The Purgatory Demon Blade

“When did a new wound appear? Hmm…”

Yurisha groaned as she inspected the sword.

“Even as a fragment, it is the blade of the Demon Lord. It grants immense power to whoever holds it…”

I see. So, if someone hostile to the demons possesses it, they become a threat.

“Can you not detect the location of the fragments?”

“It is impossible. The Demon Lord’s blade is immune to all forms of magical detection. That is why I could never find the previous six fragments either…”

“Find them?”

“To gather all the fragments and restore Radis, the Purgatory Demon Blade to its complete form—that is one of the lifelong ambitions of every successive Demon Lord,” Yurisha explained. “By the way, I searched for three hundred years and didn’t find a single one.”

Why is she making such a smug face about that?

“What happens if it’s restored?” I asked her.

“If one uses the true power of Radis, the curse of weakening that the gods placed upon the demons will be broken, and we shall likely gain power so great that Heroes would no longer pose a challenge.”

“A curse of weakening…?”

I knew the stories that demons were much stronger in the ancient past. The demons of legend were opponents that humans couldn’t win against, no matter how hard they struggled. Eventually, humans were bestowed with holy armaments—the Miracle Armaments—by the gods, and at the same time, the demons became less powerful than before; that was supposed to be how the current power balance shifted.

However, the “curse of weakening” was something I was hearing for the first time. Was this information known only to the Demon Lord? Was it a fact hidden from all other demons—even from the Demon Commanders like Stella? Or was it…

Regardless, I understood one thing. If the demons grew that powerful, they wouldn’t allow the humans to invade so easily. The defenses of the Demon Realm might become impenetrable. On the other hand—the empowered demons might go on to destroy the human world entirely.

“What is the matter, Fried?”

“I felt like the battles between Heroes and demons have been fairly balanced until now. As for the Heroes who invaded the Demon Realm, there were even moments where they overwhelmed the demons. Is that because the demons are weakened?”

“Undoubtedly. If the demons were to regain their true power, the humans would be no match for us, regardless of their ‘Miracle Armaments’ from the gods.” Yurisha declared arrogantly. “Well, there are some among the humans who possess freakish, mutant-like strength. A few of them might be able to fight against a demon with its true power, but…”

“So, if you regain your power, we can prevent a situation where the Demon Realm is occupied by the Heroes?”

“Naturally.” Yurisha nodded. “It could not be achieved in my time, but with your irregular stats, perhaps you—might be able to find the fragments.”

“Me…?”

“I am counting on you. The future of the demons is in your hands… Having lost my physical body, I can no longer intervene in the living world. I am barely staying in the Demon Realm in this Astral form, but there is no telling how long it will last. I am worried sick about the demons…”

I thought Yurisha had a much colder personality. Or is she treating me this way because I’ve become the Demon Lord?

“What is it?”

“No, well… are you actually… a pretty good person?” She had taught me quite a few things kindly, after all.

“Of what are you speaking?” Yurisha curled the corners of her mouth and laughed. “I am the Demon Lord. Did you think I was a being of goodness? Fool.”

An overwhelming pressure radiated from her that felt like it would freeze my entire body. The peaceful atmosphere from a moment ago vanished instantly. Right—I shouldn’t be misled by her cute appearance. This was the previous Demon Lord who fought a life-and-death struggle against Lyle and me. The ruler of demons, the enemy of the world who launched an offensive against the human realm. That’s who she is.

…After that, I continued to hear about the various abilities a Demon Lord possesses from Yurisha. I also received several items intended for the Demon Lord’s use. For now, it seemed the handover was complete.

“You’ve been a big help teaching me so much. Thank you.”

“Hmph. To be thanked by the man who tried to kill me.”

“Well, you know… my position and the situation are different than they were back then.” I scratched my cheek, feeling a bit awkward. “Right, what are you going to do now? Can you stay in the Demon Castle in that ghost state?”

“Do not call me a ghost. You insolent man.” As she spoke, Yurisha abruptly fired a Fire spell at me. I blocked it with a defensive spell.

“You’re a spiritual entity, so you’re basically like a ghost.”

