After receiving the suggestion from Lina, I decided to thoroughly gather information on the 'Sword Saint' - Sayama Toratetsu.

　If you know his name and identity, and he's a celebrity, it's easy to gather information. Especially in the current Kowaleta world, which could be said to be in wartime, the information on the human race called heroes was exposed more than necessary.

　I see.........

　Gathering information on Sayama Toratoru, I was able to learn various things.

　For example - that the first 'hero' of Zhuzu City was not Sayama Toratetsu, but his grandson and son. And that the grandson and his son lost their lives while invading the territory they controlled. After that, Sayama Toratoru turned into a vengeful shura and successfully defeated the demon king of the demon species who was the avenger of his grandson and son.

　If that's all there is to the story, Sayama Toratoru, who had turned into a vengeful Shura, successfully avenged the demon king and became a hero. But unfortunately, there was one more target for Sayama Toratoru's revenge.

　That target was his granddaughter's avenger - Demon King Sion.

　In other words, it was me.

"You're a false accusation........

　My granddaughter--Sayama Rina--is not dead, Lina-Sion. As my subordinate, she's alive.

　Lina's proposal is more than worth trying.

　We can clear up the misunderstanding. We can tell them that Lina is alive and well, and if anything, the former humans who have become territorial residents are also alive and well.

　If we can get rid of Sayama Toratetsu, we can also get rid of his martial arts students. Then, there is a good chance that a steady stream of people in Suzu City will respond to the recommendation.

　At over eighty years of age, he had turned into a vengeful shura to the point where he was revered as the 'Sword Saint'. His feelings for his family must be that strong.

　That's why the only surviving immediate family member - Lina's persuasion should have a high chance of success.

　The problem is how to set up a place of persuasion.

　

　In that case, it would be better to face them head on. Trust in Sayama Toratetsu's love for his family........

　Family.......... I can't remember my family. What kind of feelings did I have for my family?　Since his personality is so strong that he was sorted out as [Chaos], did he not have a deep affection for her like he did for [Sword Saint]?

　When I try to remember, I get a severe headache.

　Am I not allowed to even ask myself...?

　I entrusted the attack on Suzu City to the love for my family, which I couldn't confirm for myself.


　◆


　Three days after the creation of the base, the sun set.

　The fatigue of the main subordinates had recovered.

　If Lina's persuasion works, then all that waiting for the main force to recover and all that preparation with so many subordinates and items will have been for naught.

　For once, I hope that all the preparations will end in vain.

　 And let's be sarcastic. Per Kanon, I'm going to say something like, "You're thinking too much, Sion-san. And I'll give Kanon his usual punishment.

　I chuckle, dreaming of a bright ending.

''Shion-san?　What's the matter with your sudden grin?
Hmm?　It's nothing.

　I pay a hand off to Kanon, who calls out to me in concern.

'Attention all my mentees!　We will now begin our invasion of Zhuzhou City Hall!

　He gives orders to his men who stand on one level of the newly created control territory that will be the base for the invasion of Suzu City Hall.

In an invasion, the first order of business is to persuade them to join us... through Lina!

　A murmur comes from my men when they hear my words.

　--Shut up!

　Forcing my subordinates to shut up, I continue to speak.

'When Lina's persuasion fails--we will launch an all-out attack!　Be prepared, each of you!

　The subordinates looked serious and gripped their respective gains tightly.

''From now on, we will invade Zhuzhou City Hall!　All of you, follow me!

""Oh!"

　I left the base with my 2,000 screaming men.


　◆


　The base and Suzu City Hall are just a stone's throw away.

　Within five minutes of me leaving the base, I can hear noisy voices coming from Suzu City Hall.

　I hold the [loudspeaker] in front of my mouth with my 2,000 subordinates behind me.

''Nice to meet you, is that right?　My name is Demon King Theon. I want to make one suggestion to the humanity holed up in Suzu City Hall, if that's okay with you?

　I throw the word to humanity and wait for an answer.

