A/N: Don't forget to check out my original novel: Can I Magic Please. It's like really good. 😉
ANYWHOOO. ENJOY THE CHAPTER
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The capital square of Coleus had never been so crowded.
From early morning, people poured into the city center in steadily growing numbers.
Merchants closed their stalls.
Adventurers set aside their quests.
Nobles arrived in ornate carriages.
Laborers came in work clothes.
Families stood shoulder to shoulder.
Children sat atop their parents' shoulders.
Everyone had heard the same announcement.
The Demon Lord King would address the nation.
And so they waited.
Anxiety spread through the crowd in waves.
"What do you think this is about?"
"Taxes?"
"War?"
"Trade."
"It has to be trade."
"My merchant license was suspended yesterday."
"I heard the Western Nations cut us off."
"We're finished."
"No, the princes still support him."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"It means something."
"He revived the entire army."
"He also conquered the kingdom overnight."
"I heard the White Dragon lives in the castle."
"That's impossible."
"Nothing seems impossible anymore."
The murmuring grew louder as more citizens gathered.
Above them, the royal balcony loomed over the square like a stage prepared for judgment.
For many in the crowd, this would be the first time seeing their new king up close.
The Demon Lord who had taken their nation by force.
The monster who ruled from the castle.
The being powerful enough to erase them all if he wished.
Fear hung in the air.
But so did curiosity.
Then—
The great doors opened.
The square fell silent.
Testarossa stepped onto the balcony.
Dressed in pristine white, her elegance alone seemed to command the entire capital.
Her eyes swept across the crowd.
The pressure of her presence caused thousands to instinctively straighten.
When she spoke, her voice carried clearly to every corner of the square.
"Citizens of Coleus."
No magic was needed.
The absolute stillness of the crowd made every word ring like a bell.
"You stand today before a new era in the history of this kingdom."
Her expression softened slightly.
"Recent events have brought uncertainty."
"Fear."
"Questions."
"All of which are justified."
She placed one hand over her heart.
"But know this."
"The being who now rules this nation did not seize the throne for greed."
"Nor for vanity."
"Nor for senseless destruction."
Her voice rose with unmistakable pride.
"He is a sovereign whose power rivals the heavens."
"A Demon Lord recognized by the greatest beings in existence."
"The conqueror of armies."
"The brother of heroes and dragons."
"The master of Primordial Demons."
"The one before whom calamities kneel."
Her smile deepened.
"And yet…"
"…the man I have the honor of serving possesses a heart more compassionate than any ruler I have ever known."
The crowd stared in stunned silence.
Testarossa stepped aside gracefully.
Then bowed.
"Citizens of Coleus."
"Your King."
Loki Arashi.
Loki stepped onto the balcony.
For a moment, the crowd simply stared.
He looked different than many expected.
Young.
Calm.
Composed.
Dressed in royal black and crimson, he carried himself with quiet dignity.
No overwhelming aura.
No deliberate intimidation.
Just a man standing before his people.
Loki looked over the crowd.
Thousands of faces stared back.
Fearful.
Hopeful.
Uncertain.
He took a slow breath.
Then spoke.
"Hello."
The simplicity of the greeting caught many off guard.
Loki rubbed the back of his head slightly.
"I had a speech prepared."
He glanced sideways briefly.
"Actually, no. I didn't."
A few uncertain chuckles rippled through the crowd.
Loki smiled faintly.
"I'm not particularly good at this."
His expression gradually became more serious.
"So I'll just be honest."
The square fell completely silent once more.
"I took this kingdom by force."
"I killed your former king."
"I changed your lives overnight."
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"For that…"
"…I am sorry."
Shock swept through the crowd.
A Demon Lord.
Apologizing.
Not boasting.
Not threatening.
Apologizing.
Loki raised his head again.
"Your previous king intended to sacrifice his own daughter to prolong his life."
"He was willing to condemn his people for selfish gain."
"I could not allow that."
He looked across the square steadily.
