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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Rather Good
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Early in the morning, Gordon, from the dark elf clan, woke up humming a tune.
"Can't leave a bad impression on our first meeting."
He shaved his beard and trimmed his hair. He finished getting ready in a neat suit.
Looking in the mirror, a handsome dark elf with black hair stood there.
"Hmm, looking good."
Today was the graduation ceremony for the 99th class of the Demon King Academy.
The trainee demon kings, having completed their education, would officially become demon kings and be assigned to various dimensions. And he was to serve as an aide to one such demon king.
'Top graduate of the Demon Aide Academy, Gordon Dirik.'
While the Demon King Academy trained demon kings, the Demon Aide Academy raised demons to serve them.
The top performers especially became aides to demon kings, and Gordon, who had graduated at the top, was slated to be the aide to Berge Dayas, the top graduate of the Demon King Academy.
No, the assignment was already set, and he'd received Berge's files in advance.
'From the great demon dragon clan.'
'A genius who never lost first place.'
'Peerless talent.'
'The greatest in Demon King Academy history.'
The files full of nothing but praise filled him with even greater satisfaction.
As an aide serving a demon king, it was only natural to wish to serve the most exceptional one.
In that sense, the top graduate, Berge Dayas, was the perfect lord, and Gordon was the luckiest dark elf alive.
'With him, we could conquer any dimension.'
Just graduating top had already secured him numerous benefits, excluding himself. With their combination plus those perks, they could achieve anything.
- We will now begin the graduation ceremony for the 99th class of the Demon King Academy.
He arrived at the auditorium in high spirits. Before he knew it, it was packed with all sorts of demons.
Gordon headed to the back of the stage with familiar faces.
"How's yours?"
"The demon king you'll serve?"
"Not bad. Cool, charismatic—like the epitome of a great demon king."
The aides-to-be, whose futures were set to serve demon kings, chatted idly about their lords.
Trivial talk like who got whom, what their demon kings seemed like.
Naturally, Gordon drew the most attention and envy.
"Saw Berge earlier. Definitely top graduate material. Stood out from the others."
"Same here. Something untouchable about him. Felt like we could do anything together."
"Demon dragon clan, huh? Makes sense."
Gordon's shoulders puffed up at his peers' praise.
No aide would dislike hearing their lord praised. He felt grateful to Berge Dayas, graduating from the academy at the same time as him.
As they chattered, the ceremony neared its end.
Finally, the chairman awarded the diplomas, and Berge Dayas ascended the podium.
"Handsome."
190 cm tall. Imposing build and natural intimidation. The dignity of a top graduate.
'The one I'll serve from now on. The one who'll write legends.'
Gordon's chest swelled with anticipation.
He imagined conquering countless dimensions together and etching their names in history.
- Now, the oath for the new demon king graduates will begin.
- Top graduate Berge Dayas will read it on behalf of all.
That is, until the oath to uphold the Standard of the Demon King.
- Berge Dayas?
- Please lead us in reciting the great Standard of the Demon King.
Even when he hesitated without reciting it, Gordon didn't find it odd.
They said he followed the Standard more faithfully than anyone, so he just assumed it was overwhelming emotion.
He never imagined.
"Impossible."
That he'd utter such madness.
"I can't swear that idiotic oath. Upholding the Standard of the Demon King is as stupid and insane as barging into a dragon's lair carrying a hatchling's corpse. That Standard is garbage!"
He truly never saw it coming.
"...."
Gordon's legs gave out, and he collapsed in a heap.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"That's the blockhead?"
"Daring to insult the Standard? Should be executed."
"And next to him? A moron fitting for the blockhead?"
"Heard he's the blockhead's aide? Already assigned, can't be changed."
"Poor guy. How'd he end up with that one...."
"Tch, such a promising top graduate wasting away under a blockhead."
Gordon closed his eyes amid the murmurs. His plight felt so wretched tears welled up.
Meanwhile, Berge, seated before him, extended a hand casually, without a hint of remorse.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Berge Dayas."
"...."
Gordon stared at the hand. He didn't want to take it. But he had no choice.
'Madman. Bastard. Should rip him apart right now.'
After Berge Dayas's bombshell declaration, Gordon felt the changed reality.
The vicious rumors still buzzing were just the beginning.
- What? The Founding Demon Emperor's established, battle-tested Standard is garbage?
- Like storming a dragon's lair with a hatchling corpse?
- Top graduate my ass, he's lost it.
- Him as top? What's the Demon King Academy teaching!?
The demons were furious.
The Standard of the Demon King had unified the chaotic demon world and allowed it to project power outward—the Founding Demon Emperor's legacy.
