The question raised by the Great Spirit shifted the atmosphere of the room instantly.
The air grew heavy once more. It was the kind of silence that warned against speaking carelessly.
The Great Spirit stared fixedly at me, her expression the very picture of gravity. As a Defense Mechanism, she was undoubtedly gauging my worth.
While everyone else hesitated to speak, Gwen’s smile only deepened with amusement. To my annoyance, she put on a show of mock surprise.
"Oh my, Miss Great Spirit. Were you opposed to this plan after all?"
"I am not opposed. I simply have matters I must confirm first."
Shaking her head, the Great Spirit rose from her chair. Her presence was quiet, showing no outward sign of emotional turmoil, yet the pressure radiating from her was palpable.
"I understand your plan. Its realization is certainly within the realm of possibility. However, it involves granting an immense amount of power to the Former Hero. With power that surpasses even that of the Demon King, there is no telling what she might do."
Her point was sharp and accurate.
There was a glaring hole in Gwen’s strategy: the process of resolving the current crisis would necessitate concentrating power within the Former Hero. While the plan would indeed settle the immediate situation, that person’s existence would then become impossible to ignore. A tremendous power would dwell within her—the kind of power that could determine the fate of the world depending on how it was wielded.
Inherently, it was not a power that should ever be entrusted to a single individual.
Gwen’s explanation had focused entirely on the benefits, deliberately sidestepping the inherent dangers. It was her typical way of operating, and everyone in the room had seen through it. Thus, the Great Spirit had stepped forward to ask on behalf of them all.
"The risk of the Hero going berserk, and whether you possess the resolve to dispose of her should the worst happen—are those the two points you're concerned about?" Gwen asked.
"Yes, exactly," the Great Spirit affirmed.
In response, Gwen narrowed her eyes, completely unperturbed. It seemed she had fully anticipated this line of questioning. Without losing her playful rhythm, Gwen reached out and poked my cheek with her index finger.
"Now then, Harvelt-san. Why don't you give her a straight answer?"
Approaching me with such familiarity, Gwen wore a smile heavy with hidden meaning. While she appeared to be simply enjoying herself, I knew better. She was testing me. Much like the others, she was searching for my true intentions.
...I have no choice but to tell them.
Having made my decision, I stood up. This was an exchange I could not avoid, and it was certainly not something I could settle with a half-truth.
Every person present turned their gaze toward me at once. Their reactions varied, but they were all unified in their concentration, determined not to miss a single word. A painful silence dominated the chamber.
Bathed in their stares, I organized my thoughts. Once I had settled on my words, I softly gave voice to my true feelings.
"As the Demon King, it would be my heart's desire to be killed by the Hero. Personally, if I were to meet my end at her hands, I would have no complaints."
Upon my opening statement, a quiet stir ran through the room. It was likely an admission no one had expected. Grom, in particular, was so shocked he actually collapsed from his seat.
"Maou-sama—"
"However," I continued, my voice layering over the murmurs to cut them short, "unfortunately, I am not in a position where such an indulgence is permitted. I shoulder the weight of the world as a necessary evil."
The murmuring died down immediately. It seemed they had expected this part of my answer. Looking relieved, Grom pulled himself back into his chair.
I placed both hands on the Round Table and looked around at everyone. I moved to give my final answer to the Great Spirit, but I faltered. It wasn't intentional; I simply hesitated to voice what came next.
How pathetic...
Mocking myself inwardly, I forced my spirit to remain firm. It took a great deal of resolve to put this into words, but I could no longer back down. If I wavered here, I would lose the trust of my subordinates, and the way of the Demon King itself would be shaken.
This was a declaration to myself as much as to them. There was meaning in the act of stating it aloud.
After working through layers of internal conflict, I finally steeled my resolve and addressed my subordinates.
"If she should choose to deny me, then I shall resist her with everything I have. Surpassing the Hero is the Demon King’s duty."