The second city of the demon world - Jiregga, the city of fire.

Did you find Regal, Stella?
Yes, I'm picking up an undead-specific magic waveform. It's just ahead.

　I had come to this Jiregga with Stella and Olivier.

　As the name "Hellfire City" implies, black pillars of fire were rising up from all sides of the town.
　Not only would you sweat just by staying put, but if you were not good at it, you might get a fever.

　In order to alleviate that heat, I was deploying a light cooling spell around me.
　The three of us proceeded to cool off.
　Eventually.

I was there.

　Numerous pieces of bone were scattered in front of them.

　The conspicuously large piece was a skull that had been cut in half.
　Regal's head, part of it.

"Are you okay, Regal?

　I ran over to the skull.

'You look hapless, my king.

　Regal tells him.
　Although his tone was indifferent, his voice was tinged with frustration.

　It seems that he was defeated by the Four Heavenly Holy Swords in the previous battle and was torn to pieces.
　Even so, he still seemed to be in good health, as expected of the Immortal King (Lord Undead).

''Wait, I'll have Olivier heal you now.
It's a shame that I have to live vicariously through you.
If you think it's a disgrace, you can shove it up your ass next time you fight. That's good.
Yes, sir.

　While saying this, Regal is still frustrated.
　This loss must have hurt his pride as a warrior so much.

''Well then, I'll heal you, won't I?

　Olivier moved forward and out.

　Nine tails grow long from his waist.
　Her body is covered with countless demon fire, and she releases an enormous amount of magical power that is unimaginable from her usual carefree character.

''Ring of Healing Fire──''

　A circle of blue-white flames appeared in front of Olivier, who chanted quietly, just as he said.
　The circle spread out and enveloped Regal's head and scattered bone fragments.

　In the next moment, the circle of flames popped.

''Fufu, I'm tired~''

　Olivier takes a deep breath.

'This is...'

　Regal looked surprised.
　His dismembered body had been regenerated and was completely back to normal.

''One of the greatest healing profundities handed down to the 'Nine Tailed Fox' family - the Ring of Healing Fire. All physical damage has been repaired.

　Olivier smiles.

'To make you feel whole in an instant...'
It's amazing.

　Me and Stella are in awe.

''There are several activation conditions, so we usually use a slightly less effective jutsu.......Regal-san is an indispensable person for the defense of the demon world, and we did our best~''
Yeah, good job. Olivier.

　I thanked Olivier.

"....and thank you.

　Regal bows his head deeply.

　Next, let's look for the missing Zegert.



　I was able to meet that Zeggert again easily.
　Once I returned to the Demon King's Castle, I met him.

''I just returned, my king.

　A lion beast-man demon race that does not take offense and arrogantly says.

''........Where have you been all this time?''
I don't mean to be embarrassing, but I was dropped deep into the bowels of the castle after a battle with that Liavert guy or whatever he's called.

　Scratching his head, Zegart said.

'Normally, I would have been able to get out of there quickly, but I was wounded and it took me a while to get out.

　Is the bandage on his arm and chest an injury from that time?
　Or - was it that he was out of the line of fire with other intentions, and the bandages were just camouflage?

　It was impossible to determine either.

　Since there was no confirmation, we can only believe Zegart's words for this moment.

'All right. First, you need to heal your wounds. You are an important asset for the defense of the demon world.
That's too kind of you, my king.

　The Beast Emperor smirks at my niceties.
　And.

I have just returned, sir.

　With a crunching sound, like metal hitting metal together, a small silhouette appeared.
　A silver knight-like doll, less than one meter tall.

　Hmm?
　You don't suppose this guy...

I am Tsukuyomi. Since my main body was destroyed in the battle with Liavert, I have returned in a spare body.
Spare body?
As a modified life form (homunculus), I can operate as long as the nucleus is intact. When the main body was destroyed by the Reavert, only the nucleus was able to escape. Then I replaced the nucleus with a spare body and came to you.
Well, I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you're okay, too.
That's too good to be true, sir.

　Tsukuyomi bows her head lightly.

It's not a good thing. The other demon warlords were so cowardly that they too got dragged into it.......mumbling.

　........I hear you.
　Well, I definitely feel like this whiny part of me is definitely a Tsukuyomi.

　At any rate, I was relieved that the two demon army chiefs were safe.

Now it's Judas...

　Well, he's not going to be easy to get to, because of that guy.

I'd be here.

　A voice suddenly rang out, and I looked around in surprise.
　Judas is nowhere to be seen.

'Hahaha, here I am.'

　The mischievous voice was not back and forth, left and right, nor upwards - it was at my feet.

"You...
Demon chief Judas, I'm back.

　A beautiful boy with sleek silver hair appeared from the shadows growing at my feet.

　A magic that moves within the shadows──is it a magic that moves in the shadows?

　How dare you invade my pause without giving me any sign at all.
　It seems that Judas still has many more hidden techniques.

　In any case, it was confirmed that all of the Seven Great Demon Commanders are safe.



　A few hours later, I was in my office working on post-war processing.
　There was even more paperwork than usual.
　As usual, I have Stella helping me with it.
　And.

Well, would you mind, Mr. Freed?

　Stella stopped checking papers and looked at me.

'Hmm, what?'

　Her face was blushing strangely.
　My face was reflected in her shaking eyes.

　Since we were alone, I took off my Demon King mask.
　It's the true face of a middle-aged man, exactly the same as when he was a human.

''Well I want to apologize to Master Freed for the fight with Liavert.
Apology?
...hmmm... so...
What?
I mean, you know, I just, you know, kissed her, you know, out of the blue, so, you know...

　Stella said in a shaky voice.

　Oh, that's what she meant.
　Sure, though I was surprised when he kissed me out of the blue.

''Oh, I was so into it at the time........ I'm sorry for that. Please give me whatever punishment you want.
No, no, no, no.

　I'm embarrassed too, as you can imagine.

　I wonder what her intentions were.

　I'm not the kind of woman to use the word "love" lightly, that's obvious.
　It's not simply because the battle has aroused my emotions, or any other reason.

　How should I respond to Stella's feelings?

　In the first place....
　What do I think about Stella?