I stood upon the roof of the castle.
Below me, the Demon Lord's army was forming up.
These were the participants in this subjugation of the hero.
Their total number was two thousand.
The undead made up the vast majority.
Living monsters were few in number.
To minimize collateral damage, a strategy emphasizing quality over quantity was adopted.
Even if they were newly awakened, the opponent was a hero.
I intended to do everything in my power to prevent my allies from being harmed, but I couldn't guarantee how many I could protect.
I was the Demon Lord, and my position entrusted me with the lives of my subjects.
I had no desire to see them die needlessly.
The operation was straightforward.
First, via teleportation magic, we would go to the border territory where the hero was located, and under cover of the post-sunset darkness, launch a surprise assault.
They might have erected barriers to disrupt teleportation, but we could simply power through them with my output.
Since there were no mages who surpassed me, there would be no major impediment to the operation.
After teleportation, we would proceed to massacre the common soldiers.
This also presented no problem.
It was something we had done repeatedly.
They would likely counterattack with holy magic and the like, but its efficacy was limited.
The only true threat was the hero, and I intended to deal with that personally.
There is no need for restraint.
I only need to slaughter with all my might.
Defeating me in a contest of skill is nearly impossible.
The setting sun was casting a blood-red glow across the horizon from where it sank.
Night would be here soon.
The time for the undead.
Perfect for launching an assault.
As I gazed at the sunset, I sensed a presence approaching from behind.
I did not turn around as I identified the newcomer.
"Is the preparation complete?"
As Luciana moved to embrace me from behind, I pushed her away, asking in a businesslike manner.
She smoothly turned and sat down beside me.
With an elegant gesture, she crossed her legs.
"Yes, everything is perfect. We can depart at any moment."
"Very well."
Luciana was highly capable.
She could handle any task without flaw.
In the era of the previous Demon Lord, intelligence and sabotage had been her primary duties.
I remembered well how she had wreaked havoc across various nations.
Her skills remained intact, and she was making great contributions to this new age.
"Hey, Lord Demon."
Luciana fixes her gaze intently upon my face.
Her eyes are the kind you could get lost in.
They carry the peculiar magical power of a succubus.
In my former life, I would have used every ounce of my ability to deploy protective mental magic.
Otherwise, I would have been charmed into becoming her slave.
Of course, charm has no effect on me now.
Meeting her bewitching gaze, I respond calmly.
"What is it?"
"How are you feeling right now?"
"...Why would you ask something like that?"
I'm wary of the sudden question.
I can't read her true intentions from Luciana's expression.
She presses a finger to her lips and smiles.
"Because I'm curious? I want to know your state of mind, Lord Demon."
It seems to be simple curiosity.
It wouldn't be unlike the free-spirited Luciana.
I consider what answer I should give.
A temporary silence settles over the scene.
During which, Luciana waits without interjecting.
As the words formed, I answered quietly.
"My spirits aren't bad. I think I'm calm, even by my own standards. Maybe becoming an undead has dulled my heart."
"Ah, you do seem more composed than when you were human. More mature, perhaps... well, 'more mature' hardly covers it."
"That's a dark joke."
Luciana's blunt words unexpectedly eased the tension from my shoulders.
I can never come up with anything that clever.
Why doesn't it occur to me?
Should I learn from her?
"Hmm...?"
Luciana tilted her head, humming thoughtfully.
For her, she looked unusually troubled.
In the end, she began patting my face.
Even I couldn't stay silent in the face of this.
"Is something still wrong?"
"Are you, perhaps... smiling?"
Luciana asked with a serious expression.
This was no joke like before.
I gave the first answer that came to mind.
"With this face, do you think I could?"
"...Ahahahaha! True! You can't very well smile with just bones, can you!"
At that moment, Luciana burst out laughing for some reason.
She clutched her stomach and rolled on the floor.
Something must have struck a chord with her.
I couldn’t understand it, and likely never could.
