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Several tens of minutes after the first encounter between the Apostle of God and the demonkin, Aldias and Cattleya had already escaped the human nation and were making their way into demon territory.
"It would be convenient if I could use 'Shadow Star' in situations like this... It seems there's still room for improvement. Perhaps I should ask for his opinion."
Aldias had used "Shadow Star" to instantly teleport from the Demon Realm of Garland to the Orcus Labyrinth to rescue Cattleya. However, this magic couldn't be used on others, and the monster Cattleya had been using for transport was killed by Hajime. So, after applying a magical concealment, they escaped by flying. Cattleya had initially suggested that Aldias return first using teleportation, but he steadfastly refused, stating that even though she was treated, he couldn't leave Cattleya, who wasn't fully recovered.
"I apologize, Aldias-sama."
"I told you apologies weren't necessary. I decided to accompany you myself."
"No, it's not that... If I had perfectly completed the mission, you wouldn't have had to go to such trouble..."
"That's precisely what's unnecessary. It's my oversight for not having grasped the existence of such a strong individual as Hajime beforehand. If anyone needs to apologize, it's me. My apologies."
"!? N-no! Aldias-sama has absolutely no need to apologize! It's all due to my lack of power!"
"However... hmm, this will become endless. Let's end this discussion here."
"Y-yes..."
"Nevertheless..."
Aldias, sensing that the discussion would never conclude, cut it short, but then suddenly began staring intently at Cattleya.
"W-what is it?"
Cattleya, suddenly stared at by the object of her reverence, blushed and averted her eyes. Still restless, she began to fidget with her hair.
"Heheheh... No, I was just thinking how much you've changed. When we first met, you glared at me as if I were your parents' killer."
"What!?"
Cattleya, hit by an unexpected verbal jab from Aldias, involuntarily jumped and cried out. Aldias, on the other hand, had a slight smirk, clearly enjoying Cattleya's reaction.
"Th-that was just me being foolish back then!? Anyway, please forget about that!!"
"Alright, alright."
Cattleya now maintained a respectful demeanor towards Aldias, but when she was a mere trainee, she had looked down on Aldias, who had been brought by Freed for experience, seeing him as just a child hyped up by those around him. The other trainees felt the same. They too had pride, having endured harsh daily training for the sake of the nation. Even if he was a child of God, it was understandable that they wouldn't take kindly to Aldias casually participating in their training, despite Freed's recommendation.
Perhaps anticipating the trainees' reactions, Freed proposed an idea: a mock battle between the trainees and Aldias. What sounded like a joke was that Aldias would fight alone, while multiple trainees could engage him simultaneously. As the trainees wavered, Aldias calmly picked up a wooden training sword. Seeing him staring intently at them, as if they were being underestimated, a male trainee stepped forward to confront Aldias.
âAnd then, he was blown away with a single strike.
From then on, it was a one-sided match, with Aldias effortlessly throwing aside one opponent after another. Eventually, all the trainees attacked him together, but the result remained the same. Afterward, through training, Cattleya came to know Aldias, and after her life was saved multiple times in real combat, their relationship evolved into its current master-retainer dynamic. There was one time when Aldias genuinely mistook Cattleya for having a fever when she suddenly started speaking politely, and her usual tone almost returned...
(Honestly, this person...)
He hadn't changed at all from before. He was calm, yet constantly acting for the sake of others besides himself. This current exchange was likely his way of caring for her, sensing her feelings of responsibility.
(Precisely because you are like that... I...)
"...They're here."
"Eh!? W-what's here!?"
"Up there."
While Cattleya was lost in thought, Aldias suddenly murmured softly. She looked in the direction Aldias was pointing and saw three dragons flying towards them. For a moment, Cattleya thought monsters were attacking and took a defensive stance in front of Aldias, but then she recognized the dragons. Leading the three was an exceptionally large, pure white dragon, and on its back sat a red-haired man.
"That's Uranos! And Freed-sama!"
