Ugh.........?

　My core is hot.
　What is this...?

I see. It's like it's still inside of you.

　Judas stared at my chest.

'The Miracle Armor.
"'Gram'...
'As I recall, you said that when you fought the heroes in the human world, your powers were weakened.

　And Judah.

''I think I've got it all figured out. First of all... the Purgatory Demon King's Sword (Radis) itself doesn't have any function that can weaken the Demon King's power.

　As I recall, the previous Demon King, Yulisha, said the same thing.
　Besides, I myself had Stella hold the Demon King's sword for me, and when I experimented with it - I didn't feel my strength weakening.
　It was only a phenomenon that occurred only during the fight with Lyle.

'The weakening is another factor. Perhaps the piece of the Demon King's Sword is what triggered the Miracle Armor Gram's magical power-blocking effect on you.
My 'gram' is ... weakening me?
''That Miracle Armor is already a part of your body. "The Miracle Armor is already a part of your body, and no matter how dominant you are, your power cannot be blocked. This effect resonates with the enemy's Miracle Armor.

　'It's a theory, though,' adds Judah.

'Is there any way to prevent it?'
Impossible. At least not right away.

　Judah shook his head from side to side at my question.

'I can't separate the 'gram' from you. Then the most practical way would be to retrieve all the shards and cut off the weaknesses.
There are only six more pieces...

　Me muttering.

"Can't you detect where it is?
I've got one thing in mind.

　Judah said.

'I believe it fell to the human world in a battle during the Mythic Age. I think it's in a large forest on the Eastern Continent.'
The forest of the human world...?
The woods are big enough to hold ten countries.
...Don't tell me it's 'The Great Blue Sky Forest'?

　I frowned.

　It's not a metaphor to say that a country could fit in there, about ten of them.
　In fact, it's that vast.

　After all, this is the largest forest area in the world....

The piece of the magic sword, by the way, cannot be detected by magic power. We have no choice but to look for them visually.
'Visually...?'

　I raised an eyebrow.
　''It's impossible to find a tiny fragment with your eyes in such a large forest.

''None of the previous demon kings have been able to find it. It's not going to be that easy.
Well, yes, but...
By the way, it seems that the pieces of the Demon King's Sword also have mimetic abilities, so you won't be able to find them even with your eyes.

　The more I hear about it, the trickier it gets.

'Is there any way you can help me?'
There aren't any. We're going to have to look very, very hard.

　Judah's reply was curt.

"And then...
Hmm?
Just so you know, you shouldn't let the demons under your command explore it.

　Judah adds.

'I don't know if that guy won't betray you. At worst, he might give the pieces to forces that are against you.
Forces against me...?
"The world of demons is not a monolithic place. There are people who want to become the next Demon King. I'm sure you have a clue or two, don't you?

　If I'm not mistaken, I might know.

　Shortly after he was reborn as a Demon King, he discovered the demon tribe talking about something that looked like a conspiracy.
　One of the chiefs of the demon army, the Beast Emperor (Gigantroa) Zegert, was also named.

　However, since Regal took care of them at that time, the details remain unknown.
　As for Zegert, we still don't know where he is, either.


'I can't leave a clear weakness unattended I'll think of something to counter it.

　I nod at Judah's words.

'I need your help too.'
When I'm ready.

　Judas was still not sloppy.

'Totally....'

　I laugh bitterly.

　Well, I brought him in as a vassal, knowing that he has this kind of personality.
　We'll just have to manage and get on with it.

　It's not easy to use a subordinate.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not the only one.

It's time to end the training.
What?
You seem a little unsteady on your feet.

　I say, and Judah turns away.

'I'm getting tired of it too, to begin with.
It's fickle to all intents and purposes.

　I giggled more and more.



''Fuu...''

　I sat down on my throne.

　The Miracle Armament Gram that resides within me.
　Even Judas, a genius in the field of magic, could not remove it.

　I've been told that if I take it out, it will have a bad effect on me.

　Even though he's the strongest Demon King in history in terms of ability value (status), it doesn't feel good to have a weakness.

　It's about myself.
　The future defense of the demon world.
　Or that there might be forces that are opposed to the Demon King.

　There are a number of things that cause me anxiety.

''I am........''
Master Freed...?

　Stella approached.

'I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here,'
No, it's okay.

　I said, and I faced Stella again.
　I take off my mask and stare at her.

'How can I help you?'
Do I have to tell you this?

　I told him what Judas had described to me.

'Master Freed has the Miracle Armor in his...'
''It's going to be quite nasty if the brave side gets a piece of the Demon King Sword.

　I said and laughed lightly.

'We'll have to recruit more strong allies.
...to protect you.

　Stella advances out.
　Her wet eyes caught mine.

'Eh,'
I would give my life for it.

　Stella went further out.
　Could it be that she is aware of my anxiety──?

And now, excuse me.

　She refused and suddenly hugged me.

'Su, Stella...?'

　I was surprised by the sudden action.

'Please, if only for a moment ... be at peace with yourself.

　Touching her soft body certainly seems to lighten my heart.

　Just by being held.
　Just to feel the warmth of your body.

　I'm sure you're not the only one who's been in a dream world.
　I was in the opposite position from that time.

"My duty as king. "My mission as a king, my remaining weaknesses as a human being. If you have some of these... as long as you can share them with me, please share them with me. I will bear this burden. I will.... support you.
Stella....
I was willing to risk my life for you.

　When I think about it, ever since I was reborn as the Demon King, she's been by my side.
　And she supported me.

"...Thank you, Stella.

　With gratitude, I hugged Stella back.