159 Next, it opens.

"As for the Garne Realm, Garne has no intention of claiming it. You may do as you please.

In a room at Quama Castle, a meeting was held with King Zenotta, Gold, and Jestaff.

The content of the meeting was that when the demon world is cleansed in the future, the third camp, including Jestaff, will take the lead in cultivating the area and establishing a new nation.

The King of Garne, Kim, agreed to own the Garne Demon Realm.

Year after year, Ghaneh expanded its territory and accepted neighboring villages.

Eventually, they plan to incorporate all of the people living in Garne territory into their home country, and reuse the remaining villages as resource recovery bases.

If we make a mistake, we could end up in a dystopian world where all the people are under our control, but for now, we are fine.

There is enough land, and the current territory alone boasts a certain amount of local products, and among the major powers, Ghanaians have the most stable production line.

If there is one thing that stands out, it is the rather cumbersome way of dealing with remote areas. This is why they are not so attached to the adjacent land of the demon world named after their own country.

"If the King of Garne has given his permission, then it's fine for Kuama to put it on hold, right?

In contrast, King Zenotta is cautious.

This is the normal demon world that we have been monitoring for over a hundred years. No matter what the reason, it is the natural role of a king to make a prudent decision.

"For the purpose of securing the land alone, yes. But our first choice is the Quama demon world. It's the easiest place to manage now that the Blue Demon King is cooperating with us.

"Scarlet is the one who created the Garnet Realm. I'm not sure what to do.

It's no exaggeration to say that the demons born in the Ghanaian world are under the control of the Scarlet Witch King.

In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

It's not a person that you can negotiate with and say, "I'm going to build a new country in the demon world that you created, so don't interfere.

In the Quama demon world, Ao can neutralize the threat of demons by joining the cultivation. On the contrary, if it is a low-grade demon that does not have a good will, you can use it as a labor force.

"Of course, I won't force you. If Kuama wants to purify the demon world by himself and cultivate it as a new territory, I won't interfere with that. However, I can't fully cooperate. To be more specific, the remaining demons will be dealt with by Quama as before.

That's quite a lonely thing to say.

Well, well. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it'll be relatively easy.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to get the job done. The only exceptions are those with strong egos of a unique class.

If Ao collects the demons at moderate intervals, the total number of demons will be very small.

However, the burden is surprisingly heavy, and the frequency is limited compared to the purple.

It's a difference in ability between the Purple, who has always used demons, and the Blue, who has only vaguely manipulated them.

There's no loss, but there's not much gain, either.

"It's the same with Mejis. But in Mejis, there are many experts in purification magic called the Yugra cult. I'm sure the Yugra religion will help cleanse the demon world, but they'll probably give priority to Mejis.

The territory of Mejis has been invaded by the Purple in the past, and most of its land has been eroded by the demon world in a distorted way.

If you want to send more people to Quama, it will not be a priority.

King Kuama, even if the Demon Lord would just spare us the threat of demons, it would be worth it. Until now, you've done your best to build walls and maintain the status quo. It would be greedy of you not to feel the benefits of cleansing the demon world and expanding the land.

"You're right, King Garne. Or should I call you the Demon Lord of Gold in this case?

When I'm on state business, you can call me King Garne.

"Then King Garne. Unlike Mejlis, there are few priests in Kuama. There are some from the Yugra cult, but more and more of them will be leaving this land in the future to purify the Mejis demon world. If that happens, we will be left with a land that cannot be cleansed.

If that's the case, why don't you just give it to that guy?　Because of the nature of the land, the only neighboring land is Kuama, and he will have a prime seat for giving favors and repaying debts.

"That's true, but...

King Zenotta snorted and rubbed his beard. This old man, by the way, is not that concerned with the interests of the Quama demon world.

In short, he wants one more push. A clear gain that will convince the Quama people.

Unlike Garne, where the mainland governs everything, in Quama, the land outside the mainland is controlled by the nobles.

If the Quama Realm is seen as a new land, King Zenotta is not the only one who will bite into it.

Nobles who want to expand their territories will also show up.

Therefore, if the Quama Kingdom were to throw away the rights of the demon world at its own discretion, it would cause dissatisfaction among the nobles and the people.

Even if it is difficult to handle, land is land, and it is a precious resource.

He understands that very well, and he is tormenting us in this way, hoping that we will have something to persuade him.

In a way, he trusts us. ...... He's a tough guy, really.

