Episode 62
"What... do you mean by that?"
"Exactly as I said. Lord Frey Raon Starlight, from today onward, will serve as the highest executive of the Demon Lord's Army..."
It was so absurd that I found myself asking again without thinking, and the Second-in-Command smiled solemnly and began speaking once more.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Listening to his words in a daze, I urgently cut him off, afraid someone might overhear.
"Ah, it's fine. I've used spatial magic to twist the surrounding space and block any sound."
The Second-in-Command looked around as if telling me not to worry, and I could only nod while feeling complicated emotions.
"Then, let's be on our way. Everyone is waiting for Lord Frey."
"Just wait, wait a moment. First, let me send that carriage."
When he tried to grab my arm and use magic, I urgently stepped back, left those words behind, and started running toward the carriage.
"Young master, what on earth is going on?"
"F-Frey! Are you okay?"
When I opened the carriage door, Cania and Irina looked at me with pale faces.
As expected, they too seemed to remember quite well the terrifying side the Second-in-Command had shown in the previous iteration.
"Guys, I'm just going somewhere for a bit."
I tried to brush it off vaguely since I didn't want to worry them, but Cania urgently grabbed my arm and spoke.
"Tell me what's going on, even vaguely. Otherwise, I won't let go."
"Uh... me too."
Irina beside her also timidly grabbed my arm and murmured, and eventually I let out a deep sigh and whispered.
"...I became a Demon Lord's Army executive."
After saying that, I glared at Irina who was holding my arm, then left behind Cania who had become dazed upon hearing my words, and Irina who was looking at me with an equally blank expression, and started walking back to the Second-in-Command.
"Are they acquaintances?"
When the carriage that had departed rattled away into the distance, the Second-in-Command before me tilted his head and asked.
"Yeah, that's... you could say that."
"Lord Frey, you don't need to use honorifics with me. After all, you are now the highest executive of the Demon Lord's Army."
Making a confused expression at his words, I soon frowned slightly and began to speak.
"Uh... but you are..."
"It's fine. You are the highest executive personally chosen by the Demon Lord. Looking solely at positions within the Demon Lord's Army, you are equal in rank to me... so you may speak informally to me as much as you like."
But hearing the words that came from the Second-in-Command who had interrupted me, I couldn't continue speaking and muttered with a dazed expression.
"I'm... equal to you?"
"My, it seems you're someone who finds honorifics more comfortable than informal speech? Then it can't be helped. Of course, if you feel like it, you may speak informally whenever you wish."
"I understand that, but why has someone who was merely a pawn of the Demon Lord's Army suddenly become equal to you? Isn't there some kind of mistake?"
I started pinning all my hopes on the possibility that some internal error in the Demon Lord's Army had caused this laughable situation, but the Second-in-Command looked at me and began speaking in a calm voice.
"Quite a humble person, I see."
"Pardon?"
"However, excessive humility can be harmful."
As the Second-in-Command hardened his expression while saying that, I eventually let out a deep sigh and muttered.
"Well, I'll think about what happened later... but right now I have something to do..."
"Then, let us depart."
But the Second-in-Command interrupted me once more and snapped his fingers, and the next moment I found myself in a corner of the back alley.
'...I'm going crazy.'
It's true that I had thought any variables or unexpected situations would be within my control, but isn't this too much?
Becoming a highest executive of the Demon Lord's Army overnight, and me, a Hero, being equal in rank to the Second-in-Command of the Demon Lord's Army...
'Is it a trap...?'
It occurred to me that this might be a trap set by the Demon Lord who had figured out I was the Hero, but no matter how I thought about it, that didn't seem to be the case.
If he wanted to kill me, he could just secretly order his subordinates to do it. Why would he go out of his way to send the Second-in-Command to respectfully escort me?
Of course, he could be being extremely cautious in trying to kill me. But there's decisive evidence right before my eyes.
[Demirkan's current emotions: Tension/Respect/Recognition/Affection/Reassurance]
If this were some kind of operation, there's no way that guy, who holds the position of Second-in-Command and even came to fetch me personally, wouldn't know about it.
But his current emotions toward me are completely friendly. So... there's a very high probability that what the Second-in-Command is telling me is true.
If so, why on earth did the Demon Lord make such a crazy choice?
'I don't know what it is, but that Demon Lord fellow... there's definitely something going on.'
"This way, Lord Frey."
"Ah, yes."
Lost in thought for a while, I quickly moved my feet at the Second-in-Command's call and asked a question.
"By the way... where is this?"
"This is a space created by my spatial domination ability. It's located in the back alley, but ordinary methods cannot enter it."
