* * *

“The time is coming.”

She smiled coyly, her limp hair tucked behind her ear. Her cloudy eyes swept over the dozens of demons crouched before her.

“Death is all that awaits those who descend into the Demon Realm. This dark, musty space, once our home, will soon become their hell.”

There was an odd sense of authority in her thin, firm voice that stamped down on the arrogant demons. No one dared to speak up or look up at her.

Dark, demonic energy radiated from her. The dense demonic energy that proved she was the blood of the Demon King stifled their arrogance.

Emilia knew the power she wielded all too well, and she spoke without raising her voice, her words soft enough to be missed if not listened to carefully.

“If the humans descend into the Demon Realm, victory is a foregone conclusion, but there is no such thing as a foregone conclusion in war. I don’t want to leave even the slightest room for error. ……That’s why I’ve gathered you.”

Her slender legs moved with ease as she made her way through the crouching demons, her eyes scanning each of the shriveled heads before her as she spoke softly.

“Hold on to the last of them. Drain them of their power, their will, their morale, and their energy, thoroughly. Sacrifice yourselves. Bind them to death, and our kind, your souls, shall be able to bask in the blue sky.”

An eerie ambition flashed across the beautiful face that smiled. Freedom for the demons, a throne on top of the world for herself, a throne that would never be broken. The first race to be trampled underfoot in her quest to rule all.

She shall triumph. The corners of her mouth twisted conspiratorially as the demons roared their answers.

* * *

After an excruciatingly long labor, the human race had succeeded in creating a portal to the Demon Realm. It was an extraordinary feat, one for the history books.

But there was no time for lavish celebrations or generous rewards to honor the magicians. Everything would be done in the aftermath of victory, in a world at peace.

Immediately after the completion of the so-called ‘Gate of Retribution’, the leaders of the countries selected a location for a strategic meeting of the knights. Since the meeting was to be attended by the commander and vice commander of each Knight Order, the focus was on location rather than size. After half a day of discussion, the location was chosen: Tyrone Island, the site of the first summit.

Ten days later, the knights would hold a strategy meeting in the high tower on Tyrone Island. Three Knight Orders would be represented from the Osma Empire. Guardian Knight Order commander, Ector Enti, and Sorin Salamo, who serves as vice commander. Moritol Anak, commander of the Heaven Time Knight Order, and Sam Hopkins, vice commander.

Everyone was in attendance, but not the Scarlet Scales Knight Order. The commander of the Scarlet Scales Knight Order was, of course, Cadel, so the problem was the vice commander. At this meeting, it was mandatory for the commander to bring a vice commander to assist him.

But Cadel had never once thought of a vice commander for the Scarlet Scales Knight Order. Neither had the other members of the Order; they had all come to assume that they were the Knight Order’s second-in-command, so when Cadel relayed this fact, they immediately launched into a serious discussion.

Inside a tavern that had been rented out for the occasion. Gathered around a large table, the members stared in disbelief at Van, who slammed his greatsword to the floor and growled murderously.

“Of course, I’m the vice commander. I’ve been by Commander’s side since the mercenary days. I’ve known him the longest, and I know him better than anyone else. And who better to take care of him, to recognize when he’s comfortable in certain situations, in certain environments than I? Dullards like you can’t take care of him, and there’s no one who could replace me as vice commander.”

The man who had been closest to the commander for the longest time, the one who could stand by his side more loyally than anyone else, was the one who should be vice commander. Van’s eyes glowed fiercely as he threatened to tear apart anyone who disagreed with him. Of course, there was no one here who would be intimidated by his threats.

“Shouldn’t the position of vice commander be determined solely by the amount of time spent together? Any vice commander attending this strategy meeting should be able to contribute to the meeting, not just be an aide.”

Lumen, leaning back against the backrest and crossing his legs lazily, waved a hand in the air.

“Anyone here who can blend in with the other knights and voice their opinions without offending them? Anyone who cowers in timidity to hide their identity, hates nobility, or just doesn’t like humans in general? Let’s see who’s left.”

As well as being a fierce fighter, Lumen was also a skilled diplomat. In this group of social misfits, it was always up to him to interact with others. 

He had cleaned up all sorts of messes for the men who acted like stray cats, and Lumen felt it was about time he was rewarded.

But there was no one here who would accept his persuasive arguments so easily.

“I’m the only one here who knows what a true vice commander is supposed to do, and what a commander is most comfortable and trusted with. I’m the only one who knows exactly, right?”

