After hearing the acting clan leader's words, I fell into thought for a moment.
Then I replied in an even tone.
"Tell me the details. The answer comes after that."
"Understood…"
The acting clan leader nodded and began to explain the full account.
According to her explanation, the incident traced back about ten days.
A human army had suddenly appeared in the forest and requested the provision of trees.
Naturally, the elf clan refused.
All the resources within the World Tree Forest were not things that could be handed over lightly.
It was an ancient custom for the elves to protect them unless there were extraordinary circumstances.
The human army, denied the trees, obediently withdrew at the time.
But several days later, they made an even more forceful move.
They invaded the World Tree Forest and began felling trees without permission.
Outraged, the elves immediately launched a counterattack.
However, the human army's fighting force was overwhelming, and they couldn't hold their own.
Even factoring in the home-field advantage, they couldn't overcome the numerical gap of several dozen to one.
Elves were being captured in droves, and the situation even escalated to part of the forest being set on fire.
"Faced with this dire situation, we convened an emergency council. A peaceful resolution through dialogue was no longer possible. Everyone proposed strategies to repel the human army. Among them…"
"So the proposal to seek assistance from the current Demon King was put forward."
"…Yes. There were objections, but it was pushed through in this manner. We had no other effective options."
The acting clan leader spoke with a bitter expression.
Judging from the way she put it, she was likely the one who proposed using the Demon King.
Apparently, there were those who opposed it.
"By the way, which nation is the one invading?"
"The Empire. There's no mistake—I saw the banner's crest."
The acting clan leader answered with hatred in her voice.
Her tone alone conveyed how she felt.
She must be harboring emotions beyond what I could fathom.
The Empire was a nation neighboring the World Tree Forest.
It was a powerful state that had grown by swallowing up smaller countries around it.
In the sense that it had strengthened itself through war, it shared a similar trajectory with the current Demon King's territory.
Within that Empire, human supremacy was rampant.
Non-human demi-humans were degraded and bought and sold as slaves.
While the institution of slavery existed in other countries as well, it was especially pronounced in the Empire.
Treatment was atrocious, and even demi-humans who weren't slaves faced discrimination.
Compared to the surrounding nations, these customs remained deeply entrenched.
It was so bad that it was well known for causing significant friction with foreign countries.
(Why is the Empire cutting down the trees?)
They had specifically targeted the World Tree Forest.
It couldn't simply be about lumber.
The Empire's vast territory alone should have provided more than enough timber.
That left only one possibility.
The blessing of the World Tree Forest.
The trees in that forest harbored the power of spirits and possessed sacred energy.
This was a quality that ordinary trees could not replicate.
Their rarity was immense—I recalled them being auctioned at considerable prices in underground markets.
The question was why the Empire wanted sacred power at this particular time.
Simple fundraising seemed unlikely.
They must have some specific use in mind, which was why they were trying to seize the forest.
(—A countermeasure against the Demon King?)
I considered various hypotheses, but that was the only one that made sense.
The Empire was a nation that had risen to power by devouring warfare.
They might be preparing comprehensive anti-undead measures before launching an invasion of the Demon King's territory.
A country like that might even plan to seize the entire territory in one fell swoop.
If that were their only aim, it would be one thing.
The Empire had long schemed to acquire the World Tree Forest.
Beyond resources, obtaining the elves as personnel was another objective.
However, executing such a plan would inevitably draw condemnation from surrounding nations.
It would also turn demi-humans against them.
Even for the Empire, they didn't want enemies on multiple fronts.
That was precisely why they had held back from making any major moves.
But now, the situation had changed entirely.
Under the righteous pretext of a Demon King subjugation, they could now openly carry out what amounted to an invasion under the banner of cooperation.
The Empire's true aim was likely both the Demon King's territory and the World Tree Forest.
If my assessment was correct, this was an outrageously greedy scheme.
But it was entirely plausible.
The history the Empire had written as an aggressor nation told the story.
Most of this was speculation on my part, but it was unlikely to be far off the mark.
If I had my spies investigate intensively, the truth would become clear.
In any case, the fact that the Empire was invading the World Tree Forest was indisputable.
One way or another, this was going to lead to turbulent developments.
Humanity was joining hands across nations and races to kill the Demon King.
Through that, a pseudo-peace would be born.
The Empire's actions trampled upon that ideal.
They were thinking only of themselves.
If they truly intended to cooperate, they should have formally proposed an alliance.
Instead, they were bypassing that process and marching into the forest.
This was not a method that aligned with the world peace I was pursuing.
Something had to be done—that much was certain.
"There were rumors that the current Demon King particularly despised humanity. If that was true, I believed that you would surely save us demi-humans, the elves."
The acting clan leader spoke while studying my reaction.
I was somewhat surprised to learn that such rumors were circulating.
It was true that the Demon King's army had, up until now, only massacred humans.
There had been no attacks on demi-humans.
The elves had interpreted that in a positive light.
"I am fully aware that clinging to you, the Demon King, is presumptuous. But please—I beg you, save us elves…"
The acting clan leader prostrated herself deeply.
A beat later, the other elves followed suit, bowing their heads.
They had been pushed to the absolute brink.
That was why they were seeking help from a Demon King who had destroyed an entire nation.
Even at the risk of being killed, they were trying to save their clan.
Standing before them, I spoke without emotion.
"I refuse your offer. The Demon King's army will not save the elf clan. Up until now, it was simply convenient to destroy humans and humans alone. I have absolutely no intention of favoring demi-humans."
This was my unvarnished truth.
If I took the elves' side, the impression would spread that the current Demon King was an ally of demi-humans.
That could lead to an all-out war between humans and demi-humans.
Conflict would escalate between two factions, creating a world far removed from my ideal.
If it were me in my former life, I would have been the first to lend a hand.
I would have devoted my power for their sake.
Surely he would have done the same.
But the current me was the Demon King.
The Demon King had to be a menace to all.
If I showed favor to any one faction, the very purpose of my existence would crumble.
I must not be a Demon King who "saves."
I was reigning as a Demon King who "kills."
"Th-That's…"
The acting clan leader raised her face in despair.
Among the elves behind her, an air of resignation began to seep out.
Some even turned hostile looks my way, born of bitter resentment.
They clearly hadn't expected to be refused so coldly.
Watching their reactions play out as predicted, I continued.
"However, there remains one path for you to avoid the Empire's devastation."
"W-What is it?! We will do anything—anything at all—if it means our clan can survive!"
The acting clan leader desperately pressed for words.
This was no empty promise made on the spot.
She had resolve.
The kind of resolve that would let her throw away her life without hesitation for the sake of her clan.
She was quite the remarkable individual.
Someone of this caliber could be trusted with a difficult choice.
Having made that judgment, I addressed her.
"—Servitude. Accept the Demon King's rule. In exchange, I will repel the Empire's invasion."