I am the High King.
I have learned about a sport called baseball.
It is quite fascinating.
I can certainly understand why the Demon King puts so much effort into popularizing it.
Once I return to my country, I intend to spread the sport there as well.
And after enjoying a good game of baseball, it is time for ramen.
Yes, ramen.
It is simply magnificent.
Oh, that reminds me: I had the chance to eat authentic ramen in the Demon Kingdom Royal Capital.
It was a branch of a shop from Village Five called Noodle Shop Buritoa, and its flavor moved me to my core.
I see now. If that is the real thing, then the ramen I knew before was indeed an imitation.
In what way was it an imitation?
Quite simply, the ingredients.
Securing the ingredients used in authentic ramen must have been exceptionally difficult, if not outright impossible.
The ramen I knew relied heavily on substitutes.
If you know nothing else, it is certainly delicious enough on its own, but...
Once you have tasted the authentic version, that former flavor pales in comparison.
Yet, at the same time, it makes me marvel at the sheer greatness of the king who first introduced ramen to me.
Could I have done the same?
Attempting to recreate ramen from scratch without access to the proper ingredients...
...
It would surely be a daunting task.
For that king's sake as well, I wish there were some way to bring authentic ingredients back with me, but...
Food spoils, after all.
Perhaps it would be wiser to look into cultivating the crops and raising the livestock myself.
Now then, as boundless as my fascination with ramen and baseball may be, I must not forget the true purpose of my journey.
Meeting Lady Tiselle's father.
Fortunately, the Demon King's subordinates, Count Chrome and Count Pugyal, made the necessary arrangements for our meeting.
It could not take place immediately, but it seems that after a short wait, we will be able to meet in Village Five without any issue.
Furthermore, traveling from the Royal Capital to Village Five is made possible via several Teleportation Gates.
I was told the trip takes less than half a day.
That is truly a blessing.
While waiting, I managed to gather some information about Lady Tiselle's father from Count Chrome and Count Pugyal.
I see.
It appears Lady Tiselle's father is extraordinarily wealthy.
Even if saying he could buy the entire Demon Kingdom is an exaggeration, he clearly commands enough financial power that even the Demon King treats him with the utmost care.
Considering he has an Angel for a wife, it only makes sense.
It is only natural, I suppose.
Furthermore, he possesses considerable military might.
Apparently, this is not limited to the Angels; he commands other formidable forces as well.
However, whenever I pressed for details regarding his military strength, they merely looked at me with exceedingly gentle, pitying eyes, telling me it was better that I remained in the dark.
Is it a force so terrifying that knowing the truth would plunge me into despair?
The only detail I managed to pry from them after persistent inquiry was that the Angels are treated merely as his vanguard.
Isn't that laying it on a bit thick?
If that is true, it sounds like an army straight out of mythology.
Well, they are likely exaggerating to ensure I do not act rashly.
Taking their underlying message to heart, they are warning me not to do anything untoward to Lady Tiselle's father.
I had no intention of picking a fight in the first place.
I only came to offer my greetings with great reluctance anyway.
I will not do anything unnecessary.
Pay my respects and head straight home.
Yes, a good reaffirmation.
Still, why does Lady Tiselle's father style himself as a Village Head when he seemingly holds dominion over several large cities?
Is the status of a Village Head particularly prestigious in the Demon Kingdom?
I can truly sense the cultural divide.
While chatting with Count Chrome and Count Pugyal, another matter took me quite by surprise.
Apparently, both Count Chrome and Count Pugyal sent their daughters to serve Lady Tiselle's father, and Count Chrome's daughter has already borne a child.
To sum up the relationship... does that make Count Chrome the father-in-law of Lady Tiselle's father?
Is that truly how they are connected?
Count Pugyal's daughter has not had a child yet, but he sent another daughter to Lady Tiselle's father's adopted son, and that union has produced offspring.
Which means... err, what relation does that make Count Pugyal to Lady Tiselle's father?
Isn't that terribly convoluted?
W-Well, in large nations, noble lineages are often tangled messes—fathers and sons marrying pairs of sisters, or brothers marrying a mother and daughter.
Perhaps the Demon Kingdom is no different.
The Demon Kingdom tends to revere sheer strength.
I had heard the throne of the Demon King is inherited by whoever holds the greatest power, so I assumed the nobility passed down their titles in a similar fashion, but it appears that is not the case.
Quite educational.
What?
Ah, I am single.
Yes, constant conflicts have kept me rather preoccupied.
Hahaha.
No, an arranged marriage is out of the question.
If I were to take the daughter of a Demon Kingdom noble as my bride, the neighboring countries would kick up a massive fuss.
My own people would likely complain just as loudly.
Under such circumstances, I could never promise happiness to my wife.
Let us put that notion to rest.
We traveled from the Royal Capital to Village Five.
Teleportation Gates are extraordinarily convenient.
Upon arrival, I was astonished by a city large enough to rival the Royal Capital itself.
In what conceivable way is this a village?