"I called for a pick up in advance with a 'Telepathic Message'... I didn't expect Freed and Uranos to come, though."
Uranos came directly above Aldias and his party and began a slow descent. Freed dismounted from its back and knelt before Aldias.
"My apologies for the wait, Aldias-sama."
"No, thank you for coming. I'm sorry to have put you out."
"What are you saying? For your sake, I, Freed, would rush to the ends of the earth."
"I appreciate it."
This time, Cattleya bowed to the now standing Freed.
"Freed-sama, I apologize for causing you trouble."
"Don't worry about it. I've already heard the general situation from Aldias-sama. It's good that you returned alive."
"â! Yes!"
"Now, let's discuss the details as we travel."
"Understood. Please, go ahead."
Saying this, Freed pointed towards Uranos, the largest of the three dragons.
"No, Uranos is your partner, isn't he? I don't mind riding a subordinate dragon."
"That will not do. It is unthinkable for a retainer to have you ride a subordinate dragon."
"But Uranos would prefer Freed, wouldn't he?"
"KRRRAW!"
Aldias asked as he stroked Uranos's head, and Uranos let out a pleased cry.
"Uranos doesn't mind either, it seems."
"...Do you understand its words?"
"No, but I understand its feelings."
"...I see."
Aldias, sensing that Freed had no intention of yielding, gave up and mounted Uranos's back. After confirming that Freed and Cattleya had mounted the subordinate dragons, they all took off into the sky.
After a while, Aldias murmured something softly. Then, a spherical barrier expanded around Aldias, and it seemed to dissolve and disappear once it enveloped Freed and Cattleya.
"I've cast a barrier with the effect of preventing eavesdropping and surveillance. With this, no matter what we discuss, from the outside it will only look like we're silently flying."
"...The fact that you've put up a barrier here and now means..."
"Yes, Alv summoned me. Nine times out of ten, for the reason you're imagining."
"As expected...!"
Freed's expression stiffened, seemingly understanding something from Aldias's words. Cattleya, flying on the back of a dragon next to them, also looked at Aldias with an anxious expression.
"Don't make such faces. We knew this day would come eventually. ...If anything, it's rather late."
"It's been three years since Aldias-sama inherited the throne. The people of the Demon Realm of Garland, including us, place our complete trust in you."
"Furthermore, having mastered all Ancient Magics and even learned Conceptual Magic, you are literally the strongest in this world without a doubt... It wouldn't be strange for him to start making a move..."
As Cattleya and Freed said, the current Aldias was undoubtedly a complete "King." He possessed both wisdom that seemed to see through all things and power that overwhelmed the world. Yet, he also had the magnanimity to secretly descend into the city to directly interact with his people. And with all of that, a charisma that captivated everyone, making them feel it wouldn't be a waste to lay down their lives for him. He was truly the one and only true King, not just among the demonkin, but in the history of Tortus itself.
âThat's why there was someone who found value in his body and waited for eighteen years.
"Freed, as I told you before, if I cease to be myself..."
"Understood. I will immediately begin the evacuation of the people. After that..."
"Yes, even I should be able to buy some time. As soon as it's complete, you two alsoâ"
"We will immediately head to your side."
"...Hey, Freed."
Aldias glared at Freed, who began to say something different from the plan they had discussed beforehand, but Freed retorted without any sign of wavering.
"I ask that you do not underestimate my loyalty. I told you, did I not? That I would pledge my absolute loyalty to you until the moment my life ends... Besides, you were the one who told me to believe, weren't you?"
"â! You..."
"Freed-sama is correct."
Cattleya, who had been listening to Aldias and Freed's exchange, spoke to Aldias.
"There are no soldiers in this country who would try to escape and leave Aldias-sama behind. Everyone else said the same thing. You're still shouldering too much alone, Aldias-sama... Compared to you, we might be unreliable, but could you please let us bear a little of the burden too?"
"...Cattleya."
"Please, believe in the people of this country who believe in you."
