Chapter 2 - Chapter 2 - The Demon King's Brother and His Loyal Retainer

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On the southern side of the continent lay the Demon Realm of Garland, surrounded by desolate, barren land utterly devoid of vegetation. In this place, usually avoided by all, stood two figures: a white-haired youth and a red-haired man.

"Here I come!"

The two men, maintaining a fixed distance, glared at each other until the red-haired man initiated the attack, swinging his sword down from an overhead position. However, the white-haired youth effortlessly parried the blow with the sword in his right hand.

"Still too soft."

"Not yet!"

But it seemed he knew from the start his attack would be parried. He immediately countered, sweeping his blade upwards from a low stance, aiming for the torso. An attack from below when the opponent's attention was focused high. A common soldier would have been cut in half without even realizing it.

In response, the white-haired youth leaped into the air, performing a mid-air rotation. The blade passed inches from his hair, but he showed no sign of disturbance. Instead, he used the centrifugal force of his rotation to bring his sword down.

Judging that he wouldn't have time to defend, the man rolled to evade. He quickly tried to regain his footing, but just as he attempted to stand, a blade flashed before his eyes.

"Gah!"

He managed to block, but a relentless barrage of attacks followed. Even attempting to counter, he was forced on the defensive by an opponent who moved like flowing water.

"There!"

However, finding a momentary gap in the continuous assault, he thrust his sword upwards, aiming for the sword in his opponent's right hand. His goal was to disarm and reverse the tide of battle.

His precisely aimed strike rushed towards the white-haired youth without the slightest deviation, letting out a sharp clang.

"What?!"

But it wasn't the sound of a sword being disarmed; it was the sound of a block... by the pommel of the sword.

"A opening."

"Damn it—!?"

His body stiffened for a moment from the unexpected parry. That opening was not missed. A leg sweep sent him tumbling backward onto the ground.

"Guh—!?"

A sword plunged into the ground, inches from the groaning man's face, suffering from the impact on his back.

"...I yield."

Upon his surrender, the youth extended a hand, helping the man to his feet.

"Your last strike wasn't bad, but you didn't consider what to do if it was blocked, Freed."

"Indeed, I'm ashamed to admit my thoughts stopped for a moment. You're truly magnificent, Aldias-sama."

The red-haired man, Freed, spoke, and the white-haired youth, Aldias, responded by slightly curving his lips. Eighteen years had passed since Aldias was born into this world.

He possessed the demon race's characteristic dark skin, eyes that gleamed like gold, and snow-white hair that reached his waist. Though unkempt, his hair didn't give off a savage impression. Combined with his refined features, his appearance conveyed a certain mystique. Anyone unfamiliar with him might easily mistake his androgynous appearance for that of a woman.

However, in this demon nation, there was no one who didn't know him.

Raised with the nation's elite education as a child of God, Aldias displayed his natural talents without reservation from an early age, perfectly assimilating every lesson into his own power. It was not uncommon in those days for teachers to find themselves becoming the ones being taught within a few days. Then, three years ago, he formally inherited the throne from Demon King Alv, becoming the youngest Demon King in the long history of the demon race.

His name already echoed across the entire continent and was becoming well-known among the warring human race. However, for a certain reason, he was disparagingly called the "False King" by humans. Those who knew him well were enraged by this fact, but he himself seemed completely unconcerned.

"It's been over ten years since I took on your martial arts guidance, but it seems I'm no longer strong enough."

Aldias had always displayed overwhelming talent, but no matter how gifted, there was a pure difference in strength between a child Aldias and the battle-hardened, physically mature Freed. Aldias couldn't consistently win. However, as Aldias gained front-line experience and his body matured, Freed began to lose more often, and now he was completely outmatched.

"Don't say that. It's because of you that I am where I am today. Besides, your true prowess will only be revealed with 'Uranos' by your side."

"And you, Aldias-sama, your forte isn't swordsmanship but magic. If you used magic, I wouldn't even be able to approach you. From long ago, young Aldias-sama seemed to enjoy learning from the nation's mages more than my martial arts guidance."

"...Stop calling me 'young master.'"

Aldias turned his face away, scratching his cheek with a finger, reacting to Freed's suddenly teasing expression, a complete shift from his previous respectful demeanor. At first glance, this might seem rude for a conversation between a king and his retainer, but their relationship dated back to Aldias's childhood, and they cherished each other like brothers. Of course, after Aldias inherited the throne, they adjusted their interactions, but Aldias had told Freed, "When it's just the two of us, you can act as you always have." So, when no other retainers or commoners were present, they spoke without undue formality.

"...Besides, it's true I'm still lacking. We had three casualties in the recent skirmish with the human race."

"—! That is not your fault! That was an unfortunate, unforeseen encounter! If you hadn't arrived, the casualties would have been even higher!"

"Even so... even if it was just three, to their families, they were irreplaceable, unique beings. My weakness led to their misfortune. If I had more power, if I had enough power to end this war..."

"Please don't say such things! You are by no means weak! If you truly wished, you could destroy kingdoms and empires alone! The reason you don't is because you cherish this nation! Besides, they—"

"That's enough, Freed."

