episode_0019

“Hmm. Do you feel the war approaching slowly?”

I arrived at the fortress following the Demon Army.

When I climbed to a high place and looked down below, people were bustling around.

The commanders of the Demon Army’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd legions were defending the stronghold, while on the opposite side, Imperial soldiers were cautiously observing the situation.

In the moments just before the outbreak of war, I was feeling that seeing it firsthand was different.

Perhaps there would be a fierce battle about to erupt.

“I was told I could act independently.”

Well, it’s not really my concern.

My mission is to stop the Hero Party conducting guerrilla operations.

There seems to be no need for me to get involved in such a large-scale war.

“Maybe they’ll try to intercept the 1st Legion Commander first?”

If so, what will the Hero Party do from now on?

If it follows the original game, they might first attack the location commanded by the 1st Legion Commander, Gartos.

“Hmm… in that case.”

They will surely try to break through there.

If that path is cleared, a shortcut will be opened.

So, my task is to stop the Hero Party there…

“Come to think of it, wasn’t I a demon now?”

Actually, if you ask whether the current situation is favorable, it’s not entirely so.

Because the place where we are fighting is a very special place called the ‘Fortress.’

“The Fortress must have been fatal to demons, right?”

Although it is currently occupied by the Demon Army, in fact, the Fortress was not a preferred place for them.

This is because the Fortress is a place where mana of [holiness] flows. It is a concept contrary to the mana of [magic] that demons possess.

Therefore, fighting here would be extremely disadvantageous for demons.

“Today is the day when that holiness becomes strongest.”

Moreover, today is the day when the [holiness] of the Fortress reaches its maximum, occurring only once a year.

It was the day the Final Battle began, the day when one could fight best against demons.

Hence, the Imperial forces were gearing up to take the Fortress from the demons.

“Well, I wonder if they haven’t made other preparations?”

Despite that, the Demon Army holds a stronger position than the Imperial forces.

Given the significant changes in the story, I couldn’t afford to be complacent.

“If only there was at least one useful person…”

On the Imperial side, they might have prepared something different from the original.

In this situation where I can’t fully exert my strength after becoming a demon.

It would be great if there was something that could help me…

“Master…♡”

“Why are you here?”

Flap, flap.

A familiar face was flying towards me from afar.

As expected, when I turned my head, it was a face I wasn’t particularly pleased to see.

“Weren’t you part of the 1st Legion?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“But why are you here?”

“I got permission. Permission to come to you, Master.”

Originally, Lili would have been assigned to the demon army led by Gartos.

But they allowed that too?

It was quite incomprehensible in many ways.

“Sigh.”

Probably her own will was quite strong.

If recognized for her abilities in the Demon Army, they would allow her some freedom.

That’s probably why she came to me.

Since we went to the dungeon together, I had been getting involved with Lili continuously, which wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“You’re being too much. I came over here thinking about you, Master.”

“No, you’re welcome.”

“Huh?”

“You’re welcome.”

Maybe I’m more glad to see her now than I thought.

Given the circumstances, facing the Hero Party alone might be tough for me at the moment.

Having an excellent demon like Lili by my side might come in handy.

“Really?”

“Right now, I do need your help.”

“Hehehe. Finally getting recognition from the master.”

I couldn’t just watch Lili being so happy because she found me helpful.

Still, after spending a few days with her, she doesn’t seem as bad as I thought.

It seems like it might be okay to stick around for a while.

“… I’ll do my best.”

“I’ll do my best…!”

That was Lili’s very happy response.

While listening to her response, I started to pay attention to the situation again…

“Master. I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“If I perform well this time, will you give me a reward?”

“…?”

What is she talking about?

I couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered by Lili’s words.

“I really want to receive a reward from you…♡”

“What kind of reward?”

“That’s… obvious…♡”

As expected, this world is a game, and she’s a succubus, right?

I sighed as I watched Lili acting shyly.

“… I see what you’re doing.”