W-Well, if it calls itself a village, then a village it must be.
I swallowed my doubts.
I took up lodging in a magnificent inn prepared for me.
The retinue accompanying me stayed there as well.
Though roughly half of them scattered, claiming they were going to gather intelligence in the Royal Capital and the city of Shashato.
Will we even be able to regroup when it comes time to return?
I did inform them of my itinerary, at least.
Well, it will work out somehow.
My plan is to wait in Village Five for about two days.
The reason I arrived in Village Five a bit ahead of schedule was simply that I craved ramen.
I was determined to visit the head office of Noodle Shop Buritoa, which I had seen in the Royal Capital, and I had already received recommendations for several other ramen shops.
Ramen comes in a rich variety of flavors.
Soy sauce, salt, miso, tonkotsu, tonkotsu soy sauce, tonkotsu miso...
Each establishment refines its craft with great care to bring out a distinct, signature taste.
If possible, I would love to sample every single dish at every ramen shop in Village Five, though I recognize that is practically impossible.
Even so, I definitely want to cover the most renowned establishments.
Hm?
Am I concerned about food and drink expenses?
There is no need for such worry.
I received a generous sum for travel funds from Lady Tiselle.
I barely spent any of it along the way.
I still have plenty left over.
The ship fare for the journey home has already been set aside, so everything is in order.
Now, onward!
Ah, perhaps I ought to hire a guide.
This city... no, this village.
This village might have its own unique set of rules.
I must never forget that I am in a foreign land.
The last thing I want is to cause a disturbance and get thrown out.
Yes, hiring a guide is the wise choice.
Following the guide I hired, I thoroughly savored the ramen of Village Five.
How I curse the limits of my own stomach.
I wanted to eat so much more.
I also enjoyed a competition held at the stadium... an obstacle course where participants race against the clock to reach a designated goal.
Leaping over the final curved wall was quite the challenge, but I managed it somehow.
Ah, yes, I enjoyed it by taking part, not merely spectating.
I even made fast friends with the other challengers on the course.
They were kind enough to share some great recommendations for ramen shops, too.
I took a tour of the factory.
Seeing so many golems hard at work was nothing short of magnificent.
I would give anything to introduce such technology to my own country.
However, negotiating such a deal would likely prove difficult.
The factory managers were Angels, after all.
Once I return home, it might be best to ask Lady Tiselle to speak on my behalf.
The Demon King arrived in Village Five.
Apparently, he came to play a baseball match.
I went along to watch.
The movements of the first-string players were astounding.
It was pure artistry.
And his commanding decisions on the field were sharp and precise.
As expected of the Demon King.
Hm?
Called over by the Demon King, I was given the chance to step up to the plate as a pinch hitter.
Is it truly proper for me to take the field?
Regardless, I have no intention of squandering the opportunity.
I held my ground, battled through the pitch, and managed a bloop hit that drove in a run.
Splendid.
While sightseeing around Village Five, I happened upon a food stall selling a confection called cake.
Hmm.
Delicious.
Not quite on the same level as ramen, but delightful nonetheless.
Anyone with a sweet tooth would likely lose their mind over it.
Furthermore, placing a beverage stall right beside the cake stall is a stroke of sharp business acumen.
I think I shall have a drink as well.
An airship.
...Apparently, one can take scenic flights aboard it, but flying vessels terrify me just a little.
For better or worse, I am still a king.
I cannot afford to make a disgraceful spectacle of myself, so I settled for admiring it from afar.
N-Next time the opportunity presents itself, I-I think I will muster the courage to board.
After thoroughly enjoying all that Village Five had to offer, I parted ways with my guide and returned to the inn.
Night had already fallen.
I had finished dinner only a short while earlier.
All that remained was to retire for the evening, but...
A faint, mouthwatering aroma drifted in through the window.
The unmistakable scent of ramen.
My hired guide had assured me that Village Five remains perfectly safe even after dark.
Placing my trust in those words, I bolted out of the inn and made a beeline for the source of the aroma.
It was tucked away deep down an alley off the main thoroughfare.
There, in a small open square, stood a food stall operating under the night sky.
The stall was serving ramen.
The proprietor was human, yet a High Ogre maid attended to the patrons—a rather curious establishment.
Drawn in by the enticing scent, I wandered over, and...
It was shockingly, unimaginably delicious.
Ramen is truly profound.
The High King's Ideal
High King: "Civil official, strike me. I forgot my sworn duties and nearly devoted my entire life to ramen and baseball."
Civil Official A: "No, my King. It is you who should strike me. For a moment, I harbored doubts that you might never return."
High King: "Civil official..."
Civil Official A: "My King..."
High King: "I swear here and now to govern our realm with brilliance from this day forth."
Civil Official A: "And I shall gladly assist you."
The High King's Reality
High King: "Civil official, strike me. I—Gwehh?! W-Wait, I am still talk—Gwah! That hurts! That actually hurts, stop hitting me repeatedly! You are only obeying royal orders?! Then obey my order to stop, too—Gwehhh!!"