"The Former Demon King... and the Four Heavenly Kings, you say?! What on earth is the meaning of this?!"
Grom made no attempt to hide his shock.
He had been born only recently. While he had inherited knowledge and skills from the corpses used as his base material, it seemed he lacked more granular historical details.
"I will explain the details later. For now, greetings take priority."
Cutting the conversation short, I leapt from the outer wall. Slowing my descent with wind magic, I landed directly in front of the succubus who had once stood among the Four Heavenly Kings.
"What business do you have in my domain?"
"Hmm, so are you the new Demon King?"
The succubus tilted her head as she spoke. Her tone was oddly relaxed, devoid of any real tension. It was a voice I remembered well.
Pushing aside the memories resurfacing from my past, I answered her.
"For now, the title is self-proclaimed."
"Heh, I see. Interesting, very interesting..."
The succubus looked me up and down, her gaze lingering as if she were appraising a piece of merchandise. She seemed genuinely amused.
"—Little girl. If you dare show any further disrespect, I shall sever your head where you stand."
Grom had landed behind me, his voice like ice. He was different now—his aura had reverted to the cold, lethal presence he’d had when we first met. It seemed his loyalty was reserved solely for me; he had no intention of softening his attitude toward anyone else.
Faced with his killing intent, the succubus hugged her shoulders and gave a theatrical shiver.
"Oh, stop! Don't say such scary things."
It was an act, exaggerated and blatant. She was effortlessly parrying Grom’s bloodlust. Despite her playful behavior, her expression suddenly sharpened. She stepped toward me, bringing her face close to mine.
She was sniffing my scent. After a moment, she pulled back, her face lighting up with joy.
"I thought I recognized that magical signature! You’re Dwight, the Sage, aren't you? Come on, tell me I’m right!"
"You brat, how dare you address the Demon King in such a—!"
"Grom, enough."
I held out a hand to restrain him as he tried to lunge forward. The flames in Grom’s eye sockets dimmed instantly. He looked dejected, like a scolded hound.
"Demon King-sama..."
"Leave this to me," I said, calming him before turning back to the succubus.
She cut a striking figure with her dignified beauty and form-fitting black attire. Every posture, every glance, and every movement was perfectly calculated to provoke and entice. I had known many men who fell prey to her poisonous charms.
Of course, in my current state, I was immune to such things.
"It has been a long time, Luciana."
"It certainly has. Not since your precious Hero blew away half my body. What has it been? Over ten years?"
Luciana, the former member of the Four Heavenly Kings, narrowed her eyes with nostalgia. Her long pink hair swayed, its color shifting subtly as it caught the moonlight.
"My, Dwight, you’ve certainly changed. Is it just that time of life for you?"
"I am sure you have already surmised the truth. This is the Authority of the Valley of the Dead."
"Ah, I knew it!"
Luciana’s smile widened. Behind me, I felt Grom’s mood souring further. When I glanced back, he snapped to attention, straightening his spine.
"By the way, standing around talking is exhausting. Could you let us inside? I’d like to give my people a rest."
"Very well. I shall lead the way."
As I nodded, Grom voiced a cautious objection.
"Demon King-sama, is this wise?"
"It is fine. If anything happens—I will deal with it myself."
I paused for a beat, then let my miasma erupt from my body like a pillar of black flame. The darkness was so profound it stood out vividly against the night sky. In that state, I stared down Luciana and her followers.
The monsters visibly recoiled, cowering under the pressure. Even Luciana looked stunned for a moment before letting out a dry, breathy laugh.
"A-Ahaha... you really have changed. I find you far more charming now than when you were human."
"I don't care. Follow me. I shall welcome you as guests."
I turned and walked back into the Royal Capital, a long procession of monsters trailing behind.
"Isn't the miasma in this city a bit much? For it to be thick enough to affect monsters is saying something," Luciana remarked with an exasperated tone as we walked.
She cast a barrier magic, clearing the miasma from the path to ease the burden on her subordinates. It was a pragmatic move. The current capital was not fit for living beings; it hadn't been an issue until now because I only commanded the undead. Even for monsters, this concentration was lethal over time.
Once we reached the castle, I beckoned to Luciana.
"Only you may enter the inner sanctum. The others can use the surrounding buildings as they wish."
"Well, that’s fair. Understood."
Luciana used her magic again, enveloping several nearby buildings in a protective barrier. She had created a safe zone where her subordinates could wait without being choked by the atmosphere.
Dwight, Grom, and Luciana—the three of us proceeded into the castle. I chose an old drawing room for our discussion. The interior was surprisingly clean; Grom had likely been cleaning it in his spare time. We sat on opposing sofas, the low table between us serving as the boundary of our negotiation.
"I will ask once more. What is your purpose here?"
"Oh, don't be so stiff. After everything we’ve been through, Dwight?"
"C-Could it be that the Demon King-sama was... involved with this woman?!" Grom stammered, his eye-sockets flickering violently with shock. The suggestion clearly horrified him.
"Grom, compose yourself. I know Luciana, but we were never 'involved.' We were enemies."
The Hero’s attendant and a general of the Demon King’s army—we had been destined to kill each other and had fought many desperate battles. Our conflict had never truly been settled; while she was busy sabotaging the human army’s logistics, we had reached and slain the Demon King.
"We 'were' enemies... since you’re using the past tense, does that mean you think things have changed?" Luciana asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.
I nodded without hesitation.
"The master you served is dead. A decade has passed. We have no reason to fight."
"How pragmatic. You don't think I might be here to avenge him?"
"If that is the case, I will simply crush you and turn you into my undead puppets. I would have no qualms about putting your corpses to good use."
