The Demon War ③

[Barth, Attendant of the Demon King]

Inside the tent, monitoring the status of battles across the realm.

Each army has at least one messenger soldier equipped with the advanced skill of Longrange Communication.

Using information received from them, the battle conditions across regions are monitored and orders issued.

The Second Army, led by Sarnatria, appears to have successfully lured the Anogratsh toward the enemy fortress.

A reckless action.

Regardless of the fact that it was immediately after a major reproductive cycle, and could have exploded at any moment, deliberately provoking such a creature.

Anogratsh possess a recurring habit of massive reproduction, drastically increasing their numbers.

During periods of low numbers, they inhabit deep forests, causing minimal harm. However, after a major reproductive cycle, their range expands rapidly in search of food.

The range of Anogratchi spans both Demon Territory and Human Territory, but leans more heavily toward Demon Territory.

Thus, after a major reproductive cycle, the damage occurred primarily in Demon Territory.

Sarnatria, rather than avoiding such a troublesome creature, exploited it.

A strategy that would normally carry risk to herself and one she would not typically attempt.

This indicates, clearly, how dire her situation had become.

Elsewhere, Third Army’s Kogou and Eighth Army’s Lars achieved victory.

Conversely, Sixth Army’s Hyui and Fourth Army’s Melazofis suffered defeat.

Melazofis sustained injuries but is otherwise unharmed.

Hyui, however, died in combat.

The sole fatality among current commanders.

Other engagements continue without resolution.

Still, all fronts are currently on the defensive.

The fortress of Kusorion, stormed by General Agner, serves as a critical stronghold connecting the human nation, the Lengzant Empire.

Naturally, the troops stationed there are elite.

Even General Agner appears to be struggling.

General Dalaro of the Fifth Army shows no improvement.

Currently, the front lines remain balanced, yet they are gradually being pushed back.

The most pressing concern, however, lies with the Seventh Army under General Brow.

A hero is present there.

While combat effectiveness remains evenly matched, the advance of the hero and their companions cannot be halted.

In the worst case, they may reach General Brow's command post.

"Progressing smoothly. Don't you agree, Black?"

As I relayed orders across multiple fronts, the Demon Lord, lounging elegantly in his chair, spoke to the black knight standing beside him.

"Ah, yes. That's right."

"Shiro, you're being rude. Try being a little friendlier?"

"There's no point."

"Boo."

The carefree conversation, despite the ongoing war.

No—Shiro is serious. The amusement comes only from the Demon Lord.

"Anyway, the second army's... what was it again? Oh well. That succubus. She's doing something interesting. Using that ape like that. Hmm, yes."

The Demon Lord nods to himself, smirking.

"Is that acceptable?"

"Hm? It's fine. Fine. Our side has zero casualties. But humans are dying in droves."

"Is that so."

"Exactly. The important thing is that both demon and human alike are dying in numbers."

A chill runs down the spine.

Indeed, this one sees us only as bait.

No sense of camaraderie. Will discard us without hesitation when necessary.

"Black, are you actually bothered by this incident?"

"Ah."

"Right, right. After all, this war started because of your mistake, didn't it?"

The body halts for a moment. A desperate attempt to recover composure.

What is this about?

This war started because of Black?

I don’t know anything about that.

What is this conversation these two are having—something I don’t even know about?

"That’s true. My negligence brought this upon us."

"Exactly. So I’m cleaning up your mess. You should be grateful."

"Gratitude is not possible. I acknowledge necessity. But I cannot accept your methods."

"Yet you're still here, stopping things like before. How is it you still can't understand that hasn't changed?"

"Maybe not."

"Exactly. You're so much like yourself—always brooding and fretting."

Pretending to work, listening closely to the conversation between the two.

Gathering information, however slight.

If taken at face value, the relationship between the Demon Lord and the Black is not particularly close.

Not openly hostile—yet the atmosphere is just short of that.

But it is unnatural for them to speak so freely in my presence.

Do they believe I am unimportant? Or is this all performance—bait laid to lure me into a trap?

Unable to determine.

"Anyway, think we've met the target number? Balt, you can issue retreat orders to all locations."

"Yes. Understood."

Internally, severely unsettled, yet maintaining composure outwardly.

Retreat?

The remaining battlefields are indeed unfavorable, but it is too early to retreat.

Still, what is the reason for retreating now?

"The purpose this time is solely to eliminate the Hero. Once the Hero is dealt with, everything else is irrelevant."

The Demon Lord mutters, as if answering my unspoken question.

Eliminate the Hero?

But the Hero is still alive.

How is that possible?

"No need to worry. After all, Shiro is there. No one can defeat Shiro—whether Hero or not. She is my masterpiece."

The Demon Lord declares with absolute confidence.

At the Hero's location, alongside Blau, a girl known as Shiro accompanies the Tenth Army.

"As long as Shiro is there, the Hero will not return alive. Absolutely not."

The Demon Lord smiles as he says this. A sense of dread settles over me.