New Demon King

"Then you do it."

She raised her hand, and a ball of black flame appeared in her palm, so hot that it distorted the air.

The surrounding demons took a few steps back, clearly having witnessed her fighting style before.

Black flames flew from her palm at an astonishing speed.

Higashino Makoto didn't move, but the black fire crashed into an invisible barrier in front of him, splashed away, and dissipated.

It's not magic, just a shield formed from pure magical energy, which can be used casually.

The Demon King's pupils contracted slightly, somewhat incredulous.

Higashino Makoto was quite satisfied; the Demon King's strength was higher than he had expected, and she was indeed very beautiful.

Is that all you've got?

The Demon King's lips twitched slightly, and she raised her hands, from which even more black flames surged forth.

First Regiment, Second Regiment, Fourth Regiment, Eighth Regiment...

Countless black fireballs hovered in front of her, then flew towards Higashino Makoto simultaneously, overwhelming her and leaving her nowhere to hide.

Higashino Makoto remained motionless.

The fireball struck the shield, splashed out, and dissipated.

He then raised his hand and gently clenched it in mid-air, causing the Demon King's body to freeze.

A hand grabbed her neck.

A hand formed entirely of magic, an invisible hand.

He lifted her up, her feet off the ground, her body suspended in mid-air.

Her face flushed red, and her golden eyes were filled with disbelief.

"You--"

"I told you, I'm better than you."

He released her, and she fell to the ground, staggering a few steps before regaining her balance by holding onto the throne.

"You bastard! Who are you anyway?"

"Higashino Makoto. From today onwards, I am the Demon King, and also your master."

The Demon King looked at him, his eyes swirling with complex emotions.

She possessed immense magical power from a young age, and after ascending to the throne of the Demon King, she was hailed as the strongest Demon King in the history of the demon race.

But she failed so easily.

Higashino Makoto didn't care about her thoughts.

"According to the tradition of the demon race, as long as I defeat you, I will become the Demon King, right?"

"That's right... you... are... the Demon King."

She gritted her teeth, forcing the sound out from deep in her throat.

"--Greetings, Demon Lord."

She lowered her head, and the demons on either side also lowered their heads.

Higashino Makoto walked to the throne and sat down.

The deep purple metal felt cool, and the emblem on the chair back pressed against his back.

The Demon King stood beside him, his long green hair cascading over his shoulders, and three roses glowing a dark red under the light of the magic lamp.

What's your name?

Lilith.

"Lilith, that's a lovely name. From today onwards, you are my handmaid."

"... yes."

Although her reluctance was obvious, she didn't seem to have any intention of backing out.

Are the demons in this world truly innocent?

"Very good! From now on, you can continue doing the Demon King's job. Just make sure you relay my orders properly, and the rest is up to you."

Lilith looked up at him in disbelief.

"... You're not going to be the Demon King?"

"Well, I'm too lazy to handle government affairs. So I've decided to just give you orders, and you'll be responsible for carrying them out. After all, you're the Demon King, so you should be capable of this job."

"Then what will you do?"

"Me... waiting for something to arrive."

"Wait for what?"

"An impending catastrophe. A massive disaster that will lead to the extinction of all races and sweep across the world."

Lilith's pupils contracted slightly.

She remembered the ancient prophecies that had been passed down through the world.

What is that?

"A superior race, a world-devouring calamity; this world seems to be their next target."

How did you know?

"You don't need to know. You just need to know that this is the main reason I came here."

Lilith remained silent for a long time.

"Can you handle it?"

"Yes. Once I kill them all, the crisis will naturally be resolved."

Lilith looked at him, Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"Speaking of which... Lilith, can you cook?"

"... meeting."

Make it for me tonight.

"... yes."

Higashino Makoto stood up and walked out of the hall.

"Alice Kuonji, let's go."

"Yes."

Alice Kuonji followed him for a few steps, Higashino Makoto stopped.

"Lilith, your tail is so pretty, let me touch it later."

Lilith's tail snapped straight up.

Golden eyes widened, lips parted slightly, then closed, then parted again.

"... Thanks?"

Higashino Makoto strode out of the hall.

Evening, at the Demon King's Castle restaurant.

The long table was laden with food: roast chicken, stew, bread, cheese, fruit, and a pot of steaming black tea.

Lilith stood by the dining table, holding a dinner knife, wearing that gothic-style long dress with its neckline still very low.

"Please try it."

Higashino Makoto cut a piece of grilled meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it.

"Not bad, you've done this before?"

"No, I just learned it."

"Then you're quite talented."

Lilith's lips curled up slightly, indicating that she was in a good mood.

Hmm, this demon king is actually quite easy to appease?

"Then please eat more."

"Um."

Lilith lowered her head, her tail swaying gently behind her.

The Demon King's Castle, originally the Demon King's room.

"Alice Kuonji, what do you think of Lilith?"

Alice Kuonji thought for a moment.

"... Beautiful, you have a good talent for cooking."

"Anything else?"

She was unwilling to accept it.

What are you unwilling to accept?

"I'm unwilling to lose to you, unwilling to be a maid. But she won't betray you, because in the demon realm, power reigns supreme; a loss is a loss."

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

Do you think she'll get used to it?

"Yes. Because she will never be your match, and the demon race's nature is to admire the strong."

Higashino Makoto remained silent.

In the distance, the sound of bells echoed from the clock tower.

That was Higashino Makoto's second day in the Fourth World.

He became a demon king and had a maid.

Lilith.

Long green hair, golden eyes, black horns, and a slender tail.

It suits his taste perfectly.

His strength is considered very high in this world, but not as high as his.

Although I wanted to eat her right now, I thought it would be better to raise her for a while.

Higashino Makoto doesn't like to use force.

Well, I don't really like it right now, at least not.

As for what will happen in the future... who can say for sure?

When I was little, I liked sweet things; when I grew up, I liked spicy things; and when I'm old, I like salty things.

It's not surprising that people have different hobbies at different stages of life.

"Alice Kuonji."

"Yes, Master Higashino."

"You'll be upstairs tonight."

"... Sir, you are truly annoying."

"Hmm, you don't like it."

"Dislike."

Should we refuse?

"No. I will never disobey Higashino's orders."

Looking at Alice Kuonji's slightly disgusted expression.

Higashino Makoto smiled, a very happy smile.

"Keep this expression on tonight, I like it. By the way, that's an order."

"Got it, you pervert."

"Yes, that's me."