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“Move the orcs out of the way! And pitch a tent over there in the clean spot! The Magic King ordered us to establish a base here!!”

After completely burning and roasting the orcs, we took control of Dragon Tail—that is, the hill occupied by the orcs.

Geographically speaking, this place is in no way a dragon’s tail.

In terms of the Anari Principality’s territory, it would be more fitting to simply call it a ‘gorge.’

Steep cliffs rising sharply to the left and right.

A tunnel stretching out below.

Considering that the width between the ceiling of the tunnel and the top of the cliff is only about one-tenth of the tunnel’s size, it was a bizarre place that made one wonder how such a formation was naturally created.

Originally a tall barrier, it wouldn’t be strange to think that someone had made an archway right in the middle.

It somewhat reminded me of something—

Clap!

I slapped my face with my hand.

As I pondered how to manage that terrain, another thought crossed my mind.

“…It’s shaking.”

Half-Dragon.

Even from a distance, just by looking at that face, I could tell it resembled my father’s human form—his so-called polymorph appearance.

Although it was different from the way I looked when I transformed into a human, the Black Dragon I used to be had quite the handsome appearance.

That very beauty was inherited by his daughter, and she was born a Half-Dragon by some miraculous chance, so it wasn’t surprising that she looked beautiful.

After all, dragons are generally good-looking.

‘I could recognize her by her looks, but the real question is what she thinks of me over there.’

Sorceress of Crimson Lotus Bel.

Demon Lord Belphegor.

The former is a headache, but the latter is essentially a family enemy that must be killed.

It’s understandable since she is occupying the corpse of my dead father and using it as she pleases.

Of course, I also had my reasons.

The Black Dragon, “Cal Sigmund,” challenged me 500 years ago when I was the Demon Lord.

He bet his life against me, while I was relaxing in the Demon King’s Castle after having taken down the Hero party.

I really didn’t want to bother fighting.

—Ha ha! The Demon King of the demon world is trying to avoid a magical duel! Truly, the demon world is inferior to the Intermediate Realm! Dragons are the ultimate race that encompasses the world!

I just wanted to confirm whether a dragon’s magic is stronger or the demon race’s magic is stronger. He had come to challenge me for such a fighting addict reason, which I didn’t find particularly thrilling while I was resting after battling the Hero.

—So, you’re saying you can’t use magic as well as me?

—Keep up, you little punk.

…I couldn’t stand it.

So I had a life-or-death magical duel with the Black Dragon, blowing up all the meteor rains falling from the sky and impaling the shards into his chest to claim victory.

I won the life-or-death battle.

You could say it was fair and square, but the fact remains that I took the life of the Black Dragon and used its body.

There is more than enough justification to seek revenge on a malevolent spirit who possesses the corpse of my dead father and uses it at will.

And….

“Master?”

“Oh, Lucius.”

While I was lost in thought, Lucius had approached me.

“Did you come to rest?”

“No, I came to tell you that we’ve collected all the orc’s magic stones.”

“Already? Everyone is fast.”

Two thousand orcs.

Though they were discarded by Satan, the magic stones they left behind will be deliciously devoured by me.

Of course not all two thousand, just the remainder after excluding those needed to recover the resources consumed in the war for the Anari Principality.

That alone would be enough.

The amount of mana I used in this battle was quite substantial, and right now, I’m spreading my senses throughout the area, meaning my mana is depleting even faster than usual.

Thanks to the Half-Dragon daughter of Cal Sigmund.

“Lucius. What image comes to mind when you think of the Demon King’s army?”

“Well… a gigantic demon with horns on its head?”

“Right. Usually, people would think of the Demon King. So what do you think would be next to the Demon King?”

“…The Four Heavenly Kings?”

“20 Bel Points!”

Lucius correctly described what I wanted to convey.

“…Master.”

“What?”

“I know we are on the verge of a dangerous battle, but I have to tell you this. I’ve exceeded 100 Bel Points.”

“……Huh, really?”

Did I unknowingly give out that much?

It couldn’t be.

Lucius is a talented guy; he certainly earned that many points for a good enough answer.

“So how many points do you have now?”

“If I include the one just received, it’s 120 points.”

“…Just barely passed, huh? Hmm, 10 Bel Points.”

“…More here?”

“Yep. No matter how important the situation may be, you need to take care of your own rights.”

Not claiming what was promised to be given in advance would be foolish.

