Twenty-one three: Even when you know the danger, there’s still a point where you have to go through with it, huh.

In the castle of the Eldritch Domain, Goldendown, King Vaindeck Midlights von Mawgari grimaced slightly.

Zaid, Kyle’s older brother, who was writing instructions according to the battlefield situation on a scroll, looked up at the king’s expression.

“Your Majesty, has something changed in the battle?”

At that, Batista von Helmond, the court alchemist-in-chief with white beard as his trademark, turned a curious eye toward the king, standing nearby.

Because among everyone in this room, only the king could use psychic communication to check live footage from the front lines.

“Nah. I just think it’s splendid how they bit right into the bait.”

“…They’ve arrived. The self-proclaimed demons.”

Vaindeck leaned back into the chair’s support, arms crossed.

"Yeah. I panicked when Kyle said he’d go out there, but once I heard his real plan..."

"He figured if he played bait, the demons and Mother... no, Vaindeck would show up."

"From the way things looked, even if Kyle hadn’t gone, they might’ve popped out anyway."

"What do you think? Maybe they only stepped forward because they saw Kyle from a distance."

"True. Don’t know their real intentions, but one thing’s certain—fish got hooked."

"Indeed."

Zaid closed his eyes for a moment, then resumed整理ing the documents. With the enemy’s main force gone, these were the last urgent papers.

"Zaid. Seems your worry was for nothing?"

Zaid’s gaze, which had dropped, returned to Vaindeck.

"I was going to suggest a plan to wipe out the enemy in Kyle’s place..."

"But he didn’t need to be told. He planned it himself. And carried it out."

"Thought I'd find someone sweeter than this."

"He's got more talent as a lord than we ever imagined. Kind to allies, ruthless to enemies. Perfect."

Zaid paused, looking up at the ceiling.

"Maybe there's nothing I can do for Kyle after all."

"No. He's still not ready for negotiations with other nobles. You've got to help him out."

"...Understood."

Van let out a low, rasping chuckle.

"Relax. No one thinks you're useless."

Then, silent until now, the court alchemist Batista spoke up.

"Indeed. There aren't many who'd dare scold the king straight to his face."

"Scold...?"

"Call it a critique, call it advice—words are words."

Zaid scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed.

You’ll keep doing your duty from now on. Still, Kyle’s talent as a lord exceeded my expectations.

“Maybe.”

“Kukkuk. That talent might surpass Orthros. A pleasant surprise.”

“Surpass Father?”

“Orthros’s talent is indispensable to our kingdom. Among noble families, only he understood the priority of reclaiming the human territories.”

Zaid spoke, eyes lowered.

“So Father wasn’t just being reckless with his frontier expansion. It wasn’t just exile.”

“When you were cursed, you probably suggested sending Kyle to the frontier—guided by Bela, I assume?”

“…Yes.”

“Don’t dwell on it. Keep atoning as you are. More importantly, Orthros accepted that idea because he’s deeply committed to frontier expansion.”

“Now I understand.”

"Yeah. Orthros did his duty. And... "

Van crossed his arms, then lifted the corners of his mouth again.

"Now, a higher noble has been born. I'm counting on Kyle."

"I'll do what I can to support that."

Van nodded with satisfaction, then straightened up.

"Alright. Time for the final showdown."

Van murmured that, then focused on the battlefield.

◆

On the vast plaza between the great bridge and gate, the actors gathered.

At the front, Alphard's Holy Knights. Raidock's party. And me, just tag-along. Of course, archers and mages lined the city walls.

Ignore the bound imperial soldiers. There are only two enemies.

A hornet-like alien, and the traitor, Bella.

The insect monster shrugged with an oddly light tone. (Probably.)

"Where’d the imperial soldiers go? You’re not telling me they all ran off, are you?"

His gaze was fixed on the bound imperial general, Zett Overal.

"...All dead."

"Huh?"

"I said all dead! Gone! Vanished into a whirlwind of flames!"

"Whoa, seriously? You’re telling me there’s actually someone out there who can pull off a spell like that?"

The hornet-like alien turned to Eva, its compound eyes reflecting her face over and over.

Eva took a step back—then Raidock stepped smoothly in front of her.

"Hey, now. Keep your eyes off my important party member, yeah?"

"Raidock-sama!"

Yeah. Eva always melts the moment Raidock’s around. Fine if she goes starry-eyed, but look at Solal—eyes narrowed, full of warning.

Even with that exchange, the tension around them didn’t ease.

"So? What the hell are you, anyway?"

Don’t owe you humans an answer. Fine, I’ll tell you one thing— I’m under the command of the great demon lord Grovtis.

Damn right he’s a demon. Can’t believe I’m hearing this from the enemy, but… no way it’s wrong. Should’ve been wiped out ages ago.

