189-Epilogue: Memory of the Demon King




"Ease your posture. If you want to stand, stand; if you want to sit, sit.

 I quickly raised one hand and I could hear the music coming from nowhere.
 Strings, winds, and percussion instruments were playing harmonious, gorgeous, flowing sounds.

'There's one great thing I've found in this world two thousand years later. One of the best things I've found in this world after two thousand years: a voice that is so appropriate for this peace ceremony, so beautiful, it's like the wind that blows away all the dull melancholy.

 He opened his arms and drew a magic circle on both sides of the audience platform, and eight girls appeared with an overflow of light.
 They were the girls of the Fun Union.

 They were all wearing ceremonial black robes over their Demon King Academy uniforms.

''Let me introduce you. It's the girls of the Demon King's Choir who dedicate a song for me.''

 They slowly raised their heads and looked at the many demons in front of them.

 More gazes pierced the eight girls than they could count, but they did not break their gentle smiles.

 Silently, the girls uttered a voice.
 The voice is magically amplified and echoes far and wide.

'Some time ago, we spoke with Anos-sama's mother.

I've heard a lot of things.

It was right after the reincarnation of Lord Anos.

It's about the food that Master Anos loves.

'Of what Master Anos values.

'What kind of eyes did Master Anos see in this peaceful and magical time? I think I understand it very well.

"This song is a true reflection of the Demon King who was called a tyrant.

'Listen. The Demon King's Hymn No. 5, "Peace.

 Originally it was a choral song in support of Lord Anos, but they decided to change the name of the song to the Demon King's Hymn in an official capacity because they thought it was a bit uncool.

 However, that doesn't change the essence of the song.

 The orchestral accompaniment played in the castle echoed magically throughout Midheys.
 The gentle, joyful, heartfelt prelude ended, and the girls in the choir breathed in with a sigh.

 The song begins--.

I don't need a sword in my right hand.

 The tune is soothing, gentle and gentle.

"--I don't need a shield in my left hand--

 It slipped right into the hearts of the audience.

'--Now, take off your cowardly armour, even if you can't use magic, even if this name is taken away from you in the past. I just--

 It's an inspiring piece of research.

"I'm an outsider, with love in my heart.

 You've captured the hearts of everyone here and--

I will not wear anything on my body, but I will be what I am.

"'Just like you are.

It is what it is.

"'Just like you are.

"Sugata de, I'm going to see Kimmy.

"'Zane la zealous, zealous, zealous...

"'Zane la zealous, zealous, zealous...

 A sudden modulation.
 The mysterious onomatopoeia of zenra zenra zenra, which enters like a concerted effort.

 It was meant to symbolize peace in the ancient magic language, 'Let's hold our hearts together and be one'.

'For example, even if this body does not have a sword...'

It's all there.

"I will cut you down with my love. I don't have a sword--

"'Just the way it is'
""Just as you are."

"Zane la la la la la la la.
"'Zella Zella,'

'Demon King! 's magic sword~!

 A shock washed over Dillhade.

 But they still looked divine, though barely, as befits a solemn ceremony. 

 But then the chorus of the song folded in relentlessly.

''It's love that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's you that I'm going to cut down, it's me and you that I'm going to cut down.

Two loves...

"'Just the way it is'
""Just as you are."

"Zane la la la la la la la.
"'Zella Zella,'

Infinite in number.

 Some were bewildered, some looked sternly at each other, some pinched their knees as hard as they could, and some were stunned.

 Reactions varied, but if I had to describe them all in one word, this is how I would describe them all.

 They were all sunk.

 I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

 What an idyllic song that still ate people, as always.
 Peace should be like this, after all.

 However, it appears that everyone is still nervous.
 I'm the Demon King, so I must take the lead on this one.

 I hold up my hands and open my mouth in a rhythmic but calm manner, as if to teach everyone how to enjoy this song.

'Zane la zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous.'

 The audience opened their mouths so wide that their jaws almost came off and their eyes widened as much as they could.

 I continued on.
 I put more pressure on my belly than before.

Zanele zanele zanele zanele zanele

 Immediately following was the Demon King's right arm, as if to demonstrate his loyalty, Shin said, while giving a sharp glance.

Zanele zanele zanele zanele zanele

 Reno, Ray, and Mass follow suit.

 Melhayes, Ivis and the others, and the Seven Demon Emperors, who had been watching the audience platform, start to move.
 They all look somewhat more tense than when they were taking on the battle against Azation.

 This is because they must now challenge the peace.

''Zeenla zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zeal zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous zealous

 Then, this time, the Demon Emperors in the noble seat began to raise their voices in unison, zean la zealousness.
 Soon, one or two people in the audience began to say those words.

 And then--

                  Â

 Number two begins.

"-- If you're going to have a shield --

 It was as if he was trying to pry open the hearts of his audience in a different way than he had just done.

"Well, you know, I'll take those two things away so that I can shed my cowardly armor. I'll wipe the sad name in the past. I just...

 It's a mind-blowing study in vain.

I'll be the only one with love in my heart

 It tyrannically takes away the hearts of everyone here, and then--

I will not wear anything on my body, but I will be what I am.

"'Just like you are.

It is what it is.

"'Just like you are.

Sugata de, I'm going to see Kimmy.

 The next moment, the voice shook Midhays.

''Zane la zealous, zealous, zealous...''

"'Zane la zealous, zealous, zealous...

 It was a huge chorus by those gathered here.
 The demon king's choir shouted as the more than ten thousand people screamed as if buoyed by the heat, not to be outdone by them.