Hearing that, I clicked my tongue at the Second-in-Command's ability and quietly began walking through the alley.
"Here it is, you may enter through here."
"This is... a pub?"
The place we arrived at was a shabby pub. Wondering if this was some kind of test, I frowned and looked at it, but the Second-in-Command smiled and spoke.
"Does it still look like a pub to you?"
And the moment those words ended, a massive underground passage appeared before my eyes instead of the pub.
"...Since it's already an isolated space, why is the security so heavy?"
"The more thorough the security, the better. If a Hero were to infiltrate this place, there would be no greater disaster."
Watching the underground passage, I asked the Second-in-Command out of curiosity, and he answered with a serious expression.
"Hero... you say?"
"Exactly. A Hero has appeared."
Hearing that answer, my legs felt weak, so I pretended to be nonchalant and asked, but the Second-in-Command continued speaking with a still serious expression.
"The battle from 1000 years ago is about to happen again. Of course, the outcome will be different."
"Uh... I suppose so?"
"Yes, the current Demon Lord who has revealed himself to the world after 1000 years is... truly the strongest."
"The strongest, you say? That alone doesn't give me much of a sense of it."
Accepting his words, I asked with a face full of curiosity when the mention of the Demon Lord's strength came up.
"Just how strong is the Demon Lord?"
"Are you asking about the Demon Lord's current strength?"
The Second-in-Command, who had been lost in thought for a moment, whispered in a low voice.
"He wiped out my attack with just a movement of one finger. A truly remarkable person."
"The future of the Demon Lord's Army looks bright."
Hearing his words, I spoke pleasantries with my mouth, but inside I was cursing.
The position of Second-in-Command in the Demon Lord's Army is not an easy one. The man beside me right now is literally the second strongest person in the Demon Lord's Army.
But to neutralize such a man's attack with just a flick of a finger... I have no idea what the Demon Lord ate to become that strong.
"Let's end the small talk here and go inside. All the executives are waiting for Lord Frey."
"Yes... let's."
Lost in thought for a moment, the Second-in-Command opened the passage door and started hurrying me.
'...Should I fire a killing blow as soon as I enter?'
Looking at the dark passage and moving my feet, I touched my sword thinking that if I took out all the Demon Lord's Army executives here, the situation might improve, but then dismissed the thought.
If the executives are gathered, there will certainly be combat executives among them.
Unlike regular executives, if combat executives and the Second-in-Command notice something strange, killing everyone before a penalty appears is nearly impossible, so once inside, I'll have to just sit quietly and assess the situation.
"Kueeee!"
"Kroooo!"
As I was descending the stairs with the Second-in-Command while thinking such thoughts, terrible sounds began to be heard from somewhere.
"What are those things?"
"They are highest-grade magical creatures. They guard the entrance."
Smiling as he said that, the Second-in-Command began petting the black gargoyle and Cerberus that had approached right in front of us.
"Aren't they truly adorable? Lord Frey, why don't you try petting them as well?"
"Ah... I'm fine."
I was staring dumbfounded at the absurd situation where creatures that would overturn the entire nation if they appeared in the Empire were lying on their backs receiving the Second-in-Command's pets, and I urgently refused his suggestion and took a step back.
"Heh heh heh..."
"Ugh..."
Then the black Cerberus that had been gleaming its eyes suddenly pounced on me and started licking my face.
"How surprising."
I found the creature somewhat cute and was unknowingly petting its head when the Second-in-Command, who had been watching the scene with interest, spoke in a low voice.
"This is the first time the Cerberus hasn't bitten the face of someone who came here for the first time."
"Uh... is that so?"
When I asked with a dumbfounded expression, the Second-in-Command who had been quietly looking at me threw a word and then started descending the stairs again.
"It seems you have taken its liking quite a bit."
Hearing those words, I looked with a servile expression at the Cerberus that was continuing to lick me.
"Heh... heh..."
"Good, seems like I fooled it for now."
Eventually, I gave the creature's head a light flick and began suppressing my mana as much as possible.
The Cerberus's magic eyes are specialized in detecting pure energy.
Since it has a mission to guard the entrance to places where dirty deeds occur, letting pure energy inside is something it cannot tolerate.
Therefore, I should have just been attacked by the Cerberus.
However, I have the Stone of Domination in my pocket that I've been carrying since the kidnapping incident during the last practical evaluation to prepare for unexpected situations.
So making the creature like me is as easy as eating cold porridge.
Probably the Second-in-Command has finished judging that I am a person filled with evilness after seeing the Cerberus enthusiastically welcoming me.
"Good job, now stop licking and go stand over there."
