Chapter 67

Thus, the Undying Brigade, having gained such formidable reinforcements, continued to be blessed with good fortune. The representatives of the town gathered and offered their cooperation.

The head of the Merchant Guild, the head of the Adventurer Guild, the leaders of various sects, and even the owner of a bakery all came together to offer their assistance.

They all said in unison,

"Lord Ike, we hear you are in trouble. Please allow us to help."

I couldn't help but ask in return,

"Is it really all right? We are the army of the Demon King, you know?"

Their response to this was simple. The head of the Merchant Guild said,

"Since Lord Ike has been governing this town, it has become several times more prosperous than before."

A priestess of a certain sect said,

"Since Lord Ike began ruling this town, freedom of religion has been recognized. The previous lord, Lord Edward, persecuted believers of any deity other than the Mother Goddess Asham."

A recent refugee who had come to the town said,

"This town accepted us rootless people and even gave us jobs. If it weren't for Lord Ike, we would probably be dead or have become bandits by now."

Everyone expressed their gratitude, and it seemed their words were sincere. The King of the Dwarves, Gunther, said,

"I have lived for 80 years, but I have never seen a town where the people live so abundantly and vibrantly. This town still has a lot of potential for growth."

"I hope so."

I genuinely thought so. Therefore, when I turned to the people of the town, I decided to trust them.

"While we are away, the humans of the Alliance of Kings might attack. If that happens, do not resist and surrender immediately."

I left a small number of troops to maintain order and provide minimal defense, but if the townspeople also cooperated, they might be punished after the war. That was not what I wanted.

I repeated,

"Do not resist and surrender immediately."

After dismissing them, they all said, "Good luck," "Please do your best," and "We pray for your safety" as they left.

The Demon King, who had been watching the scene from a distance, approached and said,

"You seem to be a lord who is well-respected by the people."

"Is that so? I am just governing as usual."

"That's why everyone struggles. The other demons can't do what you do."

"Ah, well, the captain often says I am too lenient."

"This is a scene you wouldn't see in a town ruled by other demons. No, not even in a human town. It's rare to see a lord who is so beloved—"

The Demon King paused and then continued,

"Before, I said that I aim for a world where humans and demons can coexist."

I looked into her serious eyes and replied,

"Yes."

"It seems that world has already been created in this town."

She paused again and then continued,

"To coexist with humans, we must fight alongside them. I believe this town can be a model for that."

Hearing this, I immediately understood what the Demon King was thinking.

"So, you want me to gather volunteers from the townspeople and use them as a fighting force?"

"Exactly."

She nodded.

"But isn't that dangerous? If the Demon King's army uses human power, the rumor will spread. Some demons will not be pleased."

"In the past, some Demon Kings used humans as war slaves. Some placed human countries under their dominion and made them provide soldiers."

"But this time it's different. We are 'cooperating' with humans. And the Demon King will be seen as too lenient."

She extended her arm to me. What did she mean? When I was confused, she asked me to lick it. It seemed she wanted me to check if she was 'too lenient.' I found it oddly interesting that she would make such a joke, but of course, I didn't lick her.

After a moment of silence, the Demon King said,

"I am fully aware that I am too lenient. From the moment I declared coexistence with humans, I knew some demons would oppose me. It's just a matter of time. Moreover, if you cannot make the humans follow you, no other demon could possibly do it."

"So, you want to use this as a test to see if I can make the humans follow me?"

"Exactly. If the volunteers from this town follow your orders and contribute to victory in battle, I will recognize the humans and other sub-humans and incorporate them into the Demon King's army."

Hearing this, I was speechless. It was a more radical idea than I had imagined.

Perhaps the Demon King had come to Ivalice with this intention from the beginning. If she were to implement it, it would shock the Demon King's army.

It might even create traitors like Bastéo. However, it seemed the Demon King was determined to take this path.

"Unifying the world and coexisting with humans sounds good, but what I am doing now is war. No matter what, a lot of blood will be shed. But if we can achieve peace, the bloodshed will stop. I want to see a peaceful world, even once."

"………………"

This girl's past life was a daimyo of the Warring States period. She died before unifying the country. In this life, she became a Demon King for some reason. She has never seen a peaceful world. Sefiro said,

"The Demon King was born into a prestigious demon family but had an extraordinary life, filled with continuous power struggles from a young age."

She was nearly assassinated by her own mother with poison. She fought with her own siblings for the family succession, and in a bloody conflict, she killed them. She had a childhood like something out of the Warring States period. Perhaps because of this, she yearns for a peaceful era more than anyone else.

The Demon King turned to me again and asked,

"Will you help me create that world?"

It would be hard to refuse such a request from the Supreme Commander of the Demon King's army, or from such a delicate girl.

I thought about it and, bowing respectfully, said,

"As you wish. But,"

I asked the Demon King,

"Is it even possible for someone like me?"

The Demon King answered. The girl replied clearly,

"I don't know. But if you can't do it, no one else can."

She said this firmly and then relaxed her lips slightly.