I was practically dragged out of the castle by Diera.
We made our way directly to the market street along the outer perimeter of the royal capital.
The place, run independently by the populace, was growing more impressive by the day.
Occasionally, a resident would spot me and immediately pale in shock.
Some even prostrated themselves on the spot.
It seemed lingering here would cause trouble.
As I moved to pass through quickly, Diera was thoroughly enjoying their reactions.
Perhaps a phantom ache from her time as a demon lord stirred within her.
I wished she would stop; it was embarrassing.
(There are many unfamiliar buildings. It looks like the population has grown too.)
As I observed, Grom voiced his admiration from beside me.
"This area has developed considerably as well. The streetscape is nearly indistinguishable from the main city."
"That's right. I'm surprised too."
The market street had naturally expanded in scale.
The people living here had developed it to suit their own lives.
Compared to the royal capital under my rule, it possessed a character closer to a self-governing territory.
"They seem to operate with considerable freedom. Are there any plans to intervene?"
"None in particular. This place also contributes to the economic growth of the royal capital. There's no need to hinder it."
Though it could be called a pseudo-autonomous territory, the market street was adjacent to the royal capital.
The merchants who had set up shops here were operating with my permission.
Occasionally, spies conduct investigations to ensure no illicit items are being traded. While there are suspicious goods mixed in, there are no dangerous drugs or magical tools. At present, there's no need for us to regulate anything further.
Upon hearing my assessment, Grom murmurs with deep respect.
"As expected of the Demon Lord. You possess a heart as vast as the ocean."
His tone is rather exaggerated.
It sounds like flattery, but this is Grom's genuine sentiment.
Does he never get tired of maintaining this demeanor all the time?
Though a bit curious, he was in an exceptionally good mood.
It didn't seem to be something I needed to worry about.
"This way! Now's not the time to be looking around!"
Diera, advancing ahead, cheerfully waves me over.
She is incredibly enthusiastic.
I had heard there would be a feast, but she must be particularly looking forward to it.
Come to think of it, she is a notorious heavy drinker.
Despite being completely destitute, complaints have flooded in about her frequenting taverns in the Royal Capital.
Luciana provides her with an allowance regularly, but she apparently spends it all immediately.
She's always grumbling whenever Diera asks her for money.
Her considerable troublemaking nature makes one truly wonder if she ever really served as the Demon Lord.
For someone like her, an occasion to drink without worry must be precious.
So they must be absolutely thrilled about that.
Diera led me to the railway.
Completed within the past half-year, it had two tracks laid for round trips.
On one side, a train stood waiting.
Currently, the railway was not open to general use.
It was a facility primarily for the elves traveling to and from the village.
Only those with permission could use it.
I questioned Diera.
"Why did we come all the way to the railway?"
"Naturally, to use it, of course. The banquet venue is the elven village, after all. A train is just the right thing."
"Then teleportation magic would be instantaneous. That would be far more efficient."
I objected.
It wasn't that I didn't want to use the train, but with teleportation magic, we could travel without distance limitations.
However, Diera clicked her tongue and shook her head.
Then she let out a deep, weary sigh.
As if I had made a completely off-base argument, her expression suggested.
Diera placed a hand on her hip and admonished me.
"You are too soft. No, perhaps the word is uncouth. We deliberately take the train and enjoy the scenery along the way. There is a certain charm in that."
"A certain charm, is there..."
I pondered Diera's words.
It was an answer I hadn't considered.
Train travel had more charm than teleportation.
That's what Diera was saying.
Honestly, it wasn't an area I knew much about.
Seeing my reaction, Diera gave a light laugh.
"Kuhaha, it seems this is still too early for you. Grom already understands."
"Is that so?"
I shifted my gaze to Grom.
Grom spoke with slight awkwardness.
"Well... yes. I also enjoy expeditions, you see..."
Hearing that, I remembered the days when I was human—the days I traveled with *that person*.
