My objective in the Technomagic Kingdom had been achieved.
Having executed the inventor John Doe, I dismantled his enhanced armor and retrieved the secret stone from within. It was a blue crystal, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, yet even a light touch allowed me to feel the massive waves of power pulsating within it.
Returning to the Demon King's Army with the stone, I gathered my forces and teleported them back to our domain. Left alone, I set about "borrowing" the kingdom’s weaponry and development records. I methodically transported everything back to the Royal Capital, paying particular attention to the tanks and enhanced armor. These weapons were not yet mass-produced; they had been deployed only within the capital as a deterrent against my army. By stripping the city bare, I could prevent any third party from reverse-engineering the technology. While imitators would inevitably arise, this would at least buy us time. Advanced weaponry should not be allowed to spread prematurely.
I intended to deploy my spies to ensure this technology hadn't already leaked to other cities. I could not allow the sparks of human conflict to flare up further. That, however, was a plan for the future. For now, the Demon King's Army had secured a total victory. Things had proceeded mostly according to plan; the only thing left was to return the secret stone.
I teleported away from the ruined capital and traveled straight to the Empire’s territory. In the heart of the wasteland stood a humanoid shape of blue light—the Great Spirit. True to her word, she was waiting exactly where we had first met.
"I have brought the secret stone," I said as I approached. "I would like you to verify it."
"Very well." The Great Spirit turned toward me and held out a hand. The stone lifted from my palm, floating through the air until it settled in her grasp. She touched and examined it for a moment before looking up.
"It is unmistakably mine. The internal magic power has been almost entirely drained, but I shall overlook it. I am generous, after all."
"You have my thanks."
Serving as the power source for that giant golem had clearly taken a heavy toll on the stone. It was a relief that it hadn't been physically damaged. The Great Spirit then absorbed the stone into her form, likely sending it back to her main body through this avatar.
"I have felt the stone’s pulse since late last night," she said. "It seems you struggled to reclaim it, but you have done well."
"I only did what I promised."
"There are few who can actually keep their promises," she asserted. There was a weight to her words. As a being who had existed for an eternity, she had likely dealt with countless betrayals in the past. "Depending on the outcome, I had intended to eradicate your territory, but it seems that won’t be necessary. Though his methods are distorted, the current Demon King is functioning as an Arbitrator."
"You consider me an Arbitrator?"
"Indeed. You are beginning to move the world according to your will. You should have more confidence. You are walking a path far different from the Demon Kings of the past." Her tone was quiet, and I thought I detected a hint of gentleness. Returning the stone had seemingly earned me her respect. I decided not to comment on her threat to wipe out the Demon King's Domain. Nothing good would come of lingering on that.
I knew exactly what an enraged Great Spirit was capable of. The very ground we stood on had once been an Imperial city. Her threat wasn't a bluff; my own domain could easily have been reduced to this same desolation. I felt a renewed sense of relief that I had returned the stone.
"So long as you remain the Demon King of Arbitration, the defense mechanism will not interfere. Bear that in mind."
"Understood," I nodded. I had no reason to object.
The Great Spirit stared at me in silence, her gaze fixed and unreadable. While she didn't radiate any hostility, I couldn't divine her intent. Breaking the slightly awkward silence, I spoke up.
"Our business is concluded. May I leave?"
"One moment. As a reward for your service, I have something to present to you."
"What is it?"
The Great Spirit suddenly stepped forward, stopping only when she was close enough to shake my hand. She looked me in the eye and spoke.
"I present myself to you."
"…I beg your pardon?" A dull headache began to throb behind my eyes. Such a bizarre proposal could only mean trouble. It wasn't something I could simply ignore. Oblivious to my inner turmoil, she continued calmly.
"I spoke poorly. To be precise, I shall present this avatar to you."
I found myself speechless. I wanted nothing more than to let out a long, heavy sigh. If I took her literally, I was being given a fragment of the Great Spirit itself. Frankly, it was a gift I didn't want. While her power was enticing, the complications she would bring were far more significant. My military strength wasn't so lacking that I needed to take on such a burden. Declining would be the far more peaceful option. My battle in the Technomagic Kingdom had proven how dangerous unmanageable power could be. I couldn't be certain I wouldn't repeat John Doe's mistakes.
