Lina?
'Yes. Your granddaughter Rina--Rina Sayama will represent us at the bargaining table.

　I reply to Sayama Toratetsu's trembling voice.

''Ah, impossible!　
Don't assume it's impossible. Besides, you Demon Kings don't equate all Demon Kings with each other.

　I interrupt Sayama Toratetsu's words and roll up my words.

'Impossible!　You demon kings are evil!
Don't be so judgmental.... You humans have your own individuality, don't you?　There are good people and there are bad people. There are people who sin and there are people who obey the law. Aren't they?
But the fact is you killed a human being, a fellow human being!
Self-defense.
Nonsense!
Yeah. Even if you and I talk to each other, we're still talking about parallelism it's a bunch of nonsense. That's why you have to confirm the truth not with me, but with Rina - your granddaughter, Sayama Rina. You have 60 minutes to negotiate. If you are willing to negotiate, then come here!　After 60 minutes, we will decide that there is no intent to negotiate and begin the attack.

　I interrupted the dialogue through the [loudspeaker] by telling the claim one way or the other.

　After that, the human beings at Zhuzhou City Hall continued to speak to me through the loudspeaker, but I ignored everything.

''Sion do you think the other party will agree to negotiate?''
I don't know.

　When Lina calls out to me anxiously, I cower my shoulders and reply.

''Well, even if you comply........your grandfather seems to be quite stubborn, so it's going to be hard to negotiate. Do you have the confidence to persuade him?
I'll do my best.

　I remembered my conversation with Sayama Toratetsu earlier and asked him while I was fed up, and Lina nodded with an expression of powerful will.


　◆


　50 minutes.
　Ten minutes left until the appointed time.

　--All hands, prepare for battle!

　I had sworn an oath to the humanity at Zhuzhou City Hall - that I would launch the attack in 60 minutes.

　I offered to negotiate with them here, and it was caught off guard, and they didn't launch an attack at the time I had sworn in. That's not a good way to go about it.

　Too much weak diplomacy sometimes demoralizes our allies and boosts the morale of the enemy.

　That's why I had to keep the oath I just took.

　Under my orders, tension and murderous intent begin to swirl among my men.

　We've already set up a simple barricade using the supplies we took out of the dominion area. We're ready for battle.

　We have five minutes left.

　If possible, it would have been better if they could resolve the issue without spilling blood, but after all, the Demon King (Chaos) and the human race (Lowe) are incompatible with each other....

　Halfway through the negotiations, I gave up...

　More than a thousand human beings appeared from Suzu City Hall, led by Sayama Toratetsu, an old man wearing a Jinbaori coat.


　◆


　Humans slowly approaching towards us.

　Even from a distance, it's obvious that they are armed. To the rear - the sound of weapons being held up can be heard from the underlings as well, and a disquieting air flows around them.

　--All hands, any attack from us is forbidden!

　My word is an absolute command that binds the actions of my men. There is no danger of an outburst from us.

　The distance between me and Sayama Toratetsu, the leader of humanity, is gradually decreasing.

　I thrust my gayborg into the ground and raise my hands to show that I have no intention of fighting.

　When Sayama Toratoru lightly raises his right hand, the humans following him from the rear stay where they are, and only Sayama Toratoru slowly makes his way towards us.

　I also slowly make my way towards Sayama Toratetsu.

　When the distance between us is about 10 meters...

Nice to meet you. Is that okay?　It's the Demon King Theon.

　I announce my name to Sayama Toratetsu.

It's Sayama. Where's Rina?

　When Sayama Toratetsu also announced his name, he shot a sharp gaze at me.

''Lina!''

　I shout Lina's name, and she comes up to me.

'You're in charge,'
...thank you.

　I give a shout to Rina who lined up beside me and stepped back from the spot.

''Rina........is that you Rina.......?

　Sayama Toratetsu calls out to Lina - his granddaughter with a trembling voice.

''Yes. Grandfather. It's been a long time.''

　Lina replied with a nervous voice sound and slowly removed the 'demonic mask' that was covering her face.

''.........Rina. .........Is it really Rina?
'Yes, sir. Grandfather.
Well, aren't you a healthy one...?
'Yes, sir. Grandfather.
''Rina..... Did you really become an agent of the Demon King...?
...Yes, sir. Grandfather. The current me is not Rina Sayama.
"--!

　Sayama Toratetsu's expression hardens at Lina's words that express her powerful will.


Yes. Now I am Theon's man--Lina-Theon.

　Sayama Toratetsu ruminated on the name Lina had told him while his whole body trembled.

''........You fool. You have been in the city and have been seduced by an evil man?
No, no!　Zion is ... like your grandfather would imagine--
Shut up!　In Zion.　I didn't have time to say it, and I wanted to be seduced by the Demon King!

　Sayama Toratetsu became agitated and shouted angrily.

　Hmm?　I don't know, the old man is mistaken.

''Kohon. I'm sorry for interrupting the negotiations, but 'Theon' is my name, but it's not the same as what you humans call your last name, is it?
Shut up!　I don't believe it!

　Sayama Toratetsu's anger flares up at me.

''No, no, calm down!　The Lina-Shion is the proof that you have become my family. It's not like we're married or in a relationship or anything like that.
...your family?
You'll have to confirm the details with him.

　I turn my gaze to Lina and return to my position of stillness again.

'I used to be a 'brave', and together with those who were my friends who were also called 'brave', we invaded the territory controlled by Zion.

　Lina began to speak in a quiet tone.

'That's where I was betrayed by my 'brave' friends ... abandoned ... and my life was saved by Theon.
What--?　What's going on?

　Sayama Toratetsu revealed his agitation at the truth spoken by Lina's mouth.

'It means exactly what it says. We invaded Zion's controlled territory, and we were completely defeated. I fell to the attacks of my fellow 'heroes' and was cursed and left behind by my fellow 'heroes' --And then Theon saved my life and made me his subordinate.

Why would you let...

''I don't know either. All I can say is I have never been ashamed of myself for being under Zion's control at all!

"But that man Theon is the Demon King!　And this is the demon you are now working with!　An enemy that has killed scores of people and harmed mankind!　It's not!

'No, sir!　Theon ... the Demon King is a former human!　To protect himself he is now fighting to protect many under his command at the same time!　I'm fighting for my survival!　Furthermore, they are called demons, which your grandfather despises... and they have a life!　They, too, have children, chatting with their friends ... and they're struggling to live!

"Do demons live so desperately.... And they kill us humans in order to live. It is true!

Grandfather...!　How could you not know!　We ... never wanted to kill each other!　The fact is ... the surrendered human race is living a healthy life within the realm of Zion's control!　We ... we have other ways to go than to kill each other!

''Is there another way but to kill each other........ Rina!　You say there really is such a path for the Lord!

Yes!

Well..... Then show me!　I am the sword!

What?

'Rina no, it's Rina-Sion!　You were once a member of the Sayama clan, too!　Take the sword!　You will show me with your sword!

　Sayama Toratetsu pulled out his sword and challenged Lina to a duel.