I Was Abandoned by the Demon King I Served for 10 Years

Chapter 2

"Everyone has gathered to fight the Hero, and yet, look at this mess!"

"What are we supposed to do?"

The King's Hall was in utter chaos. The master who had been diligently attending to affairs until the previous day had vanished overnight, leaving the place in a state of emergency.

The deafening echoes in the vast marble chamber laid bare the unfiltered shock left behind in the Demon King's Castle.

"The King has abandoned us! That cursed woman! She fled, and now our lives are in danger!"

"That's precisely why we must band together now more than ever. If the Regent appointed by the previous King steps in, this crisis can surely be resolved."

"Argh! You fool. Regent or not, do you think that person can fend off the warlords who will swarm in now that the Demon King has vanished?"

Even during the angelic invasion, the King's Hall had remained calm. This kind of bickering was rare. The High Demons residing in the castle had to pour their entire strength into responding to the barrage of ominous news.

The quiet predators were awakening. They would devour everyone surrounding the empty throne before ascending to the coronation themselves. Survival meant stopping them at all costs.

Fortunately, a small stroke of luck accompanied their efforts.

"Calm down. The situation hasn't worsened to that extent yet. Are you aware that there are still many regions where armies have not been mobilized?"

"I've heard rumors about the South slipping from our grasp. Are you saying the others are still intact?"

"There are no signs of unrest. It seems they are still intent on watching and waiting."

"Hmph... That gives us a bit of breathing room, then."

Even in the midst of chaos, they were the elite protectors of the King's Castle. While other Demons awaited orders, the Elder Demon and the Young Lizardman, who appeared to hold the highest ranks, conferred together. Though sighs frequently escaped them, they persevered.

"For now, we must focus on internal discipline. The unrest is already severe."

"Yes, I saw it earlier on my way here. They're already gathered in the training ground, raising a ruckus."

"The problem is that there's nothing we can do about it right now."

"This is driving me insane."

The disappearance of the King was an issue far beyond their capabilities. If only it were a worthless mutt starting a rebellion—they could have crushed it and felt relief. But dealing with a matter that required asserting authority was the greatest challenge for the Demon Tribe. Their loyalty was directed not at them, but at someone else entirely...

Screeeech—!

"Is everyone here?"

Right on cue, the doors of the King's Hall swung open. The murmurs and noise instantly dissipated. In the heavy silence that followed, the sound of military boots echoed off the high ceilings.

"It seems so."

The low, resonant voice carried an authority that none of them possessed.

The Demons present hastily rose from their seats. It wasn't complex political ties or familial connections, but sheer power dynamics that dictated their hierarchy. This was evident as the Black Knight clad in rugged steel armor entered, and everyone bowed to him.

The Defense Commander of the Demon King's Castle, also serving as its Regent, and the Demon with the strongest combat prowess in the castle.

Durin, known as the "Skull Crusher" for his merciless annihilation of enemies who dared to challenge him, stood as the second-in-command of the Demon King's Castle.

No, now he had become the first, radiating an undeniable authority.

The crimson glow emanating from beneath his helmet compelled those present to bow their heads involuntarily.

"The matter is urgent, so let us get straight to the point. Tell me more about the commotion in the training ground you mentioned."

"I will report."

The Young Lizardman opened his mouth, unable to meet Durin's eyes directly.

"After the King disappeared..."

"Do not call her the King. The moment she fled, she was deposed. She is now our enemy."

"Y-yes, of course. So, the news of her disappearance seems to have reached the soldiers. They are rioting, unsure of whom they should fight for now."

"Understood. I will resolve this immediately."

"....."

The Lizardman hesitated to respond. As soon as Durin spoke of resolving the issue, he rose from his seat. Everyone scrambled to stand at once, following his lead. The Black Knight moved forward, and the Demons formed a long procession behind him.

Leading the group, Durin exited the King's Hall and descended the central stairs.

At the end of the path leading to the Hall lay the vast square. It was the dueling space prepared for the Hero who had come to slay the Demon King. Even this time, upon hearing news of the Hero's invasion, countless Demon soldiers had gathered to confront him.

But now, with everything falling apart, their hostility was being redirected elsewhere.

"It's the Commander!"

"The Commander has arrived!"

The scene was even more chaotic than the King's Hall. Soldiers armed with weapons were striking their spear shafts against the ground in frustration. Their rage, with nowhere else to go, was being unleashed with all their might. But as soon as they saw Durin emerge, they erupted into cries.

"Where is the King! Who are we supposed to fight for now!"

"The Hero! I want to crush the Hero, but now I can't even do that!"

They were like wildfire. Sparks born from a powerful shock quickly spread, engulfing everyone and forming a massive wave of emotion.

Soldiers abandoned by their King.

It was even said that the King had fled to follow the Hero they had been grinding their teeth in hatred for up until recently.

