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“Magic Stone party!”

A great victory.

We achieved an incredible victory.

While the Hero made notable contributions, the performance of the warriors who fought alongside him was simply extraordinary.

“Is it really possible to have such a battle…?”

“It’s because I’m here.”

After moving to a separate room with Mammon, I deployed a soundproof barrier and raised a toast to our victory.

“Every battle must be thoroughly advantageous for our side. I don’t fight losing battles. At the very least, I’m certain to minimize our losses.”

“Considering that 500 years ago you recklessly unleashed the monsters, isn’t that a bit contradictory?”

“Those were monsters. Do you think the tactics of the Demon King’s army and the Human Alliance are the same?”

While there were times I deployed Sand Worms until the enemy was exhausted, fundamentally, I only engage in battles that we can win.

This time was no different.

I didn’t know how the Empire would react, but when facing Satan’s Demon King army, I was extra cautious.

For overwhelming victory.

“There were no casualties, and we took down tens of thousands of Orcs. Even an Orc Lord, right? That means we’ve dealt a significant blow to at least one of the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings or one of their higher officers. We’re achieving remarkable feats here. We just landed a hit on Satan.”

“I think Satan might get so mad that he’ll collapse. Hehe.”

“Well… we did land a hit, but it’s not like it’s that severe.”

From our perspective, it’s a major victory.

However, from their perspective, the Orcs might just be seen as ‘discarded pieces.’

“If I were Satan, I’d treat those fat Orcs like trash. It’s fine if we take down the enemy, but if we don’t, so what?”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Satan is all about that ‘style.’ Sure, he might temporarily employ those overweight Orcs out of necessity, but he’d rather brainwash some knights among the humans to use them in his Demon King army.”

Satan despises beings that are mere masses of flesh.

The reason he’s the chairman of the Deep Dark Council is partly due to personal preferences, but mostly because he actively cultivates his physical form.

“Hmm… So, he discards beings just because they don’t look presentable? I never felt that in the Demon World.”

“That’s because the Demon World was on the brink of collapse. Everyone was rushing toward death; who had the time to worry about such matters? It’s just different here.”

He didn’t summon his subordinates from the Demon World to the Intermediate Realm.

Currently, Satan’s Demon King army consists purely of demon races acquired in the Intermediate Realm.

He could summon his subordinates from the Demon World, but I don’t believe he would.

“If Satan were to think of you or me in the same situation, he might find himself weakened. But then he conjures his subordinates from the Demon World—what happens?”

“He might try to succeed the Demon King. By his subordinates.”

“Exactly. All of Satan’s subordinates are incredibly powerful. What happens when they see a weakened Satan?”

Crack.

Like Leviathan, they would try to devour a weakened existence.

The Demon World runs on the logic of the survival of the fittest.

Those who are weak cannot survive.

In the end, just as I almost fell victim to Zephar, the Demon King could also be ambushed by his own subordinates.

“In the beginning, he might not have been picky. But now, using tens of thousands of Orcs to face the Hero, he’s shown he’s no longer in a position of strength. He’s reinforcing our side’s efforts, using the enemy’s strength.”

“Then… he must be attempting some form of transformation.”

“That’s right. As Orcs disappear, new subordinates will take their place. Perhaps muscle-bound giant trolls or at least those who outwardly possess ‘style.'”

If he finds muscle-bound beings, Satan will surely lose his mind.

And then.

“…Think about it. Whether it’s to make them kneel in defeat or kill them to turn them into Death Knights, there are presently 300 warriors who have taken down tens of thousands of Orcs. What might Satan do now?”

“……No way.”

“Right. These heroes fighting alongside the Hero are also bait to lure Satan out.”

It was the plan from the start.

“Whether he tries to recruit them for their muscles or sees them as a special unit that must be swiftly eliminated to prevent significant damage to his army, we aim to make it impossible for Satan to ignore us.”

We will create a massive uproar to draw Satan to the battlefield.

As we escape from the Hero’s bombardment, we must create a situation where Satan has no choice but to confront us directly.

“From now on, we’ll lead our forces deep into the Empire. I won’t concern myself with political issues; I’ll only look ahead. Until we defeat Satan and snatch his Holy Sword.”

I owe a debt to Bearnes, the Hero who wielded the Sword of Flames.

“As we keep defeating the Demon King’s army, Satan will surely reach a point where he thinks, ‘Alright, I can’t hold back anymore.’ We’ll be ready to capture him then, using the power of the Holy Sword.”

“But isn’t Satan also wielding the power of the Holy Sword? Can we win?”

“Of course.”

