''........I've finally come this far......?''

　Dark General Rizzet thought as he looked at the Mithril Mine in the distance.

　He joined the army in some way or another and advanced. Their destination, the Mithril Mine, was already in sight.

　The objective of the war effort is to retake the Mithril Mine.
　It's been six years since the humans stole what was once in the hands of the demons, and now they want to take it back. At last, a movement to get it back has begun.

　The number of troops mobilized is 2,000.
　Furthermore, it was an odd camp, with all of the Four Heavenly Kings, who had been reformed, participating.

　This focus could be seen as a sign of seriousness and determination to take back the Mithril Mine.

　However, Rizzet couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about such a big operation... or rather, something inexplicable about it.

　Rizzet is basically against this operation.
　This is because the truce was only signed during the rebuilding of Rasperda Fortress.
　This is a rare occurrence since the beginning of the war between humans and demons, and yet how confusing would it be to take military action during that truce period?

　If this is not done well, it could cause an all-out war with the full force of the demon human race.

　Normally, Lizet had to stop it at all costs, but the reason she didn't do that and even accompanied him was because she couldn't get those words she heard before she left out of her ears.

　-- ''My guess is that the brave men are staring at us as coming from the Mithril Mine.''
　-- 'This is my hunch, though. I think you and I might know who the mastermind is, don't we?

　With those words whispered by the Four Heavenly Kings Bezelia, Lizet's imagination could only be attributed to one person.

''.........''

　No matter how many times I told myself that I was delusional, the same person's face flickered in my mind.

　The entire Demon King's Army was struck by a falsehood, the 'Brave Raider Incident' only a few years ago.
　It is said that he was sent out to solve Bezelia's reasoning that the mastermind behind it was a surprisingly familiar person.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.

I'll go and check with him directly! But there was no way he could say that.

　Rizzet, who had gone with him to at least stop the worst of it, still couldn't figure out exactly what he was supposed to do here after all.

'General Rizeto!'

　In the midst of the march, someone is advancing through the ranks and approaching Rizzeto.

　You can tell that it's an officer belonging to the Demon King's army, but he's too young and looks like a boy.
　That youthfulness, on the contrary, allowed Rizzet to recognize him immediately.

　It's one of the newly selected Four Heavenly Kings.

''You're, uh........Mister Gels?
'Yes!　I'm the newly inaugurated Fourth Heavenly King 'Weak Fire' Gels!

　The new four-headed Gels who responded cheerfully.
　Lizet liked his youth and candor.

''There is no need for you to be respectful, Mister Gels. You are one of the Four Heavenly Kings who stand at the pinnacle of the Demon King's army.''
'That said, I'm still young and inexperienced. I have very little real-world experience, and I'm eager to learn a lot from my elders!

　How straightforward.
　The complete opposite of his predecessor, Bashvaza. This humbleness and diligence is what makes him so highly respected.

''Therefore, General Rizzet. I would very much like to ask for your guidance and encouragement, as you have risen from the lowest-ranking dark soldier to the dark general. I'd like to ask you for your support!
No, no...!

　It was doubtful that this was really the same Four Heavenly Kings.

　The previous Four Heavenly Kings were all crooked and troublesome, but if the new appointments were all like him, the new regime of the Demon King's Army seemed brighter.

''The lowest-ranked... dark soldiers?''
"?　What is it?
''No, but Lord Gels is well versed in the inner workings of the Demon King's army....... Come to think of it, I heard that there's only one new Four Heavenly King who was promoted from the military...?
Yes, it's me. Just after graduating from the military academy, I was nominated to become the Fourth Heavenly King. I thought it was a dream, but...!
'That remains to be said. I suppose they appreciated your talent.
''I'm honored, but isn't the Four Heavenly Kings still more appropriate for someone with a proven track record?　That's just like General Rizzet's...?
I'm the only one who has survived to this day.

　Yes.
　In this world, there are those who cannot be recognized no matter how much achievement they have.
　That's why there are those who have been unjustly kicked out of the Demon King's Army....

''However, it's strange that the Four Heavenly Kings are the pinnacle of the Demon King's Army, yet I'm the only one directly promoted from the military department. How can everyone else be seconded from the academy...?
''They also want to make their presence known.

　Among the demons, the Demon King's Army and the Academy have a close relationship with each other.

　It is the magic peculiar to the demon race, and the academy studies it and contributes to its development.
　On the other hand, the Demon King's Army is more concerned with practicing magic and performing real-life tasks such as 'protecting the Demon King'.

