Isekai Nonbiri Nouka - Chapter 813: Bareback’s Travel
My name is Bareback Lu Choice
I’m an old demon living in the Demon King’s Kingdom.
Yeah, I’m certainly old.
I don’t even count my age anymore since I turned 1000 but I think I shouldn’t be older than 1500 years old.
I am currently the oldest citizen of the Demon King’s Kingdom……or maybe not.
However, it is certain that I’m old.
I was given the title of viscount but I’ve already passed it to my great grandson when I was around 800 years old.
…….
Areh?
Was it really my great grandson?
Well, it doesn’t matter either way.
Let’s just say I gave it to my blood relative.
I wanted to live an elegant retired life as an old demon but times did not permit it and I was bestowed with the title of “honorary duke” and had to fight in many battles.
If you’re going to ask why me, it’s because I have a good bloodline.
After all, several demon kings have come from my bloodline.
You heard that right, several.
Though I’ve already forgotten how many.
I’ve also forgotten the details.
No, I might be able to remember if I try hard but it was a long time ago.
I’m a little fuzzy on many things.
Even so, even if I’m that kind of demon, I never forget what I must not forget.
One of them is that the current demon king is my blood relative.
I remember him because he was the son of a granddaughter whom I cherished.
Incidentally, his wife was the daughter of my sister’s daughter, in other words, my niece.
Well, I have many brothers and sisters and each of us have many children.
Our family tree is very complex.
In fact, when you have over a hundred grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, you won’t remember them unless they’re living together with you.
It is impossible to remember those who you don’t see even once a year.
Even a newborn will give birth to someone when he or she turns 30.
Some of them remain young for hundreds of years because of their magic powers while others grow in a normal way.
There is no way I can remember all.
Some of them change titles, family names, and so on every time we meet.
No, for that matter, it is possible that they are not the same person but only looked alike since they were direct descendants of that one I remembered……
In any case, our relationship is good because they are all my beloved family members.
Yeah.
-0-
Well.
There is an organization called Elective Parliament.
The role of that council is to decide who will be the next Demon King if ever the kingdom lost its current demon king.
Technically speaking, it also acts as the proxy if there is no demon king yet.
I belonged to the elective parliament, or rather, I was forced to participate in it. I was just a member of it first.
However, before I knew it, I had become the oldest and even the chairman of the Elective Parliament.
It’s very troublesome.
Moreover, during the absence of a demon king, there will certainly be a number of forces that want me to be the demon king which is also troublesome.
I can’t be the demon king.
I’m not strong.
I’m just a demon who lives a long life.
Why is it difficult for them to understand that?
It has always been my problem.
It’s a good thing that for the past several hundred years, the demon king never fell. Well, he did but the next generation demon king was elected immediately so the Elective Parliament has not been active.
The elective parliament has a certain amount of authority but when the demon king is alive and well, it is just a dormant organization.
I’ve always welcomed a powerful demon king.
It makes my life so easy.
I had to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new demon king but I could at least tolerate that.
The current demon king also never asked me to go to battle.
Thus, I am only living comfortably in my own domain.
-0-
Until I was approached by those who were dissatisfied with the policy of the current demon king.
They told me things like,
Why is the demon king loosening his grip on war?
Why is he not keen on destroying human countries?
Could it be that the demon king has been seduced by human kingdoms?
Should such a person be the demon king?
Shouldn’t you be the demon king?
And so on.
What a bunch of troublesome guys.
I told them that if that is their heartfelt wish, I will use all my authority to make them lead the front lines and attack the human kingdoms on behalf of the demon king but they would never do that.
They only know how to run their mouths.
Oh, you’ll pay me?
If I were to try becoming the demon king, you’ll offer me a good amount of money as support.
This again.
Thus, I think about it.
Yeah, I’m thinking about their offer seriously but not because of their cause.
Just the other day, I received a letter from the royal capital and it’s from the demon king.
He was going to hold a parade in spring and asked if I would like to participate.
It was a very kind invitation.
However, I could not afford the travel expenses so I thought I had no choice but to decline.
Don’t you dare think that just because I’m a noble, I have a lot of money.
Nobles need a lot of money just to look good.
Since it was the demon king who invited me, he should pay for my travel expenses, right?
Even if that is the case, I’ll only receive the travel expenses once I’ve arrived at the royal capital.
That means I have to use my own money first.
To be honest, I had no idea where to get money to pay for the trip.
Just when I was about to give up, these guys came along.
If I say some good words to them, they might be able to at least pay for my travel expenses.
No, they are already causing me so much trouble.
They must pay for my travel expenses.
And have I already said they “must” pay?
In return, I would at least let them keep their good image.
So, I said.
I have no intention of becoming the demon king but I will at least go see how the current demon king is doing.
It would be a big deal if he really softened up to human countries.
Yeah, it is only natural for me to be concerned about my descendants.
-0-
I succeeded in milking travel expenses from them.
I said I’m traveling alone.
However, they sent dozens of guards to follow me.
Damn.
It’s not so easy, is it?
These guards were sent by those who are dissatisfied with the current demon king so I can’t do anything strange.
However, well, there is no need to be overly concerned.
All I have to do is to do as I please.
I’ll be sure to watch the current demon king.
Ah, I’m not just going to watch.
I will at least ask him why he is not attacking the human kingdoms.
Actually, I think he’s going to make a big announcement.
Given that, he might not listen to what he doesn’t want to hear.
That’s a problem.
By the way, the reason I don’t know what he is about to announce is because I’m not interested in it.
Hahaha.
Should I try being a little more interested then?
I’ll try.
-0-
AN: This is going to be long so here’s some info.
Bareback is the great grandfather of the demon king and his younger brother(great grand uncle) is the husband of the demon king’s wife’s grandmother.
The demon’s lifespan varies depending on the amount of magic power they possess so sometimes, the son lives longer than the great grandson.
Thus, it is impossible to consider generations between grandson, niece, or others based on age.
For the demons, living for 100 years is normal. Those with magic power will live for at least 300 years. If you live 500 years or more, it is thought that they might not die of old age.