I’m confident.

“It’s not just the Holy Wind Sword we have on our side.”

—

“I’ve received contact from the Empire. The commander of the Holy Knight Order, Liriez Cesarcross, has requested support from the Empire.”

“Finally…!!”

Liriez clenched her fist in joy.

“Are we finally going to face the Demon King army?!”

“Yes. Thankfully, the Empire made the first request, allowing us to move actively.”

The Pope approached Liriez and firmly grasped her shoulders.

“But remember, you are no longer just the commander of the Holy Knight Order. You are a wielder of the Holy Sword, a person who has obtained the power of sacred water through the will of the Goddess. Although it hasn’t been publicly announced, I dare say your status is equal to, if not higher than, that of the Saintess. Remember that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good attitude. Don’t forget how blessed it is to be a Hero of the Holy Sword. And you must never lose to an enemy, especially to Demon King Satan. The Empire has called upon you because you have the ability to lead battles in our favor.”

“If we think simply…”

“It’s because you are the Water Hero.”

The Water Hero.

To put it extremely, water puts out fire.

Conversely, while overwhelming firepower can evaporate water, no matter how fierce the flames are, they cannot evaporate rivers and oceans instantly.

“Your power is undeniably strong. The tremendous power sent to the earth by the Moon Goddess, the Spirit Device, is now a force you can wield directly. While no one knows yet, we must be cautious to prevent information from leaking to the Empire.”

“That is…”

“I understand. It’s painful not to be able to trust fellow believers. However, the Empire is powerful, and they only care about their own gain regarding the Moon Goddess—there’s no real belief there. Such people… may have even infiltrated the Church.”

“…….”

Liriez felt her heart ache.

Everyone had become believers through their faith in the Moon Goddess, yet to become a spearhead for the Empire rather than follow the Moon Goddess was rather unfortunate.

It’s regrettable.

And yet because of that, she must showcase the power of the Moon Goddess, the power of the Holy Sword.

“Also, don’t trust me. The only one you should believe in is yourself and the Moon Goddess who is always watching over the commander of the Holy Knight Order from the night sky. Only sincere prayers and faith will show you the right path.”

“…How unfortunate. To think that truly, besides myself and the Pope, there’s no one else who genuinely thinks of the world and the Moon Goddess.”

“……I too cannot predict what may happen.”

The Pope gripped Liriez’s shoulders tightly.

“If I were to be captured by the wicked Demon King army, tortured, and brainwashed to abandon my faith, then please kill me.”

“Pope…?!”

“I want to remain a sincere believer, not become one of those wicked, treacherous demons. The moment my faith in the Moon Goddess waivers, I will cease to be who I am.”

“…Understood.”

The Pope’s strong will was conveyed through his firm grip.

Liriez held the Pope’s hand tightly and closed her eyes.

“The Pope’s sincere heart must have surely reached the Moon Goddess. For the Moon Goddess.”

“For the Moon Goddess. …But, Commander of the Holy Knights, I’m starting to feel some pain.”

“Ah, aah.”

Liriez flinched at the bright red hand of the Pope and stepped back.

“I’m sorry, Your Holiness. I didn’t mean to.”

“Haha, it’s fine. But be careful. If it weren’t for me, you might have crushed the hands of those who lack faith and belief.”

The Pope clenched his fist.

Veins popped up on the back of his hand, and the Pope moved his hand around with a proud smile.

“A healthy body harbors a healthy spirit. That is, only a healthy body can maintain proper belief in the Moon Goddess. The commander of the Holy Knights is exceptionally healthy and purer than anyone else. Just.”

“Just…?”

“…Even flowers, when their petals collide too much, risk getting their colors mixed and withering quickly. Of course, that doesn’t mean you would abandon your faith in the Moon Goddess, but be careful. We cannot predict what means and methods the Empire might employ.”

“…….”

“Now then, I ask this of you. May the blessing of the Moon Goddess be with you.”

Under the Pope’s blessing, Liriez left the shrine.

Outside the Papal Office, numerous Holy Knights in full armor were already waiting for her.

The male Holy Knights were fully geared.

And the female Holy Knights…

“……May the blessings of the Moon Goddess be abundant.”

Liriez briefly looked down.

Though she sought to receive the Moon Goddess’s blessings the most, and though she was a Hero of the Holy Sword, she wondered if this would look good on ‘her.’

“…Everyone, let’s go. To defeat the Demon King and Satan.”

The Water Hero.

Liriez Cesarcross.

Leading the Holy Knight Order, the White Lily Knight Order, she set out towards the Empire.

 

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