Chapter 229: The Judge

A demon castle is said to exist somewhere at the bottom of the sea. It’s a coral-pink castle with an irregular shape that gives you the impression of a coral. This is the stronghold of the eighth rank of the Great Eight Demons, Hund Lind of the 『Domination Craver』, an absolutely impenetrable fortress that is said to be impossible to discover as long as you are human. In the throne room deep inside the fortress, Hund is quietly building up his willpower.

「………」

The blue skin that represents the sea, and the strong body that is said to be unmatched, making those who see it feel awe. He is armed with muscles that are bigger and more packed than Gustus, and his magic power is flowing without rest. It’s like a ritual that Hund does when he’s serious, and the sight of him reminds his subordinates of the importance of the next battle.

「Hund-sama.」

「…… Urbul, huh.」

The one who called out to him was Urbul, one of the Four Heavenly King of the Sea Demons who organizes the magicians of the demon king’s army. He is a jellyfish-shaped monster with many tentacles that act like arms. When it comes to battle, he is the best magician in the army, holding many staves with his arms and freely manipulating enhanced magic.

「I would like to report. The spy I sent to Tazarnia has confirmed that Gustus-dono is being held captive by the enemy.」

「As I thought, huh. It seems that we were underestimating humans a bit.」

「No, I was the one who proposed the strategy, so it’s my responsibility. I had no idea that Gustus-dono, who had won so many victories in a few days, would be defeated even with the advantageous location. This punishment is――」

「It’s fine. I’ll bear the responsibility. Besides, sometimes it is necessary to reflect on the failure. Still, there are other things to do than that, right? We will need that brain of yours after we defeat the heroes. Take good care of it.」

「A-As your wish…!」

Hund thinks that domination does not end with just capturing the enemy country. Rather, the real work begins after that. How to capture the hearts of the people in their new territory and move their hearts to their side? How to crush the sparks caused by the conflict? If he can improve the living standard and make it a better country than before the war, the people will naturally start to follow him. Even if it is only a small number of people, the number of such people will gradually increase, and the information will reach the neighboring countries. Living things seek a better life, and there is no difference between monsters and humans in that aspect.

Hund thinks that Urbul is important to get there. He may be thinking too far ahead even though they haven’t won the war, but he thinks that it’s much better than a foolish ruler who doesn’t think about what happens after the war.

「I heard that on the day of the decisive battle, not only Crocus, but also heroes from each country will gather as well. Some of them will be from Tazarnia. If we can capture some of them, we can use them as the bargaining chip to release Gustus.」

「Yes, I’m sure it can also keep the enemies in check. I and Tanga will do our best.」

「I’m counting on you. So, Urbul. Do you think they will accept the offer?」

「I think they’ll take it. It is extremely difficult for inexperienced humans to reach this castle. If Hund-sama is going to appear on the surface, they will have no choice but to accept it. However, I don’t know whether they will accept it fair and square….」

「I see, let’s hope for the best.」

The place for the duel with the heroes designated by Hund is at the cape near the coast where Crocus’s army and Demon King’s army were fighting. It’s a place with half land and half sea where both sides can have an advantageous position. Hund thinks that the human will accept the challenge and fight fair and square if they can fight without any disadvantage. Win the battle fair and square, that’s what he thinks the Great Eight Demons should be. However, it would be a different story if his subordinates were to be harmed by dirty tricks. In order not to repeat the tragedy of Gustus, if the enemy uses despicable tactics, he will have no choice but to use all means at his disposal. That’s when Hund will become a war demon who will use any means necessary.

「Hee~, so that’s how it will be. Sounds fun~」

There’s a very cute girl’s voice that doesn’t fit this solemn place that’s full of the feeling of tension. Urbul immediately turns in the direction of the voice and takes out his staff.

「Who are you!?」

「I’m a villain~」

There’s a little girl who’s not even half the height of Hund. Her brilliant silver hair is exactly like the hair of Lilyvia, the one Hund sees as a rival, and she’s wearing a very bright-colored dress that seems to be a dress for a party. It doesn’t look like something that a 『Vampire』 would wear.

「――Maria-dono, why are you here?」

Well, to begin with, it’s strange that Maria is here. The vampire race has a lot of abilities, but they also have a lot of weaknesses. Water stream is one of them. There’s no water in the castle, but a vampire wouldn’t be able to reach this place that’s in the depths of the sea.

「I came, ehe ♪」

The one who tilts her head slightly and smiles cutely is Maria Irygal, the third rank of the Great Eight Demons. Probably can’t stand still, she’s spinning around while making her dress flutter.

「Well, I’m Lily-chan’s mother, right? As a mother, I’m interested in the battle that my beloved daughter is involved in. That’s why I came here. She’s careless sometimes, so I’m worried~. Ah, Hund-chan, can I have some wine?」

While saying so, Maria began to set up a pure white table and chairs from who knows where she took them out. One chair is a children’s chair that fits Maria’s physique, and the other is a special chair that fits Hund’s physique. It seemed that she had purposely prepared this.

「H-Hund-sama, who is she…?」

「Stand back, Urbul. You wouldn’t know since you weren’t at that meeting, but she’s the third rank of the Great Eight Demons. She can bring you down with just one arm.」

「S-She’s the third rank…!?」

「Aren’t you mistaking one finger for one arm? Okay, it’s finished! Hund-chan, bring the wine~」

Maria sat down in the small chair and started waving her hands while urging Hund. She’s urging Hund to bring good wine and urging him to sit down as well.

「… Arrange for wine. Also, arrange for some snacks.」

「Y-Yes!」

After confirming Urbul running out of the throne room, Hund sat down in a seat prepared by Maria.

「Maria-dono is a vampire, right? From what I know, vampires are not good with the water stream, but was that a mistake?」

「Hmm? No, you are right~. Vampires hate rivers, seas, and such. They will get a scald if they touch one. But for me, it’s just a little unpleasant. Ah, as for garlic dishes, I like them! It was a shock that my subordinates were avoiding me because of the smell, though~」

「Then, should I prepare some fried garlic?」

「Pfft! It’s a joke, Hund-chan. Don’t take it seriously~」

Maria’s giggling figure is that of a young girl. However, Hund is having cold sweat, and he has to change his perception of Maria from the fact that the vampire’s weaknesses won’t work on her.

「So, let’s get to the main subject. I was dispatched as a judge for the meeting to watch over Hund-chan’s invasion. Defeat is not allowed for the Great Eight Demons. You know what that means, right~?」

「――!?」

Maria’s facial expression and behavior didn’t change at all. However, Hund immediately felt that her atmosphere has changed. It implies that her words are serious and she doesn’t allow any objections.

「…… It won’t be a problem as long as I don’t lose, right?」

「Yep, no problem. I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do, Hund-chan.」

Maria Irygal, the Great Eight Demons who has both the innocentness of a girl and the dignity of a ruler.

It goes without saying that her power is immeasurable for Hund, and he’s reminded that there’s always someone better.

「I’m getting sleepy, I’m going home. Bye bye~」

「Y-Yeah…. Be careful on your way home.」

Still, perhaps because there are a few days until the day of the decisive battle, Maria enjoyed some wine and various kinds of garlic dishes before she went home.