The questions raised by the Great Spirit had clearly shifted the atmosphere in the room.
Tense silence once again descended.
It was a mood where careless remarks were impossible.
The Great Spirit was staring intently at me.
She was the very picture of seriousness.
As a defensive mechanism, she was likely sizing me up.
In this atmosphere where no one dared to speak lightly, Gwen's smile deepened with amusement.
Unbelievably, she feigned surprise deliberately.
"Oh my, Great Spirit. Were you opposed to this proposal?"
"I am not opposed. I merely have something to confirm first."
The Great Spirit shook her head and rose from her chair.
Her demeanor was quiet.
No flicker of emotion was visible.
Yet, the pressure emanating from her entire being was real.
"I understand your plan. Its realization is certainly possible. However, it would grant tremendous power to the previous Hero. With power surpassing the Demon King, they could accomplish anything."
That observation was precise.
Gwen's plan had a flaw.
The process of solving the current problem would involve concentrating power in the hands of the former Hero.
Indeed, this plan would resolve the situation.
However, this time, that person's existence would become something that could not be ignored.
A power of unfathomable magnitude dwells within her.
It was a force on a scale where its application alone could determine the fate of the world.
It was power that should never have been entrusted to a single individual.
Gwen's explanation had touched only on the advantages, deliberately sidestepping the crucial point of its inherent dangers.
It was a classic move of hers.
Everyone had noticed.
Hence, the Great Spirit had posed the questions on their behalf.
"The risk of the Hero going berserk, and your resolve to dispose of her should the worst come to pass. Those are the two points you're most concerned about, I presume."
"Yes, precisely."
The Great Spirit affirmed this.
In response, Gwen narrowed her eyes.
She showed no sign of being rattled. It seemed she had anticipated questions of this nature.
Unfazed, Gwen playfully poked my cheek with her finger.
"Come now, Harvelt. Don't hold back."
Her tone was familiar, yet her smile held a deep, inscrutable meaning.
She might look like she was merely toying with the situation, but that couldn't be the whole of it.
She was testing me.
Just like with the others, she was seeking my true feelings.
(...I have no choice but to speak.)
I steeled myself and rose to my feet.
This was a confrontation that could not be avoided.
It could not be glossed over in any way.
Every person in the room turned to look at me in unison.
Reactions varied, but all shared the same focused intensity, determined not to miss a single word of what I was about to say.
A silence so profound it was painful gripped the chamber.
Bathed in their gazes, I gathered my thoughts.
Once I had organized my words in my mind, I spoke my true feelings.
"As the Demon Lord, being slain by the Hero is my truest desire. If my end came by that person's hand, I would have no complaints whatsoever."
A quiet murmur rippled through the room in response to my opening statement.
It was probably not what anyone had expected.
Grom even went so far as to slump out of his chair.
"Lord Demon Lord—"
"However, I am unfortunately not in a position to be granted such a luxury. I bear the weight of the world as the necessary evil."
I continued, voicing my true thoughts over his protest.
The murmur subsided almost immediately.
This, it seemed, was what everyone had anticipated.
A visibly relieved Grom settled back into his seat.
I placed both hands on the round table and addressed the assembled group.
I was about to give my answer to the Great Spirit, then stopped myself.
It wasn't a deliberate pause. I had hesitated over what came next.
(How pathetic...)
Mocking myself inwardly, I nonetheless steeled my resolve.
Putting it into words required courage, but there was no turning back now.
If I gave up, I would lose the trust of my subordinates.
My very existence as a Demon Lord would be shaken.
This was a declaration to myself.
The act of declaring held meaning.
After countless internal conflicts, I finally hardened my will.
And I proclaimed it to my followers.
"If that person denies me, I will oppose them with all my might. To surpass the Hero is the Demon Lord's duty."