Part 1

“Me? I am Maou-sama.” Shin replied with confidence. However, this was only on the surface. Beneath that confident expression, Shin was very feeling very uncertain.

Firstly, Shin was only half sure that these two children were of demon lineage. The two children had the ever so slightest traces of demonic features. If it had not been for Shin’s history of extensive dealing with demon clans, he would never recognize those very subtle features. Furthermore, what made it interestingly confusing was that the children possessed no demonic aura. If the children did not use their bloodline’s power on him, Shin would have believed that the two in front of him were humans who shared physical traits with demons.

Secondly, it was not clear to Shin whether they were allies or enemies. Ordinarily, demon tribes do not cooperate with other demon tribes. For example, the descendants of the dragons and demons were at constant war with the Blood Empire - vampires. Similarly, the Neko tribe although rarely aggressive, they never cooperated with anyone – in fact there was a saying in the Nether realm, “you can get God to serve you but getting one from the Neko tribe to serve you is impossible”. There were many such examples of demonic tribes never getting along with one another.

So it was out of the question to expect to different demon races cooperate with each other. Only in very rare circumstances, would the demon clans stand united. Hence, Shin could not be sure if these children would be his comrades.

However, Shin expected common courtesy to be observed in this situation – they were deep inside human territory. Demons were always united against humans; at the very least they would not choose be his enemies here.

This point was made clear when Shin observed a member of the Neko tribe working alongside a being of the Vampire Empire. Furthermore, if these two acted against him hastily in human territory; it might blow away their cover. These reasons cemented Shin’s decision to reach out to fellow demons.

However, Shin could not appear to be too casual or too uncertain. No matter what, Shin could not afford to show this uncertainty to the youngsters in front of him. He needed to maintain a confident appearance so as to maintain his prideful Maou-sama image.

Appearing confident would also allude to one’s power and give Shin a superior position in the discussions. Currently, Shin needed information and he had nothing to trade for it in return. However, a trade was only necessary if Shin were their equal or inferior to the other party. By revealing, his awe inspiring identity – Maou-sama, Shin expected the children to realize their lower statuses in comparison to his. He could then leverage this to his advantage and extract information at no cost. Even better, he could probably get some magical items from them – no that might be too wishful of me! It is best to take this slowly.

Nodding in agreement to his own long complicated idea to deal with the situation, Shin faced the two young children eagerly for a reply. Shin imagined many sorts of expressions the demon children would reveal when he revealed to them his identity – shock, fear, reverence….After all, he was the Almighty Maou-sama, a being feared across the three realms. However, he was greeted with expressions of incredulity and scorn.

“…”

Do they not believe I am Maou-sama?

“Eh?” Akito murmured. He was expecting a more serious and frightening answer. But upon hearing Shin call himself Maou-sama, Akito could not help but feel his tense shoulders loosen up. May the kid made a lucky guess about their family’s emblem? Noo….that would be too much of a coincidence!

Akito tightened his grip on the dagger and was ready to pounce on Shin at any moment. I have to protect Hime-sama….if he is too strong, then I will have to make sure at the very least Hime-sama gets away. “Hime-sama…be ready to…”

“Since when has the Maou-sama been a little boy!?” Inoue who had been silent for a while suddenly spoke up.

Akito nearly fell to the ground when he heard Hime-sama’s question. Hime-sama that is not the question to be asking at this moment!! We should get him to confess how he obtained information on our family….in the first place there is no such thing like Maou-sama!!! – Akito had many things to say to the Hime-sama but he kept silent and continued to stand in front of Shin and Inoue like a wall.

Shin was stumped by Inoue’s question. This has been a complete over-sight on his part – regardless of all his scheming the fact is that he is a human boy right now. Contrary to breaking his confidence, Shin felt more confident about dealing with these children.

Of course they wouldn’t recognize someone as great as me; I keep (conveniently) forgetting that my soul resides in a human body.

Shin was getting used to such a response and he immediately realized his folly. “Although I may not look like a human, I am indeed Maou-sama.” Shin tried to answer the doubt the children harboured in their heart.

“….” The two children continued to silently stare at Shin. However, the silence of the two children was very different. Akito was releasing a strong killing intent, like an angry cat, and was itching to have a go at Shin. However, Inoue held his collar which prevented him from going anywhere. Inoue on the other hand inspected Shin with interest and curiosity, as though she found a new play toy.

