The Holy Empire Yuras had claimed Helmuth’s border province of Alcarte as its diocese[1]. As part of the concessions established by the Demon Kings, the province served as a bridge between Yuras and Helmuth.

But could the demonfolk really find salvation through faith?

In Eugene’s opinion, such a thing was absolutely impossible. In the first place, it was both foolish and useless to proselytize your faith to the demonfolk, who had already rebelled against the gods.

However, it wasn’t just the demonfolk who lived in Helmuth. Even after excluding the black wizards and their dependents, there were actually quite a lot of ordinary people living in Helmuth — namely, those who had signed a contract with the demonfolk and now worshiped the Demon Kings. They had chosen to do so not just for any absurd reason, but for a most realistic and reasonable exchange.

Helmuth was a human-friendly country.

The citizens there were guaranteed a minimum standard of living even if they didn’t do any work. Vast numbers of demonic beasts had been bound as familiars to the Demon King and performed any difficult labor in place of the country’s citizens.

And it wasn’t just demonic beasts either. There were also the undead which had been raised by high-ranking demonfolk and black wizards. These non-human monsters would do all the work in place of the humans, or at least in place of the humans who would otherwise be engaged in agriculture, so the vast land of Helmuth was usually covered with the golden color of wheat, regardless of the season.

The citizens of Helmuth did not have to pay their taxes in money. The taxes that they were made to pay each month came in the form of their easily recoverable life-force[2], and they were far from onerous. And if they wished, a citizen could even enjoy quite a luxurious life in Helmuth by mortgaging their soul. As long as they paid off the mortgage before they died, it was even possible for them to reclaim their mortgaged souls.

And if they weren't able to reclaim their souls?...