Once the sasumao call had settled down, I asked the undead to report the current situation.

''Due to the attack of the brave Ludmilla, the main force has been destroyed...''

　Their faces are dark.
　However, they are undead, so to say that they are dark by nature is an understatement.

''Even the three members of the Reimasshu were killed in an instant... and the rest is a total collapse.
The rest of us scattered and lost and we escaped as well.

　The Spiritual Demons were the three demon clans that were in Regal's entourage, right?
　I think they were quite powerful demon clans, but they were probably defeated by Ludmilla.

''Who else escaped besides you guys?''
''I don't know. It's just........we sensed a large clash of magical power between the heroes and the demons earlier, so we decided that they were reinforcements and came here.
So maybe the others will come here eventually.

　And the undead.

'I see. So the battle between me and Ludmilla has brought you guys together........

　I said and looked at Stella.

"Can you detect a demon approaching you?
I'll try.

　Stella stood up.
　A third eye appeared in her eyes.

''There are a total of three groups of demons coming towards us. All of them are at a distance of several tens of kilometers.''

　Stella said.

'Based on the speed at which we're moving, we expect any group to reach us by the end of tomorrow.
Okay.

　I turned to the undead.

'Then we'll stay here until they get here. When we meet up with them, we'll move on. Is that all right with you guys?
Of course.
We'll protect you, Demon Lord.

　The undead are enthusiastic.

''I'm sure you're tired from the battle, so you need to rest first.

　I'll chastise them.

'Stella, I want you to monitor your surroundings regularly. If a brave army heads towards us or any of the demon groups approaching here, report immediately.
Yes, sir.

　Stella nodded.



　─ After that, more than half a day passed.

　Stella used her clairvoyance to check the situation regularly.
　So far, there were no signs of the brave men approaching.

　Are they unable to find us?
　Or are they cautious and not approaching us easily?

　Either way, be careful not to let your guard down.

''Whew!''

　After the dozens of times of clairvoyant searching, Stella let out a big breath.

''Are you alright, Stella?''
I'm a little tired but I'm fine.

　Stella smiles.

　If you look closely, you can see a few shades under her eyes.
　Her complexion is also vaguely pale.

''I'm ... sorry. ''I've been working you too hard.''

　I couldn't help but rely on my clairvoyance as it was so useful.

''That concern alone is enough for me, Mr. Freed.

　Stella's smile deepened.

　I wish I could use clairvoyant-class magic.
　You can use the magic 'search' to detect the enemy, but its effectiveness is inferior to Stella's.

　It's not a good idea to be able to use the strongest level of magic in the history of the demon king's direct attack ability, but it's not an all-around good idea.
　And.

Master Freed, it seems they've arrived.
Another group of undead.

　Before I can finish my words, a group of demonic tribesmen appear from behind the bushes.

　Just like the first group that joined us, they were skeletal and ghostly forms.
　Soon after, we were able to join up with the second and third groups as well.

　The total number of them is about two hundred in all.
　I'll be able to share the dark magic with the injured ones and help them recover.

　........Needless to say, as usual, the 'sasumao' call came up again.

''Alright, for now, the remaining troops have been gathered.

　I looked around at the undead.
　Now, what to do now...

　And that was it.

"Your Majesty the Devil King!

　Stella shouted unexpectedly.

''The brave men are close at hand. When did they get this close...

　I tighten my expression under my mask, too.

'You were getting close, just in time to use your clairvoyance.
You can't get away from me, you demons!

　With a voice, the scene in front of me wavered like a mirage.

　At the same time, about seven warriors and knights appeared.
　They might be 'camouflage' or 'concealment' miracle armor with the skill to hide their appearance.

　In addition, hundreds of soldiers came from behind them.

''I'm sorry, Demon Lord. It was my fault.

　Stella bites her lip.

'No, even clairvoyance can't be used permanently, and it can't help but leave a gap.

　And it's not like I didn't see this coming.

Stella and the others should stay back.

　I said, and I stepped forward.

I'll take care of them.
Demons, prepare yourself!
The guy in the lead is the Demon King, don't let him get away!

　The brave men raised their spirits.
　In their hands, I could see weapons such as the Sword of Destruction (Arondite), the Spear of Water Stream (Undine), and the Earth Axe (Behemoth).

　All of these weapons are not as powerful as the Wisdom Angel (Cherubim) class or the Seated Angel (Solone) class - the most powerful Cutthroat Angel (Seraph) class, but they are quite powerful miracle armaments.

　Of course, if it were just me, I could fend them off with no problem.
　But I need to make sure that the attack doesn't cause any damage to Stella and the undead.

　Be careful here...

Move.

　The first attack unleashed hundreds of magic bullets.
　Explosions and shockwaves popped, blasting the approaching heroes and soldiers, one after the other.

''Guaaa.........''

　A cry of agony filled the place.
　It wasn't enough to take a life, but I did enough damage to make it impossible to move for a while.

　First of all, it's intimidation.

　No matter how many brave men gather, they will never be an enemy of the demon king──.
　If you instill that kind of fear in them, it will be a deterrent in some small way.

　I was not able to be rational or cool-headed enough to immediately dismiss the idea that the enemy was all killed.
　But that doesn't mean I don't want to kill them at all costs.

If you want to retreat, fine. If you stand your ground, I won't show any mercy.

　He says it in his tone as a demon king.
　It's not like I don't know anyone, so I keep my voice low and try to make a slight impression.

''Flesh, bone, and even soul - those who are ready to perish, come.
Ugh....

　The brave men and soldiers backed away with frightened faces.
　They seemed to have lost the will to fight.
　And.

I'm ready.

　From the very back of them, one brave man advances out of the back of the room.

　It seems that there were still other brave men in the group.
　Moreover, unlike the other guys, he doesn't seem to be timid.

'I'm standing on the battlefield with that resolve from the beginning. I'm your opponent, Demon King.

　He has silver hair and a silver mustache.
　He is a mature warrior with an air of serenity.
　He has a sturdy build and holds a huge hammer in each hand.

"You are...!

　I knew that guy's face was familiar.

　Urbano Wraith.

　I had been with him many times on brave missions.

　He was a serious and responsible guy.
　He was a man with a sense of duty as a brave man, and he was a man who fought foolishly.

'To protect love and justice on earth... I will avenge you.

　I didn't hate this guy, I didn't hate this guy.
　We were in the same forty-something years, and I felt a kinship with him.

　I respected his fighting style and his activities as a brave man.

　But if he was going to stand up to me as an enemy....

"You will regret that you stood against the Demon King.

　Through his mask, he looked at his former comrades in arms.

　My determination to fight, my resolve to fight, is unwavering.
　I have people behind me that I must protect.