The Monster King's Legacy

"Now then, I still have quite a few questions. He day's still young, you're not in a hurry to leave, are you?" Lance asked as he took his seat, following the completion of the contract.

The Demon Lord inclined his head respectfully. "Of course not, my Lord. Ask your questions, and I will answer with honesty."

Lance nodded, a faint smile on his face that gave a sharp contrast to his earlier unyielding gaze. "You've spoken of the hardships your people face, but I want to know about your leadership. What makes you different from the demon lords who came before you? Perhaps, going forward. After all, you will retain full autonomy of your people, and will operate much as a province."

Veyrath's golden eyes brightened as he listened, understanding what Lance meant. Before answering the question, he thanked Lance first before he continued. "The demon lords of old ruled through fear and domination. They sought power for its own sake, believing that strength alone would ensure our survival. My predecessor, the last Demon Lord, was no different. He wielded the blessing of the Demon God, taking from the abyss… power he was neither prepared for nor worthy of, and used it to wage war against the entire continent, mostly because he had been corrupted by it. The cost of that arrogance was paid in blood, of course. Then again, demons are a race that while intelligent, value strength above all."

"Are you strong then, being the current Demon Lord?" Lance asked immediately.

"Of course, my Lord. Before the former demon lord sort power from the abyss, he was quite the powerful demon to begin with, and also talented in magic. As you may have guessed, I took on the later path more so than the former." He explained. At this point, he had already made It known that he was the son of the former demon lord, so no one was surprised this time as they were when they first heard it.

"When I ascended as the demon lord, following the former demon lord's defeat and our retreat, I vowed to lead differently. I've rejected the path of conquest and instead I am focused on rebuilding, on seeking redemption for our race, and perhaps in future, furthering myself."

Lance was satisfied with the answer, so he asked the next thing that had been on his mind. "You've mentioned the abyss, and the demon god's blessing. How exactly did it lead to such devastation?"

Veyrath's lips tightened. "The abyss hold the Demon God's blessing and is tied to it, in that sense, it is one with it… or perhaps, it is it." He said, his tone grave as much as it was thoughtful, as though he wasn't quite sure of his words. Lance could tell that he had been thinking on the matter, but was yet to come to a conclusion.

"The Demon God's blessing is a double-edged sword. It grants immense power, but it corrupts those who are not strong enough to wield it. My predecessor sought the blessing in desperation, believing it would secure his dominance. Instead, it consumed him, twisting his mind and amplifying his darkest impulses. Though he wasn't lost completely, he soon embraced the power and corruption, using it to ascend to even greater heights. Perhaps, if he hadn't fallen when he did, we would have witnessed much more."

He glanced around the room, meeting the eyes of those present. "The blessing didn't just affect him. Its corruption spread through our lands, tainting the soil, the water, and even the people. Our once-prosperous homeland became a barren wasteland, and our race was reduced to the likes of beasts, hungry for flesh and blood, the greater of them haven lost all sense of self. Of course, the other nations and races saw only the destruction we caused, not the suffering we endured. Not that I blame them or think they should have done otherwise, of course."

Lance's expression remained neutral as he listened, but his voice carried a note of curiosity as he asked the next question. "You race has almost always been stigmatized, as this is not the first incident of demon invasion on the world. How has that shaped your people? And I mean those around now."

Veyrath sighed, the weight of the question evident in his posture. "The stigma is our greatest obstacle. No matter how hard we try to change, the world sees us as a threat. We are blamed for the actions of a few… if we look at it hystorically, and that blame has become a cage, preventing us from moving forward."

He glanced at Lance, his gaze piercing. "You of all people should understand this, my Lord. Your kingdom was built by those who were cast aside, all seen as lesser beings by the larger nations and races… And yet, you've turned that prejudice into strength. That is why I've come to you. If anyone can see the potential in us, it is you."

"Hmm… you are right." Lance said, his expression unchanging, though, in his mind, he couldn't help but chuckle, as he had been quite lucky and didn't face as much prejudice from the larger major races… at least not directly

"Very well, I have heard everything and have quenched my curiosity for the time being. I will like to see the demon lands, to pay a visit. Perhaps, we will depart together." Lance said.

Without rejecting the offer, Veyrath agreed, a willingness evident in his tone.

The following day, Veyrath and Lance, alongside a few others, left for the demon territory. The journey was not at all tedious, and was rather swift. Veyrath had set up a teleportation magic circle back in the demon territory, so traveling there was very easy. He also made sure to set one up close to the Monster City following Lance's request, so that their return would also be as seamless.

…

After leaving the city, in the forests surrounding it, Veyrath set up the magic circle, and then they left.

On reappearance, they atop a hill, overlooking most of the visible land before them. The barren expanse of the demon lands stretched endlessly before Lance as he stood atop a rocky outcrop. The air was dry and oppressive, carrying the faint scent of ash and desolation. It was a stark contrast to the thriving Monster kingdom he had built. Beside him stood Veyrath, his gaze fixed on the lifeless soil below with a mixture of determination and quiet despair.

"This is what remains of our home," Veyrath said, his voice heavy. "Once fertile lands reduced to this... wasteland. My people have learned to survive, but mere survival is no longer enough."

Lance's golden eyes swept across the horizon, his mind already working. "We'll change that," he said firmly. "These lands may seem barren, but with the right effort, they can be restored. If we're going to make this alliance work, your people need stability, and that starts here." He said, paying attention to the well-structured city before his eyes. "After all, we can't waste these structures for nothing."