Chapter 194
At that moment, at the stationed troops of Demon King’s Army Lesvos.
“We’ve achieved significant results once again. Kheheh.”
Barbolado, the Imp who was given command of the southern troops by Demon Lord Satan, raised his cup towards the gathered generals in the barracks.
“Let us all toast. For those who cannot drink, please at least hold a cup. Kuhuh.”
Multiple victories.
Victory was sweet.
Especially the morale of the Demon King’s army soared to unprecedented heights after their overwhelming victory against the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess.
“I dedicate this victory to you, ‘Amduscias.'”
“Hmm.”
A bespectacled intellectual, Amduscias tapped his cup against the horn on his forehead and nodded.
“The Demon King’s army is our ally of Asydia. Even if one is dispatched, as long as they belong to the Demon King’s army, doing their utmost for Demon Lord Satan is an act truly worthy of glorification. If you genuinely wish to celebrate this victory, please raise a glass for him.”
Amduscias held his cup with both hands and prayed.
“For our resting Demon Lord.”
Clink.
Everyone clinked their cups together.
Though likely less than thrilled to praise the Demon Lord in the Demon Lord Satan’s army, Amduscias’ tactics had consistently turned the tide against humanity in several instances.
“Ahh. Impressive. Did we keep fighting such battles 500 years ago?”
“Indeed.”
Amduscias fiddled with his cup, a nostalgic glint in his eyes.
“Back then, he was present at every frontline and issued orders. I compiled all of his tactics, commands, strategies, and brought them here.”
Tap tap.
Amduscias pointed to his head.
“Most of the tactical strategies of the Demon Lord’s army are stored here. It’s a compilation I call ‘Pegor Tactical Manual.’ How to effectively secure victory against enemies who wield Divine Power? I have hundreds of strategies in my head for that.”
“I understand why Asydia sent you as support. Kuhihit. Thanks to you, we can provide tremendous help to our Demon Lord.”
Barbolado downed the liquor in his cup in one gulp.
“Now let me ask, Amduscias-sensei. How should we deal with the Hero?”
“The answer is to not engage.”
“Why is that?”
“Only the strongest can face the Hero. No Demon can hope to win against a Hero. But if someone does defeat the Hero, it would naturally be the ‘Demon Lord.'”
Amduscias took a swig with a serious expression.
“If Satan hadn’t defeated the Flame Hero Bearnes, I would not have been dispatched either.”
“You’re bold to say that, but it means you acknowledge our Demon Lord, right?”
“Of course. Only those who defeat the Hero can truly make a name for themselves as the ‘Demon Lord.’ Only the Demon Lord can overcome one who wields the Holy Sword.”
“However.”
Barbolado chuckled while fiddling with the magic stone hanging around his neck.
“Facing a Hero is also a Hero’s role, isn’t it? Hehe. Everyone, let us burn them all to death on the next battlefield. Thanks to the Demon Lord’s strategy, the enemy’s cavalry has been completely shattered, and now all that’s left is to crush the ones on foot.”
“There’s a Hero among the enemy forces, but against an asymmetrical power like a Hero….”
Behind Barbolado.
“If we face them as a Hero, the rest will be easy to handle. Hehehe…!”
The knight clad in full red armor was exuding a crimson light from beneath his helmet.
“No matter what variables arise, our victory is assured. Our role is singular! To prevent any other Heroes from disrupting the Demon Lord until he defeats the Empire’s Hero, the Emperor, and occupies the Empire! We fight only with that in mind!!”
Clink.
“Until the day the Demon Race becomes the rulers of this land!”
*
Thud.
The mobile fortress lowered its bridge near the Holy Knight Order’s base.
“I’ll start discussing things first.”
‘Okay.’
Mammon, Endymion pretended to speak to Leonidas, the representative of the Spartan unit.
Currently, I was a doll resting in her arms.
A sorceress carrying a Gothic Lolita doll must certainly be seen as a pervert, but if that sorceress is the Magic King Endymion, people wouldn’t necessarily think it’s strange.
With that intent, I disembarked the mobile fortress Mamon alongside Endymion.
Creak.
As the hatch opened, the Holy Knight Order awaited us.
All were female knights of the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess, lined up in formation, and I felt an unnecessary worry creep in.
‘What if these girls lose their minds upon seeing beautiful women?’
Even the most skilled soldiers can have weaknesses.
Unless they were undead soldiers with no sexual drives, human soldiers often have limited resistance when it comes to their fundamental desires.
Especially in a situation filled with such beautiful women.
Fortunately, even if they got excited, thanks to the protective gear, it could all be concealed, but I still couldn’t help but worry.