In return, I'll provide you with my demons to help you improve the land of Quama.

...... What does that mean?

"Quama's land is large enough. But that doesn't mean it's fully used. There are forests and mountains. We still don't have a satisfactory supply line to utilize each resource, do we?

He unrolls a piece of parchment and explains his plan.

More roads to move through the forest, more bridges to be built over rivers, and above all, tunnels to be built through the mountains.

Even in modern Japan, accidents can occur during tunnel construction. In the Middle Ages, it was a painstaking and dangerous task.

However, a demon can proceed at a speed faster than a human and ignore human casualties.

If the traffic environment in Quama is dramatically improved, the economy in the territory will circulate more smoothly.

Quama has some forests and mountains, though not as many as Taiz. If we compare it with Ghane, which has the most flat land, we may have some thoughts.

I'm sure you'll understand.

Forests are also a great resource, so it's best to avoid clearing a single forest, but by improving it, you can increase the amount of land that can be used for agriculture. Even if the territory does not expand, more land will be available for use. I think it will improve the territory in a hundred years.

I'm sorry to say this, but won't arranging for demons to come here interfere with the establishment of the country in the Quama demon world?

"No, it won't. In the end, the first priority is to purify the demon world so that people can live and grow crops. In the meantime, we will provide them with surplus labor. By the time we've purified enough territory, the construction of the Quama will be complete.

"Indeed. This should help persuade the nobles. ...... By the way, what are these problems?

Don't hesitate to ask. Well, it's a more credible act than someone who only sees the benefits.

"Even though we are improving the land of Quama, there will be a large number of demons spreading in Quama territory even for a time. Some of the people may be overwhelmed by this, so it is necessary for them to refrain from patrolling at night. If merchants or adventurers happen to run into one, it could cause a minor disturbance.

If you're on the road in the middle of the night and there's a huge army of demons cutting through your path,......, you'll need to take care of that. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this.

"If you keep making unreasonable demands, I'll decline. But I will trust the common sense of King Zenotta in that regard.

I understand. Then I'll be responsible for persuading my subjects and nobles. --May I have this parchment?

That's what I'm here for.

Well, thank you for talking so quickly!

King Zenotta collects his presentation with a satisfied smile. That's a nice smile, really.

You just have to be careful not to overdo it. There are lumberjacks and carpenters who specialize in making roads even now. We should not take away all their work.

As the conversation came to a close, Jestaff quietly raised his right arm.

"King Zenotta, may I have a word?

Peeking through his long sleeves, Jestaff's right hand was bandaged. Now his right arm is just the shape of a demon, no flesh, no bones, no blood.

Still, he has already mastered it to the point of being able to write. If he was younger, he'd be stronger than Hark-dog, wouldn't he?

You don't mind, do you have a problem with that?

"No, the young man has negotiated well. My private fortune alone will do the trick. But if we're going to be neighbors, I've got to ask you first. Let's hear your honest opinion about me building a country.

It's true that Jestaff accepted Ritual's invitation and wanted to overthrow Quama.

It is true that Jestaff had accepted Ritual's invitation and was trying to overthrow Quama, or to put it another way, his own extremist terrorists are building a country next door. It's not a good feeling.

"Hmmm ......, yes. I've learned more than enough about the history of the Heliodora family's contributions to Quama. But neither the successive kings of Quama nor I have been able to resolve the resentment of the Heliodora family, who even wanted to take over Quama in this way. Then the resentment is justified. That doesn't mean I'm going to let you take my country. If you are willing to build a kingdom and end this vendetta, I will be happy to see it through.

...... is a bad time. Otherwise, you would have made your mark on history.

Really. Why can't any other country have a decent man at the top?

The Tarz has Marit, who is considered to be the most brilliant of all time, Garne is 'gold' with transcendent abilities, and Pope Eupharo of Mejlis has a very high approval rating.

Compared to them, King Zenotta may seem like a dull old man.

But he is also a man of character, a king who watches over the future of his country.

"I've heard enough. Forget it.

"Of course not, you don't want to remember it. But then again, isn't there any way for me to leave my name in history?　Can you give me some advice?

"That's refreshingly brazen of you.

You really are a tough king.

Yes. Now that we have some information about the Bastard, we'd like to interrogate Lahite.

"Oh, ...... that's the thing, .......

King Zenotta's face suddenly became embarrassed. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I guess that's it.

