3. Audience with the Demon King
With each step, I felt the weight of gazes upon my back. The sensation of the red carpet beneath my feet seemed to vanish under the pressure.
Liz’s presence behind me was a lifeline.
The Demon King spoke.
“Virus King, Lord of Disease. I ask you, how fares the task I assigned you, to weaken the human nations?”
I pretended to whisper something to Liz.
“Your Majesty,” Liz said, “the Lord of Disease says, ‘My plan is proceeding smoothly.’”
“Is that so…” The Demon King nodded slowly.
“I am pleased to hear of the Virus King’s success.”
“We are grateful for your kind words.” Liz bowed respectfully in my stead.
“However, the war remains arduous, and we cannot afford to be complacent.”
A tense, almost painful atmosphere filled the air. Everyone shared a sense of impending crisis.
They had to act, or they would lose.
And the only one achieving results was the “Sixth Army”—the Virus King’s forces. Actions that mocked the very notion of chivalry.
Not that humans hadn’t killed non-combatants, or that demons hadn’t done the same.
But those were consequences of war, byproducts of establishing control over territories.
I, however, had defined the purpose of the war—the extinction of humanity—as the targeting of non-combatants.
The heavy atmosphere likely stemmed from the unspoken condemnation of my methods.
Yet, no one voiced a single word of disapproval, not officially. This was before His Majesty, and I was a supreme commander. Every operation was approved by the Demon King, and I had just received his commendation.
Incidentally, I was the most enigmatic of the supreme commanders. I had to conceal my true nature because it was so… underwhelming. But that was beside the point.
Because I was an unknown entity, they couldn’t easily accuse me.
Still, the atmosphere was thick with disapproval, Your Majesty.
“—I trust in your continued loyalty…”
Afterward, some departed, while others remained to deliver reports and proposals to His Majesty. I was among those who left. Liz had instructed me to retreat before I exposed my inadequacies.
Fortunately, I managed to exit without tripping over my robe and was now relaxing on the sofa in the waiting room. According to the antique grandfather clock, it was almost noon.
“We’re eating at home today, right?” I asked Liz.
“If this doesn’t drag on too long. Are you hungry?”
“A little.”
Physically, I wasn’t particularly tired, having only stood and listened to important people talk. Mentally, however, standing alongside people who could kill me in an instant was rather draining.
The oppressive wartime atmosphere, of course, but also the scrutiny. Suspicion, hostility, envy, reverence. Being subjected to all those gazes… maybe stares do have physical force.
“Please try to maintain your composure a little longer.”
“Yeah.”
As we waited, making small talk interspersed with work-related discussions, Liz nudged my arm and gave me a pointed look. I did my best to appear composed.
“You two, wait here.”
He addressed the two royal guards. The one who entered was the same person who had sat on the throne in the audience chamber—His Majesty the Demon King. The supreme leader of the Listrea Demon Kingdom, and humanity’s sworn enemy.
The phrase “humanity’s sworn enemy” had recently become more associated with the Virus King, Lord of Disease, but this individual remained the ultimate target of their hatred.
“It’s been a while, Virus King. Are you well?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I removed my mask and bowed my head. The mask was for concealing my identity. Unnecessary with him.
His Majesty sat on the sofa opposite me.
“There’s no need for such formality. I’ve dismissed everyone. This won’t be recorded.”
“Thank you.” I smiled faintly. I was indebted to him. He was also my superior. I softened my tone and demeanor slightly.
“Tell me, how are things truly progressing?”
“You’ve likely received reports from other sources, but… smoothly. As you said, however, we cannot afford to be optimistic.” I smiled thinly.
“I believe I can keep my ‘promise.’”
“…It was a trivial promise. You may forget it.”
“Keeping promises is important, as a human being.”
Though I had resolved to trample upon everything humanity held dear.
His Majesty gave a faint smile. But it quickly faded, replaced by an expression of weariness as he sank into the sofa.
