I stretched out fully in the room prepared for me within the Royal Castle.
Looking back on this Outside Parade... Tiselle had been pulling quite a few strings from the shadows. Apparently, she had wanted to make me stand out. She wanted me to step up as a high-ranking dignitary of the Demon Kingdom, not just the Village Head of a small community.
As her father, the sentiment touched me, but given my actual talents, it was an impossible and reckless ambition. First and foremost, it would cause trouble for the Demon King and the others. That just wouldn't do.
So, I decided to sabotage Tiselle’s plot. I spent about three days agonizing over whether she would come to hate me for it, but I eventually told myself it was part of her education. I simply had to accept it.
Interfering was simple enough. I just had to create a figure who stood out even more than I did. Fortunately, the Demon Kingdom already had the perfect candidate for that: the Demon King himself. I let him do the heavy lifting.
I was perfectly content remaining a background figure. Tiselle might have been frustrated with my lack of ambition, but that was one part of my character that simply wasn't going to change. as long as I could protect my peaceful life in the village, that was more than enough for me.
To ensure things didn't get out of hand, I started by reining in the Angel Race so the skirmish in the Royal Capital wouldn't become too intense. Next, I instructed Dos and his kin not to set foot in the capital. I also made a request to Kuro's Children, asking them to refrain from killing any residents even if combat broke out. Additionally, I asked the Minotaur Race and the Centaur Race to focus on rescue efforts if the situation turned violent.
The Demon King was incredibly cooperative. It was a massive help. We aimed to settle the chaos by framing the combat in the Royal Capital as a Military Exercise, and I think we succeeded reasonably well. Beyond Zabuton's Children, the likes of Lu, Tia, the Lamia Race, and the Giant Race all moved voluntarily to assist with rescue operations.
There were injuries, of course, but they were all minor enough to heal in a few days—or immediately, if someone used magic. I was truly relieved that there were no fatalities.
Tiselle was likely careful about that as well, but the people of the Demon Kingdom seemed to have a culture that tolerated accidental deaths during major events. Whenever I spoke with the Civil Official Girls about festivals in other regions, stories of people dying surfaced with alarming ease. Was it because war was such a constant presence in their lives? Or was it simply that safety management was traditionally poor at these events?
In any case, I didn't want a single person to die during an event involving me or my children. Though it meant pushing a thankless, behind-the-scenes job onto them, I asked Prada and the other Ancient Demons to handle the safety net.
Prada and her group readily accepted, which put my mind at ease. What they actually did was go around distributing non-lethal weapons to the capital's residents. While that was fine for those of us on the receiving end of the "attacks," I wondered if that alone would really prevent deaths.
Apparently, it would. Supposedly, when they handed out the weapons, they cast Defense Magic on every resident they met. They told me that, short of extreme misfortune, no one would die. Magic really is a marvel of convenience.
I had considered asking the Beastman Race and the High Elves for their cooperation as well, but in the end, I decided to let them do as they pleased. If I interfered too much, Tiselle would notice. While I wouldn't have minded if she caught on and canceled her plans, I judged that it was better for her future if she experienced a failure here.
As a result, the unrestricted Beastman Race and High Elves seemed to thoroughly enjoy the combat. However, I never imagined they would go as far as laying siege to the Academy where Alfred and the others were studying. Rigne, Ria's Mother, had been leading the defense force there, and the village's forces apparently struggled quite a bit. Still, they succeeded in their occupation, and Ria and the other High Elves were delighted. The beastmen, on the other hand, looked utterly exhausted.
Come to think of it, the Academy Director—the Demon King's Wife—had just given me a very pointed complaint with a bright smile on her face. She told me quite firmly not to involve places of education in such messes. She was absolutely right. I’ll have to make sure to caution the beastmen and the High Elves later.
Oh, and another thing. To sell the idea that this was all a Military Exercise, the Demon King gathered everyone in front of the Royal Castle and suddenly made a grand announcement. I was stunned. It seemed he had prepared it well in advance... or perhaps this declaration was the true objective of the parade all along.
The "Declaration of Victory in the War Against Human Nations."
It was a bold move. It was a unilateral declaration to end the war, after all. Naturally, there would be backlash from the Human Kingdoms. However, those kingdoms can only truly compete with the Demon Kingdom if they stand united. I suspect there are many human nations that are tired of fighting. I doubt they can achieve a unified front.
