Serena turned her head and glared fiercely at them, trying to shut them up, but the small fry continued shouting and screaming, completely oblivious to her actions.
Strange, are these small fry monsters really that afraid of Serena's preaching?
Eiji wore a deeply suspicious expression.
Seeing this, Serena panicked even more, quickly lowering her head like an ostrich—if she couldn't see him, maybe he wouldn't ask.
"Whatever, four executives are dealt with anyway."
Eiji decided not to press further.
At least he had figured one thing out.
Each of the Demon King Army's executives had their own unique skills—none of them were pushovers. No wonder leadership was the most important quality for a Demon King. If you couldn't manage these weirdos, the Demon King Army would be nothing more than a name.
"Next, I'll be taking over as the Demon King. Who agrees, and who opposes?"
Eiji sat back down on the throne, sweeping his gaze across the people below.
The small fry had no rights and could be ignored. Sylvia and Serena both wore obedient expressions, Beldia abstained, and Vanir remained completely detached.
With this, his succession should go smoothly.
"I oppose!"
Eiji's face darkened.
He turned his gaze toward another corner of the hall.
The Demon King's daughter, holding the unconscious former Demon King in her arms, glared at him indignantly.
"I may be the Demon King's daughter, but I'm also one of the eight executives! Are you just going to ignore my opinion completely?"
"Is that so?"
Eiji looked at the others.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hey!"
Ignoring the Demon King's daughter's protests, Serena eagerly explained like a bootlicker.
"The current Demon King Army has eight executives in total. Among the five present here, three are accounted for. Lord Yasaka has inherited most of the former Demon King's blessings and is extremely powerful. As for the other three—Lord Hans, the Death Poison Slime; Lord Wiz, the Lich King of the Undead; and... Lady Wolbach—are not currently in the city."
"Hey, you deliberately left out Lady Wolbach's identity, didn't you?"
"I did not."
"You did! You're clearly afraid Lady Wolbach will return and settle accounts with you over your preaching!"
"I did not."
Under the Demon King's daughter's accusations, Serena kept her eyes downcast, her face the picture of loyalty.
"I think I just heard something rather shocking?"
Eiji smiled brightly.
Seems like I've picked up a hot potato here!
A Death Poison Slime and the Lich King of the Undead are one thing.
But why is there even a goddess mixed into the Demon King Army?
Is this world's Demon King Army really this much of a mixed bag?
And this goddess has some kind of preaching-related grudge with Serena?
"Sylvia, you too! Your so-called 'have him' wasn't about anything lewd—you just wanted to eat him, didn't you?!"
"I did not."
"Your true form is a chimera, capable of absorbing the powers of other creatures! You were clearly up to no good!"
"I did not."
Under the Demon King's daughter's relentless exposé, Sylvia guiltily averted her gaze.
Eiji's smile stiffened.
Oh, for crying out loud—I kind of want to run away now.
Why is it that every single one of the people who surrendered seems to have ulterior motives?!
"Ha ha ha, don't worry, new Demon King!"
Vanir's face was filled with a cheerful smile.
"Though she's a goddess, that woman has long lost half of her power and is greatly weakened. She's no match for you now. As for those chimeras, just ignore them!"
Is that so?
Eiji pondered for a moment.
Thinking about it carefully, if a true goddess had come, there'd be no need for her to submit to the Demon King. Moreover, a deity entangled in faith disputes didn't sound like a particularly formidable one.
The chimeras could be ignored.
Whatever.
Since things had already come to this, there was no reason not to see it through to the end.
At worst, he could just run away—no need to fret over it.
"Alright, I'll handle the issue with my subordinates myself. No need for you to go out of your way to sow discord, Witch!"
Eiji cut off the Demon King's daughter's constant provocations.
"Who are you calling a witch?!"
The witch's breath hitched.
"Demon King's daughter—shortened to 'Witch.' Isn't that concise and clear?"
"Don't just slap strange titles on people! My name is Yasaka!"
"Got it, Witch Yasaka."
Witch Yasaka's chest heaved with anger.
Eiji glanced at her.
"Hmph!"
"Hey! If you have something to say about my figure, just say it outright!"
His gaze lingered pointedly on her chest, and the dismissive reaction greatly provoked the young witch.
"I'm a reasonable person."
Eiji had clearly lost interest.
"Now, this Demon King's Castle belongs to me. If you oppose that, you're free to leave—but only after compensating me for my losses."
He was actually willing to let her go?
Yasaka was momentarily stunned. She had assumed this guy, upon becoming the Demon King, would surely eliminate all opposition. Yet, he was willing to let her, the ringleader of the opposition, leave?
Though it was frustrating, escaping would naturally be for the best.
Who knew this guy had a shred of decency—
"The buildings destroyed along the way, the monsters killed—they were all my property. It was your resistance that caused them to disappear. You'll have to repay that debt. Understand?"
What kind of bullshit reasoning is that?!
Her momentarily calmed mood was instantly reignited by his words.
Damn it, I'll fight you to the death!
"You—!"
"W-Wait… my daughter…"
Just as Yasaka was about to charge at Eiji in a suicidal attack, a weak voice from her arms interrupted her movements.
The old Demon King, cradled in her arms, had woken up at some point.
"Oh?"
Eiji looked at him in surprise.
An ordinary person would've needed half a day to recover. Given the horns on his head, he must be of the oni race—was his stamina really that strong?
"Could you give me a moment, new Demon King?"
The old Demon King struggled to rise, then addressed Eiji with a title that sent a ripple through the crowd.
Beldia cast a complicated glance, while Sylvia and Serena exchanged looks. The lesser monsters grew even more bewildered.
Only Vanir's gaze turned thoughtful.
"Father?!"
The witch cried out in shock.
"My daughter is a bit stubborn. Could you give me some time to persuade her?"
The old Demon King bowed deeply, lowering his stance.
Eiji narrowed his eyes slightly.
Had a nap and suddenly had a change of heart?
Or was this old Demon King brewing some other scheme?
"Do as you please."
Eiji waved his hand, letting him proceed.
"Thank you."
The old Demon King flicked his wrist, casting a soundproof barrier.
After that, all that could be seen was the Witch Yasaka shouting indignantly about something, while the old Demon King patiently soothed her. Then, after some unknown words were exchanged, Yasaka grew pensive.
"All hail Your Majesty!"
Several minutes later, the barrier dissipated.
The old Demon King and Yasaka knelt together, bowing their heads in submission to Eiji.