"Woof woof!"
After finishing the deception, I sent the Cerberus that had been licking my face to where the gargoyle was, and continued following the Second-in-Command.
"Opening this door will reveal the secret conference room. Are you ready?"
After descending for quite a while, the Second-in-Command and I arrived in front of a door with quite complex magical barriers on it.
"Ah, just a moment."
Hearing that there would be executives behind this door, I took a deep breath and began suppressing the mana within my body.
Normally I already suppress my mana to near perfection to store explosive power, but if it's Demon Lord's Army executives... and combat executives at that, the story changes.
Since they might stab me in the back at any moment, I need to be fully prepared to counter at any time.
"Yes, I'm ready. Now let's go in."
Having finished suppressing my mana with great care for a while, I spoke to the Second-in-Command beside me in a calm voice.
"I would appreciate it if you call me 'Demirkan' in there, Lord Frey."
As the Second-in-Command slowly approached the door, he released the barrier and spoke to me in a low voice.
Of course, I already knew his alias, but without showing it, I nodded, and the barrier disappeared in an instant and the door began to slowly open.
"Everyone, please welcome with grand applause. This is Lord Frey Raon Starlight, who has been appointed as the highest executive of the Demon Lord's Army starting today."
When the door fully opened, Demirkan spoke in a polite voice, and soon applause began to be heard from inside.
'...To think such a day would come in my life.'
Entering with the applause, quite familiar faces began to come into my view.
Of course, I had to maintain a calm expression as if I didn't know them, and Demirkan began leading me to the head seat.
"I can sit in that empty seat over there."
The head seat was too burdensome, so I pointed to an empty seat at the end, but Demirkan frowned and spoke.
"The Demon Lord's Army makes the seat of a deceased executive permanently vacant to show respect."
"Ah, then..."
"That seat originally belonged to the Succubus Queen."
Hearing those words, I briefly recalled her appearance as her head flew off from my sword, then quietly followed behind Demirkan to the head seat.
"Now then... since everyone is gathered, let's begin the meeting..."
"Wait a moment."
Feeling considerable pressure as I sat in the head seat, Demirkan tried to start the meeting, but someone stopped his words with a cold voice.
"What is the matter?"
"It's simple. I cannot acknowledge this greenhorn."
And when that next statement came out, the conference room froze cold.
"Are you saying right now that you wish to object to the Demon Lord's decision?"
In that atmosphere, when Demirkan asked with sharp eyes, the protagonist of this incident stood up from his seat and spoke with a proud expression.
"That's right."
Then, the executives gathered in the conference room began to murmur.
'...He's the one holding the lowest position among the combat executives.'
Amidst that chaos, I began recalling the guy's personal information by retracing my memories from the previous iteration.
That guy is a half-blood of demon and orc, boasting terrible destructive power even among the combat executives.
Probably, aside from Ferloche's power or the Demon Lord's power, there wouldn't be many people who could beat that guy in pure strength.
Of course, he's a guy who, like someone I know, is simple-minded and only strong, so his actual combat ability is quite low.
"I endured it even when the Demon Lord didn't reveal his identity. I endured it even when he announced the Hero's appearance but didn't tell us the Hero's identity. And I endured following orders from you, the Second-in-Command, instead of the Demon Lord."
And such a guy, now fully enraged, is walking toward where I am. What should I do?
"But I cannot endure a human... and a weak one at that, standing above me."
Saying that, the guy stood before me, snorting and began to speak.
"Therefore, I, Liheer, descendant of great orcs and bearer of demonic blood, declare... draw your sword."
"Pardon?"
"Whether you are worthy of that seat or not, I will personally judge."
Hearing those words and staring blankly for a moment, I turned my head and looked at Demirkan and spoke.
"Isn't this... rebellion?"
Then Demirkan chuckled and began whispering in my ear.
"The Demon Lord's Army's executives operate on a thorough meritocracy. Therefore, one can challenge a superior they think is less skilled than themselves at any time."
"Ah..."
"Well, isn't it a good opportunity? There were many executives dissatisfied with the Demon Lord's decision this time. So... take this opportunity to show your ability and clear up any discord."
When Demirkan finished speaking and clapped his hands, the conference room's space distorted and quickly began to expand.
"Um, aren't we having a meeting?"
"Can we conduct a meeting in this situation?"
I tried to somehow avoid fighting, but hearing Demirkan's words and looking around, the executives were watching me with interested expressions.
"...Is the Demon Lord's Army always like this?"
"This is everyday occurrence."
I asked with an incredulous expression, wondering if these people were really the terrifying Demon Lord's Army that had covered the real world in blood and fire, and Demirkan answered with a look asking why I would ask such a thing.