　The academy is a research institute for the children of the upper class, and at the same time it is a social circle.
　As a result, they tended to despise the Majesty's Army, which was actually at work in the field, calling it 'muddy' and 'the work of lowly people.

In fact, many of those who volunteer for the Majesty's Army are of low rank and not rich enough to enter the Academy. The only way to learn magic without paying high tuition fees is to train in the Demon King's Army.
My family is also a lowly nobleman in name only.

　Gels said shyly, but even so, he was one of the blessed ones in the Demon King's Army.

　There are many orphans who start out as dark soldiers in the Demon King's Army who have no relatives, so to speak, they receive protection on the condition that they serve the Demon King's Army for life.
　Just like that man who was once my classmate.

''That's why those from the academy with a strong sense of elitism always want to look down on the Demon King's army. That's why they want to take the top spot in the Demon King's Army, the Four Heavenly Kings, under the guise of a secondment.
'I know it's annoying!　An academic who doesn't even know how to fight a real battle, bursting onto the battlefield!

　However, the four Heavenly Kings of the day were all academy graduates, except for Gels.
　It might be better than the previous generation where all four of them were from the academy, but.......

''Your other new appointments.......the New Four Heavenly Kings of Earth and Water are also from the Academy......?
''Meris and Siltke?　I've met those guys as well, but I don't know what they're thinking for the life of me. Still, it's better than Bezelia-dono, but...!
''I don't even know what that gentleman is thinking...?''

　Bezelia was the only remaining Water's Fourth Heavenly King from the previous period's Fourth Heavenly King.
　At the time, he was overshadowed by other troubled children such as Bashbarza, who were rampaging loudly. However, he has begun to show a unique presence here.
　Should we call it eeriness........

''What do you think, Rizeto-dono?　You mean this plan that he has devised...?
It's ridiculous. It's annoying that I can't just say with certainty that this is a ridiculous plan.

　As a matter of fact, Lizet, who knows of Dariel's existence, finds out that her intentions this time are not completely off the mark.
　And the fact that Bezelia, who should not have known, has planned this operation as if she could see through it, is uncanny.

You can't help but feel weird that Bezellia, as if she could see right through you, had planned this operation. Will you cooperate with me, Mister Gels?
'Of course!　Let's keep the pride of the Demon King's army alive by coming from the same military branch!

　He is a spirited young man.
　Lizette, who is approaching 40 years of age, is even envious of his vigor.

　It could be said that he has passed the turning point in his life, but he is still single and has not even been able to produce a child to carry on the next generation.
　I can't help but feel a sense of inadequacy about my own life, but I suspect that's because I didn't have the energy that this young man had in his youth.

But the truth is, I'm happy to have been chosen as the Four Heavenly Kings!　I joined the Demon King's Army because I admired Granberza-sama so much!
''Ho!''

　It's already been six years since Grampaza, the Four Heavenly Kings' "kagaku-fire", who was touted as the strongest of all time, retired from active duty.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''That's why it's a real honor to be chosen as the Fourth Heavenly King of Fire, the same as Granbaza-sama...!　I'm a rookie now, but I hope to become a four-tiered king like a proper Granbaza-sama eventually!
So, even for your generation, Lady Granberza is a dreamboat.

　However, there was another goal to surpass if you wanted to be like Granbaza.
　This is the gem of a person who was once the most beloved by the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings.

"We know exactly who you are, Mr. Gels. Grandfather will be very pleased to see a young man of your caliber take the reins of power.
Yes, sir...!
You'll have to be very diligent in your work. By the way, Mr. Gels, what brings you to my doorstep?
''Ah!?''

　Gels realized that he had been making small talk ever since he came under Lizet's wing.

''S-Sorry!　We're getting close to our goal, and I'd like to discuss the formation arrangements with you...?
Huh?　Shouldn't we ask Lord Bezelia for direction then?

　He is the current leader of the Four Heavenly Kings and the planner of this operation.
　Isn't it inevitable that he would be the one to take overall command of the operation?

''That's...!

　Gels slurred his words once, and then announced the extraordinary thing.

''I only said to leave everything up to Lord Rizzet, and then he disappeared, and no matter where I looked, I couldn't find him...!
What?

　The person in charge was hiding from the clouds right in front of the target area?
　I don't know what he or she is thinking, but he or she is the first of the Four Heavenly Kings.

If I'm the one in charge, I'll just turn around and go back!
What?　You're not going to be the only one.

　It's a good idea to have a good time.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

This is the appearance of Zebiantes, the "Flower Wind".