I was concerned if the Spartan warriors would even steal a glance at them.
By the way, all the knights of the Order of the Crescent Moon here are women.
There might be male knights somewhere, but at least the ones currently on the front lines were all women.
“Welcome, Magic King. I am Vivian, the Vice Captain of the Holy Knight Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess.”
“I think this title is preferable. I am the Magic King Endymion. I have come to provide support against the Demon King’s army in Lesvos.”
“Thank you. And, what about the reinforcements…?”
“As you can see.”
Endymion pointed to Leonidas standing beside her.
“Three hundred Spartan warriors led by him. They have never faced defeat, whether when fighting alongside the Wind Hero or even today.”
“……Hmm.”
Vivian frowned as she surveyed Leonidas.
Perhaps she found it hard to believe that a warrior clad only in a helmet and protective gear for modesty could be trusted—
“I’ve heard the story, but is it really alright?”
“Of course. Although we may not have received the blessing of the Moon Goddess, we can fight bravely as if we were blessed by her.”
“…I will trust you. The strength of brave warriors who have been passed down to the Holy Kingdom will surely be of great assistance. Please come this way.”
We followed Vivian into the barracks of the Holy Knight Order.
Inside, the holy knights were relaxing in light clothing, their expressions bleak and gloomy.
‘They must be under pressure.’
From what I could tell through the doll’s eyes, it seemed they weren’t technically defeated, but they looked demoralized as if they had been toyed with by the enemy in a highly unfavorable battle.
It felt eerily reminiscent of the resistance forces suffering from my tactics, and even though I was just a doll, I felt an inexplicable chill run down my spine.
Something about the atmosphere felt off….
“Wait!!”
Suddenly, someone rushed over, calling out loudly.
“Captain! Didn’t I tell you to wait inside?!”
“I couldn’t wait. I felt an unusual energy.”
“An unusual energy…?”
In that instant, Endymion’s grip on my hand tightened.
Her tension was palpable, worried that the Hero might discover she was the Demon Lord, and I thoroughly understood that sentiment.
Unlike my pupil Lucius, other Heroes are different.
“Umm….”
But then abruptly came the captain of the Holy Knight Order, Liriez Cesarcross, who was staring right at me.
She had a frown on her face as she scrutinized me, and I remained still as a doll.
Only.
‘Selcius.’
“……!!”
From me alone, an encoded message only she could decipher provided a hint about who I was.
“…Magic King. I will explain the current situation. Please come inside.”
“Yes? Ah, understood. But why did you come out suddenly…?”
“I sensed something familiar, but it seems I was mistaken for a moment.”
Liriez’s eyes.
“After discussing the situation, we should have a brief chat.”
She was staring directly at me.
*
A short while later.
While discussions were fervently taking place in the barracks, I found myself left to wait in a makeshift cabin for the Magic King.
No, I was on standby.
I had asked Endymion to let me stay here for a moment, and I was waiting for someone to arrive.
Drip.
Inside the cabin, the air filled with ice, and a barrier was established.
I wielded magical energy to move and welcomed the approaching woman.
“You’ve become more skilled, Liriez.”
“Your voice is the same, which dispels some of my doubts, yet it raises others. Are you really who you say you are?”
“It’s a bit of a misnomer to call myself me. I’m more of a clone, really.”
“A clone?”
“Yes. Given the circumstances, I temporarily split. It’s been a while since I saw you, Liriez. I am the clone of Bel, the Sorceress of Crimson Lotus, Belerze.”
I succinctly explained the situation to Liriez—
“I will be heading to the Empire.”
“Calm down. That’s why I split to come here. The main body is safe.”
“Ugh….”
I comforted a flustered Liriez and led her to a bed.
“Sit down. I’ve heard the situation from Endymion, and I have something important to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“The enemy’s tactics are similar to those of Demon Lord Belphegor from 500 years ago.”
“…….”
I was equally surprised.
“The enemy is employing tactics that are ruthlessly focused on targeting not the Holy Knights but the cavalry. The Holy Knights are left speechless; they can no longer keep up with the enemy’s mobility.”
“It was my oversight. If only I had acted a bit faster….”
“Don’t beat yourself up, as the enemy would have anticipated your movements and deployed their tactics. What matters is what comes next.”
I reached out to Liriez.
“What about the Spirit Device? Has it been used?”
“…I decided not to use it unless it was the moment of utmost despair—unless we absolutely couldn’t win against the enemy Demon Lord with the blessing of the Moon Goddess.”
“I see. Then…. Liriez. I have a proposition.”
“What is it?”
“I wish to ask for your understanding….”
I grasped Liriez’s hand.
“How about we become one?”
