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Chapter 169. Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Departs

At the front gate of the Demon Lord Castle, on the outskirts.

“—Preparations are complete!”

Garunya reported back.

The line of skeletal carriages was packed with supplies.

Warriors from various races donned in battle attire and servants dressed in all black formal wear saluted in unison.

Everything seemed to have gone off without a hitch.

“Then, Father, Mother.”

I turned back.

Standing closely on the steps were two demon race figures—

Demon Lord Goldgias and Grand Duchess Platiphia.

“—I shall take my leave.”

Finally, the day had come.

I, Demon Lord’s Prince No. 7 Zilbagias Reiju, am heading to the front lines.

“Yes.”

The Demon Lord nodded solemnly.

“I shall not speak much at this point. Let your might shine. I have high expectations.”

I bowed silently in response.

“Zilbagias.”

Platiphia, adorned in a particularly glamorous dress, crossed her arms and smiled gracefully.

“I await your good news… May the dark gods bless you.”

How calm she was, considering her young son was heading into battle. Rather, she seemed confident and even proud. Well, it’s certainly better than being seen off in tears, as far as I’m concerned.

As for me…

“Yes. I will ensure my name resonates not just within the Demon Lord Kingdom, but also throughout the allied territories.”

…Such internal thoughts were hidden beneath the mask of a prince, and I nodded boldly before turning my back on them.

Even as I walked towards the carriage, I felt various gazes upon me.

Presumably, the other demon princes were watching from the upper levels.

Out of the corner of my eye, a group of demon race warriors clad in heavy armor caught my attention… It was the Dosrotos tribe. Among them was, of course, Gorirashia.

They watched me with a keen gaze. I returned their salute.

Among the night elf hunters seeing me off, I spotted Sidarl stealthily blending in. He looked quite at home. Apparently, before becoming the prison warden, he was quite the capable hunter himself.

“——–”

With each step, memories of my days in the Demon Lord Castle surged back.

Although he couldn’t show up here, I recalled how worried Enma had looked during the last necromancy lesson.

“Be careful. No matter how dangerous it gets, don’t give up. If the worst comes to pass—I’ll come to save you,” he had said, leaving me at a loss for words with such ludicrous statements.

Apparently, even if I die, Enma would resurrect me. Truly the worst safety net. I reaffirmed that I absolutely cannot die.

Claire—she was as unsociable as ever, but reflecting on it, it was strange for Enma, who was typically friendly towards the demon race, to react normally as a human girl would.

Thanks to my thoughtless question, the gap between us had deepened, but on the flip side, she no longer wore a mask around me. “It’s complicated as a former human… well, good luck out there, Prince,” she had said coldly.

Of course, it must be a complex matter for her. The unfortunate part is that I can’t share my own complex feelings with her…

I climbed into the carriage. Liliana and Leila, who had boarded ahead, greeted me with serious expressions.

“……..”

I probably had a similar expression—through the crystal glass window, I offered another silent salute to the Demon Lords.

The carriage slid out smoothly.

After the figures of the Demon Lords completely vanished from sight, I let out a small sigh and leaned back weakly against the seat.

Liliana looked anxious, while Leila seemed unsure of what to say.

All I could return was a stiff smile… In just a few days on this carriage, we would arrive at the forward base. I felt like I was being shipped off.

Since I couldn’t take Liliana to the front lines—if her existence were to be exposed, there was a risk of her being reclaimed—she would likely be left in the already occupied border city of the Defteros Kingdom, along with Leila, Garunya, and other guards.

To be honest, I wouldn’t mind at all if she were reclaimed.

However, the surroundings wouldn’t allow it. At this point, Liliana had become too significant in my ranks. Even if I wanted to let her go, the night elves would protect her fiercely…

—I looked outside the window.

The streets of the castle town flew by in a blur.

“I will ensure my name resonates not just within the Demon Lord Kingdom, but also throughout the allied territories.”

Just a moment ago, I had made this declaration, but there were no lies in these words.

I had decided to act ruthlessly in this war.

Allied soldiers, heroes, priests, sword saints, and fist saints—if I encounter any, I will mercilessly kill them.

Even if I try to spare them, they’ll just end up being killed by other dark beings.

So instead—

I will use them as nourishment.

Raise my merits, elevate my status within the Demon Lord Kingdom, and lay the groundwork for its downfall.

I made up my mind to seize this opportunity of breaking taboos and gaining power to the fullest.

Of course, if there’s a chance—

I’ll also whittle down the ranks of the demon race.

There was no hesitation there… There could be no hesitation.

“Kuuhn.”

Liliana, with her ears drooped, came over to my side and rubbed her head against me.

“…You.”

Leila gently took my hand, her touch warm.

“…”

Normally, I would have smiled and managed to say something a bit clever.

But on a day like today…

I felt as if my face was set in stone, too stiff to even squeeze a voice from my throat.

This statue-like me—

Yet still, the skeletal carriage coldly and mercilessly

carried me towards the front lines.

†††

“…They have gone.”

Goldgias murmured, watching the line of skeletal carriages fade away.

“…Yes.”

Platiphia nodded softly.

“What a brave child. Usually, on their first deployment, they would have a more—nervous look on their face. But he does not fit that.”

“Indeed… Truly, you are correct.”

Zilbagias—while he seemed firmer than usual, he only revealed extraordinary resolve and determination without a hint of cowardice.

I felt both reassured and proud, yet also a bit lonely.

“I sometimes wonder about Zilbagias being my child. Oh, not in a strange way, of course.”

Goldgias joked,

“My father was quite the outrageous character himself, but from what tales I’ve heard of his childhood, he was much more subdued than that child. I, too, was much more… ordinary during my childhood. I believe Zilbagias’s strong will comes from Platiphia’s blood?”

“Is that so…? Compared to him, I’m just an average demon.”

Platiphia teased a troubled smile.

“Or maybe it’s the Dosrotos blood. By the time Zilbagias became aware of the world, he was already a stubborn and strong-willed child. …But since returning from the demon world, he seems to have changed significantly. Not just in appearance, but in essence.”

His growth is astonishing, Platiphia chuckled jokingly.

“Indeed.”

The Demon Lord replied gently, embracing Platiphia’s shoulder with a soothing voice.

“…Thus, that child will surely be fine. There’s no need for worry.”

Upon hearing this, Platiphia’s eyes widened, and she smiled ironically as if resigned.

Goldgias must have realized.

That Platiphia was hiding her trembling fingertips while crossing her arms—

With a gentle tap, the Demon Lord nudged his horn against Platiphia’s. It was exceedingly rare to show affection in public.

“…Yes.”

Platiphia replied, relaxing her shoulders.

Then—though she felt a pang of sadness, duties awaited the Demon Lord, and they parted ways.

Platiphia walked back with her head held high. On her way, other demon princes’ mothers glared at her, but she returned each look calmly, and they all silently withdrew.

Once back in her room, Platiphia typically did not sit on the sofa but instead knelt on the floor by the window.

She gazed up at the night sky.

The moon, the symbol of the dark gods—

“Please… Dark gods…”

She closed her eyes and clasped her hands.

“Return my child… Zilbagias… safely to me…”

With all her heart, she offered her prayer.

Forever.

Forever…

 

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