The story that King Zenotta told me was that Rahite, who was under the control of Archbishop Serraes, had died after being interrogated.

He was tortured without hesitation, ignoring the fact that he was a child, and as a result, his body reached its limit before he could give up any information.

As a result, the child's body reached its limit before he could give up any information. It is only natural that people who usually know how to torture adults should torture children.

I hope he hasn't been transferred to another body.

But I heard that there was no magic used during the torture.

Rahite, who was once hunted down by Archbishop Ucka, was able to transfer his soul even with a magical seal stone lying nearby. Even if you don't have a special tool, it doesn't mean you can't do it.

I'm sorry about that .......

I'm not sure what to do with it.

It was impossible in any case to interfere in the handling of it. I thought I had given him some advice, but the Archbishop of Ceraes had a bad impression of him, so I had no choice.

If he was still dead, there would be no problem. ...... I'll ask Ao for help with this.

The body has already been burned in the cleansing flames and the ashes buried, but Ao, who can create undead from the wreckage with necromancy, can at least confirm whether he is alive or dead.

I don't think he's going to die easily. I will continue to act as if he is still alive.

◇.

When I heard the report of Raheit's death, I felt as if I could see the faintness in his face again.

He has been with him for a long time and seems to have become more or less sensitive to his changes.

He has two faces, but they do not switch neatly from one to the other. It is like the ratio of water and wine.

If the normal him is water, the other him is pure liquor.

I could feel it getting slightly thicker now, but for now, the ratio of water is much higher.

When the meeting was over, Jestaff returned to his residence, and King Zenotta and the Golden Demon King took the opportunity to have a short conversation.

Now it's just him and me in the common room, waiting for the Gold Demon King to finish his story.

The King of Quama and the King of Ghane have never met in the past, have they?　--But it's not a good idea to combine the two. They're exquisitely spoiled. ......

...... Yes, that's true. But that's because you're the one who's making sure their needs are met.

"There are people in every world who are good at asking for favors. So, Ilias, it's time to hear why you're so uptight.

...... I don't mean to be absent-minded, but...

You're aware of your surroundings, but you don't look comfortable. You look like you've got something stuck in your head.

I'd like to think it's because he's so perceptive that I can't hide anything from him.

I'd like to think it's because he's perceptive that I can't hide anything from him, just that the people around me are a little more perceptive.

I guess so. There are words that still ring in my ears to this day.

"That's what Ritual said to you?

I nodded in reply. When I raided Morgana's guild headquarters and met with Ritual, he whispered to me.

I'm not sure what to make of this. ...... That's what the man said.

I've never heard the details. I've heard of demon attacks and I've heard of demon tribes. ......

Specifically, both. When I was a child, many demons appeared in Taze. I heard there were demons there too.

I had no way of knowing if the demons were accompanied by demons or what their purpose was.

But the knights of Tarz rushed to the attacked village, fought the demons, and managed to repel them.

My father and mother joined in the fight and came face to face with the demons. According to those who witnessed it, they stabbed each other.

I still remember Lord Raggedy bowing to me, wishing he could have been there.

He was the most wounded of the survivors. He had single-handedly defended the most villages, slaughtered the most demons, and saved the most people.

Even as a child, I could feel the pain. Who could blame Lord Raggedy?

My father and mother fought bravely. If they hadn't been able to stop the demons, the damage would have been devastating.

So I made up my mind. I would become a great knight like my father and protect the country in his stead.

I explained the process to him, even though I was not very good at speaking. He pondered for a while, and then resumed his story.

"Okay, okay. I'll see what I can find out about this demon tribe.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but this is my personal problem.

"You can't say that now. If you're going to say that, then everything you've done up to now is my problem. Do you think it's cool that you're the only one who has to deal with it?

"Well, I'm not trying to be cool.

You're not going to get a single clue if you go out and gather information on your own.

...... You're right. The only thing I can tell you is that the demon tribe might be under the command of the Blue Demon King.

If the demon is still alive, I can't think of any way to identify if it is in the Tarzian demon world or not.

I'm sure that if I ask him, ...... he can help me figure it out. But is that really the right thing to do?

I'm trying to be the knight he can count on. But I'm not.

You'll be able to get a lot more out of it if you use it.

He pinches both of my cheeks with his hands. It's like a habit he has when he's teasing me.

You're not very good at spoiling ...... or ....... I suppose that's true. You've avoided the pampered way of life.

