Four days later, the Demon King's army was about to depart.
Their destination was the Slave Autonomous Zone.
This time, Grom and Henry had been discussing and drafting a detailed invasion plan.
I also skimmed through it, but nothing particularly stood out.
Incidentally, I intended to wait in the Royal Capital.
I had an unsettling premonition related to the Former Demon Territory.
I thought it best to stay ready to move at any moment.
As for the Slave Autonomous Zone, leaving it to the two of them would likely pose no problem.
The Demon King's army would begin by invading the adjacent autonomous zone.
This time, the objective was set at seizing one-tenth of the entire territory.
Grom and Henry, the two planners, would lead the invasion.
The autonomous zone did not take the form of a nation.
It was ruled independently by local leaders, each controlling their own territory.
It could be described as a gathering of minor states.
Due to this nature, the usual tactic of attacking only the capital, as one would with a normal country, was ineffective.
Therefore, if this attack could suppress the tyranny of the autonomous zone, that would be sufficient.
It would make those within the zone realize they were not outside the demon king's reach.
It would force them to recognize the Demon King as the enemy of all humanity.
That alone would be effective enough.
That said, the autonomous zone served a role on a global scale.
They had been responsible for the permanent supply of manpower to various nations.
The Autonomous Zone profited by selling off the slaves it held to other countries.
Until now, I had carried out mass slaughters across numerous territories and seized land as well.
Countries that could no longer stand under such devastation appeared with increasing frequency.
It was the Autonomous Zone that came to their aid.
As long as the money was paid, they could provide slaves in nearly limitless supply.
They had built up a foundation sufficient to make that possible.
The Autonomous Zone certainly had ethical problems.
If one were to judge by good and evil, it would undoubtedly fall on the side of evil.
It was not a place I particularly wanted to endorse.
If anything, it was a place I wanted to dismantle first and foremost.
However, the Autonomous Zone was still necessary for the world going forward.
The Demon King must not destroy it or bring it under complete control.
Ideally, I would collapse the Slave Autonomous Zone and create a world free of slaves.
But in reality, that was impossible.
Pure idealism alone would cause the world to collapse.
I understood that.
That was why I chose to tolerate the evil that could be compromised on.
It was something I had done ever since becoming the immortal Demon King.
I had to continue making the choices closest to the best possible outcome.
Driven by excessive hypocrisy or hatred, I could have faced ruin someday.
"Then, my lord. I depart."
Grom saluted before me.
Every angle was textbook-perfect.
The flames in his eye sockets blazed with fervent enthusiasm.
I nodded to his passion.
"Take care on your mission. Do not neglect your vigilance under any circumstances."
"I know, I know. I’ll capture it in no time. You just have some tea and wait for me."
Henry clapped me on the back and laughed.
His face was faintly red.
The monster subordinates wore expressions of subtle awkwardness.
(...Perhaps he was at the tavern just before this?)
With Henry, it was possible.
He was always so relaxed.
Perhaps it was the downside of being too accustomed to battle.
It made me question his claimed military experience.
Then again, regarding that matter, there was no need to be cautious.
I knew Henry’s personality and his skill.
He was more adapted to warfare than anyone else.
He was a man who considered such conflict to be his very existence, his highest calling.
Even if drunk on alcohol, Henry never lets his guard down for a moment.
He would dodge an arrow fired from a blind spot miles away as if humming a tune.
And then, he would return fire with his own bow and arrow.
That was just the kind of man Henry was.
"Archers. Keep your drinking within limits. Overindulgence is poison to the body."
"Of course. It's before a battle, after all. I'm being suitably restrained."
Henry replied to Grom's admonition with a flushed face.
Grom did not press the matter further.
He knew it was pointless.
The two had known each other for a long time.
They had been active together for over a year.
They surely understood each other's natures.
Both had supported the Demon Lord's army from the beginning and had brought great military success, primarily within the army.
According to spies, their names were known in other nations as well.
Henry had been famous before, but he was now considered the Demon Lord's army's finest archer.
In some countries, they were reportedly researching countermeasures against his sniping.
They seemed eager to break the current situation where their commanders were picked off one after another on the battlefield.
Though, he had never heard of any such attempts succeeding.
Henry's skill was outstanding.
Even the elven master archers treated him with due respect.
It will surely display that formidable archery once more.
After that, I gave a speech before my subordinates.
It was to boost morale.
Once the atmosphere reached a fever pitch, I would teleport the Demon Lord's army.
The destination would be the northernmost edge of the Demon Lord's territory—right before the Slave Autonomous Zone.
From there, they would launch a surprise invasion.
By tomorrow, one or two cities should have fallen.
As I turned to return to the castle, my sleeve was suddenly tugged.
When I looked down, Yura was there.
"Presenting a query to the Master: why am I being held in reserve? Self-analysis indicates I already possess combat capabilities beyond standard parameters."
She protested in her flat, toneless voice.
This time, I had issued Yura a stand-by order.
She seemed unable to accept that.
As she argued, her combat abilities were indeed impeccable.
With that custom-made golem from the laboratory at her disposal, she could wield the power of a thousand warriors.
Even within the Demon Lord's army, those who could match Yura in strength were rare.
However, that alone was not enough.
A war against the world was not simply a matter of being strong.
It required shrewd maneuvering, premised on a variety of hidden agendas.
In that regard, Yura still struggled with nuance and lacked flexibility.
These are matters for me to learn going forward.
I convey the essence of this concisely to Yura.
Yura fell silent for a moment.
Eventually, she nodded.
"I understand the task assigned—henceforth, I will strive to improve."
"Yes, I look forward to it."
I tell Yura.
She would surely overcome it quickly.
The Demon Lord Army's executives kept a close eye on Yura.
Among them, she was steadily growing.
What would happen from here, I awaited with anticipation.
Together with Yura, who was quietly motivated, I teleported within the castle.