Prince Alf of the Kingdom of Yurgens returned from his ten-year studies abroad to find his homeland in utter ruin. The once-bustling capital was deserted, the industrial and commercial districts silent, and the fields lay fallow. The kingdom's infrastructure was dilapidated, a stark contrast to the prosperous nation he had left. Upon learning that the nobles had enriched themselves while the populace fled and his father, the King, had fallen ill from worry, Alf vowed to restore the kingdom.
His immediate priority was to secure funds. Discovering the royal treasury was nearly empty, he decided to sell off unnecessary royal possessions, including art, furniture, weapons, and jewels. However, the shops in the town were closed. Fortunately, the shopkeeper, who was planning to close his business that day, agreed to buy Alf's goods. Alf revealed his identity as Prince Alf Yurgens, now in charge of state affairs, and the merchant, impressed by his resolve, agreed to purchase the items for ten gold coins. This provided Alf with the initial capital he needed.
Meanwhile, a small, silver-haired girl named Sharo, who possessed the distinctive horns of a demon but lacked the ability to control magic due to their absence, arrived in the kingdom. She was the daughter of the Demon King and had fled her homeland due to persecution for her lack of magical ability and the pressure of her lineage. Fearing for her life if her identity was revealed, she sought refuge in a human kingdom, believing her human-like appearance would allow her to blend in.
Alf, seeking to rebuild the kingdom, recognized Sharo's presence as a sign of demonic energy. Despite her being a demon, he saw her as a potential asset, particularly a young individual needed to repopulate the kingdom. He approached her, and after a brief moment of surprise, Sharo revealed her desire to live in the kingdom. Alf, sensing her hidden nature, confirmed she was a demon. He then offered her a position as his aide, assuring her protection from any prejudice. Sharo, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude, accepted. However, she then revealed her true identity as the Demon King's daughter, expecting an attack. Alf, surprisingly, saw this as an opportunity, believing the Demon King would come to retrieve her, thus solving a potential future problem.
The Demon King, upon learning of Sharo's whereabouts, dispatched a subordinate to retrieve her, ordering him to protect her at all costs. He lamented her departure, attributing it to the persecution she faced for her lack of horns.
Sharo began her duties by diligently cleaning the neglected castle, impressing Alf with her domestic skills. He decided to keep her as his attendant, believing her presence would encourage other non-human individuals to seek refuge and work in his kingdom.
Alf then visited the merchant again, who explained that the previous exorbitant taxes, levied at ninety percent by a corrupt official named Arushide, had driven merchants away. Alf, determined to revive trade, reduced the tax rate to thirty percent and encouraged the merchant to spread the word, hoping to attract more merchants and people to the kingdom.
A demon named Jagura arrived, claiming to be sent by the Demon King to retrieve Sharo. Sharo, however, refused to return, stating her desire to stay. Alf intervened, asserting his right to protect Sharo and refusing to hand her over. The confrontation escalated, but Alf managed to de-escalate the situation by implying he had more forces than he did, leading Jagura to retreat and report to the Demon King.
The Demon King, upon hearing of Sharo's refusal and Alf's defiance, decided to visit Yurgens himself. He was initially angered by the idea of Sharo having a romantic interest but was mollified when he learned it was a political alliance. He agreed to a friendly relationship with Yurgens, offering his military support in exchange for being able to visit and eat at the castle.
Meanwhile, the corrupt noble who had fled was plotting to use aspiring heroes, armed with shoddy weapons from the castle, to attack the Demon King, intending to use them as disposable pawns.
Alf, with the Demon King's support, began to address the kingdom's internal issues. He focused on rebuilding the agricultural sector, assigning Jagura to oversee the farms and providing new farming tools. He also began recruiting the failed "heroes" who had been duped by the noble, offering them a place in his kingdom and a chance to work. He also secured a deal with the merchant to establish a trade route, further boosting the kingdom's economy. The kingdom's military strength remained a concern, but with the Demon King's promise of support, Alf was confident in his ability to rebuild Yurgens into a prosperous nation.
