One day, a report arrived via Telepathy from one of my spies.
It appeared that an enemy attack had occurred in an occupied territory outside the continent. A local army, seeking to reclaim their land, had launched an invasion. I reviewed the documents summarizing the tactical information.
The site was a frigid land located across the sea, north of this continent. It was a land of perpetual snow, and I had received previous reports of strong resistance against the Demon King’s Army. It seemed they had finally orchestrated a large-scale rebellion.
The occupied territory was currently in the midst of a defensive battle. By utilizing the undead I had previously stationed there, they were keeping casualties to a minimum while requesting reinforcements. Fortunately, the chain of command was functioning well, and they were taking the most effective actions possible. According to the spy, they could easily hold out for another half-day.
That said, there was no reason to make them wait. I immediately contacted my subordinates via Telepathy.
As a result, three of my generals—Henry, Grom, and Yura—were selected for deployment. They organized their respective units into a reinforcement army, and once preparations were complete, I teleported them directly to the site.
Their combined military strength was more than sufficient. There was nothing for me to worry about.
Just as I was about to return to my administrative work with a sense of relief, Luciana spoke to me.
"Now that I think about it, they mentioned they were going to test out a new weapon this time. Demon King, why don't you go watch for a bit? It might be a nice change of pace."
"It is unnecessary. I need only receive a report later."
"You’ve hardly left the castle lately. You should go spectate, if only to take a break."
"Hmm..."
After a moment of consideration, I decided to follow Luciana’s advice. I realized she was subtly showing concern for my well-being. I was likely more exhausted than I realized. In such moments, it is often wise to listen to the counsel of others.
Furthermore, witnessing the battlefield might spark some new inspiration. While it was morbid to find a "change of pace" in a place where people were dying, it was far too late to worry about such sensibilities.
I do not dislike slaughter. Deep within my soul, a hatred for humanity still smoldered. From the moment I became the Demon King, that emotion had clung to me, indelible and persistent. It is a filthy true nature, but I have no choice but to acknowledge it. After all, I am the one who chose to continue as the Demon King.
I intended to face my true feelings and maintain my mental equilibrium. After tidying my desk, I teleported to the battlefield.
As the reports had stated, a vast snowy plain stretched out in every direction. Below me towered the Gray Fort. It was surrounded by multiple layers of outer walls, where my subordinates were busily rushing about. That was the stronghold of the Demon King’s Army, one of our primary bases in this region.
Looking further out, I could see the local army. They were pressing their assault on the fort, struggling to breach the first outer wall. The Demon King’s Army countered by flooding the field with a massive number of undead, successfully focusing on delaying tactics.
The local forces made heavy use of magic and archery. They even possessed a small number of weapons that appeared to be cannons. Artillery shells were fired in high arcs, falling toward the fort, only to be intercepted by the constantly maintained defense magic. The resident mages were working in shifts to sustain the barriers, contributing quietly but effectively to the fort's defense.
In the plaza within the fort, the reinforcements I had sent were gathering. Henry was energetically barking orders as he led his troops toward the first outer wall. Meanwhile, Grom ascended into the air toward me.
The moment he spotted me, he immediately straightened his posture. Then, he began to radiate a massive amount of magic power. He seemed quite eager to impress. Thick, dense miasma swirled around him in a vortex.
(I only hope he does not overdo it...)
As a trace of unease flickered through my mind, Grom took his position high in the sky. He spread his eight arms and let out a theatrical roar.
Black flame erupted from his mouth and scattered into the air. The fire broke into fine droplets like rain, showering down past the fort’s perimeter and onto the snowy plains. A sequence of thunderous roars shook the very atmosphere.
The black flame bypassed the enemy’s defense magic and detonated in the heart of the local army. The devastation was immense. Soldiers struck by the black flame screamed in agony, scrambling in every direction. Their comrades tried to extinguish the fires, but the flames refused to die.
The soldiers who burned to death eventually rose as undead thralls, immediately turning to attack their former allies. The local army was thrown into absolute chaos. With the undead rising in their middle, the army was effectively cut in half. Their chain of command was paralyzed, and all coordination vanished. They were no longer in any condition to even attempt breaching the outer wall.
Grom did not fire a second shot. Instead, he folded his arms and watched the scene with calm satisfaction. Had he unleashed his magic in earnest, that single strike would have likely reduced the entire army to ash. He was clearly moderating his power to force a retreat. I had been slightly worried, but it seemed Grom was using his own brand of tactical restraint.
As I watched the local army’s formations crumble, Yura approached me. She tilted her head slightly, peering into my face with her inorganic gaze.
"Question for Master—why have you come to the battlefield? The military strength required for interception is already excessive."
"I simply wished to spectate for a while. Do not concern yourself with it."
"Understanding Master’s objective—I will demonstrate the results of my training. Please evaluate my performance after the battle."
With those words, Yura extended both hands and focused.
Shortly after, the magic power drifting within the fort began to shift. The mana density across the entire area became perfectly uniform, creating an optimal environment for casting spells. Yura had likely manipulated the atmosphere to reduce the strain on our mages.
Furthermore, a change occurred near the outer walls. Pushing through the deep snow, countless vines sprouted and grew rapidly. The vines formed a dense, mesh-like lattice that clung tightly to the walls before halting their growth. It appeared she had used spirit magic to manipulate the flora and reinforce the fort's defenses. Similar reinforcements were appearing across the entire perimeter of the outer wall.
(She chose rear support based on an assessment of her own abilities.)
Grom and Henry provided more than enough direct violence. Sensing this, Yura had independently decided on the most optimal course of action. This level of autonomy would have been unthinkable when we first met.
It seemed she, too, was growing within the ranks of the Demon King’s Army.