The Demon Lord is often considered the final boss.

The axis of evil, a massive wall blocking the protagonist’s party, and simultaneously a direct threat to the human world.

The people of this world also perceive the Demon Lord similarly to our understanding.

The Demon Lord, as the leader of demons and monstrous beasts, is an evil entity that must be defeated. Excluding Lukaela of Hell and the demons, the most threatening evil on the surface is undoubtedly the Demon Lord.

Thus, their reaction was entirely understandable.

“The Demon Lord… Young Master…”

Bess looked up at me with a very anxious face. To a young girl like her, the existence of the Demon Lord must feel even more terrifying.

Cynthia, trying to comfort her, placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “Does the Young Master mean that a human can become the Demon Lord?”

“Yes. If the conditions are met, one can be ‘recognized’ as the Demon Lord.”

“Conditions?”

“One must conquer the Northern Region and gain the support of the demons.”

According to the original setting, there are three conditions to be recognized as the Demon Lord: gaining the support of a majority of demons, the agreement of the highest-ranking demons, and finally, recognition from the god of Hell. Only then can one become the true Demon Lord.

However, since this isn’t widely known, I only mentioned the support of the demons.

Cynthia, meticulous as ever, still seemed unconvinced.

“Honestly, isn’t it difficult? Those who despise humans, would they really support the Young Master? Moreover, is it necessary to become the Demon Lord? Doing so would turn the entire country against you and carry significant risks.”

“Good point, Cynthia. As you said, there are numerous obstacles. Therefore, I will approach the demons not as Tristan but under a different identity, wearing a mask.”

The method I chose is dual roles.

Outwardly, I will act as Tristan, the overall commander of the Northern Expedition, while behind the scenes, I will play a character gaining the support of the Northern demons to become the Demon Lord. In other words, I must manage dual roles while in the North.

“…You plan to wear a mask. It’s not entirely impossible, but won’t it be exhausting?”

“That’s why I need your cooperation.”

I spoke to the six pairs of eyes looking at me in the darkness.

“I know what you’re worried about. It must be shocking to suddenly hear about becoming the Demon Lord. However, I do not intend to become humanity’s enemy. What I aim for is to reign over the demons. By reigning over them, I will subjugate the demon territories, including the North, and the demons of this world. Becoming the Demon Lord is merely the result. Dominating the demons is synonymous with becoming the Demon Lord.”

My enemies are not the people of this world or the Northern demons, but the players from the outside world.

If I become the Demon Lord, just as humans unite against the Demon Lord, the demons will also unite around me to face the players.

If variables arise and the Demon Lord’s emergence is hastened, it will be troublesome.

If I’m too busy blocking the players and also have to deal with monstrous beasts and demons, this world will be doomed.

By sitting on the Demon Lord’s throne, I can preemptively suppress conflicts between humans and demons. Moreover, all nations will cooperate against the common enemy, the Demon Lord, ensuring a state of readiness when the players appear.

The sharpened blades will be directed not at the Demon Lord but at the players.

“I will not devour this country. A country like this can be easily taken even now without becoming the Demon Lord. The reason I haven’t done so is that the potential benefits weren’t substantial enough. Thus, I act solely for maximum profit. Dominating the demons as the Demon Lord follows the same logic, as it will bring the greatest benefit to me and my family.”

At this point, with the three great Demon Lords yet to appear, it’s a good opportunity for me to aim for the Demon Lord’s throne. Moreover, it’s also a chance to change the future of the demons.

In fact, it wasn’t just the humans of this world, labeled as NPCs, who fell to the players. Initially, the players’ targets were the so-called mobs… precisely the monstrous beasts and demons.

But this is merely my last hope… For now, convincing them is the first step.

“So, will you all cooperate with me?”

At my question, Helga, the yes-woman, nodded repeatedly, and Rian, still unsure, had a ‘whatever’ expression.

On the other hand, the maids seemed to need some time.

After a while, Muiry, the eldest sister and representative of the Annihilation Maids, spoke.

“So… the Young Master doesn’t want to lose either humans or demons, is that it?”

