Arifureta : King Of Demons

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"No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Absolutely not!"

Aiko vehemently refused, shaking her head so hard it seemed like it might fall off, at the sudden appointment.

"There's no need to feel so burdened. When I said 'top,' I meant it as a symbolic figurehead. I merely want you to stand as a pillar for the human race; I'll handle the detailed instructions myself."

Aldias wasn't truly entrusting Aiko with the entire army's responsibility. However, with the immediate enemy being enough of a challenge, he couldn't afford an internal division. That's why a figurehead was necessary. The Demonfolk would never defy Aldias's orders. Similarly, the Demi-humans, who owed Aldias a debt of gratitude, and the Dragonfolk, who had no racial discrimination or rifts to begin with, wouldn't be a problem. It was only the humans who might rebel against Aldias when going into battle. If it were just the Empire, it might have been manageable, but there was still some unease regarding the Kingdom's citizens.

"T-Then wouldn't His Majesty Eliheid or Liliana be more suitable!?"

"Indeed, Lord Eliheid or Lady Liliana could certainly inspire the people of the Kingdom."

"Then—"

"That's assuming we Demonfolk weren't here."

"Huh?"

If the Demonfolk hadn't been present in this decisive battle for humanity, or if they had stood as enemies, the words of the royalty might have boosted the morale of the common people. Aiko, known as the "Goddess of Fertility," might have been able to ride that wave and simply incite the soldiers.

However, the matter wasn't so simple. After all, they were being asked to fight alongside the Demonfolk, who they had been warring with for thousands of years. No matter how much it came from the royal family, there would undoubtedly be those who couldn't readily accept it. Especially those whose families had been killed by Demonfolk.

"That's why we need a presence with more influence than the royalty. For that reason, I want you to stand above the kings of each nation and us."

A being who stood at the apex of all nations and races. Especially for humans, if they could position her as someone who stood above Aldias, the Demon King, she could undoubtedly become a symbol for humanity.

"Ugh... but..."

Even so, Aiko couldn't easily nod. She was just a teacher on Earth, yet now she had to suddenly stand as the leader of humanity, even if it was just in name. The pressure was immense.

As she teared up slightly, Aldias felt a touch of guilt, but Schupass's deadline was five days. Two days had already been spent calming the chaos, contacting representatives from each nation, and finally reaching this meeting. Excluding the final battle day, there were only three days left, including today. For Aldias, who wanted to dedicate as much of that time as possible to strengthening their forces, having Aiko stand was the best option.

Hajime, who had been simply observing, then opened his mouth towards Aiko.

"I think you can do it, Teacher."

"Nagumo-kun!? You're always making me do unreasonable things...! Weren't you the one who jokingly propped me up in the first place, causing all this?!"

"Well, yeah, I did kinda do it on a whim back then..."

"You did it on a whim, huh?"

Aiko glared at Hajime with narrowed eyes, but Hajime completely ignored her gaze.

"But I don't think you can't do it, now or then."

"!"

"You managed to bring a troublesome kid who was foolishly bottling things up and rejecting everyone back to normal. Compared to that, dealing with the general public should be easy, right?"

"Nagumo-kun..."

"Besides, if you're going to be given such a position, it's fair to expect some equivalent compensation, right?"

He said, directing his gaze at Aldias, and by extension, the leaders of each nation. Aldias immediately nodded in response to his gaze.

"Yes, of course. As I said earlier, I will issue the instructions. If you have any suggestions, I'll prioritize hearing them. I will accommodate your requests as much as possible if they are within my power. And regarding what happens after this battle... I swear that our nation will cooperate fully on finding a way to return to your original world."

"!"

Returning to Earth. At those words, Aiko's heart wavered slightly. Currently, Hajime was also gathering ancient magic and searching for a way to return, but the more methods they had, the better. Since Hajime had rejected Schupass's proposal, they needed to find a way to return on their own.

"Of course, even if you refuse this, I still intend to assist you in finding a way back. You were originally just caught up in this. There's no need for you to participate in this battle against your will."

While he wanted to dedicate the remaining days to bolstering their forces, Aldias had no intention of forcing someone unrelated to be the army's symbol against their will. Frankly, if Aldias and his allies were defeated, there would be no help for their return anyway, so it was hardly a fair deal. He also felt somewhat apologetic about that. Aiko, of course, was well aware of this. If humanity lost this battle, her own safety, and by extension, her students' safety, wouldn't be guaranteed. Frankly, returning home would be the least of their worries.

Aiko, who had been deep in thought, looking down, slowly raised her head and looked at Hajime beside her.

"...Nagumo-kun, you're going to fight, aren't you?"

"Yeah. If we lose the war, I don't know what'll happen to Shea and the others."

