Chapter 8: The Demon King’s Unreasonable Request
I woke up to an empty bed. I gently touched the sheets where Liz had slept.
It felt a little lonely.
The clock showed it was almost noon. No wonder I was hungry.
I got dressed and rang the bell. Liz arrived promptly, and I waved in greeting.
“—Good morning, Liz!”
“Master. I was worried after yesterday, but it seems you’ve recovered, which is a relief.”
Liz smiled. I smiled back.
“Resilience is essential for a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army.”
“…Aren’t you rather sensitive, Master?” Liz tilted her head, a dubious expression on her face.
“Then let’s say that a quick recovery is essential for a supreme commander.”
“I’d say your glibness is certainly supreme commander-level.”
I knew that wasn’t a compliment.
I pushed the thought aside.
“Liz. Any updates on yesterday’s incident?”
“He left for the royal castle just a while ago. The report is on your desk. The gist is as I told you yesterday, but it includes detailed information about the location, time, and so on.”
“Alright, I’ll look it over later.”
“Later?”
“First, I’m going to have a combined breakfast and lunch.”
“…You’re certainly true to your desires, Master.”
“A quick recovery and a hearty appetite are essential for a supreme commander.”
Liz sighed, an exasperated look on her face.
“Watching you, Master, makes being a supreme commander seem like a very easy job…”
In reality, there were only six of us. And since each of us was also an army commander, the number didn’t normally increase.
The five original supreme commanders, since the nation’s founding, had been the commanders of the dark knights, the beastmen, the undead, the demons, and the dragons. Since each also served as the leader of their respective race, the beastman, demon, and dragon positions were essentially fixed. There wasn’t an official rule, but it was tradition.
Similarly, the dark knights and undead armies were traditionally led by a dark elf and an undead, respectively, as supreme commanders. Again, not a rule, but tradition.
Having a leader of the same race made things easier. It also symbolized the equal status afforded to each race.
That was precisely why the Virus King, Lord of Disease, was an anomaly.
Because I was of ‘unknown species’ in this multi-racial nation.
Holding such an ambiguous position, leading the newly formed Sixth Army, a position that hadn’t existed for over four hundred years, carried significant weight.
“Anyway, food please!”
“Yes, please wait a moment…”
They probably didn’t imagine I’d be… like this.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in, Liz.” I was relaxing on the sofa in my room, digesting my meal and reading the report.
Liz entered… and frowned.
“Excuse me… Master. I did receive permission to enter, correct?”
“Yes, you did.” I hadn’t moved an inch. There was no point in putting on airs for Liz.
“Right… well, it’s fine…” My efficient adjutant, choosing not to waste any more time, read from the paper in her hand.
“His Majesty requests your presence at the royal castle immediately.”
“…Is there a carriage waiting?”
“Yes, it’s waiting at the gate.”
“Understood, Liz.”
I straightened the report and heaved myself off the sofa. I was a supreme commander. I had to earn my keep.
“Let us depart for the royal castle at once. Your attendance is required.”
“Yes, Master.”
Stepping out of the mansion, the summer sun was bright. This world’s calendar was almost identical to Earth’s. At least, a year had 365 days, and there were twelve months.
However, summer in this region was much cooler than in Japan. Once the sun set, it became chilly, enough to crave warmth.
Overall, though, the humidity was low, making it quite comfortable. The winters, however, were harsh.
As the carriage rattled along, I suddenly realized something. Despite the greenery in the suburbs and even within the town, there were no cicadas.
A summer without the sound of cicadas…
For some reason, that struck me more profoundly than the cobblestone streets, the horse-drawn carriage, or the fact that Liz, sitting next to me, was a dark elf with long ears and brown skin. These were all clear markers of another world.
But the lack of cicadas… it drove home the fact that I wasn’t in Japan anymore.
Upon arriving at the castle, I was escorted to the same waiting room as before. His Majesty sat on the sofa, waiting.
“Your Majesty. You summoned me.” I bowed.
“Indeed. I apologize for calling you on such short notice.” He gestured for me to sit. Liz remained standing behind me.
“I heard you lost soldiers to the Dragon Knights.”
“Yes… I take full responsibility.” The pain resurfaced, and I lowered my head.
“I’m not here to assign blame. However, there’s a growing momentum within Rank Kingdom for a decisive battle using the Dragon Knights.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“So, how about it? Could you eliminate them?”
“…Excuse me?” I blurted out, momentarily forgetting my position and manners.
“Ah… forgive me, Your Majesty. My apologies. Please repeat your command, this time with unquestionable clarity.” I quickly recovered.
“I want you to neutralize the Dragon Knights, at least enough to prevent their deployment in a decisive battle. The method is up to you. I can’t spare many additional soldiers or funds, but if you require more resources, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“What’s the deadline?”
“There isn’t a strict one… However, if the Dragon Knights are still operational when the decisive battle begins, it will be too late.”
His Majesty’s expression was grim.
“If the decisive battle were to occur now, we would likely…”
“Have no chance of victory. Understood, Your Majesty.” I nodded firmly.
“I accept your command, Your Majesty. I will render those dragon riders, who murdered my subordinates and threaten our nation’s safety, utterly useless.”
“I’m counting on you…”
“Then, if you’ll excuse me. I must discuss the details with my subordinates immediately.”
His Majesty nodded graciously. I bowed and stood up.
Just as I was about to leave, his voice reached me.
“…I apologize. I always ask so much of you.”
“…Not at all. I am a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army, after all.”
I refrained from adding, “I’m used to unreasonable requests from my superiors.” Even with His Majesty, who was rather informal for a king, I couldn’t say that.
In the carriage on the way back, Liz spoke.
“Master. So, what’s the plan?”
“That’s what I’m going to figure out.”
The air around Liz seemed to grow heavier.
“…Um, you made that bold declaration without a concrete plan?”
“Yep.”
The air grew even heavier.
“…Seriously…”
“What else was I supposed to say in that situation?”
“It’s the subordinates who suffer when the boss doesn’t have a plan…”
“That’s why I’m suffering.”
Though I wouldn’t say His Majesty was without a plan.
“So you’re telling me to suffer too…”
“Exactly. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes. I’m used to unreasonable requests from my superiors.”
Liz, my subordinate, calmly threw my own words back at me. I wasn’t sure whether to be pleased with the open communication in our workplace or lament the chilling draft now blowing my way.
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