Six hours after the battle began.

　How many humans have I buried with my own hands?

　How many humans did they bury?

　After repeated fights to the death, I had managed to level up.

　It's nice to see my level rise rapidly, but there's no point in losing my subordinates that I've been working so hard to raise.

　There are more than 80,000 combatants alone, and more than 100,000 enemies if you include all the non-combatants. It was impossible to defeat them in a day.

　I would check the condition of my subordinates - the subordinates that the officers had designated as their second in command - and the number of subordinates that were defeated.

　If I match the condition of the officers, the other subordinates won't be able to keep up.

　The damage rate of the subordinates is 30%.

　

　On the other hand, Kotetsu, Lina, and Sarah's troops still seem to have more room to maneuver compared to the rest of the troops.

　Let's retreat for once.

　--all hands, retreat!　You are the Iron Legion!　Sarah, signal Flora's troops to begin their retreat on the range!

"Nishiki!　It's our turn!　Let's go!
Thunderstorm!
Let's go!
Firestorm!

　A gust of wind accompanied by widespread purple electricity and a flaming wind blew across the battlefield.

''Tch!　Oh, my God, we're out of here!　That's not enough!
'Whoa!　That's not good enough!
Oh, you're leaving?

　The incomplete battle crazies complained, but they did not disobey my orders and began to retreat. The other subordinates obediently followed my orders and began their retreat.

''........The enemy has retreated!
We won. We won!

　Humans are screaming with joy at the sight of us in retreat.

'Whoa!　The battle-cry!　The battle cry--
"Mankind, I have a message for you. I'll be back tomorrow. Enjoy your momentary respite.

　I used the [loudspeaker] to pour water on the joy of humanity exactly and retreated.


　◆


　Ten days later.

　Although they continue to invade every day... the resistance of the cornered humanity is unexpectedly fierce, and the days of grinding each other's war potential like a war of attrition continue.

　In the meantime, Demon King Kaoru had taken away two areas of control, and their frustration was only growing.

''Hey, Sion. Shouldn't we be a little more forceful in our offensive?

　As if Takahar had just complained in the name of advancement.

"Theon, Demon King Kaoru has realized that we have no intention of defending our dominion, and the speed of our invasion has increased.

　Yataro reports the practical damage.

'I know,'

　Originally, the eradication of the Kanazawa Liberation Army was scheduled to take more than ten days. The current situation is not that far off from the plan either.

　However, repeating the war of attrition like this would be inefficient.

　Even though our daily battles are a war of attrition, we have the upper hand. Our morale may rise, but it can't fall.

''Why are you so irritated when we're pushing........''
...the disease of luxury?

　The canon replies to my complaint, which I have unintentionally let slip.

'Luxury disease?'
'Yes. Until now, Zion-san hasn't had any apparent struggles, has she?
Really?　I had a hard time with the Demon King, Arisa.
''Well that time we had Mr. Silver and Ms. Hope but the only former humans who knew about that time were me and Lina-san, right?

　I conjure up memories from Kanon's words.

　Yataro, who I thought of as an old-timer, only became under my command after the battle with Demon King Arisa. The only time I've had a hard time in a battle since then was when I faced off against Kotetsu?

'Well the second oldest former demon lord's subordinate - Yataro doesn't know either.
Yeah.
Well.....I'm the man under your command before you, Lord Yataro.

　I thought I heard something, but Kanon didn't care and continued the conversation.

''After that........no, even before that, Sion-san's plan, which should be called clairvoyant, worked. I'm sure everyone under my command, including me, who have become accustomed to that, are frustrated by the current war of attrition in which they clash without a plan.
Well ... therefore, the disease of luxury.
Yes, sir.

　What an extravagant bunch of people they are, not knowing what I've been through.

　Nevertheless, do you think about something?

　If it's hard to raise our morale, should we lower theirs?

　What would be the most demoralizing thing they could do to you?

Hey, Takahara?　What would you be most depressed about if the enemy did that to you?
'What?　That's the most depressing thing about losing, right?
Anything else?
Hmm... for example, wouldn't you be a little depressed if Theon died?
Oh.
'Oh, don't get me wrong!　It's the reason why if the only one who beat me, Theon, dies, I'll look like a loser too!
No, the death of Astor would be the end of the Empire.
'What?　What do you mean?
Explain it to him, Canon.
If Mr. Theon is killed by humans we'll probably die too.
What?　Seriously!
'Seriously!　By the way, if the other party is the Demon King, the other Demon King will be forced to rule over you.
It's going to suck anyway, isn't it?
"Assuming it's not possible for Master Theon to die, a situation that would cause everyone grief-- I know what I'm talking about.

　Saburo interrupted the conversation that had veered off in the direction of the day after tomorrow.

'Ho. Say it.
I have been defeated!
What?
Why?
That's disgusting.
No way.
I'm a little sad.
I will avenge my brother.

　Everyone present rushed into Saburou's words as he decided to make a smug face.

''--na!　But I am the trump card of Emperor Astor!　I'm the commander-in-chief of Team J, the most powerful unit in the darkest part of the Astor Empire!
Do you know what the dark part means?
Who's the strongest!
Is the pubic area wrong?

　They all look at Saburou, who is desperately trying to make up for it, and they all look at Zito.

　Nevertheless, Sablow's opinion now is interesting.

　If we defeat the strongest troops-- morale will drop.

''You've decided on tomorrow's plan, right?''

　I came up with one strategy and chuckled.