Volume 4 Chapter 3 The Approaching Threat
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was a space that truly felt like another world.
The structure itself wasn’t special—just a large room made of stone. In the center stood a circular table with a hole in the middle. Around it, eleven seats floated quietly, like shadows lost in dim light.
The air wavered, as if the room was halfway connected to another world. Boundaries were unclear. Strange distortions hung in the air, making the whole place feel unreal.
”Has Gildegant been defeated?” asked a man sitting in the most decorated seat at the far end.
Eight people had gathered in this strange council. The man who spoke sat in the center, his four horns sharp, his presence overwhelming. With divine strength, he had crushed the many tribes of the Demon Continent and declared himself ruler just last year.
—He was the Demon King, Dainheorl.
His voice was rough, cracked like old wood. At his question, a shadow moved and answered.
”This is no small matter,” said the warrior with a strong, clear tone. “To charge into enemy land alone and lose… what is the meaning of this?”
Her gaze was sharp and full of power. One could feel the fire of a true fighter burning in her eyes.
She was Earth General Bandanzine, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. As the leader of the Demon King’s army, she always stood at the frontlines in battle. A pure warrior in every way.
”She protects your daughter, Sir Dainheorl,” came another voice, calm and low. “Maybe she went to confirm things herself, thinking of the worst outcome.”
This time, it was the leader of the Earth Humans—the dwarf folk. Though they weren’t demons, they lived on the Demon Continent. After many battles, they had bowed to Dainheorl’s power. Like the Forestkin, they had earned a place in the council of the United Kingdom.
”What do you think, Strategist Parl Forestier?” the Demon King asked, turning toward a nearby seat.
His eyes focused on a swirl of distortion.
”…Kihihihi. There’s only one path now,” came a high-pitched voice. “If Gildegant’s messages reach the humans, our plan will be exposed. The battle is already coming. In that case, we must act first.”
The voice was sharp and difficult to understand, as if spoken through years of secrets.
From her short figure and pointed ears, it was clear she was one of the Forestkin. Though she looked like a girl, her magic and presence were far from childlike.
She was a shadow behind the Demon King. In wars across the continent, she had destroyed every tribe that resisted, helping secure Dainheorl’s throne.
Her words pushed for a surprise attack. The Demon King nodded, and others quietly agreed with soft sounds and shifting glances.
What was about to begin was not just another tribal clash. This would become a war the world had not seen in generations.
A heavy silence followed.
No one spoke against her.
In that silence, the decision was made. The plan would begin sooner than expected.
────The Third Great Human-Demon War was about to begin.
”Thanks to those foolish human merchants, we already have monster soldiers in place,” said the Demon King, his voice low. “Now we can strike fast and hard. If we wait, our chance fades.”
”We need to act before word gets out,” Bandanzine said firmly. “Primjune, what’s the situation with the saint and the hero?”
At his words, the Demon King turned his eyes to the opposite side. That seat, too, was empty—but something stirred. A faint breath. A pressure greater than any other demon filled the air, thick with magic.
”The saint is still missing,” came a calm, deep voice. “We lost the trail from her slave mark long ago. My song no longer reaches her. I may no longer be her contract holder. Most likely, she’s been rescued, and the bond is broken. But—”
It was Sea General Primjune speaking, another of the Four Heavenly Kings. She had led the saint’s kidnapping, following Parl’s plan, and controlled the monster troops. She had been by Dainheorl’s side from the start.
She had fins and scales from the waist down—proof she was not like any human race.
”I do have news on the hero,” Primjune added. “The hero and their party left the Empire. They’re chasing the thief. Even the Imperial Navy has joined them.”
The room stirred at her words.
All attention now turned to the hero. Strangely, the saint’s fate no longer seemed to matter. She had vanished days ago, near the royal capital, and none of the generals looked interested anymore.
”I thought it was just a thief?” Bandanzine asked, frowning. “Why send the whole hero party? Just how serious is this?”
”Was it really just a small-time thief?” someone muttered. “Maybe they were more important than we thought. What’s their name?”
The hero should have known demons were behind the saint’s abduction. But instead, they were chasing a thief.
The Demon King looked puzzled, and Bandanzine narrowed her eyes.
