Chapter 182 : Epilogue – The Demon King’s memory
“Make yourselves comfortable. Stand if you want to stand, and sit if you want to sit.” (Anos)
When I quickly lifted one hand, regardless of where it was coming from, people could hear music.
String, wind, and percussion instruments were playing a harmonious, gorgeous and flowing sound.
“There’s one wonderful thing I discovered in this world after two thousand years: beautiful singing voices most appropriate for this peace ceremony, and capable of blowing away all dull melancholy like the wind.” (Anos)
I spread my arms out, drew a magic circle on both sides of the audience platform, and along with the light pouring out of them, eight girls came out of them.
It was the fan union girls.
They were all wearing ceremonial black robes over their Demon King Academy uniforms.
“Let me introduce you. These are the Demon King’s Choir girls, who will sing for me.” (Anos)
The girls looked up and saw the multitude of demons before their eyes.
Those countless gazes were fixed on all eight of them, but they never dropped their gentle smiles.
The girls silently let out their voices.
They were magically amplified, and echoed far and wide.
“Some time ago, we spoke with Anos-sama’s mother.” (Fangirl A)
“She told us mountains of things.” (Fangirl B)
“Such as what Anos-sama did immediately after reincarnating.” (Fangirl C)
“What Anos-sama loves to eat.” (Fangirl D)
“What Anos-sama cherishes.” (Fangirl E)
“We were wondering what Anos-sama’s opinion of the peaceful Magical Age was. And we believe we have gotten a good understanding of it.” (Fangirl F)
“We will now show you in song the true self of the great Demon King who was called tyrannical.” (Fangirl G)
“Please listen to our Hymn to the Demon King n°5: Peace.” (Fangirl H)
They originally called it ‘Anos-sama Cheering Song Chorus’, but since that name was a little unsuited for formal occasions, it was changed to ‘Hymn to the Demon King’.
However, the essence of the song remained unchanged.
The orchestral accompaniment played inside the castle was magically resounding throughout Midhaze.
After that gentle, joyful, and uplifting prelude, the choir girls took a deep breath.
And began to sing.
[—I don’t need a sword in my right hand—]
The melody was somber, calm and gentle.
[—I don’t need a shield in my left hand—]
It immediately penetrated the hearts of their audience.
[—Now take off your cowardly armor, no matter if magic fails you, no matter if the past stole your name. All I want—]
This tune that resonated with the heart…
[Is to come and meet you…]
Captivated those of everyone present, and…
[As none other than myself ♪ just as I am ♪]
[[[Just as I am ♪]]]
[(Ju~st as I am ♪)]
[[[Just as I am ♪]]]
[Without. Pre-. Tense, but with lo~ve in my hea~rt. ♪]
[[[Zeinrazerazera, Ze~razera ♪]]]
[[[Zeinrazerazera, Ze~razera ♪]]]
The tone suddenly shifted.
A mysterious onomatopoeia, ‘Zeinrazerazera’, was introduced as an interlude.
It was an expression that meant ‘Let’s be as one in spirit’ in ancient magical language, to symbolize peace.
[Even if, for instance, I don’t have a sword on me, ♪]
[I can do without it just the same. ♪]
[I will per. sist. in. love, and cut my foes down. Without a sword— ♪]
[[[Ju~st as I am ♪]]]
[[[Just as I am ♪]]]
[[[Zeinrazerazera ♪]]]
[[[Ze~razera ♪]]]
[The Demon King’s…!!! Demon sword~!!! ♪♪♪]
A shock hit Dilhade.
Despite that, they barely, just barely retained a dignified look befitting a dignified ceremony.
But it was then that the chorus of the song hit them mercilessly.
[It’s love that lasts ♪ It’s you who cuts down ♪ If you~ and I~ joined hands and connected~ ♪]
[Our two loves would~ ♪]
[[[Ju~st as they are ♪]]]
[[[Just as they are ♪]]]
[[Zeinrazerazera ♪]]
[[[Zerazera ♪]]]
[Grow indefinitely~]
Some spectators were confused, some others were giving the girls hard looks, some others were pinching their own knees as hard as they could, and some others were dumbfounded.
They all had various reactions, but if I had to sum them up in one word, it’d be this.
Everybody was being humbled.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
Ever such an insolent, peaceful song.
This truly was how peace was meant to be.
But apparently, everyone here was still nervous.
Then I, the Demon King, had to take the initiative and show them the way.
I raised my hands and opened my mouth rhythmically but calmly to the interlude of the song, as if to teach everyone how to enjoy this song.
[Zeinrazerazera ♪ Ze~razera ♪] (Anos)
The audience dropped their jaws so low it’s like they were about to actually fall off, and their eyes were as wide open as can be.
I continued.
I put more force into my stomach than before.
[Zeinrazerazera ♪ Ze~razera ♪] (Anos)
The one who followed up was the Demon King’s right-hand man. As if to demonstrate his loyalty, Shin spoke with a sharp gaze.
[Zeinrazerazera ♪ Ze~razera ♪] (Shin)
Followed by Reno, Lay, and Misa.
Melheis, Ivis, and the other Demon Elders who had been watching over the audience platform, began to move.
The looks on everyone’s faces were somewhat more tense than when they challenged Azesion to a battle.
Probably because they had to challenge peace from now on.
[[[Zeinrazerazera ♪ Ze~razera ♪]]] (Reno, Lay, Misa)
Next, the Demon Lords seated in the VIP seats began to shout together as well.
Before long, the audience members began to utter those words.
And then—
[—If you can’t let go of your sword— ♪]
The second verse began.
[—If you have a shield in your hand— ♪]
The choir girls tried to pry open the hearts of the audience with it in a completely different way than before.
[—I’ll snatch them both so I can take off that cowardly armor. I’ll wipe your sad name away from the past. All I want—]
This melody that pointlessly resonated with the heart…
[Is to come and meet you— ♪]
tyrannically stole away the hearts of everyone present, and then—
[As none other than myself ♪ just as I am ♪]
[[[Just as I am ♪]]]
[(Ju~st as I am ♪)]
[[[Just as I am ♪]]]
[Without. Pre-. Tense, but with lo~ve in my hea~rt. ♪]
The next moment, all of Midhaze was shaken by their voices.
[[[Zeinrazerazera, Ze~razera ♪]]]
[[[Zeinrazerazera, Ze~razera ♪]]]
The voices of all the people gathered here, singing a great chorus.
As the populace, numbering more than ten thousand, shouted in sheer excitement, the Demon King’s Choir strained their voices, as if not to be outdone by the crowd.
