episode_0010

“It’s a little cold.”

I entered the interior of the Demon King’s castle.

Upon entering the castle, I felt strongly that it was not an ordinary place, with several paths branching out.

“Is it this way?”

But it wasn’t particularly surprising to me.

Because as someone who had cleared the game already, I had visited the Demon King’s castle countless times.

It felt somewhat familiar.

“It’s about time to go up.”

Being who I was, instead of forcing my way forward from the entrance, I chose to wait for a moment.

Demons come when you wait.

“Hello. If you are here to see the Demon King, please come this way.”

Sure enough, a demon in maid attire approached me from a distance.

The rather expressionless demon in maid attire greeted me and then began walking ahead.

“…”

I came here to meet the Demon King. I should just follow.

I followed behind the demon in maid attire.

“Is this another adult game?”

Even if I tried not to look, my gaze kept being drawn to the maid outfit.

The maid outfit in the royal palace was very revealing, but the demons, true to their nature, wore mesh on their chest and stockings, which I found quite daring.

The worldbuilding in adult games is truly remarkable.

“… S-Sir, it’s embarrassing if you keep staring like that.”

A slight blush appeared on the expressionless face of the demon maid.

What’s there to be embarrassed about for wearing such clothes and being looked at?

It felt like common sense was being denied, but I let it go. Maybe this is normal here.

“This is where the Demon King resides. I will take my leave now.”

In any case, I slowly followed the demon maid and eventually arrived at the king’s chamber.

A rather large space occupying the center of the castle.

As I entered, I could see the Demon King seated on the throne and three heavenly kings discreetly observing the situation.

As I entered the Demon King’s chamber, the atmosphere cooled rapidly.

“I can’t understand.”

The hidden heavenly kings watched me warily, while the Demon King, with a relaxed expression, crossed his legs on the throne and looked down at me, speaking.

“Why have you come here alone?”

The Demon King, with golden hair exuding a sinister aura, dressed in a quite seductive dress, was both deadly and beautiful.

Approaching her would undoubtedly be dangerous, even though one knows the peril.

She emitted a chilling and dreadful magic, sending me a very cold gaze.

She was Arteia, known as the worst Demon King in history.

“Answer my question. If you do not value your life, I may personally take it from you.”

Most people would have trembled in fear at her sight, but I didn’t feel much fear.

Or perhaps it was just that I couldn’t afford to tremble.

“Your words. I know everything.”

Because as someone who knows the entire story, I know the truth about the Demon King.

“In reality, she’s extremely weak.”

The Demon King isn’t that strong.

Compared to the heavenly kings, let alone regular demons, there isn’t much of a difference.

By somehow managing to save Ronan, I was able to bring him to the final showdown at the Demon King’s castle and learn the truth.

“The Demon King was a fake final boss.”

It was a serious action, so I was nervous about how to handle it before the battle, but in reality, she fell with just an average blow.

When considering that the real final boss fight was against Jax, the Demon King was nothing more than a demon pretending to be strong.

Giving up on the concept and bursting into tears at the end was quite cute.

Even now, she might put on a show of strength in front of her subordinates, but inside, she was probably trembling with fear.

I couldn’t help but laugh, but now it’s more important to talk. Let’s put that aside for a moment.

“I want to join the Demon Army.”

I said confidently to the demon. I asked to be put into the Demon Army.

It may seem a bit out of the blue, but in fact, this was a way to solve my remaining 79 days of life.

“… Hm. One thing to ask. Are you saying that to become a demon and extend your lifespan?”

“That’s right.”

There was a brief silence, but the demon understood my words well.

The demon’s words were very accurate.

In this game, the way to extend one’s lifespan was to become a demon.

“I see. So that’s what it is. I understand well why you came here with whatever intentions. I know everything about what happened to you as well.”

The demon did not find it strange that I wanted to become a demon.

Well, given that it was the biggest event that had happened in the Empire recently, it was no wonder that the demon side would also be aware.

The likelihood of Ronan coming to the Demon Castle was already sufficient without needing further explanation.