"...what is it?

　After a minute or so of waiting, the reply arrived over the speakers, making a terrible noise.

'Excuse me, but are you sure you're the leader?'

'Yes!　I am the governor of Ishikawa prefecture, Tayama!

　The voice that was emanating through the speaker was unexpectedly the prefectural governor.

　Isn't the leader a 'swordsman'........

　The plan suddenly collapsed.

　Is this impossible......... Before we can talk about Lina's persuasion, the stage is not set for us to persuade the 'Sword Saint'.

''What is it!　What's the matter with you!

　As I'm silent at the unexpected events, the prefect's voice on the noise-soaked speaker comes on.

　I'll have to improvise to get through......... If it's impossible, then I'll have to use my powers....

''I'm writing to the prefectural governor, sir!　Can we stop fighting over this, please?　I think it's pretty obvious who's going to win, don't you?

"Demon King Theon!　Do you want us to surrender?

'They will. In fact, all of the humans who have fallen under my control are living healthy lives within the dominion realm. I don't think they need to waste their lives, do you?

"Have you been living a good life, sir?　Proof!　Do you have any proof!'

　Proof..... The Lords cannot leave my domain on their own. If they can leave, they can either join my family or leave as my subordinates.

　However, if I'm honest about it, there's a chance that I'll be seen as holding him captive.

''Proof?　The human race that has fallen under my control are my most important 'lords' under my protection!　And now you want me to put it in front of you!　Proof!　What proof do you have that you guys won't attack my precious 'lords'!

　It's best to construct a theory to explain it, but if you can't do it, it's more effective to just bounce the other person's words back.

"Mm..........proof that........ I'm the same person...!　You're not going to hurt the people of this county!

You can say whatever you want with your mouth. If you want me to believe your word, why don't you believe mine?

"You're kidding me!　I have no intention of playing word games with you at all!

'It's rude to play with words. Then you want me to show you the proof?　I invite the Lord Governor to come to my domain. When you see the lives of the 'lords' with your eyes, my words will not be false--
Shut up!

　An old man's voice, different from the governor's, came over the speakers, interrupting my words.

''You Demon King are evil!　You and I may kill each other, but we will not discuss this at all!

　The voice of an old man driven to rage rang out.

　The owner of this voice--

　I look at Lina, who was standing next to me.

''Your grandfather--the 'Sword Sage'.

　Lina, in a small voice, tells me the identity of the voice's owner.

''Are you the 'Kenshyo' - Sayama Toratetsu, for sure?''

　I use the [loudspeaker] to speak to the owner of the agitated voice - Sayama Toratetsu.

''Shut up!　'Filthy being, do not speak my name!

　If I brought an o-hagi as a gift, they wouldn't accept it. I'm fed up with the enraged Sayama Toratetsu's hatred for the Demon King (Chaos).

　Nevertheless, this is the crucial moment.

"I'm [Chaos] and you're [Lowe]. The mastermind........according to the words of the goddess you say, we are adversaries.

　First of all, affirm the other person's thought.

Therefore, when we exchange words, we follow parallel paths with each other.
"Shut up!　"I don't need your clever little advice...
You shut up!　Oh, I'm sorry. My words are a little slurred. I'll continue. That's why I'm going to present you - not words, but evidence against Sayama Toratetsu.
...as proof?

　Finally, Sayama Toratetsu listened to my words.

''Humanity of Zhuzhou City!　And the hero of Zhuzhou City, the famous "Sword Sage", Sayama Toratetsu!　I've got a proposition for you!
"Say it.
Let's negotiate.
No!

　I ignore Sayama Toratetsu's words and continue speaking.

'I'm not the one to come to the negotiating table.
"Jumble about...!
"The person who will be at the negotiation table is the 'Sword Saint' on behalf of humanity in Suzu City - Sayama Toratetsu. And our representative will be your granddaughter - Lina!

　Finally, we were able to correct the trajectory we had planned for.