Several days later, the surrounding nations began moving to reclaim the republic.
Multiple nations launched simultaneous invasions.
They must have coordinated behind the scenes to synchronize their timing.
This was largely as anticipated.
Since the spies had already obtained the information, we had a rough idea of their plans beforehand.
I had also issued preemptive instructions for this.
The Demon Lord's army stationed within the republic responded defensively to the approaching recapture forces.
They entrenched themselves while unleashing hordes of undead.
The purpose was to buy time by minimizing losses among the living.
While the undead served as sacrifices, I would teleport my subordinates and withdraw them from the front lines.
Some of the undead left on the battlefield were eliminated by the recapture forces.
Undead merely sent charging forward without command were nothing more than targets for the enemy.
Furthermore, the opposing side had also prepared holy magic.
Despite inflicting some casualties, the undead were systematically annihilated across each battlefield.
The recapture forces were achieving their victories smoothly.
Due to this consecutive defeat, the Demon Lord's army had expended a considerable number of undead.
That said, it was not a significant loss.
Now, the number of undead in our possession is vast.
Recently, the slave autonomous zone has also been providing corpses.
If I so desired, I could generate various types of undead.
Even if corpses run dry, I am in a state where I can add expendable forces almost without limit.
The losses this time are, to put it bluntly, equivalent to the margin of error.
It was not a matter I needed to worry about much.
On the other hand, regarding the army invading territory that is not the Republic—the original Demon King's domain—I have been counterattacking without question.
Under Henry's leadership, we have defeated them one after another, and I hear we have not suffered a single defeat.
Incidentally, the demonic races are also participating this time.
I hear they performed splendidly on the front lines.
Most of the demonic races are those who underwent unwilling mutations due to Balk's strategies.
It seems they now view their own bodies positively and are utilizing them effectively.
This is a very good trend.
We must try to think positively about everything.
That is something I have always been poor at.
In that regard, my subordinates are far more superior.
I am gradually learning from them.
As an aside, there was information that Diera had slipped into the battlefield.
She clad herself in armor of scales and carapace, and ravaged the enemy forces with transcendent spear technique.
There are also testimonies of countless chains of light dancing like rough waves.
The Demon King's army was apparently rampaging with a force that could be described as overwhelming.
I am tacitly approving of that.
I do not have the authority to stop her actions.
It wasn't exactly that she was getting in the way, so whether calling it reinforcement was appropriate was debatable.
Still, there was no doubt she was reliable.
I'd even heard talk among our ranks of soldiers being captivated by the sight of her fighting.
She was quite popular.
As expected of the former Demon Lord.
Even now, she seemed to possess a talent for drawing others to her.
The recent state of the war had that sort of feel to it.
On the battlefields deployed across various fronts, strategic retreats and rapid advances were being conducted.
Especially the former was a result we hadn't seen before.
From other nations' perspectives, the Demon Lord's Domain would likely appear unable to handle a simultaneous war, being pushed back in the Republic they'd only recently conquered.
It could be seen as a long-overdue victory against the nearly undefeated Demon Lord's army.
The people must be rejoicing.
They surely grasped a tangible hope.
For them, it was probably significant progress.
(I need to keep things going smoothly like this.)
I looked up from the report.
Currently, my duties were few.
Perhaps just teleporting our forces engaged in defensive actions to safe zones.
It was a crucial role, but not very "Demon Lord-like."
I couldn't help but wonder if this was enough.
Of course, the flashy parts can be left to others.
I had no desire to stand out, myself.
As the Demon King, I must draw a certain amount of attention, but the important thing is to fulfill my essential role.
Reaching for unnecessary things never leads to anything good.
I must keep that firmly in mind.
As my thoughts churned, the door to the audience chamber opened.
Luciana entered.
She approached me, waving a document.
"Demon King Summer, I have a bit of news."
"What is it?"
"It seems the human army had a hero."
"What?"
I reacted to her words.
This was not something I could ignore.
Setting aside my report, I urged Luciana to continue.
During the recapture battles in the Republic, there were apparently two exceptionally strong individuals.
They were the "Valkyrie" affiliated with the Holy Staff Nation and the "Steel Knight" of the Magitek Kingdom.
Having crossed the northern part of the former Demon Territory, they had rushed to the Republic to fight.
They were currently stationed in the reclaimed territories.
"Both heroes are apparently fairly famous within their own nations. I wonder if they were just that desperate to save the Republic."
"I see."
"So, what will you do? Rush in to kill him?"
"No, I'll observe for a while. We won't make the first move."
A hero is a person of concern, but for now, we want to keep them alive.
For the people, a hero is a necessary existence.
They are hope itself.
If we kill too many, they will be on the verge of despair.
Of course, if the hero's actions become something we can't overlook, I intend to eliminate them.
Since it's unclear whether the will of the world is involved, I don't want to actively defeat them anyway.
The old me would have disposed of them immediately.
But the situation is different now.
It's not enough to just keep winning.
Pretending to lose is also becoming necessary.
Luciana, sensing my policy, smiled lightly and shrugged.
"You, the Demon Lord, are as kind as ever. In Lady Diera's time, this would be an immediate kill, you know?"
"I'm not being kind. I simply have different goals than my predecessor."
This kind of fine-tuning is very difficult.
Back when I was a sage, these were things I didn't need to think about.
At that time, I only had to keep defeating the demon race.
There was no leeway to hold back.
If I truly wished to destroy the world, the approach would be similar.
Simply launch relentless invasions with full force.
A barrage of forbidden spells would be effective as well.
Just by indiscriminately spreading destruction, the world would naturally wither.
However, what the real me aimed for was human unity against the great evil known as the Demon King, and the preservation of world peace through it.
Indiscriminate warfare could not be condoned.
Even if a hero appeared, I would have to conceal my true intentions while dealing with it.
"Then I'll keep the two heroes under surveillance over here. I'd like to conduct some interference operations as well, but may I proceed at my discretion?"
"Ah, leave it to you."
I placed my trust in Luciana as she left the room with energetic purpose.
In matters of that sort, Luciana's skill was second to none.
She would show no less than cunning maneuvering even when facing heroes themselves.
In stark contrast to her free-spirited personality, she always worked with utmost diligence.
She was an exceedingly reliable executive.
I leaned back against the throne.
Resting my cheek in my hand, I let my eyes fall to the documents before me.
(This is where the true battle begins...)
The Demon King's territory was being strengthened dramatically.
Meanwhile, the various nations were beginning to form alliances, raising my subjugation as their banner.
Individuals powerful enough to be called heroes were starting to join the fray as well.
More than ever before, I will be forced to make choices that test the limits of my resolve. My decisions alone will alter the course of the world. I must stand ready to face these trials with every ounce of resolve I possess.