6-year-old Wise Man Wants to Walk in the Shade

Chapter 26 - "The Ruler of Darkness is Secretly Born"

The dragon people, who had been watching the gunpowder explosion from a distance, welcomed the chief and me with surprise and joy.

"Chief, I'm surprised! Who would have thought that you would have exploded the seeds of war along with the Demon King's castle!"

"But how on earth did you do that!? Chief, you can't use magic..."

"No, that's not true..."

The chief looked away awkwardly.

I had heard that he couldn't use magic, of course.

The chief was planning to come up with a good excuse for this, but it seemed like it would be best to get some help.

"Your magic, Chief, was really amazing! I was surprised!"

"What, Chief's magic?"

The dragon people were agitated by what I said.

I gasped dramatically and covered my mouth with both hands.

Of course it was an act.

"Ah! I'm sorry Chief. The chief asked me to keep it a secret that he can now use magic. But I accidentally blurted it out.'

'The chief can use magic?! What's going on?!'

'I made a promise with the chief! He said that he wanted me to not be able to use magic in front of everyone. He said that if people found out that the already strong chief could now use magic, it would cause a big fuss. It would be terrible if it became a source of unnecessary conflict like gunpowder.'

It might not have been childish to say it was a source of unnecessary conflict.

But it seems that my lie was enough to make the dragon people believe it.

'Wow, what a great chief! When did he start using magic?!'

'Oh, well... it seems that it was because he was brainwashed. Before I knew it, he was able to use magic...'

'Just like our chief!'

'The werewolves ran away with their tails between their legs! "

"Now we've avoided a pointless battle. It's all thanks to the chief."

"That explosion... I bet the chief threw the gunpowder!? He has that much power, what a force to be reckoned with!"

Even after he returned to the main camp with the troops from the front line, the words of praise for the chief continued.

It could be said that the shadow cast by the betrayal of the elite troops had been completely wiped away with this incident.

The chief would occasionally glance at me uncomfortably, but of course I'd ignore it and let it go.

No, chief.

All the credit this time will go to the chief.

I helped him on those terms, you know?

It would be against the rules to reveal that I was the one who did it.

The chief scratched his head with a troubled look on his face, then turned to his subordinates.

"Ah... I'm sorry everyone."

"Chief...?!"

The dragon people were shocked when the chief, who was treated like a hero, bowed his head.

"I'm sorry that I was vulnerable enough to be cast a suggestive spell on me. As the chief, I should have realized the traitor's presence sooner."

"No way... the chief isn't to blame!"

"It's the elite troops who used such despicable tactics that are to blame! Wasn't it the previous generation who chose the elite troops?"

"I was the one who continued to use those elite troops. I didn't have good eyes for them either."

The chief raised his head and looked around at everyone.

"From now on, I will change my heart and work for the sake of the clan. Will you support me?"

"Yes!"

"Of course! We'll follow you!"

As the dragon people surrounded the chief again, I tried to quietly leave the place.

However――

"Human guests. Let's have you come with us to the dragon tribe's village. After that, we'll decide on the arrangements for the welcoming banquet. Let's have you tell us what kind of food humans like.'

The humans, including the princess, couldn't hide their surprise at the chief's words.

Even though they'd grown closer over the course of the day, it was unheard of for the demon tribe to invite humans to a banquet.

The princess asked the chief carefully.

'Chief of the dragon tribe, are you sure you want us to go that far? Wouldn't it be bad if we welcomed humans?'

'I've been thinking about that too. I won't do anything bad to you.'

'What will you do? Big Sister Clara.'

I deliberately used a false name to ask.

Even though Clarisse was hiding her true identity, she was in fact the princess of a country.

She's not just a female knight.

I wanted her to be aware of the influence that she would have by accepting the demon tribe's invitation and forming friendship with them, and the clever princess immediately understood my intentions.

After lowering her eyes as if deep in thought, the princess looked up and a strong determination was in her eyes.

"Chief. Before you invite us into the village, there is something I would like to tell you."

"What is it?"

"I am Clarisse, the princess of the country of Maylie. I have disguised my identity and come to the border area to inspect the country."

"P-Princess?! You must not reveal such things!"

The knights guarding her panicked, but the princess shook her head.

"The dragon people say they will invite us. In that case, we cannot disguise our identity and purpose."

The princess was dignified.

She looked very dignified.

"Would you like us to be invited as people you met by chance, or as a group of princesses who have come to inspect the country of Maylie? I will leave the decision to the chief.'

Hosting a human princess as a guest means having diplomatic relations with a human country.

The chief is being forced to make a very big decision.

However, without a moment's hesitation, he bowed respectfully.

'Of course we welcome you, Princess Clarice.'

'...!'

The fact that he welcomed a human princess as a princess.

At this very moment, I felt that something had definitely begun.

I wasn't the only one.

Probably everyone here noticed it too.

◇◇◇

After arriving at the dragon-human settlement, we were invited to the chief's mansion.

'Wow. Amazing.'

The moment we entered through the double-leaf gate, I naturally let out those words.

The chief's mansion had a rather unusual interior.

The interior was decorated with bold and intricately crafted furniture and fittings, which was the first thing that caught my eye.

Delicate patterns were carved into the walls and ceiling.

The carpets, folding screens, benches, and desks were all in black, gold, and vermilion.

It was not only luxurious, but also overwhelmingly beautiful.

But it didn't feel unpleasant.

Is this demon culture?

It's new and interesting.

I once traveled to the eastern country in my past life, and the atmosphere is somewhat similar.

Wow. Isn't that a dragon's head on the mantelpiece?

Normally, a deer would be displayed here, but the demons are on a completely different scale.

