Chapter 29

In the office of the castle of the 7th Legion Commander, Sefiro.

"Hmm, so it was Basteo pulling the strings behind the scenes."

After the report of the incident, her first words were these. Perhaps she was surprised; unusually, she had a serious expression.

I, not to change the atmosphere of the place, but to lighten it, made a joke.

"However, Dullahan is considered one of the highest-ranking Undead. I'm also supposed to be the highest-ranking Undead, the Lich, so I think we can have a pretty good match."

Dullahan is a representative of the Undead, a type of demon.

"A Dullahan is said to be an undead knight who, in life, committed many evil deeds and was resurrected."

In essence, it is a demon with a separated head and body.

If we define the Lich as the most powerful magician among the Undead, then the Dullahan would be the most powerful knight among the Undead.

In modern terms, the Lich is the yokozuna of the East, and the Dullahan is the yokozuna of the West.

But, I doubt the commander, who is a demon from another world, would understand that.

"But, it's not really surprising, is it? Demons have always had bad relationships. Probably, they were jealous of our 7th Legion's success and incited Jace to hinder us."

"Hmm."

Somehow, her response was hesitant.

Is there another reason?

"If that's the case, then it's fine. We can just say that we punished the traitor and be done with it."

"Then, is there something more to this incident?"

"Perhaps there is."

"For example, could this incident be a stepping stone for Basteo to betray the Demon King and become the new Demon King?"

"......"

Sefiro answered with silence.

It seems she thinks so.

"But the current Demon King, Dairokuten, is outstanding in terms of his abilities, popularity, and charisma. He won't give up his throne so easily."

"However, demons are demons. Even if the target is Dairokuten, ... no, perhaps because it's Dairokuten, he could be a target of jealousy."

And she continued.

"Demons are beings full of self-display and a desire for power. If there's an opportunity, any legion commander would aim for the throne of the Demon King. That's the nature of demons."

"...... Well, that's true."

The faces of all seven legion commanders of the Demon King's army came to mind.

They were all people with more than one quirk.

I decided to ask the most eccentric person among them.

"By the way, Commander. You are also a legion commander of 'those' demons. If you had the chance, would you betray the Demon King?"

Sefiro answered the difficult question immediately.

"Betray."

"......"

Really?

I couldn't help but fall silent.

"To see what kind of face you would make, I said that."

She smiled slyly as usual.

"......"

I'll take it as a joke, but what about her true feelings?

She is a demon, after all.

It wouldn't be strange for her to have such ambitions.

"......"

But, thinking calmly, it's unlikely. She's not that kind of person.

She would choose to stay as a legion commander and focus on her research as a mad alchemist rather than take on the responsible position of Demon King.

I decided to respond to Sefiro's joke like this.

"If the Commander were to betray the Demon King, I would follow you as well."

Upon hearing this, Sefiro smiled slyly and replied.

"Really? That's a foolish question. You can only be controlled by me."

She said this with confidence and concluded.

"Then, come with me to the depths of hell! The strongest magician of the Demon King's army!"

I bowed respectfully and, with a slight hint of a joke, said,

"Understood."

And together with her, we headed to the depths of hell, to the 'Demon King's Castle'.