Chapter 25

As soon as I advanced to the third year at the Royal Academy, a group of monsters heading towards this country was confirmed. As in the game scenario and the information passed down to the royal family, the sealed Demon King had likely revived.

The combined forces of the country and the nobility, stationed in the direction where the Demon King's castle is said to be, are probably dealing with the monster army by now. Patrick should be commanding the border baron's army among them.

Our elite Demon King extermination squad was riding on Ryu's back, heading in the direction from which the monsters were flowing.

Alicia, who was behind me, turned pale and screamed.

"Scary, scary, scary, scary, scary"

"It's okay, Alicia, we're here."

She seemed to be recalling the trauma from our level-up sessions and was being encouraged by the other three princes. However, their expressions were also not quite good, probably because they couldn't show fear in front of the woman they liked.

"So, in the end, who does Alicia like?"

In the academy, she is friendly with all three of the target princes, and it's clear from the outside that they are infatuated with Alicia.

"What kind of topic is this at a time like this!"

Prince Edwin shouted in anger, but his words lacked conviction as he was hugging Alicia from behind. He no longer harbors any resentment towards me, but he still seems to like Alicia.

People who talk about love and romance are always like this... I can't really say that, though. I'm getting married after this battle.

"Ryu, please land where the trees open up."

The Demon King is said to control monsters. Although there has been no change in Ryu's behavior so far, his power might affect Ryu as well.

Considering the worst-case scenario, we are to be dropped off at a distance from the Demon King's castle and proceed on foot from there.

"Go to Patrick... I mean, your father. Don't attack humans by mistake, thinking they're monsters."

After everyone had dismounted, we were to send Ryu to assist in dealing with the monsters. I was worried that he might be attacked along with the monsters, but no one could hurt Ryu.

Ryu let out a roar and took off, looking slightly worried about me.

With me leading the way, we started walking through the forest in the direction of the Demon King's castle. I intended to serve as a scout without joining in the conversation along the way.

However, Alicia quickened her pace and walked alongside me.

"Yumiera, I'm sorry for everything. I've been mean to you, but I think we need to work together... Let's do our best together."

Is she okay? Did she eat something strange?

Alicia, who had always been hostile towards me, what was she up to now? Was she getting scared of fighting the Demon King?

"Ah, yeah, do your best."

I didn't trust her at all, so it was inevitable that my response was lackluster.

Alicia said that and returned to the group behind. As long as she didn't interfere with the battle against the Demon King, it would be fine. Even Alicia wouldn't be that foolish.

After walking through the forest for a while, an old stone castle came into view. We didn't encounter any monsters along the way, as if they had all gone to the kingdom.

"There it is, that's the Demon King's castle. ...Why is there a castle in such a remote place, anyway?"

Prince Edwin answered my naive question.

"This entire forest was originally a large territory. Now, it's uninhabited due to the Demon King's influence."

I had never heard of this before. Was the castle a lord's manor? However, I had read many books about the Demon King, and none of them mentioned this.

Perhaps it was information known only to the royal family. The prince, as always, had inadvertently revealed confidential information.

"Alright, everyone, let's go."

Prince Edwin called out to everyone, but I wasn't very enthusiastic.

"Is the Demon King in there? Wouldn't it be better to just destroy the entire castle?"

There was no need to enter the enemy's territory politely. If we could attack from a distance, that would be best.

"That won't work. Well... we can't confirm the death."

The prince opposed with a reason that seemed to have just occurred to him. ...Well, I was also curious about the Demon King's true identity, so I decided to infiltrate the castle.

"Then, let's enter the castle. Please stay behind me."

I reached out to the door to enter the Demon King's castle. The large door, which had been closed for years, creaked open with an unpleasant sound.

Inside, it was dim and completely silent. In the game, the castle was filled with monsters, but something felt ominous.

I was confident that I could defeat the Demon King in a direct confrontation. The only thing I feared was a surprise attack.

If I were hit by a high-level spell or an attack to a vital point, even I wouldn't be unscathed.

The four of them followed me at a distance. If I were attacked from behind, I would do my best, but in the worst case, I would abandon them.

I focused on the sounds and presence around me, even finding the slight noises they made annoying.

Suddenly, I heard Alicia chanting a spell.

"Holy Enchant!"

A light attribute buff spell? It's fine to cast it beforehand, but I wish she had warned me first.

I was about to turn around to complain but forced myself to focus on the front.

At that moment, a glowing sword sprouted from my chest. I recognized the sword. It was the light attribute weapon I had obtained in the Barias dungeon.

I had sold it, wrapped in cloth, as it refused to let me touch the hilt. It was more of an anti-darkness attribute weapon, and when combined with a light attribute buff spell, its effect against darkness was immeasurable.

By the time I realized I had been stabbed from behind, my consciousness was fading, and my life flashed before my eyes. It was a memory of Patrick.