Just as I was thinking that this was indeed in bad taste, Princess Clarice, who was walking next to me, sighed in admiration.

"What a lovely room, Master Eddie!"

The princess's eyes were glued to the dragon's head.

While I was confused by the princess' unexpected hobby, the chief appeared from the back room, unarmored.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No. I'm honored to have you here."

"I prepared this."

The chief said, and took out a piece of paper.

"Th-this is...!"

The princess, who received the paper, let out a cry of surprise and opened her eyes wide.

I stretched a little and looked at the document.

A contract written in the official language?

I couldn't believe it, so I scanned it.

As I understood the contents, surprise spread in my heart.

"We've caused you so much trouble because of our convenience. You won't be able to go home empty-handed. It's not a gift, but please take it home if you like."

The document said, "From now on, the dragon race will build a friendly relationship with humans. "As part of this, we will hold discussions with the humans and consider concluding a treaty to protect our borders in the future." it said.

This is undoubtedly good news.

If the dragon people can protect the border, the humans will receive a great deal of benefit.

"Chief, are you sure?"

The chief nodded in response to the princess' question.

"This incident has shown us that compromise with other races is also necessary. We will eventually perish through power alone. To that end, we would like to join forces with you first."

At that moment, the princess broke out into a truly happy smile and hugged the document tightly.

"Hehe. If you do that, it'll get wrinkled, you know?"

"Mr. Eddie. I'm so happy. I'm so touched that we've been able to achieve so much from this reconnaissance. I'm sure the king will be pleased!"

Indeed.

When you left the castle, you never expected the outcome to be like this.

Thinking about this, I naturally smiled as well.

Like the chief, Princess Clarice expresses her feelings frankly.

I like people like that.

I put aside the things I didn't want to get involved in and helped out here and there.

Anyway, I'm glad we were able to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

It was worth sticking my nose in.

"In all our long history, this is the first time we've made such a connection with the demons. All of this is--"

Without finishing the sentence, the princess turned to look at me.

I was troubled by her passionate gaze towards someone she respects.

The princess must have guessed what I did.

I thought it was inevitable that the princess would find out to some extent, so there was no point in hiding it now.

"That's right, princess. Can you leave me alone with this brat for a little while?"

"Alone with Eddie?"

The princess looked at me as if to ask if it was okay.

"If you talk about it in front of other people, this little brat might get in trouble."

Really.

You're so mean, Chief.

You're already causing me a lot of trouble by saying things like that.

"Eddie-sama, are you sure?"

I nodded, and the princess quietly left the room.

Surprisingly, she didn't look worried.

The princess probably thought the Chief was trustworthy.

The Princess left, and we were left alone in the reception room.

"So? You say you want to talk..."

Before I could finish my question, the Chief suddenly knelt down.

Wow. Hey, what's going on?

"Chief, what are you doing?"

"Thanks to your instructions, I was able to find the culprit and deal with him properly. If I had been alone, I wouldn't have even noticed the brainwashing and would have rushed into the worst possible battle."

"I don't care about that anymore. I had my own reasons for lending a hand.'

I didn't like being strict, but the chief wouldn't listen.

He was still kneeling, looking up at me with a serious expression, and I felt a little uncomfortable.

"There's another topic. I was completely defeated by you. So from now on, I want you - no, you - to be my master."

"Huh?"

"The demons are content to obey the strongest."

"What are you talking about? You're the clan leader."

"Yeah, so above the clan leader is the king. I want you to rule as the king who unites this dragon race."

No way, that's impossible.

What are you really saying?

"I'm a human. That's obviously impossible. And I want to live in peace."

"Do you think the world will leave a child with that much power alone? And you're already working with the princess of a country. Isn't that proof that you're being watched?"

He hits a sore spot.

"You might think that getting us in your hands is the quickest way to live in peace. Now that the Demon King is gone, the demons will be facing an era of chaos. If the world becomes a place of war, it will be impossible to live peacefully. Especially for someone as powerful as you. You will inevitably be sent to war.'

It's troubling to be told that.

That's why I kept refusing.

But the chief showed no signs of backing down.

'I'll just go to school like a normal kid.'

'I don't mind going to school, just go for it!'

With a thud, the chief rubbed his forehead against the floor.

Oh dear.

What do you think a king or chief think of an ordinary kid?

An ordinary kid wouldn't go to school and team up with a king or become the king of the demons.

'When trouble arises, I want you to take charge. I promise I will never reveal your existence! Please reign over us dragon people as the ruler of darkness! "

"Ruler of darkness..."

That's an incredibly pompous way of putting it.

I put my hands on my hips and sighed lightly.

I could tell that the chief was serious.

And he had a point.

An entity hiding in the shadows who doesn't show his face, huh?

I don't dislike this chief, so I guess I could accept that.

It's much better than being forcibly dragged out into the open.

Anyway, this time I want to walk a shady path no matter what.

I'm also responsible for the way things have turned out.

"Then can I state a condition?"

"Of course!"

"As the chief said earlier, in public, the chief will remain chief. I'll just support him from the shadows. Of course, you're not allowed to mention my name. Can you keep your promise?"

"Ha! I, Adonis, will do my best as your double!'

The tribe leader's name is Adonis.

'Also, I don't need any authority over the dragon people. I don't want to be forced to do anything. All I do is give orders when a problem arises and lend a hand. If it gets too much, I'll step down right away.'

'Of course. If you try it out and feel it's too much of a burden, you can step down right away, my lord!'

'I'm not your lord. At least keep me as an advisor.'

I'm worried about what the future holds.

But if it really gets too much, I can just drop everything and run away.

And so, an unmotivated and extremely irresponsible 'Ruler of Darkness' was born.

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