After waiting a while, all the members had finally entered the hall. The strange-looking monsters leaned together in groups, whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, Valerius kept explaining things to Bronya.
"See that one with the cat ears? That's the Catgirl race."
"That stone statue-looking one is from the Golem race."
"The one with wings is a Night Demon."
"And that pig-headed one over there? That's Demon World nobility."
As Valerius introduced them one by one, Bronya felt a growing sense of wonder. She had no idea the Demon World contained so many different races.
She also paid close attention to the levels floating above their heads.
Some were level 20.
Some were over level 100.
But the most outrageous was that pig-headed creature—it was over level 8,000.
That one was clearly a big shot.
"Lord Valerius, please come to the podium."
"My time to perform," Valerius said with a grin. "Come on stage with me."
He grabbed Bronya's hand and pulled her onto the central platform. Aside from a podium, the stage was otherwise empty.
The moment she stepped forward, Bronya felt countless eyes fall upon her. She instinctively tightened her grip on Valerius's arm.
"It's fine. I'm here," he reassured her.
With a calm smile to ease her nerves, Valerius turned to face the assembly.
"I want to establish a Prinny Factory. Who agrees? Who objects?"
No opening speech. Straight to the point.
[Agree.]
[Object.]
[Agree.]
In an instant, members below began raising their placards. Most votes were in favor.
After all, a Prinny Factory was considered basic infrastructure in the Demon World. Most members usually approved it without hesitation.
[Object!]
But the moment the pig-headed monster raised its sign—
The atmosphere shifted.
[Object.]
[Object.]
[Object.]
One objection after another echoed through the hall.
"Valerius… this…" Bronya looked uneasy.
She hadn't expected so many objections and wasn't sure what to do.
But when she noticed the gleam in Valerius's eyes as he stared at the pig-headed monster, she quickly tugged his sleeve.
Please don't do anything reckless.
That thing is level 8,000!
After a round of heated voting, the final count appeared.
Only 21 votes in favor.
Every other vote was against.
"Heh."
Valerius laughed.
He loved it when these guys refused to recognize reality.
Turning to Bronya beside him, he said:
"Watch carefully. Your man's about to go beat it up."
"Maybe you shouldn't…" Bronya said nervously.
She didn't fully understand the meaning of levels, but that 8,000-level monster clearly stood apart from the rest. She was worried Valerius might get hurt.
"Relax."
After reassuring her, Valerius kicked the podium aside and shot toward the pig-headed monster at incredible speed.
As combat began, a level indicator appeared above his head.
Level: 470,000.
"Pfft—!"
Now Bronya understood why he wasn't afraid.
Even if you added together all the levels of the assembly members present, they wouldn't come close to Valerius's.
Valerius moved like a blur.
In the blink of an eye he reached the pig-headed monster, kicked it over, then jumped on top and started punching.
"So you want to act tough?"
"So you oppose me?"
"Demon World nobility, huh?"
"Trying to bully the new guy?"
"Keep acting tough. Go on!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sounds of punches echoed endlessly.
The other members who had been ready to support the pig-headed monster froze.
Then slowly turned their objection signs around.
[Agree!]
[Agree!]
They shouted at the top of their lungs, afraid that if their voices were too quiet Valerius might come for them next.
Agree! Agree! Agree!
Even the pig-headed monster, beaten half to death, trembled as it raised its sign.
Agree.
I agree with everything.
Just please stop hitting me.
"Whew."
Having enjoyed himself, Valerius stood up.
"Good. You know what's good for you."
He returned to the podium, grabbed Bronya—who was still stunned—and left.
Back in his Demon World domain, a new factory had already appeared.
Countless Prinnies were being produced inside.
"So fast!" Bronya exclaimed.
"The vote just passed. How is it already built?"
"As long as the assembly approves, it appears immediately," Valerius explained.
Then he grabbed ten freshly produced Prinnies and set them down in front of him.
A cluster of glowing orbs floated into their bodies.
Instantly, the Prinnies opened their eyes.
"Hiss… hiss… hiss…"
Like newborn babies, they made soft noises before noticing Valerius.
"Demon King-sama!"
"Greetings, Demon King-sama!"
These souls had committed grave sins in life, so they understood the rules of the Demon World.
In front of Valerius, they had no power to resist.
No matter how powerful they had once been—
Now they were the weakest creatures in existence.
Prinnies.
Their combat ability was pitiful.
"So this is how Prinnies are made."
Bronya found it fascinating.
But soon she noticed something strange.
One Prinny seemed to be staring at her the entire time.
"…Why does this feeling seem so familiar?"
Bronya frowned slightly.
That gaze felt strangely familiar.
The only person who had ever looked at her like that…
Was her mother.
"Listen carefully. From now on, you're responsible for maintaining this place."
"Yes, Demon King-sama!"
All the Prinnies bowed in unison.
"Good. Get to work."
Valerius waved his hand and dismissed them.
"Wait."
Bronya suddenly spoke up.
She stopped them—specifically the last Prinny.
"What is it?" Valerius asked.
"Valerius… can I talk to that Prinny?"
Valerius glanced back and forth between Bronya and the Prinny several times before finally nodding.
Then he addressed the Prinny.
"Remember this. She is the Demon Queen. Her words are the same as mine."
Shock flashed across the Prinny's eyes before it quickly lowered its gaze.
"Don't bully it," Bronya said, tugging Valerius's sleeve.
She crouched down, then—under Valerius's blazing stare—picked the Prinny up and hugged it.
"Damn it. I don't even get this treatment. Why does that Prinny get it?!"
Valerius practically breathed fire with jealousy.
He silently swore that Prinny would definitely be "taken care of" later.
"Valerius, could you give me some space?"
"There's a resting area over there."
With puffed cheeks, Valerius pointed irritably to the lounge area nearby.
"Alright. I'll explain later," Bronya whispered, noticing his jealousy.
Then she carried the Prinny to the resting area.
She sat down on a sofa and placed the somewhat bewildered Prinny gently on her lap.
"…Mother…?"
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