A banquet was held in the Royal Capital a few nights later to celebrate our victory over the Empire. The idea had originated with Luciana. She argued that the Demon King’s Army, having known nothing but relentless warfare, needed a moment of respite.
I couldn't disagree. Regardless of my own needs, my subordinates required mental rest. Physical and spiritual well-being must come first; if pushed too far, even the strongest will eventually break. I should have understood this already, and my failure to act sooner was a lapse in my own judgment. Luciana’s suggestion made that painfully clear.
However, nothing is gained through idle reflection. I consulted the other executives about the proposal. Henry was in total agreement, claiming he wanted nothing more than to drink and cause a ruckus—a candid opinion typical of him. Grom didn't offer his express approval, but he didn't voice any objections either. Since I was in favor of it, his tone suggested he saw no reason to refuse. His lack of enthusiasm likely stemmed from the fact that his body was incapable of eating or drinking, yet he didn't seem to loathe the idea enough to oppose it.
With the executives in accord, the festivities were set in motion.
Tonight, the squares and thoroughfares of the Royal Capital teemed with monsters. Because of their sheer numbers, the entire surrounding district had been transformed into a massive venue. Countless dishes and wine barrels were lined up on tables scattered throughout the area. The soldiers seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, drinking and eating with boisterous cheer.
I hovered in the air, observing the festivities from above.
"Oi! Bring more over here! Hahaha! Come on, don't hold back, drink up!"
Henry’s boisterous laughter echoed across the square. He was in high spirits, his arm thrown around the headless Dolda as they emptied glass after glass. He was making quite a scene, drawing all the surrounding monsters into his revelry. Since he usually served as their combat instructor, Henry was on excellent terms with the troops. He was deepening their bonds, effortlessly crossing the barriers between races. Seeing how much they were consuming, I suspected many would be suffering from hangovers by morning; it might be wise to have some medicine prepared in advance.
A short distance away, Luciana and her subordinate Succubi enjoyed a refined evening drink. Compared to the chaos around Henry, their corner was quiet and elegant. Rather than a rowdy banquet, they wore stylish clothing and enjoyed a sophisticated buffet. It looked more like a high-class social gathering than a victory party.
"Too slow! These dishes will be cold before they even reach the tables!"
Grom’s barked orders echoed through a section of the square cordoned off for cooking. For some reason, he had taken it upon himself to prepare the food. He utilized his eight arms to produce an endless stream of dishes, a display of efficiency that drew gasps of wonder from the crowd. Even from a distance, I could tell he was incredibly skillful. He was likely drawing upon the memories of a professional chef among the constituent souls that composed his being. His creations were immensely popular, and a steady line of subordinates carried away empty plates while bringing in fresh ingredients. Despite his constant scolding, Grom seemed to be in high spirits. He clearly took pride in being relied upon. Even though he couldn't eat or drink himself, he was enjoying the banquet in his own way.
In a separate area, the humans were also holding their own celebration. These were individuals provided from various parts of the Demon King's Domain. While psychological walls still remained and they weren't yet comfortable enough to mingle freely with the monsters, a few brave souls were conversing with them. The atmosphere wasn't nearly as hostile as I had expected. Though tentative, they were trying to close the distance between one another. It was a promising trend, and I hoped their relationships would continue to improve.
The Elves were not present in the Royal Capital, but I had sent wine and food to the Forest of the World Tree. They should be holding their own banquet around this time. Though it remains difficult for now, I hope to one day be able to invite them to the capital as well.
It was a great success, which was only natural given what we had achieved.
The aftermath of the Empire War had been dealt with. The Demon King's Army had invaded the Empire’s Territory from the Eastern Region to the Western Region, claiming everything up to the doorstep of the Imperial Capital as the new Demon King's Domain. To solidify that claim, I had used my magic to carve out a massive river to serve as a clear border. It provided an unmistakable indicator of where our land began.
Through this invasion, we had seized approximately twenty percent of the Empire’s Territory. Furthermore, with the Imperial Capital half-ruined, the Empire had lost its status as a great power in both name and reality. However, a comeback was entirely possible. If they coordinated between their remaining cities and utilized their vast resources, they could rebuild. They still possessed abundant assets and could leverage their connections with Partner Nations. Ideally, they would refrain from any foolish provocations and simply plot their revenge with vigilant eyes.
Moving forward, I intended to monitor the movements of the surrounding nations. There was no need for further consecutive campaigns at the moment. In response to the Empire’s sudden decline, other countries would surely begin to move. It was an event of historic proportions; the Empire had never suffered such devastating losses in its long history. It was a nation built upon centuries of conquest and victory. Even during the era of the previous Demon King, I remembered them being the first to strike down the Demon race. Now that such a superpower had been weakened beyond recognition, the Neighboring Nations would be forced to make a choice.
I wondered how they would conduct themselves. My prediction was that some countries would seek to become Vassal States of the Demon King's Domain. Realizing they were no match for our military might, they would likely offer their submission before they could be destroyed. While it might seem hasty, it was a wise decision, and not one I would reject. Surrendering is, after all, a valid option.
However, I didn't expect every nation to make the same choice. There would undoubtedly be those plotting an attack—or even a new attempt at a Demon King Subjugation. They might even be refining their strategies right now, learning from the Empire’s mistakes. When they imagine a future spent in submission to the Undead, it is only natural for them to resist. Without exaggeration, this will be a struggle to protect the survival and dignity of humanity.
For the time being, the Demon King's Army will halt its expansion and focus on internal development. I also intend to begin weapons research in earnest. I had brought back numerous documents and prototypes from the Imperial Capital, and I wanted to establish a system for mass-producing and operating such weaponry.
Furthermore, I planned to proceed with the development of the lands surrounding the Forest of the World Tree. Because I had forcibly moved that entire region from a great distance, it was currently quite inconvenient for the inhabitants. I wanted to ensure the Elves could live comfortably there. Their bewilderment regarding the sudden environmental changes had likely not faded entirely, so fostering a better relationship with them remained a priority.
It seemed more storms were waiting on the horizon.
To belong to the Demon King's Army is to be an enemy of the entire world. Until the moment they eventually lose their lives, my subordinates will be mired in conflict. No, even if they lose their lives, they will likely continue to fight as the Undead. As the Demon King who perpetuates this cycle, I am undeniably cruel and inhuman.
Tonight's banquet is a precious breather. I must ensure they enjoy it, even if only for a little while.
A sudden thought occurred to me as I watched the revelry. It might not have been the most sophisticated gesture, but there was something I wanted to try. Raising my arm toward the sky, I channeled my magic.
Countless Fireballs erupted from my fingertips. They soared upward with a shrill whistle before bursting against the moonlit sky. Along with great explosive cracks, they scattered brilliant, shimmering light across the darkness. I released volley after volley, fine-tuning the spell to create a display of vibrant, multicolored light.
A wave of awe and cheering swept through my subordinates below. Applause and whistles rang out in unison. The reaction was excellent; I had been anxious about how it would be received, but it seemed my attempt at "fireworks" was a success.
While gazing down at the lively streets of the Royal Capital, I continued to add color to the night sky.