The next morning.
A massive magic circle sprawled across the plaza before the Royal Castle. Within its glowing lines, the Demon King’s Army stood in perfect formation. Seventeen hundred subordinates had assembled for this campaign of conquest: two hundred monsters and fifteen hundred undead.
The monsters formed the core of the fighting force, while the undead were largely expendable. Though seventeen hundred was a modest number to bring a nation to its knees, the undead ranks could be replenished indefinitely on the battlefield. Furthermore, my presence on the front lines would allow us to adapt to any contingency. Unless something truly extraordinary occurred, it was unlikely we would be forced into a retreat.
"My Lord, preparations for our departure are complete," Grom announced. "The army awaits your signal."
"Good work. I leave the capital in your hands."
I had assigned Grom and several other subordinates to handle the defense of the Royal Capital. I could not risk an enemy faction attempting an invasion while I was away. With the vast number of undead stored within the city walls, the capital would not easily fall, regardless of the enemy's strength. In a worst-case scenario, the miasma sealed within the castle could be released as a weapon of mass destruction. However, such a move would indiscriminately kill every living thing in the vicinity, including our own allies, making it strictly a last resort.
"Leave it to me!" Grom declared, striking his chest with his fist. "I, Grom, shall repel any and all who dare threaten your domain!"
It was a characteristically dramatic display. As he spoke, Luciana stepped forward, casting a skeptical glance at the skeleton.
"Are you sure we can trust this bag of bones?" she teased. "I’d hate to return and find the city occupied because he was busy polishing his ribs."
"What was that, you succubus...!" Grom bristled, the flames in his eye sockets flared. "It was the Demon King himself who chose me for this task. I am the most suited for this defense. If you require proof, perhaps I should destroy you first?"
"Oh my, don't scare me like that," Luciana said, covering her eyes with her hands. "I think I might cry."
She was smiling far too broadly for her act to be convincing. Grom’s irritation only grew.
"Confound you! Do you intend to mock me until the end of time?!"
"Enough. Both of you, be quiet," I interjected. "You are making a mockery of the gravity of this situation."
They silenced themselves instantly, straightening their postures. They were being strangely obedient today. Luciana wore a sour expression, hesitating for a moment before turning to Grom.
"...Fine, just leave the fighting to us. I’ll keep the Demon King safe. You just worry about the capital."
"H-humph. There was no need for you to say so," Grom responded with a stiff nod.
It seemed they were making a genuine effort to get along, which was a welcome development. As I observed the modest growth of my generals, Luciana tapped me on the shoulder.
"Hey, Demon King."
"What is it?"
"Would you do us the honor of the opening command?"
Luciana gestured toward the waiting army. Every eye was fixed on me, filled with fervent expectation.
"Understood."
I conjured a stairway of solidified force fields and ascended into the air. Looking down upon the assembled legion, I made a quiet, solemn declaration.
"The time has come. I will not waste words. Survive, and seize your glory."
The army erupted in a deafening roar. Their morale was exactly where it needed to be. I descended back to the ground, where Luciana met me with a satisfied grin.
"Was that sufficient?" I asked.
"It was perfect. Their spirits couldn't be higher," she replied, giving me a thumbs-up.
"And the enemy's position?"
"I have it down perfectly. The timing is ideal. If we’re going to strike, it must be now."
"I see."
The succubi under her command had been reporting the Small Nation's movements in real-time. I knew exactly where they were. They likely intended to launch a surprise attack, but that hope was already dead.
"Prepare for teleportation magic!" Grom shouted, his voice carrying across the plaza. "The transition will be sudden—maintain your composure!"
A sense of sharp, focused tension ran through the ranks. Grom bowed his head deeply toward me.
"Safe travels, my Lord."
"I am off."
I activated the teleportation magic. The massive circle on the ground flared with blinding light, and the world shifted.
A vast canal appeared before me. My subordinates materialized in perfect order directly behind me. On the opposite bank, the army of the Small Nation was visible, frozen in the middle of their advance. They were split; one half was crossing a stone bridge, while the other was ferryng across in boats.
The sight of the Demon King’s Army appearing out of thin air left them in a state of utter shock. Luciana let out a pleasant laugh at their bewilderment.
"What frighteningly precise teleportation. Transporting an entire army in a single breath... you truly are outside the norm, Dwight."
"I could not fulfill the role of the world's absolute evil if I could not manage this much."
I stepped forward. Luciana watched me, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Are you really going to offer them a chance to surrender?"
"Naturally. I will grant them a final grace period. If this can be settled without bloodshed, that is the preferable outcome."
I used magic to amplify my voice, projecting it across the water to the human forces.
"Hear me, humans. We are the Demon King’s Army. We are those you seek to face in battle. However, I have a proposal—"
"Attack! All forces, charge!" the enemy commander roared, cutting me off. "Magic units, fire at will! Do not let them gain a single inch of ground!"
A chorus of war cries answered him. The soldiers of the Small Nation launched themselves forward with desperate, suicidal resolve. Spells began to arc across the canal toward us.
