We stepped into the Forest of the World Tree.
A single path stretched out before us, carved by the constant passage of the Elves—a feature that hadn't existed until recently. Because there were no external threats in the vicinity aside from wild animals, there was no longer a need for strict security, which allowed for the road's construction.
However, it was hardly unguarded. Countless spells were woven into the surrounding landscape. They varied from the glaringly obvious to those hidden with masterful subtlety. Even a veteran Mage would find it difficult to breach them. Should anyone with malice in their heart draw near, death would claim them in an instant.
Logan and I had collaborated to install these defenses as a last resort, and thankfully, they had never once been triggered. I could only hope it remained that way.
Diera squinted at the sunlight filtering through the canopy, shielding her eyes with a hand. "It remains a beautiful forest. 'Tis almost a pity I could not conquer it."
She was speaking of her time as the active Demon King. Back then, the Demon King's Army was laying siege to the entire continent. With Demons rampaging through every region, the world was the very definition of chaos.
That was why I and my companion had traveled the world, striking down the Demon hordes. Along the way, we sought a means to resist the Miasma; without a countermeasure, we never could have fought in the heart of the Demon King’s territory—the land now known as the Former Demon Territory. Those days were a relentless succession of hardships. It felt as though no matter how many lives one had, it wouldn't be enough. I often find it a miracle that we survived.
On the other hand, the Demon King’s Army hadn't been invincible. Compared to the Current Demon King's Army, they were almost entirely disorganized, often descending into infighting. Their invasion routes lacked any discernable logic and were frequently doomed to failure.
The Forest of the World Tree was one of the few regions that had barely been touched by the Demon threat, largely because it bordered the Empire. The Demons hadn't dared to attack carelessly. Though the Empire is long gone now, it had possessed staggering power back then, a strength that kept even the Demons at bay.
Furthermore, the preceding Demon King had a significant vulnerability. Remembering this, I murmured nostalgically, "Spirit Magic was your weakness."
While Dragonewts possess high resistance to most magic, Spirit Magic is the one exception they struggle to handle. It was for her what Holy Magic is for me.
Diera gave a wry smile. "Calling it a weakness is a bit much; it was never fatal. However, those Elves did cause me no end of frustration. I could list their affronts even now."
To have the home of the Elves—who could strike at her vulnerability—located in such a geographically inconvenient place must have been a constant headache. Of course, she has since overcome that weakness. Her constitution changed after being resurrected twice. Had the Diera of ten years ago been what she is now, the devastation across the world would have been far more severe.
Reflecting on the events of a decade ago, I asked her, "Do you still hold a grudge against the Elves?"
"If I did, I would not have chosen their village for our banquet. I never truly hated them. Back then, they had their own justice, just as I had mine. Our convictions simply clashed. Neither side was inherently wrong. If I must say, it was I, who justified massacre and conquest, who was the villain."
Diera spoke as she walked, her tone uncharacteristically solemn. This was clearly the core of her philosophy. Having accepted the label of 'evil,' she had fulfilled her role as the Demon King to achieve her goal: the Restoration of the Demon Race. In that regard, she was very much like me.
"Does a Demon King speak of good and evil?" I interjected.
"I would think you are the last person allowed to say that to me," she replied, her voice rumbling with a laugh. She turned her gaze toward Grom. "Grom, what sayest thou? Dost thou have any thoughts on what it means to be a Demon King?"
Grom stopped walking and stared at the ground in silence, the flames in his eye sockets smoldering low. Finally, he spoke with heavy, deliberate words.
"I stand by my Lord Demon King’s convictions. I serve him because of the man he is. No matter who created me, I could never pledge my loyalty to someone I did not respect. O Predecessor... had you been my master, I likely would not have submitted."
"Ugh, hearing it so bluntly stings my heart..." Diera clutched her chest as if wounded. When she saw I wasn't going to offer any sympathy, she cleared her throat and moved on. "Well, that bit of hurt aside, that is the essence of it."
"The essence of what?"
"The path of a Demon King. You asked me for advice once, did you not?"
I remembered. I had indeed asked her, though her answer at the time had been so useless I'd been left speechless. It seemed she was feeling serious today, however.
"To be blessed with subordinates—that is the greatest secret. As long as you remain true to your original intent, they will follow you of their own accord."
I agreed with her completely. I could never have achieved this much alone. My management of the Demon King’s Domain relied entirely on the support of my subordinates. They were my greatest strength.
Suddenly, Diera stepped in front of me. She reached out and touched my face with a gentle hand. Wearing a serene smile, she spoke with genuine warmth.
"Unlike me, thou art wise. Because thou art clever, thy burdens must be many, but do not fear to wander as thou move forward. If thou art to live for eternity, thou must learn when to let go."
"...I will take that to heart."
I was suddenly struck by the fact that the woman before me really was the preceding Demon King. Even without releasing her Magic Power or Killing Intent, she possessed an overwhelming presence. This was her charisma—the quality that had made her a ruler.
Usually, Diera shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever; she’s a textbook example of a degenerate. But in moments like these, I am reminded that she was once my greatest enemy.
Diera pulled her hand away and puffed out her chest proudly. The serious atmosphere vanished instantly as she asked in a jaunty tone, "Well? Did I sound like a proper Demon King?"
"I can't deny that you did."
"Heh-heh! Then you should worship me more! And while you're at it, how about approving an increase to my allowance?"
She held out her hand expectantly. I immediately shook my head.
"I refuse."
"Why?! Have you no heart!?" Diera wailed as if the world were ending. She collapsed to her knees and began to implore me with tears in her eyes.
I looked over at Grom. He was staring off toward the horizon with a hand pressed to his forehead, pointedly refusing to acknowledge her existence.
(Is she... emotionally volatile?)
The gap between the different versions of the former Demon King was vast. It seemed I still had much to learn about her.