The Seven Demon Lords

The World of Ordeau is in grave danger.

Not so long ago, there was a being called the Demon King who sought to destroy the world.

In a last act of desperation, seven Heroes from another world were summoned to stop her.

Together, they managed to slay her and put an end to her reign of terror.

However, in her wake, seven new Demon Lords suddenly appeared.

Each one governed over a terrible sin and threatened all that is good and peaceful in the world with their very existence.

They spread across the land and brought evil and atrocity wherever they went.

Asmodine, Lord of Wrath, decimated the armies of good and slaughtered hundreds of civilians.

Lucifire, Lord of Pride, corrupted the innocent and spread madness among the masses.

Levian, Lord of Envy, challenged the realm’s greatest champions and crushed them one by one.

Belphast, Lord of Sloth, commanded an army of monsters and conquered numerous territories.

Elizebub, Lord of Gluttony, crippled the economy and plunged many into famine.

Lillifer, Lord of Lust, sowed the seeds of chaos and debauchery at every turn.

And then there was Mammoth, the Lord of Greed. Perhaps the most evil of them all.

For he engaged in the most despicable, most inhumane act of all: Slavery.

With his legion of enslaved victims, he claimed that all the bounties of the realm, including the people, belonged to him and that he would turn all those he desired into his obedient slaves.

Under the threat of these Seven Demon Lords, the World of Ordeau was in grave danger.

The people of the world lived day-after-day in fear of these demonic terrors from Hell.

But among some, there was also a rumour that the Demon Lords were actually humans summoned from another world…

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In the former territory of Sodan, on the far outskirts of Gabritannia, lies the domain of Mammoth, Lord of Greed.

Rumours of what blasphemous and depraved acts occur within this land echo far and wide.

Today, once again, another horrid nightmare was unfolding there.

“Tell me, my fair lady. Do you believe in heroes?”

“… I do.”

“Then do you believe that a hero will come and save you right now?”

“I do not.”

“Do you believe yourself to be a hero?”

“I do not.”

“I see… How very disappointing.”

A tense silence fills the room.

Hundreds of eyes watch silently as only two people dared to speak.

On one side was an incredibly beautiful young woman with striking orange hair. Even with her body covered in scratches and her dress in tatters, she held herself with dignity and elegance befitting a painting.

On the other side sat a man on a throne. His appearance commanded neither beauty nor awe; he looked almost offensively normal compared to the beautiful maiden. Yet, dressed in only black and gold as he was, he cut a sinister figure befitting one who embodied the Sin of Greed.

“If I remember correctly, I gave you the opportunity to surrender. On three different occasions. Is that correct?”

“… It is.”

“Remind me again what the terms of my offer were. I fear I may have forgotten.”

“… you said that you would cancel the siege on my city and let all of the citizens go, if… if I agreed to become your slave…”

“Ah yes, that’s it. I wasn’t mistaken. It was quite the generous offer. One life for over 10,000. You’d never be able to find such a good deal at any marketplace. Don’t you agree?”

“…”

“So, tell me, Clementine Valencia, Duchess of Oragony. Why did you refuse?”

A drop of sweat falls down the back of Clemetine’s neck. She gulps as her eyes slowly wander around the room, as if searching for the correct answer.

Everywhere she looks, she sees an enemy. Powerful armed guards protecting the throne room door. Cunning scholars and advisors standing in the wings and judging her every move. A dozen beauties standing behind their master’s throne. All of them slaves to one man.

If he simply said the word, they would all descend on her and tear her apart in an instant. She needed to choose her next words very carefully.

“I’m sorry, your majesty. I underestimated the vastness of your might and spat upon your kindness. I see now that I was a fool to ever try and fight against you. I apologize for sending my army to attack your lands. I apologize for refusing your generous conditions of surrender. I apologize for all I have done against you. So please, show mercy to me and my territory.”

In an act of complete submission, she prostrates herself before him, lowering her head so that it touched the floor. It was an act of humiliation that went against all of the dignity and nobility she was raised to uphold, but it was the only way left to protect what was most important to her.

“In exchange for your mercy, I offer the fealty of the entire territory of Oragony. We will ally ourselves with you and aid you in all of your future conquests. Furthermore, I would be happy to offer myself to become your majesty’s bride. I hereby swear to give everything I have to you and to support your ambitions through any trial, were you to grant me this kindness.”

