I arrived at the training ground.
Based on Henry’s report, Diera should have been here performing maintenance on the weapons. It was about time I released her from the task; if she stayed for too long, her presence would only make the others nervous.
Regarding Diera’s true identity, I had initially intended to keep it a secret. However, since she frequently let things slip, it had become more or less an open secret. Realizing it was impossible to keep it hidden, I eventually decided not to worry about it.
Diera, a Dragonewt, was the preceding Demon King whom I had resurrected with my own power. That was the general understanding within the army, and as a result, she was treated as if she were an executive. While that didn't quite match the reality of our situation, correcting the misconception was a hassle, so I simply left it alone. She, for her part, didn't seem to have any objection to being mistaken for one of my subordinates.
I walked across the training ground. Hardly anyone was around at this time of day. Perhaps they were taking a break, or perhaps they were practicing in another location.
As I strolled about, I discovered a strange weapon. It was a tank, but its hull was encased in scales and shells. Furthermore, unlike a standard tank, three barrels were mounted on the turret. The two on the flanks were magic cannons. Looking closer, I saw several guns peeking out from the gaps between the scales and shells. It appeared to be a mechanism designed for multi-directional fire.
(What is this thing...?)
I was bewildered. This was not a weapon adopted by the Demon King's Army, nor had I seen anything like it at the Research Institute. I had no idea why such a tank was sitting in the middle of the training ground.
"Oh! Have you come to see me? You may approach!"
Diera's face popped out from behind the tank. She came running toward me, followed by Yura, the Great Spirit's Avatar. It was a rare combination. It seemed the two of them had been working on something together.
Diera stood before me and puffed out her chest with a look of immense pride.
"Rest easy. I have finished the weapon maintenance and leveled the ground. At this moment, there is no reason for me to be scolded... which is to say, I am invincible!"
"Setting that aside, what is this?"
"Oho, so you are curious after all? Then I shall tell you."
Diera gave a happy, knowing chuckle. Then, with her eyes wide and sparkling, she pointed at the monstrous tank.
"Behold my dedicated machine—the Magic Dragon Rakshasa!"
"......"
"I said, it is the Magic Dragon Rakshasa!"
Whatever she took my silence to mean, Diera shouted the name again. When I still said nothing, her bravado faltered, and she lowered her eyebrows anxiously.
"Is your reaction not a bit thin? Why is that?"
"Yura, explain the situation."
I quickly cut off the exchange and called for Yura, who seemed far more likely to provide a coherent answer. She nodded quietly.
"Accepting Master's request—I shall relay the sequence of events."
According to Yura, they had manufactured the tank together. The base was a unit that had been heavily damaged during the recent mock battle. Diera had provided the ideas, and Yura had modified the machine to bring those concepts to life.
"Explanation concluded—I executed this task upon hearing that modifying the tank would be an encouragement to Master."
"Is that so?" I asked Diera.
Diera nodded with an air of "of course."
"Men love things brimming with romance, do they not? I calculated that if I showed you this tank, you would be beside yourself with joy!"
"Have you ever seen me 'beside myself with joy'?"
"Mm... come to think of it, I suppose I have not..."
Faced with such an obvious point, Diera crossed her arms and stammered. Sweat began to trickle down her face. I decided to press her further.
"What was the real reason you modified the tank?"
"I-I was envious of the dedicated machine golem that Yura possesses! I decided I wanted a dedicated machine of my own. Seeing as it was a tank that could not be repaired, I judged that I might as well play with it as I pleased!"
"......"
Watching Diera confess so painfully, I felt a headache coming on. It seemed she had persuaded Yura to help by using my name as leverage. She only ever seemed to use her low cunning for things like this. She was a truly troublesome predecessor.
Meanwhile, Diera began frantically piling up excuses.
"W-Well, Yura is equally guilty this time! You could say she is my accomplice!"
"Refuting Individual Name Diera's claim—I was deceived. The majority of the responsibility lies with you. Master, please give her a severe reprimand."
"What?! You've betrayed me?!"
The two of them began an unseemly squabble. Since things were threatening to get out of hand, I stepped in to mediate.
"Don't fight. I won't punish either of you. However, if you're going to do something like this in the future, get permission first. Unless it's something truly egregious, I won't forbid it."
"Kuhaha! The current Demon King is generous indeed. In my era, heads would have been separated from shoulders for such a stunt."
Diera completely regained her high spirits and laughed, her previous anxiety vanishing without a trace. Since it would be a problem if she didn't reflect on her actions at all, I decided to give her a small warning.
"...Is that what you want to happen?"
"I refuse! I shall resist with all my might!"
Diera ducked behind Yura, using the golem as a shield. Yura, for her part, looked extremely annoyed. It was a pathetic sight. I found it hard to believe that this woman had once been my arch-enemy.
Suppressing a sigh, I spoke to Yura.
"Diera has been a nuisance. I'll take it from here."
"Accepting Master's instruction—it was not a nuisance. It was fun."
"That's good to hear."
It seemed Yura had actually enjoyed the process. If she had truly hated it, she wouldn't have participated to this extent. Her claim that she enjoyed it didn't seem to be a lie.
Besides, the modified tank was useful. It was stable as a weapon and had been modified into a rather fascinating state. The level of craftsmanship was high enough that I should bring it to the Research Institute later to show the Director. She would undoubtedly be thrilled to analyze its internal structure. Discovering Yura's unexpected talent for engineering was also a productive harvest.
As I observed the tank, Diera clapped her hands together.
"We had a meeting scheduled, did we not? Have you decided on a policy for the Demon King's Domain?"
"Yes, it's decided."
I relayed the plan we had settled on in the conference room. After listening, Diera nodded while stroking her chin.
"Hmph, hmph. Abandoning the Republic's territory to concentrate on solidifying our foundation... not a bad plan at all."
"Forces from other countries might try to intervene in the former Demon territory as well. I want you to be on your guard."
When I warned her, Diera snorted. She licked her lips with a ferocious expression.
"Do you realize who you are saying that to? Though I have been defeated by you twice, the power of the predecessor has not waned."
"No. I'm telling you not to overdo it. You know about the Defense Mechanisms, don't you?"
At my words, Diera’s face instantly soured. She looked as though she were recalling a particularly unpleasant memory.
"...Of course I know. Those fellows are troublesome in the extreme. It is best to avoid them entirely."
As the preceding Demon King, Diera indeed possessed knowledge regarding the Defense Mechanisms. She might have received some kind of warning during her war against humanity. Since her original goal had been the restoration of the Demons' power, she shouldn't have been a target for elimination. They likely kept their distance and tacitly permitted each other's existence.
Diera looked bitter for a moment, but then she suddenly turned to me with a serious face. Immediately after, she puffed out her chest and laughed loudly.
"Of course, I could eliminate them if I truly put my mind to it! I have achieved great growth by overcoming death twice. Even if it were a Great Spirit or a Dragon God, I would crush them like a babe!"
"Spoken like a true preceding Demon King. Those are bold words."
A flat, emotionless voice resonated from the side. We instinctively turned toward the sound.
Standing there, floating slightly off the ground, was Yura—and she was radiating an immense amount of magic power.