"I would like to apologize for not being able to see you for a long time, and I would like to congratulate you on the birth of your new king. I would like to apologize for not being able to see you for a long time, and I would like to congratulate you on the birth of a new king.

　A lion beastman appeared before the audience and bowed his head grudgingly.

　His body hair and the armor he wore were glittering gold.

　The Beast Emperor (Gigantroa) Zegart.
　He had been lost in the invasion of the human world, but he had finally returned.

'Raise your head.

　I called out from my throne.
　'There are only four of us here, me, Zegart, Stella and Olivier.

It's Fried. It's a pleasure to have you back. I hope you will continue to help us. I look forward to working with you.

　According to the story, Zegart's white army fighting ability is at least as good as Regal's.
　It is said to be the strongest class in the demon world.

　So, in preparation for the invasion of the brave, a reliable ally has been added to the mix.

''Heeee, that's really powerful!

　And Olivier shuddered.

'Oh, but I'm not into men. After all, lilies are the supreme...!
"Be less paranoid, Olivier.

　Stella chided.

'Oh, I'm sorry. Sister,
No sisters in public.
No, make yourself comfortable.

　I intercede with them.

"...Hmmm. You don't sound like the former king.

　Zegart growled.

'Was the former king, Yulisha, strict?'
''All previous Demon Kings have been like that. They were disciplined and always caustic.

　And Zegert.

'If my subjects behave as they do now, they can't complain about being killed by the king.

　Isn't that a bit harsh?

''Hee.......Am I going to be executed too.......?

　Olivier's face turns pale.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you are not going to be punished for that kind of behavior. Rest assured.

　I quickly followed up.
　Then I turned to Zegart.

'It's going to be different from the former king, okay?　I don't want to be too hard on that area.
'Lord Freed is king now. Your will be done.

　Zegert tells him reverently.
　It's helpful to hear that.

"...by the way, Regal wished you to join forces with him when he first met you...

　The lion beastman slowly looked up.

''Ah.''
Would you be willing to share with me?

　Zegart glares at me with a glint in his eye.

"What?
"You would be so rude, Maj. Gen. Zegert.

　Stella interrupted him.

"I am speaking to the king. You shut your mouth!
　Zegert blackmailed him.
　But Stella didn't take a step back.

"Can you overlook this disrespect to the king?
'Is that the loyalty of a vassal?　A woman's love affair?
What?　Nah, nah, nah, nah!

　Stella turned bright red and froze.

I know it by looking at it. The way you look at the king is far different from that of a vassal. The way you look at the king is far different from that of a vassal, and it's clearly that of a woman with a lot of passion, isn't it?
"Oh, no, no, no, no, I'm not, I'm not, I'm, uh....lying, it's that obvious...?

　Stella is wavering.
　.........don't you think you are overreacting a bit too much?

Hmm.

　Zegart took one look at Stella and turned to me.

'That doesn't mean I don't recognize the king. Don't get me wrong.

　The Beast Emperor grinned as he said it.

''Since the Demon King's crest has chosen Freed-sama, I have no objection to serving you as a king. Therefore, please consider this as purely a warrior's interest. I know it's insolent to the king. However, if you are allowed to serve Regal, I would like to serve you as well.

　Your eyes are sharp.

　No matter the way you talk, you want to see my power, isn't that what you really want to do?
　However, if you're the same type as Regal, showing your power might make the relationship smoother later on.

'....I get it.
Well, here we go.
Come on.

　I'm ready.

　How much power should I use to intercept them?
　I'm sure you're as good as or better than Regal, so I think it's safe to shoot a little bit more magic, but...

"Hmm, you're concerned about me.

　Zegert growled.

'I do not feel any fighting spirit in you. Only a hint of concern for me, and kindness is a virtue of kings.

　I don't feel like a compliment.

　No, it's not a compliment, this is not a compliment.

　Zegert doesn't want to fight me.
　He's trying to find out who I am by fighting me...

　Then how can I, as the King, respond to that?

Ta!

　Zegart barks and lunges at me.

"'Paralyze,'

　I opted for the paralysis spell.
　A yellow-white bolt of lightning shot through Zegert's massive frame, setting it up.

Tepid!

　It just popped apart easily.

　This guy....
Paralyze itself is an elementary level of magic, but with my magical power, it can be as powerful as the highest level.

　It's a good thing that you can't get rid of it easily.
　It seems to have a strong resistance to magic.