Primjune opened her mouth to answer—but before she could, the heavy door creaked open.
”────Father,” a voice called out.
The sound was calm, even ordinary. Yet the moment it rang out, the entire room froze with tension.
”──O-Oh… You came,” Dainheorl said, hesitating for a moment.
He hadn’t expected her to appear. His voice, which had just declared war, now softened like that of a father unsure of his daughter’s mood.
This was the war council, with the leaders of the Demon Continent gathered. Maybe his tone was inappropriate.
But no one criticized him.
Not Bandanzine, filled with fighting spirit. Not Primjune, cloaked in heavy magic. Not even the mysterious strategist Parl.
All held their breath as she stepped in.
Of course they did. No one on the Demon King’s side had forgotten about her. And the other races gathered here—none of them had truly accepted Dainheorl as king just because of strength.
Tap.
A soft footstep echoed. The Earth Human chief shut his eyes, as if afraid to see her directly.
Tap.
The Lady of the Lake brought her hands together, trying to show complete loyalty.
Tap.
The Master of the Dark Forest knelt down quietly, not daring to stand in her presence.
They couldn’t resist. Couldn’t refuse.
With each step, fear rose like a wave. The air grew heavy. Her radiance burned their eyes. Her power pressed on them so hard that even lifting their heads became difficult.
”Was the meeting already in session? I’m sorry for being late, Father,” she said gently.
”No, no. Just having you here is enough, Delphina,” Dainheorl replied with a nod.
As she walked closer to the center of the room, only the Demon King dared look at her.
No one else could. Her six horns gleamed. Her long, pale blue hair flowed behind her like silk. She looked delicate—like a goddess.
──She was a divine presence.
”Heyyy! I’m here too, ya know? Isn’t that mean, Demon Kingg~?” a loud voice called from behind Delphina.
”…Lady Lyla, please. We’re in session. Have a seat,” one of the generals said, sighing.
A small figure popped out from behind Delphina’s back. She wore an outfit like a split-colored clown, red and blue, wild and flashy. A jester, no doubt. She was Lyla, the Jester General, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and Delphina’s close aide. She was considered the counterpart to Gildegant—a loyal underling to the Demon King’s daughter.
”Kihihi. Lady Lyla, thank you for coming,” Parl said, grinning. “Now then, do you know Gildegant’s whereabouts?”
”Hmm, nope! Oh, but I think one of her favorite subordinates went missing. So she ran off to… um, the Dussel-something Empire?” Lyla said, waving her hands playfully.
”…Then we must assume she was captured,” Bandanzine muttered.
Though Lyla seemed to joke, her words were truthful. She and Gildegant were close—but even she couldn’t track Gildegant’s every move.
”Alright, back to the topic,” Dainheorl said, turning toward Primjune. “It was about the hero, wasn’t it?”
The main decision had already been made. But they couldn’t ignore the hero’s movements.
”Yes,” Primjune answered, nodding. “They set sail last night. Even the princess is moving with them. The Empire hasn’t stopped her, not even a word from the people. They’re officially wanted for the saint’s kidnapping… though that seems like a cover. The saint has likely been rescued. There must be another reason for chasing the thief… but we don’t know what.”
”Hmm… Are they stalling? Or testing us?” Bandanzine asked with a frown. “Should we wait a bit longer? Also—what’s the thief’s name?”
”──Klock Livorno. Nothing special. Just an ordinary human,” Primjune said flatly.
No one reacted.
Naturally, none of them had ever heard the name of such a simple thief.
Except for Delphina and Lyla. Their brows twitched slightly—but no one noticed.
”…Where are they now?” Delphina asked suddenly, her voice soft but clear.
Primjune blinked, surprised she spoke.
”They’re probably in the North Sea of Moheres. Word is, the hero left port yesterday. They’re likely following by ship, but we don’t have exact details.”
Delphina leaned forward a little, eyes curious.
”You told me before, didn’t you, Father? That you wanted to draw the heroes away from the mainland.”
”Yes,” Dainheorl replied slowly. “But the situation is urgent now. I haven’t told you yet, but the invasion plan has been moved forward—”
”I know,” Delphina said, her voice calm. “───────────────, ────────────────. If we leave things as they are, the thief might get caught. But if all goes well, the heroes will chase them to the Beast Nation.”
