The Defeated Demon

The reason Sagesse, a Staff Officer of the Trismalis Demon Kingdom, had traveled to Alf Village was to attend a clandestine meeting with a certain individual.

A few days before his arrival...

Sagesse had been summoned to a private room somewhere within the Kingdom. He was shown into a space decorated with such excessively gaudy ornaments that it felt oppressive. Across from him sat a masked man, his features hidden except for his mouth, while a butler stood silently by his side.

“So, you’re the Staff Officer of the Demon Lord’s Army? You look unexpectedly weak,” the man said.

Sagesse didn’t bother hiding his irritation. “Is this why you summoned me? If so, I hope you’re prepared for the consequences of wasting my time.”

“Now, now. There’s no need for that. I have a proposal that will benefit both of us.”

The man wore a persistent, mocking smirk that made Sagesse’s skin crawl.

“I’ve heard enough. I’m leaving.”

“Wait... What if I told you I was prepared to hand over half of the Kingdom’s territory?”

Sagesse froze, his hand already on the chair to push himself up. He doubted this man actually possessed such authority, and yet, there was a palpable pressure radiating from him that suggested he could actually make it happen.

“I’m listening,” Sagesse said, reseating himself.

The man began to outline his plan to destroy the Kingdom. In exchange for Sagesse’s assistance, he offered a contract to cede half of the land to the Demon Race. A contract forged through Dark Magic was absolute; should either party violate the terms, they would pay with their life.

“Why go to such lengths?” Sagesse asked.

“That is none of your concern. The only question is: will you cooperate, or not?”

“...Very well. I shall assist you.”

The man immediately produced a sheet of paper imbued with Magic Power. He signed it and slid it across the table. The terms were succinct: Cooperate until the fall of the Kingdom of Inraku, and in return, receive half of its territory.

A clause in the remarks section noted that neither party would reveal the other’s identity, even to their own allies. It was a standard enough precaution. After verifying the details, Sagesse added his signature. The document vanished in a burst of pale blue flames, sealing the pact.

“Now, for the details,” the man said. “But first, I need you to handle a small task for me.”

“And that is?”

“There is a man in the frontier region of Alf who has become an Uncertainty Factor. He’s the type who survives even when a Dragon is sent to kill him, simply because a Dragon Slayer ‘happened’ to be nearby. I suspect he has private ties to another nation. I want you to investigate him.”

“Is this really a matter that requires my personal attention?”

“I prefer to remain in the shadows for as long as possible—especially if I am to rule this Kingdom one day.”

“Fine,” Sagesse conceded. “I will investigate this frontier region myself. Is observation enough?”

“If the man, Yuri, makes a suspicious move, erase him. He is the greatest Uncertainty Factor in my plans.”

“Yuri. Understood.”

---

Thus, Sagesse had arrived in the frontier, strictly following the man’s instructions. He had told no one of his movements, driven by the secret ambition to claim the promised territory for himself and eventually declare himself the new Demon Lord.

The man, however, had ambitions of his own.

Once Sagesse was out of earshot, the masked man let out a low, mocking laugh.

“Heh heh... This is why the Demon Race are so useful. They’re easily deceived and make for excellent pawns.”

“My lord, won’t that contract force you to actually surrender half the Kingdom?” the butler asked.

“A contract like that has plenty of loopholes. The fact that he didn’t notice them makes me wonder how he ever became a Staff Officer. He’s a fool.”

“Was it necessary to involve a Demon? The more pieces you move, the easier it is for others to notice.”

“I’m aware. But I’ve received reports that the Saint has joined forces with Yuri. I need to act before it’s too late.”

“I see. Impressive as always, young master.”

“Drop it. I’m too old for that title. However, if this Demon manages to survive, I’ll have to consider more permanent methods for Yuri. For now, I’ve given the fool a taste of sweet nectar. He won’t suspect I’m pulling the strings.”

“He will certainly be grateful, rather than suspicious. But still, why use the Demon Race at all?”

“I had a specific reason for inciting a Staff Officer of the Demon Kingdom. If he happens to be killed, what do you think happens next?”

“The frontier region borders the Demon Kingdom... Ah, I see. A skirmish would break out.”

“Exactly. They’ll destroy each other, and I won’t even have to get my hands dirty.”