It was devastating.

"Please answer us!"

"What should we do!"

All eyes turned to Durin. He was the only one left.

"......"

Durin did not ignore their pleas. He stepped forward, gazing at the agitated soldiers.

But the Regent did not offer a warm embrace to the soldiers.

Srrrng—

He drew the sword strapped to his back. Without hesitation, he plunged it into the ground.

Boom—!

The impact erupted like an earthquake. The soldiers at the front collapsed, unable to withstand the shockwave. Even those further back instinctively recoiled.

The chaotic air was immediately subdued. The deafening shouts were replaced by pathetic groans that filled the space.

"Wait. I will issue orders soon."

"C-Commander."

Durin's crimson gaze fell upon a soldier who had collapsed. Under his suffocating stare, the complexion of an Orc soldier turned pale.

"If another disturbance like this occurs, I will execute you on the spot. Hold your positions as soldiers of the castle."

"U-understood."

"Do not disgrace yourselves. There will be no second chances."

With those final words, Durin turned his back on them.

Clang, clatter.

With the sharp sound of metal, the clatter of boots echoed as they headed back to the King's Hall. The high-ranking Demons, barely regaining their composure, scrambled to follow him.

.....

And so, the soldiers were left alone in the Hall.

The strongest in the Demon King's Castle had spoken, not to explain or console, but to command. Though it might have provoked resistance, they instead felt a strange sense of stability in the brief exchange.

An oppressive authority that was incomparable to other high-ranking Demons. A commanding presence forged by sheer strength. The tumultuous emotions settled in an instant.

"We will follow orders."

"Everyone, move."

The now-calm soldiers dutifully obeyed the command.

They were told to wait and to uphold their duty.

Ashamed of their earlier chaos and floundering, the Defense Force of the castle rose to their feet.

.....

"The soldiers are returning to their posts. The castle's defense system should now be functioning properly."

The young Lizardman aide spoke.

Together with Durin, he was operating the crystal sphere in the King's office, which oversaw everything within the castle. A purple light emanated from the sphere's smooth surface, forming a massive projection in the center of the room. It displayed a simplified real-time view of the Demon King's Castle.

Traps and watchtowers that had been marked in red shifted to green, signaling that they were now operational.

"Switching to the full-screen view now!"

The young Lizardman worked diligently with his green-scaled hands to manipulate the crystal sphere, revealing an expansive scene that filled Durin's vision.

[King's Hall]

[Hall of Slaughter]

[Queen's Nest]

[Gray Labyrinth]

[Barrier]

A thousand years ago, during the era of betrayal and division, the Demon Realm was united for the first time under the name of the Demon King. The castle, constructed during that glorious period, had endured through the devotion of its guardians. Even amidst the unprecedented crisis of the Demon King's disappearance, it was hoped that the castle would remain steadfast. But significant cracks had already formed. Of course, as long as the Defense Force functioned properly, the key stronghold that underpinned the Demon King's forces could be held. However, outside that region, maintaining control was naturally impossible.

Already, the massive warlords of the East, West, North, and South, who could rival the Central forces here, were exhibiting suspicious movements. In particular, the South, teeming with belligerent Demons, seemed to have already begun preparations for war, raising tensions to a peak in less than a day.

Calls for independence and movements to break away from the Central authority were practically inevitable. Durin, sensing this, recognized the urgent need to fortify the interior before it was too late.

"Spranches."

"At your command."

At Durin's call, the young Lizardman Spranches prostrated himself. Fearing the gaze of his crimson eyes, he dared not lift his head.

"Have any nobles attempted to leave the castle after hearing the news?"

"Not a single one. They are all confused, but they are waiting and placing their trust in Your Excellency."

"It's not trust; they simply don't know what will happen, so they've chosen to stay put. But it doesn't matter. They will have to meet with me."

Spranches slightly raised his head. In his small lizard eyes, a faint glimmer of hope could be seen.

"Now that the Demon King is gone, everything is on the brink of collapse. If they wish to maintain their current status, tell them to come to the King's Hall immediately."

"Shall I convey that, then?"

"One more thing."

Durin paused momentarily. Spranches, who had straightened himself, clasped his hands respectfully, ready to receive an important command.

"The task of pursuing the Demon King will be assigned to the Royal Guard. In the meantime, we will hold a meeting in this castle to elect a Regent."

Words even heavier than expected flowed from his mouth.

Spranches bowed his head deeply. Everyone in the Demon King's Castle already regarded Durin as the Regent.

Yet, despite this, he declared that the Regent would be chosen through proper procedures.

Reaffirming the predetermined outcome only signified one thing.

"Everyone will pledge their loyalty to Your Excellency. Please, lead us, Regent."

"Stop with the unnecessary words and deliver the message."

"As you command."