The Demon Sovereign (13)

Superimposing one’s consciousness onto another, possessing them like a spirit, is an exceptionally difficult magic to wield.

Needless to say, humans who were inherently vulnerable to mental magic could not even attempt it. Even Demons who considered themselves proficient in magic could only try it after first reducing the target to a vegetative state and fraying their mental fortitude.

“Well, if you ignore the difficulty, it does seem quite interesting. It would certainly be a rare experience.”

“Then would you like to learn it?”

“Uh, that’s all well and good, but where exactly can you use this magic?”

However, if asked what tangible benefits could be gained from using such magic, they could only tilt their heads in hesitation.

Once they had infiltrated the target’s mind, they could at least toy with the person for life by revealing the location of their hidden emergency funds or any embarrassing histories everyone has.

However, its practical utility ended there. Since it essentially amounted to temporarily donning another’s physical vessel, if the original owner resisted, it became difficult to even move the body freely.

Ultimately, this body-snatching magic was never used for purposes beyond self-aggrandizement.

If one were to find a use for it, it would be to know someone’s thoughts entirely, but in that case, it was simpler to use mind-reading magic instead of possession.

“As expected of the capital, they’re bravely trying to defend it to the bitter end.”

“You fools! Did you only realize that now? It’s because of that complacency, thinking it would proceed smoothly as before, that we still haven’t achieved victory. Stay completely alert!”

“Yes!!”

Naturally, this was something ordinary humans were unaware of.

They simply assumed that since it was the capital, the defenses were thorough, which explained the appearance of such elite mobs. In any case, knowing the truth would not change anything.

However, unlike them, the Demons were in a deadly situation.

“This is surely… that, right?”

“Definitely.”

“What is it? Don’t just talk among yourselves, tell me too.”

“Clueless bastard. Come over here and sit down. Close the door.”

Moreover, using magic while possessing a body in that manner doubled the difficulty.

And as far as the Demons knew, there was only one who could wield such a skill.

“So, uh. It seems His Majesty the Demon Sovereign is watching over us.”

“…What?”

“You heard correctly. It seems His Majesty is watching over us and… doing something similar to cheering us on, not too far away.”

While the humans seemed to fear the mages committing suicide through mental manipulation or opening fire on surrounding soldiers, from the Demons’ perspective, this was tantamount to having their individual selves crushed and being sentenced to a limited lifespan.

No, in fact, it was even more tragic.

At least the humans had a chance of being restrained and bound, but for the Demons, death was the only possible outcome.

“If you can see them, who would you kill first? It’s only natural that they become the prime targets to eliminate.”

“But, if the possession is broken before such an incident occurs……”

“…Have you ever seen a case where the possession was broken early?”

“……”

“They were all used until death and then discarded!”

They hadn’t expected to find such common ground with the humans.

Rather, if the humans knew the truth, they would likely look at the Demons with sympathetic eyes.

No matter how much one enjoyed fighting, no one wanted to be controlled and turned into a target. It was a structure that inevitably bred resentment.

If ordered to charge headfirst towards the enemy’s machine guns, they might be swept along by herd mentality, but this was a far more direct path to death.

However, they could not openly discuss this.

‘Overall, it is true that this is helpful.’

‘For a brief moment, an individual soldier becomes the most powerful mage. As long as I’m not the next target, my survival rate increases.’

‘We have to defend the capital. My family hasn’t been able to evacuate yet.’

‘That Demon Sovereign bastard probably has no friends.’

The Demon Sovereign was watching nearby. Just thinking such thoughts in one’s mind was quite risky.

Still, surely such an esteemed figure would not peer into everyone’s minds one by one.

Those who grumbled their dissatisfaction around them with such complacency would be anything but unaffected when they saw the following day’s beehive-like events unfold.

How long did they suppress their resentment?

Soon, all sorts of flyers began circulating in the capital, mixed in with the supplies.

“The incoming ammunition has been a bit low lately, hasn’t it?”

“Ah, about that. Keep this between us. The ammunition factories have all been blown up and forced to close. Production has dropped to half, so considering the stockpile, the amount has decreased.”

“What? I may have just been handling supplies for a day or two, but why didn’t I know about this all this time?”

“Shh! The higher-ups said it was just a minor malfunction and manpower shortage, so don’t pretend you knew in front of others, got it?”

“And I heard disrespectful remarks have been going around the city lately-“

“Same with that! If you carelessly mention it, you might be taken away tomorrow. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

No matter how controlled, resentment has a tipping point.

The joy of having somewhat favorably defended the capital during the battle was short-lived.

They were a race more inclined to complain that the glass was half empty rather than half full. The volatile emotion of optimism quickly dissipated, leaving only a sense of emptiness.

“What do we gain by defending this place?”

“…Our capital remains.”

“Other than that, is there anything else for us?”

The seeds of unrest that Edan had sown were beginning to sprout in the fertile soil of their resentment.

“I can’t take this anymore. No matter how hard we fight, won’t we just end up dead?”

“However, His Majesty the Demon Sovereign…”

“It is that very Demon Sovereign who is trying to kill us!”

“Enough! I cannot listen to such blasphemy any longer!”

“Where am I wrong? I must say this – it’s not too late, so let us find our path to survival now!”

Some of the more perceptive ones had already begun passionately pointing out their superiors who had been mentally subjugated.

“Our commander has already… realized the mistake, haven’t they?”

“…Isn’t it only natural that the authority to lead all Demons, the duty and right originally held by His Majesty the Demon Sovereign, has returned to its rightful place?”

“If you wish to rationalize it that way, very well. But I do not wish to die like that.”

“……”

“Incidentally, there are those who seek our cooperation to restore this situation to its original state. Are you perhaps interested?”

While the Demon Sovereign was unable to focus on his primary duty of controlling the Demons, those eager to seize the opportunity to become king themselves swiftly took action.

Those afraid of falling behind trends commonly suffer from a condition known as FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). There is nothing more galling than seeing everyone else succeed while being left out.

And the Demons were no exception. Although they could not abandon the sinking ship first to taste the sweetest honey, at least they could catch the last train out.

“Where have they taken our leader! Why are they using his authority as they please!”

“Expressing dissatisfaction with His Majesty is tantamount to treason! This would normally be a crime punishable by death, but considering the gravity of the current situation, your lives will be spared if you return to your rightful places.”

“Don’t you realize that those very ‘rightful places’ threaten my life!”

“This cannot continue. Let us depart from this hell-like place. Even if they order us to return, we need not heed the commands of the general… no, the one who was once a general but is now under the Demon Sovereign’s control.”

With the addition of those possessing a rebellious spirit, they finally achieved the minimum weight class to confront the Demon Sovereign’s tyranny.

“In this disillusioning world, I shall return home.”

“Hold your positions! Hold your positions!”

“But my position is not here, it’s far away, in my hometown?”

There were no immediate, drastic changes like the capital’s defenses collapsing overnight.

However, starting with soldiers gradually abandoning their posts, discipline was undoubtedly being shaken.

“…Hey, what’s up with them today?”

“Their movements seem sluggish, and their numbers have decreased significantly.”

“Well, that’s fortunate for us. We can catch our breath. To be honest, I thought I was going to die with those Demon mages around us.”

“Erinye, you’ve worked hard too. Your achievements will definitely be reported, and you can expect a medal after the battle.”

The humans, who had been gradually pushed back on the front lines, sat down and took a proper rest for the first time in a while, though they were perplexed by the situation.