After laughing her fill, Luciana caught her breath and stood up.
She stretched and exhaled.
"Mhm, that tone sounds fine then. I worried for nothing."
Only now did I grasp the situation through her words.
Just like with Grom, she had apparently been concerned about me opposing the Hero.
I’d thought she’d just come to kill time.
"I caused you trouble."
"Don’t worry about it. That fussy skeleton had it harder than me. Out of sight, he was endlessly practicing how to speak to you."
Luciana grinned mischievously as she informed me.
It seemed Grom was more troubled than I’d imagined.
He was conscious of not placing any mental burden on me, even if only slightly.
That concern was more welcome than anything.
"By the way, how’s Henry?"
"That human archer? He didn’t say anything in particular. Oh, but he might have grumbled about wanting to eat fresh high-quality meat. A carefree guy, that one."
Luciana answered with a wry smile.
It was entirely characteristic of him.
Perhaps they believe there is no need for concern.
In its own way, that might be a form of trust.
Having learned the condition of my subordinates, I rose and spoke again to Luciana.
"In any case, I am fine. I will fulfill my duty as Demon King until the end."
"Don't hesitate to ask if you're in danger, okay?"
"Ah, I will do that."
When I answered, Luciana's expression changed for just an instant.
It was one filled with warm affection.
However, her expression quickly shifted back to her usual carefree smile.
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Well then, see you later."
Luciana spread the wings on her back and leaped from the roof.
After a graceful glide, she landed on the ground.
She began issuing orders to the surrounding subordinates.
(...It's hard to believe we were once enemies.)
You truly never know how life will turn out.
In my heart, I thanked her.
◆
After parting ways with Luciana, I headed for the audience chamber.
The dim room was empty.
"..."
Fix my gaze on the crystal resting upon a pedestal.
Inside, the remains of that person floated suspended.
I stop before the crystal.
"I am about to face the Hero in battle. It seems I will finally become the true Demon King."
The crystal offers no reaction of any kind.
It simply exists there.
"...What do you think of me, as I am now?"
I chew on the question I have just spoken aloud.
What would she say?
Various possibilities surface in my mind, yet none I could call certain.
I look upon the sword propped against the pedestal.
The keepsake sword I reclaimed when I slew the king.
Since then, I have tended to it with care.
"I will be borrowing you for a while."
Having said my piece, I gently lift the sword into my hands.
I draw the blade from its scabbard and raise it above my head.
At first glance, it is an utterly unremarkable sword.
In truth, it possesses no special abilities.
And yet, this was a renowned blade wielded across countless battles.
A masterwork that had walked alongside the Hero's convictions.
It would be no exaggeration to say her feelings resided within it.
I had never yet used this sword.
I had hesitated to wield it lightly.
But this time, my opponent is a Hero.
Now is the time to use it.
A legendary sword that once slew a Demon Lord, now inherited by the next Demon Lord, to slaughter a new Hero.
I find the irony supremely bitter.
I cannot help but feel the world's cruelty.
I held the drawn blade and used teleportation magic to move to the balcony.
This spot offered a good view from within the castle.
It also drew considerable attention from the ground below.
Below, monsters preparing for war bustled about.
I spotted a figure on the rooftop of a building in the castle town.
Slumped in a chair, quaffing from a wine bottle, was Henry.
He happened to glance up at me and our eyes met.
He showed a fearless grin and lightly raised the bottle.
That was likely his way of cheering me on.
I gave a small nod in return.
Soon, the monsters below noticed me on the balcony.
They all froze instantly, falling completely silent. The mounting excitement, charged with anticipation, swelled to the point of bursting.
(Words are no longer needed)
Having made this judgment, I thrust my sword skyward, pointing its tip at the heavens. The next moment, the Demon Lord Army erupted in explosive jubilation. A frenzy that seemed ready to tear the very air apart. Endless roars echoed over the Royal Capital as the sun set.
And thus began the Demon Lord Army's crusade to slay the Hero.