Aldias looked at the eyes of Freed and Cattleya, who stared intently at him, and felt ashamed of himself. To tell others to believe in him, yet not believe in them, was synonymous with insulting them. Having been shown such loyalty, what kind of king would he be if he couldn't respond to it...? Isn't a true king one who lives up to the expectations of his people...?
"...My apologies. It seems I was the one who was most disheartened. I've shown you a pathetic sight."
"Aldias-sama, you're always so uptight. I think it's good to show a little weakness sometimes; it creates a nice gap with your usual demeanor."
"...What is a 'gap'?"
"Freed-sama, you don't know? When someone usually gives off a capable impression, the contrast with the weakness they occasionally show is called a 'gap,' I hear. It seems it can be the reverse too."
"...Come to think of it, she said something like that... Looking at Aldias-sama, 'gap'... 'moe'? Or something..."
"Looking at me? ...What is 'moe'?"
"W-well~, even I don't really know..."
(That vampire! What is she blabbing about near Aldias-sama and Freed-sama!!)
Cattleya inwardly fumed at the former vampire queen, who wasn't present at the moment. However, the image of the queen in her mind, for some reason, proudly puffed out her chest and smiled triumphantly at Cattleya, saying, "...Mm!" This only amplified Cattleya's anger. Cattleya pretended not to know, sweating as Aldias and Freed exchanged words, but fortunately, the two didn't notice.
"...I can see Garland soon."
"" " "!?" " "**"
At Aldias's words, the calm atmosphere instantly changed, and a solemn aura began to emanate from the three.
"Freed, Cattleya. I have only one command... Trust me and wait."
"**" " "Hmph!!" " ""
Undoubtedly the greatest gamble in Aldias's eighteen years of life. Regardless of the outcome, the world would surely change today.
A few hours later.
The colossal royal castle stood towering in the Demon Realm of Garland. Surrounded by cliffs, if the summoned Heroes of this world were here, they would undoubtedly feel it was a sight befitting a Demon King's castle.
Within that royal castle, Aldias walked alone down a long stone corridor, without any guards. After walking for a while, he saw the door leading to his destination and a silver-haired maid waiting beside it. When Aldias looked at her, she seemed to know he was coming. She knocked on the door and spoke to the person inside.
"Alv-sama, Aldias-sama has arrived."
"Ah, let him in."
Hearing the reply from the person insideâAlvâthe maid opened the gold-ornamented door and stepped aside, bowing her head to Aldias. As Aldias entered the room, Alv, the God of the Demonkin, welcomed Aldias with open arms.
"Welcome, Aldias. I apologize for calling you back so soon after your return."
"No, if it is your summons, I shall come at any time."
"Thank you, my Aldias. Please, sit. I shall have tea prepared immediately."
As Alv prompted him to sit, Aldias sat down. Simultaneously, the maid who had been at the door entered with tea and cakes on a tray.
"Thank you. I have an important discussion with Aldias, so could you please leave us for a while?"
"Understood."
The maid, having served tea to Alv and Aldias, bowed and exited. As the door slowly closed, the maid's red eyes continued to watch the two until the very last moment.
"...Well, I had the finest prepared for you. I hope it suits your taste."
"I appreciate your consideration. However, I cannot take up too much of your time. May I ask the reason you summoned me here?"
"You're as impatient as ever. I wanted to enjoy a conversation with you for a bit... Well, I can't keep you, a busy person, here for my whims... You want to know why I stopped you from eliminating the Heroes summoned by God Ehit, right?"
"Yes."
"In this world, God Ehit is believed to be the god who guides humans. However, that is a misconception. That person is the true God of this world. I am merely a subordinate of that person."
"...What do you mean by that? If that is true, what are we fighting for?"
As Aldias questioned, Alv rose from his chair and answered, turning his back to Aldias.
"It is all a trial given by God. 'Humans' are weak creatures. They easily harm others for their own desires. If left unchecked, humanity's karma would eventually destroy the world itself..."
"So you gave them a trial?"
