...... You're a really messed up person.

Didn't you answer the king's request to your place?

　I cowered my shoulders and replied to Hood's words.

...... Well, I guess so. You've gotten more attention than ever before. You could even say you went too far. Thanks to you making such a bold move, the enemy's agents have started to move en masse. Perhaps the king will see this as an opportunity.

Then it's good to see you.

Yes, it is. I'm sure that the king will happily give more instructions to those of us who are already short-staffed and have a tremendous amount of work to do each and every one of us. I'm sure my colleagues would be more than happy to die for the king: ...... No, of course I would die for the king, too, but all this work and work and work and work and work and work. ...

"Uh, ...... its ...... sorry

　Hood, you're still pretty young. She's probably younger than me.
　I didn't know she was struggling with this kind of overwork at such an age. ...... Somehow, she's starting to look like a pitiful little girl.

　...... Later, I'll send you some food.

...... No, don't worry about it. You've done the best job you could as an ally. I apologize for being a bit b*tc*y.

Oh, no, yeah, if you ever need anything, feel free to let me know. Hey, Leila.

Well, Haroria, I'll always be here for you, okay?

"Uu ...... thank you, Master Leila.

　At Leila's words, Hood looks impressed.

　...... Leila, 'sama'?

　...... Well, yes, I'm glad to hear you guys are getting along so well.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get a good deal more information on this topic.

　Next to me, En is huffing and puffing on the steak with her little mouth full of pride. Cute.

　--This is an area of the arena bleachers that the hoods had reserved for me.

　I use the word area instead of seat because all of the seats around here are reserved for dignitaries, dignitaries' seats.

　Simply put, it's a seat for the nobility of the magical world.

　If you want something, the resident maids will bring or buy it for you, and this delicious steak we are eating right now was made on the spot by the cooks waiting in the back.

　The staff of the convention hired chefs from some high class restaurant and brought them here for this guest table.

　The area reserved for the king of the demon world is even more gorgeous than this one, but they didn't want me to go there, since I've already taken off my disguise and they don't want to know that I'm related to the king's party, but they didn't want me to sit in the general public seat, so they reserved a seat for us. It seems.

"--Great, that masked man who just came in. Who the hell is that man in the mask?

Rumor has it that you are a mercenary recently hired by the king.

"Are you a mercenary or can I hire you at ...... if I pay you too?

"It won't be for a while. It's rumored that the king is surrounding it.

　After glancing at the two noble demons sitting at a distance, I turn to Hood.

I'm sure ...... is well on its way to you.

No stone left unturned in that area. Once the king is in motion, he can crush it outright before his opponent realizes he's trapped. From here, things will only get faster.

　That's the best part.

"Your Majesty, with all that maneuvering, should we be on our way?

"There was a compelling reason for that. As long as the Devil's chief ringleader comes to this arena, the king will have no choice but to come to us.

　Oh ...... I see.
　You can't have people saying things that don't belong to you, when you're not there.

　It seems that the battle between the demon tribe and the king's faction in the demon world is about how much each side can destroy the other's "face".
　It must be very important for them to come out in public like this.

　It's a propaganda war, so to speak.

　This confrontation will become more direct, a clash of force against force.

　The king will want to decide the battle before that happens.

　--And just as the conversation was going on, at that moment.

Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse me from dinner! Two of the guys we featured this morning have arrived! Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause!

　Prompted by the MC's words, a round of applause envelops the hall.

　Then the monitor of the crystal ball floating above the arena begins to show images, and the smiling face of the king of the world, Finale, is shown decisively on it.

　When you glance at the gorgeous area of the arena that was prepared just for him, the king of the demon world, who was not there a moment ago, appears before you know it.

　The moment he appeared, there was a yellow cheer and jeering boos from the men.

　Yeah ...... that's a good reaction to see what kind of reputation you're getting.

"Hi, guys. It's Finale. This demonology festival starts today. Let's fill it up. I also sent a boy to this festival that I want to show off, so enjoy watching him do his thing!

　Then he looks at you and smiles with a big smile on his face.

　Thank you for selling me out.

''Thank you, Mr. Finale! The player you mentioned is the mysterious masked player who ended the match with a roar. He hasn't even pulled out a weapon yet, so I'm very curious to see how he'll perform in the future! --Thank you, Mr. Finale, once again, a big round of applause!

　At those words, the arena is again filled with applause.

'And now, let's have another person appear! Everyone, please continue to pay attention to the transverse crystals!

　With those words, the next thing the crystal ball monitor showed was a man .

　A man with short, red hair.
　His eyes were sharp, reminiscent of a bird of prey, and his mouth was as large as a snake's. His body was muscular even through the clothes he wore.

　The man's body was clearly muscular even through the clothes he wore, and combined with his two-meter tall stature, he gave the impression of being a huge man.

''Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!



　As soon as he appeared, nearly all the men in the hall raised their shouting, which sounded like an angry yell.

　The volume of his voice was so loud that En, who had been eating meat next to me, jumped up and down with a jolt.

　Hey! You're scaring my kid! I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

　As soon as he said one word, the hall fell silent, trying to hear the man's words.

"I'm Gojim. Thank you for the welcome. --In this celebration of power, there is only one thing I ask of you. Enjoy this warrior's feast!

　The man who raised his fist in the air - in response to Gojim, the bastards in the audience applauded, louder than at Finale, causing the earth to shake.

　--So that's the leader of the demon tribe.

　Status: ...... No, I can't see it at all.

　It's like a magic shield has been placed in front of him.
　Does it activate a very powerful magic tool that blocks magic, or does it have a skill that plays off its own analysis skills?

　...... What, does that guy look a lot more like a demon king? There's something charismatic about him, and we don't know who he is.
　Finale and I are honestly far from the appearance we associate with the word "demon king".

　Shit, I feel like my identity has been severely violated.

　...... I've learned that you look more like a demon king than I do.

　I'll show you for sure that I am the true demon king! 　


　　　I will prove it.


It's good to see you, Finale. You look as gutted as ever.

Long time no see, Mr. Gojim. You still look like a muscle to the brain, and you look like an idiot.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.

Haha! Ha! It's all right, now you're the only man who can say that to me.

"Okay. You don't have many friends. All the kids around me have been very supportive of me.

Poor man, not realizing that his men have taken him for a fool. How is it that there are people who still follow your kind of childish ways?

It's definitely better than some idiot's men who mistake obedience for loyalty.

"I wonder how long that bullshit will last. I wonder how many rounds the man who apparently hired some horse bone without shame will be able to win?

"Oh, that's so sweet of you to worry about him, you . But you don't have to worry about him. He's so much stronger than your precious, precious pawn.

"Fool my people, little boy!

　--Then the host, who had not heard the words exchanged between the king of the demon world and the chieftain of the demon tribe due to the enthusiastic voice of the audience, turned to them and said with a smile, "Now, gentlemen, as we discussed, I would like to shake your hands for the audience.

As we discussed, I would like to ask you to shake hands for the audience.

　The moment the host turned back toward them, the demon chieftain instantly retracted his furious expression, and the two men shook hands as requested.

　One side smiled miserably.

　One side smiles miserably and the other gives a mocking smile.

"And now, Finale. Well, I wish you luck. --I'd like to see that cowardly side of you twisted into a rude awkwardness.

You too, Mr. Gojim. --Don't expect you to be the same when this tournament is over.

　The audience was unaware of the seemingly harmonious nature of the two men shaking hands with each other, and they were screaming with enthusiasm.