That day, I was relaxing in a room within the castle.
It was a game room set up not long ago.
Also present in the room were Diera and Henry.
The two sat facing each other across a table, wearing serious expressions.
On the table lay a board divided into equal squares by lines.
White and black pieces were arranged irregularly upon it, and Diera and Henry took turns moving them.
That was a game that recreated a war in miniature.
It was based on something found in John Doe's memories, which the executives had then independently improved.
In essence, it depicted a battle between the Demon Lord's army and the human army.
The Demon Lord's army started with fewer pieces.
However, by defeating the opponent's pieces, you could add undead pieces to your side.
Synthesizing undead pieces could create more powerful ones, or revive pieces that had been defeated.
Furthermore, certain pieces possessed unique characteristics, being vulnerable only to specific counters.
Ultimately, their strength lay in overwhelming numbers, making them a particularly devastating faction in the endgame.
The opposing human army began with more pieces.
Many pieces had special movement patterns, and numerous ones possessed unique abilities.
Additionally, if pushed into a corner, they could even awaken heroes.
They were strong in the early game, naturally, but remained potent in the late game as well.
Recently, this game had become popular among the Demon Lord's forces.
Everyone was engaging in matches with various strategies and ingenuity.
At first glance it seems like mere play, but it's surprisingly difficult to underestimate. It helps cultivate strategic thinking. It was popular because you could learn while having fun.
"Ugh, this situation is..."
"Hurry up. No long thinks, remember? You're the one who set that rule."
The battle between Diera and Henry was growing heated. I watched the developments on the board.
Currently, Henry commanding the human forces was in the lead. He was generating countless hero pieces, systematically whittling down the Demon King's army's strength.
Eventually, the victor was decided. In the end, the tide of battle didn't turn, and Henry emerged victorious. On the board, the human army had pushed forward, toppling the Demon King's pieces.
Diera lay sprawled on the floor. She flailed her limbs in protest, loudly demanding a rematch.
"The Demon King's army is too weak! Next time, I'll use the human forces! Then I'll absolutely win!"
Lines one wouldn't expect from a former Demon King, but pointing it out would be tactless. It simply shows how absorbed she was in the game. They'd switched sides several times, with her losing five straight, but I chose not to dwell on it.
Watching them reset the pieces, I crossed my arms again.
(...What a peaceful scene.)
Gazing out the window.
The afternoon streets of the city were bustling with people once more.
They lived their prosperous lives, thus contributing to the city's development.
A year had passed since the beasts of the outer world were slain.
On the continent, no conflicts of note had occurred.
The various nations were too preoccupied with reconstruction to spare effort for petty skirmishes.
From the Demon Lord's territory, sporadic attacks were still launched.
Even if not outright destruction, the nations were constantly forced into attrition.
The upper echelons were surely screaming in despair.
They could not enact the policies they had envisioned, pouring all their strength into restoring national power.
A distorted form of peace, yet true peace nonetheless, had been born.
The situation beyond the continent was similar.
The devastation wrought by the beasts was immense.
Furthermore, the defensive mechanisms that countered them had themselves caused no small amount of destruction.
The human nations suffered this double blow.
Countries were releasing stockpiles to commence repairs.
Ironically, a positive economic cycle seemed to be occurring.
Relatively speaking, the people's living standards had improved.
After the beast incident, the Demon Lord's army had occasionally launched expeditions and invasions beyond the continent as well.
However, these were not full-scale attacks.
Employing advanced weaponry to seize temporary control of a region. Then, once the enemy's forces counterattack, they would immediately withdraw. Of course, depending on the situation, some areas were controlled long-term. There are now numerous territories that have effectively become Demon Lord territories. However, the majority of these are places that were originally riddled with poor public order and various problems. These locations are borrowed and established as bases of operation on other continents. While they serve as a factor that provokes wariness among the nations, they have not become a hindrance to state interests. As a result, the number of countries viewing the Demon Lord's Army as a threat has surged dramatically over the past year. Having their lives targeted from beyond the continent as well—all of this is proceeding according to plan. On this continent, my actions have drastically reduced warfare. Interstate wars have ceased entirely, and the people are trying to fight for justice. I intended to start the same process on another continent. The sole ambition I hold aloft is world peace. I have finally been able to bring its realization into view. For that person's sake, I will see this through. "Nooooooaaaaaah! Why can't I wiiiinnn!?!" Diera's shriek snaps me back to reality. Having tumbled from her chair, she was weeping and writhing on the floor. Apparently, she had been defeated again. Interrupted in my thoughts, I scratched my temple with a fingertip.