“No…you are not Maou-sama. Everyone one knows Maou-sama has two horns, wins sprouting from his back and a sinister aura that corrodes the living world…” Inoue replied after some careful pondering.

Akito nearly dropped his dagger when he heard Inoue speak and turned around to stare at Inoue. Where the heck did you get that description of Maou-sama from!??? What anime have you been watching recently, Hime-sama? – Akito’s eyes questioned Inoue. However, the girl turned to look at Shin, avoiding Akito stare as though she was acknowledging her crime.

Shin was caught off-guard with Inoue’s description of Maou-sam. She had described his former self in exact likeness. Shin was so happy that there existed someone outside of his General Phoenix, who remembered and knew his former self. “Haha! You are correct! That is how my demonic body would look like. But that long before. During a savage clash with the human empire, my demonic self was slain. Fortunately, the Hero did not destroy my soul. Hence, I have reincarnated as a human. Although, 99% of demons are incapable retaining their memories after reincarnation – I am, after all, Maou-sama.”

“Ha! Lies!” Inoue immediately countered. “Even if you are Maou-sama stuck in a human body, you should have one or two magical powers? Everyone knows that in a cross-over plot, the main character has powers that he can use in the other world.”

Hime-sama…this world is not a light novel where magical powers exist….no wait!! What have you been reading!!

Shin was at a loss on how to answer this. The girl was spot on. Ever since he reincarnated, he could not feel an ounce on mana. If Shin thought about it carefully, there was no way for him to prove he was not a human or him to prove he was Maou-sama.

Seeing that Shin was silent, Inoue continued her questions. “What about your Maou blood lineage? Can you use any of those? Like induce fear in your enemies just by staring at them? Or turning into a werewolf?”

Hime-sama there are no such things like werewolves…where has your mature and intelligent personality disappeared to, Hime-sama? – If Akito could, there would two large waterfalls pouring from his eyes.

Shin sheepishly nodded his head sideways.

Inoue puffed her cheeks in disappointment. It were as though her hopes of meeting a real life Maou-sama had been betrayed. This one too is a fake.

Shin was aware of what blood lineage meant and he only said no because it was impossible for him to possess any.

Part 2

“Maou-sama, it is time to head home.” Xerxes called out as he dragged a colossal narwhal monster behind him. The weight of the whale paved the sand beneath it and left behind a paved path.

Seeing a tiny skeleton drag a whale which was over hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, would have the effect of confusing the viewer and make them question whether such a thing is possible.

However, in this world this type of scene was very common. Monsters a top the food chain could easily carry many times their own wait. Although, it was often assumed that skeleton warriors are the weakest of weakest. Xerxes-san was the exception to the rule or rather he strove hard and climbed his way to the top. He belonged to those 1% skeletons that belonged to the elites of elites. More than a skeleton warrior or knight; his strength was known to rival many smaller prefectural lords. For a Xerxes-san to catch something weak like a monstrous narwhal – could only be considered as going to the store to get some fish for dinner.

Receiving no response, Xerxes-san turned around to see where the little demon lord had ran off to. However, he found Maou-sama standing in the shallow end of the beach while staring out into the ocean.

“What is it?” Xerxes asked as he looked out into the ocean as well. He could only see the sun setting. Be it a skeleton warrior or a demon lord, neither had no sense of beauty. So, Xerxes could only assume that something else caught the attention of his master.

“Xerxes-san, do you see that herd of whales there?” The tiny Maou-sama asked his retainer while still staring into the distance.

Xerxes strained his eyes while frowning, “Maou-sama, would you prefer those younger ones for dinner? Though the meat is tenderer than our catch, I am afraid those small ones would not be able to fill the stomachs of all your minions, especially the Uruk-hai.”

“No that is not it…” The young Maou-sama shook his head in refusal to the suggestion. The whale they caught was large enough to feed their entire army. Why would Xerxes think they need to hunt more?

“Then, Maou-sama I must advise against hunting for pleasure. In every realm, balance must be maintained. We have killed the mother of that herd and let her children live. This way we have not depleted our source of food. Meaningless slaughter of monsters will create an imbalance and destroy the ecosystem. Sometimes small actions will result in large scale disasters….”