“However, shouldn’t you think more carefully about this? Becoming a demon? Considering them evil. It might not be something to take lightly.”

While saying that, the demon chuckled at me. He looked as if he found it pitiful.

Trying to enter the group of wicked and cruel demons, he asked what that meant.

“Well, aren’t demons also a kind of human?”

“… Hm. Surprisingly so. How did you come to know that information?”

“Well, I’m a hero. Do you need more reasons?”

“…”

But I simply replied.

Becoming a demon was nothing special.

“Just different horns, strong magic, and long-lived humans, that’s what demons are.”

I didn’t particularly care about demons or need to dwell on them.

Even if I didn’t know the definition of demons in other games, in the game I possessed, demons didn’t hold much significance.

“In the olden days, humans rejected those who were just humans.”

Demons were simply humans with different horns, who lived longer and had stronger magic.

Apart from that, there were hardly any differences.

“That’s why the war broke out.”

However, the rest of the humans could not accept that small difference. War broke out.

Rejecting someone from the group just because they were slightly different is not such a unique story in the real world, is it?

“Rather, demons tend to lean towards the good side.”

Therefore, to me, who could view things objectively as a third party, the war between demons and humans was no different from a civil war among humans.

Since the protagonist was initially a hero on the Empire’s side, he viewed it with a biased perspective. However, there were many times when the demon side seemed kinder than the corrupt and rotten Empire.

“It feels like a lot of unexpected things are happening.”

The demon seemed somewhat surprised after hearing my words.

Certainly, the information I just mentioned was known only to demons, as the Empire had long distorted and deleted all information.

This fact was information that could only be learned upon reaching the Demon Castle in the final stage, so it was natural for him to show a surprised reaction.

“That’s right. As you say, our demons were a kind of human race that was rejected by humans in the distant past.”

The demon soon acknowledged that I was not entirely wrong in my words.

And as if amused, he put his hand into his chest and took something out.

“That’s why there is a way for you to become a demon from a human, and with that method, you can definitely extend your lifespan. Without a doubt, it can save you as you are now.”

What she was holding in her hand was the “Demon Elixir.”

That elixir was indeed the way to become a demon.

“To give it to you.”

The demon swiftly tossed me a vial.

I caught the vial.

“A bit warm, isn’t it?”

Is it natural since I kept it close to my chest?

As I gazed at the vial still radiating warmth.

“Drink it.”

The demon chuckled and urged me to drink.

“But after drinking, you must prove yourself.”

“Prove?”

But of course, nothing comes for free.

The demon explained the conditions for drinking the vial.

“Soon, you will once again clash with the empire.”

Another war at this time?

I do remember a war happening when I entered the final stage. The war the demon speaks of must be that war.

“At that time, you must prove yourself. Against none other than your former comrades.”

It seemed like they wanted to entrust me with the hero party in a somewhat large-scale war.

“If you show even a hint of mercy… the vial will reject you. If you accept that, then drink.”

It was a wager on the special effects of the vial.

“Did the vial have such a function?”

I’m not sure about that part.

I only knew there was a demon’s vial; even someone who cleared the game wouldn’t know the details.

But what does that matter?

Gulp, gulp.

As soon as the demon finished speaking, I swallowed the vial whole.

“I’ll tear them apart as soon as I get the chance.”

Holding up the empty bottle without any contents, I shook it upside down, making a firm promise.

Even without saying that, I’m not Ronan, and I don’t hold grudges against party members who betrayed me, right?

“Hehe.”

At my resolute answer, the demon let out a chuckle.

“Good. You are now a fine member of the demon race.”

A sensation similar to the demon’s energy began to creep inside me.

I half-expected horns to sprout from my head, but there was no external change like that.

However, internally, I definitely felt like I had become a demon.

“Then, let’s assign you your first mission under the new Four Demon Kings, Ronan.”

Starting with the Four Demon Kings even though I’m a hero?

The demon ordered me, who had taken up one of the vacant seats among the Four Demon Kings.

“In the upcoming war, eliminate the hero party.”

Show me some results somewhere, is what they were saying.