Inside the Demon King's Castle, there were two shadows.

　The golden lion beastmen and the white silver knight-like demon race.
　They were Zegert and Tsukuyomi.

　The two of them were walking up the stairs with a handful of selections.

　Their destination was the audience room on the top floor.
　The keystone of the Demon World's war effort - the Demon Army Chiefs should be gathered there.

It seems I've succeeded in luring Fried to the fiery city of Jiregga. By now, Sigmund, in my guise, is drawing him there.
We have done everything we said we would.

　Tsukuyomi nodded at Zegart's words.

''However, according to my calculations, if Freed fought at his full battle power - even the Fourth Army would be destroyed in a few minutes.
When you're at full throttle, right?

　Zegert chuckles.

　The strength of the Fourth Army is the greatest in the world of magic.
　They are all fierce, single-handed fighters.

　However, Freed is too strong.
　His battle prowess is far too non-standard.

　Even with the Fourth Army, there's no way they could stand up to him.
　However...

'That man has so much status, yet he often fights with additions and subtractions. He seems to avoid hurting others as much as possible.

　Zegart's smile deepened and his sharp fangs peeked out of the corner of his mouth.

'That's the sweetness of it, that's what we're trying to get at.
Agreed, sir.

　Tsukuyomi nodded.

'Lord Zegert is a fierce man who smashes everything in a diabolical manner without an ounce of mercy. That is why I thought of betting on you and not on Freed myself.
Hmm. When I become king, I'll take you as my second in command. I want your support.
I understand..........well, I'm taking a lot of risk in cooperating with you, so it's only natural that I should get something in return. I hope you don't want to be too patronizing........mumble.
I hear everything, Tsukuyomi.
"I was talking to myself.
Hmmm, well.

　While it's true that Tsukuyomi has quirks in his personality, he's also competent.
　More than anything else - his cooperation was essential in order to overthrow Fried.

'Let's go. We must successfully complete the operation for Sigmund and the others who are standing firm.



　I will definitely become a king
　And while advancing through the corridor of the Demon King's Castle, Zegart's resolve was again in his mind.

　Every step forward, that heart burns with each step.

　After a long, long time of preparation, this day could finally arrive.

　Since his ancestor, the 'Crimson Lion' Rosgert, there hadn't been a Demon King from the Zegert family gate for over a thousand years.
　Always in his own generation.

　At that time, will his two names as the Demon King be the golden lion?
　With his heart pounding in his chest, Zegart's ambition reached a climax.

　He has already unleashed a different force in the royal capital than the army in Zillegga and is proceeding with the control of the city.
　All that remains is to seize the executive officer, the demon army chief, and it's literally a 'royal move'.

''The audience room is near.

　Tsukuyomi said.

All right, I'll go to the front. I will go to the front, and you must keep an eye out for the target.
Yes, sir.
Hmm.

　Nodding to Tsukuyomi as she said it, Zegart ran off, killing his footsteps.

　Every muscle in his body rose up.
　His armor popped off with the momentum.

　The crimson pattern floating on his chest was the proof that he was in full open battle form.

　Gogaa!

　He destroys the door to the audience chamber and rushes inside.

Zegert...?
You're not supposed to be in Zillegga.

　Feria and Olivier looked at me in surprise.
　Zegart silently waved his right arm.

''Kyaah!''

　A shockwave blew up and the two were blown wide open.

　It was a pretty tame blow.
　The girls aren't the fighting type, and if they put too much force into it, it could kill them.

''Ugh........''

　The female demons groaned and stood up.

''They attacked us under the pretense of attacking Jiregga.......!
'Oh, um, I don't think it's a good idea to rebel, but...'

　Feria glares at you with a snap, and Olivier is flustered.
　A master of mental magic (astral) and a master of healing magic (healing) - first of all, they are sealed and cut off the battle support on the Demon King's side.

'Tsukuyomi, seal it.
Yes, sir.

　He ordered Tsukuyomi behind him, and he stepped forward with a huge magic machine.

　The giant cage-shaped machine is said to be a kind of subspace generator.
　It was something that Tsukuyomi had created with the best of his alchemy.

　It's something that even that Judas can seal up, even if only temporarily.

"I will be confined here for a while.
Just because we're not combatants, doesn't mean you're not going to be able to take advantage of us.

　Feria glares at me with a crisp face.

　She used to be mentally fragile, but she seems to have grown up a notch or two through the battle with the brave army earlier.
　Even under this situation, she never shows any signs of flinching.

　But that's why she's valuable as a pawn.

　Not to Freed and others, but to himself.
　After becoming the new Demon King, under this Zegart...

You'll be the one to help us overthrow a brave man and a god.

　Zegart chuckled inwardly.

"Activate spirit magic (astral)...

　A light pink glow flooded from Feria's entire body.
　That radiance drew an intricate trail in the air, creating a magic circle.

'The World of Dreams (Nightmare Hour), Illusion Type (Ludomistia)'

　Magic that acts on the target's psyche and draws out a powerful illusionary effect.
　If you are a fella who is the highest spiritual magic user in the demon world, the magical effects are immense.

　Even if you are a Zegert, there is no guarantee that you won't be captivated by it.
　Moreover, the timing of its activation is faster than one would expect.

''As expected, don't do it!

　Zegert swung his right arm.
　In the nick of time──.

''Kyaaaah........!

　A gust of wind that arose just a moment earlier than the magic was completed blew Feria and Olivier together.

　The girls still have a use for it.
　When I become the Demon King, I will have to have them continue to wield their skills as Demon Army Chiefs.
　I didn't want to hurt them as much as possible.

''Gu, gho........''

　Even so, he was slammed against the wall and apparently suffered quite a bit of damage.
　Feria and Olivier were spitting out blood.

'Do it, Tsukuyomi,'
It is sealed, sir.

　Tsukuyomi switched on the device.