Published: September 10, 2025
This is Satou. I recall reading in some manga that "not negotiating with terrorists is an international norm."
Fortunately, I’ve never been in such a situation, but even if I were, I’m not confident I’d take the best course of action. Ideally, I’d just leave it to the country’s top officials.
â—‡
“The Demon King has manifested in the Imperial Capital of the Saga Empire!”
“The old capital of the Saga Empire is engulfed in flames everywhere!”
Hikaru and the brownie in flight gear shouted simultaneously.
It wasn’t the “destruction of the Saga Empire” that I had anticipated, but it was still a pretty tough situation.
“Demon King and arson across the entire city...”
Most likely, the mastermind’s evil plan has begun.
“Master, leave the Demon King to us! We’ll break through such an obvious decoy!”
“Satou, I’m going with Arisa and the others this time. I’ve entrusted the defense of the Royal Capital to Ten-chan.”
Indeed, to extinguish fires all over the city and rescue those displaced by the blaze, my magic is better suited.
The Silver Members will stay behind at the Isolated Island Palace as a reserve force.
Though it would be too much to have them fight the Demon Kings, they can handle single high-rank demon enemies.
“Understood. I’ll leave that to you. If the opponent is of equal or higher level, focus on observation. I’ll rush over immediately.”
Plus, since the Saga Empire has summoned heroes for generations, they should have plenty of personnel and equipment to deal with Demon Kings.
I don’t think the Demon King can be defeated without a hero, but they must have prepared shelters and countermeasures for a Demon King attack.
With the plan settled, we promptly set out.
“Wait.”
Princess Sistina stopped us.
“The opponent had a reincarnator who teleported Pochi from Seryu City to the Itachi Empire. After luring Satou and the others to the Imperial Capital and Old Capital, isn’t the true target to send their main force to the Royal Capital of the Shiga Kingdom and Marquis Muno’s territory?”
“That’s definitely possible. Master, how is the plain-faced girl doing?”
“She seems fine for now.”
The plain-faced reincarnator and strategist Touya had departed from their rural town, where they ran an alchemy shop, heading toward the central small kingdom group.
At first, we were wary that their conspiracy might restart, but the footage recorded by the surveillance drone golem showed the plain-faced reincarnator happily planning a honeymoon trip, with strategist Touya reluctantly approving.
Since the plain-faced reincarnator has unique teleportation skills, they can move anywhere from their base, so deliberately acting in a way that draws attention must be a diversion to lure me out. Princess Sistina and Hikaru agreed with this theory.
“I see... So this incident might be the real deal?”
“No, I don't think so.”
Normally, one would assume they were secretly working to resurrect the Demon King, but the fact they disposable used a proliferating Demon King in the Parion Divine Kingdom disproves that.
Besides, the lich that formed the basis of that Demon King is a homunculus — an artificial life form.
Though it's possible the lich was reincarnated, I didn’t sense any will like a reincarnator’s from it, so probably not.
“Enough! Let’s stop debating and solve the trouble first! Tina-sama, keep working on your analysis! Master, please activate Tactical Talk. Mine isn’t broad enough to cover both the Saga Empire and here.”
“Got it.”
I activated the spatial magic “Tactical Talk,” dispatched Arisa and the others outfitted with Golden Knight gear to the Imperial Capital, and also moved to the Old Capital in the style of Hero Nameless, deploying them as units.
Secretly, to avoid their notice, I updated the latest information on the Imperial Capital. The Demon King that manifested there seemed manageable for Arisa, Hikaru, and their group.
If anything unexpected happens, Arisa should inform me through our blood ties.