Dwarves on the estate, armed at that.

I wonder what they want?

Anyway, asking questions while staying here won't do me any good. So I decided to go there.

I headed towards my room. Once there, I retrieved the mask I had bought from Seika from my wardrobe. I put it on and went out the window to join Magma.

A few minutes of flight later, I located him and got closer to him. Magma saw me and bowed down before me.

“Your Majesty…”

''So where are they? ''

“There, near the lake, they have been observing him for a while. ''

'' I see. ''

“What are we doing, your majesty? ''

''Um...I don't really know. They don't look like they came here to attack us. ''

I had the impression that it was the lake that intrigued them.

“What if we didn’t go see them? '' I said.

“Are you sure? ''

'' Yes. There are guests on the estate, I have to know what they want. Besides, staying here won't do us any good and chasing them out by force is also not the solution. ''

“You are right, your Majesty. ''

''You know Magma, if everything goes well, we might not have the chance to maintain good diplomatic relations with the dwarves. ''

“It’s true, that would suit our affairs well. ''

''Yes, let's go now. ''

Accompanied by Magma, I flew at low altitude over the lake to meet them. Seeing my silhouette in the air, the dwarves raised their weapons and stood on guard.

It gets complicated if from the start they are so suspicious of me. I should have prioritized approaching them normally.

I slowly went down with Magma and we faced them. In total, there were around thirty of them. Around thirty very well armed individuals.

''Hello people of dwarves. What are you doing here? ''

One of the dwarves took a few steps closer to me. Apparently he was the oldest.

“Young man, your aura is demonic. This man next to you is a higher-ranking demon. Who are you ? Are you the demon king? ''

Saying this, the distrust among the other dwarves increased.

‘’Ah. Maybe yes or maybe no. It's up to you. ''

The dwarf who had spoken to me remained calm for a moment. Then he spoke again, answering his own question.

“No, you can’t be the demon king. He is expected to be reincarnated 50 years later. ''

''See? ''

'' Yes. Still, you are a demon and a hornless one at that. Who are you exactly? ''

“I see, my identity intrigues you. Okay, I'll answer your question, but in return you have to answer mine. ''

The old dwarf turned to stare at his companions. They exchanged a few glances, then he addressed me.

“It’s okay, we accept. ''

'' Alright. SO... ''

There was no point beating around the bush. I was going to tell them the truth and see what happened. Sooner or later, I was going to have to reveal my true identity to the world. I wanted to get a glimpse of how others might react.

In case it turns sour, I'll kill them.

“Actually, I am the demon king. ''

'' What !? ''Shouted the dwarves.

Their looks changed from astonishment to fear.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“It’s impossible! The Demon King can't be here, it's too early. '' Said one of the dwarves.

''Oh, you don't believe me? ''

I began to wave my mana flow.

The dwarves in front of me were forced to kneel on the ground as the atmosphere had become so heavy.

''This aura... You really are...''

“So, do you believe me? ''

“Herlken...? '' Said a young dwarf.

He was speaking to the old dwarf who had been speaking to me from the beginning.

“I fought indirectly in the holy war. I designed equipment for the heroes of the empire and other soldiers. I unfortunately crossed your path, even if we were not very close. The hero Kizuna had led the way to the demon king's mansion and I had been stationed two kilometers from the battle zone. What I remember most was this demonic aura above all others. It was that of the demon king... It gave me chills, it's a feeling that's difficult to forget. ''

'' Herlken...! '' Another dwarf shouted.

“I can tell you, this aura that I once felt is similar to the one I feel now. This man is indeed the demon king. ''

''But, then...'' Said another dwarf.

'' Yes. He was reincarnated much faster than expected...''

He seemed to have realized who I was.

I stopped waving my mana and turned my back on them.

''Now that you know who I am, I can't let you go like that. ''

“Are you going to kill us? '' Asked a young dwarf trembling with fear.

“It’s true that it’s also a solution…”

The dwarves in front of me were trembling in fear.

“Relax, I have no interest in doing this. On the contrary, I want to invite you to join me in my mansion. ''

After saying that, fear was felt even more on their faces.

“Are you going to take us prisoner? '' Asked another dwarf.

''Do you remember my condition? I reveal my identity to you and in turn, you give me the reason for coming here. I therefore invite you to discuss it in my mansion. Take this as an invitation. ''

“You should rather rejoice that his majesty invites you to share a table with him. '' Said Magma.

“So, do you accept? Either way, you don't have much choice. ''

The old dwarf accepted my invitation.

“Magma, lead them to the mansion. I'm going to get a little ahead of myself. ''

“Yes your Majesty. '' Said Magma.

After finishing giving the final instructions to Magma, I flew towards my mansion.

A few minutes later, Magma returned with them. He had carried them in a whirlwind of wind.

I watched them from my bedroom window.

Before they arrived, I had given instructions to Luccie.

I charged her with welcoming the guests and making them wait in the throne room.

An hour later, I joined them accompanied by my three other lieutenants.

Sitting on my throne, I observed them. I still hadn't taken off the mask I was wearing, so there was no point in putting on an intimidating look.

'' SO ? May I know why you came to the domain? '' I asked in an imposing voice.

