That time I got reincarnated as a Tiefling and knew too much

A day had passed since the fall of the Orc Lord, and with it, the dust of war began to settle.

In the lizardmen's throne room—now turned council hall—representatives of each race had gathered under one roof to decide the future of the Great Forest of Jura. Orcs, goblins, lizardmen, and ogres all stood united… or at least, temporarily tethered together by the chaos they'd endured.

I, for whatever reason, was seated on the throne.

No, seriously. Why was I on the throne?

Kneeling before me was the lizardman chieftain, beside him Rigurd… and behind them, the surviving orcs, their heads bowed low in guilt and uncertainty.

To my left stood Shizu—mask on, arms crossed, and somehow managing to glare at me without even through the mask. On my right, Shuna quietly poured me a cup of tea she had insisted on bringing, and behind her, Benimaru, Souei, Hakuro, Shion, Mzcore, and even Gabiru lined the path to the dais.

And then there was Treyni, the ever-graceful dryad, smiling warmly as she stood just off to the side.

"Lord Akuma Tempest," she said, her tone polite but firm, "please begin the discussion."

I barely resisted the urge to groan, instead mustering a dry smile and nodding once. "Very well."

Taking in a slow breath, I scanned the room. Everyone was watching. Some hopeful. Others nervous. Many confused. One or two probably wondering if they were going to die today.

I cleared my throat and stood from the throne.

"To begin, I want it known that what I'm about to say are my thoughts and mine alone. You are all free to disagree. Debate. Condemn. That's your right," I said, pausing just long enough for the words to settle.

"That said… I intend to absolve the orcs of all their crimes."

The room fell dead silent.

The orcs looked at each other, expressions flickering between confusion, disbelief, and relief they didn't dare voice. The lizardmen, though unharmed in the long run, shifted uncomfortably. I could practically hear Shizu's jaw clench.

I didn't stop.

"Thanks to our intervention, the lizardmen suffered little in the way of casualties. If anything, it's the orcs themselves who lost the most. But even that doesn't justify what happened," I said, my tone even, my gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Still… it was never just about the orcs. This tragedy? This war? It happened because that's how this world is. Harsh. Cruel. Unfair. And eventually, desperation comes for us all."

I looked to Benimaru for a brief second. Then to the orcs.

"The orcs were the first to fall into that desperation—but they won't be the last. Any of us could have been in their place. Starving. Abandoned. Betrayed by the world. What they did was horrific. But it was never senseless."

A breath.

"…But that's only the objective view I have on the matter."

The chieftain tilted his head. "Then… may we hear your personal thoughts, Akuma-sama?"

I crossed my arms. "It would be hypocritical of me to condemn the orcs for committing sins in desperation… when I know for a fact I will one day commit even greater ones for ambition."

There was a small stir behind me, but I didn't falter.

"To build the future I want—the world I envision—I will have to walk paths no hero would dare tread. I'll bear the weight of names that never reached salvation, of blood spilled for progress. And if I judge those who sinned for the sake of survival… what does that make me?"

I felt the orc leader rise to speak, but I cut him off with a glance.

"This noble sin they committed… it will serve as the first one I acknowledge as mine. The first burden I carry. The first stain on my legacy. A promise I made to Demon Lord Geld."

The room exhaled.

"…I see," the chieftain murmured. "However… is that not still unfair?"

Unfair? I almost rolled my eyes. You guys didn't even lose anyone.

Thankfully, before I had to respond with something diplomatic—or aggressive—Benimaru stepped forward, his voice calm and clear.

"There is one immutable law that governs all monsters: survival of the fittest," he said. "Our village was destroyed because we were weaker. If not for Lord Akuma… we would've been erased by that law. Just like the orcs. Just like the lizardmen."

He turned his gaze across the room. "If Lord Akuma chooses to spare them—chooses to walk with them instead of destroy them—then we have no right to object. We can only prove we are also worthy to walk beside him."

Silence.

Then, slowly… the chieftain nodded.

"…Then what happens now, Akuma-sama?"

I gave a faint smile, then lifted a hand.

"…The goblins will offer land—space for homes, farms, and roots to grow," I continued, my gaze sweeping across the hall. "The lizardmen will provide clean water and fish, a lifeline straight from the marshes. As for us, my people will handle processed goods—tools, supplies, clothes."

I paused, then gestured lightly toward the still-silent orc representatives.

"In return, the orcs will lend their strength. As laborers. As workers. As builders for the future we now share. "

A quiet murmur echoed through the chamber.

"An alliance… amongst races," I said firmly.

For a moment, there was stillness.

Agreement hovered in the air, just barely out of reach.

Then—

"That cannot be, my lord," Rigurd spoke, stepping forward.

I blinked. "What?"

Benimaru crossed his arms and nodded grimly. "I must agree."

One by one, other leaders stirred—glancing at one another, hesitant at first, but soon voices joined in quiet agreement. Even the lizardman chieftain remained silent, his brows furrowed in contemplation.

I opened my mouth, ready to demand clarification—but Rigurd bowed low, raising his voice before I could speak.

"A monster alliance would undermine your name, my lord!"

I paused mid-sentence. "Excuse me?"

"You've saved the goblins," Benimaru began, voice steady. "Sheltered us ogres. Liberated the lizardmen from invasion. Redeemed the orcs."

He met my eyes.

"To claim this is just an alliance… would insult what you've done."

A headache bloomed behind my eyes. "Okay. Look. I get it. Dramatic flair and all but—"

"That's not it Akuma-sama," Shion interrupted with a grin. "We wouldn't be here without you!"

"Oh gods, not this again."

Treyni smiled gently and stepped forward, her hands folded in reverence. "Then let us pledge our loyalty...."

I turned slowly to her. "…Treyni—"

"To Akuma Tempest, ruler of Tempest," she continued, voice rising like a chorus, "The Emperor of Monsters!"

The room erupted into cheers, vows, shouts of allegiance.

And I…

"…I need to sit down," I muttered under my breath.

Shizu, arms crossed, gave a tiny amused sigh.

"Get used to it, Emperor."