It is a good offer, by all accounts. The Demon Lord’s domain was strong but small. Gaining all the economical and territorial benefits of Oragony through an alliance, instead of destroying it completely, would be a major boon. Furthermore, Clementine’s reputation as a talented and popular leader preceded her; the Demon Lord should be more than pleased to have her as a partner by his side.

The Demon Lord may be incredibly evil and cruel, but he is also very intelligent and calculating. She learned that first-hand during their battles. And that is why she is confident that he can at the very least be reasoned with. Such a man will definitely pick the most rational and beneficial option given to him.

At least, that’s what she thought.

“That is not what I wanted to hear. Answer the question.”

He continues to interrogate her, ignoring her offer entirely.

“Well, that’s…”

“What is it? Why do you not speak? Do you not have a reason?”

“No, your majesty. I do.”

She quickly raises her head and answers him. A part of her fears that her answer will only anger him, but she knows that not saying anything would only aggravate him more. She could lie, of course, but she knows not what reason could please him, so she resorts to her truth.

“The people of Oragony do not retreat and they do not surrender. Even if it means our death, we continue to fight, with honour, courage, and determination, for what we believe in. As the Duchess and daughter of the Valencia family, I must uphold those principles and carry out the responsibilities of my position at all costs. Those are the ideals that I live by and the reason why I could not accept your offer.”

“I see… how very wonderful.”

Surprisingly, the Demon Lord begins to clap. His tone lightens and he seems genuinely pleased by her answer.

“How beautiful. How noble. How inspiring. I am impressed. Your words have certainly moved me, my fair lady.”

“Th-they have?”

“Indeed, they have. In truth, I value concepts such as ideals and righteousness very highly. Because I am a demon without such things, I admire them immensely.”

“Is that so, your majesty? I never knew that…”

She lifts herself off the ground in surprise and hope, raising her gaze so that she could see the light-hearted, almost jovial expression on the Demon Lord’s face.

“Very well. I accept your apology. In light of your beautiful words just now, I shall change my mind. I understand that you only sent your army to attack me because you are our neighbour and you were pressured by the other nobles to deal with us. I also understand now that your position did not allow you to accept my terms of surrender. Thus, I shall forgive all of your transgressions and not take any revenge upon the territory of Oragony. I look forward to us having a close relationship from now on.”

“Th-thank you so much! I am so honored and pleased to receive such magnanimity from you, your majesty. I also look forward to standing at your side and working together with you.”

Clementine clasps her hands together and lowers her head once more, as if praying.

From the very beginning of the war, she never expected such an outcome. She never knew that the Demon Lord could be so… forgiving. So kind. So amicable.

To think that he also knows about the complex political situations that forced her to attack his lands. The rumours of his wisdom and insight are not exaggerated.

Perhaps he’s not as bad of a person as everyone has been saying. Could it be possible that he is actually a kind and reasonable leader after all?

In that case, Clementine is certain. Allying with this man is the best decision. He is a man who has what it takes to rule the very top. She would be happy to have him as a husband and partner. Together, they would be unstoppable. They could even conquer the entire kingdom of Gabritannia and rule as King and Queen. That is the bright future lying ahead of them.

“Mars. I have made my decision. Go ahead and relay it to the troops.”

“Yes, my lord. What is your decree?”

At his heed, one of the beauties standing behind him, a girl with flaming red hair, steps forward and kneels at his side.

With a light smile, as if ordering some food at a restaurant, he gives her his command.

“Enslave them all. Place every single citizen in chains. Do not let anyone escape.”

“WHAT!?!?”

“Yes, my lord. It shall be done.”

The girl named Mars nods and immediately exits the room to relay the message.

“No. No, no, no, you can’t do that! You can’t! Why, your majesty!?”

Clementine cries out in shock and despair. She gets up and runs forward to try and stop Mars before she can leave the room, but it is of no use.

“Jupiter. Hold her in place.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Another woman, with grassy green hair, leaps forward and quickly grabs a hold of Clementine. Then, in a show of monstrous strength, she shoves her into the ground and pins her down.

“Not so rough, Jupiter. You’ll damage the goods.”

“My apologies, my lord. I have erred.”

“No problem. You are forgiven.”

Squished under the heavy grip of the one named Jupiter, Clementine struggles to breathe. Even so, she continues to resist and spit out words of hostility.

