Familiar........but in a space surrounded by a number of home appliances that I hadn't seen or touched in a long time, several of my family members were sitting upright in front of me.

I'm sorry........ My life is on the line...''
Rejected.
"How then shall we apologize to Master Theon for our folly in this matter...

　I sit upright in a tragic state of mind - the servants assigned to Chloe and Leila's unit.

　The reason why Chloe and the others are filled with a sense of tragedy is because they failed the ordeal I imposed on them.

　The number of newly acquired "territorial residents" from this "rule" is 89.

　Ten of them fled outside of the Ruling area after receiving my advice, eight were killed by Chloe's unit and six by Leila's unit.

''But hey mister. With an attack like that--
Red!　Will you shut up!　We have failed to fulfill the order of Lord Zion........ Then it's reasonable to take responsibility!
What?　I didn't kill her!
Blue!　Don't make such an unseemly excuse!

　Red desperately tries to make an excuse, but Leila blackmails him, and Blue makes an excuse for his righteousness, but Chloe blackmails him.

"Zion-sama........ Shouldn't they be spared the mercy of what they've done so far?
What kind of mercy?

　Izayoi calls out to me as I'm worried about the hassle.

'Of course, the mercy they want - death.
Rejected.

　I was a fool for expecting Izayoi's advice, even if it was just a little bit. Chloe, Leila and Izayoi - these three - the trio of fanatics, as far as I'm concerned, don't give their opinions.

　What's the sad thing about having to reduce the number of my family members from now on, when I have to add as many as possible?

　It's a hassle........ Shall I force the problem with orders? When I thought about it--.

Theon!　Don't worry about the details. It's good that you succeeded. Let's get on with the food!
You!
Disrespect!
You!　Depending on what happens, this Izayoi will do his best to--

　--Shut up!

　Forcing the mouths of the murderous fanatic trio to close at Takahar's words.

　--!

　Dinner. Not bad.

"I have decided. It's time for you to be punished.
""Ha!"
The punishment you will receive is no food.
"...what?
What?　Not too much!

　Chloe and her friends are stunned by the punishment they've given, and Blue is filled with despair.

Click!　That's tragic ... sorry for your loss.
''We've accomplished the Zion-chan's ordeal, you know. Gage~

　Takahar opens his big mouth to laugh, and Sarah smiles a nasty smile.

'Takahar, Sarah. Don't provoke me. I can inflict the same punishment on you guys, okay?
''--na!''

　I turned a nasty smile at Takaharu and Sarah, and they slipped away from the scene.


　◆


Have you got the food ready?

　The food was procured from the "Reign" earlier, so there's plenty of food.

''It's curry!''
It's a seafood bowl.
Maybe it's an omelet.
Tonight my throat is hungry for blood ... steak, rare!
White rice and miso soup with grilled fish would be nice.

　The opinions of the former demon kings, who are looking forward to the food, are wonderfully disparate. After that, they continued to argue with each other.

"If it's Kanazawa, it's curry!
Takahara-san. We're not in Kanazawa City.
I don't care about the little things!
Freshness is the name of the game.
Then white rice and miso soup with sashimi!　How about this?
Master Yataro. Isn't the stuff that Master Theon smelted sufficient for white rice?
I want to eat hand-made white rice and miso soup.
Saburo and Yatadi didn't take part in the Ruling. I don't have an opinion about it!

　I mean, why are these guys arguing in my room?　If it's about food in the first place, it's not my business........

''So, which one do you think Theon would like?''
...What?

　A barren argument spills over to me.

'So, curry, seafood bowl, omelette, steak or grilled fish... which one do you want?
You're missing a rare!
You're missing some white rice and miso soup.

　Takaharu piles more words on my dumbfounded face, and Saburo and Yataro let out an unintelligible protest.

'I don't need food. You don't need my opinion.'
"...What?　You may not have to, but you can still eat, right?　Besides, you have a sense of taste, don't you?

　I was stunned, and Takahara repeated his words in a tone of dismay.

　...food?　Taste?

　After I became the Demon King, I didn't need to eat or drink water ... or even sleep.

　I had become accustomed to a life where I didn't need to eat or sleep naturally. If I had time to eat, I would work out. If I have time to sleep, I'll think.

　--I've allocated all of my daily time to survive.

　I don't think this way of life is wrong. I am currently surviving. The fact that I'm the biggest demon king in Ishikawa Prefecture proves it.

　That's why I couldn't swallow Takaharu's words about me having a meal well.

''........On!　Theon!　Do you hear me?

　Takaharu's voice awakens my consciousness, which was drowned in a sea of thoughts.

'Oh..... I'm listening.
So what do you want, Theon?
'Well...'

　Curry, seafood bowl, omelette, steak, grilled fish - honestly, it could have been any of them.

'........curry and rice.

　I said the name of the dish that made me feel nostalgic somehow.


　◆


　Two hours later.

Mr. Theon. We're ready for you.

　Kanon called me over to the dining area where the former Demon Lord's guys had taken the initiative to prepare the meal.

''Hey........''

　When I arrive at the dining area, I'm crestfallen.

　It's a fifteen-minute walk through the cave where I live. There are large desks and chairs for several people at the riverside, where the sun's rays leak through the trees.

　

''I'm going home.''

　Although I'm getting used to being in the sun, I can't deny the feeling of emptiness. I immediately try to turn on my heel to the cave that is my home....

''Wah-wah!　Wait.........Mr. Sion!
''Theon..... Building friendships with your subordinates.......isn't this also the mission of those above you?

　Kanon stops me from leaving in a hurry and Yataro asks me in a calm voice.

　A subordinate - in other words, a subordinate. The relationship between me and my subordinates is bounded by absolute command authority. There's no need to force your face, but....

　Friendship, loyalty--there are definitely elements of uncertainty that cannot be seen on a smartphone screen.

　We eat together.

Next time you'll be indoors...

　I muttered grimly and sat down in the chair that had been prepared for me.