It has been eleven days since the full-scale invasion of Nonoichi City City Hall began.

　After the routine march and formation of troops, the Kanazawa Liberation Army also sends out a flurry of human beings from Nonoichi City City City Hall to defend the city.

　In the usual course of events, they would fire long-range attacks at each other, and soon a clash of force against force would begin.

　In terms of strength, the Astor Empire is superior to the Kanazawa Liberation Army, so there is no doubt that the Astor Empire will eventually achieve victory...

''To the Kanazawa Liberation Army!　My name is Theon of Astor, my kingdom!　We've been fighting to the death for ten days!　We've lost each other's loved ones, friends and family!　The wise ones would have already figured it out!　Today!　Tomorrow!　Day after tomorrow!　and the future that I can see after the same days!'

　I use the [loudspeaker] to throw words at humanity.

''Don't be silly!''
We will not give in!

　But humanity's response to my words is abuse.

　I know. You don't respond to the recommendation....

　I don't care about humanity's invective as I spell out my words.

"Is there any way the Kanazawa Liberation Army can defeat us, the Astor Empire, even if there's a slight chance, if not a remote chance?　The answer is-- there is!　You can beat me!　So let me present a big chance to you poor people with your cowardly, foolish, abandoned, trashy leaders from me!'

　My words caused a stir among the humans.

'Let's go fight each other!　My opponent will be me, the Demon King Theon.　What do you think?　For those of you who are outnumbered, this is a great opportunity!　Your opponent - the Sage of Kanazawa or the Sage of Kanazawa - would like to say, but he won't take it anyway. It's a chance to save all of your lives, but you won't accept it because of your own cuteness. That's where--the true leader of the Kanazawa Liberation Army, the heroic Mizoguchi!　I'd like to nominate you as my opponent, would you accept?

A one-on-one battle between Mr. Mizoguchi and the Demon King Theon?
If Mizoguchi-san wins... will we win?
If it's Mizoguchi-san, he can win...
It's not a trap?

　The human race hears my proposal and feels uneasy and hopeful.

'Brave man Mizoguchi!　Do you hear me?　What do we do?　What is the reply?

　Brave Mizoguchi would not be able to give an immediate answer. He may have seen the sudden opportunity to win as a trap, or he may be fighting the fear of death.

　You've offered hope to humanity, and if you're cowardly, Mizoguchi's stock price will plummet.

''What's the matter?　This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you guys, okay?　If you weigh the possibility of losing your own life with the possibility of saving the lives of your friends, are you still the prettiest?　Or do you have a plan to keep the war going and win it?　--answer me!

　I tighten my words as I rush to answer.

''-- Shut up!''

　--?

　What's that voice?

　The answer to my suggestion came not from the brave Mizoguchi, but through the speakers installed in Nonoichi City Hall.

'Mizoguchi-san is not going to run away!　He is ... our new hope!　Theon, the Demon King!　What you just said - you will not lie!

　Through the speaker, "The Sage of Kanazawa" - Hideya Ando asks me.

　Oh come on ... are you going to sell your friends for your own cuteness?　True rubbish.........

　Nevertheless, it's convenient.

'What did you mean earlier?　'Is this about the one-man battle?'
'Yes!　Can you swear that you will fight Mizoguchi-san one-on-one without anyone interfering?
"Who do I swear to?　A saint who abandoned her people?　You send your people to their deaths and you're in a safe zone, wise man?


　Perhaps my words didn't please him, but Hideya Ando's voice was filled with anger.

It's not clear who to swear to, but unlike you, I will keep my promise.......I would like to say that, but since you guys were so slow to answer, my staff felt compelled to say a few words.

　I handed the [loudspeaker] to Takahara who was calling me nearby.

''Orac!　liberators of Kanazawa!　You guys, aren't you too much of a bug to suddenly say you're going to take our general's head off?''
What?　We didn't come up with the idea of a one-on-one fight!　"Theon the Demon King--
"Shut up!　Peech-peech-peech, shut up.　If you want to fight Theon, you'll have to go toe-to-toe with me first!　I'll tell you the story then!
''In other words, you want me to fight the Demon King Theon in a one-on-one battle after I've defeated you!
"What?　Dude!　Then you won't be able to go toe-to-toe with Theon for the rest of your lives!　In the meantime, fight me!　After that, that brave bastard can fight Zion!''
What does that mean?

　Hideya Ando is upset by Takaharu's absurd demands.

'I'm sorry about our guys. In other words, this guy wants to play the preliminaries. What do you think?　Do you accept this proposal?　If you accept this proposal, I'll accept a fight, too.'
"In the first place, it wasn't your idea to propose a single combatant--
"Shut up!　I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner!　If I'd answered quickly, I could have felt good about my one-upmanship!　'Repent of your poor judgment!

　Our argument is absurd. But unless you accept this proposal, there is no way for humanity to win.

"We just need a little time.
'Five minutes, and for every five minutes that elapse, the number of outposts will increase. And when the number exceeds 30 minutes my proposal is considered abandoned and I will launch an all-out assault.
Yes, sir.

　Thus, the right to choose a single combatant was given to the other side.


　◆


　I decided to call the executives to discuss the future.

Things went differently than expected, but I don't think it will be a problem.
I can fight, can't I?
If they accept a fight, we can fight.

　Takahar smiles ferociously.

'So, Lord Sion who will fight next after five minutes?

　As Takahar happily began shadowboxing, Kotetsu asked me.

'It's Kotetsu,'
Yes, sir.
'Hey!　Hey!　What's next?　Me?　Isn't it good to be me?

　Setanta jumps out from behind Kotetsu, who hangs his head at the nomination.

'Next up, Lina.'
Yes, sir. Can I get Theon?
What?
'Just in case ... if Theon is about to lose, are we going to sit back and watch?
No, help me.
Huh. Got it.

　I tell her that I'm going to renege on my promise, as I should, and Lina chuckles.

'Hey!　Hey!　What's next?　After Lina!　Me?　It's me--
Demon King Theon, you're up late. We have our answer!　I accept your proposal--one battle!

　Setanta jumped up and down like a spoiled child... but unfortunately, the Kanazawa Liberation Army responded within five minutes, without any cue from Kotetsu.