Yura's outward appearance hasn't changed dramatically.
However, the magic and elemental energy she now wields are extraordinary.
The mass she carries is something that would be absolutely impossible for her under normal circumstances.
(Is this a Great Spirit?)
I understand instantly.
The Great Spirit that created Yura is possessing her.
That's the only way to interpret this state.
The presence I sense is also identical to the one before.
Meanwhile, Diera narrows her eyes, looking amused.
She smiled fearlessly as she addressed the Great Spirit.
"Oh ho, speak of the devil and he appears. Eavesdropping is rather poor taste, isn't it?"
"Slander is unbecoming. Complacency is the ruin of many."
"Merely stating a fact. Wouldn't you agree I'm different from my former self?"
When Diera said that, the Great Spirit fell silent.
Its gaze was fixed intently on Diera.
After a moment, it spoke with an impressed tone.
"Indeed, that is formidable power. You have exceeded your limits."
"Isn't it? Isn't it? You can praise me more, you know."
Diera puffed out her chest, in high spirits.
Watching the two of them, it seems they've known each other for some time.
Diera of the Demon King era had apparently met the Great Spirit.
The Great Spirit glanced at Diera and remarked with surprise.
"Still, I didn't expect you to be resurrected. You've overcome a fate of destruction."
"Kuhaha, I am immortal. I shall rise again as many times as it takes."
Diera declared with a confidence-filled expression.
Her resurrection had been the result of overlapping coincidences, yet she seemed inexplicably proud of it.
I nearly pointed that out but held my tongue, figuring it would be unsporting.
I'd only sour Diera's mood if I interjected.
The Great Spirit, who had been conversing with Diera, then turned to look at me.
She addressed me in a somewhat gentle tone.
"It's been a while. You're still working diligently for world peace, I see."
"You've been keeping tabs on me through Yura."
"I have. I've been periodically observing your condition. I never imagined you'd reconcile with the former Demon King, but everything seems to be in order, so I'm relieved."
The connection between the Great Spirit and Yura was supposed to have been severed.
Yet she had secretly maintained the link and kept me under surveillance.
If anyone could do such a thing, it would be her.
I myself had considered that possibility.
After all, the incident with the sacred stone had drawn no small amount of interest from the Great Spirit.
This reunion fell well within the range of what I had anticipated.
The Great Spirit gave us a slight bow.
"I have confirmed through synchronization with Yura's memories, which is my split-body. This child seems to be blessed with a fine environment. Thank you for that."
"No, the thanks should go to me. Yura has been a great help."
Yura was a split-body granted by the Great Spirit as a reward.
She had already achieved numerous feats even within the Demon Lord's army.
During the recent magical beast incident, she had saved countless lives.
She had borrowed her strength in all manner of things, and was adored by the others as though she were their own child.
She had become an indispensable existence to the Demon Lord's army.
Reflecting on Yura's contributions, I turned to the Great Spirit.
"What brings you here today?"
"I wished to speak with the previous Demon Lord."
At the Great Spirit's answer, Diera pointed at herself.
She tilted her head in puzzlement.
"Me?"
"Yes. Your power could bring tremendous influence to the world. I judged that I should offer my warning once more."
I listened to the Great Spirit's reasoning and understood.
The Great Spirit served the role of a defense mechanism.
She existed to prevent the world's destruction.
For her, the resurrected Diera was surely something that could not be overlooked.
Diera, who had possessed immense power since her time as Demon Lord, had now acquired even greater strength.
If she were to set her full will into motion, the world would plunge into an existential crisis in an instant.
Naturally, it falls under surveillance by the defense mechanisms.
After a series of twists and turns, Diera was resurrected, acquiring the powers of the Hero and the Holy Maiden.
Having no apparent weaknesses, she has become a formidable foe.
Her existence had also become known to the surrounding nations.
It seemed she was still recognized as my subordinate, greatly stoking their vigilance.
Of course, Diera herself had no such awareness.
"Relax. I am no longer the Demon King. I am merely enjoying a quiet retirement. Besides, if anything were to happen, this one would stop me, wouldn't you? Right, Dwight?"
