The Demon Lord

“Gather the entire army at once! There’s no time!”

“Y-yes!”

Duke Lanberg barked orders, and the soldiers hurriedly moved.

They could reach the border from Gratz in less than two days, but even so there was no time to waste if they were to arrive before the border fortress fell after receiving the report.

“Lord Lanberg.”

“Princess Patricia…”

“Of course you’ll take me with you, won’t you?”

Patricia, clad in armor and sword at her side, spoke up.

She had originally come to join Jonah in exterminating Taromati of the “Apostasy.” It was a mistake to be beaten to the punch, but even so this situation was exactly what she had hoped for.

“Of course. I hope the ‘Silver Sword Princess’ is more than just a name.”

“You do say the right things.”

Duke Lanberg and Patricia exchanged defiant smiles.

“…You mustn’t forget me.”

“Oh… you’re also the child of that ‘Silent Archer,’ aren’t you? Then perhaps I can expect great things.”

“Hm, I’m stronger than my mother.”

She had not fared well against the Hunger Zarichu before due to bad matchup, but her skill with the bow was unquestionable. When they hunted Taromati of the ‘Apostasy,’ she intended to wash away the disgrace of the last time.

And she would show Jonah—see how useful I am, she would say—so let me stay by your side.

That said, Jonah did not wish to have anyone by his side.

For a man fated to die, being with someone meant exposing his suffering and making them bear his sorrow. Jonah could not bear that.

Then.

“Your Excellency Lanberg…”

The one who appeared was Jonah, dressed and ready.

As if determined at all costs to accompany them to the hunt for Taromati of the ‘Apostasy,’ his onyx eyes were filled with resolve and determination.

“…Jonah, it’s still the middle of the night. You should stay in your room and sleep.”

“……………………”

Duke Lanberg said it gently yet in a tone that allowed no argument.

At the previous meeting, the claim that Jonah had killed the Hunger Zarichu had been dismissed as false, but Duke Lanberg still felt something mysterious about him.

From Jonah’s aura and bearing, Duke Lanberg almost fell into the illusion that what Quylindra had said before Emperor Karl might not have been sheer nonsense.

Still, there was no option to take Jonah along.

Even in the same situation as when she lost her beloved younger brother, leaving Jonah here was far safer for him.

Besides… She had no intention of repeating the same mistake as then.

“Ufufu, don’t worry. I’ll leave half the army in Gratz, and this manor won’t even flinch if the demons attack. So, you know.”

Stepping closer, Duke Lanberg gently stroked Jonah’s silky black hair.

Jonah narrowed his eyes, looking pleased.

Watching the two of them were Patricia and Titancia.

The two, who knew Jonah’s abilities firsthand, understood that he would not be outmatched by something like Taromati of the ‘Apostasy.’

So they also understood what choice Jonah would make.

Even if Duke Lanberg refused to allow him to join, they were sure he would follow via teleportation.

However.

“Yes. I’ll wait here for Your Excellency Lanberg and Patricia and Titancia to return. So… please be safe.”

Jonah said that and smiled softly.

Patricia and Titancia were surprised for a moment, but thinking calmly, it was obvious that pressing the matter here would only get them refused.

Because they knew that, they assumed Jonah had backed down for now.

So they would follow Duke Lanberg as planned and try to eliminate as much of the threat as possible before Jonah could come. The two gripped their weapons and nodded firmly.

And then.

“Well then, we’re off.”

“Everyone, good fortune in battle.”

Jonah bowed deeply at the entrance to see the three departing off.

“Sir Jonah, standing in the entrance will make you cold. Please return to your room quickly.”

“Yes.”

Led by Petra, Jonah headed to the room once used by Duke Lanberg’s brother, Daniel.

“By the way—”

As he placed his foot on the stairs, Jonah called out to Petra walking ahead.

“Was Lord Lanberg’s younger brother killed by remnants of the Demon Lord’s army on the battlefield?”

“Eh…?”

Petra tilted her head involuntarily, unable to understand why Jonah would ask such a thing.

“Well… I do not know. Only that Lord Daniel was killed by demons…”

“Is that so? I had assumed he was killed inside this manor. Betrayed by someone he trusted.”

“…!?!”

Jonah’s onyx eyes, as he said that, reflected the moon peering in through the window and gleamed eerily.