The mansion, which is practically the residence of the Eighth Legion, is equipped with a luxurious bath.

　Perhaps because it was originally a nobleman's mansion, the baths are said to have been built more for their appearance than for their functionality. Stained glass windows are everywhere, and a lion's head, reminiscent of a merlion, is constantly pouring hot water into the spacious bathtub.

　There are three different types of baths: men's, women's and my own, depending on the time of day, but fortunately, no one is taking a bath at this time of day.

''Excuse me. Demon King-sama, it's sinking in, isn't it?

Well, go ahead. Go ahead and give it your best shot.

　The demon king exposed his stark naked body and ordered Sati to do so.

　Satie poured hot water on the beautiful, curvy body. I'm not sure if it's the same as the warning, or if it's sinking into the wound, but the demon king is still trembling with his eyes squeezed shut.

　In the meantime, I draw a magic circle in the bathtub.

''........It's done, Demon King-sama. I don't know how much of an effect this will have, but.......

Mm. I'm sorry, Ike. I thought you said you weren't very good at the art of healing.

No, no, that's okay. Would you mind telling me more about what happened?

Yeah, we'll talk. You know, we have a lot of work to do.

Please, sir...

　I have a bad feeling about this, but I'll let it pass for now.
　When I'm shoulder-deep in the hot tub, the magic circle begins to glow. It's the largest level of healing magic I can handle.
　The Demon King's back is covered in huge, black wounds.

　Apparently, it's not just a simple wound, and my healing magic is all I can do to close up the wound. I hope this healing spell will make things a little better.

''There are those who have rebelled and rebelled.

　The Demon King-sama said that in a strong tone of voice at the opening.
　

''The ringleader is the leader of the 3rd Legion Legion, Domus the Spirited. Ike, have you heard of him?

'At least a name......... As I recall, his race was Taxim. I've heard that he has a spirit of steel that never falters, no matter how badly he is outmatched.

　Incidentally, by the way, Taxim is a low grade immortal. I've heard that they are born from the corpses of warriors who have died in defeat, leaving regrets behind. Although they have no special skills or abilities, they have higher intelligence than skeleton soldiers, and they are good at suicide attacks, utilizing their bodies that do not die no matter how much they are wounded.

　There are also several members in this 8th Legion, which was originally named the Immortal Brigade.

''So...? That's right, Ike. I bought into his mental powers and appointed him head of the 3rd Corps. The Third Legion, the one vacated by his betrayal.

　The Third Legion the legion once commanded by that Basteo.

　Basteo was a hard-liner who opposed Dylockten's reign, mainly his policy of reconciliation towards humans, and led a rebellion. When he revolted, I was challenged to a one-on-one fight, and as a result, he was imprisoned in the basement of the demon king's castle with only his head.

''But, Demon King, I heard that the Third Legion was effectively disbanded after that.

''Mm. There was a high probability that there were like-minded people within the 3rd Corps who were like-minded with Basteo. Therefore, they were sent to the Western Front as a brigade unit. To prevent the legionaries from rising to their feet as a unit, they were reinforced by the 1st and 2nd legions. However, when they retreated from the League of Nations, they gathered together as the Third Legion. They must have risen to their feet at that time. They occupied the city and made me do some serious damage to it.

I see...

　For better or worse, an organization is easily stained with the color of its leader.

　If it was the army commanded by the hard-line Basteo, there is a high possibility that the misanthropic philosophy had spread to the soldiers at the end. That's why the Demon King-sama had foreseen this and had firmly taken measures against rebellion. That's why the rebellion hasn't occurred until now.

　If he hadn't taken any countermeasures, the rebellion would have erupted during the decisive battle with the Alliance of the Kings, causing a great deal of chaos and loss.

I dare say. "I am not furious with you for your rebellion.

　sploosh
　Making the hot water bounce in his fist, the Demon Lord said.

The same as with Akechi's kumquat head, it's my fault for being accused of a rebellion. It's not reasonable to blame your subordinates for turning against you. It's not inevitable. But if the other side had a reason to betray me, it is logical that I have the will to calm down the people who started the rebellion.

'So you're saying that the Demon King is enraged that he has been prevented from advancing on his own path?

Ike. You should know better than that. My goal is to coexist with humans and demons. If you stand in the way of that, even if we are demons, we will not tolerate you.

Yes, I'm quite aware of that, Your Majesty.

It's Ike.

　The Demon King-sama calls out my name.

　Her eyes, filled with strong will, stare at me as if they are shooting through me. Her naked body automatically jumps into my eyes, but I can't move from there, as if my gaze was sewn on.

　By the way, I can't even bring myself to watch her as she was born.
　That's how attractive her eyes are.

Unu, do you ever betray me?

Yes, I'm not going to betray you.

Why is that?

''Demon King-sama is a like-minded companion of mine. If I betray you, I will betray myself as well. I can swear to my grandfather that I won't do such a trivial thing.

The Guardian of the Abyss, Romberg. He has raised a good boy.

　The Demon Lord finally smiled there, an innocent smile that was appropriate to his appearance.
　However, that smile lasted only a moment and quickly returned to those serious eyes.

''Ike. You are ordered to retake the Demon King's Castle-----Azuchi Castle to Unu. I'm too injured to fight to the best of my ability. Otherwise, this task will be extremely difficult. Can you do it?

It's true that it's difficult, but well, I'll give it a shot. After all, it's an order from the Demon King.

　Besides, I'm used to being reckless because of some mad alchemist.
　I laughed back at him.
　I was a little unsure if that smile had turned into a bitter smile or not.....