The man pulled off his mask, his laughter echoing in the room. It was the eldest son, Knot Lousouth.

“With this, I can quietly eliminate one of my rivals for the succession. It seems luck is finally on my side. Hahaha!”

◇ ◆ ◇

“Huh? Where did he go?”

Fee stood there with her Dagger drawn, ready to face the Demon, but her target had vanished. He hadn’t actually disappeared, though; he had simply fallen into the hole Dozul had dug earlier without looking where he was going.

“W-What a clever trap...” the Demon’s voice drifted up from the darkness. “Even with my power, I didn’t sense it at all.”

Since he was a Demon capable of flight, falling into a hole probably wasn't much of a setback for him.

“But a hole of this depth is nothing! I can easily fly—”

This guy sounds like he’s going to talk for a long time.

I watched him for a second before using my magic to seal the entrance of the hole with a massive boulder.

“Umm... that’s a little pitiful, isn’t it?” Fee asked, looking conflicted.

“Maybe, but why should I stand around and wait for a guy who declared himself my enemy to attack us?”

“I mean, you’re right, but...”

Fee looked genuinely apologetic for the guy. But he was a Demon. I knew a single rock wasn't going to hold him for long. Sure enough, cracks spread across the boulder, and a second later, it shattered into dust.

“To ignore a man’s speech like that... You really are as cold-blooded as a Demon,” Sagesse hissed as he emerged.

“Hup!”

Gofuh!

I slammed another boulder into him before he could fully climb out. He plummeted back into the darkness.

“I haven’t gained any Experience Points yet, so he’s still alive,” I noted.

“Yuri-sama...”

Fee was giving me a very cold look. What? Isn’t it standard tactics to attack an enemy while their guard is down?

The second rock shattered as well. When Sagesse reappeared this time, he looked significantly more worse for wear. Maybe he’s ready to talk now.

“Such a ruthless Attack... You truly are a model of demonic behavior,” he wheezed.

“Save it. Who sent you?”

I didn't recognize the name Sagesse, but I knew the Demon Race’s role in the original story. They were the ones who kidnapped people and tried to incite a civil war in the Kingdom of Inraku. In the end, they were just puppets handled by my father, Balan, and were eventually wiped out along with their country by the protagonists. They were a pretty tragic bunch.

Given that, I figured my father had sent him to spy on me—or assassinate me.

When Sagesse saw me channeling Magic Power into my hand again, he seemed to resign himself. “Sent? No, I wasn’t sent by anyone.”

“...Are you serious?”

It was a blatant lie. But he said it so naturally that for a split second, I wondered if he was telling the truth.

“Then why are you here?”

“A border village was being developed for no apparent reason. It’s only natural for us to investigate, isn’t it?”

“You did a lot more than ‘investigate’ when you attacked us,” I pointed out.

“I thought it best to eliminate a potential enemy of the Demon Kingdom early on. However, I’m impressed. Your strategic mind far exceeds my expectations. To think you’ve even turned your own territory into a minefield of traps in anticipation of an invasion.”

“A-Ah, well. You never know what might happen,” I said.

It was a total coincidence, but I wasn't about to tell him that. He might still be one of my father’s pawns.

“Anyway, do you still intend to attack us? If so, I’m happy to continue.”

I glared at him. Sagesse turned pale and shook his head vigorously.

“No. I’ve realized it would be much wiser to maintain a friendly relationship with you. I shall take my leave for today, and I’ll be sure to make amends for this misunderstanding later.”

Sagesse gave a polite bow and prepared to fly off. But as he turned, he shot a quick, predatory smile toward Fee.

I didn't like that. I dropped another boulder on him.

“Guha?!”

Caught completely off-guard, Sagesse failed to mount a Defense. The rock hit him squarely, and he plummeted back down, his strength finally failing him.

“Oh. I actually beat him.”

“W-Why did you do that?!” Fee shouted. “He said he didn't want to fight anymore!”

“Why? Because that guy was definitely looking for a chance to take you hostage. If someone’s an enemy, you can’t show them mercy.”

“R-Really? I didn’t notice at all...”

It was clear now that people were starting to target me in earnest. I need to prioritize the territory’s defenses, I thought as I looked at the wreckage.