We didn't encounter any significant resistance except for the first one, where we were attacked by the Cathedral Knights on the first floor. Defeating the pursuers, we reached the top floor.

　The room on the top floor was closed off by a door made of large stones.
　It was a ceremonial hall with Lucy as the Demon King's retainer.
　It was because this was the closest place to heaven.

　Inside this place was Father Gapon of the secret police and Lucy.
　Filia next to me looked up at me with a nervous face.

''It's finally........Solon.

'Yes. Let's settle it now.

　I opened the door and stepped into the ceremonial room, prepared to go.
　At the same time, Sophia, Claire, and Filia rush into the room.

　The ceremonial hall is large enough to hold several hundred people.
　The space was ornately decorated in gold, and the high ceiling was made of glass, letting in the sunlight.

　On a pillar in the center of the room was a young woman chained to a pillar.
　She was a sorceress clad in crimson robes.
　She was unconscious and slumped and nodding off.

　It's Lucy.
　I want to help her right now, but we have to defeat Gapon first.

'I knew you'd come.

　A low voice echoed in its place.
　Tension ran across the faces of Claire and the others.

　Emerging from the shadows of the pillar was an old man dressed in black, with a golden cross draped across his chest.
　He was holding a large bronze staff with an ornamented snake entwined at its tip.

''Father Gapon........!　To Dr. Lucy--

Rest assured. I haven't done anything yet. But from now on, this woman will be a noble sacrifice for the true resurrection of the Demon King.

I won't let that happen.

　I pulled the treasure sword Tetracord from its sheath and held it upright.
　Filia and Sophia also held their wands.
　And Claire, dressed in military uniform, was tapping her left hand's palm with her right index finger.
　Immediately after that gesture, a sword that shines blue and transparent appears.

　It was the crystal sword of Claire's weapon.
　It is a treasure sword that allows even Claire, who has no magic power, to use magic.

'As expected of a saint's weapon. ''It's a saint's weapon, as expected of a saint, because it can also be made to disappear from existence when not in use.''

　Claire mumbled happily. Then she pointed the point of her sword straight at Gapon.

'You treated me badly the other day.

A traitor deserves to be tortured.

When this battle is over, you'll be the traitor.

　Gapon smiled thinly at Claire's words.

'I, the Emperor's loyal servant, am a traitor?　Are you going to blame me for this?

'Because what you are doing is not good for the Empire. You will die here.

　Claire swung her crystal sword and slashed at Gapon.
　At the same time, we also went into a fighting stance.

　But it's a diversion.

　Suddenly, a sharp fine sword struck behind Gapon.
　The owner of the sword was a tall, slender, beautiful woman.

　It was Leticia. Lucille and the members of the Free Alliance followed.
　While we're drawing attention to the front, Leticia and the others are going to have a surprise attack on Gapon from another entrance.

　That's the way it was supposed to go.
　Fortunately, there were no enemies other than Gapon.
　Once Gapon was defeated in the first move, the matter was settled.

　Leticia's sword and Lucille's fire magic couldn't reach Gapon.
　They were blocked by something like an invisible barrier.

　Surprised, Letitia drew her sword once and tried to regain her stance.
　But Father Gapon didn't turn around, dropping his bronze staff to the floor with a thud and a light thud.

　Immediately, a golden shockwave rolled up and struck Leticia, Lucille and the others.

''Kyaaaaaah!''

　Lucille screamed and was blown away and slammed into the wall.
　The other three members of the Free Alliance had also suffered the same injury and had fainted.

　It must be the power of the Demon King.
　In an instant, four of our four allies were neutralized in an instant.

　However, only Leticia passed on the spot unharmed.　
　Gapon opens his eyes thinly.

''Ho. As expected of the leader of the Basileus Adventurers, he was indeed the leader of the Basileus Adventurers.

''Don't get all high and mighty with your borrowed power. You fake priest!

　With a shout, Leticia raised her fine sword again.

　The sword glowed red.
　It must have cast a spell to break Gapon's magical barrier.
　Then Leticia stepped in.

　At the same time, I also stepped forward with the treasure sword tetracord and stepped forward, but the statue of a god summoned by Gapon appeared in front of me.

　Gapon didn't even move slightly.
　Then Letitia's sword tried to reach Gapon.
　The magic barrier was destroyed.
　Leticia is still an excellent adventurer, since she used the power of the Demon King to break the magic barrier.

　But the next moment, Gapon swung his bronze staff.
　Then, Leticia's sword shattered into pieces even though she didn't even touch it.

''Nah........''

　Letitia was aghast, but she quickly backed away and tried to retreat.
　But Gapon's staff was next pointed at Leticia herself.

　One by one, light bullets shot out of the staff, puncturing Leticia's arms, her legs, and her abdomen.
　Letitia crumpled to the ground without a sound of anguish.

''Leticia-san!''

　I'd like to go help them, but the marble statues of the gods summoned by Father Gapon are in the way.
　As each of us fights with these statues, we'll be destroyed by Gapon's demon king's power. Gapon's Demon King's power will destroy each of them.

　Gapon laughed in amusement.

You won't be able to defeat me," he said. The power of a demon king is more than you can imagine. An imperfect Demon King can have this much power in one piece. If I can completely resurrect the seven Demon Kings...''

Can you control the whole world?

　I asked Gapon sarcastically.
　But Gapon nodded.

'How true. The Republic of Alemania Farren is not an enemy. By destroying all the nations, we can exert imperial control over this continent, let alone over the oceans and the ends of the sky.

'People will not obey by force alone. If you try to rule another country in such a forceful way, you will suffer incalculable casualties in war, oppression and genocide.

What about it?

　But Gapon seemed unperturbed.
　He didn't even show the slightest agitation.

　I flashed my sword and destroyed one of the god statues.
　Gapon was staring straight at me.

'If anyone resists, there will be some deaths in the beginning. But after that, true peace awaits. In time, the whole world will realize that it is impossible to oppose the Emperor and the Empire. When that happens, there will be no more foolish conflicts. The ideal world is not far away.

Is this the perfect world?

'I once tried to change the empire. And I led the people of the Imperial City to petition the Imperial Palace. And what was the result?　Didn't they just slaughter a lot of civilians?

'So, disappointed, I suppose, you're on the side of slaughtering the rebels yourself.

'If there is such a force that no one can even defy it, there will be no rebel groups like the July Party or the Freedom Alliance. Then no longer would anyone be killed by terrorism or executed for the crime of high treason.

　Gapon held up his bronze staff and shot a second round of light from his snake ornament.
　I tried to block it with my treasure sword tetracord, but the power of my opponent's attack was so great that I could only block the first blow.
　When I was ready for the second direct hit, a magical barrier was deployed in front of me.

　Sophia was protecting me.

''I won't let you hurt Solon-kun,''　

　Sophia advanced and her beautiful golden hair swayed softly.
　Filia nodded at Sophia's words.

'We will defeat you.

　Gapon smiled.

''Even the power of a saintess is not much compared to the power of a demon king. And what can a helpless princess, a magic swordsman, and a mere soldier do?　You can't defeat me or change the empire.

What you can do,

　Filia murmured quietly.

'People can change, you know!