However, the young Maou-sama had no interest in Xerxes wise words. Ignoring the talking skeleton, Maou-sama asked “Xerxes-san, do I have a mother?”

Xerxes paused at the question and let out a sigh – so this is what was bothering the young Maou-sama ever since they began their hunt. “Maou-sama, I have lived for countless years and know every creature of the Nether Realm. You are certainly only one of a kind. However, Maou-sama, these are trivial thoughts. You are the lord of all demons. You do not have parents but you have a family larger than any.”

“But…like the baby whales inherit their mothers tusk….I too must have received these powers from someone?” Maou-sama placed forth his reasoning. Just as children of the demon tribe inherit their parents powers and physical features, I too must have inherited mine from someone?

Xerxes smiled – very rarely did his young master think so deeply. “Maou-sama, remember my words well. Just like the narwhals, demons and other lesser monsters, it will be possible for your descendants to inherit your will and strength. That would be their blood lineage. However, you have not inherited your powers from anyone but they are your gifts from the ancient Gods.”

“The Ancient Gods?” Maou-sama asked with curiosity. “Are they different from those from the divine realm?”

“Aye…why don’t we head home and I tell you all about the ancient Gods.” Xerxes suggested as he changed topics.

The young Maou-sama nodded his head vigorously and ran behind the skeleton.

Part 3

Essentially, it was impossible for him to have any parents…after all he is Maou-sama. Maou-sama’s Even in this world, he just came to be. Shin clearly remembered when he opened his eyes, he met ‘Okasan’ – the first human to find him. Blood lineage? How could he possibly have one of those. Unfortunately, what Shin didn’t know was how humans reproduced and that ‘Okasan’ meant mother. Even Tomo would call Oka-san, ‘Oka-san.’ Wasn’t that just her name?

Shin was one of those late bloomers who never understood something till it smacked him in the face. Ever since his birth as a human, he had always wrongly assumed he had been ‘found’ – he never experienced birth itself (something he assumed could be experienced). Hence, it never occurred to him that he had been born to parents.

Secondly, his Japanese was self taught and very crude. It was impressive given how far he had gotten by himself – by human age standards. However, there were many words which he misunderstood or re-learnt through trial and error. Take the word sexy for example. When used in the TV commercial - “Hey, there sexy lady”, the women were all in smiles. Shin naturally understood, sexy is a compliment. However, for reasons mysterious to Shin, when he called Oka-san, “Hey there sexy Oka-san give me ice cream.” He did not earn an ice cream but was grounded for two weeks. Further, he was told never to say that phrase again. Hence through trial and error Shin learnt two things, first ‘sexy’ is a vicious insult and second, the women in the TV commercial are masochistic.

Thus under the wrong understanding, Shin explained to Inoue. ““A Maou-sama doesn’t have parents. Hence, we do not have blood lineage.”

However, before he could say more, Inoue quickly spoke up in an apologetic tone. “I am sorry.” Inoue’s apology was sincere and from the heart. She did not wish to intentionally bring up tragic memories. Inoue looked similar to Shin’s age, however her maturity far exceeded children her age. As such, she understood that she had been in the wrong by bringing up an uncomfortable topic.

Akito was not surprised by the bombshell statement dropped by the boy in front of him. This was an orphanage. It was a place for children who did not have any parents. Hime-sama was careless in bringing up this sensitive topic…but what does this have to do with blood lineage….wait!!!! This is not the time to be sympathizing with the enemy!! In the first place why does it feel like there is a big misunderstanding here…..

Like an old man, Akito rubbed his temples slightly as he felt the ominous arrival of a headache.

Shin was momentarily confused why Inoue apologized to him but he accepted the apology nonetheless. He could tell there was sincerity in her voice and even a hint of empathy. “As Maou-sama, how can I not accept your submission.” Shin replied. “You are forgiven.”