◆

"Hey, dungeons aren't for first dates, are they?"

"Huh, don't you want to level up, Patrick?"

Oh, right, dungeons aren't for dates. Since I brought him to a special place, I couldn't admit my mistake, so I tried to change the subject.

"Well, that's true, but... no, it's still not right."

"Right, did you bring a protective amulet?"

"What about you, Yumiera? What amulet are you wearing?"

Since I couldn't change the subject, the conversation veered off in another direction. This topic was dangerous.

"Um, one that increases the power of magic."

"...What are you planning to fight?"

"Well, it allows me to cast powerful spells with less magic, saving my mana."

"I can't imagine a situation where your magic would run out."

At least, I think this country would be a wasteland. Since the assassination incident, I've started to think that a poison resistance amulet might be a good idea.

However, Patrick wouldn't be convinced by that. I knew what he would say next, so I preempted him.

"Alright, I'll wear a protective amulet too."

"Ah, Yumiera isn't invincible, you know? You could be attacked in your sleep."

"I was attacked once, but I didn't get a scratch."

"That was because the assassin was low-level and had a dull weapon."

Patrick was right; if I were attacked by a high-level person with a high-quality weapon, I would be injured. However, I wouldn't die in one hit unless it was a weakness attribute.

◆

"Why can't you understand! That person must be killed here!"

"Yumiera hasn't done anything wrong! Why do you all see her as an enemy!"

I woke up to a hysterical scream. Right, I was stabbed from behind by Alicia.

Thanks, Patrick. I owe my life to the protective amulet.

"Usually, this happens after the Demon King is defeated, right?"

I stood up, healed by a recovery spell. It seemed that Prince Edwin and the other three were arguing.

"What! How are you still alive..."

"You should have one too, right? A protective amulet. So, can you explain why you stabbed me?"

"It's your fault... I was supposed to be the one to defeat the Demon King with my light attribute..."

I can't just let myself be killed for such a reason. I didn't even plan to claim the credit for defeating the Demon King.

"I don't want to be stabbed in the back again during the battle. It's fine to neutralize you, right?"

I asked Prince Edwin, who was standing next to me.

"Wait a moment, I'll try to persuade them."

The prince said that, but it was already too late. I had endured their behavior so far, but I had reached my limit.

Prince Edwin tried to persuade Alicia and the other three, who were facing me.

"Alicia, stop this. You, with your kind heart, should understand that discriminating against someone based on their hair color is wrong."

"No, she must be eliminated!"

"Will! You hate injustice, don't you?"

"What's wrong with you, Edwin? You didn't like her either, did you?"

"Oz, what happened to your usual calmness?"

"I'm still calm. After the Demon King is defeated, she will be a danger to the kingdom. It's best to eliminate her now."

"Your Highness, persuasion won't work. They are the enemy. Give up and let me restrain them."

Alicia and the others would be judged by the law. I didn't want to dirty my hands with such people. If it came to a fight among allies during a national crisis, the king would likely impose severe punishment. They might spend the rest of their lives in confinement.

"Restrain? You seem to have survived thanks to the amulet, but do you really think you can match us?"

Saying this, muscle-brain William drew his sword with confidence. Where does his confidence come from?

"Our combined levels total 120. That means we are stronger than you."

Oswald adjusted his glasses. No, that logic is flawed. I've known for a while that he's just pretending to be cool with his glasses and isn't actually smart.

If his reasoning were correct, I would have the same combat power as 99 level 1s. It's impossible for a group of level 1s to defeat the Demon King.

Moreover, they are only level 40 each, much weaker than Patrick.

"Ed, please come to our side."

Alicia spoke to Prince Edwin, using a teary-eyed, upward glance. I was impressed by her technique to deceive the three men.

"Do you really think you can defeat me in a fair fight? You stabbed me from behind because you lacked the confidence to face me head-on. Your Highness, please step back. I won't kill them."

As I took a step forward, Alicia and the others took a step back, bracing themselves. Clearly, they were just putting on a show.

When I tried to cast a spell, the familiar dark attribute magic power filled the air. What's happening? I haven't cast any spells yet.

"Your Highness, step back!"

"What is it!"

I grabbed Prince Edwin by the collar and leaped backward. In that instant, the space we had been in was sealed in darkness.

"This is..."

This magic is the highest-level dark attribute spell, Black Hole. In the game, only two enemies use this spell: the secret boss, me, and the final boss...

"Haha, infighting among allies. Humans are indeed foolish. Or rather, the people of Balshain Kingdom. No, the Balshain royal family is the correct term.

Thank you, I was able to eliminate three of them without effort."

A man in black armor appeared in the corridor of the Demon King's castle, which had been gouged out in a spherical shape. Yes, this is his castle.

"...Demon King"

Chapter 26: "The Truth of the Demon King" 7/17 Chapter 27: "Epilogue" 7/17 simultaneous posting