"...I'll do it. Please let me do it! It's my job as a teacher to protect my students! Even if I can't fight alongside you, if someone like me can be of use... I'll do it!"

"...I appreciate your decision. Altina, I'd like you to assist Lady Aiko. Is that alright, Lord Ulfric?"

"Yes, that's fine."

"Eh!? Me!?"

Altina, who had been observing the proceedings, was astonished at suddenly being called by name, but her grandfather, Ulfric, readily agreed.

"I can trust you. The knowledge you've gained in Ferbergen should be useful. And you also hold the position of a Demi-human."

While the possibility of openly doing anything was extremely low, the Demi-humans also harbored strong resentment towards humans. By having Altina by Aiko's side, if even a little of the aversion humans felt towards Demi-humans could be lessened, the Demi-humans' sighs would probably decrease as well.

"Lord Aldias... Yes! I, Altina, will do my very best!"

Though surprised, Altina's heart pounded at being relied upon by her beloved, and she brimmed with motivation. Then, Liliana, who had similarly been only observing the meeting, also spoke up.

"May I also assist with that role?! Given the circumstances of my nation! Though I am still immature, I believe I can be of help to Aiko and the others!"

Upon hearing her words, Aldias glanced at Eliheid. As he didn't know much about Liliana, he seemed to be leaving it to her father, Eliheid, to decide. After resting his chin in his hand for a moment, Eliheid nodded firmly.

"Understood. Then, Lady Liliana, I also ask for your cooperation. Freid, I'll leave the speech draft and arrangements to you."

"Thank you!"

"Understood."

With the discussion reaching a temporary conclusion, they moved on to the next agenda. This included selecting evacuation sites for refugees, plans for reinforcing their forces, and the deployment of each unit on the day of the battle. Most of what could be decided now had been decided. Since the enemy's strength was unknown, they would have to adapt flexibly to the situation on the battlefield.

"Next, regarding the handling of Spasshimself..."

"I'll take care of him," Aldias immediately replied to Freid's words. The others briefly exchanged glances, but no one seemed to object.

Then, Gahard crossed his arms and directed a sharp gaze at Aldias.

"I'm sure you know this, but he's someone who can reshape the world. It won't be easy, you know? No matter how hard the others try, if you lose, we lose this battle. Before, when I asked if you could defeat a god at the Imperial Castle, you said it was a waste of time to think about such things when you couldn't even grasp their shadow."

This was when he had conquered the Empire and explained the truth of the world to Gahard. In response to Gahard's question about defeating a god, Aldias had replied that it wasn't about whether he could win or not, but simply that he would fight. But unlike that time, he now clearly saw the god's form. While he hadn't seen the full extent of its power, it went without saying that even a glimpse of it exuded an aura worthy of the name "god."

"I'll ask you again: can you defeat him?"

At that question, everyone's gaze turned to Aldias. While they hesitated to ask as directly as Gahard, everyone was surely curious.

After a moment of lowering his eyes, Aldias raised his head and stated clearly:

"I will win... No, that's wrong. I must win against him. Seeing him, I realized that again. I am..."

—I was born to destroy the god Schupass...

"---!?"

"Devoured." Everyone instinctively thought so. It wasn't fear... it was different. It wasn't a storm of power to intimidate the enemy, but like a black hole that swallowed everything. It pulled everyone's consciousness in and wouldn't let go. Even Adul, who had lived more than ten times longer than Aldias, felt a chill run down his spine, even though Aldias wasn't even looking at him.

At the same time, they couldn't help but feel hope. The enemy was a transcendent being with immense power, capable of reshaping the world. Could "humans" defeat "god"? No one could definitively answer that question. Not even the leaders gathered in this room were an exception. However, if it was Aldias... if it was the one who had annihilated Ehit and Alv, even if he was an acquired god, perhaps it was possible. Such was the imposing aura of a king.

A "king" isn't merely defined by strength. It's about overwhelming power, wisdom to see a thousand miles ahead, and, above all, immense charisma that makes the people believe they will be safe if they follow this king. Aldias's presence overwhelmed and consumed not only his own people but even the kings of other races.

Amidst this, there was one person who showed a bewildered expression.

"Lord Aldias...?"

It was Freid. Indeed, Freid, more than anyone, deeply admired Aldias's kingly aura. At the same time, he was proud. This was the king of their Demonfolk...

However, at Aldias's previous statement. The moment he heard it, Freid was struck by a fleeting sense of unease. He couldn't explain what it was. He couldn't describe it. Yet, for a moment, Aldias felt like he wasn't the Aldias he knew. It felt as if his beloved brother had gone somewhere far away.

Reacting to the words that had escaped his mouth without hiding his confusion, Aldias turned around.

And then—

"Freid? Is something wrong?"

There was Aldias, with his usual unchanging expression.