“That’s about right.”

“Huhu…”

“…?”

Muiry chuckled softly.

She brought up an unexpected topic.

“Actually, I was a bit worried, but the Young Master hasn’t changed after all.”

“…Haven’t changed?”

“Yes. Long ago, the Young Master said that demons are no different from humans. That they feel happiness and sadness like humans…”

Did Tristan say that?

This is the first I’m hearing of it.

Cynthia agreed with Muiry’s words.

“You might not remember, but we do. How kind and excellent the Young Master was as a child.”

Muiry and Cynthia, Tristan’s nanny and teacher, seemed to reminisce about the past, with gentle smiles on their faces.

Although I have some memories of Tristan’s childhood through trials, I don’t recall saying such things. It must have been from a very young age.

Still, hearing about my unknown childhood makes me somewhat embarrassed.

Rika and Bess also gave positive responses.

“The Young Master is the Young Master. I agree.”

“Right… the Young Master is kind. I will follow the Young Master…”

“It seems decided.”

“Therefore, we will all join the Young Master’s cause.”

The four maids knelt on one knee before me.

Muiry continued in a calm voice.

“Strictly speaking, we are no longer human. We are closer to undead or demons than humans.”

As she said, although they regained consciousness, they are essentially living corpses.

“The Young Master never gave up on us and saved us.”

“That’s…”

“The Young Master has always been that way. Kind not only to humans but also to non-humans, a pure soul.”

Compassion? Purity? These words don’t suit Tristan at all. I was about to say it’s nonsense but stopped.

The sincerity in their eyes was unmistakable.

“If the Young Master becomes the Demon Lord and pities non-humans like us, gathering them, then we must actively assist.”

“You all…”

Words failed me.

Cynthia added with a solemn expression.

“I will follow the Young Master until this body rots away.”

*

Thud-!

“Ugh…?!”

Bella’s wooden sword floated in the air and then fell onto the grass.

“Your skills have improved a lot…”

“I guess.”

Bella muttered, seemingly in disbelief.

After several intense exchanges, I gained the upper hand.

I swung my sword with full concentration. I recently realized that the more serious my thoughts, the better my focus.

It’s like a state of selflessness.

As the swordsmanship learned through ‘Jealousy’ became more familiar, my adaptability increased, allowing me to perform unconventional attacks or react to unexpected moves.

Ironically, the best results came when my mind was most troubled.

After declaring my intention to become the Demon Lord, my mind has been quite troubled.

Especially when facing Wendy or Bella, who stand opposite the Demon Lord.

Heroes and warriors. Both are destined to defeat the great evil, the Demon Lord.

“Ah… frustrating. To lose like this…”

Bella sighed in disappointment.

It was just a momentary lapse in concentration.

Seeing my intense focus, she seemed slightly flustered, leaving an opening.

Of course, if it were a real sword, the outcome might have been different…

“Sigh. Count. So, what now?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean? Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Bella, seemingly exasperated, placed her hands on her hips.

“You said if I won, you’d grant me anything. Since the Count won, it’s my turn to grant your wish.”

Ah… now that I think about it, Bella did say something like that before today’s spar.

Distracted, I just agreed.

“Well… do as you please.”

“No. Say it quickly.”

I scratched my cheek.

Right now, I just want to swing my sword more.

Perhaps this thought showed on my face, as Bella asked with a slightly worried expression.

“Count. Are you feeling unwell?”

“…Just feeling low.”

“Hmm… Are you taking the medicine I gave you?”

“Maybe?”

“Maybe? Are you kidding me?”

No… who takes stamina medicine just because they’re feeling low…

“You’re an idiot? You’re feeling low because you’re not taking the medicine.”

“Do you even know what that medicine is?”

“What medicine? What do you mean? It’s a good tonic for your health.”

“……”

Looking at Bella’s expression, she seemed genuinely unaware.

“Anyway… men need to be reminded even when given good things.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Never mind. I didn’t say that to hear an apology.”

Grumbling, Bella seemed lost in thought for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“Then… since I lost the bet, I’ll help boost the Count’s energy. Is that okay?”