Side: Liliana
Finally, the history of the Demon Race being isolated from the other races is coming to an end... No... that is, if we can successfully conquer the Demon King's Castle before my eyes.
I stared up at the castle, silhouetted against the massive moon, for a few moments longer before returning to the main camp.
"Welcome back, Liliana-san... How was it, seeing the castle again after so long?"
"It is difficult to put into words. Part of me is happy, yet another part is saddened by the memory of fleeing from it."
"...I imagine so. While it is a joyous thing that your fellow demons will be saved, there were certainly lives cut short so that you could escape, Liliana-dono."
Ares-dono was right.
When I made my escape, most of the soldiers who could be considered my close confidants were struck down by Dekira and his faction. Even though he was a pervert, he was reasonably competent outside of his private life, and he was a pervert who was thoroughly prepared.
...Yes, a pervert.
"But once dawn breaks, this conflict will be settled in a single battle. I will shield you myself, Liliana-dono, so please call out to your people from the front lines without worry. You saved my little sister, Elju. It is the least I can do."
"Don't mention it, Elju. It isn't just about that. Under Liliana's leadership, the Demon Race has endured desperately until now. This is our greatest opportunity to aid them, and we will not let it slip away. We of Gartz never abandon friends who fight bravely."
"Thank you very much, Lowelle-oneesama."
"Don't worry about it, Elju. And it's not just that. Liliana-dono and the others have desperately endured until now. This is the greatest chance to help them. I won't let it slip away. We of Gartz will never abandon brave friends who fight alongside us."
With those words, Lowelle-dono raised her family's heirloom shield. When it came to pure defense, her capabilities were formidable.
"However, our strategy of internal collusion will not work this time. In fact, even if it could, they have likely already taken countermeasures. Furthermore, the location of this main camp has already been compromised by the enemy. The real issue is how we intend to launch the assault."
Crack-dono believes this battle will become difficult.
Naturally so. There were bound to be those who fled from the barrier to report our movements, and if this were a conventional battle, a bitter struggle would be inevitable. Well, Crack-dono was likely saying this while fully understanding the broader context.
"We wish to avoid harming the citizens as much as possible. Liliana-dono, let us confirm once more—the majority of the inhabitants are indeed demons and the family members of those who did not become demons, correct?"
"Yes. They are simply being forced to obey the perve—the Demon King. However, because he did not use anything like slave collars to compel absolute obedience, I do not believe the citizens will turn hostile against us. As long as we do not harm them, they will welcome us with open arms. Liberation is what they desire most as well."
"I see. However, if volunteer soldiers emerge from the residents, it will cause confusion. We need to think about how to handle that..."
"True. While we appreciate the sentiment behind a volunteer militia, they will only trip us up if we cannot coordinate with them. If they recklessly rush to the front lines, we might not be able to cover them."
Indeed, if the citizens staged a massive, spontaneous uprising and formed a volunteer army, the Allied Forces would fail to coordinate, leading to utter bedlam.
However, we had actually taken measures to deliberately trigger that very uprising ourselves. This was done so that, rather than attempting to suppress it, we could control the militia's movements from the start. By guiding their actions, we could easily coordinate them with the Allied Forces and prevent them from becoming a liability.
To look at an unpredictable element and decide to simply manipulate the unpredictability itself... it is a terrifyingly bold way of thinking... Just what goes on inside that man's head?
He accurately deduced the exact anxieties that the leaders of the Allied Forces would lose sleep over, and he provided precise countermeasures for them. Once you hear the explanation, it makes perfect sense and seems obvious. Yet, not just anyone can reach that conclusion. His knowledge feels like the ultimate compilation of answers produced by countless sages who have built up history over a span of time far longer than that of this Allied Army.
I recall hearing that he comes from the same place as the Hero from another world currently residing in Rankus... An otherworldly visitor—one who is supposedly a regular person and not a Hero—yet possesses that level of ingenuity. What kind of place could this "other world" possibly be?
But before I lose myself in such thoughts, I must dispel the anxieties of the Allied Forces.
"You need not worry about the volunteer militia; it should be fine."
"Why is that?"
"During the capture of the barrier, we managed to slip one of our allies into the retreating enemy forces. Therefore, they should already be back inside, explaining the situation to the citizens. They will adjust the militia's movements by telling them that acting recklessly will only cause trouble. That person is a friend of mine, and they possess a genuine talent for leadership..."
"I see. If Liliana-dono vouches for them, then so be it. We witnessed the fierce fighting of your comrades during the capture of the barrier. We shall place our trust in your friend. Is that acceptable to everyone?"
"No objections."
"Fine by me as well."