"Ah... N-No, it's nothing."

"Is that so?"

Freid, snapping back to reality, hastily replied that it was nothing. Aldias tilted his head slightly, looking a bit puzzled, but seemingly convinced, he turned his gaze back.

(...Was it just my imagination? I'm getting lax.)

It seemed that the past two days of commanding from various fronts without proper rest had accumulated fatigue. Everything before this was just preparation. The real challenge began now. Such a state of disarray could lead to serious mistakes when it mattered most. Shaking his head slightly, Freid switched his mindset and smoothly continued the meeting. The faint sense of unease he had felt was already completely gone from his mind.

After the meeting concluded, and everyone began to move about busily, Aldias headed to a location within the castle with Hajime.

"Development department?"

"Yes. It primarily handles the development and production of national defense mechanisms, weaponry, and artifacts. Your work would be efficient there."

It was a new department Aldias had created to fully utilize the benefits of his creation magic after acquiring it. Although creation magic itself could only be used by Aldias, based on the technology found deep within the Orcus Labyrinth, the level of the workshop had dramatically increased compared to before.

"No, I appreciate it, but wouldn't it be better to go to Oscar's place then? That'd be better, right?"

He didn't know the extent of the workshop Aldias had created, but Oscar's hideout had sufficient materials and familiar equipment. Using the Proof of Conquest and the shortcut through the Raisen Great Canyon, he could get there immediately.

"That's impossible."

"Huh? Why?"

"I don't know where the crucial Raisen Great Canyon is."

"Where is it, that's... Oh, right."

Aldias, who should have conquered the Raisen Labyrinth, couldn't possibly not know the location of the Raisen Great Canyon. Hajime tilted his head, wondering why he was asking such a question, but then quickly realized his misunderstanding.

"Because of him... Schupass, the world's geography has changed. The Raisen Great Canyon is no exception."

He hadn't just been busy suppressing the chaos around the world for the past two days. He had also simultaneously confirmed the changed surrounding geography. What he discovered was the fact that, excluding the Kingdom, absolutely no scenery remained exactly as it was before. Where the Raisen Great Canyon used to be, a vast plain overgrown with vegetation stretched out, as if it had never existed in the first place. Since the coordinates had changed, even Aldias's transfer using "Shadow Star" would only take him to the location where the Raisen Great Canyon existed.

Incidentally, Hajime, upon learning of Aldias's super long-distance transfer magic, initially wondered if he could have used it from the start to quickly quell the surrounding chaos and grasp the situation. However, he then learned that only Aldias could use it, and if forced upon others, there was a risk of only parts of their bodies transferring, which made his cheeks twitch.

"There's not much time until the war starts. I'm sorry, but bear with it there."

"Guess there's no choice."

As they talked and walked down the corridor, they saw a castle guard rushing towards them from the front.

"Lord Aldias. So you were here."

"What's wrong?"

"Actually, just now, a Rabbitman girl came to the castle looking for Sir Hajime."

"Rabbitman? Shea?"

"Yes, I believe that was her name... And a Merfolk parent and child are with her."

"...Merfolk?"

In Hajime's mind, the image of a daughter who adored him as her father and her mother surfaced.

"Papaaah!"

"It's been a while, dear."

"It was Myu and Remia after all."

The moment Aldias and Hajime entered the waiting area near the castle gate, led by the guard, a young girl with characteristic long emerald green hair jumped into Hajime's chest. As Hajime had expected, the Merfolk parent and child were Myu and Remia. When Hajime asked why they were there, it seemed they had simply come to see him because they were worried.

Elisen, the town where the two lived, was also affected by the transfer without exception. When the town was in a panic, the Royal Knight Order appeared, and since the royal capital was close, all the town's residents seemed to have moved to the royal capital. This was partly because an evacuation destination hadn't been decided yet, but also based on the judgment that it would be safer to move in a group to reduce dangers along the way. There, they coincidentally ran into Shea, who informed them of the situation. The two then pleaded with Shea to bring them to Hajime.

"I'm sorry. I thought it might be intrusive to bother you when you're busy, but I just really wanted to see your face..."

"Papa, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I see, it seems I made you worry... Yes, Papa's fine."

"Hehe, I'm glad to hear that. And..."

Remia, confirming Hajime's safety, smiled with a hand on her cheek, then shifted her gaze from Hajime to Aldias, who was nearby.

"You've grown so much. I barely recognized you, Aldias-kun."

"It's been a while, Remia-san."

"...Eh?"

"Umyu?"

After a beat, Hajime and Shea's eyes widened, and they froze, while Myu tilted her head in confusion.

"Huh!? You know Remia!?"

"Yes, eight years ago."

"When I was walking along the coast with that person, monsters suddenly appeared from the sea once. He helped me then..."