And yet… Grovtis’s subordinate? You’re still alive?

So that’s what he meant by letting info slip.

Same conclusion, Alphard and the holy knights tightened Kyle’s defense even more.

Raidock asked, light as a feather.

“So? Why’s this demon hanging with the empire?”

“What? Who cares? Just… our interests happen to align.”

“Interests? How the hell does attacking the kingdom help demons?”

Straight to the point. The demon doesn’t even flinch— just lets it slip, easy as breath.

“Hahahaha! What do you think? Humans suffering, dying by the hundreds—it’s guaranteed! Their screams! Their roars! Their wails! Their pleas! That’s the best damn entertainment for demons, isn’t it? What else is there!?!”

Silence.

Not just me. Everyone here. Everyone watching through the magic of communication—speechless.

“…I see. Now I understand why our ancestors fought so hard to destroy demons.”

“Hah! Destroyed? Not a chance! It just took time. The age of demons is coming back! Another wonderful world, filled with human screams!”

Ah. This is bad.

If demons were just some strange humanoid race, maybe coexistence would’ve been possible. But these things? They don’t fit. They don’t belong.

Instinct tells me. Not one of them should be left alive.

"Seriously... Even after going to the trouble of disguising myself to gather intel, the Empire’s forces are pathetic."

Alphard spoke, his voice sharp.

"Disguising as a human... So that’s what it was. You’re Lucas Lindblum, aren’t you?"

Huh!? Lucas!?

The Imperial adventurer I met in Mizuho—the one always chasing women!?

"Huh... You caught on pretty quick."

"I regret being slow to realize it, but your actions gave you away."

"Then let me say this. The way you taught us to fight? Not a single one of them worked."

The way you taught us to fight?

Ah! That talk I had with Raidock!

Raidock shrugged his shoulders, same conclusion.

"Yeah. Maybe my words. Siege warfare, right?"

"That’s it. You’re telling me you figured out my real identity back then? Didn’t expect that."

"Wrong again. I just answered honestly. Simple as that. Mizoho Shrine Nation and Kyle-sama just happened to be good at it."

"Damn it! So it’s really because of that brat named Kyle! I should’ve killed you without listening to Bella’s request!"

Good. You’re dead.

I’m making my decision in silence when a sudden hysterical voice cuts through. It’s Kyle’s stepmother, Bella, clawing at her head and screaming.

"This isn’t about the Goldendown! You’re going to destroy it! You’re going to turn Kyle’s land into ash!"

The insect-like tribe waves a hand dismissively.

"Didn’t expect Imperial troops to be this weak."

"What?!"

"Stop squawking. The soldiers were taken out by that mage over there… well, by the lot of you here, really."

"How do you know that?"

"Because the lot of you are marked with that damn symbol."

The demons are probably staring at our insignia.

"Proof that those old humans stole our power."

What the hell does that mean?

"Whatever. Doesn't matter to me. I'm pissed off my plans got ruined. Just kill 'em all. That's all it takes."

"Indeed. …Ah, but leave Kyle alive. I can't have him suffer anything less than true terror."

"Sure, sure."

So, from the start, you planned to kill us.

No surprise. That mouth of yours’ll get you in trouble. Still, knowing we wiped out the imperial army and thinking you can pull this off? You’ve got serious guts.

"You talk about wiping us out like it's nothing."

"Ha! Think you can beat the noble demon lord just 'cause you've got a thief's mark on you!? Bold words, Raidock!"

Roaring, the demon kicked the ground.

"Die already!"

"You first!"

Raidock blocked the demon's punch with his orichalcum blade—sparks flew. How the hell is that insect's arm so damn hard!?

"Raidock!"

Soral immediately loosed a flurry of arrows to cover him, but the damn bee-man shot needles from his long rear, knocking every arrow down.

"Seriously!?"

And those needles didn't stop—they flew straight at Soral.

I tried to summon a rainbow barrier, but Marilyn was faster.

"“Divine Breath Sacred Realm”!"

A massive magic circle erupted beneath Soral and Marilyn’s group. Along its outer rim, a wall of magical energy formed and deflected the demon's needles.

From within the barrier, Eva swung her arm toward the demon.

“White Frost Blade Flash Slash!”

A massive ice blade, twice her height, shot forward.

“Tch!”

The demon spat and darted away from Raidock, narrowly dodging the blade.

Damn. That barrier magic actually lets friendly attacks through?

Backline, quiet, but Marilyn’s been packing some serious power lately.

The demon and Raidock’s group locked eyes again.

I thought, deep down. Good thing Jitarou isn’t here. He’d definitely say it right now. “We won.”

Not the time for weird flags, okay?