"It's love that pierces the heart" "I'm the one who cuts you down" "I'm the one who cuts you down" "I'm the one who takes your hand and my hand, and you and I will be connected

Two loves...

"'Just the way it is'
""Just as you are."

"Zane la la la la la la la.
"'Zella Zella,'

One....

 This unification of Dirheid is still in its infancy.
 Some have different ideas. Some have different ideals. Some will inevitably be incompatible.

 But still, I want to start by having fun with everyone.
 Sing this song of peace.

 As the Demon King, I spread my arms out as if to receive everyone in this place to lead my people.

''Zane la zela zela zela...''

 If I tell you.

"'Zella Zella,'

 Without a moment's pause, the people of Dillhade exclaimed.

"Zane la Zane la Zane la Zane.

 Follow the demon king, as if to say.

""Zerazela."

 Zane La Zane, Zane La Zane, Zane La Zane--
 Let's be united, one heart at a time.

 With those words, the demon tribe is united.
 This is the beginning.

 No royalty, no half-breed, no sword and no shield.

 They shed their cowardly armor and let it be.

 With each voice, it was as if we were shedding the rancor we once held in our hearts.

 Little by little, little by little, the demon tribe is becoming right and united.

 Zane la zela zela, zela zela.

 Zane la zela zela, zela zela - and

 Such a tune of peace echoed through Mid-Hays forever.


 Once the ceremony was settled, I went back into the Delzogade.
 I visited the throne room and sat on the throne.

 I hold my hand over the spot, listening to the songs of the Demon King's Choir echoing from afar and the voices of the people.
 He drew a magic circle and sent the magic power there.

''Good day.''

 Misha popped up from behind the throne.
 Sasha was also next to her.

''It's kind of freaked me out that that song is more acceptable than I expected...''

 Sasha has a look on her face that says she has no doubt in her mind.

I guess that's why people don't want to fight. I suppose that's why people don't want to fight.

I won't deny that they didn't want to fight, but I'm pretty sure they were all obsessed with something.

 Clearly, she assured him.

'So what were you doing in there?

I'm waiting.

 Misha says.

'Me?'

 She nodded curtly.

'There was something I wanted to ask you about when you fought Avos Dilhevia. See, it's just about that thing you're trying to work out with your magic right now?

Sergeant Eldnave.

 If I sent magic power to the ceiling, it became transparent and I could see the sky.
 The that was turning into a shadow was there.

 It would take a little time to turn it into a Rational Destruction Sword, so it was still in that form.
 However, that too will be completed soon.

'When the surgeeldnave shone, we were outside.

 Misha says.

'How did you make it out okay?'

Anos was in the throne room when it happened, and he couldn't afford to protect us all, could he? Besides, with magic on that scale, it wouldn't have been surprising if all the demons in the Mid-Hays had been hit.

 Darkness looms over the magic circle.
 Part of the shadow of the < Sun of Ruin> floating in the heavens was missing, and on the contrary, part of the sword of shadow appeared in the center of the magic circle.

 One by one, Sarge Eldnave disappeared and eventually disappeared completely.
 A single shadow sword had appeared before me.

'Simple as that. Surgieldnave did not regard you as enemies. He only destroyed Avos Dyrhevia, who must be destroyed.

'Well I don't get it. Why would that happen? The God of Destruction was an enemy of Anos, wasn't it?

An enemy of ours. All the lives that could not be saved by not letting Averniu fall. But--

 I kept my mouth shut, trying to put it into words.

 I turn my attention to the bottom of the memory.

'....why would that happen...?'

What's going on?

 Misha looks into my face with concern.

'Hmm. This was somewhat unexpected.'

 I stood up and reached for the shadow sword.
 When I gripped the hilt, the Rational Sword Venuzdnoa revealed itself.

'Misha. You remember when we went back two thousand years ago, the Sword of Reason and Destruction was in the tower to help Igareth, don't you?

 She nodded with a chuckle.

'There aren't many people who can control the Rational Destruction Sword. I was wondering who in the world could do it, but perhaps the answer is much simpler than I thought.

 Misha blinked with a clink.

"In other words, it's possible that he placed the sword of annihilation there beforehand before his reincarnation in anticipation of the possibility of my returning to two thousand years ago in the Revalon.

'You mean Anos from 2,000 years ago activated the Rational Destruction Sword? But you didn't know that, did you?

Maybe you just don't remember.

...What?

'I don't seem to remember exactly what happened to Averniu, actually.

 He draws a magic circle on the Ridiculous Sword and stores it in the Delzogade.

'This is my first incarnation. I always thought it was all going to be fine, but I didn't realize how hard it was, I didn't even realize I didn't remember it.'

 I didn't realize it at all until Sasha asked me, and I tried to answer specifically.

 I did indeed corrupt the God of Destruction, Averniu, into this land, making him a delzogade.
 Because the order of the God of Destruction is a threat to every living person in this world.

 But that must not have been the only reason they fought.

 At that time, when the Sun of Doom shone in the sky, I was certain that it would never harm me and my companions, these Dirheid demons.

 I looked into the abyss of Surge Eldnave with this demon's eye, but as if to confirm my conviction, its sights were aimed only at the false demon king.

 But why?
 I can't for the life of me remember why.

Is that...?

Well, you know, it's not that big of a deal.

 But no matter how much it was the first time I tried it on myself, I don't think I failed at the Reincarnation (silica) magic.
 On the other hand, it's an undeniable fact that a part of my memory is missing.

 So why in the world was the reincarnation not complete--?