The Great Spirit peered into my face. "Is something the matter?"
"An avatar of the Great Spirit is far more than I deserve."
"You recovered a lost secret stone. I believe this is an appropriate recompense," she replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I realized then that she had intended to foist this on me from the start. "I shall grant this avatar an innocent personality. To me, she will be like a daughter. Her nature will be that of an infant, but I trust you will treat her well."
The weight of her "gift" only grew. This wasn't a reward; for some unknown reason, she was pushing her offspring onto me. Perhaps I had made too good an impression.
"Well? Will you accept her?"
"…I accept your gift with gratitude." I yielded. Under the pressure of her gaze, it was the only thing I could say. If I refused, I risked offending her. Since no harm had come of it yet, obedience was the safest path.
"That is all. I shall take my leave."
"Wait. There is one last thing I wish to ask."
She looked at me curiously. "What is it? I will answer if I am able."
I began to recount the events since my ascension as the Demon King. I spoke of the Hero, the Saint, and the inventor. I listed the inexplicable occurrences I had witnessed—the strange sense of interference I had felt.
"I have come to call these phenomena the 'Will of the World.' I feel a clear sense of intent behind them. Is this another form of defense mechanism?"
"It is not," she denied flatly. It was the answer I had expected. The nature of those events felt different from her own. "We, the defense mechanisms, manifest as tangible, powerful entities. We do not operate through such ambiguous phenomena."
"Then what is the Will of the World?"
"It is something else entirely. The world does not play favorites with humanity."
"You won't give me a straight answer?"
"Consider this a piece of advice: you must reach the answer yourself. It is a matter central to the nature of the current Demon King." She spoke with a solemnity that suggested she wasn't just being evasive; she was being protective. "The phenomenon you call the Will of the World is far more irrational than any defense mechanism. It is, quite simply, Fate itself. It is a force so great that it has destroyed defense mechanisms in the past. However, you possess a power that is similar yet opposite to it. You can oppose it."
"Similar yet opposite…"
"If you continue to live as the enemy of humanity, you will eventually understand."
The Great Spirit ended the conversation there. I hadn't received a clear answer, but I had at least touched the edge of the mystery. I would have to be satisfied with that. She wasn't the type to be swayed by persistence.
"Is that all?"
"Yes. It was helpful."
"I am glad." The Great Spirit made a gesture that resembled a smile. She drifted up into the air and looked down at me one last time. "Demon King, I look forward to the day we meet again."
A pillar of light erupted from her, piercing the heavens. When the radiance faded, only the blue avatar remained, slumped on the ground. Her power had diminished significantly; her light was faint, and she seemed several orders of magnitude weaker than before. Her connection to the main body had been severed.
The avatar slowly raised her head and stared at me.
"Detecting magic and miasma signatures… Master authenticated. I look forward to your instructions."
"…As do I," I managed to reply. The avatar appeared to be a completely independent entity now, no longer drawing power from the Great Spirit. Even in her weakened state, I could feel the immense power of a spirit within her. She wasn't someone I could simply leave behind. Having agreed to take her, I had no choice but to bring her home.
(I feel like I’ve been hustled...) I kept the thought to myself. I had no way of knowing if the Great Spirit was still listening.
I glanced at the silent avatar and shrugged. After a grueling conflict, the inventor of the Technomagic Kingdom was dead. This ordeal had taught me that excessive technological advancement is a poison. My existence may have been the catalyst, but it wasn't something I could ignore. If a world of mass-produced golems and advanced weaponry were to arrive, the very nature of war would change. Conflicts like this would repeat in a never-ending cycle. It wouldn't just be the Demon King against humanity anymore.
Should I welcome such an era and try to maintain a fragile balance? Or should I stifle civilization through destruction to preserve the peace? Eventually, I would have to choose. Many more such decisions lay ahead.
The future of the world rested in my hands.