Two days later, a feast of victory was held in the Royal Capital.
Every last of the beasts from the outer world had been exterminated.
With the source of chaos removed, a fleeting peace had descended upon the continent.
The castle town was also holding its own festival, and it was quite lively.
People of various races were enjoying themselves, making as much noise as they wished.
I was in a room within the castle.
This was a space only a select few were permitted to enter.
I thought it would be more relaxing to enjoy the festivities from here.
However, that assumption turned out to be a grave mistake.
"Dwight! Oh, Dwight!"
Striding toward me with long legs, glass held aloft, was Diera.
Her face was flushed red as she smiled.
She was clearly quite far gone in her cups.
Diera swayed and stumbled, collapsing toward me.
I deployed a barrier before she could collide with it.
She ended up clinging to the barrier, then straightened up with a disgruntled expression.
I spoke to her.
"What is it?"
"A toast!"
So saying, Diera raised her glass high.
I held up the glass in my hand.
Diera brought her arm down with a cheerful swing.
Our glasses collided with a high-pitched ring that echoed.
Thanks to her inebriation, Diera had lost control of her force.
If I hadn't reinforced my glass at the last second, it would have spectacularly shattered.
Diera, who had exploded along with her pseudo-golem, was unscathed like this.
She had revived on her own from the remains of her incapacitated golem.
Henry, who had likewise survived, was currently forcing alcohol on Logan.
Logan looked quite bothered, but he was reluctantly accepting it.
Perhaps he'd grown tired of the hassle of refusing.
I looked around the room.
Dolda and Yura had been at this gathering earlier, but were now attending the feast with the Demon Lord Army's rank-and-file soldiers.
When I checked with far-seeing magic, it seemed to be in full swing.
Seated at the edge of the room, Luciana was enjoying her wine while gazing out at the night view.
"Still the same sour expression, I see," Diera said, peering in at me.
Her gaze held a hint of pity, for some reason.
"I'm a skeleton. I can't change my expression."
"That's not what I meant. You're just so stubborn," Diera sighed dramatically.
A large shadow loomed behind them. With flames flickering in one eye socket, it was Grom, moments from exploding in fury.
"Elder... how dare you be so insolent to His Majesty the Demon King—"
"I am Dwight's senior! That means I can do whatever I want!"
"Grrgh, sophistry..."
Grom flinched back, looking utterly vexed. It wasn't as if being the Demon King's senior automatically entitled one to do as one pleased. Her argument was less than sophistry. Yet Grom seemed cowed by Diera's bold proclamation.
I masked my presence and shifted, moving away unobtrusively. Diera and Grom were bickering. The best course was to leave them be until they calmed down.
I made my way to Luciana. She glanced at the pair with a resigned expression.
"Those two are always fighting, aren't they? It's like dealing with children, honestly."
"..."
I stared at Luciana in silence. She didn't look like she was joking. She herself, I recall, was the one who most often sparred verbally with Grom. That memory dated back to the very early days.
"Did the Demon Lord just have a rude thought about me just now?"
"...You're imagining things."
I shake my head in denial.
Luciana has sharp intuition.
I shouldn't be thinking unnecessary thoughts.
After that, we exchanged idle chatter while enjoying the night view.
Luciana drained her wine glass and rose from her seat.
"Well, I'm going to go show my face to my subordinates. Demon Lord, you make sure you enjoy tonight properly, okay?"
"Understood."
I nod, and Luciana exits through the door.
As if taking her place, a presence appeared behind me.
Not that of a superior officer.
Turning around, I saw the Great Spirit standing there.
I concealed my confusion and asked her.
"Why are you here?"
"Was I a bother?"
"Not that. I just wasn't expecting it."
Having the Great Spirit at a banquet was quite a strange sight.
Even if invited, I never thought she would come.
This time we had a common enemy and cooperated, but fundamentally, we couldn't be called allies.
It was simply that there was no opportunity for hostility to arise.
I picked up the empty glass resting on the nearby table.
Pouring fruit wine into it, I handed the glass to the Great Spirit.
"Do you drink?"
"Thank you."
The Great Spirit accepted the glass, brought it to where her mouth would be, and tilted it.
The contents gradually diminished.
Setting the glass aside, the Great Spirit changed the subject.
"I thank you for your assistance this time. Thanks to you, the beasts of the outer world have been exterminated."
"I should be the one thanking you," I replied honestly.
This was the truth.
Without the Great Spirit, the damage would have been far greater.
Her taking the initiative was nothing short of fortunate.
"What about the other defensive mechanisms?"
"The majority have completed their purpose and fallen asleep. Some individuals may not awaken for several hundred years. I will also enter dormancy. Should anything arise, I will make contact through Yura."
"I see."
The defensive mechanisms existed to protect the world.
Now that the threat of the beasts was gone, they were no longer in a state where they could manifest freely.
"..."
The Great Spirit fell silent there.
She stood still, gazing about the room.
An oddly awkward atmosphere.
I inquired tentatively, "Is there something more?"
"No. There is nothing."
The Great Spirit, replying somewhat hastily, let her form grow translucent.
Just when I thought she would vanish entirely, she spoke up midway.
"I nearly forgot. I have one piece of advice to give. Regarding that immense power of yours, you must be exceedingly careful in how you use it."
"So it won't become a target for the defense mechanism's attacks," I answered.
The Great Spirit nodded.
After a brief pause, she murmured, "I do not wish to be your enemy."
"I share that sentiment."
"That is well, then. My apologies for the interruption during your feast."
This time, the Great Spirit truly vanished.
Her presence was no longer perceptible at all.
She must have entered dormancy somewhere.
"General, it's terrible trouble! Logan's collapsed! Use magic to heal him!"
Henry's voice called out.
I looked over to see Logan being shaken.
He looked like a corpse.
Probably from drinking too much.
I stood up and walked over to them.
"…Ah, I understand."
The Demon Lord's army had overcome its desperate plight, but countless problems still remained.
However, a little break now and then was probably necessary.
I decided to enjoy this moment for now.