"You'll get quite used to it too, Lord Frey."
"No, even so, this is..."
"Then, let's go meet the challenger."
Eventually, dragged along helplessly by Demirkan who grabbed my arm, I sighed and thought I should use appropriate force, but...
"Ah, and if you don't go all out, the next opponent will be me."
"What does that mean?"
Demirkan, who had brought me right in front of the orc guy, spoke with a cold expression, so I flinched slightly and asked back.
"...Since you are currently in an equal position to me, if you use force moderately, challengers will keep appearing. Then... the meeting might not start even after a week passes."
Hearing that the meeting might not start even after a week passes, I began to make an expression of astonishment.
"Thanks to that, I spent a whole month receiving challenges."
"Seriously?"
"It's just a story from my experience."
Demirkan, who finished saying that, patted my shoulder and returned to his seat.
"Are you prepared? Feeble human?"
"Haha... ha..."
Fallen into a dilemma, I eventually started laughing with an expression of resignation.
"Hahahaha... haha..."
Everything is annoying.
Why on earth did that damn Demon Lord make the choice to designate me as a highest executive at this point... whether he's found out my identity or not...
Why does the prophecy keep being wrong, why do memories keep misaligning, why does the system keep making me annoyed...
No matter how thoroughly and meticulously I prepare, everything keeps going awry. Thanks to that, stress keeps building up and I feel like I'll go crazy.
If so, rather than just... everything...
"...Hah."
"?"
When I suddenly opened my eyes wide, the orc in front of me started tilting his head.
Ignoring that orc, I began ruminating on a thought that had crossed my mind the moment I was about to lose control.
"Let me ask one thing."
"What."
"Is it true that the Demon Lord has not revealed his identity to anyone until now?"
Having finished my thought, I asked the foolish-looking orc before me while muttering inwardly.
'I'm tired of living while being swayed by variables.'
"Yes, he has never revealed himself even once until now."
"Thank you for the answer."
Being swayed by uncontrollable variables, being pushed around by unpredictable situations here and there while suffering losses and being toyed with by the system... I'm sick and tired of it now.
Therefore...
"Then, let's begin."
"Ha, is that bravado? If you know your place now and bow down..."
"Shut up and come at me."
Speaking fiercely to the orc before me, I drew out the full power embedded in my body.
"W-wait..."
"What are you doing, why aren't you attacking."
Exploding the star's mana that I had carefully stored deep inside all at once, and raising the output of the 'Hero's power' inherited from my ancestors to maximum.
Tensing every muscle in my body, breathing in and out, adjusting so that all power spreads to every corner of my body.
"That is..."
"If you're going to keep standing still, then I'll make the move."
Filling the expanded room with my energy, I approached the orc trembling before me with a cold rebuke.
"Ha, I surrender! I surrender!!"
Then, the guy before me urgently knelt and started begging.
Well, a greenhorn positioned at the very end of the combat executives couldn't possibly stand against me when I'm using full power.
Probably, that guy too must have already grasped the fate he would face even before fighting.
"Are there any other challengers?"
Looking down coldly at the orc who had lost the will to fight and was just trembling, I asked the executives who were watching the scene in a daze.
"............"
Of course, no one responded.
Regular executives go without saying, and even combat executives must have already envisioned the outcome of the fight in their minds when I started using full power.
Infinitely strong toward the weak, infinitely weak toward the strong.
They were vividly showing the Demon Lord's Army's despicable yet efficient way of survival.
"You did very well, Lord Frey."
When the situation was resolved, Demirkan began speaking with a satisfied smile.
"I don't think anyone will object to Lord Frey's qualifications now. Right?"
When the executives answered Demirkan's words with heavy silence, Demirkan quietly began speaking to me in a soft tone as I stood in the duel arena.
"It seems you've already adapted to the Demon Lord's Army, Lord Frey. Now, we should start the meeting, so please return to your..."
"I still have the right to exercise my authority, don't I?"
"Pardon?"
But I pointed my sword at him and cut off his words, dropping a bombshell statement.
"I challenge you, Demirkan."
And immediately after that statement ended, cold air began to circulate in the conference room.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Having two Second-in-Commands... is a bit uncomfortable, you see."
When I answered calmly to him who asked with an interested expression, Demirkan quietly rose from his seat and threw a word at me.
"My, it seems you've adapted a bit too well."
Looking at him and smiling, I quietly began muttering the thought that had crossed my mind earlier.
"...There's no reason I can't do it either."
Now it's my turn to become the variable, not the system, not the Demon Lord.