"Well, that was quite the opponent once again! I nearly lost my life this time. I must admit, they possessed the power befitting their self-proclaimed demigod status."
In a room of the royal castle, Grom spoke with exaggerated emphasis.
Seated in a chair, he laughed heartily.
It was hard to believe he'd been reduced to powder just a short while ago.
Grom had revived by infusing my magical power and miasma into him.
It even seemed, somehow, that his strength had increased.
His immortality was, as ever, formidable.
I was confident Grom could be revived, but his return was so smooth and immediate that I felt something close to exasperation.
Swallowing my mixed feelings, I asked him.
"Are you fully recovered?"
"Oh, absolutely! I'm in peak condition! As you can see, there isn't a single injury to be found. It's all thanks to the Demon King. I truly am grateful."
"Don't worry about it. Protecting my subordinates is my duty."
Seeing Grom stand and bow, I felt a secret wave of relief.
He had faced the demigod with considerable resolve.
Respecting that will had resulted in Grom sustaining damage severe enough to risk annihilation.
While Grom's struggle decided the outcome of the battle, if even one small thing had been different, he might not have been revivable.
When I thought about it, surviving alongside Grom felt like great fortune.
"The only thing I regret is not being able to witness the Demon King's magnificent battle. How did you defeat the demigod?"
"Hmm, let me see..."
I recalled the fight.
As I was about to begin speaking, tracing back through my memories, the door to the room opened.
Moving with agile grace, it was Diera, the former Demon Lord, who appeared.
She saw Grom and let out a cry.
"Oh! You've been resurrected safely, haven't you!"
Diera rushed over and touched Grom without restraint.
She seemed to be confirming he was unharmed, but Grom himself flickered the flames in his eye sockets irritably.
"Former Lord. Did you not see the 'Keep Out' notice posted on the door? What possible reason did you have for interrupting the Demon Lord's conversation?"
"Don't be so stern. We're old friends."
Diera laughed heartily and slapped Grom on the shoulder.
Grom looked annoyed.
He wasn't retaliating, presumably because I was present. He knew he would be scolded if they started fighting.
"I came here to see you both. I heard you fought a desperate battle against a demi-god. I'm glad to see you're both well."
As she chatted familiarly with Grom, Diera rummaged in her pocket.
What she placed on the table was a small glass vial.
It was filled with a clear liquid.
"Here, it's wine for the undead. Drink it and be grateful."
I observed the wine.
Just looking at it gave me a sensation akin to a headache.
The liquid was clearly imbued with holy energy.
Just bringing my hand near the bottle made my fingertips tingle faintly.
"...Where did you get this?"
"I made it myself! A finest creation with holy magic infused into firewine. The taste is remarkably smooth."
Diera explained with pride.
It seemed she prepared it with good intentions, but this contained far too much holy energy.
She had probably gotten too enthusiastic during its creation.
This drink wouldn't harm a living being if consumed.
In fact, for a set period, it should grant resistance against the undead.
However, if someone like me or Grom were to drink it, it would work with effects akin to a lethal poison.
It would dissolve our bodies from the inside out.
It was far more vicious than clumsy holy magic.
Diera had handed over such a thing with a smile.
There was no malice in her expression.
She truly seemed to have made it solely as a get-well gift.
Realizing this, I quietly accepted the bottle of liquor.
"...I'll have some later. Thank you."
"I'll be waiting for your thoughts on the taste!"
Diera said, looking pleased with herself.
Being this eager made it impossible to brush off.
I decided I would try a sample when I had made full preparations.
Unless it is completely purified, anything could be done.
After that, we engaged in trivial chatter.
When we reached a natural pause, Diera stood up.
"Well then, it is about time I took my leave. I must go inspect the new-model tank."
Come to think of it, her modified tank had been utterly destroyed in the battle against the Steel Knights.
She had been so demoralized that she might have taken days to recover, but it seemed she had already overcome her defeat.
She was tackling things positively.
I had tacitly permitted her involvement in weapons development, even though she was not part of the Demon Lord’s Army.
I had intended to stop her if she went too far.
Diera also understood her limits, so there was no need for me to interfere.
Diera, who had opened the room’s door, turned to look back at me.
She wiped the smile from her face and called my name.
"…Dwight."
"What is it."
"Your will is truly awe-inspiring. Continue to uphold your own justice from now on as well. I will be cheering you on."
Diera spoke in an affectionate tone.
I was surprised by her unexpected words, but I nodded in return.
"…I know."
"Kukuku, what a fine expression."
Diera chuckled lightly and, this time, left the room.
The sound of hurried footsteps quickly faded into the distance.
Grom shook his head without hiding his exasperation.
"He's as loud as ever, isn't he..."
"Quite."
That was just Diera being Diera. There was nothing new to say about it now.
As the conversation lapsed in the room, Grom remembered something and addressed me.
"By the way, what are your plans for the future? It seems the Holy Staff Nation and the Arcane Artifice Nation have suffered considerable damage with the loss of their new heroes."
"I intend to discuss matters with Luciana. Grom, I want you to participate as well."
"Leave it to me! I will wring every drop of knowledge from my being and prove my usefulness to the Demon Lord!"
Grom straightened his spine and saluted.
Absolute loyalty was evident in that gesture.
Even if it meant his own destruction, he would never betray me.
That much conviction and resolve was palpable.
Of course, a situation leading to Grom's destruction was unlikely to occur so easily.
Even if he were completely defeated, he would likely revive in a few days as if nothing had happened.
As I watched my reliable retainer, I reflected on the events of this time.
*(Once more, I take a step further down the path of tyranny.)*
It's a cliché expression, but I bear the weight of the lives sacrificed. And now, a demigod has been added to that count.
I had trampled upon his justice.
Having emerged victorious in battle, I must now strive for further advancement.
World peace was drawing ever closer to realization.
I had intended to thoroughly subjugate the undying evil and take command of the world's current, just as it was.