"Still think a bloodless battle is possible?" Luciana asked.
"...No. It is impossible."
"I told you. Humans are such fools. Your mercy was never going to reach them."
"I know."
Her assessment was undeniably correct. The proof was flying toward us in the form of fire and steel. There was no room left for words.
(I suppose it can't be helped.)
I unleashed a series of lightning strikes, swatting the incoming spells out of the air. The bolts continued their path, slamming into the humans on the stone bridge. Charred bodies tumbled into the canal, and the bridge itself collapsed under the sheer force of the impact.
"Wow. That’s a flashy opening," Luciana remarked.
"It was merely a deterrent."
I raised my arm high so that every soldier behind me could see it. Then, I gave the order.
"The terms have been rejected. Unleash your violence."
As I brought my arm down, the monsters charged. The undead acted as the vanguard, with orcs and ogres following in their wake. I intended to step back and let them handle the rest. The monsters needed this—they needed to kill, to vent their frustrations, and to build the confidence required for the wars to come. I could have ended the battle in a heartbeat with a single spell, but that would serve no purpose. The Demon King’s Army needed a victory so absolute it would intoxicate them. A single triumph would do more for their spirits than a thousand speeches.
The lead undead plunged into the canal, swarming the boats and dragging them under. They tore into the soldiers who fell into the water. Those who managed to avoid the water were intercepted and butchered by the following monsters. The humans fought back with frantic desperation, but the momentum had already shifted.
The monsters used the floating bodies of the undead as stepping stones to cross the water. Between our superior individual strength and the psychological shock of the sudden encounter, the humans had no hope of holding their formation. My magic deflected every long-range attack they attempted. It was no longer a battle; it was a one-sided slaughter.
"Ah, what a lovely sight," Luciana murmured, her expression one of blissful contentment. She produced a bottle of wine, poured a glass, and took a slow, appreciative sip.
"...You brought wine?"
"It’s an expedition, isn't it? Don't you want to watch over your subordinates while enjoying yourself?"
"Take this seriously."
"I am always serious. Look." Luciana pointed to the alluring smile on her face. "A succubus doesn't get drunk on wine alone. Right now, I’m intoxicated by this magnificent scene."
She set the bottle down and looked out over the battlefield with distant eyes.
"For ten years, I dreamed of this. It brings back so many memories."
"Memories of your time serving the previous Demon King?"
"Yes. Those were fun times... and little Dwight was so cute back then, too."
She spoke with a playful, teasing lilt.
"...Stop calling me that."
"Oh? Have you completely discarded your human name? Are you nothing but the Demon King now?"
"Does it matter?"
Luciana’s playfulness vanished instantly. Her expression turned stern, her tone bordering on angry.
"It matters a great deal. You are an individual, Dwight. You aren't just some abstract concept of a 'Demon King'."
"An individual..."
"Honestly, are you mistaking yourself for a tool or a device for your own goals?" She shrugged and let out a heavy sigh. I felt as though I were being scolded, though I wasn't entirely sure why.
"It shouldn't matter. I am simply the optimal solution for achieving my objective."
"That's not okay at all."
Before I could react, Luciana reached out and cupped my face with both hands, holding my head steady.
"Let go."
"Not until you swear to value yourself."
"This isn't the time for this. I need to focus on the battle—"
"Really? Look at the battlefield and tell me you still need to focus."
She forced my head to the side. Ghouls and skeletons were overturning the last of the boats as soldiers vanished into the depths with blood-curdling screams. Former human soldiers were already rising from the water as new ghouls, crawling onto the far bank to join the fray. The Small Nation’s army had completely shattered; the few survivors were already in full flight.
"This is an absolute landslide. There is nothing for you to worry about. Now, answer me."
"......"
"Will you... value yourself?"
She pressed me with genuine intensity. I realized she wouldn't release me until I gave her the answer she wanted. There was no way to deflect or use half-truths; she was looking straight into my soul.
After a long silence, I finally spoke.
"—Fine. I will make an effort."
"Good. That’s enough for now," Luciana said, releasing me with a satisfied nod. "I’ve got your word. I’ll be sure to tell that meddlesome bone, too."
She tipped the bottle back and drained the rest of the wine before speaking softly.
"...Hey."
"What is it?"
"If you ever have any worries, don't hesitate to come to me. Especially the things you can't talk about with a certain skeleton..."
Her voice was small, unusually meek. Her cheeks were flushed—perhaps from the wine, or perhaps from something else. I decided it would be boorish to ask.
"...I'll keep that in mind."
"Good! And if you ever find yourself craving human warmth, I’ll be more than happy to warm you up!"
With that, Luciana took flight, soaring toward the front lines. She began raining down magic from above, dealing the final, crushing blows to the remnants of the enemy army. The monsters cheered as she joined the slaughter.
Left behind, I could only grumble to myself.
"What on earth was that about..."
I couldn't quite grasp her objective. Was it her own strange way of encouraging me? I could sense the goodwill she felt toward me, but the interaction left me feeling perplexed.
Regardless, one thing was certain: I was truly fortunate in the subordinates I had gathered.