The leadership of the Allied Forces accepted my explanation. The volunteer militia's movements would be managed by a small detachment, leaving the vast majority of our forces free to participate in the main assault.
All that was left now was to wait for dawn.
Since I had no part in the tactical preparations, unlike the other leaders, I leisurely stepped out of the tent to gaze up at the moon.
"Ara? Liliana, what's the matter?"
Seraria-sama, who had been completely silent until now, finally spoke as she followed after me.
"Nothing in particular. There is nothing left for me to do, so I was simply looking at the moon. How are the arrangements on your end?"
"Hmm? If you mean that operation, the preparations are completely good to go. We actually ended up bickering over who got to play the role of the Demon King."
"I... I see..."
Why is she always so casual? How can she remain so unfazed before a major operation of this magnitude?
"Do you find it strange that we're so relaxed? But you see, for us, we can't afford to stop at a hurdle of this level."
"Eh?"
"This isn't the end. Once this war is over, we have to find a way to establish peace with the other nations without conflict, and build a truly safe world."
Saying that, Seraria-sama walked past me and looked up at the moon as well.
"That path isn't something that can be traveled so easily. You served as a ruler yourself, Liliana, so you must understand, right? Just how fragile the balance of peace is, and how difficult it is to maintain."
"...Yes."
I had desired peace so fiercely, seeking a path where no blood would be spilled, and in the end, my approach allowed the hardliners to rise to power. In a sense, I was the one who shattered the balanced peace I had maintained for so long, forcing bloodshed upon many of my people.
"To us, this conflict is merely a single step. If we cannot handle something of this scale with ease, then there's no point. And Liliana, do you realize what comes next? From here on out, the Demon Race will interact with many different races and nations. The person who must handle the problems that will inevitably arise is you, the one who will lead the demons."
"Yes... you are right."
Exactly.
Once this war ends, I will take the role of the ruler who sought help from the Allied Forces, instigated the internal surrender of the barrier, and created the momentum to overthrow the Demon King.
In essence, I will lead the Demon Race.
Ultimately, I am returning to the throne, but forging ties with foreign nations is unprecedented, and I will have to navigate entirely unpredictable issues. It is a challenge far more complex than a war where one simply needs to win.
"While this is merely a single step for you, Seraria-sama, it seems the same holds true for me. This step is still only halfway toward my dream."
"Exactly. That's why we can't afford to stumble over something like this, nor is there any reason to panic."
"Yes. That is entirely true."
Looking at Seraria-sama's face, I remembered why I had wanted to forge peace with the other races so long ago. I had simply thought that if we could smile together like this, it would surely be wonderful.
It was a childish notion that such a thing would eliminate conflict, but perhaps it wasn't wrong. After all, the different races and the demons smiling together right before my eyes were not fighting.
And this sight is something we must wish for... no, something we must ensure continues for eternity by our own hands.
That is precisely why the farce about to unfold is absolutely necessary...
The fake Demon King Dekira will act thoroughly like a tyrant. He will call forth powerful monsters by indiscriminately sacrificing people—primarily from the hardline faction—and claim that he never cared about a shared rule by the Demon Race. That he wanted to be the one and only supreme ruler.
This is the biggest scheme to make even the hardliners turn against Dekira.
...Where did that man even come up with something like this? He called it a "cliché", but in the other world, is it normal to calmly employ such terrifying methods?
At any rate, due to the atrocious actions of this fake Demon King, nearly half of the hardline faction will be sacrificed, and the remaining half will completely lose their will to fight.
Furthermore, upon learning of this, the invasion force heading toward Roumel will have no choice but to turn back. Once they realize the Demon King's Castle has fallen, the peaceful faction members who were forced into conscription will defect to our side, while the hardline army will be left entirely without supplies.
It is a complete checkmate.
"Now then, it's almost time to begin the march. Dawn is breaking."
In the direction Seraria-sama looked, the sky had begun turning blue as light spilled across the horizon.
Before I noticed, the leaders of the allied army had gathered around Seraria-sama.
"How are preparations?"
"Weed forces have no issues."
"Roshure forces can move at any time."
"Lithea forces are fully prepared."
"The Gartz forces, myself included, are already in battle readiness."
"So they say, Elju."
Elju-sama walked out from the main camp.
"Everyone, please lend us your strength. This battle is meant to overthrow the Demon King, but it is equally important to save our friends. And my only wish is that as many people as possible can return home alive. Please, live so that we may smile together..."
Elju-sama paused for a moment.
"From this moment onward, we commence the assault on the Demon King's Castle!! All forces, do your utmost!!"
And thus—
The assault on the Demon King's Castle finally began.
