A Demon King Army Officer Still Shrouded In Mystery

“Jonah, you have to eat properly. Otherwise you won’t grow up big and strong.”

The night of the day they arrived at the Lanberg manor.

In front of a table crowded with rare dishes Jonah had never seen, Duke Lanberg urged Jonah on.

Jonah was also fascinated by the food, but it was impossible for his small body to eat so much.

“I-I’ll eat!”

That said, Jonah was happy that Duke Lanberg had prepared such a lavish meal for him, and he forced himself to eat a lot.

“…! Delicious! It’s such an exciting and strange flavor!”

“Ufufu, isn’t it? Here in Gratz trade with eastern and southern countries is active, so many rare spices come in.”

“Wow…!”

Jonah nodded with a smile at Duke Lanberg, who explained cheerfully.

Indeed, her gaze toward Jonah was special, and the servants smiled at the sight of Duke Lanberg and Jonah.

“…Excuse me. I’m sorry to ask this in a setting like this, but what kind of person is ‘Apostasy’ Taromati, a high-ranking officer of the Demon King’s army?”

Patricia wiped her mouth with a napkin and asked.

On the surface they had come here because Jonah had chosen the Lanberg territory as the destination of their next journey, but their true purpose was to subdue ‘Apostasy’ Taromati.

They thought that if they didn’t gather even a little information, even Jonah, a wielder of ancient magic who boasted overwhelming strength, could make a mistake.

“…How gauche. Princess Patricia, are you only interested in battle?”

“I’m joking. I just thought it couldn’t hurt to ask early.”

“Hmm… the Demon Army officers are very cunning. You can’t let your guard down for even a moment.”

Titancia nodded in agreement with Patricia, who brushed off Duke Lanberg’s sarcasm.

She was one of those whose dear childhood friend had been bound and tormented by ‘Hunger’ Zarichu. For that reason, she understood better than anyone here that the Demon King’s army officers were not to be taken lightly.

That’s precisely why.

“That’s right… there might be a small chance that something could happen.”

Titancia’s words weighed heavily on Duke Lanberg’s heart.

Thinking of that time when Gratz was attacked during her absence and her beloved younger brother’s life was taken.

“But… I’m sorry. I have never actually confronted ‘Apostasy’ Taromati directly.”

“Eh…?”

“Well…”

Duke Lanberg shook her head, and Patricia and Titancia let out surprised sounds.

“Not only I, but my father, my grandfather, and none of the heads of the Lanberg family through the generations have ever seen ‘Apostasy’ Taromati. However, the remnants of the Demon King’s army we’ve fought for years, as they die, all say in unison: ‘Glory to Lord Taromati!’”

If the demons all cried out the name of a Demon King army officer and died for him, that was proof that ‘Apostasy’ Taromati was behind them. The Lanberg family believed that and continued to fight the remnants of the Demon King’s army.

“But didn’t you… investigate what kind of person ‘Apostasy’ Taromati is?”

“Of course we did. No—more accurately, we still are. But the spies we sent out with resolve have all become uncontactable. That’s what it means.”

Saying that, Duke Lanberg bit her lip in frustration.

Despite having fought for many years, the high-ranking Demon King army officer ‘Apostasy’ Taromati still remained unidentified.

In any case, they possessed enough strength to keep fighting for a long time and had the demons worshipping them to the point of fanaticism. Even to defeat them would not be straightforward.

“Ah… ufufu, I’m sorry. From Jonah’s point of view, this kind of talk must have been unpleasant, right?”

“That’s not true. Listening to your story made me realize once again how incredible Your Excellency Lanberg truly is.”

Jonah looked at Duke Lanberg, who smiled wryly as she gazed off somewhere, with a look of respect.

Jonah had heard from Petra about her sad past. Even so, as the head of the family she carried herself bravely and still cared for him like this, and Jonah felt ever more affection and admiration for Duke Lanberg.

“Honestly, Jonah, you say such delightful things.”

“Ehehe…”

Seeing Daniel’s likeness in Jonah, Duke Lanberg stroked Jonah’s hair lovingly.

Jonah squinted his eyes at the pleasant sensation.

“Now, let’s end this conversation and enjoy dinner. Since it’s a special occasion, perhaps we’ll drink a special wine tonight.”

In high spirits, Duke Lanberg gave instructions to Petra, who stood nearby.

“Your Excellency Lanberg, is this all right here?”

“Yes.”

Petra filled the glass to the brim with wine.

At that evening’s dinner, Duke Lanberg never stopped smiling.

Seeing her like that, Jonah made a resolution.

He would certainly defeat ‘Apostasy’ Taromati and repay this wonderful young duke and the soul of the late Daniel.

And then, late that night.

――A report arrived at Duke Lanberg that remnants of the Demon King’s army had attacked a border fortress.