unique culture and ideology. Only the people of that land can properly apply them to politics, the economy, and the military. I believe that is the most appropriate course as well. Above all, it sounds much more interesting that way."
For a moment, the Prime Minister stood with his mouth agape at Gil's reply, before placing his right hand over his face and chuckling.
"Interesting, you say? Indeed, as someone who has handled the governance of a nation for so long, that system piques my interest greatly."
The Prime Minister stood up, bowed deeply to me, and extended his right hand toward Gil.
"We humbly accept your proposal. By all means, please allow us to join Fiesta!"
He answered in a clear, resonant voice.
"Gladly!"
Gil broke into a smile and firmly grasped his hand.
"Then, let us immediately address the concrete details regarding food aid for the Crimson Demon Nation."
At Kiji's proposal, the other dignitaries of the Crimson Demon Nation, beside the Prime Minister, were moved to tears as they expressed their gratitude.
"Thank you! Thank you so very much!"
—The Crimson Demon Nation was integrated into Fiesta.
The General Parliamentary Nation of Fiesta now held two participating member states: the New City of Ket Nya and the Crimson Demon Nation. This was the very moment when the first federal nation—albeit an irregular one—came into existence in this world of Lemuria.