Between the harsh stretches of road, we savored regional cuisines and were captivated by the breathtaking vistas of hidden lands.
Truly, those were good times.
A precious experience.
Having become an undead, driven by vengeance and my duties as the Demon King, I had completely forgotten.
"Use this as an opportunity to learn about charm. It's surprisingly not bad, you know?"
"...Yeah. I'll try."
I nodded frankly.
If I lost too much of my humanity, it wouldn't be good.
Being swayed by emotion is a consideration, but I needed to remain able to understand the human heart.
One definitely does not wish to become a complete monster.
We boarded the train, fueled by the stored magical power it ran on.
Diera stuck her head out the window and pointed.
"Then, let us depart!"
Shortly after, the train set off.
The shaking was minimal.
It had been improved through trial and error.
Early trains had shaken so much that the elves had demanded improvements.
Now they were thanked for the comfort.
As the scenery flowed by outside, Diera narrowed her eyes.
"Still as fast as ever. What a convenient world we live in."
Her murmur snagged on my attention.
I asked what I felt upon hearing it.
"Have you used a train before?"
"J-Just a little curiosity led me to try it once. I did not break it!"
Diera hurriedly covered her mouth, flustered.
There had been evidence of unauthorized train use before, but the perpetrator had never been found.
I never expected to find out whose doing it was here.
I whispered to Grom.
"...See to it that railway security is thorough. It would be acceptable to install scrying magical devices as well."
"I see."
Grom looked at Diera with an exasperated expression.
Diera, sweating, kept her gaze fixed outside the train.
She wouldn't even look my way.
(Pressing her further would be cruel)
I stopped giving her a blaming look.
It was in the past; as long as she reflected on it, that was enough.
It wasn't that grave a transgression.
The fast-moving train emerged into open land.
Fields stretched out.
In the distance, farmers were swinging their hoes.
"Oh ho, is this an agricultural region? What crops do they grow here?"
"The main staple crops are mostly present."
The food production was scaled to match the swollen population of the Royal Capital. There were also tributes from dominated cities, but I wanted to establish a solid production system while there was still leeway.
If we desired further development, a sufficient food supply was essential.
Everything depended on first securing a situation where the populace did not starve.
Gazing at the fields, Diera muttered under her breath,
"If it weren't for the scattered undead, the view would be somewhat more pleasant..."
As she pointed out, there were undead dotted throughout the fields.
They stood lingering without any particular purpose.
"It is a necessary measure. Without this, there would be those who harbor illicit thoughts."
The tracks were metal, and the crops in the fields were a precious resource. They had to leave guards on duty; otherwise, those inclined to steal would inevitably appear.
This had happened several times before. As it happened, those individuals now belonged to the undead tasked with monitoring the fields. Since their final fate was also made known to the public, theft had ceased entirely.
We rode in silence for a while. Midway, Diera, seated beside me, gazed over.
"Well? Does not this form of travel possess its own charm?"
"It is... not unpleasant."
Once the world settled down, perhaps it would be nice to travel the regions incognito. Given my position, long journeys were impossible, so it would have to be brief excursions. Still, they would serve well enough for a change of pace.
Eventually, the train arrived at the terminus. We disembarked.
Before us spread the World Tree Forest—the special zone I had forcibly attracted here using forbidden sorcery.
"From here on, it is on foot," Diera declared, and set off with a spirited stride.
I call out to her from behind.
"It's a bit late to ask, but have you gotten permission from the elves?"
"Of course. Logan has already secured the village's consent. I shall lead the way. Just follow along."
Diera answered with full confidence and strode ahead with light steps.
Grom glared after her, then addressed me in a rumbling voice like the growl of the earth itself.
"Speaking so presumptuously to the Demon King... What shall we do? If you give the order, I will deal with her here and now."
"Don't bother. It's always like this."
"Ggh... Understood."
Grom groaned resentfully, then bowed his head with deference.