To demons, the Standard was faith. An inviolable sanctum.
And Berge had touched it.
- Investigate the academy's grading for fraud!
- That trash insulting the Standard can't be a demon king!
- Strip his demon king qualifications and ship him to the Golan mines!
Protests erupted. With their radical nature, violence and terror inevitably followed.
It was the academy for now, but who knew when that rage would turn to Berge—and himself, who had to serve him.
"...Why did you do it?"
Gordon's tone sharpened inevitably.
"Do what?"
"The Standard! The Standard!"
He fumed.
"Just swearing the oath quietly would've made everything perfect! Your achievements and reputation had everything primed at the highest level!"
He couldn't comprehend it. Throwing away destined glory with his own mouth. What an idiotic, foolish act. Why would a top graduate do this?
No, why disparage the great Standard? How could anyone sane spout such nonsense? Was he even a demon?
Faint disgust mixed with his anger.
But Berge sidestepped by changing the subject.
"You went to the Demon Aide Academy, right?"
"...."
Right after the ceremony ended, Gordon went to the chairman of the Demon Aide Academy.
He begged. Cancel the assignment. He didn't want to be Berge Dayas's aide.
'Heard the news. Was looking forward to the top Demon King Academy graduate, but a blockhead? Makes you wonder if the professors all went mad.'
'Sorry, can't cancel. Once assigned, the bond lasts. It's the rule from the Founding Demon Emperor.'
'Can't become like that blockhead ignoring the Standard, can I?'
The chairman's tongue-clicking and shoulder pat lingered in his mind.
'Why'd I have to be top? If I'd slipped to second....'
But regrets were always too late.
"...The benefits."
"Huh?"
"Do the benefits still apply?"
The perks for being top. If those remained, it'd be some consolation.
"Sadly, all canceled. For slandering the Standard."
Damn it!
Of course. Couldn't let a Standard-basher off lightly.
Stopping at revoking benefits for such a grave crime—probably because expectations lingered.
He's top graduate, so let's use him.
Better to grind him for the demon world's atonement than just kill him.
'But why me....'
He was one of those benefits for Berge, too.
oblivious to his thoughts, Berge extended his hand again.
"Anyway, since it's done, let's get along."
"...."
Gordon couldn't bring himself to take it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Archduke of the Demon Realm, Alcaine Blamif's office.
I rushed over at his summons.
"Come in."
As I sank into the plush sofa, Alcaine personally poured blood-red wine. A faint, fishy blood scent wrapped around my tongue.
"I don't like you much either. Whether by birth or arrogance from being top graduate, I can't abide letting live someone who dared insult the Standard."
He spoke calmly, yet murderously.
"Is that so?"
I sipped the wine nonchalantly. Knowing his temperament wouldn't allow private talks if he truly meant to kill me.
"But. You're a blockhead rebel, yet academy top. Demons question the evaluation, but I know the chairman well. He takes no bribes, twists nothing for personal gain."
That's why he's chaired the academy for centuries.
"Your talent is real. Wasting it, even for a blockhead, would be a shame. Other archdukes might differ."
"...."
"Repent your folly and apologize now."
Clink.
Alcaine set down his glass.
"Kneel before the Founding Demon Emperor's statue and swear to uphold the Standard. Atone, beg forgiveness from all."
Then, by my authority, I'll minimize the harm coming your way.
He whispered sweetly.
"But if you stubbornly persist, I'll assign you to Aren."
Aren. Among the five dimensions under demon realm development, the worst difficulty.
Number one assignment all demon kings avoided.
Where the most demon kings had died historically.
"You know what going to Aren with just one aide means."
I knew. Even demon kings with hordes of followers failed there en masse. Going with merely an aide was suicide.
"Well? Opportunity still stands."
He smiled chillingly. Confident I'd beg forgiveness.
It was so funny, I smiled back.
A normal demon king probably would bow here.
But I'm not normal.
"I'll go."
"Good, ...what?"
"My stance hasn't changed. I respect the Founding Demon Emperor, but the Standard is garbage. I don't know the past, but now it's idiotic—means overtaking ends."
"You arrogant...!"
Rumble—
"...You'll only wise up dead. Top graduate and you can't tell up from down, rampaging?"
Thick killing intent made the air quiver. But I didn't flinch.
"Maybe."
Already dead once, dying again wouldn't wise me up. No, that first death sobered me instead.
"So rather than apologize, just send me to Aren."
Avoided number one?
Devoured the most demon kings?
Rather good.
Because that's where those vermin who mocked and toyed with me are.
My old assignment ground.
'Wait up, you hero bastards.'
This time, I'll rip your throats out with my own claws.