Speaking calmly, Diera turns her gaze toward me.
A strange sense of trust could be felt within it.
Though I was perplexed by the meaning of her gaze, I nodded.
"...That's right. I would stop you, even by killing you."
If it meant disrupting the world's peace, I would eliminate them, no matter who it was.
That is my mission.
A will unchanged since my living days.
Hearing our conversation, the Great Spirit spoke in a quiet tone.
"The other defense mechanisms besides me are also watching your movements. Please be extremely careful."
This was the first I had heard of it.
However, it was nothing to be surprised about.
I am the Demon King.
Currently and actively waging war against humanity.
It was only natural that the defense mechanisms would take an interest in me.
Depending on my actions, they would almost certainly attack without mercy.
That threat was incomparable to any human army.
It was a situation of no benefit to me whatsoever, so I resolved to avoid drawing their attention.
While lost in these self-admonishing thoughts, the Great Spirit began to fix her gaze upon me.
After a moment, she declared:
"The destiny of ruin is watching you intently, like a tiger eyeing its prey. You must not let your guard down."
"What exactly does that mean—"
Just as I instinctively began to ask, the light dispersed from her form.
The overwhelming mana and the spirit's power vanished, leaving behind the usual appearance of Yura.
She looked around, then reported to me with a slightly confused expression:
"Confirmed a momentary cessation of consciousness—my apologies. My awareness had lapsed."
"...You must be tired. You should rest a while."
"Affirming Master's opinion—returning for the sake of rest."
Yura nodded obediently, took flight, and departed in the direction of the Royal Capital.
She apparently had no memory of the preceding exchange.
Her consciousness must have been suppressed while the Great Spirit possessed her.
Diera, who had witnessed the entire episode, offered a wry smile.
"She left behind some profound words, she did. I think she could have been a bit more specific, though."
"They have their own circumstances too. I imagine they are in a position where they cannot show too much favor."
The Defense Mechanism is fundamentally neutral.
If pressed, one could say it sides with the world.
But that is by no means synonymous with siding with humanity.
The Great Spirit had stated that it sometimes results in salvation.
She herself likely has no interest in the survival of the human race.
This applies equally to a Demon King like me.
The Defense Mechanism would never lend its power to any specific faction.
That we could converse just now was undoubtedly an exceptional measure.
"You were left with an ominous parting remark. Are you anxious?"
"Not particularly. This is just how things are."
I shake my head.
Having one's life targeted is an everyday occurrence.
Back when I was human, assassins were sent by the demonic races.
After becoming an undead, I've been fighting against humanity.
Furthermore, the will of the world itself intervened, attempting to obliterate me.
It's a situation I'm thoroughly accustomed to.
Being told now of a predestined ruin holds little resonance in my heart.
That said, I had no intention of letting my guard down.
The warning came from the Great Spirit herself.
Somewhere in this world, an event aimed at killing me has surely begun to unfold.
There's no harm in staying cautious.
"Indeed, you've taken it all in stride. You must be exhausted," Diera remarked, sounding as though it were someone else's problem.
Her lack of gravitas made me genuinely concerned.
Of course, she likely didn't care about such things.
Having lost the title of Demon Lord, she seemed thoroughly at ease.
I suddenly had a thought and posed a question to Diera.
"As for how to live as the Demon Lord, do you have any advice? I'd like to hear the previous one's opinion."
"Ah, right..."
Diera furrowed her brow, pulling a difficult expression.
She was still someone who had held the position of Demon Lord.
Her years of tormenting humanity and forging an age of darkness were no empty boast.
Her tenure as Demon Lord was far longer than mine.
Someone like her must have discovered some secret.
"..."
Diera fell silent for a moment.
She appeared to be thinking deeply, her expression serious.
Eventually, she looked up, raised an arm, and delivered her answer with force.
"If you're stuck, just solve it with a punch! Might makes right, after all."
"I see..."
I offer only hollow nods in reply.
It seems they'd do better to figure out the answer on their own.