"That's right. By creating clear enemies for both humans and demonkin, we urged humanity to grow. Human beings have a tendency to gather their strength to defeat a common enemy. Through this, we wished for humanity to evolve."
In other words, Alv stopped Aldias at that time because eliminating the Heroes would remove the demonkin's trial. The summoning of Heroes was done by God Ehit, wishing for the growth of the demonkin, in order to restore the balance of power that had been disrupted by Aldias's immense strength...
"...And after several hundred years of war, our wish has finally been granted."
âThat is you, Aldias.
Saying this, Alv smiled at Aldias. Aldias's expression, however, remained unchanged. Alv, thinking he was likely confused by his words, continued with a somewhat apologetic expression.
"My apologies, you must be confused by the suddenness of it... but it's the truth. A being with talent that can stand alongside God, such as yours, has not existed throughout history."
"I am still far from that. No matter how much power I gain, I can only reduce casualties among my people, not eliminate them entirely."
"You don't need to be so self-deprecating. That's not your fault. If anything, as long as you are 'human,' it's impossible to have zero casualties... But rest assured. Your heart, which cares for your people, has finally reached Ehit-sama!"
Alv spread his hands, looking up at the heavens as he declared. The greatest reward in this world, to be given to Aldias.
"Ehit-sama will descend as the God of the Demonkin, using your body as a vessel!!"
"My body as a vessel... Does that mean, like Alv-sama...?"
"Precisely. You know of Dienleed, who became my vessel, don't you?"
"Yes, I have heard that he was the former prime minister of the vampire clan who, alone among those who plotted rebellion against God, continued to resist the nation, and his efforts were recognized, becoming Alv-sama's vessel."
This was information known to anyone in the upper echelons of the Demon Realm of Garland. The vampire clan had once plotted rebellion against God, but at that time, only Dienleed, who held the position of prime minister, never abandoned his faith in God. He repeatedly advised his niece, the queen, to cease her actions. However, the queen never listened and eventually imprisoned her uncle, Dienleed, as a traitor. Even in such a desperate situation, Dienleed did not cease his prayers to God. And those prayers reached God, leading to the destruction of the vampire clan. However, only the vampire queen Aletia survived and is now reportedly hiding somewhere, constantly aiming for the moment to kill God.
"That's right. Even now, two souls, Alv and Dienleed, exist within this body. Aldias, you have been recognized. If Ehit-sama descends, you will literally possess the power of God. You... no, you demonkin can become children of God! You will accept this... right?"
Alv spoke to Aldias as a proposal, but he likely didn't consider the possibility of being refused in the slightest. Towards Alv, who still made no attempt to hide his excitement, Aldias closed his eyes, his arms crossed. Because of this, Alv couldn't discern what emotions Aldias harbored in his eyes.
"Understood. If it can save the people of this nation, I will gladly accept."
"I thought you would say that. As I said before, even if you harbor Ehit-sama in your body, your existence will not disappear. So there's no need to be so tense. Will you come here?"
Hearing Aldias's reply, Alv smiled in satisfaction. He then led Aldias to stand and move to a spacious area of the room.
"Even though it's about harboring God in your body, no special ritual is necessary. Just relax."
âIt will be over quickly.
At that moment, Alv smiled. Unlike the warmth-filled smile from before, this one held mockery. Simultaneously, a pillar of light that seemed to pass through the ceiling enveloped Aldias.
"Ah... finally... finally this moment...!"
He had waited for eighteen years. He had been tempted many times to proceed without waiting, but he continued to wait for this moment to offer himself in perfect condition to his master. And now, the long-awaited moment had finally arrived. Aldias was the finest talent throughout the long history of Tortus. One could even say he was a being created by the world specifically for that person. With such a supreme vessel, his supreme master would descend upon this world.
Imagining such a sweet future, he spread his arms and closed his eyes, looking up at the heavens, feeling the power of his master emanating from the sacred pillar of light throughout his entire body.
âWithout noticing that Aldias, enveloped in the pillar of light, had murmured something...