My generals are a gal and a grim reaper

Roughly a week had passed since I arrived at the Demon Castle.

A lot had happened since then. As the new Demon King, I’d been greeted and celebrated by demons who crossed lands and seas just to meet me. My days started early because a horde of newly arrived demons waited for me outside the castle. They showered me with presents and swore their loyalty to me. Some of them even asked to shake my hand. At those moments, I wondered if I was more of an idol than a Demon King...

Nowadays, Valer and Eri still notified me of arrivals, but the storm had begun to calm down, giving me time to breathe.

"Is anything on your mind, my liege?" Eri asked.

"No... Just a bit tired." I replied with a sigh.

However, I didn't just hold a meet-and-greet event the past few days, thanks to Valer and Eri, I learned a couple of useful things about the hierarchy and lifestyle of demons. While the common demon did nothing aside from living like some mountain bandit, harassing weak humans and waiting for the Demon King's order, I learned that there were also demons with a special position. Some examples were Eri, the head maid of the Demon Castle, and Valer, the Demon King's right-hand. There was also the Demon King's personal army with handpicked individuals, but contrary to its name, it was led by Valer.

"..."

I looked around the throne room. Compared to the first time I stepped foot in here, it was now clean. Not just the throne room but the whole castle altogether was now in a state to welcome guests. The main reason for that would be the maids who returned to the castle after sensing the appearance of the new Demon King. With the diligent instructions of Eri, the castle was turned into its former state.

However, here was the greatest addition! My clothes! After having to spend a whole day with just a towel on me, I learned to appreciate the concept of clothing even more!

Initially, Eri brought me some extravagant clothes that seemed like they belonged to some edgelord. And of course, after seeing those entirely black clothes and that gigantic robe, I knew that there was no way I'd wear that. Thus, I looked for some clothes myself and stumbled upon some fitting clothes in the castle.

"Mhh..."

Now, I still had to pay the price for choosing my own clothes as Eri was staring holes in me...

I remembered how she tried to convince me to wear anything else. From the outside, it looked like I was taking her most precious possession away from her.

I had no choice! I was not familiar with any of the clothes she presented to me! I would rather wear something I was accustomed to! Even if it's just some plain black pants and shoes, paired with a white buttoned shirt. Only the tie and the blazer were missing to make it look like my school uniform.

"I apologize, my liege. I may have overcome the fact that you chose to wear clothes that are worn by commoners but..." Eri said while her eyes had trouble fixing on me.

"Do I not look good in them?"

Usually, I would sound even more nervous than Eri, but I decided to act like a Demon King in front of them in order not to lose my standing yet.

"No, my liege.  Whatever you wear will look fantastic on you." Eri answered apologetically.

"It's just the throne I take issue with... If I may give my opinion, then it doesn't befit the status of my liege." she added with her head bowed to me.

The throne, huh?

I recalled Valer saying that the previous king had his throne made out of the bones of dozens of humans. Eri suggested doing the same, which I instantly rejected. And while the two were arguing about what my throne should look like, I just took a random wooden chair from an office-looking room.

I mean, I came from another world, got hunted by Alice, flew for hours to the castle and toured through the castle, so of course, I just wanted to sit on something already, no matter what kind of chair it was, okay?!

"I've already made my decision." I acted firmly.

"O-of course, my liege."

I knew that it may look weird that a clerk-looking guy, who was sitting on a random normal chair, was the Demon King, but I refused to wear a clown suit while sitting on some bones!

"My liege." Valer announced himself when he entered the throne room.

"Sir Owen and Lady Carmilla have come to greet you." he stated calmly.

Whenever he announced the arrival of demons, he'd sound like his typical self: A happy-go-lucky guy who somehow managed to get a role unfitting for him. And now you were telling me that he was actually taking his job seriously?

Even Eri stepped away from my side when two individuals came forward.

The demon on the left was an old man, whose black cloak hid his entire body. The wrinkled demon tapped the floor with his menacing black scythe as he took one step after another. Meanwhile, the other demon spared no effort to show off her charms. The woman, who looked like she was in her twenties, flipped her hair back, as if she were posing for a photo shoot. At the same time, she was also proudly putting emphasis on her ample bosom. The fact that she just wore a bikini did not help either in my fight against my lust...

Anyways... A reaper and a succubus? Who ordered them?

"Excuse me for my tardiness, but I, the humble Owen, have finally come to greet you, my liege." Owen started introducing himself first, kneeling down before me.

"And I'm Carmilla! At ya service, my liege!" Carmilla stated energetically as she put up a V-sign and winked.

"S-sure..."

I was too taken aback that I didn't know how to reply. Their energies were way too different. One was a dead serious old man, whereas the other one was just like a high school gal.

"These two are our generals, my liege." Valer elaborated, noticing my gaze that was desperate for his help.

But I see... They were the generals.

On the first day, Valer mentioned the existence of the three generals already. Apparently, the former Demon King thought it was against his pride to rely on the three generals for his fight against the humans and therefore ordered them to keep on building up their personal armies. That was also why the three generals were never mentioned in Tales of Tasia. They never encountered Alice and the others.

"Sir Owen, may I ask where he is?" Valer questioned.

I noticed that Valer turned even sterner.

"Hey, why not ask me?!" Carmilla pouted.

"I've sent a message for all the generals to come here, even if it meant putting a stop to any missions you're doing, but I only heard back from you two." Valer said, ignoring Carmilla, who was trying to get his attention.

"Sadly, I also didn't hear anything from him." Owen responded.

Were they possibly talking about the third general?

"I understand. I suppose I will have to drag him here myself then."

Following that, Valer was about to head out, however at the same time, loud voices and chaos erupted from outside the throne room.

"My liege!"

A demon soldier from the Demon King's personal army slammed the door open. He was sweating and was out of breath.

"You fool. Do you realize how rude it is to barge in on the Demon King?" Valer reprimanded him fiercely.

"I-I'm sorry, but w-we have an emergency!"

"Hm?"

"T-the hero Alice is on her way to the castle!"

What...?

I couldn't hide my shock at that message.

Reflexively, I was about to jump out of my throne, but was stopped by Eri.

"My liege. In this situation, you should let us handle it."

"..."

At a loss for words, I just stared at her before returning my gaze to Owen and Carmilla, who called out for me. And this time, both of them were kneeling down. The two looked sternly into my eyes as Owen began to speak.

"I recognize the need to handle the hero's march, however, please allow me to ask you this question. How do you plan on using us, the generals?"

"Or rather, what is your ambition as the new Demon King?"