A few days later, I was in the audience chamber as usual, handling administrative work.
By separating the territory into a subordinate state, I had reduced my domain and cut down on miscellaneous tasks.
Even so, there was still much to be done.
Requests for my approval from various regions were pouring in.
I delegated as much as I could to my subordinates, but the volume of work arriving was immense.
Going through the documents piling up on my desk, I steadily worked through them.
In the middle of this, I suddenly paused.
(What is this...)
I picked up one document and stared intently at it.
Luciana, noticing my change in demeanor, asked with puzzlement.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm concerned about the contents of this report."
I handed the document in question to Luciana.
It concerned the voices of the people from various places.
It seemed the people were calling for the return of a hero.
They were taking the ever-growing threat of the Demon King's army very seriously.
Similar reactions were reportedly occurring even outside the continent.
Just like when the previous Demon King was defeated, everyone was hoping for the appearance of a hero.
The report listed the specific scale and regions of such voices.
Since it involved an event related to a hero, the document had been routed all the way to me.
Having glanced over the contents, Luciana adopted a satisfied expression.
After a moment of thought, she handed the document back.
"Ah, the return of the hero... Do you really think one will appear?"
"A possibility, perhaps. It has always been heroes who defeat the Demon Lord."
The return of the hero was something always considered.
They were the archenemy of the Demon Lord.
In fact, there had been times a hero awakened in tandem with his own manifestation.
A young man who had been nothing more than a soldier suddenly awakened to the power of the holy sword.
He became the first person the protagonist killed with his memento sword.
He remembered that battle clearly even now.
Given such events in the past, a second occurrence would not be strange.
However, for a hero to be able to oppose him now would mean they possessed world-scale influence.
Should one appear, they could not be ignored.
The risk had to be considered that this new Demon Lord could truly destroy the world.
They would have to be eliminated immediately.
Luciana turned her gaze to Grom, who was working silently beside her.
Leaning back in her chair, she spoke to him.
"Hey, Bone Minister. What do you think?"
"A foolish question. No hero who could defeat the Demon Lord exists."
Without looking up from the documents he was glaring at, Grom declared.
He stood up heroically and, pressing his fist to his chest, made a declaration.
"If some half-baked fool dares to call himself a hero, I shall deal with him personally. I'll make sure not a single shred of flesh remains in this world."
"Ahaha, how scary. In your case, that's no joke, is it..."
Luciana shrugged and shook her head.
I shared her sentiment.
Grom would not hesitate to fight even if the opponent was a hero.
And he would surely emerge victorious, just as he had declared.
"My Demon Lord, I am always at the ready! Even if it is at the ends of the earth, I shall go forth, so please give your orders freely!"
"...Yes, I'm counting on you."
Responding to Grom's fervor, I was somewhat overwhelmed.
It was as though a hero had already appeared before us with such intensity, but naturally, that was not the case.
However, his determination had more than adequately come through to me.
In the event of an emergency, I intended to put Grom to good use.
After all, one could never be too cautious about the arrival of a hero.
The will of the world brings the desires of its people to fruition.
There was a risk that it could generate a hero capable of rivaling me as I currently stood.
I intended to use my network of spies to keep watch across all regions, including those beyond the continent.
Having organized my thoughts, I moved to review the next document.
The next instant, the door burst open with force.
Standing there like a statue of a wrathful guardian was Diera.
"You lot, I heard the word 'Hero' just now! I want to join the conversation too!"
"Oh my, Lady Diera. As restless as ever, I see."
"It's a sign of good health. More importantly, what about the Hero?"
Diera strides into the room, and Luciana explains the topic they were just discussing.
Arms crossed, listening intently, Diera's gaze grows distant.
With an unusually serious expression, she murmurs.
"Oh ho. A voice seeking a Hero... much like it was in my time."
"People cling to hope. No matter how fragile and fleeting it is, they have no choice but to rely on it."
"Well said. As expected of a former Sage."
Diera clapped my shoulder, then suddenly leaned in close.
She asked in a low voice.
"The current Demon Lord's threat is known worldwide. What do you intend to do?"
"Apply pressure in various regions to stir up hostility. As long as we can prevent wars between nations, that will suffice. Even if a Hero emerges, our policy will not change."
"Hmm, not bad."
Having slapped my back, Diera returned lightly to the doorway.
Luciana was soothing Grom, who was on the verge of fury.
He must be angry at her attitude toward me.
Ignoring the pair's exchange, Diera elegantly brushed back her hair.
"For now, things are proceeding smoothly, but do not let your guard down. When you truly run into trouble, you may rely on the predecessor. I'll cooperate at a special price."
"...So it is for a fee."
"Of course it is. My gambling debts—well, never mind. Just speak freely, won't you!"
Diera showed an embarrassed face and retreated from the room as if fleeing.
The noisy footsteps quickly receded into the distance.
Following after, Grom rushed out of the room.
He likely intended to lecture Diera.
Luciana, who was left behind, smiled wryly.
She spoke in a whisper.
"She's quite disappointing in many ways, but she does care about you, you know?"
"Ah, I know."
While her problematic words and actions stand out, Diera also possesses qualities befitting the previous Demon King.
Therefore, I trusted her as well.
It would be perfect if she showed a bit more restraint, but demanding that much from her might be asking too.
Listening to Grom's roar echoing from afar, Luciana and I returned to our office work.