Lyle's punishment for the first time...
　The first punishment for Lyle was a lifetime of pain.

　He would be tormented by the pain no matter if he slept or woke up, making it difficult for him to even go about his daily life.
　Even if you use a miracle weapon like Gram's magic jamming, it's impossible to break the curse of the Demon King's super magic.

　And the second punishment is the one I'm going to give you now.

The Last Word.
''Ugh.........?

　The magical light that flooded from my body wrapped around Lyle and his body jumped.

This time, what kind of magic is that........

　Lyle asks, frowning in pain.

'It's a type of brainwashing magic. ''You will now go to the Heroes' Guild and confess everything you did in the Demon World.''

　I gave the order.

.....
You betrayed me, you tried to take all the credit for slaying the Witch King... and now you will answer for it. All of it.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that would be a painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful, painful. ...Guhhh, ahhh...!
You would be disqualified as a hero and imprisoned as a criminal. Considering your past achievements, you may escape the penalty of death, but it is impossible for you to reemerge as a hero. Your ambitions for ascendancy will be crushed. Forever.

　I said, and I lifted 'Levatain' up.
　Maybe it's because it's out of his hands, but even though I'm touching it like this, it doesn't feel weak.

　I've got a grip on the jet black blade.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　A black shard emerges and is sucked into the Purgatory Demon King's Sword (Ladis).
　It's a perfect fit for the missing part of the sword.

"There are only six pieces left?

　The Demon King's sword that rumbles, "Ooohhhh.......

"From now on, live with that pain for the rest of your life. "From now on, live with that pain for the rest of your life, and never rise to be anything else.
"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... ...

　I silently looked down at Lyle's face, which was mangled with tears.

'I don't want ... forgive me ... help me ... oh please ... please ... I know it's my fault I was wrong... well, it's crazy... but I was wrong... so, Fried... ...

　His words don't resonate with me anymore.
　Nothing, I don't feel.

　There was a sense of the 'human' part remaining in the back of my mind slowly crumbling away.
　Something that held me together as a human being was fading and disappearing.

'I don't want to be here ... I'm going to become more ... higher than anyone else ...' .........d*mn it, Freed, I won't forgive you!

　I turned away from Lyle, who only let out an endless stream of rage, sobs and anguish.
　I walked up to Stella.

'You've kept me waiting,'
Master Freed, my hand...

　Stella had a sad look on her face.

'Hmm?　Oh, this.

　I didn't realize it because I was feeling overwhelmed, but it seems that my palms and the backs of my fingers were torn when I crushed the blade of the "Levatein" sword.
　Blood was dripping from them.

''No problem.''

　I cast a healing spell and closed the wound.

''Maybe this makes me........a demon race in body and mind.

　When I was human, I had to say goodbye to the last thing I cared about.
　In the truest sense of the word - the Demon King.

"My Lord Freed...
''No, nothing ... what?''

　Just as I was about to say it, Stella suddenly hugged me.

　A soft, supple touch.
　Above all, a warm feeling.

"........Stella?
Mr. Freed... sir.

　You're comforting me.
　I hugged her back lightly and then let go of her body.

''I beg your pardon. I hope that will give you some peace of mind...''

　Stella murmured sadly and bowed her head.

'Too much imitation out there...'
No, it was nice. Thank you.

　I nodded with a mixture of smiles.
　And.

Master Freed, there is a new player coming.

　Suddenly, Stella's expression tightened.
　A third eye appeared on her forehead.

''The number is seven. They are all brave. Behind them are about five hundred soldiers.''
'If you fight so loudly, will the other brave men find out?

　I muttered with a wry smile.
　Now, what should we do?

''We could take down all the brave men and women like a demon king........''
With all due respect, I think it's time to move on.

　Stella advised.

'I am concerned that the Demon King-sama's power was unstable earlier.
...I see.

　That was probably the effect of the Purgatory Demon King's Sword (Ladis) shard.
　I've already regained the shard and it's probably fine.

　However, I can't say for sure.
　There's no guarantee that that weakness won't strike again, and it's dangerous to deal with multiple brave men in such a state.

　Let's retreat just in case.

''Stella, see if you can find a safe route. I'm leaving this place.

　　　　*

　There were two silhouettes in the mountains where a blizzard was blowing.

''.........Hmmm, is this sign a piece of the Demon King's sword? Looks like the new Demon King has retrieved it.''

　A huge shadow growls.

"What is his vessel what do you see, Sigmund?
''This generation's Demon King Freed is rumored to be powerful. His vessel is unknown. It will be a while before we make a move on him.

　A diminutive shadow called Sigmund, announced.

''First of all──in order to suppress and defeat the power of the Demon King. I believe our first priority is to collect the shards.
Is the piece I have is not enough?

　In the hands of the giant shadow is a black piece of metal.
　A bang, bang, bang, a shard of purple sparks.

'With one, not yet. But with one more... or...
You're very careful.

　A huge shadow shook his body.
　The fighting spirit emanating from its entire body rose up as an aura and burned the atmosphere.

''The Lord is too bold, therefore.

　Sigmund tells him in a matter-of-fact tone.

'I know it is the duty of your subjects to discourage it.
Well, we'll hide out for a while, then. Go, Sigmund. Send me more pieces.
"As my Lord, the Beast Emperor, the Gigantroa, wills it.
It's not the 'Gigantor'.

　A huge shadow - Zegart laughed.

"My title will be 'Demon King' before long.

　　　　*

'Shit I don't want to ... no ... no ... no ... no ... no ... no ... I'm never going to confess my sin ... ouch.

　Lyle begins to walk, crying.
　In pain, he walks a little, falls down, gets up again, starts walking, and then falls down...

　The destination is the Guild of the Brave.
　There his sins will be exposed in the light of day.

　His ambition, his glory, everything is over, and the time of judgment awaits...