''Your Majesty... I... If we crossed your borders, it is because we are here to check the state of the land. “Replied the old dwarf in a trembling voice.

''Check the condition of the ground? Outside your borders? Why do this on territory that does not belong to you? '' I asked.

''Are you spies? Who sent you? '' asked Luccie.

''I worded my answer badly... To tell you the truth, it's a long story. ''

“It’s not time that we lack. You can speak! ''I said.

“Yes, but before that, I would like to show you this card. ''

He took a map out of his bag and spread it on the ground.

“You know, the dwarf territory is divided into seven independent villages. We are from the iron village and we are also the closest to your domain. The black dot below designates our location. ''

“I understand all that, but what does that have to do with you coming here? ''

''Recently, the empire arrived on our lands from the east. They cut us off all means of communication with the rest of the other villages. You know, the power of the empire is greater than ours. As a result, we had to retreat to the limits of our borders. Almost all of us abandoned our workshops and our homes along the way to escape. ''

“So, now that your back is against the wall, you have decided to take refuge here. ''

'' Yes. The majority of our inhabitants remained at the border. Only we, a meager delegation were sent under orders from our leader to inspect the area to check if it was safe...''

“For a simple delegation, I find you very well armed. ''

'' It's true. Sure, we thought the demon king was dead, but we didn't know who we were going to run into. So we had to take our precautions. ''

'' I see... ''

''I have a question for you. '' Said Nebulime.

'' Yes. ''

''If by chance you had come across one of ours during your lighting mission, what would you have done? Did you kill him? Nebulime asked, but this time, the expression on his face was much more serious.

''If that had been the case, we would have done our best to avoid the fight. Our goal was not to take part of your territory by force, but just to find out if we could live there for a while. ''

I didn't sense a lie coming from this dwarf, he was telling the truth.

''I see... Nebulime. ''

''Yes your Majesty...'' he said, bowing.

“Can you show the dwarves the infrastructure? ''

''You want me to show them the plots and such? ''

“Yes, that’s right. ''

''As you wish your Majesty. ''

He bowed before me, then accompanied the dwarves towards the exit.

“Your Majesty, this is even better than expected. '' Said Luccie.

'' Yes. Certainly the ball is in their court, but we have taken a very big step forward. ''

''Yes, if all goes well, they will join our ranks. '' Ragnar said.

“I find you very excited Ragnar. '' Said Magma.

“Yes, it seems that dwarves are good at making weapons. ''

“I see, all you are interested in is a new weapon. ''

'' Of course. ''

“Ragnar is right. There is nothing wrong with thinking about your own interests. If they decide to join us, they will have to at least supply us with weapons. ''

“You are right, your Majesty! ''Replied Ragnar.

Ragnar couldn't hide his joy.

A few minutes later, Nebulime returned with the dwarves to the room.

“So how did you find it? ''

“We always thought that nothing could come to life on these lands. So we were surprised to see that in some places the soil was fertile. They are roughly similar to the landscape that can be found in the south of the continent. ''

'' I see... ''

I then snapped my fingers and other demons entered the room with trays in their hands. On these trays were meals. Vegetable soup.

“Here’s this, they come from vegetables from our plantations. ''

They were given the trays and began to eat their dish. Their faces began to light up...

“It’s excellent! '' They said in sync.

''I'm glad you liked it... Now if you want, let's get down to business. ''

I sighed, then spoke again.

''I spoke with my lieutenants and we made a decision. We authorize you to live on the territory of the domain with the members of your village. You can choose the location you want and start building your homes. We will provide you with food and other items necessary for your integration. ''

“Thank you, your Majesty. ''

“But there are conditions.”

''...''

''In exchange, we would like you to share with us the information you have on the empire and their next movements. Also, during your stay here, you will be responsible for crafting us equipment and weapons. In other words, you will work for us. If it suits you, we can start right away, but I take it that you do not have the authority to give me an answer at this time. ''

“Yes, your Majesty. We will have to report to our boss and return his decision to you. ''

''Yes, it's completely natural. However, you know of my existence. I would be very annoyed if this information became known to everyone. This is why I am going to ask you to only disclose my identity to your boss. ''

''Yes, we will do so. ''

“I also warn you. If this information is nevertheless exposed, I would take great pleasure in ending your life and also, I will attack the other six dwarf villages. ''

“Yes…” he said with a tense face.

''One last thing... Herlken, is that what your name is? ''

“Yes, your Majesty. ''

“You will be the only one to return to your village, the others will stay here. ''

'' But... ''

''I'll give you two weeks to give me your answer. If you or your boss do not return within this short time, I will conclude that you have betrayed me. I will kill your companions remaining here and then attack your village. ''

''No objections I hope. '' Said Luccie.

“No, none…”

“Alright, you can go. ''I said.

“Thank you your majesty. ''

He turned to his companions.

''Don't worry guys, I'll be back. ''

“We trust you, Herlken. “Replied the others.

Herlken the old dwarf headed towards the exit.

I asked Ragnar to accompany him to the border.

I was now alone with the rest of his companions.

“Now what am I going to do with you? ''

End of chapter.