The atmosphere was tense as the rejection was felt. The area around the altar fell silent and suspenseful. An open challenge to the new Demon King had been issued by the soldier, and all eyes were now fixed on the masked figure standing silently in the center. Some demons felt a deep anxiety. A few standing near the dissenting soldier tried to whisper, calming them down to accept Elvar as the Demon King.
Some also whispered softly, voicing their fears that the Demon King's anger could erupt and destroy the entire Blackfix Kingdom. Others could only clench their fists to contain their fear, hoping that the Demon King's wrath would not be unleashed.
I was happy to hear someone opposing my coronation as the demon king of their kingdom. My hope was that I could escape the troublesome shadow of being a demon king.
But I could only see five people opposing this coronation, and the others looked terrified. Why? Were they afraid I would get angry and destroy this kingdom?
That's impossible. Why? Because I can't fight. Back on campus, I remember a junior who was bullying regular students. I told him off, and he punched me. Did I fight back? No. So what did I do? Yeah, I ran. A coward? Yes, I am a coward and that's a fact. I don't want to get hurt and I can't fight.
Then another question. If they all agree and I become the demon king, can I live the life of a demon king? Impossible! Are you crazy? Just think about it, I couldn't even fight back when my junior punched me, I just ran.
So, what happens now? They seem scared that I'll get angry about the opposition, and no one is mediating. This won't be resolved if no one decides whether I'm the demon king or not. I hope not, and that I get thrown somewhere else. Anywhere, as long as it's safe. Or send me back to my world, if possible.
Not long after, I saw the Bull Demon who had asked about my human form earlier. He stood up and bowed to me. It seemed like he was going to mediate this issue.
"O great Demon King from another world, forgive me if I seem presumptuous. Allow me to mediate this matter so that the King's coronation process can be carried out or concluded promptly."
Now that's more like it. There's a mediator now. And it looks like he's going to support those knights, since he seemed to doubt me at first because of my human-like body.
"Very well, arrange it as you see best," I said in a firm tone, handing over the problem to him as the mediator.
"Yes, thank you," the Bull Demon said, then walked towards the demon knights and said in a thundering voice, "Hey, you foolish demon knights! If you oppose the coronation of this Demon King, the only way he won't become king is if you kill him! All of you, step forward and face the Demon King! And if you die, that is your choice!"
Hey… hey… hey… Ki-ki-kill? Kill me? What?! That's not what I meant, hey! I can't fight! Please… please, anyone, help me… I panicked internally.
The five dissenting soldiers stepped forward, their posture firm and resilient. Longswords and spears were drawn, ready for use. The armor they wore looked sturdy, made of thick iron plates forged in hellfire.
Their footsteps were solid and firm, showing a strong conviction to reject Elvar as king. In their eyes, Elvar was unworthy. He didn't look strong. Thus, they accepted the Bull Demon's suggestion as the only way to resolve this issue. Across from them, Elvar's form remained erect and proud, showing no fear, hesitation, or doubt.
Outside the ritual hall, the skies of Exmodia broke. Heavy rain fell, accompanied by a howling wind. This wasn't due to Elvar's power, but purely because the weather in the mountainous region of Blackfix City was bad. The kingdom's location on a split mountain created channels of molten lava flowing through the surrounding ravines. The cold rainwater hit the hot lava, creating a loud hissing sound and producing a thick steam that immediately formed a dense fog.
The ritual hall itself was a large circular space, like a mini colosseum with high stone walls. The strong wind blew the thick steam and fog into the hall through the open cracks and windows.
The wind mixed with the smoky fog entered quickly, circling the room according to its circular shape. As more wind and fog entered, the vortex shrank and centered right in the middle, where Elvar stood. The fog enveloped him for a moment before finally disappearing, blown away by another gust of wind in the same pattern.
The hall began to feel very crowded after that natural phenomenon. Not crowded because of the wind, but because of the panicked whispers of the demons who saw it as a sign.
"Look, look! The demon king from another world is starting to rage!"
"No, don't! Please don't rage!"
"We have to take cover! This altar could collapse if a great rage occurs!"
"Look everyone! The Demon King isn't moving at all! He's just standing tall with one hand on his hip, and he can create a hot and cold aura like this!"
"Right, I'm so scared!" "Please don't rage, I beg you!"
"Just kill those soldiers and remain our king!"
"I will not oppose you, Demon King! Please quell your anger!"
The whispers quickly turned into loud shouts, a mass plea for Elvar not to rage.
Huh? What is this? Who's raging? Why are they shouting at me? Hey, I'm not raging! I'm terrified right now! Are you all stupid? Save me, hey! Anyone, please… please… a hero, help me! I'm scared, I don't want to die…
Wait… wait… a hero? If there's a hero, I'll probably be killed too. Why? Because I'm the demon king. So who can I ask for help? Ah, damn it. Is this the end of my life? Alright… Mom, Dad, I'll be joining you now.
"Hey, damn it! You nameless Demon King with a stupid human form! Why are you just standing there? Do you think an aura like this will scare us?" one of the dissenters said. "No! It won't scare us!"
They began to approach Elvar, their stances ready, anticipating a surprise attack. Elvar, who stood tall and proud without fear, didn't move at all.
"HAHAHAHA…"
Wait, why am I laughing again? Hey, I'm about to die, why am I laughing again? Isn't there some superpower to attack them? Doesn't seem like it. This is just me, and I can't use any skills. Even if I could, I don't know how.
"You arrogant, foolish human-bodied demon!" another dissenter said. "Damn it! There's nothing beautiful about your body! No fur, not even scales! Disgusting!" another dissenter insulted. "That's right! It's so disgusting!" Nearly all the dissenters insulted Elvar's human body.
They got closer, now only a few meters away from me, preparing to attack with all their strength.
"Mom… Dad… wait for me, I'll be in heaven soon…" I thought, resigned. But the strange and stupid thing is, my body is still standing tall and proud, and my mouth is still laughing. Why is this happening? Ah, I think I get it now. It must be a reaction from this overwhelming fear, from being completely helpless. My body is just laughing as an outlet, a final way to release the pressure.
But instinctively, I feel like I have to laugh. Let me think back. I came here laughing. And when I'm about to die, I should go out with a laugh too. That's a good idea. You're smart, my body…
The dissenters finally ran, leaping while shouting, "DIE, YOU DISGUSTING HUMAN-BODIED DEMON!"
"SHIIING…!"
A terrifying slashing sound cut through the air, followed by a heavy thud on the stone floor. The sound of a...