Chapter 16: …the story is about to begin.

“Before we begin, let’s discuss the most important matter.”

The Demon King’s words drew everyone’s attention.

He paused, his gaze settling on me.

I had a feeling I knew what this “important matter” was.

“It concerns the Zeroth Legion Commander.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve heard that a new Hero and Saint will be enrolling in the Academy.”

The Hero and Saint.

Humanity’s hope, the antithesis of the Demon King. Information about them was crucial to the demons.

That was why the Demon King was making such a big deal out of it.

“Therefore, I intend to send the Zeroth Legion Commander to the Academy to monitor them.”

“Why her?”

Baal questioned the moment the Demon King finished speaking.

The other Legion Commanders seemed to share the same sentiment, waiting for an explanation.

The Academy, where Beatrice, the former Hero’s party mage and current strongest human mage, was the headmistress.

A place where humanity trained its forces to fight against demons.

In other words, he was sending one of the Demon Realm’s greatest assets into the heart of humanity’s most important facility.

It was natural to have questions.

“We are still unsure of the new Hero and Saint’s capabilities.”

“So the objective is information gathering?”

“If that were all, there would be no need to send her.”

The Demon King gestured towards me.

“Lucifer, your task is to gain the trust of the Hero’s party members.”

Bathory frowned subtly at the Demon King’s words.

The others didn’t seem to notice, too focused on me, but I saw it clearly from across the table.

She probably didn’t like the idea of me getting close to others.

She even radiated killing intent whenever Lilith got near me.

“Are our spies insufficient?”

“As I said, the objective isn’t just information gathering.”

Bathory’s voice held a hint of displeasure.

I could see her annoyance, but thankfully, she refrained from releasing her killing intent in front of the Demon King.

“If the Hero and Saint are deemed a sufficient threat, you are to eliminate them.”

Silence fell over the meeting hall.

While the other Legion Commanders were taken aback, two pairs of eyes remained fixed on me.

“Do you intend to eliminate the new Hero and Saint, Your Majesty?”

“Only if they prove to be a significant threat.”

“Indeed, she would be capable of handling any unforeseen circumstances.”

The Demon King didn’t break eye contact as he answered Bathory.

After confirming that the other Legion Commanders were silent, he continued.

“So, I ask again, Zeroth Legion Commander. Do you accept this mission?”

“…When do I depart?”

“As soon as possible. I’ve prepared the necessary funds and resources. Infiltrate the Academy before the entrance exam.”

“Understood.”

“Then this matter is settled.”

The moment I had been waiting eight years for ended swiftly.

The Demon King continued.

“The next matter. One of the artifacts stored by the Second Legion has been stolen…”

“Well, that happened while I was away on the battlefield.”

Bathory replied nonchalantly.

“Has it been recovered?”

“It seems they escaped immediately. Not yet.”

I remembered this incident.

If I recall correctly, the thieves would be caught by the protagonist’s group and killed, and the artifact would be retrieved.

At least, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about right now.

“Then handle it as you see fit.”

“Very well.”

The meeting continued.

After the meeting…

“Zeroth Legion Commander.”

The Demon King called out to me as the other Legion Commanders began to leave.

I tensed, unprepared for this.

“Stay for a moment.”

“Go ahead, Aria.”

Bathory started to approach me but stopped.

I followed the Demon King, leaving Bathory behind.

“Tea or coffee?”

“…Coffee, please.”

Strong, if possible.

The Demon King led me to a reception room and offered me a drink.

The offer suggested a lengthy conversation.

After a servant brought our drinks, the Demon King finally spoke.

“You must be wondering why I called you here.”

“I can’t deny that.”

“I simply wanted to confirm one thing.”

He took another sip of his drink.

“To be blunt, do you intend to betray me?”

“Betrayal…”

“The Legion Commanders are mostly demons. And as the Demon King, they have no choice but to be loyal to me.”

“But you, a human Legion Commander, are an unknown factor.”

I finally understood why he had called me here.

He was considering the possibility of me joining forces with the Hero against him.

It was a valid concern, given that was what happened in the hidden route.

However…

“Do you remember how many humans I’ve killed since arriving in the Demon Realm?”

“Two years.”

More accurately, two years and six months.

Unless I could turn back time, and even then… it was too late for me to return.

“I’ve been a traitor for two years already.”

“I see.”

The Demon King nodded in understanding.

He gestured to a servant standing nearby.

The servant left the room and returned moments later, carrying a box.

“What’s this?”

“You’ll need to conceal your abilities in the human world. Consider this a personal gift.”

Open it.

I opened the box to reveal something wrapped in cloth.

Unwrapping the cloth, I found a sword.

“…!”

“I see you like it.”

“Honestly… Yes, very much.”

Despite its thin blade, one side was black like obsidian, and the other was white like platinum.

The golden hilt was adorned with a red jewel, and a crimson thread was wrapped around the grip.

One of the best weapons in the game, a hidden item obtainable only after defeating the Demon King.

Its name was Light and Shadow.

This item, which doubled light and dark attribute damage, was an incredibly powerful weapon for Aria.

He was giving this to me?

“Then I’ll be going.”

“You’re leaving already?”

The Demon King rose as if he had nothing more to say.

He stopped as he reached the door.

“That necklace.”

“Yes?”

His gaze shifted to my neck, where my ruby necklace rested.

“She took it from me about two years ago. I see you like it.”

I thought it was just one of Bathory’s trinkets.

He had given it to her?

“It’s valuable, so take good care of it.”

“…Understood. It’s precious to me as well.”

The Demon King walked down the corridor.

“Were you eavesdropping?”

He addressed someone leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

“I was curious what you were discussing with Aria.”

“Hmph. Giving one of the Demon Realm’s most valuable treasures to that girl. You’ve fallen hard.”

“It’s not a waste at all.”

Bathory, or rather, Asmodeus, stood up straight.

“So, how did it go?”

“Nothing much. I just confirmed her loyalty.”

“Confirmation? You had two other Legion Commanders on standby.”

As Bathory pointed out, the First and Third Legion Commanders were still in the castle.

Both were fully prepared for battle. Or perhaps, given her strength, she had sensed their presence?

“Was that why you dismissed us… me? Because you were worried I would help her?”

Aria wouldn’t have known, but if her answer hadn’t been satisfactory, a battle would have erupted.

A battle against two Legion Commanders and the Demon King.

A battle she couldn’t possibly win.

“Since nothing happened, I assume she passed.”

“I’ll admit, I believe she can be trusted, at least for now.”

“I told you I would take responsibility.”

“Only for now.”

They exchanged a look.

“Remember those words.”

With the Demon King’s final words, they turned and walked in opposite directions.

Shing

Click

Shing

Click

The two-toned blade of the sword slid in and out of its sheath.

It wasn’t insomnia that kept me awake.

I hadn’t had any nightmares since that day, so falling asleep wasn’t a problem.

But…

“Sigh…”

I looked down at the sword in my hand, a weapon I shouldn’t possess.

It filled me with a sense of unease.

The story would begin now.

I wasn’t sure if it would unfold as I remembered.

Someone once said that fate was like a giant wave, impossible to resist.

Meaning my death, as Aria, was inevitable.

But…

“Bullshit.”

I had survived hell.

I had endured countless times when I wanted to end my life.

I had killed dozens, hundreds of fellow humans, and yet, I was still here.

The guilt and self-loathing hadn’t disappeared; they had simply become numb.

Despite being broken, I was still alive.

“Let’s see who wins.”

That dawn, a Legion Commander began to move.