“Eh?” Akito turned around and now stared at Shin – was this kid actually stupid or did he genuinely believe that he was Maou-sama? And who does he think himself to be to be forgiving Hime-sama!! Akito was boiling with anger but he did not take action against Shin out fear for Hime-sama’s life. The smell coming from this child is…not ordinary….why does he smell like ramen? No! the strong garlic scent is hiding something else…

Inoue too reacted with surprised. Here she was issuing a genuine apology and this child dared to give back such a pompous reply. Although, he claims to be Maou-sama, she truly did not believe him and went along with the far-fetched plot just for entertainment. Inoue was not only enjoying listening to Shin’s wild and imaginative claims of being Maou-sama but was also teasing Akito and watching his cute confused expressions. However, wasn’t this kid’s acting too arrogant? She was genuinely saddened to learn that Shin lost his parents. Those are painful memories – she understood them well. But Shin’s reaction to her apology were outside the realm of normal. What the heck!! Why am I being forgiven? For some reason, he really gets on my nerves….

Shin continued to speak, “As I said before I may not look like it, I am really one from the demon tribe just like you two. Due to various reasons, I have lost my way and am looking to return to the demon territory or even the Nether realm.” Shin stared at the two earnestly.

At this point, both Akito and Inoue were left speechless.

Is this kid mad? What is he talking about? Demon tribe? Demon territory? Nether realm? Aren’t these words of fantasy? Okay, Hime-sama, it is official – he is a lunatic.

May be he guessed our family’s emblems by chance….but what does he mean by demon just like you? Is he calling Hime-sama a demon? Akito was very troubled and angry, he had been listening to this nonsensical conversation for as long as his permission would permit and Shin was reaching the ends of his patience.

“Who are you calling a demon!” Inoue screamed out. Akito was completely surprised to see Inoue angry. He had never seen his Hime-sama get angry. It wasn’t just Akito who was surprised but Shin as well. The normally pleasantly talkative girl, shouted out so angrily!

Seeing Inoue’s anger, Akito swiftly made a decision – he who angers Hime-sama is an enemy. This child is an enemy of Hime-same.

“There is no need to hide it from me. Just like you two, I am too am one from the demon tribe.” Unperturbed, Shin continued to persuade them in hopes of forming a temporary alliance. “You must be outer branches of your family – very out lying branches. It might be hard for you to believe but beneath this human shell, I am genuinely the great Demon Lord. Once I am in the Nether Realm, my powers will swiftly recover. If you help me getting there, then as the ruler of all demons – I will ensure your family of demons is brought into the inner circles of nobility of your respective families. I can only imagine, how you must have toiled ceaselessly without reward as an outer branch….”

The colour of Inoue face went from white to pink to red. Akito could have sworn that he saw steam blowing out of Hime-sama’s ears. “Your mother is a demon!” Inoue angrily shot back. “Aktio and I are very much human.” Had it not been for Akito standing in front of her, Inoue would have clawed out Shin’s mouth from his face. She was truly very angry. No one had dared to insult her before as much as this boy did.

“…Eh?” Shin was slightly troubled by Inoue’s remark – didn’t I just explain it to her. “No, no, no. You aren’t listening to me – didn’t I just explain that to you? Your mother is a demon not mine. Demon Lord’s don’t have a mother.” Shin stressed the last sentence very slowly.

“AAArrrgghhhh….!!!” Inoue screamed out in frustration. How dense can someone be?

“Your mother is a demon! Your father is a demon! Your ancestors are demons!!”

*Sigh* Shin stood silently in resignation as Inoue screamed out loud. He understood that this demon girl was a country bumpkin when she didn’t know that the demon lord didn’t have a parents. But could she also be an idiot who didn’t understand things after they had been explained?

Shin frowned, how much time has passed since I died that this foolish demon girl doesn’t even know something so basic? Furthermore, why is she insisting on being human? Clearly, she belongs to the demon tribe? Could she is still maintaining her fake human cover and testing him?

“kukuku…” Shin began laughing as realization dawned upon him – they were still testing him.

Yes, that must be it. They must be thinking that I made a lucky guess. As long as I appear confident in front of them, they will have to acknowledge me.

“You may be able to fool the eyes of an ordinary human but not Maou-sama’s. You two are genuinely demons.”

“%$$%#[email protected]#@[email protected]!!”

Akito suddenly sprung upon Shin, with this dagger shining in the moonlight.

Shin’s pupils contracted in fear as his brain quickly foresaw the conclusion.

He knew exactly how frail this human body is. If he were to defend and take a strike from the young neko demon, he would be dead… dodge? Maou-sama never retreats!

But even if Shin were to retreat, there was not much distance between the young neko demon and himself. Further given the limitations of his human body, even if Shin tried to dodge it would be impossible…