Demonic Witches Harem: Having Descendants Make Me Overpowered!-Chapter 55: Those Who Hide In The Lavish Palace II

Claude had never cared much about the world’s problems—government affairs, hunger, famine, poverty.

Whenever someone asked for his opinion on policies or the government’s agenda, he dismissed it outright, calling it bullshit.

In his eyes, no matter who sat in power, the world remained the same.

That was until the company he worked for was shut down due to a new government policy—one that crushed businesses under its weight, leaving him and countless others penniless.

It was then he realized.

The corruption of the powerful didn’t always strike directly. It gnawed at society little by little, until nothing remained.

And now, he stood at the center of that very corruption.

"We can’t just decrease the pay and budget of all the ministries!"

Eldrich Olvon, the Lord Steward, slammed his fist on the table. His thin black tail flicked behind him in irritation, his discontent mirrored by most of the court.

Claude leaned back in his chair, unfazed.

Eldrich wasn’t corrupt—just old-fashioned. At least, that’s what William had told him.

But Claude didn’t give a damn.

"Aldrich is right, Your Majesty!" Ranon Rolvod, the head of Elysium’s judicial system, cut in.

"The money isn’t just for our luxury! It maintains the palace, preserves our history!"

Beside him, Lloyd Xalvach shook his head but remained silent. Unlike the others, he understood what this meeting was about.

"And what about war?" Ranon pressed.

"Sooner or later, conflict will come. Shouldn’t we prepare for the worst?"

Of the five main Honorable Houses, two were openly against Claude’s proposal. Xalvach and Julven remained quiet, waiting to see how things unfolded.

Only Varnaz—William’s house—had already pledged loyalty to Claude.

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The debate continued until Claude slammed his palm against the table.

A heavy silence fell over the room as his crimson gaze swept over them.

"Do you think I came here to listen to your complaints?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"No. I’m here to cut unnecessary spending and establish a new ministry—one that will focus on the welfare of the common folk."

"Your Majesty, with all due respect," Eldrich began, his tail flicking anxiously, "the palace and military take precedence! This is about our pride as nobles—"

"Shut your mouth, Eldrich."

The room fell into stunned silence as Eldrich’s mouth simply—vanished. He clawed at his face in horror, unable to speak.

Claude rose from his seat, his presence towering over them.

"What good is all your pride when the people can’t even afford a meal? What’s the point of this lavish palace when half the kingdom is freezing in the streets?"

A shadow unfurled behind him, the air in the room growing cold.

"Elysium exists because of them—their sweat, their blood, their sacrifices. They pay their taxes while you sit here, gorging yourselves on the wealth you did nothing to earn!"

His burning gaze bore into each of them. Greedy men, draped in silk, seated in gold-trimmed chairs, blind to the suffering beyond these walls.

"So don’t you dare deny my orders."

His voice was low, but it carried a weight that made even the most arrogant nobles stiffen.

"The new ministry will be established, and the budget will be adjusted. I don’t care for your objections."

He turned, already heading for the door. "If any of you have a problem with it, come to my office and say it to my face."

And with that, he left together with William and the twins, the heavy doors slamming shut behind him.

Eldrich was still desperately clawing at his lips, trying to break the curse.

Lloyd exhaled, shaking his head. "What do you think, Damien?"

The navy-haired man beside him—pointed ears unmistakable—folded his arms. Golden eyes flickered with amusement.

Damien Julven, head of the Ministry of Finance, leaned back in his chair.

"I don’t mind. The king’s orders are absolute—I’ll follow them."

Lloyd narrowed his eyes. "So you’re siding with him?"

Damien smirked. "Julven House has always been loyal to Lord Donovan."

He stood, adjusting his coat. "Besides, he’s right. The budget disparity between nobles and commoners is too high."

He walked toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back.

"He’s a leader worth following."

And with that, he left, leaving Lloyd to contemplate his next move.

***

Dawn had arrived.

Claude stood on the balcony, his gaze lost in the distant horizon as the first light of morning painted Elysium in shades of gold.

His desk behind him was cluttered with papers—his proposal for the Ministry of Welfare was nearly complete.

The cold air bit at his skin, but he welcomed it. With a slow inhale, he lit a cigar, letting the rich smoke fill his lungs before exhaling into the crisp morning breeze.

Yet as he looked down at the cigar in his hand, he frowned.

"Damn… this luxurious life makes me uncomfortable."

Before he could dwell on the thought, a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.

Small, curved horns gently pressed against his back as Lilac nestled against him.

He turned slightly, raising a brow. "What are you scheming now?"

Lilac chuckled, her voice playful. "Nothing much, Your Majesty. Just wondering what’s on your mind."

Claude sighed. "What else? The mess inside the palace."

Lilac stepped to his side, resting her elbows on the balcony railing. "Relax. Everything will fall into place eventually," she mused. "I’ll make sure of it."

For a while, silence stretched between them.

Claude shifted uncomfortably under her gaze—Lilac was staring at him, her navy blue eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity, as if she wanted to devour him.

"If you’re hoping to drag me into bed, wait until I’m done with all this."

Lilac laughed, shaking her head. "Not this time." Her gaze softened.

"I’m just curious… What kind of kingdom do you want to build? Why do you care so much about the commoners?"

Her next words struck a nerve.

"Aren’t they just livestock for the nobles to milk?"

Claude’s grip on the cigar tightened.

"In my travels, I’ve seen many kingdoms," he said, his voice measured. "Some worse than this… some better."

He exhaled a slow stream of smoke, eyes fixed on the towering wall that separated the palace from the real Elysium.

"I always thought this kingdom was different. That it could be better. This is my homeland—where I belong."

His jaw clenched. "But what I found instead was this shit hole of mess."

Lilac followed his gaze, her expression unreadable.

"I want to create the Elysium I’ve always dreamed of," he continued.

"A land of prosperity, where people live with dignity. Where the only enemies are outside these walls, and every daemon is protected—no matter their status."

Lilac smiled, leaning in closer. "I thought you were just a reckless troublemaker… a ruthless king who enjoys breaking rules."

She tilted her head. "I never expected you to have such sympathy for others."

Claude scoffed, flicking ash from his cigar. "Because they are all I have."

His crimson eyes flickered as he turned to her.

"You wouldn’t understand what it’s like—to be different. To grow up knowing you don’t belong anywhere."

His voice dropped lower, more intense. "Imagine how freeing it is to realize… you’re not the only freak."

"And then you found out that even when the freaks are already in the right place, they are all still miserable."

Lilac chuckled, her sharp nails tapping against the railing. "Those who live inside the walls rarely see how miserable life inside them truly is."

She turned to face him fully, her expression uncharacteristically solemn.

"I hope you’ll become the king who finally pulls us out of that suffering."