Inside the large bath surrounded by gorgeous stained glass windows, he was alone.

　Demon King Dylockten was soaking in the hot tub with her eyes closed. Besides her, there was no one else in sight. Even the sound of sweat running through her hair and falling into the bathtub echoed loudly in the silence. Without flinching, Dylokten waited for her wounds to heal.

　Although she had an unconcerned look on her face, the wounds that consumed her were always emitting intense pain.

　An ordinary person would be screaming and crying out in pain. It was her pride as a Demon King that she wouldn't act like she was giving herself over to such an impulse when there was no one to watch.

　Besides, the pain was better than when he had escaped to this mansion.
　Thanks to Ike's healing magic and the magicians in the bathtub for healing.

　The healing magic that he blows it off as being bad at, but from what Dylockten saw, he didn't think so. A magic that suppresses pain, and a magic that heals wounds. The many layers of magic were not drawn by something very bad at it.

　That young man was too humble, after all.

　It is considered a virtue in humans, especially in the Japan they lived in, but it is a fetter in the demon race.

　I'm not sure how to push that young man, who has now risen to the rank of legion leader, to greater heights.

Even if he's left alone, I'm sure he's going to rise to the level of military prowess.''

　When I say it out loud, it seems to be the truth.

　I've had my eye on Ike for a long time, I've had my eye on him, and I've entrusted him with a suitably difficult task. And in every one of them, he has exceeded my expectations.

　I am sure that will always be the case.

　In the future, that young man might be sitting next to me, shoulder to shoulder. Thinking of that, Dylockten couldn't control the corners of his mouth from lifting.

''But that character ... no pros and cons, huh?

　I let out a sigh of resignation.

　It was getting to be a very long bath, for goodness sake. My fingers are blistered and wrinkled, and my head feels dizzy from the heat. The body of the demon tribe is much more robust than that of a human being, but even so, they can't withstand hours of bathing.

　It must have been more than an hour since I took a bath.

　Even so, the sharp pain that seems to pierce through your back will not go away, though it will ease.

　The wounds are healing too slowly, no matter how much it takes. It's strange that it still hurts to this extent, even with the high life force to be called the Demon King and Ike's healing magic combined.

''What...?　This wound--

　As soon as the question mark is uttered, Dylokten stands up.
　I want to cool my burning body, even if only a little. That was the reason for his action.
　At that moment, with a rattle, the door opened unceremoniously.


''Hm?　Oh, Demon King, you are in a very good mood.


　The one who showed up was Cephiro, the commander of the 7th Legion.

　Even though it was a bathhouse, she was dressed as usual. Clothes with the chest wide open and a large hat. When he saw her with a smile on her mouth, Dairokten felt himself cowering.

　The demon king's army is not a monolith.

　Power is everything to the demon race. They will obey those stronger than themselves, but no one is willing to obey those who are weak. That is no exception to this mad alchemist Sephiro.

　For the revolted Dyrokten, all but the trustworthy Ike are as good as enemies.

　On the spur of the moment, he prepares to activate his magic.

　However, seeing Dylockten ready for battle, Sephiro chuckled.

''Don't worry, Demon King-sama. "Don't worry, demon king, I have no intention of betraying you. The reason I'm here is because I heard that Ike has wounded the demon king, and I want to pay my respects to him, so please put aside your hostility.

...what?

''My mistress will always be on Ike's side. If Ike's man won't betray her, if he says he's going to side with the Demon King, she'll follow him. I didn't tell the members of the 7th Legion about the rebellion. Rest assured.

I see.

　With a small chirp, Dairokten sank into the hot tub.

　Sephiro's appearance made his liver chill at once. It was even more so cold. The temperature of the water was so pleasant to the cold body.

'And you said you wanted to visit him but is that all?

That's all. Oh, I heard you were taking a long bath, so I brought some water. Would you like a drink?

　The legion leader?　Alone?

You can rest easy knowing that your job is in the hands of your own staff. The trick to raising a good subordinate is to let him go to a certain extent.

　As he said it, Cephiro walked briskly through the bathhouse with his shoes on and approached Dylockten.

　She pours a glass of water into the glass she was holding and offers it to Dylockten. She smiles at me, and I can't sense any hostile intent or manners from her. Dylockten takes the glass and slowly drinks the water.

　The cold water seeps into the core of the body.
　The body that was burned by the fire cooled down at once and an unearned pleasure ran down the back.

Well, Demon King. I don't mean to be rude, but can you show me your wound?

What?

"Ike has told me about the Demon King's wounds. It seems that some wounds can't be healed by playing a healing spell, and that's why the mistress has come for the diagnosis of those wounds as well.

Um, please.

　Dylockten turned her back to Cephiro as he urged her to do so.

　There was a terrible wound on her back, with something black and clinging to it. ''Hmm........'' with a hand on her chin, Cephiro inspected the wound.

　Eventually, Cephiro raised his body, which was leaning forward to the point where he was about to plunge his face into the bathtub, and said, ''This is a 《cursed grudge》.

''This is a 《cursed grudge》, isn't it?

The Grudge...

''Yes. It's one of the forbidden spells used by the high-ranking immortals to kill themselves. It is one of the forbidden spells used by the high ranking immortals to cut down their lives. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. You are indeed a demon king.

Flattery is not necessary. Can you cure yourself, Cephiro?

It can be done. However, you still need to rest for a few weeks. The Grudge is a forbidden magic that eats away at the internal organs and the magic itself. Mistress and Ike's healing magic can speed up the healing process, but it is not enough to cure you instantly.

So be it. I have to take my castle back.

Oh, is that a difficult task for Ike to handle? I can't wait to see what happens.

　As he said it, Sephiro wrote a new magic formula for the [Breaking the Spell] on the magic circle that Ike had written.

　Then the black magic power that had stuck to Dylockten's back gradually faded away. The pain was somewhat better, and Dylockten let out a breath as if in relief.

''Right now, Ike must be in the midst of a military discussion with the faces of the Eighth Legion. If it were me, I'm sure I'd throw her out of the room.

But Ike has the power to do the impossible and pull it off.

　Both Sephiro and Dylockten knew how difficult it would be to govern this rebellion.

　The alliance of the lords and kings continues to stare each other in the face, and they cannot afford to give the alliance an opening to attack.

　In order to do so, they must keep the castle unharmed and their troops unwearying, and they must carry on as if nothing is happening.

　This is not a good situation for the demon race, which is good at roughing it up. The bindings of 'do not fight' will be very painful for Ike.

　But even so, Dylockten's eyes are full of conviction as he says, "I have faith in you.

I have faith in you. "I trust that Ike will come up with a plan that exceeds my expectations.

Hmm, I'm looking forward to it too. How he's going to turn this situation upside down is a great way to enjoy a drink.

　As he said it, Cephiro used the magic of Transference and summoned something into his hand.
　It was a chessboard.

　It was a magnificent chessboard made of crystal and obsidian. When he placed it on the floor, Cephiro sat down on the spot, not caring to get his clothes wet.

'What do you think? A game to accompany a long bath.

Hmm, let's do it.

　Cephiro and Dyrokten smiled at each other.
　They lined up their pieces and began to play the game with a serious look on their faces.