According to Remia, eight years ago, when Myu wasn't even born yet, she was on a beach date with Myu's biological father, who was her boyfriend at the time, when monsters suddenly appeared from the sea. Surprised that monsters, who should normally live offshore, had appeared in such shallow waters, the two tried to flee in a panic. However, the monsters were faster than they expected and quickly cornered them. Just when they thought it was over and gave up hope, Aldias and Aletia appeared.

"I was really surprised then. Fiery spears suddenly rained down from the sky."

"My apologies. We were also cutting it close."

"No, no, if it weren't for Aldias-kun and your companion... I might not have been blessed with this child."

She said, gently stroking Myu's head, who was being held by Hajime.

"I see, so you have a daughter... You call Hajime 'Papa,' but what about Finn-san?"

"My husband passed away five years ago..."

"...I'm sorry, I asked an impolite question."

"No, there were many things back then, but I have Myu. And besides..."

Seeing Remia's expression slightly darken, he regretted asking so casually, even though he hadn't known. Aldias immediately apologized, but Remia didn't seem to mind, smiling as she looked at Myu. And then...

"My husband is also here for me."

"No, Remia, that way of addressing me..."

"Remia-san!? What are you doing!?"

As if approaching Hajime, who was holding Myu, she playfully placed a hand on his shoulder. Hajime and Shea retorted at Remia's usual demeanor, but she just smiled "Hehe" and showed no signs of leaving.

"...I see."

Aldias nodded slightly. He was the only one there who had met Remia's husband (then boyfriend). In fact, they had been invited to dinner as a thank you for saving them. He had refused many times, saying he was a Demonfolk, but since the two insisted, he had modified his appearance slightly to hide himself so that other residents wouldn't notice, and ended up joining them. He had thought they were unusual people for that era, but he never imagined that in eight years, they would have a daughter and call a boy younger than him "husband."

"...I see."

Taking a deep breath, Aldias nodded again. Unusually for him, he seemed to have failed to fully grasp something after hearing it only once.

(Finn-san. Remia-san is doing well. Please rest assured.)

Aldias silently offered a prayer for Remia's husband, who was probably in heaven. In short, he stopped thinking about it. Afterwards, deeming it inappropriate to stay too long, the two and Shea quickly returned to the capital. Myu looked back many times, seemingly reluctant to leave, but believing Hajime's words, "I will definitely keep my promise," she departed with Remia.

"You've taken up your time. Shall we go?"

"Yeah. Hajime, go to the workshop first. I'll join you as soon as I finish my business. I'm sorry, but please guide Hajime."

"Understood."

"Business? Will it take long?"

"No, my business is in the castle's basement. It should be done in ten minutes... That guy, did he think he was being helpful?"

Hajime tilted his head slightly at Aldias's displeased muttering.

Demon King's Castle - Underground Dungeon.

A prison facility located deep beneath the castle for housing criminals. Aldias was in its deepest part. A sturdy prison for housing those who had committed great crimes that could shake the nation. It seemed it had previously been used to hold rebels against the gods, but currently, there were no prisoners housed there. Relying on the lights installed on the walls, Aldias continued walking without hesitation. He then entered the largest cell at the very end, and stared intently at the place where there should have been nothing but a plain, unadorned stone wall.

"...Is this the place mentioned in the report?"

While Aldias and his allies were busy quelling the world's chaos, the Demonfolk soldiers who remained in the Demon Capital weren't simply idly playing around. Although the nation itself had been transferred, it didn't mean that nothing inside had changed. Confirmation of the safety of the Demon Capital's residents. Inspection of facilities. Verification of suspicious individuals. There was an endless list of things that needed to be done.

They checked all of these with the entire force of soldiers, and there were no issues with the residents' safety, nor were there any who were feeling unwell. However, the soldiers, who had thoroughly searched the castle, discovered the only thing that had completely changed from before the transfer. This was what they found at the very back of the dungeon.

(It's too convenient for it to have transferred here by chance... He definitely transferred it here intentionally. Did he anticipate that I would notice?)

At the end of Aldias's gaze. From the faint presence he felt, even without a report from the soldiers, he would have noticed it himself. He definitely sensed his... Schupass's intention.

(It's against my will to do as he says, but in any case, her power is necessary. It can't be helped.)

After a slight sigh, he placed his hand on a part of the wall that differed in color from the original dungeon's stone wall. Then, Thud! The wall suddenly rotated, sending Aldias to the other side.

The deepest part of the dungeon, now empty. On the section of the wall with the different color, a rectangular sign, seemingly carved directly into the wall, exuded a strong presence. In contrast, it was engraved with cute, rounded letters, like a little girl's handwriting, that read:

Welcome! To Miledi Raisen's Exciting Labyrinth ♪

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