Voices of agreement rose from around the room. Some sounded impressed, others exaggerated. But Dainheorl looked pleased—his daughter had joined the discussion with eagerness.
”I see. That’s a fine suggestion! Primjune, begin at once,” the Demon King commanded.
”Yes, I’ll get it done quickly,” Primjune replied, energized by Delphina’s trust.
”Then I’ll begin the arrangements,” Parl said, laughing softly. “Kihihihi.”
”I will fight at the front,” Bandanzine declared, his eyes shining. “I’ll crush the enemy’s main force with my own hands!”
At those words, Dainheorl stood, slammed the table with one hand, and raised the other in a fist.
”Then it’s settled!” he shouted. “This battle will be unlike anything before! Bigger than all wars in history! This time, we will win! All tribes, come together and fight with everything you have!”
”──The war begins!!”
* * *
”…Are you alright, Hermine?” Anna asked, her face filled with concern.
”I’m not alright! I’m furious!” Hermine shouted, trembling with anger.
Anna flinched a little but said nothing. Hermine wasn’t angry at her exactly—but Anna’s actions hadn’t helped, and even kind-hearted Hermine couldn’t hide her frustration.
”I’ll say it clearly now,” Hermine snapped, looking away. “I won’t kill you, like I promised. But don’t expect mercy!”
Anna sighed deeply. For Hermine, Elna wasn’t just a disciple—she was family. After what had happened, it was no surprise she was so upset.
Thanks to Hermine’s care, Elna had recovered physically. But for her mind to heal, she had returned to her homeland with her twin, Lona. Hermine had made the decision, thinking Elna wouldn’t recover if she stayed in the capital.
That had been just a few hours ago.
Now, Anna and the hero party were at sea.
”…She’s really angry,” murmured Oriana.
”Well, anyone would be, after seeing that,” Tiet said, sighing.
They all remembered what happened at the museum. Elna had been found in terrible condition. Seeing her like that—wet, shaking, unable to speak—had shocked everyone.
When they tried to lift her, she whimpered in pain. Just being touched made her react.
Seeing that, even Tiet couldn’t defend Klock.
”…I guess he liked Beastkin too much,” Tiet muttered, staring ahead.
Her words were based on simple, childish understanding—but they came from experience. She didn’t remember Klock ever acting like that with her. Maybe Elna was just more his type.
”…Yeah… It was… a lot,” she whispered. “Maybe… he prefers someone like Elna.”
”Huh?” Oriana tilted her head.
”…No, it’s nothing,” Tiet replied quickly.
That thought—of being the reason he left—stung deep. She hadn’t meant to think about it, but… she couldn’t stop.
”…Well. Let’s catch up fast,” Anna said, her voice trying to be steady. “Ade, Cynthia, and some unknown ally are with them. Let’s focus.”
”…Yeah,” Tiet nodded, shaking her head hard.
Oriana smiled gently, sensing their feelings.
Their ships headed north, chasing the thief Klock into the cold seas of Moheres.
With Hermine’s magic driving them, twenty ships from the imperial navy crossed the ocean, chasing one man like a storm ready for war.
Notes:
• Gildegant – One of the Four Generals of the Demon Lord. Flame General.
• Dainheorl – He is the conqueror of the Demon Continent, appeared as the council leader, known for his godlike strength and four horns.
• Bandanzine – She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a warrior with a dignified gaze, known for his frontline combat prowess.
• Parl Forestier – She is the Demon King’s strategist, appeared as a sharp-eared, high-pitched voice, known for her role in annihilating resistant tribes.
• Primjune – She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a scaled and finned figure, known for executing the saint’s kidnapping plan.
• Delphina – She is the Demon King’s daughter, appeared as a six-horned, water-blue haired figure, known for her godlike presence and influence.
• Lyla – Jester General of Demon King.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Lona – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with black hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Oriana – A Princess. A companion who assists in explaining the situation to the kingdom. She is supportive and helps Anna navigate her responsibilities. Her appearance is slender, with dark hair and sharp features.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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