Eastern part of the continent. The area under the influence of the Borvat dynasty is more sorcerized than other nations.

　This can be seen in the marks of river construction by the lords, or in the presence of medical treatment, exorcism, and magical fuel by the village sorcerers.

　Whatever the case may be, the result is that the villagers have a better life than in other countries.

　Even though it is not on the same scale as the Kingdom of Garleist, which dominates the fertile lands in the center of the continent, if you look at the individual villages, the Bolvaat dynasty is richer as a nation and more prosperous than the Kingdom of Garleist.

　In one small village, young children can be seen running around in the village square despite the deadly snow. They are happy and cheerful.

　The lord had told me that it was okay to go out today. We can't really go outside the village, but it's been a long time since the demons took over.

　Adults and children alike are showing a slight smile.

　The Borvat dynasty was certainly showing signs of a great magical civilization, albeit one that had many challenges and was still in its infancy.

　And now, the germ of that civilization is on the verge of collapse.

"Do you know why you humans can't defeat us demons?

　Demon. Junerva the Poisoner asked as she looked at the small village in front of her with the eyes of a bird of prey.

　A man dressed as a sorcerer bowed his head reverently and opened his mouth. I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

You think so? Haan, hahahahaha.

　Junerva let out a high-pitched laugh that sounded like a bird's cry and ate the man's skull.

　The man died without a scream or a cry. The sound of chewing crunched and crunched, and spilled blood stained Junerva's feathers.

　The sorcerers who had been following him around as if they were his bodyguards let out pitiful screams and shook their shoulders.

　There was an unmistakable color in their eyes as they looked at the monster. But they would never defy this fiend. They are the ones who gave up early on that they couldn't defeat the demon and volunteered to join its ranks in order to spare their own lives.

　But who could blame them? Regardless of the circumstances, the nation of Borvat itself is now nothing more than a prisoner of Vriligant. Then the only options are submission or death.

　In that sense, they may know where to put themselves.

　After Junerva has devoured the man's skull, a man steps out from behind him, hanging his head.

"Majin-sama. May I?

"Huh?　What? Do you understand? Human.

　The man smiled and nodded. A soft smile that was used to playing with words.

"Yes. We are weak because we keep the weak alive. We don't kill the ones we should be culling. That's why the entire human race is weak.

　Junerva now looked at the man's face and his eyes intensified. The man's eyes widened as he looked at her.

　The man's soft face did not distort, but his eyes hardened. Sweat trickled down his neck.

　After a pause, Junerva opened her beak.

"Well?

　The man was convinced that his words had struck a chord with the wizard. The man, unable to contain his impatience, rumbled his chest and gave instructions to his men.

　The subordinate's expression tensed up for a moment, but he quickly ran to his feet and disappeared to avoid offending the demon and his master.

　Ever since he heard that Majin Junerva was going to look around his territory today, he had been preparing for one thing: to defer to them.

　Now, this nation is ruled by a demon, but the demons are the ones who actually give orders and commands. So if they want to be liked, they should be.

　The man put back his glasses, which had almost slipped off due to cold sweat, and waited for a few moments before saying.

"Look here, demon lord. In order to be closer to you, we humans must cut off the weak!　That's why we're here.

　The man said that and raised his arms as a signal.

　A moment later, smoke rose from the area around the village. That green smoke is not just smoke. It is the sign of a fire fueled by magic. It doesn't go out easily and it lights up the fire faster.

　Magical fuel that was originally provided to villages to help them survive the long dead snow. The green smoke now covers the village. Quicker and more vicious, so that no escape is possible.

　--And then an inarticulate voice. The smell of burning flesh wafted to distant places.

　Crying and screaming and screaming. The smoke rises to envelop all the voices. As the wind blew, the fire grew stronger and stronger, killing villages and people. The smoke that had been green now turned black.

　Junerva, satisfied with the scene, opened her mouth, this time with a small laugh.

"Hahaha!　That's pretty good for a human. What the hell's your name?

　The man spat. Demonic beings don't call people by their first names. They probably don't even want to remember them.



　But if a demon, the pinnacle of demons, remembers my name, I'll be able to see better. The man chuckled to himself.

