Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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SS The One Lurking in the Darkness


This time it's from the Demon King's perspective.

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　After the battle with the heroes was over, I became busy in a different sense.
　While there were so many things to do, such as restoring the city and communicating with the Kingdom of Lingle, I was in the hall that had been converted into a home office, looking through documents incessantly.

"Demon King-sama, why don't you rest for a bit?"
"Don't worry. I've been using sorcery to control time, and to get some sleep."
"Ah, I guess you'll be fine then."
"..."

　I wonder why Ciel's reactions seem so nonchalant.
　It's been like this ever since she and Kannagi became closer.

"Come in"
"Excuse me."

　Entering the office with a respectful gesture was Gillette, the former assistant commander of the First Corps of the Demon King's Army.
　Although he was an elderly demon, he was a man who had supported Nero.
　I used sorcery to pull up the documents he was holding, and quickly looked through them.

"About what happened after the Demon Army was disbanded———"

　Is the content about the new organization to be created?
　It is necessary to disband the war fighting force called the Demon King's Army and create a group that can be called a vigilante group, an organization for the demon tribe to conduct the autonomy of the city from now on.
　This is not to abandon all means of combat, but only as a means of self-defense against other attacks.

"Yeah, and about that matter, how is it going?"
"Yes, Hyulk-dono is currently conducting research to put it into practical use."
"I see. Don't forget to report back. ———You can leave now."
"Yes, sir."

　I cross my arms as I watch Gillette leave.
　We have lost the war, but what value can we show to the Kingdom of Lingle or any other country?
　Needless to say, it would be none other than my existence.
　"Lost Knowledge"
　It would be possible to ask for supplies and other items from the human side as a condition of exchange by offering them in accordance with the magic technology of this era.

"It is only in accordance with the technology of this era...But"

　Anything more than that could cause a conflict if done poorly.
　Since I have a promise to him, I'm not going to do anything that might cause a conflict myself, so I intend to keep that line of thought.

"Muh..."
"How can I help you?"

　Suddenly sensing the presence of sorcery, he points his palm towards a corner of the office.
　Using sorcery, I create water in a section of the hall, which moves on its own and transforms into a mirror-like shape.

"Th-This is...?"
"Ciel, I'll make you leave for a bit."
"Eh, ah, agaiiin?!"

　After the flustered Ciel was transferred by sorcery, I looked in the mirror and immediately saw the reflection of the one who had tried to communicate with me by sorcery———Falga, the divine dragon.

"What do you want, Falga?"
『...Who would willingly want to see your face?』

　I chuckle wryly at Falga's rudeness.
　Well, the fact that he took the trouble to contact me must mean that something is going on.

『Looks like it's finally showing its tail, just as you predicted.』
"...Oh, so things are finally starting to move. If so... did it appear where Usato was?"
『...Yeah』

　I sigh as I lean my back against the back of the chair.
　According to the talk, it seems that they encountered Usato and his master, Rose, in a cemetery in the Kingdom of Lingle.
　The two healing wizards, sensing his presence, attacked him, and as a result, he escaped with his wings ripped off ... I wonder how such an interesting situation could have been triggered?

『The reason they started moving is probably because you are weak.』
"I suppose so."

　I am now deprived of 70% of my power.
　Not only am I unable to handle more power than I had in my prime, but I have not yet recovered my magical power due to my defeat by Usato and others.

"Have you told the humans about this?"

　At my words, Falga's reflection at the end of the mirror looks stunned.

『Don't be stupid. People probably think that it exists only as a fantasy. ...The King of Lingle seems to have taken it seriously, though.』

　I guess so.
　The king of that country is aware of Falga's existence, so it would be strange for him not to believe it.

"I never thought that Hisago had even sealed the “devil”. But it does explain why there hasn't been any real conflict for the past few hundred years."

　The devil is a being that stirs up evil in humans.
　They use magic to confuse people's minds and cause war.
　They absorb the fear that is born from it and use it for their own power.

『I knew he had killed most of the devils... but to think he had sealed some of them away and kept them alive... did they awaken only recently?』
"No, it will not be so different from the time when I awoke from my seal."

　Originally, they are underhanded beings who have no intention of fighting me.
　I can guess why they have begun to move, and what their objectives are, but...the reality is that we can't act immediately either.
　Especially in my case, if I act carelessly, it will make humans distrust me.

"But it seems like Usato is quite hated."
『Was it at your instigation?』
"Hmph, what are you talking about?"

　Falga laughs at me for pretending not to know.

"The devil is a being whose power comes from fear. In today's world, where devils are considered imaginary beings, they are not only unable to display the power they once had, ... they may even want to harbor resentment when they hear that they have been replaced by people who are not devils."

　It is his own fault that Usato is feared by his fellow devils.
　In the first place, it's his own fault for having such a frightening appearance that he's called a devil.

"That healing wizard who knocked me down was just as strong as a devil, you know?"

　By taking advantage of this and reinforcing the impression that Usato = the devil, we were able to bring those who might be working in the shadows out into the open and confirm their existence.
　... Well, we never thought we'd be able to lure them so easily, though.
　Perhaps that's how great the fear people felt towards him?

"But this has turned out to be quite interesting. I never thought that my plan to instill fear in them would end up carving fear into them instead. Ha ha ha."
"...But all I can say is that the opponent was bad. I checked the memories in Usato's gauntlet, and the opponent was probably using magic that allowed him to blend into the world itself."

　Not only was he distracted by the healing wizard called Rose at the same time, but even his wings were ripped off.
　Probably because he glared at them and got distracted mentally, causing him to materialize for a moment.
　If the disciple is a disciple, then the master has a strange way of doing things.

"He really is a man who never stops being talked about."

　There was about a 50/50 chance that the demon would take action, but I never thought it would achieve anything more than that.
　This would make it easier to make predictions as well.

"But one thing that concerns me is what the devil was doing in the cemetery in the Kingdom of Lingle."
『It could simply be that the purpose was to keep an eye on Usato and her master, but...』
"Yeah, we should consider other possibilities."

　That was fine if it meant keeping an eye on Usato, who was called a devil and a threat to their existence.
　But why did they show up in a cemetery of all places?
　It could be dismissed as a mere coincidence, but if their purpose is something else, things could get quite complicated.

"Falga, tell the Lingle Kingdom."
『What?』

　Falga looks at me quizzically.
　As I gather my thoughts, I tell him what he should do next.

"Open up the grave. And that is the grave of one of the most powerful people in the country."
『...I see. That's what it means.』

　Many of the devils have had their numbers reduced by Hisago.
　Then the first thing to do is to increase the number of pawns.
　If it is not done well, it may cause a bad impression on the Lingle Kingdom side, but we will still have to make sure of it.

　———It's far better than being moved by someone who's supposed to be dead.

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
The Demon King-sama called Usato a devil and used him.
It seems he didn't think he'd be able to lure them so easily.

One of the enemy forces from now on will be the devils.

This concludes this update.
Arc 13 will likely start next time.