guide to ruling a fantasy world

It seems that even demons like to celebrate, because mere days after I took the throne, I was going to be thrown a lavish ball, customary after every new coronation. While this kind of thing isn't really my cup of tea, there were numerous reasons for me to attend. Lady Carnal told me that this custom is as old as the kingdom itself, it would be considered rude to not attend and non attendance would show your disposition as someone that thinks of himself as someone above not just the rest of the demons, but above the former demon kings as well, which might cause resentment amongst the other demons.

It's also a way for the new demon king to meet the high ranking - strong demons, forge new friendships and alliances. It also serves as a display of power - the more lavish the party - the stronger the demon king. I was considering skipping the event entirely just to piss them all off, but then remembered something important - if I attended, I'd get to see Elizabeth in an evening dress. That was something that I would not miss for any amount of needless mischief or outright laziness.

It was decided - I was going to attend, but first I had to take care of that… I called forth my newest minion/oracle - lady Carnal and gave the order. "Procure me the finest and most beautiful dress in all the land before the ball begins."

"Very well, my king…" She gave a deep bow. "But… I was under the impression that you were going to attend it in your black kingly robes, I never expected you to…"

"It's not for me, you idiot, it's for Liz!" I interrupted. "For Liz!"

Carnal smiled. "Yes, my king, whatever you say."

"You seem in need of some punishment, don't you know that mocking a king warrants a death sentence."

"Please forgive me, I couldn't contain myself, I tend to tease young boys no matter the time, place nor status. It's one of my biggest flaws. But… If you'd like to punish me…" She gave me a strange look and a devious smile. "I wouldn't mind one bit."

I sighed. "Just go do what you're told…"

"No punishment? How very sad…" She pouted. "I assume that your other companions will require finely made dresses as well, my king?"

"Well, yeah, I guess… I never thought about that."

Carnal smiled. "Blatant favoritism in a harem isn't advised, it will lead to conflict, I'll procure the dresses of the same quality, just in case."

"I don't have a harem!"

"Yes, my king, whatever you say." She gave a deep bow, turned and left.

Right… This girl is a succubus - one of the more powerful demon variants - characterized by the wings coming out of her lower waist, immense magical power and insatiable lust. A woman pushing late into the hundreds yet looking like someone in their late twenties, someone incredibly alluring, yet playful at the same time, someone that could swallow you whole if ever given the chance. The name Carnal suits her to a t.

While all demons are generally viewed as a single race, there are actually many. Succubae, ogres, trolls, goblins, werewolves, kobolds, vampires, orcs to name a few. All of these incredibly diverse subtypes were all created from different races using different monster's blood. The only thing that distinguishes one as a demon is the monster blood flowing through one's veins and the fact that one isn't a real monster.

Just like other races, demons have nobles as well, but unlike the other races, the demon nobility, just like everything else in this kingdom, is decided by one's strength. Meaning that the stronger races, such as the succubae, vampires, werewolves, ogres and the like naturally reign over the weak such as the kobolds and goblins.

Power and position aren't the only things that differentiate demons. Succubae, vampires and the like - those that share blood with the elves - have lifespans that can go into the thousands - making them semi-immortal, while goblins, kobolds aren't so lucky - living until their late 30s if they're lucky.

Thinking about it, I am what's considered a true demon - someone that can freely absorb the skills and strength of monsters and those that share monster blood - an ability that no other demon possesses. While I can't take the skills of other living beings like monsters can, growing stronger through devouring doesn't change my appearance as it would for a monster, also the amount of power I gain from eating a single monster is far greater then the amount the monsters gain, making my growth rate inconceivably faster than that of regular monsters, so it's a win in my book. I shutter just thinking what I'd look like if I evolved like the monsters do after the amount I devoured.

my thoughts were interrupted by a small head poking through the door. "What is it, Lilia?" I asked.

She ran to me and took a seat on my lap. "Big brother, what is a harem?"

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Finally the day of the ball came, as is customary, the demon king arrived late with a fine lady in hand, it's just that I arrived with two… On my right - I had the absolutely dashing Elizabeth - her red hair in a fine braid, her green dress matching her emerald eyes perfectly, on my left - the elven pest clinging to my arm for her dear life - she looked OK, I guess - her golden hair was let loose and her blue dress was a few shades darker then her eyes. I myself was wearing a golden demon mask and a set of black kingly robes adorned with gold.

I was immediately swarmed by the people wanting to meet and greet me. Some were simply curious about their new king, some were interested in assessing my strength, some showed nothing, but admiration in their eyes. All pests that were ruining my time with Liz, but they weren't the only problem.

Trying to get the lusty elf off of me by force was pretty much useless, so I decided to get her black out drunk. This tea drinker probably never tasted demon booze. A plan was forming in my head.

"Hey, Luna, do you know what I like the most in women?" I threw the bait.

"Big boobs?"

"Well yeah, that and a woman that can really hold her liquor, I mean really hold her liquor. What do you say, why don't you show me what you've got?" I gestured to a table covered with glasses of really strong booze."

"I am a princess, do you think that there is something that I can not do? I'll show you that I am someone worthy of you." Luna said, let go of my arm and confidently walked to the table. She picked up a glass, turned to me, smiled, chugged the whole thing and went down as a log. Finally, one less problem to deal with…

I turned to Elizabeth who seemed down. "What is it, Liz?" I asked.

"I don't think that I can hold my liquor as well… Does that mean that you'll like me less?"

"Oh that? I lied. I really don't care about those kinds of things. I just wanted to get rid of her."

Liz smiled. "You're mean."

"I am the great and powerful demon king, someone that sparks fear in the hearts of others, how could I be anything but mean?" Just then dance music started. I bowed to Elizabeth. "Would you honor me with a dance, my lady?"

"I would, but I can't dance."

"Not to worry, I'll lead you, you just need to follow along." I took her by the waist and pulled her closer, she blushed. We danced and danced, Liz was learning at an incredible speed and I was thanking the gods that I accepted lady Carnal's offer to teach me.

Finally, after tiring ourselves out, we left the dance floor and went to the balcony. There, in the soft light of the moon, Elizabeth looked like an angel, I was momentarily speechless. Finally, after coming back to my senses, I produced two glasses and a slightly bloody bottle from my dimensional ring. "Care for a drink? It's far weaker than the stuff served here." I asked.

Elizabeth looked at the bloody bottle then lifted her eyes to match mine, questioningly. I smiled nervously beneath the mask. "Spoils of war, naturally. The former owner of this bottle wasn't a good person, so I relieved him of it. And his head in the process. Does that upset you?"

"A bit, yeah." She turned to the moon, turning her back to me. "You've done a lot of bad things in the past and you'll probably do even more, that's a bit upsetting, but you've also done so much good. You can't condemn the bad without acknowledging the good and you can't admire the good without acknowledging the bad." She turned back to me. "You are you and I love you, that's all that matters."

I lifted my mask, approached and kissed her, then took her in my arms as a princess and began walking out of the party.

"Where are you taking me? Liz asked, all flustered.

"To my room. There's something I want to… Discuss with you."

Elizabeth blushed and lowered her gaze. "Then… Let's go."

Join me on patreon at patreon.com/BonsaiCat for early access to new chapters or buy my book 'How to rule a fantasy world' on Amazon. It's the same stuff that you read here, but I fucked up with the naming and the book is already out, so fuck it, let's go with this name for the book. I appreciate all of your support and your forgiveness for my utter incompetence. Best regards, BonsaiCat.