"Then practice it. If you can't show your full potential when it's needed, it's a waste of time. If you want to make the most of your abilities, learn how to make the most of them.

"Make yourself useful: ......

"The Iliad should just proceed with its preparations to avenge its enemies. Leave it to me to set things up.

He said confidently, and I was a little jealous of that.

I understand that we are in a relationship where we are both trying to be dependent on each other.

However, I felt that my desire to rely on him was probably stronger than his.

"Well, I'll rely on you at ....... But there are things that need to come first.

"Yes. If the Scarlet Demon King is not dealt with, then...

The invasion of the Blue Demon King in Quama and the series of disturbances involving the guilds have been successfully resolved.

However, these are only the wolfsbane that heralds the beginning of the fierce battle that is about to begin.

The time has come for a full-scale battle between the Demon Lord and the humans that involves the entire continent, a battle that Yugra has been putting off until now.

It would be impossible to forget about his father's revenge. But if he's still here, don't worry.

I will continue to hold this sword as a knight to protect him.

It's the only thing I can do for him.

I'll be back.

One of the mountains on the border between the Ghanaian world and the Mejis world. There was a huge hollow there.

As we proceeded deeper into the cave, the sun's light faded, and instead, the glow of magic stones illuminated the cave.

What lay there was a castle built underground.

There was no color at all, just an emotionless castle carved out of rock.

The castle was surrounded by countless demons.

Goblins, Orcs, Kobolds, and beastman-shaped demons that look like people but are not.

All of these demons are working in a messy facility.

They step on tatas, build fires, melt iron, and make armor.

Armed demons wielded weapons and learned skills from each other.

Compared to the training of the knights of Tarz, the scene was not as scintillating.

But even so, there was something uncanny about the scene when a human being was present.

Deep inside the castle, sitting there is the Scarlet Demon King.

He is also a demon king with subhuman blood. But his appearance could not be described as a mixture of any animal.

His mane is majestic, his horns rough and strong, his body reminiscent of rock, and above all, his whole body glows red like hot steel.

"The armaments are being deployed smoothly, sir. However, the supply of high quality weapons for those who have the talent to hold them is a little low.

The Scarlet Witch King standing on his throne was approached by one of the demons on either side of him.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

They are the direct subordinates of the Scarlet Demon King, and they are the unique class of demons that lead the demons.

So let them compete with each other and select the one who is worthy to hold it.

We'll need a few less, if that's all right.

I don't mind. It is only the weak who are frightened of death and defeated who lose their lives over a selection. Even if you are defeated, if you are a true fighter, the flame of your life will never be extinguished.

"So be it. We'll be ready in a couple of months. But if we want to be sure, we can take a little more time, don't you think?

It was the first thing we decided. We decided in the beginning that when this world learned of our resurrection, that would be the time to resume the war.

That human was useless after all. It's a bit of hubris to expect the demons to do anything about it. ......

"Raheit and the others, or should I say Rhaetys. It's not like they're going to give you a ventriloquist's heart, but the organization did provide some useful information. Their original goal was not to turn us into demons in the first place.

What the heck is ...... that then?

I know what you're thinking. But it's a small matter. If they're worth using each other for, that's good enough for me.

If you're using the Mad King, you'll have to kill him next time you see him.

Suit yourself. He's cut off all contact with us. Then he's no better than a rock on the road.

The Scarlet Witch King takes a glance at the demons on either side of him.

Each one a different beastly unique class, the best of its kind.

I'm not sure what to do. "The gold told me once that you demons are those who have been transformed by the rage of my heart. So you're saying that my heart will always have the heart of a beast. I understand now.

The Scarlet Witch King's mouth twisted slightly. I'm sure you'll agree with me." The Scarlet Witch King's mouth twisted slightly, and the smile that appeared on his rugged, warrior-like face had a hint of mockery in it.

You are the beasts of my warring heart. But the beast that nests in my heart has no feelings of fear. You wield weapons, you slaughter, you seek endless struggle. That is what I want. That's why I made the contract with Ygras and was given eternal life. To be the bitter enemy of both humans and subhumans is the meaning of our existence!

The demons responded to the Scarlet Witch King's words with a loud roar.

The roar echoed outside the castle, and all the demons outside responded and howled.

The roar of the beasts seeking to fight shook the air and the earth. It was as if the continent was terrified and frightened of the battle that lay ahead.