episode_0018

A meeting of the top forces of the Demon King’s army to wage war against the Empire…

No, it might be more accurate to see it as practically the Demon King’s orders.

– Petriat. Block the Imperial Silver Knights at the entrance of the Holy City.

– Retona, work with Petriat and focus on restraining the Magic Society of the Tower intensely.

– Lastly, Gartos, eliminate the mixed-race sects that are coming out through the side road.

– Ronan, warrior, it seems best for you to follow the Warrior Party and block the Warrior Party.

The Demon King designated each of us one by one and gave us basic instructions on what we should do.

Instructions on other situations to be mindful of began to be explained by the Demon King’s secretary.

“Here, like this, if the Silver Knights don’t pass through here and join the mixed-race sects, then… Gartos, you should…”

‘She planned the operation quite well, didn’t she?’

Upon listening, the strategies seemed quite rational and decent.

Using the best possible tactics without resorting to strange maneuvers, there was no disagreement with my opinion.

‘Fundamentally, she’s a smart woman.’

Even considering the Demon King’s weakness, I had quite a high regard for her abilities.

In demon society, one’s power often equates to authority.

Given the nature of demons who look down on weaker beings and worship stronger demons.

Even if deceived, it is certain that one must be quite extraordinary to sit in the position of the Demon King and maintain it.

Her preparations for war prove that.

‘Well, in reality, the Demon King’s army was almost certain to win.’

And the strategy of Demon King Artenia was close to being entirely successful.

If Ronan hadn’t sacrificed himself to kill all the Four Kings, that is.

‘Only towards the very end did she admit her weakness.’

Despite such an event, though she fought fiercely, she ultimately succumbed to the overwhelming difference in power.

“That concludes all the operation explanations. Do the Four Kings have any questions?”

The secretary’s briefing on the operations came to an end.

There was a moment to ask if there were any additional questions.

“Um…”

At that moment, Retona, who had been watching, raised her hand.

“Yes. Retona, please speak. What is your question?”

“I’m curious about what the Demon King will be doing.”

Her question was incredibly crucial.

“Oddly enough, there was no explanation at all about what the Demon King will be doing. What is the Demon King going to do?”

The Demon King, the most crucial force in the Demon King’s army, does nothing in the operations.

It must have been a sufficiently intriguing issue. However, that question was incredibly foolish in this context.

“…How pathetic.”

“What…?”

“To not even realize the Demon King’s intentions.”

A sound of clicking tongues was heard beside Retona.

The Four Kings, Petriat. She looked at Retona as if she truly found her pathetic.

Retona couldn’t understand that at all, and Artenia tried to explain it, but…

“Enough.”

The Demon King made their conversation come to a halt.

Then, with a truly arrogant smile, she answered Retona’s question.

“Retona. We have come here to wage war.”

“If luggage is involved, can we even call it war anymore?”

The Demon King’s words were so straightforward and thought-provoking.

“I had a short-sighted view. Demon King.”

Retona finally understood, showing a face of comprehension.

‘Her acting skills are truly remarkable…’

Internally, I sneered at that sight, but even I, having such thoughts, wondered what would have happened if I didn’t actually know the true nature of the Demon King.

Knowing everything, why would one doubt such things, the intimidation emanating from the Demon King was indeed quite impressive.

Her appearance is quite elegant, also dangerously captivating, evoking primal fear.

Initially, I was fully prepared to face such a boss in battle against the Demon King.

“The meeting is over. Display your skills limitlessly in tomorrow’s war.”

In any case, the meeting came to an end.

Starting with the Demon King leaving the conference room, the Four Kings also returned to their respective chambers.

Now, it seemed like the war would truly begin.

Only 12 hours remained until the final showdown began.

Looking outside, the Demon King’s army was being assembled, with a considerable number of troops already on standby.

The Demon King’s army was preparing to depart for the fortress immediately.

“If things go according to the original story…”

Well, even if the Demon King’s army made such preparations, victory was not assured.

The original story involves Ronan defeating all three of the Four Kings.

Arriving at the final showdown while conserving his strength, Ronan would inevitably use his power at the cost of his lifespan to defeat the Four Kings.

If he survived using that power, he could reach the Demon King’s castle; otherwise, he would die on the spot.

In the process, the Demon King’s army would also face ruin.

“Things probably won’t go as they did in the original.”

But the likelihood of things not going as planned was significant, given that the crucial hero, Ronan, was present.

Moreover, since he was one of the Four Kings of the Demon King’s army, it was unlikely that any major losses would occur in the upcoming battle.

“Hmm… facing the Hero Party…”

However, I had no intention of sitting idly by.

Tasked by the Demon King to confront the Hero Party, I rather liked this mission.

“It suits me the best.”

Handling the Hero Party as a small elite force was a crucial task and something I excelled at.

Successfully completing this task would likely silence any demons in the Demon King’s army who spoke ill of me.

“I have no worries whatsoever…”

Victory in the war was certain, and my future seemed well secured.

I saw no issues with this aspect.

“But what was that all about?”

However, currently, what bothered me the most was ultimately Amy and the Holy Sword.

The entity transformed from the Doppleganger seen in the Hell Dungeon Tournament difficulty was definitely not just a random occurrence.

It was undoubtedly one of the beings that could be implemented in the game.

“How did things unfold to lead to such an event?”

What happened to that insignificant being to gain such power?

And how did they get hold of the hidden Holy Sword?

Furthermore, what exactly was Amy’s ultimate goal?

“I really can’t figure it out.”

Even as someone who has played through the entire game, I couldn’t understand.

From now on, I would have to uncover the truth bit by bit.

I hoped unsettling events wouldn’t arise during this process.

“It’s definitely not for Ronan’s sake.”

Still, one fortunate thing was that the pink cloth named Amy didn’t act for Ronan’s benefit.

Whatever schemes she might be plotting, the idea that “all of this was for Ronan” would never hold true.

Once again, Amy’s nature was something I, who played the game outside of the game, knew too well.

Regardless of how people around Amy evaluated her, the pink cloth would undoubtedly be the most malicious woman in this game.

“I’ll kill her when the opportunity arises.”

I had no intention of showing mercy.

At the moment when I thought I would definitely kill her next time we met,

“Master.”

“How did you get in here?”

“Obviously, it’s the power of love…♡”

“Sigh.”

Under the bed, there was a girl with pink hair peeking out from under the covers. Naturally, it was Lili.

Seeing Lili smiling and looking at me, I sighed.

I wasn’t curious anymore about how she got into this room.

This had happened a few times over the past few days, so now I just took it in stride.

“By the way, what were you thinking, Master? You were obviously thinking about your one and only cute Lili, the exclusive succubus restroom in the world, right?”

“Right.”

“What?”

“I was thinking about you.”

Even though I found her annoying, she kept persisting, so I playfully responded.

Well, of course, being a succubus, I didn’t think she would fall for such jokes.

“W-why… thinking about me is… so lewd…!”

“…?”

But why would she be embarrassed by such words?

Looking at Lili, whose face suddenly turned red, I was slightly puzzled.

‘Can’t understand.’

She never felt embarrassed about her usual actions.

It seemed absurd that she would feel shy about these words.

“I… I’ll leave now…”

Lili seemed too embarrassed to stay any longer and quickly left the room.

Although her expression lingered in my mind.

“Don’t worry about it, let’s just go to sleep.”

There wasn’t much to worry about.

Let’s go to bed early.

# # #

The next day arrived.

It was finally the day of the final chapter, ‘Holy War Conquest,’ starting.