I traveled to a region situated at the frontier of my domain. Scattered across the exposed earth were charred objects. These cylindrical things were roughly human-sized, tapered at both ends as if squeezed. Strangely, every single one of them bore what looked like wings. They appeared to be the incinerated remains of living creatures. The number strewn about must have been no less than a hundred thousand. From the corpses, I could sense the lingering traces of miasma. It seemed they were beasts of the outer world. (So they had already been defeated.) I looked up at the sky. Far above were Grom and Yura. The two of them were responsible for this battlefield. Presumably, they had engaged in aerial combat. Judging by the circumstances, they had likely come alone without accompanying subordinates. Their judgment posed no problem. When facing opponents capable of flight, bringing along allies who cannot fly naturally becomes a hindrance. It was a sound decision to dispatch only the two of them, who excelled in both mobility and annihilating power, to handle the situation. However, something else caught my attention more. What drew my gaze was near them. There, the Great Spirit was floating.
It seemed she had joined the battle as well.
I never expected she would fight alongside the Demon Lord's army.
Given her personality, I had assumed she would act alone.
When I was still in the audience chamber, she must have been at a different location—she likely appeared while I was on another battlefield.
(It must have been a thoroughly one-sided battle.)
In terms of combat power, it was an impeccable lineup.
No matter how formidable the beasts of the outer world were, they wouldn't have stood a chance.
As I observed the three while contemplating, Grom noticed me.
He descended in a direct plunge.
"My Lord!"
Grom, still shouting, crashed into the ground.
The earth cracked open and a plume of dust rose into the air.
Grom staggered to his feet and crawled out of the crater.
Then, seeing me, he crumpled to his knees.
"Y-You're safe... that is all that matters, my Lord...!"
Grom's voice trembled as he broke into wailing sobs.
Tears streamed from his eye sockets.
The mechanism by which a skeletal body could produce tears was beyond me, but coming from Grom, it didn't feel out of place.
With him, such a reaction didn't seem at all unusual.
I looked Grom over from head to toe.
Minor damages remained.
Those must have been incurred during the battle with the beasts.
"You are injured. Let me heal you immediately."
"No, no! Injuries of this degree are of no consequence whatsoever! They are certainly not severe enough to trouble the Demon Lord."
Grom shook his head violently.
He seemed to be considering me and holding back.
Just then, Yura landed before me.
She spoke upon seeing me.
"Confirming Master's condition—No abnormalities detected. I am pleased by your return."
Though Yura's emotions were hard to read from her expression or voice, she seemed genuinely happy.
I bowed my head to the two.
"You have been through much trouble. I am grateful."
"What are you saying, my lord! Fighting as your vassals is, for us, the most natural thing in the world!"
Grom declared proudly.
Yura nodded in agreement, but immediately added a new fact.
"Report to Master: Individual name Grom was so distraught at Master's absence that his sorties were delayed. He only resumed after being reprimanded by individual name Luciana—"
"Y-Yura! Say no more! I told you that was confidential!"
Grom, flustered, hastily tried to cover Yura's mouth.
However, Yura dodged the approaching arm and created distance.
From there, she stated in a cold tone.
"Objection to individual entity Grom—the target of my report is the Master. Are you suggesting I keep things hidden from the Master?"
"Gu-guh..."
Grom could only groan in frustration.
He seemed to have no words to retort.
To me personally, it was a trivial matter, but it was quite a heated argument.
As I watched silently from the sidelines, unable to interject, the Grand Spirit descended behind me.