"But even if removing him was the right decision…"
"…that does not erase the burden my actions placed on all of you."
His voice remained sincere.
"Families are worried."
"Merchants are losing business."
"Workers fear for their futures."
"Parents wonder what comes next."
Loki placed one hand over his chest.
"I understand that."
"And I take responsibility for it."
The crowd listened in absolute silence.
Loki's expression softened.
"I did not become your king to ruin your lives."
"I became your king because I intend to protect this nation."
"To strengthen it."
"To make it prosperous."
"To make it a place where you and your children can live without fear."
He smiled faintly.
"And yes."
"I realize the irony in a Demon Lord asking people not to fear him."
A few more uncertain laughs spread through the crowd.
Loki's eyes grew earnest.
"But I mean it."
"I do not want your obedience because you are terrified."
"I want your trust."
His voice carried to the furthest reaches of the square.
"So please."
"Do not be afraid of me."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Thousands of people looked at one another.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
And slowly—
Loki's smile faded.
The sadness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Rimuru would have recognized it instantly.
Loki truly meant every word.
And for a moment, it seemed no one believed him.
Then—
A single voice rose from the crowd.
A middle-aged merchant stepped forward hesitantly.
His hands trembled.
"Your Majesty…"
The title sounded awkward, but sincere.
Loki's expression brightened immediately.
"Yes?"
The merchant swallowed.
"…Will we really be able to trade again?"
Loki smiled warmly.
"Yes."
"I'm already working on it."
"In fact, several nations have agreed to begin discussions with us."
Relief spread visibly across the man's face.
Then another voice called out.
A mother clutching her young daughter.
"Will there be war?"
Loki shook his head.
"Not if I can help it."
"And if war comes…"
His eyes sharpened with quiet confidence.
"…I will stand in front of this kingdom."
"No one will touch you."
Another question followed.
Then another.
And another.
"Will taxes increase?"
"Not if possible."
"What about the guild?"
"We're expanding it."
"Will adventurers still come here?"
"More than ever."
"Can we really trust you?"
Loki smiled.
"I hope so."
The atmosphere changed.
The fear began to melt.
Not completely.
But enough.
People started speaking more openly.
Loki answered each question patiently.
Sometimes seriously.
Sometimes with humor.
Always sincerely.
By the end, the crowd no longer felt like a gathering awaiting judgment.
It felt like a conversation.
Then—
A cold wind swept through the square.
The temperature dropped noticeably.
Frost spread across the balcony railings.
Gasps rose from the crowd.
Velzard stepped forward.
Silver hair flowed like moonlight.
Her icy blue eyes looked over the nation with quiet authority.
Many in the crowd recognized her immediately.
Legends did not prepare one for the real thing.
The White Ice Dragon.
The Storm of Frozen Death.
The ancient True Dragon feared across the world.
Thousands fell silent.
Velzard spoke softly.
Yet every word carried absolute weight.
"I am Velzard."
No further introduction was necessary.
A visible shudder passed through the square.
Velzard continued calmly.
"I have chosen to remain in Coleus."
Her gaze shifted toward Loki briefly.
"Under the rule of Lord Loki."
Then she looked back to the crowd.
"As long as I reside here…"
"…no force in this world will threaten the people of this kingdom."
The statement struck like thunder.
A True Dragon.
Personally pledging protection.
For them.
For ordinary people.
Silence reigned for one heartbeat.
Then—
One person began clapping.
A hesitant sound.
Then another joined.
Then another.
And another.
The applause spread through the square like wildfire.
Until the entire capital erupted in thunderous applause.
People cheered.
Some cried.
Others laughed in disbelief.
The sound echoed across the city.
Loki looked out over his people.
And smiled.
A genuine smile.
Then he raised his voice once more.
"One more thing."
The applause gradually quieted.
Loki grinned.
"I prepared a feast."
For a moment—
The crowd was too stunned to react.
Then the square exploded with even louder cheers than before.
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