　Up until now, I've been suppressed and treated poorly by the magic generals and the famous mages. But now it's different. There are no more troublesome magic generals, and this country is now a demon's kingdom. Then, I'll be the most successful and I'll see the light of day this time.

　The man still smiled softly and said.

"Yes, my name is Kiel-Bazarov. My name is Kiel-Bazarov. Please make my acquaintance, Majin.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.


　In the walls of Garouamalia.


　I'm not sure what to make of this.

It's a painful price to pay for the loss of Fialat.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you have. He knew that if he became too emotional, it would provoke Lugis.

　In the office, Lugis had not said a word since just now, with the polishing cloth on his treasure sword. It was unusual for Kalia, who had known him for a long time, to see him so silent.

　Of course, he must have been tired after going around and consoling the soldiers with words and having long meetings with the magic generals. Even so, when he was alone with Kalia, he would usually make light-hearted jokes.

　But now, his eyes are even more swarthy, and he is polishing his treasure sword. To the untrained eye, he looked downright evil.

　Karia didn't mind staring at him, but... But the longer it went on, the more worried she became.

　The fact that Fialaat had been taken by the demons did not sit well with Kalia. Her heart was filled with frustration and she bit her teeth. I can also understand the emotions that Lugis is feeling.

　However, it is not good for a person who unites people to show such impatience. In this respect, Kalia knew how to separate emotion from reason through her education as a knight.

　It's just that when a foreigner named Lugis enters the picture, his reason dissolves in an instant. Kalia, if anything, believes herself to be a calm sort.

　As Kalia's silver eyes intensified and she stared at him, Rougis said with a sigh.

"Don't worry, Kalia. I'd rather you admire my growth. In the past, I would have been riding my horse into Borvat by now.

　When Lugis said this with a twisted mouth, Kalia involuntarily shrugged and smiled.

　It's true that he didn't know how to restrain himself for even a moment before. In that sense, it could be called growth.

"Yes. I'd say that's a lot of patience for a man of your stature. I'll give you that.

　If you can afford to talk lightly, you won't go under. Just as Kalia breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, the door to the office was slammed. The earnest pounding must have come from Vestalinu, the head of the mercenaries.

"Pardon me, sir, but I have something to report. I have something to report.

　First and foremost, Vestalinu saw Lugis in his field of vision, and then, a moment later, he saw Kalia out of the corner of his eye. He would have known that Kalia was there before he entered the room.

　Her face, while seemingly serious and obedient, was almost a sharp blade in her eyes. These are the kind of people who, once they see you as an enemy, will never let you go. The fact that they make sense is what makes them so bad.

　Kalia's cheeks flushed, as if she were being shown the old her. I'm sure that Vestalinu doesn't even care that he was slashed in the shoulder once, and will show his fangs to you if necessary. He had those kind of eyes.

　On the other hand, Vestalinu said to Lugis in a good mood.

There is a messenger from one of the major city-states. They have different agendas, but the ...... truce between the Borvat dynasty and us may have changed their opportunistic attitude.

　Vestalinu's report made Caria sigh involuntarily.

　It's a good thing that they didn't want to meet our messenger during the war. Karia could predict the intentions of most of the city-states.

　Most of them probably wanted to negotiate with the Borvat dynasty as a coalition of city-states, taking advantage of the fact that they were standing in the way. In the end, they must be thinking that the price of invasion or even a non-aggression pact would be enough.

　In fertile soil, weeds will spread. Kalia wore a bitter expression on her face, but she knew that Lugis would not treat them badly. For better or worse, he was too forgiving.

　Rougis kept the cloth on his sword and raised his gaze to Vestalinu. The tint of purple light was reflected in her eyes.

　He slowly opened his mouth.

"Send him away. Don't show your face again.

　First Vestalinu, then Kalia, opened their eyes wide. It was so unlike him that both of them could not believe their ears for a moment. Lugis carefully polished his jeweled sword and said.

The soldier who followed me was not kidnapped for their safety. The soldier who followed me didn't die to take their place. Isn't that right?　Okay, Vestalines, tell them this.

　It was only then that Kalia understood. And it made a strange kind of sense.

"Insult my people, my soldiers. I'll make it impossible for you to be opportunistic.

　Lugis was not at all calm, nor was he his usual self.