Chapter 24

Sephiloh's stronghold, Balentzere, is the base of the 7th Legion.

I explained a little about it before, but this is where Sephiloh resides.

Located at the northern end of the Demon King's territory, it serves as the frontline for its defense.

--That was in the past.

Now, with human countries under our control, no human would dare to attack this castle.

However, as the residence of a legion commander, it is still guarded appropriately.

There are multiple demons stationed in the transfer room.

A male vampire and a male lizardman.

They are assigned to guard duty, so they must have some skill.

However, there seems to be no sense of tension, as they probably don't even dream of an enemy army attacking this castle.

They were yawning with a lazy expression.

I thought, "Oh well," but didn't say anything.

Indeed, only demons carrying a special amulet can enter this transfer room.

It's not so poorly designed that an enemy army could suddenly show up.

It might be unreasonable to expect them to maintain constant tension.

Besides, it's convenient that they are not too diligent, as I don't want to be checked every time.

These demons can be easily deceived, but it's still a hassle to be checked every time.

"Good work—"

I said only that and passed by them.

They saluted and greeted me.

As a brigade commander, it's natural for them to do so, but I don't like being overly formal. It's been a few years since I became a brigade commander, but I still feel like a Japanese person inside. I can't really act superior.

According to Sephiloh,

"That's both your strength and your weakness."

It seems that this time, this trait worked to my advantage.

The lizardman brought me important information in a casual tone.

"Ah, Sir Ike, Lord Sephiloh has been looking for you since a while ago."

"Lord Commander?"

It seems the commander intended to summon me.

He probably couldn't find me because I came to this castle first.

This might have been fortunate.

The last time, I was used as a test subject for a golem, and the time before that, I was summoned while bathing. Who knows what he has in store this time.

"By the way, did the commander look happy?"

"What do you mean?"

"For example, if he was making some suspicious machine, or taking extra care of his skin, or even ordering new underwear from a human town, that would be suspicious."

"Ah, I'm just a gatekeeper. I don't know about such things. But when I passed by just now, he seemed a bit different from usual."

"See, that's interesting."

It seems the traitor has been identified.

Even Sephiloh, as a legion commander, might be feeling anxious about the presence of a traitor within the legion.

This means I might see the commander's serious face for the first time in a while.

Thinking this, I relaxed and headed to the office where the commander should be.

As expected, the commander was leaning on the desk with a serious expression.

He didn't even crack a joke when I greeted him.

Probably because the identity of the traitor was unexpected.

She immediately said,

"Deputy Commander of the 7th Legion, the one-eyed goblin, Jace."

I immediately understood the implications.

"Surely you don't think that Deputy Commander Jace would betray us..."

"---You don't really think that, do you?"

Sephiloh immediately denied it.

"..."

...I was caught.

I pretended to be surprised, but it was within my expectations.

Jace, the one-eyed goblin, is known as a sharp-witted individual in the 7th Legion.

As his name suggests, he is originally a monster, not a demon.

From a human perspective, there might be no distinction between monsters and demons, but to demons, they are very different.

Demonic beings possess a certain level of intelligence and the corresponding magic or physical power.

On the other hand, monsters are low in intelligence and weak in power.

For example, kobolds, orcs, goblins, skeletons, basilisks, cockatrices, and giant scorpions are all monsters.

They lack intelligence or are weak in power.

However, as represented by Jiron, an orc who serves as my advisor, there are rare cases where monsters possess intelligence or special abilities.

Such individuals are treated as "demons" for one generation.

Once they become demons, they receive better treatment within the Demon King's army and can even become a "squad leader" if they perform well. They can even become a brigade commander or a legion commander.

While there is no precedent for a monster becoming the Demon King, the Demon King's army, which judges based on ability alone, is quite progressive.

Incidentally, the aforementioned Jace is a male goblin, as his nickname suggests.

He is a seasoned veteran with a large scar over his right eye.

As the deputy commander of the 7th Legion, he is also known for his intelligence.

He has planned many strategies as Sephiloh's right-hand man and is renowned for his strategic prowess during the recent conquest of Arsenam.

"But if Deputy Commander Jace has betrayed us, that's a problem."

"Hmm, how so? Explain."

"First, the No. 2 of the 7th Legion has betrayed us. He knows our plans."

"Hmm."

"Second, he is a sharp-witted individual. Although he made a mistake this time by leaving a trace on the map, he might not confess just by being shown the map. He will probably deny it."

"Of course. I would deny it too if I were in his position."

"In that case, it's a problem. We can't punish him without solid evidence..."

I sighed, but then chuckled.

"What's so funny, Commander?"

"No, I just thought, you are still human. That's a human way of thinking, isn't it?"

"Ah, well, I suppose so."

More accurately, it's the way of thinking from my past life.

In Japan, it's not right to punish someone without evidence.

"But we are demons. Demons have their own way of thinking."

"What do you mean?"

"Strike first before being struck! Solid evidence be damned!"

"In other words, you plan to punish the deputy commander without evidence..."

"Exactly!"

Sephiloh said this, but I wasn't particularly surprised.

Rather, I thought it was typical of her.

"What, you're not surprised? I thought you would criticize me."

"Well, I've known the commander for a long time. I expected you to reach this conclusion."

"Does that mean you're already prepared?"

"Yes, I've already had the Undead Brigade prepare for battle."

"In that case, all that's left is to attack the city he governs, Loire. I'll use your Undead Brigade as the main force and send 2-3 more brigades as reinforcements. If necessary, I'll command them myself..."

I interrupted her mid-sentence.

"No, the Undead Brigade alone is sufficient."

"What? You intend to defeat Jace's brigade with just one brigade?"

"Yes, I don't think we'll lose to an equal number of enemies."

"Is that not overconfidence? The art of war is to defeat a smaller force with a larger one."

"I understand that much. However, if we move a legion-sized force, our control over the occupied territories might become lax. It makes sense for my brigade, which is doing the best in the occupation, to take the lead."

"Hmm."

"Moreover, if we move a legion, it might reach the Demon King's ears. It would be wise to avoid that."

"Hmm, you're right."

Still, Sephiloh seemed hesitant, as if something was bothering her.

"What's wrong? Is there something you don't like?"

I asked.

"There are several things I don't like. You've grown up in more ways than just magic. Now there's nothing I can teach you."

I see, it seems she still wants to be my guardian.

We've known each other since childhood.

No matter how much I've grown, she still sees the old me.

She probably wants me to rely on her a bit more.

(...But she's a good caretaker, after all.)

Thinking this, I decided to ask her for a favor.

I asked her to prepare the tools I would need to capture the city of Loire.

When she heard this, her eyes lit up like a child's.

She is, after all, a mad alchemist.

She seemed to understand everything from my proposal.

"You're a genius!"

She exclaimed like a child and patted my back.

I endured for a moment and said,

"Then I'll return to Ivalice. It will take about 6 days to reach the city of Loire. Can you prepare everything by then?"

Sephiloh replied,

"Who do you think you're talking to?"

Without even looking at me, she left the office.

She probably headed straight to the research tower.

At this rate, she would prepare what I asked for in time.