"You said you don't recognize the Demon King with a human heart... Is that because you hate humans?

　I looked at Regal.

"Why do you hate people, Regal? Is it because of your demonic nature?
''The demon race doesn't necessarily hate humans. Even some of the previous Demon Kings have interacted with humans.

　Regal spoke plainly.

'But I don't - I don't forgive the existence of human beings. We will never be compatible. I feel that. Because...

　The skull's eye sockets and the red glare behind them glare at me.

"That's because I'm a former human being.

　Regal told him.

"Just like you,
Huh...!

　Face scrunched up under the mask, me.

　Does that mean that, like me, Regal is a human-turned-magic race?

Zeggert told me. Zeggert told me that you were reborn as a human to demon. And that his spirit is still human.

　I gulped.

　How did Zegert know that──?
　I was surprised to see Regal's red eyes staring at me.

"When I was reborn as a demon, I gave up on humans. They are dirty. They are filthy. They easily betray even those whose hearts are in harmony with their own interests.
Betrayal?
Thousands of years ago, when I was still a man I was celebrated as a hero in my little country.

　Regal reminisces.

"Rion is the only man I can call a good friend. He and I rode through countless battlefields. We crossed swords with many demons, defeated them, and eventually, Rion and I fought a powerful demon warlord...

　It was the first time he had heard of Regal's past.
　When he was human, he may have lived a brave life.

"We were backed into a corner. Then Rion betrayed me. In order to survive he blew up the Demon Lord, including me, in order to survive.
Huh...!

　I gulped again.

　The situation was different, but his past of being betrayed by what he believed in was the same as mine.

　It was easy to imagine his pain, anger and despair.
　It would be similar to the feelings I had for my beloved disciple Lyle....

With these feelings of regret, hatred and resentment in my heart, I was reborn as an undead man. I built up my strength and eventually became a demon army chief.

　Huffing and puffing, Regal let out a breath.

I don't have a human heart anymore. But the anger and resentment towards the existence of human beings will never go away. The reason for fighting as a demon race is to eliminate every last one of them.
It wouldn't be all that human.
It's everything to me.

　Regal refused to budge.

"Therefore, I do not recognize a Demon King with a human heart.
You can't fight for me, is that it?
Yes.

　The swordsman of the skull nodded.

'Then what are you going to do?　Will you make Zegert the new king and fight under him?
Yes.

　Regal affirmed in a squeaky voice.

'Therefore, I will cut you down here.

　Bang!

　With a sound, Regal's armor shattered.
　Purple flames rose from the skeleton's entire body.

''This is...''

　Enormous miasma density...?

It's a miasma that condenses a grudge I've spent thousands of years cultivating.

　The swordsman with the flame-clad skull announced.

''It's true that your basic ability value (status) is much higher than mine. If you fight properly, I won't stand a chance.

　The flames blowing up from Regal's body increased the heat even more.

　It's as if the atmosphere itself is going to be burned to a crisp.
　The miasma is a miasma that threatens to destroy the world itself.

　The miasma of flames.

But the miasma that I've accumulated, if I release it, converge it, raise it to whatever extent I can, I may be able to exceed its power for a moment.

　Regal raised a disastrous sword that seemed to be made up of countless bones.
　The flames that covered his body moved to his blade.

You can only use this power once and only for an instant. I'll use that one moment to slay you.
I'm sorry, but I won't let you cut down. I am a king, and as a Freed-Latts, I have a purpose in life.

　I told him quietly.

　I'm already ready to fight.
　And I'm ready to cut him down.

　So, overcoming my hesitation, I announced.

"Anything that stands in the way of the king I will defeat.