Nevertheless, the fighting would likely continue in some form. If it did, the Demon King’s declaration would end up being nothing more than empty words. While I wasn't in a position to meddle in the Demon Kingdom's internal politics, I did offer the Demon King one suggestion: to establish a new nation in the territories bordering the human lands.
This new country would serve as a bridge between the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdoms. I hoped he would at least consider it, but the Demon King accepted the idea on the spot. I suppose that’s the decisive nature required to lead such a massive country. He really is impressive.
With the parade and the Military Exercise over, the night party began.
Now then... Yes, "now then" indeed.
Looking back, my actions throughout this affair were quite strange. Odd, even. I know that. It wasn't like me at all. There was no way I would naturally move to suppress the Angels or suggest the creation of a new country. Of course, there was a reason I was acting out of character.
There was someone who had advised me. Someone who had warned me about Tiselle's plot and provided the instructions for my actions in the Royal Capital.
Was it Lu? No. Tia? No.
The answer was my son with Ann—Torain.
Shortly before the Outside Parade began, Torain had come to me in the Village of the Great Tree. He told me exactly what Tiselle was planning and what would happen in the Royal Capital. And then, he had asked me a question.
"Do you have any intention of becoming active in the Demon Kingdom?"
The question was broad, but I didn't miss the underlying meaning. I told him that as long as I had the Village of the Great Tree, that was enough for me. If the village’s existence was threatened, I would stand up, but otherwise, I had no desire to be actively involved in politics.
Torain bowed and said he understood. When he attempted to leave to take action himself, I stopped him. He had been preparing to help Mettora—no, let me speak plainly. He was going to go to the Royal Capital to suppress Tiselle. I didn't want him to do that, not because I didn't appreciate the help, but because I didn't want to cause a rift between the siblings.
I realized that if Torain interfered with Tiselle’s plans for my sake, the brunt of her anger would be directed squarely at him. That was not acceptable. The person who should stand in the path of that anger wasn't a younger brother, but the parent. It had to be me.
That was why I stepped in. I carried out exactly what Torain had planned to do.
I suppose I can say the results were positive. Though, once I told Torain I would move in his place, he certainly didn't hesitate to use me to the fullest. There were several moments where I wondered if I had acted too hastily. Still, it was a small price to pay to keep the peace between siblings. Yes, I believe I made the right choice.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
"Torain?"
"Yes, Father?"
After the night party, I had called Torain to my room. There was something I needed to clarify. Tiselle was going to be involved in the administration of the new nation. I was the one who proposed it to the Demon King, but the suggestion had originally come from Torain. I wanted to know why.
"I suggested it so that Tiselle-nesama might have the chance to learn. In the Demon Kingdom, the environment is far too soft for her. That is not good for her development."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I believe an environment with some level of hardship will better facilitate her growth. Furthermore, considering our relations with the Garlet Kingdom, it would be beneficial for the Angel Race to be involved in the new nation’s founding. The Obedient Faction of the Garlet Kingdom... I believe they called themselves the 'Orthodox Garlet Kingdom.' We plan to have them become subordinate to Tiselle-nesama’s new country."
I understood that it was for the best for her future, but...
"Is there a problem?"
"It’s just that Tiselle will be so far away from the Royal Capital."
"I understand your concern, Father, but I hope you can alleviate that by dispatching excellent escorts."
For the escorts, Torain had requested Zabuton's Children. I’d have to consult with Zabuton about that, but...
"It would also be a help if several people from the Angel Race could be provided as well."
"I suppose you're right. I’ll consult with Tia and Malbit."
I understood. I thanked him and apologized for calling him so late. Given that it concerned Tiselle, I had wanted to settle it quickly.
"Not at all. Ah, what shall we do about Mother Frau and Yuri-san?"
"Hmm? What about them?"
"They seemed to be cooperating with Tiselle-nesama’s plot."
"...I’ll speak to Frau and Yuri myself. There’s no need for you to do anything, Torain."
"I understand."
Torain gave a polite bow and left the room. Out in the hallway, the Mountain Elf who was close with him was waiting, so I wasn't worried about him being out late. Even if she hadn't been there, he was reliable enough to make it back to his own room just fine.
Sigh.
It was true that Torain’s foresight had saved me this time, but... I really should communicate more with my children. Besides, I think Ann is raising Torain with far too much discipline. Lately, I had been worrying about how to make our relationship feel a little more like a normal father and son.