I delivered the threat with a heavy weight of intimidation. It wasn't a bluff; I would do it if I had to. It would be a simple task.
Luciana gasped, a single bead of sweat rolling down her cheek. She took a breath to steady herself, then leaned back into the sofa.
"...I’m kidding. We actually want to join you. We want to be the new Demon King’s subordinates."
"Explain."
Luciana began to recount their story. After the Demon King fell, his army had been systematically hunted by the humans. Without a leader at the apex, they couldn't coordinate an effective counterattack. Eventually, the survivors split into factions.
Luciana, a general of the Four Heavenly Kings, had led those who supported her to the fringes of the world. They were the "Moderates," choosing to live in hiding rather than fight a losing war. For ten years, they had endured hardship, waiting for a new king to rise.
"If some weakling had tried to claim the title, I would have just taken over. But I don't think I have to worry about that. Honestly, you're stronger than the last one."
Luciana’s praise was sincere, though it carried a hint of disbelief. My power clearly exceeded her expectations.
"But really, Dwight, of all people... I knew you and the Hero were executed, but what actually happened?"
She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. I saw no reason to hide the truth, and since she had been open about her own situation, I decided to return the favor. I told her everything—from the end of the war to my resurrection.
"So, the humans betrayed the heroes who saved them, and in doing so, they created the very Demon King who will destroy them? Ahahaha! Humans really are the most hopeless idiots!"
Luciana doubled over on the sofa, laughing hysterically. She found the irony delicious. I didn't see the humor in it, but it clearly resonated with her.
"Humans are foolish, yes," I countered. "But they are not beyond redemption. I intend to grant them eternal peace."
"How noble of you. You don't want to just wipe them out?"
"I have dedicated my life to world peace. That was my goal when I was alive, and it was her dying wish."
The path to peace had changed, but my core motivation remained the same. I was doing what I believed was necessary, without hesitation.
Luciana straightened up, a soft smile on her face.
"Well, I understand your motives. So, what’s the verdict?"
She watched me closely, then continued before I could answer.
"We want a place to live in peace. In exchange, we offer our skills and military power. You want capable subordinates. In exchange, you can offer us sanctuary in this capital."
"So, our interests are perfectly aligned."
"Exactly! It’s a win-win, don't you think?"
Luciana looked confident. At that moment, Grom leaned over to whisper in my ear.
"Demon King-sama, a word."
"What is it?"
"Please, over here."
I followed Grom to the corner of the room, where he erected a soundproof barrier.
"Do you truly trust this succubus?"
"Luciana is capable. She is cunning, yes, but we will simply keep her under watch."
Regardless of her intent, surveillance was mandatory. I couldn't have my new subordinates slaughtering humanity indiscriminately. As long as we managed that risk, the offer was too good to pass up. I cared nothing for our past rivalry; I only cared for her current utility.
"Her army of monsters is an asset. Even if it is only five hundred, it is a significant addition to our forces. This is a marriage of convenience. That is all."
"If that is your will, then I shall not object... however..."
Grom still seemed hesitant. I knew he was only looking out for my interests. I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"If things go south, I will be relying on your strength."
"...Hah! I, Grom, shall exert every ounce of my being to serve the Demon King-sama's cause!"
Grom’s energy returned instantly, the flames in his sockets flaring so high they nearly scorched the ceiling. He would be fine for now.
I returned to the sofa.
"I have decided."
"And?"
"I accept your proposal. I will provide you with a sanctuary, and in return, you will serve me in the coming conflict with humanity."
Luciana beamed and reached out her hand.
"Done. It’s not like we haven't fought humans before. I’m not going to start getting cold feet now."
"Then the deal is struck."
As I shook her hand, Luciana practically hopped with excitement.
"Wonderful! I look forward to working with you, 'Demon King-sama.'"
She slid closer, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her body against mine.
"...What are you doing?"
"I’ve always had a thing for strong men. I followed the last Demon King because I was in love with his power. And now... well, you get what I’m saying, right?"
Luciana looked up at me with moist, yearning eyes, her lips inches from mine.
She hadn't changed at all.
I began to gather mana in my hand. I didn't want to kill her, but I needed to set boundaries. This was a nuisance. I was about to cast a spell to push her away when eight skeletal arms suddenly sprouted and seized her.
They yanked her away from me with overwhelming force. Naturally, it was Grom.
"You lowly succubus! Attempting to seduce the Demon King-sama with your tawdry tricks?! Do not be fooled, Master! This woman is a serpent!"
"My, how dramatic. You’re quite something yourself, Mr. Skeleton, but you’re nowhere near his level. Sorry, but I only settle for the best."
Luciana smirked, her tone dripping with provocation.
"—Watch your mouth, you filthy succubus. You have crossed a line. I shall peel that pretty face of yours off so you can never use it again."
Grom was livid. His aura turned murderous, and he dropped all pretenses of civility.
"Oh, please. Give it your best shot."
Luciana took a combat stance of her own. For all her flirting, she was a warrior at heart who respected nothing but strength. Perhaps the stress of being a "Moderate" for ten years was finally venting itself.
"Fuhahaha! I shall grind you into dust with my magic!"
"Try it! I’ll tear those ribs right out of your chest!"
The two of them began trading spells, the shockwaves rattling the room and cracking the walls.
I watched them for a moment, then turned and walked toward the door. I couldn't be bothered with this. Even an undead body had its limits for dealing with nonsense. They were both smart enough not to actually kill each other now that we were allies. I’d let them fight until they were tired.
Leaving the chaos of the drawing room behind, I headed out to find Luciana’s subordinates and inform them of their new reality.