Even if Lucius is a bit naive, he must receive the set reward.

“What should I give you for exceeding 100 points?”

“…….”

“What’s with you?”

“…I think it would be difficult to say it now, so I’ll mention it later when we return to the Bride Ship.”

“What is it? I need to know to prepare accordingly. Speak now.”

“…It’s nothing major; I just want to learn swimming a bit better.”

“Swimming?”

“Yes.”

“…Huh.”

It seemed riding the Sea Dragon constantly during our time in Belselphia was weighing on his mind.

“How’s swimming these days?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t had time to practice alone….”

“That’s true. You probably wouldn’t want to show off that you can’t swim.”

Me?

I’m the exception.

I’m the one teaching Lucius how to swim.

“Is it okay if I really teach you how to swim?”

“Yes. However… I’m not sure how to move my body. I’m sorry, but could you help me inside?”

“Of course.”

If I can’t teach swimming through words and theory, I naturally need to guide him from within.

“That’s good. The marines can swim too. I can use them to help teach you. Swimming is best done early in the morning; it really puts you in a good mood throughout the day.”

“…….”

“Lucius? What’s wrong? Is early morning not your thing?”

“I’ll tell the others, but could I do my swimming training during the time we have for training?”

“You can do that.”

After all, the marines will take care of the teaching.

“Bel Points are cumulative. Next… 300 points.”

“That jumped suddenly, didn’t it?”

“That means the rewards will also be bigger. Hm,

*

And then.

After establishing our base at Dragon Tail, I headed up to the cliff where Mammon was.

“Is everything ready?”

“…We just need the materials to arrive. We can assemble everything quickly from here.”

“So it will take a bit longer, huh?”

“It’ll be about an hour until arrival.”

“Ah, then that’s okay.”

Just an hour.

It’s not like the operation is being postponed; we’re going straight to take down Satan, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Don’t be too tense. There’s no need to feel self-loathing just because you nearly got sniped by a high-ranking officer of the Demon King’s army.”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

Mammon bit his lower lip and glared towards the direction of Satan.

“You with your strength, or those who are strong enough to be on par with other Demon Lords like Satan, don’t know.”

“I do understand. I had a time when I was really weak too.”

“…You?”

“Yes. But I made a concerted effort to get stronger.”

It was because I went through unthinkable hardships, but I did my utmost to become strong.

“Why did you want to become so strong?”

“Because I wanted to live.”

“…Pardon?”

“I was just trying to mind my own business, but trouble kept coming, and with all the fighting, I had to get stronger; if that went on for hundreds, thousands… even tens of thousands of years, I’d definitely get sick of it.”

“…Tens of thousands of years?”

“Ah, just kidding.”

I winked lightly at Mammon.

“How could a person live for tens of thousands of years.”

“……It’s frightening because your joke doesn’t sound like one.”

“Think of it positively. Or find a way to prove it through science. Just remember… it’s certain. That Satan over there is a demon who has existed since before I was born. Losing or dying to him is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, he should be embarrassed.”

“……But if it weren’t for you, I would have died to Satan’s subordinate.”

“Then be grateful. And… keep in mind that weird variables can pop up anytime, anywhere in the Intermediate Realm. Back in my day, a hero would suddenly show up in situations like this and bombard us with the Holy Sword.”

“…….”

He had a skeptical look before, but whether human or demon, it’s natural to believe once you go through similar situations yourself.

“So we should be similar to that. I’ll call Lucius….”

“Arrived now.”

Clunk, clunk, clunk.

A sound shaking the ground echoed from behind.

Wondering what it was, I looked back to find it resembling….

“A spear?”

“That’s a mobile magical cannon.”

What appeared to be a thick and long spear was set up vertically at a 45-degree angle with a lot of wheels underneath.

“It’s a mobile magical bombardment cannon mounted on top of a chariot. What do you think? It’s the latest magical firearm created in the Anari Principality.”

“…….”

It’s not an invention; it’s a discovery as well.

In ancient times, they transported it on something like a railway, something that modern human civilization would struggle to comprehend.

“…That must have been quite the struggle to haul it here?”

“It’s not for nothing that it has 40 wheels attached. Yes, it has wheels at the bottom too. Heh heh heh.”

“…Well, whatever. As long as we can use that.”

Inside the cannon, there was just enough space for a person to fit in.

“I’m going right away.”

The cannon would fire just one shell.

“I’m firing Lucius.”

 

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