While I stood there dumbfounded, Diera and Henry continued their match.
She had challenged him again without learning her lesson.
Henry was more than willing to indulge her.
As a battle maniac, he fundamentally loved anything competitive.
I had heard that a gambling den had sprung up in the Royal Capital, and that Henry had been frequenting it.
As it happened, Diera was apparently a regular there as well, and word was she always lost spectacularly.
The majesty of the former Demon Lord had been completely stripped away.
It was hard to believe she was once my nemesis.
Each time I received one of these pathetic reports, I was left with an indescribable feeling.
Eventually, dusk arrived.
The match ended after Diera had suffered a total of ten consecutive defeats.
Henry left the room with a bottle of wine in one hand.
Having delivered a merciless ten-game sweep, he was in high spirits.
It must have felt incredibly satisfying.
Meanwhile, a half-tearful Diera took the seat across from me.
She let out her complaints in a trembling voice.
"That man does not seem to know the meaning of mercy. I am the former Demon Lord, you know?"
"In battle, Henry never compromises. Surely you know that."
"That may be so, but..."
Diera groaned in discontent.
She had no words to offer in rebuttal.
She herself knew she couldn't criticize Henry.
I question Diera, who is like that.
"If you're that dissatisfied, shall you face me in the next match?"
"No! You're trying to lead me into winning, aren't you! That's worse than going easy on me!"
Diera points at me and shouts.
It was a harsh pursuit.
In truth, I was planning to let her win subtly, so I couldn't retort.
Diera was utterly hopeless at battles on a board.
There were several other types, but she was bad at all of them.
Among them, the strategy-based ones held the title of her absolute weakest.
Among the Demon Lord Army's executives, Luciana, Henry, and Yura reigned as the strongest.
I, Grom, and Logan were probably in the middle tier.
The others had unstable victory records, being roughly equal in skill.
Only if the setting were based on pirate ship battles would Dolda perhaps leap to the top.
Among all of them, Diera was always last.
After complaining for a while, Diera rests her cheek on her hand and looks over at me.
Her eyes had already regained their composure.
With a nonchalant expression, she poses a question.
"By the way, what do you intend to do going forward?"
"Are you referring to wars of conquest?"
"Indeed. I thought the time might be near to make a major move."
Diera spoke as she tapped her finger on the desk.
I had indeed been considering a strategy, but I hadn't shared it with her.
In fact, I hadn't even informed my other subordinates yet.
I had planned to reveal it once the specifics were solidified, but she had seen through me.
She is remarkably perceptive in matters like this.
Diera always reads ahead.
She possesses a keen eye for observation and a broad perspective.
It was almost puzzling why she was so weak at the board game.
Since there was nothing particularly secret about it, I decided to tell her.
"I am considering establishing a Demon King's Castle on each continent to apply pressure on the nations across the sea."
"My, my. That is a grand plan indeed. However, if you build a castle on each continent, who will be responsible? Will you manage everything yourself?"
"I plan to conduct inspections personally, but I will appoint a person in charge for each castle. The basic operations will be entrusted to the local heads."
On this continent, each nation is wary of the Demon King.
A similar reaction is seen beyond the continent, but since it involves crossing the sea, there is no immediate sense of urgency.
The farther a region is from the Demon King's territory, the stronger this tendency becomes.
It wasn't uncommon for small-scale conflicts to still be occurring in some areas.
It was all regarded as a foreign matter.
I must convey that this threat is aimed at the entire world.
Setting up Demon Lord castles across each continent wasn't particularly difficult.
Securing suitable land, building a castle and city there, and establishing a research facility was all that was required.
If the Director relocated, the defenses would be perfect.
After that, it was simply a matter of progressing through base construction sequentially.
The Director, a unique Phantom, possessed the ability of multiple existence.
She was in a state where her numbers could be increased without limit.
This was fundamentally different from mere clones.
Every single one of the countless Directors was the original.
If she knew she could conduct research on a new continent, the Director would consent to relocate.
If she resided in the castles on each continent, most concerns would be resolved.
It was an entirely unexpected outcome, yet she became the Demon Lord's Army's strongest shield.
While picturing the Director eagerly preparing for her journey, Diera made a casual suggestion.
"If it is your wish, I shall assist as well?"
"I appreciate it."
"There is no need to mind. On the surface, I am a neighbor, but by now I am plainly serving within the Demon Lord's Army."
Diera said this as if resigned to the fact.
Though they hadn't interacted much before, she was a distinguished member of the Demon Lord's Army.
It was a status recognized by both herself and others.
Gaining Diera's help would be reassuring.
Powerful combat strength was still a valuable commodity.
It also has centripetal force, so in that respect too, trust can be built.
"Even at the earliest, it will be several years from now. Just remember that it will be implemented eventually."
"Understood. I might carelessly forget, but if that happens, just explain it to me again."
Diera said that and stood up.
She glanced at the abandoned board and pieces, her face souring.
Just as she was about to leave the room, she turned back at the last moment.
"Dwight."
"What is it?"
When I responded, Diera's expression suddenly vanished.
Those eyes belonged to one who had once fought against the world.
She bared her fangs in a fearless grin.
"If it's you... you might actually make the eternal Demon King a reality."
"...That is my intention."
"Kuhaha! That's the spirit! I'll be rooting for you!"
Satisfied, Diera nodded and waved as she left the room.
I unconsciously relaxed the tension in my shoulders.
The previous Demon King's majesty was still very much active.