“You… bastard… you said you’d forgive us…”

“I did. And I do. That is why I shall not kill any of your people out of revenge. I shall treat them as I do all other humans. By making them my slaves.”

“How… How could you…”

“It is simply fair treatment. I see no reason to treat them with special care. Nor do I see any reason to reward someone like you…”

“What…?”

For the first time, the Demon Lord gets out of his throne and begins walking towards her. As he looms over her, he looks down at her with judgemental eyes.

“Tell me. When you decided to endure the siege and continue fighting, did you ask any of your citizens if they felt the same way? Did you put to a vote whether you would surrender or not? Did you listen to their pleas as they starved within the city walls? No, you didn’t, did you?”

“H-huh…?”

“Your righteousness. Your ideals. You alone decided that they were worth waging 10,000 lives for. You were given the chance to save all of your people simply by sacrificing yourself, but you decided that you alone were worth more than 10,000 lives. And yet, you continue to act as if you are such a just and noble person… your audacity astounds me.”

He crouches down and lifts her head up by the chin. Slowly and gently, he caresses her cheek as he gazes deep into her light blue eyes.

“Oh, Clementine. Beautiful Clementine. Honorable Clementine. Foolish Clementine. What arrogance you have. You offer yourself to be my bride, as if it were some concession. Yet, you should already know that, from the very beginning, I wanted nothing from you other than a slave. Why else would I give you that offer? Hadn’t you realized that there was never going to be any outcome where you could escape a fate in chains?

“That’s… no, it can’t be…”

“But to think that you would take it this far. At every turn, even in this throne room, you refused to entertain the possibility of becoming a slave and prolonged the suffering of your people. You say that you are guided by your ideals, but in truth, you’re only trying to protect yourself, right? You’d let your people starve if it meant not being a slave. You’d abandon your crusade and ally with me, if it meant becoming my bride instead of my slave. Are you that afraid of slavery? Is a slave such a disgusting creature in your eyes? Do you think that it’s beneath you? Well, that’s where you’re wrong!”

He spreads out his arms and raises them into the sky as he shouts towards the heavens.

“All men are equal beneath me! Nobles, peasant, slaves, even gods, they all belong to me!”

And then, he turns back to her and glares at her with cold, unforgiving eyes.

“So don’t you dare ever look down on slaves. You aren’t better than them and they aren’t the trash that you think they are. They’re people too. Not objects. Thinking that you alone cannot be lowered to such a position is the height of arrogance. Even the Lord of Pride would laugh at your hubris.”

He lets out a small breath and recomposes himself, before snapping his fingers.

“Pluto. Go ahead and take Miss Valencia to the Dungeon for three days. Teach her a little humility. After she’s been broken in, I’ll swing by and see if she’s changed her answer.”

“Eh?”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll make sure to work her extra hard. By the time you arrive, she’ll be begging to belong to you, kukuku.”

“Excellent. I’m glad I can always rely on you for stuff like this. I’ll leave it in your capable hands then.”

A couple of people walk over and begin dragging Clementine away.

“Wait, no, no, no, no, no. You can’t do this to me. This can’t happen to me. I don’t deserve this! I’ll do anything you want. I’ll give everything I have to you. I promise. Just don’t make me a slave, please!”

She cries out as she is dragged, kicking and screaming, out of the room.

The Demon Lord merely looks at her coldly and sighs.

“Too bad. That’s the only value you have to me.”

At that moment, something snaps within Clementine.

“Curse you!!! You bastard! You monster! You fiend! I won’t forgive you! I’ll never submit to you! Just you watch, you scumbag. The Heroes of Light will come for you and rend your entire operation asunder. When they’re done with you, you won’t even be able to rest in Hell!”

“Kakaka… Kakakakaka!”

For some reason, her furious outburst just makes him laugh.

“You’re right. I am a bastard. I am a monster and a fiend. I am Evil itself! I deserve the worst punishment possible. Eternal torment is not enough to answer for my crimes. But even so… I’ll still do whatever please. I will act upon my desires and fulfill all of my wishes. I will continue to be the Demon Lord of Greed!”

He laughs maniacally, spinning around in joy, as if her anger only brings him more pleasure.

“And don’t think I’m going to stop here. Your little territory is but a stepping stone in my path of avarice. My greed will envelop the entire world and only then will my goal near completion.”

Burning with a fiery determination, he declares his one ultimate dream.

“I will become the Greatest Slave Master in this world!!!”