“Demon King-sama, I have a report to share.”
Grom appeared in the Audience Chamber, bowing deeply as he spoke. He carried a visible air of tension, suggesting the news was grim.
I shifted my legs, settling back into the throne. “What is it?”
“The Holy Staff Kingdom has issued a declaration of war.”
“I see.”
I offered a businesslike nod. I wasn't particularly surprised; it had been roughly thirty days since the war with the Empire had concluded. I had known this day would come eventually.
The Holy Staff Kingdom was a nation located in the Eastern Region of the Demon King’s Domain, situated beyond a stretch of dense forest and deep canyons. As their name implied, they were masters of Holy Magic, and their people were known for being exceptionally devout.
Predictably, they loathed the Undead with a passion. Since the two were polar opposites of Holy Power, the Holy Staff Kingdom considered them an abomination. In the Heroic Tales, whenever an Undead was defeated, a representative of the Holy Staff Kingdom appeared almost without fail.
In truth, I had heard they possessed many elite masters of Holy Magic. When it came to combating the Undead, the Holy Staff Kingdom was peerless; they were practically synonymous with the term “Undead Slayer.”
There was no way such a nation would ignore the rise of a Demon King. They would stop at nothing to see me destroyed. I had known they would move sooner or later.
As for why they had remained silent until now, I suspected it was due to their particular brand of fanaticism. Even more than their hatred of the Undead, they prioritized the prestige and image of the Holy Staff Kingdom—their pride, their ego, and their public face. They were a people obsessed with how they were perceived by the rest of the world. I recalled them often being mocked as a pretentious, haughty nation.
Acting rashly would have wounded their dignity. They had likely been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. Now that the Empire had been neutralized, they had decided it was time for them to step onto the stage. No doubt the declaration of war was a calculated move to demonstrate their majesty and legitimacy to the other nations.
“They claim they will ‘strike down the King of the Dead who seeks to shroud the continent in darkness.’ It is a truly infuriating proclamation,” Grom growled.
“On the surface, it is fact. They aren’t technically wrong.”
“That may be so, but still...” Grom groaned with clear dissatisfaction.
From his perspective, it was an unwelcome development. Since Grom knew and supported my true objective, he found the Holy Staff Kingdom’s self-righteous claims offensive.
Still, this was a favorable turn of events. That the Holy Staff Kingdom had officially declared war meant they recognized the Demon King as a significant threat. It aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming the common enemy of the world.
“So, how shall we proceed? Shall I and the Archers depart, as we did with the Empire?”
“Hmm, let me think...”
I stroked my chin in thought, but before I could answer, the doors to the chamber swung open. Luciana entered, holding a stack of documents.
“We have a problem,” she said, getting straight to the point. “The Holy Staff Kingdom’s army has already begun its invasion of the Demon King's Domain. According to my spies, they’re causing significant damage.”
“...Oh?”
According to Luciana, their forces had already crossed the southeastern border. They were reportedly cutting a path through the territory, slaughtering humans indiscriminately. Their justification was that they were “granting salvation to the People of Darkness who have fallen under the Demon King’s sway.”
Grom, listening from the side, turned to Luciana with an irritated expression. “Succubus. Is this information verified?”
“Of course it is. Do you think I’d come in here and lie about it?”
“I am asking if there is any chance of error in your spy’s reporting.”
Luciana stepped forward and poked Grom in the chest with a finger. “Trust my work. I trained those children personally. Besides, why is the Bone Minister even here?”
“I came to inform the Demon King-sama of the declaration of war.”
“So they invaded at the exact same time they sent the declaration? I see. How typical of those ‘precious’ humans,” Luciana remarked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Contempt for humanity was written clearly across her face. Her eyes, usually full of amusement, had turned cold.
The Holy Staff Kingdom was more ruthless than I had anticipated. It wasn't clear how deep they intended to push, but they were attacking the Demon King's Domain in earnest. Furthermore, it seemed they considered any human who had submitted to my rule as a target for purge.
“What’s the plan for the Holy Staff Kingdom’s army?” Luciana asked. “It’s the human towns that are being hit. Do we just wait and see for a bit?”
“No, we intercept them. I won’t stand by while they do as they please in my domain,” I answered immediately.
If left unchecked, the damage would only escalate. Those human towns were now part of the Demon King's Domain. Since they had submitted to me, they were mine. I would not allow them to be threatened.
“When do we march?”
“As soon as preparations are complete. Organize the units immediately.”
Upon hearing my orders, Luciana let out an exaggerated sigh, though a wry smile played on her lips.
“Honestly, Demon King-sama, you’re far too soft. You might actually make a decent king.”
“Enough joking. Go. You too, Grom.”
“All right, all right.”
“As you command!”
At my urging, the two of them left the room. Alone again, I leaned back into my throne. My thoughts remained fixed on the Holy Staff Kingdom.
(They are a people I have a long history with...)
Ten years ago, that person and I were constantly harassed by the Holy Staff Kingdom. They couldn't stand the idea of anyone outside their own borders being the one to slay the Demon Lord. While the circumstances were different now, their motivation remained the same: pride and the preservation of their own glory. There were several moments back then where their interference nearly cost us our lives.
While they spent their energy on such petty sabotage, they failed to produce any formidable warriors of their own. Most of their few remaining heroes had already perished in the war against the demons. At the time, the Holy Staff Kingdom didn't have the strength to rival a Demon Lord on its own.
Ultimately, after navigating their numerous attempts at sabotage, we succeeded in killing the Demon Lord after a grueling battle. From that point on, the Holy Staff Kingdom cut all ties with us, and we were executed shortly thereafter.
Ten years later, even after discarding my humanity, I still held no love for that nation. They were arrogant to the core, concerned only with their own prosperity. In a way, they were no different from the Empire. Though their methods differed, they were just as incapable of cooperation.
I didn't necessarily want to settle an old grudge, but I would see to it that they suffered a crushing blow. I wouldn't destroy them this time either; I would simply force them to discard their hollow pride and join hands with the other nations. The Holy Staff Kingdom’s power was a vital asset for humanity’s future. In a fight against an immortal Demon King, they would undoubtedly be the people's beacon of hope.
I intended to make full use of that fact.
Shortly after, the army to intercept the Holy Staff Kingdom was assembled. Henry, whose human nature made him immune to the purification effects of Holy Magic, and Grom, who would command the Undead, were appointed as the Generals. Luciana, Dolda, and I remained behind.
The departing force was a Combined Army consisting of monsters, Undead, and Elves. Because the enemy relied on Holy Magic, I personally applied Enhancement Magic to the troops. This boosted the durability of the Undead, making them a force capable of crushing almost any conventional army.
I teleported the Interception Army directly to the Holy Staff Kingdom’s position. We had a plan in place for Grom to send a Telepathy once the fighting was over. Based on my experience, the matter would likely be settled by sunset.
And so, after a brief moment of peace, the Demon King’s Army marched to war against a new nation.