"!"

"You never know who might be listening. Be careful."

"...My apologies."

Freed bowed his head and apologized at Aldias's rebuke, but his fists were clenched so tightly that blood seeped from them. Of course, this anger wasn't directed at Aldias, but at the very existence that continued to torment him at that moment...

"Don't be so pessimistic. I believe the time is drawing near, according to my predictions."

"What?!—Is that true?!"

"Yes, so relax."

"..."

Aldias tried to calm Freed with those words, but anxiety was clearly etched on Freed's face. If Aldias's words were true, they could finally free the demon kin, no, the world, from its long-standing curse. However, at the same time, if they failed, he would lose the person he regarded as his own brother forever. Freed knew. Once, the prime minister of the vampire clan had confined his own family deep underground to protect them. It was hundreds of years ago, but now he understood that feeling acutely.

(Even if it means the end of the demon race, I...)

"...Freed."

Just as fear of losing his family threatened to darken Freed's thoughts, his name was suddenly called from beside him. Freed, pulling himself out of the whirlpool of thought, hastily returned his gaze to the speaker.

"Trust me."

"—!!"

He said little. Just one word. But Freed, who had been with him for so long, felt Aldias's resolve in that single utterance. He probably saw right through his thoughts.

(...How pathetic! Aldias-sama is so resolute, and yet I...! That's right. I said it myself. Our King is strong. He will not lose to anyone. Even if it is God himself...!)*

Freed immediately knelt and bowed his head towards Aldias.

"I swear again here and now. I, Freed, pledge my absolute loyalty to you until the moment my life ends, my great King."

Aldias nodded, acknowledging Freed's oath.

Afterward, the two, now somewhat calmer, realized they had been talking for quite a long time. As the King of the Demon Realm of Garland, Aldias, of course, had countless duties to attend to, and Freed, as a general, also had many responsibilities. Today's sparring session was something they had managed to squeeze in despite their busy schedules.

The two made their way back, bracing themselves for reprimands from their retainers and subordinates, but then—

"!"

"?—Aldias-sama?"

Suddenly, Aldias's eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks. Freed looked at him curiously, but as Aldias's expression gradually grew stern, he realized that some emergency had occurred.

"...Ahatod, whom I had Cattleya take with her, was killed."

"What?!"

Freed was aghast at Aldias's words. A few days ago, Freed's subordinate, Cattleya, had infiltrated a certain labyrinth in the human nation alone for a mission. That mission was to recruit the hero summoned by Ehit, the human god, or to assassinate them.

Due to the nature of the infiltration mission, they couldn't add more personnel. At first, Aldias himself, who had been there once before, intended to go, but he met with strong opposition from those around him. Perhaps it was because he had once left for several days without telling anyone before he became king, and that incident still lingered.

Aldias, who had been severely scolded at the time, decided he would always inform them before leaving next time. Even so, Freed got a headache when Aldias left a note in his room instead of informing them verbally.

With Aldias's suggestion, they reluctantly sent Cattleya alone, but since unforeseen circumstances could always arise, Aldias had sent several tamed and enhanced monsters with her. Ahatod was one of the strongest individuals among the monsters sent with Cattleya.

"But according to the preliminary investigation, it shouldn't have been strong enough to defeat Ahatod, let alone Cattleya...!"

"I don't know. Either there was an oversight in the investigation... or the heroes' growth rate far exceeded our expectations... In any case, I can't stay silent. ...Freed."

"...Haa, ordinarily, we should form a reinforcement unit and send them... but it would be pointless to stop you, wouldn't it?"

Though unsaid, Freed seemed to understand what Aldias was thinking. He sighed as he asked.

"Yes, and the location is within human territory. Carelessly moving a unit could only increase casualties. More importantly, it won't be in time. It's best if I go alone."

"...Understood. Leave things here to me."

"Alright."

Having gained Freed's consent, Aldias immediately began to gather his magical power. Then, black, visible magical energy formed a ring around Aldias. It was like a planetary ring.

"Kageboshi" (Shadow Star)

Aldias's figure vanished in an instant as he chanted the magic name.

"He's as absurd as ever."

Freed couldn't help but mutter to himself about Aldias, who used such a monstrous spell with ease.

Kageboshi—according to Aldias, it's a spell activated by combining two ancient spells: "Gravity Magic," which interferes with the energy of stars, and "Spatial Magic," which interferes with boundaries. It literally travels through the shadow of this star, or more accurately, its energy. Although it requires the condition of having visited the destination before, it enables ultra-long-distance teleportation.

He himself called it a "failure" because it could only teleport himself, but no one other than Aldias could definitively call a spell that allows instantaneous teleportation to various parts of the world a failure.

"...May you have good fortune."

Freed, who had murmured words of encouragement to his lord, who was no longer in the country, immediately turned on his heel and headed for the royal palace. In addition to his own duties, there were piles of tasks, such as managing the king's absence. But since the King himself had acted, Cattleya would surely be fine.

──Because our King is the strongest in this world.