Demon King!

　Stella came from behind me.

''The siege of the compound is complete.

Thank you.

　That's what I'm talking about, Stella.

Surrender. I want to ask you a few questions.

　I pronounce it again.

''You understand that there is no point in standing up to this demon king, don't you?　And I also blocked the escape.

　Under the circumstances, all they would have to do is surrender.

In this kind of situation, you have to use force.

　One of them groaned in a trembling voice.

'We'll have to cut out the bloodline........'

But you're dealing with a demon king and a demon army chief...

''There are three of us. As long as we don't give them a chance to use their magic, we, the beastmen, should be more capable of fighting a white army than them.......

　The three of them consulted with each other in a disturbing manner.

　In the next moment, their bodies bulged out from within.
　One of them transformed into a wolf, one into a tiger, and the rest into a hawk beastman.

　They split up in front and left and right, approaching me from three directions.

''Paralyze!''

　Me chanting the paralysis spell.

''Ugh, ka, my body is going numb...?''

　In an instant, they collapsed on the spot.

'Reveal everything you're up to.

　I look at the three of them.

If not you will pay for it with your own life.

　With as much Demon King-like dignity as possible.

''Hi, hi........''

Oh, help me, Your Majesty, your Majesty....

　The three of them had a frightened look on their faces as they realized that there was indeed nothing they could do about it.

''Please have mercy........''

If you tell them, they will kill you...

"Our leader is a brutal man, please help him...

　Maybe they're more afraid of the Beast Emperor Zegert than they are of me.

　Now, how do we get them to talk to us?
　I was pondering, and that's when the question arose.

　Suddenly, a dazzling white light floods the edge of my vision.

What...?

Is this...?

　In front of an astonished me and Stella.

'Geeeeee........'

　The demons dried up with a scream.
　In the blink of an eye, all three of them turned to ashes and disappeared.

"Energy drain.........?　This power is........

　Stella groaned.



'I beg your pardon, Demon King,'



　Suddenly, I turned around to hear a voice.

　The person standing there was a warrior wearing an old-fashioned silver armor.
　He must be nearly two meters tall.
　The face peeking out from underneath the helmet was the very definition of a skull.

''What do you mean, Maj. Gen. Regal?''

　Stella glared at the swordsman in the skull.

　........Regal?
　So this is a member of the Demon Lord's entourage - the Lord Undead Regal?

"You killed him before you could interrogate him.

What kind of weapons they might be hiding.

　Regal told him in a matter-of-fact manner.

''So, just in case, I thought it was a bad idea to kill the demon king before he came to harm.

...Is that really all you have to say?

　Stella's expression grew harder and harder.

　It's not the same as the tone she used when talking to me or to Lilim and the others.
　It was a stern atmosphere, as if she was facing an enemy.

''What do you mean, Maj. Gen. Stella?''

I'm asking if it's a bad idea for them to be alive.

　Stella's gaze is cold to all intents and purposes.

''For example, they're planning something in collusion with Zegart──or something like that.

Hey, Stella.

　Do you think that this skeletal monster tribe is part of the conspiracy?

　.........Then, all around us are enemies, isn't it?
　I look at Stella and Regal in turn while building up the tension.

''I don't know what you're talking about. I was only concerned for the Demon Lord's safety first.

　That Regal told him flatly and turned to me.

''I'm pleased to meet you for the first time, Demon King. I am Regal Vana Sentora, one of the Seven Great Demon Army Chiefs. I have just returned from an invasion of the human world.

　Regal takes off his helmet and bows.

"...I'm glad to see you back, Regal. I look forward to working with you from now on.

　I regained my composure and told him in a relaxed manner.



　The seven great demon warlords.
　They are the seven demon tribes that have the strongest power in the demon world and serve as the entourage of the demon king.

　Three of them were defeated in the earlier invasion of the brave men.

　Of the four remaining people, Stella is on my side, Zeggert the Beast Emperor (Gigantroar) and Regal the Lord Undead (Lord Undead) have gone to the human world, and the remaining Feria the Dream Demon Princess (Dead Charm) has disappeared after a battle with the heroes.

　That Regal has returned from the human world........

''I was leading my subordinate, the Immortal Family, to attack the place the humans call the Eastern Continent.

　Regal reports.

"The humans have had their fair share of warriors, and their men have suffered many casualties. In the end, however, our forces defeated them and defeated the three kingdoms.

"Three kingdoms...

　I clench my fists almost subconsciously.

　A lot of people must have been killed.
　Not only the brave men, but probably other soldiers and civilians as well--

I've deployed my entourage there, and since the war situation has stabilized, I've returned to the demon world. In addition to reporting the situation, I also heard that the previous Demon King, Yulisha-sama, had been killed.

　A red light dwells in the eye sockets of the skeleton.
　The light in Regal's eyes catches me sharply.

''I would like to assess the new Demon King.

Determine...?

I'm afraid I wanted to see firsthand if I was fit to be king.

　His tone was polite, but Regal's words were filled with a strong sense of intimidation.

　This guy's stepping on my shoulders...?

Rude!

　Stella shouted in anger.

''First, the Demon King-sama will have the Demon King's crest as a sign of his inheritance.

What about it?

　Regal scoffed his chin against Stella.

'What...!

The presence or absence of a coat of arms is of little consequence. I will only accept you if you are worthy of my service.

　Saying, the skull swordsman turns to me.

'That's what happened to the previous king, Yulisha-sama. Harsh and sometimes brutal - it was also the strength of a king. What about you, Master Freed?

Regal...?

''It seems that your subjects have come to adore you. That kind of expression on Maj. Gen. Stella's face, at least I've never seen it before. She was like ice, but now she's like a girl her age.

What do you mean...?

　Stella blushed.

''Wha, wha, I'm not....................''

　I don't know why I'm a bit mopey.
　

This must be by the virtue of Mr. Freed.

　Taking one look at her, Regal told her matter-of-factly.

''If it were a world of peace, that would be fine. But now is a time of war. I believe that the quality needed for a king is not kindness but strength.

　The intimidating feeling of blowing was even more intense.

　This guy...!

"Therefore, I fear I will test you. It is with great impudence that we shall find out.

　The sword at his waist, drawn.
　It's a long sword with a snarky design, as if it were made up of countless bones.

"If you call it a sin, condemn me to death, do what you will, Master Freed.

　The killing spirit that was blowing at me was real.

　I see, a warrior type that speaks more with the sword than words.
　Then there was only one thing to do.

"........Let's go, Regal.

　I tell him quietly and brace myself.

"See for yourself. You'll see for yourself what a king I am. And you'll see what you're made of.