“I’m rather fatigued… The situation is dire, and opinions are divided. Despite your accomplishments, they are a source of contention. Many resent you, and me, for placing my trust in you…”
“…I apologize.”
“No, you are doing well.” His Majesty looked directly into my eyes. Deep blue eyes, clear despite his age.
“…Is it… difficult?”
A sharp pang of guilt struck my chest.
“Few know you are human. I am having you kill your own kind.”
“…I appreciate your concern.” I continued, my voice firm.
“I am the Virus King, Lord of Disease. This name, Your Majesty bestowed upon me when I had lost my own. My current position, my livelihood—I owe it all to you.”
I had lost my name when I arrived in this world. I could no longer recall the names of those I held dear.
I felt as if I had ceased to be myself.
“Moreover, this nation has become a home to me, one who no longer has a place to return to. …I am human. And humans… are capable of killing to protect their home.”
How many people had readily killed in the name of defending their homeland? There were countless things more important than a human life.
Yet, it was because I understood the value of a human life that I could be the Virus King, Lord of Disease.
I was a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army of the Listrea Demon Kingdom.
“I will do what I must. As promised. That is all.”
“…I see.”
“But I truly appreciate your words.” I softened my tone and bowed my head.
Honestly, I didn’t know how much personal affection His Majesty held for me. Our relationship was ultimately that of a superior and subordinate.
But still, he had believed in my near-delusional words, accepted them, and elevated me to the rank of supreme commander.
Besides, a superior who genuinely cared for their subordinates was a rare treasure. I was sincerely grateful.
“Take care of yourself. …Though I’m hardly one to say such things.”
His Majesty then shifted his gaze to Liz, who stood beside me.
“Darkling Blade, Lizlit Finis. I ask this of you as well. I have no one else to turn to. Protect the Virus King, Lord of Disease. Annihilate any enemy who dares to harm her.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Liz smiled gracefully and bowed her head.
Her previous assignment had been with His Majesty’s personal guard division. —Or rather, it still was.
As His Majesty had addressed her, she was the Darkling Blade, one of the most skilled assassins.
Her task was to protect and monitor me. If I betrayed them, she would kill me. But as long as I remained loyal, she would undoubtedly protect me with her life.
That’s how highly valued I was.
Perhaps it was the position of supreme commander that they truly valued. That was certainly easier to understand.
But still… I felt that His Majesty and Liz also cared, at least a little, for me.
That was reason enough to fight.
…Enough for me to issue the heinous orders that terrified even demons.
It was enough.
“By the way, Master, may I ask what this ‘promise’ is?”
Liz asked on our way back to the mansion, the two of us riding in the carriage he’d arranged.
I tilted my head at her question.
“Huh, didn’t I tell you? Or did His Majesty not mention it?”
“No, you didn’t, and he didn’t.”
“Oh.”
“Would you mind telling me?”
“I made this pitch,” I said with a smile.
“—‘I’ll exterminate humanity in three years.’”
Liz’s expression became… complicated.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Master… you weren’t a soldier or an assassin in your previous world, were you…?”
“Nope.”
“I consider myself a rather competent assassin…”
“Uh-huh.”
She belonged to His Majesty’s personal guard division. That was a testament to her skill, among the very best in the nation.
“I probably wouldn’t be able to say something like that in your position.”
“Yeah, I was pretty reckless, even by my standards.”
“R-reckless?”
“I’d just arrived in this world. I was confused, angry at humanity, anxious about everything. I just figured I’d use the strongest words I could think of.”
Liz’s expression became complicated again.
“…I guess I still don’t understand you very well, Master.”
“Understanding another person is hard work.”
That’s what made it interesting, I thought.
Understanding another person was hard. But killing them without understanding them was far easier.
“It’s going to get much harder from here on out.”
I murmured.
This world was already hell. A world where nations clashed, where humans and demons waged a war of extinction.
It was ironic that within this hell, the one most feared for her ruthlessness was a human from Earth.
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