I understood why Grom was so conflicted.
He was prone to worry by nature, but even without that trait, there were factors here that were impossible to ignore. This wasn't simply a matter of facing a powerful foe. The Former Hero was the person I loved most in the world, and I truly didn't know how I would react when I finally stood before her.
Grom could sense that uncertainty.
In the meeting with the executives, I had declared that I would fulfill my mission as the Demon King. However, that might have been nothing more than lip service. In truth, I might find myself unable to act as I had promised. There was a chance I would succumb to her ideals, or at worst, allow her to destroy me without even putting up a fight.
I had made my resolve, but I couldn't say with absolute certainty that my heart wouldn't waver.
Grom was a veteran among my subordinates. As my first executive, he knew my past and my goals better than anyone else. He had also empathized with my suffering. Logically, he wanted to trust me, but it was precisely because he knew me so well that he remained apprehensive. He was being tormented by the struggle between his reason and his emotions.
To burden him with such concerns was surely a failure on my part as his lord. Nevertheless, I was the Demon King, and Grom was my subordinate. It was my duty to alleviate the anxiety pooling within him.
"I would tell you not to worry, but I suspect that would be a tall order."
"…I offer my deepest apologies," Grom replied, his voice a low groan.
He seemed to be drowning in self-loathing for his inability to trust me completely. His head remained bowed, his shoulders trembling. The flame in his lone eye had dwindled until it was nearly extinguished.
This was the critical moment. I knew exactly what I had to say. Without any pretense, I would simply give him the truth.
"It is fine," I told him. "Your concerns are not misplaced."
Grom’s head snapped up. As our gazes met, the flame in his eye surged back to life. My words were brief, but they seemed to have reached him.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke again. "I will return. We shall both see our duties through to the end."
"…Yes! I understand, my Lord!"
With a crisp, agile salute and a deep bow, Grom vanished into a teleportation circle. His movements were so decisive that the hesitation he’d shown moments ago seemed like a distant memory. It wasn't that his doubts had vanished entirely; rather, he had found the resolve to carry out his mission despite them.
Grom had his own work to do. I needed him to suppress the Imaginary Saviors rampaging across the land. With his level of power, he would be able to minimize the damage. Since he was now clearly motivated, I didn't expect any issues.
I knew I had to live up to the trust he placed in me.
Grom was an undead of my own creation. I had used the souls of the people I’d slaughtered in the Royal Capital to manifest him; considering his origins, it would have been perfectly natural for him to hate me. In fact, my control over him had failed initially, and we had nearly killed each other during our first encounter.
Now, however, Grom was inspired by my cause and followed me of his own volition. Though he could be a bit overbearing at times, his loyalty was beyond question. It wasn't blind worship, either; he wasn't afraid to question me or look past my public persona to find my true intentions. He was a more loyal retainer than I deserved, and he had supported me time and time again.
The only way I could repay him was with results.
I didn't know what would happen once I brought her back to life. Even so, I had to move forward. I couldn't afford to stop being the Demon King.
"That exchange just now was very Demon King-like. Not bad at all."
A familiar voice accompanied the sound of clapping. Walking toward me from the opposite direction Grom had taken were Luciana and Henry.