“Mumu… perhaps you are right.”

“Then, I’ll make this place into Yurisha’s room. You probably feel most at home in the Demon Castle, don’t you?”

“Hoh, you are actually quite a nice fellow.” Yurisha’s face suddenly brightened. “I, too, was thinking that I did not want to leave this castle. Let us make this place my private paradise.” She looked absolutely delighted. “I shall annihilate anyone who approaches without permission.”

“That’s dangerous. At least stick to putting them to sleep like you did to those guards earlier.”

“…Well, if it is your request, I suppose that is fine.”

“If there’s something I don’t understand, can I come and ask you again?” I had gained the knowledge, but things I don’t understand might come up in practice.

“I, too, wish to protect the Demon Realm. Come whenever you wish.”

“Thank you.”

After thanking her, I thought of one last thing and asked.

“I want to ask one final thing. Did he—did Lyle—really betray me?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Is there no chance that you… well, brainwashed him with magic?” Just putting it into words made my heart race. I couldn’t completely discard the desire to believe in him in a corner of my heart. Because he was the person I trusted most in this world—.

“Hmph, you still cling to that? Humans truly are creatures with deep karma.” Yurisha laughed.

“Tell me, Yurisha.” I stared at the previous Demon Lord. Somewhere in my heart, I was hoping. Hoping that she had manipulated Lyle and made him attack me. That the real him was pure, kind, and cared for his comrades. That he wasn’t the kind of person who would betray me for the sake of merit.

“—I did no such brainwashing.”

The answer was cold and heartless.

“Think about it. I was incinerated by that boy’s Miracle Armament. If I had truly brainwashed him, he would have killed only you, would he not?”

It was sound logic. So, after all—that’s what it was? Lyle, you really did betray me?

“Human sentimentality? Or karma?” Yurisha laughed. “I shall pray that your naivety does not lead to your downfall.”

I had Yurisha return me from the alternate dimension to my original location. Stella, Rilim, and the soldiers were waiting in front of the door.

“My Demon Lord, you are safe—”

“I was so worried~”

Stella and Rilim rushed over immediately.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I nodded to the two of them. “I was able to learn a lot of useful information. I’ll explain the details later.” I wanted to tell Stella at the very least. “Also, this place is now off-limits.”

“Off-limits?”

“Uh, how should I explain this…” I thought for a moment. “I’m making this my private room.” I said the first thing that came to mind.

“But we have another private room prepared for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I like it here. In fact, it has to be here.” I insisted. Yurisha seemed likely to put anyone who approached to sleep indiscriminately, so it was best to ensure no one came here.

“If you insist.” Stella nodded respectfully. “The Demon Lord also needs a place where he can relax alone. If you have taken a liking to this place, please use it as your private room. I shall handle the administrative procedures on my end.”

“Thanks.”

It was three days later that the report arrived: the aides of Regal the Undead King had been defeated in the human world.

“The Wraith Legion has been defeated,” Stella reported in the audience chamber.

“Regal’s aides, huh?” If I recalled correctly, Regal’s army had conquered three kingdoms on the Eastern Continent and left the rule to his subordinates…

“It appears all three kingdoms have been reclaimed by Heroes.”

A third eye appeared on Stella’s forehead. The light projected from it cast an image into the air. “This is footage brought back by Regal’s subordinates.”

A single girl clad in silver armor was fighting against a demon army. The jade-colored longbow in her hand was likely a Miracle Armament. The hundreds of arrows fired from it were erasing the demons one after another.

She’s strong—. That bow wielder is on a completely different dimension of combat ability compared to an ordinary Hero. I was one of the highest-ranked Heroes when I was human, but she far exceeded even that level.

“The Sacred Edges… huh?”

The four who were praised as the strongest of the strong among all Heroes. Then, seeing the Hero standing next to her, I was stunned.

“That guy is—”

My voice trembled. The blood in my body felt like it was about to boil. Reflected there was a refreshing boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. The sword in his hand was emitting flames. There was no mistaking it: the Miracle Armament Laevateinn.

“Lyle…!”

I whispered in a daze beneath my mask.