Chapter 218: Subjects Should Not Make Decisions for Their Monarch
After Ibaraki pledged her loyalty, matters concerning the Demon Race were essentially settled without further issues.
Once Ibaraki had departed, Noah turned his gaze to Minamoto-no-Raikou, Scáthach, and Manaka Sajyou, inquiring about Shuten.
Although the true Oni King among the demons was Ibaraki, Shuten held considerable influence within the Demon Race as well.
Moreover, if Noah remembered correctly, Shuten was the epitome of hedonism, while Ibaraki's sole and ultimate purpose—one she would never forget even under Mad Enhancement—was simply to witness Shuten's smile.
Thus, although Noah believed the Demon Race alone couldn't cause any major trouble, he still took the opportunity to ask about Shuten's situation.
After all, even if many viewed Noah as arrogant, willful, and presumptuous... in essence, he was not an arrogant person.
Once he involved himself in something, no matter how minor the detail, if he noticed it, he would not casually overlook it.
"Shuten isn't unwilling to come; she simply cannot..."
Hearing Noah raise this matter, Minamoto-no-Raikou was initially somewhat surprised.
Compared to Noah's current influence, the Demon Race was truly insignificant. Yet even when dealing with such a minor faction, Noah appeared to have done considerable preparation—he was fully aware of Ibaraki's personality, well-versed in the nature of Oni, and now even clearly understood Shuten's condition.
One could only say... truly worthy of being our lord!
But while surprised, Minamoto-no-Raikou also sighed as she addressed the issue.
"My lord, Shuten paid a great price earlier to send me out from the rift. Initially, I thought that with the... recovery abilities of Oni, such a cost wouldn't be particularly severe. However, upon revisiting the Demon Race this time, I learned that this price is actually permanent."
Minamoto-no-Raikou spoke these words with some hesitation, and Scáthach followed up behind her.
"That Oni has lost a vast amount of vitality within her body. Because she overdrew too much vitality at once, even the natural recovery of her life force has now become problematic."
"So she is currently extremely weak, having also lost the long lifespan characteristic of Oni. Like humans, she now loses a day's worth of vitality with each day she lives, and without surplus vitality, her constitution has declined—she has begun to fall ill and catch chills as well."
Hearing Minamoto-no-Raikou and Scáthach explain it this way, Noah nodded, then gestured for them to attend to their own affairs.
It was true that Scáthach had accompanied him this time, but now it was about time for her to return.
After all, Scáthach was the Knight of the Round Table responsible for the routine affairs of Pictavia and Hibernia. Having her on duty was naturally fine, but once there was nothing left to handle, she still needed to return and manage her own territory.
As for Minamoto-no-Raikou, Noah assigned Manaka Sajyou to assist her in leading the campaign to conquer all of Japan.
If he were to appoint a Knight of the Round Table for Japan, Noah felt Minamoto-no-Raikou would be quite suitable.
However, like Kay, she likely lacked sufficient understanding of many matters, so Noah intended for Manaka to help her stabilize the situation.
Thus, Noah watched as the three of them departed.
And it was at this moment that Mary spoke up.
"Shouldn't we inform that Manaka Sajyou about this matter... Although I don't understand how she does it, nor why such an existence would come into being, but if it's her..."
"Then perhaps it's similar to what you call the Third Magic—possessing quite unique qualities, she might even be able to craft magic that allows jumping between World Lines."
Hearing Mary say this, Noah slightly shook his head.
"It's not that we have to be the pioneers in everything... I still feel that World Lines wouldn't spontaneously evolve into their current state, those one-way passages and Distortions...
Of course, I'll investigate what lies behind all this, but we shouldn't rush too much."
Mary didn't have eyes that could see through the future, but Noah knew what would happen afterward.
The Second Magic... someone would touch upon it earlier than them.
Although Noah wasn't clear about exactly when the Earth-Moon War broke out, he remembered from the materials he had read before crossing over that the Jeweled Sorcerer was Solomon's disciple, so at least it hasn't happened yet.
It definitely wouldn't be something from the Age of Gods, and after the Age of Gods...
In that case...
Then the most likely period should be between the 14th and 18th centuries.
After all, although vampire folklore existed very early, early vampires didn't seem to be the same as Dead Apostles.
In the 14th century, due to disease, it once spread widely; by the 18th century, these legends were compiled, and the concept gradually became established.
So it's probably around that time.
Thinking this, Noah temporarily set aside his urgency about these matters.
Moreover, in another month, he would be able to start the simulation for Volume Three, so he wasn't anxious at all and planned to wait a bit longer.
As for now...
Noah quickly handled the work at hand, then changed clothes and headed toward the settlement he and Mary had previously arranged for the Demon Race.
As the emperor, there were some things he wouldn't announce in his capacity as emperor.
But changing clothes and going to take a look wouldn't be a problem.
After all, the Demon Race would also be his subjects in the future.
Since he had heard about certain matters, it wouldn't hurt to intervene a little.
The settlement Noah arranged for the Demon Race was far from poor—in fact, it was quite good.
Even Ibaraki and the other Oni themselves didn't think the settlement was lacking; rather, they had never lived in such a good place before.
Although, because they were Oni, the settlement was located in the forest, watching as the Fairies swiftly built a city for the Oni among the trees they were both very surprised and quite satisfied with it.
After returning, Ibaraki first informed the other Oni that the Demon Race had officially submitted to the great King of the World. Then, after the other Oni dispersed, she quickly returned to what resembled a city lord's mansion, a place specifically reserved for the Oni King, to directly care for Shuten, who was lying on the sickbed.
Scáthach had already explained Shuten's condition when she came to find them earlier.
For the next ten years, she likely won't be able to leave her bed. Once she recovers somewhat and conceals her Oni features, let her live as a human.
Scáthach was well aware that Noah had the ability to save Shuten, but she never mentioned it.
Because she knew that after explaining the whole situation to Noah, whatever decision Noah made would be his own.
As a subordinate, making promises on behalf of the sovereign... although Noah probably wouldn't hold it against them, Scáthach understood her position very clearly and would never overstep her bounds.
And indeed, that's exactly what happened.
After hearing about Shuten's condition, Noah finished his current work and headed toward Mount Ōe's Great Mountain Castle—the settlement specially built for the Demon Race in the mountains.
Just a lack of vitality.
Consider it an incognito inspection—might as well lend a hand while I'm here.