A few days later found me in the Audience Chamber, attending to the usual administrative tasks.
By spinning off portions of my territory into vassal states, I had shrunken the occupied lands under my direct control and lightened the load of petty chores. Even so, there was still much to be done. A deluge of documents arrived from every corner of the realm, all seeking my personal approval.
Though I delegated as much as I could to my subordinates, the sheer volume remained overwhelming. I methodically worked my way through the stacks of paper piled high on my desk, processing them one by one.
My hand froze mid-motion as I reached for a particular page.
(This is...)
I picked up the document and scrutinized it. Luciana, noticing the change in my demeanor, looked up with a curious tilt of her head.
"Something the matter?"
"The contents of this report concern me."
I handed the paper to her. It detailed the public sentiment across the various regions; evidently, the people were crying out for the Return of the Hero. They were taking the ever-growing threat of the Demon King’s Army with grim seriousness.
The report indicated similar reactions even outside the continent. Just as they had when the previous Demon Lord was subjugated, everyone was praying for the appearance of the Hero. The document listed the specific scale and the regions where these voices were loudest. Because it involved matters regarding a Hero, the report had been escalated to my desk.
After a quick glance, a look of understanding crossed Luciana's face. She handed the document back with a thoughtful expression.
"Ah, the Return of the Hero... Do you really think one will show up?"
"The possibility exists. It is always a Hero who defeats the Demon King."
I had always accounted for the Return of the Hero. To a Demon Lord, they were the fated nemesis. In fact, a Hero had once awakened to coincide with my own manifestation. A young man who had been nothing more than an ordinary soldier suddenly awakened to the Power of the Holy Sword. He became the first person I killed with my keepsake sword.
I still remember that battle vividly. Since it had happened once, there was no reason it couldn't happen again. However, any Hero capable of opposing me now would have to be an existence with world-shaping influence.
If such a person appeared, they could not be overlooked. There was even a risk they might become a new Demon King and truly bring about the end of the world. They would have to be eliminated immediately.
Luciana turned her gaze toward Grom, who was working silently nearby. She leaned back in her chair and called out to him.
"Hey, Bone Minister. What’s your take?"
"—A foolish question. No Hero exists who can defeat the Demon King-sama."
Grom spoke with absolute conviction, his eyes never leaving his paperwork. He stood up gallantly, pressed a fist to his chest, and made a theatrical proclamation.
"Should some half-baked pretender dare to style themselves a Hero, I shall deal with them personally! I shall erase them so utterly that not a single shred of flesh remains in this world!"
"Ahaha, how terrifying. Knowing you, you’re not even joking..."
Luciana shrugged and shook her head. I found myself agreeing with her. Grom would likely challenge a Hero without a moment's hesitation, and just as he declared, I had no doubt he would emerge victorious.
"Demon King-sama, I am always fully prepared! I shall venture even to the ends of the earth at your word, so please, do not hesitate to command me!"
"...Yes, I am counting on you."
I felt a bit overwhelmed by his intensity and gave a measured response. He was acting as if the enemy were already at the gates, which was not the case, but his motivation was made abundantly clear. Should an emergency arise, I intended to let Grom handle it.
Regardless, we had to remain vigilant for the arrival of the Hero. The Will of the World manifests the desires of the people; there was a genuine fear it might forge a Hero capable of rivaling my current power. I planned to utilize the spy information network to keep a close watch on all regions, including those outside the continent.
I gathered my thoughts and prepared to move on to the next document.
In the next instant, the doors were flung open with a bang. Diera stood there in the doorway, striking a defiant, wide-legged pose.
"I heard the word 'Hero' mentioned, you lot! I wish to join this conversation!"
"My, Diera-sama. As restless as ever, I see."
"It is proof of my vigor! More importantly, what is this about a Hero?"
As Diera strode into the room, Luciana caught her up on the topic. Diera listened with her arms crossed, a distant, uncharacteristically serious look in her eyes.
"Hoho. Voices seeking a Hero, is it... It is exactly as it was in my time."
"People cling to hope. No matter how fragile or fleeting it may be, they have no other choice."
"You understand well. As expected of a former Sage."
Diera patted my shoulder, then suddenly leaned in close. She spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone.
"The threat of the current Demon King is known to the entire world. What do you intend to do, Dwight?"
"I will continue to pressure the various nations and incite their hostility. So long as I can prevent inter-state wars, that is enough. My policy will not change, even if a champion appears."
"Umu. Not bad."
Diera slapped me on the back and then headed back toward the door with a light step. Behind her, Luciana was currently trying to soothe Grom, who looked to be on the verge of a rage—no doubt incensed by Diera’s casual physical contact with me.
Ignoring their exchange, Diera elegantly ran her fingers through her hair.
"Things are going smoothly for now, but see that you do not let your guard down. Should you find yourself truly troubled, you may rely on your predecessor. I shall cooperate... for a special price, of course."
"...So there is a fee."
"But of course! My gambling debts—no, it is nothing! At any rate, do not hesitate to ask!"
Looking bashful, Diera fled the room. Her noisy footsteps quickly receded down the hall, followed immediately by Grom, who charged out after her—likely intending to give her a stern lecture.
Left behind, Luciana gave a wry smile and whispered to me.
"She’s a disappointing person in many ways, but she really does care about you, you know?"
"Yes, I know."
Though her behavior was often problematic, Diera still possessed the dignity befitting a former Demon Lord. For that reason, I trusted her. It would be perfect if she could mind her manners a bit more, but perhaps that was too much to ask of her.
With the distant echoes of Grom’s bellows ringing through the halls, Luciana and I returned to our paperwork.