The gates of the demon castle groaned as they opened, revealing a large group of humans kneeling in the dirt.
But unlike last time…
They weren't praying.
They were shivering.
Baskets of offerings lay scattered in front of them...bread, fruit, wine, flowers, even a few terrified chickens tied with rope.
One man raised a shaking sign that read:
"PLEASE DON'T KILL US."
I stared.
The Demon General stared.
Everyone stared.
"…General," I whispered, "why are they holding a chicken like a hostage?"
"They likely believe it pleases you, My Queen," he replied gravely.
"That makes it WORSE!"
Another villager raised a sign:
"WE SURRENDER. PLEASE ACCEPT THESE PEACE TAXES."
I nearly choked.
Peace taxes?!
Do I look like a mafia don?!
[New Title Unlocked: Harbinger of Merciful Terror]
"NO. REMOVE THAT."
[Titles cannot be removed.]
Of course they can't.
The Demon General stepped forward.
His voice boomed across the clearing:
"Kneel, humans! Her Majesty, the Queen of Dawn and Dread, has granted you audience!"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
But the humans didn't hear me over the sound of their own screaming.
"AAAAA SHE SPEAKS!"
"HUMANS ARE DOOMED!"
"THE HOLY LIGHT WAS A WARNING SHOT!"
"TAKE MY HOUSE, MY LAND, MY UNCLE...JUST SPARE US!"
I slapped both hands over my face.
"General, why do they think I shot holy light at them?!"
He nodded respectfully.
"Your Majesty's light was… visible across five villages."
"OH MY GOD...
[Correction: Visible across seven villages.]
The General placed a fist over his heart.
"Your brilliance inspires both awe and despair. A perfect combination for peace negotiations."
"This is NOT peace negotiations! This is mass panic!"
He tilted his head.
"Is that not the same?"
"It is VERY MUCH NOT the...
Before I finished, a trembling villager crawled forward, pushing a giant sack with his forehead.
"M-Magnificent Queen… w-we offer this tr-tribute of gold and grain. Please… s-spare our livestock…"
Another shoved forward a barrel.
"Here! Our finest ale! It tastes terrible but it's ALL WE HAVE!"
A third slid forward on his stomach like a slug.
"TAKE MY SON!"
"NO, DON'T TAKE YOUR SON!"
The General leaned toward me, whispering:
"My Queen… they are clearly acknowledging your sovereignty."
"I DON'T WANT SOVEREIGNTY OVER HUMANS!"
He blinked.
"…Then what do you want?"
"I WANT TO STOP PANICKING!"
[New Quest: Accept the humans' surrender gracefully.]
[Failure Penalty: Reputation -30 with humans]
I groaned.
I knew what would happen if I refused.
More screaming.
More panic.
More "Please take my son" moments.
So I lifted one glowing hand and tried my absolute best to speak calmly:
"I… accept your offerings."
A collective gasp rippled through the humans.
One by one, they fell flat in gratitude.
"WE ARE SAVED!"
"SHE ACCEPTED US!"
"THE QUEEN OF LIGHT HAS SPARED OUR LIVES!"
"LONG LIVE HER MERCIFUL TERROR!"
I grimaced.
Why does every new title sound worse?
[Quest Complete!]
[Reputation with Humans increased.]
[Humans will now spread rumors of your benevolence.]
"NO, DON'T SPREAD RUMORS…!"
Too late.
The villagers were already running home, shouting:
"THE DEMON QUEEN IS SHINY AND MERCIFUL!"
"WE MUST TELL EVERYONE!"
"SHE ACCEPTED OUR SURRENDER WITH HOLY GRACE!"
"WRITE SONGS ABOUT HER!"
I fell to my knees.
"This… this is a disaster."
The Demon General kneeled beside me.
"Congratulations, My Queen."
"For what?!"
"For conquering seven villages without bloodshed."
I stared at him.
"What."
"You made them surrender," he said proudly. "With only the power of your presence."
"I... I wasn't trying to conquer them!"
"So humble," he whispered.
And then…
The System chimed.
[Warning: New threat detected approaching the castle.]
[Category: Human]
[Hostile intent unknown.]
I stiffened.
The General rose instantly.
"Another group of humans approaches? Shall we eliminate...
"N-NO killing!"
He grumbled but nodded.
[Threat Distance: 200 meters]
[Speed: Fast]
A single silhouette appeared at the edge of the forest.
Running.
Straight.
Toward us.
Not kneeling.
Not afraid.
Not carrying offerings.
Just sprinting.
The General gripped his sword.
"My Queen… this one is different."
My heart pounded.
The figure got closer.
Closer.
Closer…
Until the System flashed:
[New Objective: Unknown Hero Approaching.]
"What… A HERO WHAT...?!"