"You think you can stop me without holding back?　It's a taunt to this Beast Emperor!

　Zegert was already close to his eyes.
　His sharp claws extended like swords and struck down.

''Rune Blade!''

　I produced a sword of magical power and caught Zegert's clawing blow.

　Heavy.........
　It's a battle of wits and I'm jittery and pushed.

"'Wind!'

　I cast the lowest level of wind magic.
　Even though it's the lowest grade, it's more powerful than the highest grade magic cast by ordinary magicians.

''Ku........Ugh.

　The wind pressure blows Zegert away.

''Lucifer's Shield.''

　I created a magical barrier.
　And.

"Howling...

　Zegert murmured quietly.

　Immediately after, his vision wavered slightly.
　A slight sense of weakness comes over me.

　The wall of magic power distorts languidly and disappears.

　What was that.........?

　As I recall, Zegart doesn't have the ability to use magic.
　His strengths are attack and endurance using his overwhelming physical abilities.
　It's the ultimate in white knight warfare ability.

　With that alone, he has the greatest strength in the magic world.

''Whoa, whoa!''

　With a roar, Zegart rushes in with a roar.

''──"Rune Blade"!

　I quickly produced a magic sword.

　This time it's not just one sword.
　Dozens of them all in front of me.

"Mmm, what a lot of them...!

　Zegert's movements stop for a moment.

''Rune Blade.''

　Without missing that moment, I created additional magic swords around him.

　Fifty.........one hundred.......two hundred.......
　A total of four hundred magic power swords surrounded the lion beast man on all sides.

''I've blocked your movements with this.
You've...　If you're prepared to take damage, you'll be able to break through at least this much.

　Zegert raised his claws.
　He shattered one of his magic swords in a threatening manner.

'You can't.'

　I hold up my right hand.

　The image of converging magic.
　I increase it all at once.

　At the same time, a black-purple magic sword covered in red lightning appears.

It's not the same as the Rune Blade.
　It is a "Convergence-type, Void Slash (Vanity Blade)" that cuts through space as well.

　It is a magical sword that has cut through even the strongest weapon in the heavenly army, the King of Light.

If you get close enough, you'll be fed this.

　V.........................

　The blade of the magic sword vibrated with a sound like a featherworm growling.
　The space around it was scraped away, and small cracks appeared in it.

"This, this technique...

　As expected, even Zegart was surprised.

　It cut wide open in front of him.
　A huge black crack appeared in the audience room.

''..........I won't be able to find the slightest bit of hope if I am torn into an entire space.

　The Beast Emperor quietly lowers his right arm.

''My purpose is to protect the demon world. It's not to hurt you.

　I told Zegert.

"You are what you need to be. And I'll do everything in my power to protect you.
...hmm.
Follow me, Zegert.

　The gazes of me and the lion beastman intertwined in the hollow.

　A brief moment of silence.
　And.

I'm impressed, my king. You have been called the greatest of all time.

　Zegart bowed his head deeply.

　However, his eyes still had a light that seemed to be looking at me.

　Really, did he approve of me?
　Or .....



''Please be careful. I don't know what Zegart is planning to do.

　After Zegert left, Stella advised him.
　By the way, the crack in the space I created earlier has been repaired with my magic.

''Stella.........''

　I remembered the previous banquet.

　The existence of the demon tribe who seemed to be planning something against me.
　They had mentioned Zegert's name and I suspected a connection.

　However, they disappeared with Regal's intrusion, and the truth remains a mystery.

'I'll use a demon tribe skilled in intelligence to scour his person. If we have any suspicious information, we will report it to you immediately.
Okay.
I will do everything in my power to protect you, Master Freed. By any means necessary.

　Stella grabbed the sleeve of her robe with a sizzle.
　That hand was trembling.

''Stella...?''
I'll take care of you...! I'll take care of you...!



　It might not be smooth sailing, but in any case──the new Seven Great Demon Commanders are all here in the Demon World.

　Devil's Eye (Vision) Stella.
　The Immortal King (Lord Undead) Regal.
　Dream Demon Princess (Dead Charm) Feria.
　Kyokushin (Master) Judas.
　Evil Priest (Priest) Olivier.
　Alchemist General (Alchemist) Tsukuyomi.
　The Beast Emperor (Gigantroa) Zegato.

　The seven high-ranking demons who are to be the swords that protect the demon world.

　These are my trusty assistants.