...... It's a good thing I wore the mask.

...... Heh, you have a funny way of saying that, you.

I am still in charge of a country's military. A fair amount of information is being gathered. You were first identified in Raylor's town, right?

　You mean when Iruna was kidnapped.

The next time we were in that city, we almost single-handedly defeated an interloper from another country. I almost single-handedly defeated an undercover agent of another country. The third sighting was the crisis in King's Landing, which has led to your widely known nickname, The Mask. With the help of the brave Nell, you help the church to rescue His Majesty and the Princess, expose the evil designs of the demon tribe, and stop the chaos on the verge of civil war. I don't know the details of his activities in the demon world after that, but he seems to have been active in some way. You took part in some sporting events.

　...... Amazing, you old man. I'm honestly impressed.

　If it's just what happened over here, how did you know when I went to the demon world? That's a frightening thought.

　I met some of Nell's friends, so maybe that's how she got the information: .......

I'm not going to divulge that you are the Demon King, so rest assured that I'm not going to divulge your identity. It's not going to be a faction war. It will be more than a faction war, it will be an invasion by other nations with a cause.

　That's because the demon king is treated like the enemy of all living things.
　It's true that if they find out you're working with such a thing, it will wreak havoc not only inside the country, but outside as well.

It's a bit on the heavy-handed side, but as long as you're on good terms with ...... this Aryssia kingdom, you'll feel more comfortable in an emergency. If the country is threatened by an outside invasion, the brave woman will certainly be brought in to help. And you, her lover, will come to this country to help her. Just as you are here for her now.

　That's right.
　As long as Nell remains a hero in this country, if anything is at stake, I'll come here again.

　Well, the king and the old man, Leiloh, have done a lot for me. I think of the princess as a relative's child.

　If they're in any kind of danger, I'm still thinking about helping them.

...... Supposing I'm the demon king, don't you think it's dangerous to have such a person inside our country?

Of course, I agree. Of course, I agree. That's why I had no say in Argos' plan to get rid of you and your heroes. Argos is a power-minded man, but he is capable. If he can get rid of someone as powerful as you and the brave men, that makes him useful.

　...... I see.

　You didn't care which way it went.

"So you knew about Argos' plan to have the monster attack a city in this country to get rid of me and Nell, and you didn't do anything to stop it?　They said they don't care if a city disappears, as long as it's for the good of the country.

Yes....

　The old nobleman nodded, without deception.

I just don't want you to be mistaken, but I didn't think that you guys couldn't fight off the demons. If you are killed and the city suffers too much damage, then defending this country is fundamentally impossible. If you can defend the city, then we can count on your abilities. Whichever way it goes, we can count on it to guide us in the future.

　Well, zero damage was not expected, but it was," he said and shrugged his shoulders, "an old nobleman.

You're right. Using the weapon of a woman to coerce the demon king. This should make it a little easier to handle, as a tool of the state...

　I'm sure you're not going to be able to get away with it.

The next time you treat Nell like an object, I will hang you to death.

　I've been strangled, and in a broken snatch, sweating coldly, but the old aristocrat only opens his mouth in a calm tone.

"I'm sorry. I apologize.

"...... tch. You tried.

　Letting go of my hand, I sniffed and sat back down on the couch with a thump.

　It was so obviously provocative. You've got spirit.

It's a relief to know that you really love your brave man.

　The old nobleman even smiles and says so.

　I don't like this guy.

You want to protect your country at ......?

I guess so. I suppose it's the same for you. When it comes to protecting something, any means necessary. No matter what, no matter what you do (・・・・・). I'm only interested in what's in this country.

"............

　...... It pains me to admit that I'm just like him, but ...... I know exactly what you mean.

　I protect the World of Demon King Yuki and she protects the World of War Minister Jayma. That's what it's all about.

　He saw my expression and knew I understood. After nodding his head, the old nobleman opens his mouth again.

Now that you understand my intentions, let's make a deal.

"Huh?　What's the deal?

"Perhaps I will go unpunished. The minister of war will be stripped of his position, but that's it. Punishing me could cause further civil war. But, because you love me so much, you will not forgive me for putting your lover at risk. You could kill me. But I can't let you kill me yet. Hence the deal. And since it's not so bad for you either, will you listen to me?



...... Okay. Let's hear it.

　I don't feel like I can compete with this old man anymore, so I let out a sigh and reply, "If you love and protect the brave, then I will protect the brave from the malice of this country while you are gone.

If you love and protect the brave men and women, then I will protect them from the 'evil intentions' of this country while you are away. From the people, from the nobility and others. Then there will be no more such things as this one.

"You're the man. You're the one who brought this on.

There is no denying that. It has also helped to eliminate some domestic 'pus'.

　...... Emotionally, I would be lying if I said I had no feelings, but it's certainly not a bad story.

　This old man has a lot of sympathizers.
　If I say this guy is black, he's black, and if I tell him to stop spreading bad news, he'll stop.

　This is evident from the way the king is very wary of this old man.

　The church is working to extinguish the fire, but it is very disappointing to leave her alone in a country that still has a bad reputation for her. ...... If this lady says she will extinguish the fire, then I can rest assured that she will.

　It's a good idea to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　...... This guy himself, though, is still a problem that I don't trust.

...... Are you trying to use me as an ally? You're not from here, and you're not even human, Demon King.

If it is necessary for the nation . It is quality, not numbers, that is needed as a fighting force. No matter how large your army is, it can easily be destroyed by the overwhelming individual. There is a reason why this country finds its heroes. The country now, with its unstable political situation, needs individuals with a little bit of power.

I won't be in the war. If that happens in this country, I'll take Nell back to the dungeon.

"Of course we won't start a war. His Majesty is very careful about that. But under current political conditions, there is a good chance of invasion from another country. Do you think that when the country is engulfed in war, she will sit idly by and watch you take her in?

　I wouldn't .......
　That's a nice guy. If there was a war in her home country, she'd be the first to try to get in the line of fire.

　And when she's made up her mind, I'll come to this country, too.

Well, the people of this country are working to prevent that war from happening. Well, our people are working to prevent such a war from happening. The big powers understand that they will suffer a heavy blow from each other, so the war can't break out unless there's a very good reason. However, the current world situation is not entirely without possibility. I'm sure you'll be involved in some way or another if it comes to such a situation, regardless of whether or not you're a brave man.

　At the old aristocrat's words, I was silent for a moment and then opened my mouth.

...... I hate you. I want to kill you right here and now.

Huh, right. But if you don't, then the rational part of you recognizes the usefulness of this deal, doesn't it?

　I'm going to be able to say that the old aristocrat who seems to be smiling annoyingly, I let out a tongue lashing and continue speaking.

I'm going to kill you if you mess up the ...... promise. And if this country tries to take advantage of Nell, I will destroy this country (・・・・) with all my might. You know what I'm talking about.

Yes, I know. I will remember that I will not let the country destroy itself.

"Please do so by all means. --All right, I'll take you up on your offer. I'll protect Nell, no matter what. You'll protect her from any rumors that might come out of the woodwork. You're good with that.

You got a deal. Thank you for giving this old man some relief.

I'd like to sew that mouth together once.

　Then I got up from the couch.

"Hmm, are you going home. See you, demon king Yuki. It was nice talking to you. I hope you continue to do well.

Thank you. Please let misfortune befall you.

　Finally, I spat it out and left the room, activating my covert skills.