“Yay!!!”

Well, good things are good.

I accepted Lili’s request. If she performs well, there’s nothing I can’t do.

“So, she finally decided to move.”

Anyway, it seems like it’s time for me to step up now.

The Imperial Army began its advance to reclaim the Holy Land.

“Stop, like it and follow me now.”

“Yes…!”

Leaving behind the excited Lili, I also prepared to move slowly.

It was finally time to reunite with the Hero Party.

# # #

“Hmm… That’s the Holy Land.”

Among the Imperial soldiers, there were people looking at the demons in the Holy Land with uneasy expressions.

They were Ronan’s former party members… Well, Ronan is no longer here, so it might be more appropriate to call them Jax’s Hero Party members now.

“We must reclaim that place.”

They were now gathered to reclaim the Holy Land upon hearing the Imperial orders.

The upcoming war to defeat the Four Demon Kings of the Demon Army was crucial for their roles.

“Let’s do our best.”

“Yes… Let’s do our best.”

It was a burden, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad one.

Charlotte, the magician of the Hero Party, nodded along with Trisella, the cleric of the Hero Party, at Charlotte’s words.

“This is a very important war for us.”

“That’s right.”

“It will go well.”

“It has to go well.”

For them, this war was one where they must excel.

They couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.

“The Hero Party’s position has deteriorated significantly.”

Before Ronan left, the Hero Party suffered many losses during the battle at the Imperial Palace.

With rumors spreading about their defeat despite having a 4:1 numerical advantage against Ronan and his subsequent betrayal, their reputation crumbled.

“We need to restore this…”

The repercussions were immense. All the trust they had built up over time had been shattered.

For Charlotte, who wanted to revive her family and Trisella, who wanted to become a saint, they had to make amends in this war.

“We must do well…!”

They steeled themselves for what lay ahead.

For the sake of their future, they had to reclaim the Holy Land today.

“Hey, I brought some refreshing drinks. Let’s have these.”

While Charlotte and Trisella looked serious, someone was running towards them from afar.

Amy, the knight of the Hero Party, approached them with drinks containing grape juice.

“It’s very sweet and delicious.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Amy.”

Amy handed the grape juice to them with a cheerful smile.

Although Charlotte and Trisella appreciated Amy’s kindness, their expressions were not entirely pleased.

“Amy, don’t overdo it.”

“That’s right. Overdoing it isn’t good.”

“Uh…?”

“After Ronan left, the hardest thing is none other than you, right?”

“Right. Amy must be going through the toughest time…”

In fact, after Ronan left, it seems that the most difficult thing might be Amy.

As Jax’s torment grew worse day by day.

“We… are sorry.”

“I’m sorry. Amy.”

Moreover, when Charlotte and Tricella wanted to leave Ronan’s hero party, Amy was adamantly opposed.

Even after Ronan left, Amy was the saddest.

“No, I’m fine.”

As she listened to the apologies from her party members, Amy’s smile disappeared.

With a somewhat awkward expression, she reassured the party members that she was okay.

“It’s been a month since Ronan left.”

“Yeah…”

“I see. What do you think Ronan is doing now?”

In this situation, it wouldn’t be difficult for Ronan’s story to come up.

The party members once again thought of Ronan.

“He probably only has about two months left, right?”

Ronan, with not much time left…

No one had seen him since he disappeared from the Empire.

What could he be doing now that he’s nowhere to be found?

“He might have died somewhere…”

Charlotte and Tricella felt a slight longing for Ronan, apart from betraying him.

“I don’t know about that, but… we’ll probably meet soon, right?”

However, Amy showed a slightly different reaction.

Amy confidently replied to the party members in a firm tone.

“Yeah…?”

“Because it’s Ronan. We’ll meet.”

Assuring them not to worry, she insisted they would definitely meet.

“Just like always… He will protect us. Ronan will.”

She seemed convinced that Ronan would come back to protect them, just like he did in the past.