The Demon Saint is Missing, so I Ran to Another World

Fixing Problems (Part 1)

**Kuro **

Although the sun (or whatever it was lighting up the Cherflammen sky) was sailing high among the clouds, we remained in our hiding positions behind several sand dunes that bordered the Sea of Sand desert and the Blighted Lands. Under strict orders to break camp and maintain silence, this was a test for the new and united federal demon army, trained and armed in the standards akin to the early 20th century militaries of my own world. Their mission was to eliminate the remnants of the 'Knights of Cassandra David' and a few Biorno clan supporters who refused to submit to the authority of the federal republic.

"..."

With me was the commander of this army, Shevaun Ilkes. Sent by Princess Noir herself, she was tasked not only with leading the new regiments to battle, but also with observing and report the performance of the soldiers to the demon king-president. Coming along was the famed retainer of the Biorno clan, the Lord Castrio Sargdhenerri. For him, he felt responsibility for the stupidity of some of his people, so he asked our permission to let him 'end' their foolishness himself.

"I'd really like to offer my heartfelt apologies to His Excellency, milady," the Lord Sargdhenerri had been repeatedly saying. "While I did my best to honor our agreements, my soldiers disrespected me. Allow this old demon to kill himself as an atonement for this travesty."

"While I understand your strict adherence to your code of honor milord," Shevaun countered, "I implore you to stay your hand. Do not harm yourself, for your death is certainly a tragedy to your clan and to the Biornos."

"Yes, I agree to Lady Shevaun," I quickly backed her words. "Milord, think of this; don't you think that your authority is more needed now than you are dead? If some of your people dared to disrespect you while alive, imagine what will happen if you kill yourself. His Excellency, the demon king-president, wishes no blood of his people to be shed, now that we are in a new era of peace. And honestly, you're the only one with influence and respect to command a huge part of your clans' forces."

"But my soldiers still disrespected me..."

"Can't help it," I told him. "Not everyone will agree to our beliefs. This is the reason we should show them resistance is futile." I mean, look, we're introducing a new system, or idea, here. Of course, mortals were naturally resistant to changes; not only would it give them difficulty adjusting to the new norm, these people would also have to give up some of the privileges they enjoyed before the changes.

Just like what happened to the samurai of Meiji-era Japan. Their resistance to the reforms of the new government led to the Satsuma Rebellion, and the death of modern Japan's hero, Saigo Takamori.

Well, though there were similarities, the situation of Cherflammen was still a far-cry from that of post-shogunate Japan. For one, there were seldom any resistance to the reforms we're advocating here. The demon people, though steeped in old customs and traditions, were still curious about new ideas, and they're willing to accept it as long as it won't harm them. And second, there's no 'other party' like a shogun or disgruntled samurai influential enough to lead a large-scale rebellion. If I may say, the only person I knew that was close to the qualifications of Saigo Takamori in this land was the Lord Castrio Sargdhenerri. But even he saw the wisdom behind our proposals and threw his wholehearted support behind the demon king-president.

The concept of unifying the demon realms under one ruler is brighter here than it was—let's say—in Meiji-era Japan.

"..." At that point, the Lord Sargdhenerri said nothing more to my words. And it was an opportune time, too, for some of the scouts we sent earlier finally returned.