Garuel laughed cheerfully as he took a cool gulp of his seventh drink. He swept his hair back in a sneer and spoke confidently.

“Do you know how poorly I’ve treated my vice commander, Modeleine, since I’ve been leading the Twilight Knight Order? You have no idea how much I’ve delegated even the most menial of chores to him, and how comfortable a life I’ve enjoyed as commander!”

“I don’t think that should be considered boasting.”

“I’m as prepared to serve Knight Commander as, if not more so than, Modeleine, and I can offer helpful advice based on my past as a commander. I’m also well-informed about the other knights who will be attending the meeting, so I should be able to sway it in our favor.”

After all, he’d been the commander of the Kingdom’s representative Holy Knight Order for many years now, and with all the know-how he’d accumulated over that time, he was confident that he could minimize Cadel’s fatigue. And if he should ever get tired from a long meeting, he’d be right there to provide healing. The perfect vice commander.

Garuel had no doubt that he was the perfect member to stand by Cadel’s side. Of course, everyone here believed that about themselves.

“I hear this meeting is to discuss ways to infiltrate the Demon Realm.”

Yozen had been listening to everyone’s chatter in silence. He slowly opened his mouth.

“No one here is better at raiding than me, and when it comes to stealthily infiltrating enemy lines, I’m the best, even if you gathered knights from all continents. In order to convey my opinion, I need to attend the meeting in person. Some people won’t believe me, so I need to prove it to them.”

It was he who possessed the bulk of the vital tactical knowledge needed for the meeting. Yozen was confident that his skills would be needed to invade the Demon Realm, and he was determined to put them to work by Cadel’s side. No matter what the others said, he was the one who would be most useful, as he would be the one who would be able to warn Cadel in person if he found someone who offended him during the meeting.

The debate raged on, with each member arguing why they should be vice commander. Cadel’s opinion, which was all that mattered, was ignored. Cadel, who had long since been pushed aside in their heated debate, was munching on the grilled fish that had been served as an appetizer and agreeing with everyone.

It was hard for him to rationalize who was worthy of the position of vice commander in the first place. As he focused on his food, letting their arguments play out in the background, he turned his head, suddenly feeling a little out of sorts.

“Lydon?”

“Huh?”

Lydon’s eyes widened at Cadel’s call as he shoveled a mouthful of pickled apple into his mouth. Cadel whispered softly to Lydon, who was just as focused on his food as he was.

“You don’t want to be vice commander? Why don’t you say anything?”

If it was Lydon, Cadel would have thought he would be the first to declare that he was the one who was the vice commander. Cadel expected him to make absurd excuses and confuse the discussion. But he acted as if he had no interest in the vice commander position.

In response to Cadel’s question, Lydon chewed furiously on a pickled apple.

“Vice commander is a hassle. It requires me to follow the humans to their meetings and sit still.”

“That’s true.”

“I won’t bother with that, I’ll just stay with Cadel.”

“We can only take the vice commander to Tyrone Island, the rest of the Order will be staying in the Empire.”

“Hmph, who cares? If I turn small, they won’t be able to find me anyway. I’ll get there somehow, don’t worry, darling.”

It seemed that Lydon had been planning to ignore the companionship requirement from the start and travel to Tyrone Island with him. Humans with common sense were fighting tooth and nail for the position of vice commander.

‘……Well. Since when does he listen to anyone?’

Anyway, as Lydon said, the risk of being spotted was low if you were a little fairy. Even if they tried to stop him, he’d be sure to follow them.

‘I pity the others.’

Cadel shook his head slightly as he imagined the future vice commander discovering Lydon late in the day and having a heart attack.

“I thought you said I’d be the vice commander!”

“You’re out of the running for shouting that ignorantly. I’m the vice commander, that’s what anyone would think.”

“No, first of all, I don’t think so. I’m the vice commander, and no one understands the position better than I do.”

“Don’t be such a pest. Unless you want to pass out until the meeting is over, just give in.”

Van and Lumen, Garuel and Yozen. The four men’s battle for vice commander dragged on for another three hours, even with Cadel and Lydon shoving snacks down their throats. It never came to a conclusion, and when it was suggested that they settle the matter in a duel, the lesser Cadel took matters into his own hands.

If the commander himself nominated the vice commander, everyone would obey. But Cadel couldn’t handle the disappointment his subordinates would feel if they didn’t get the position afterward, so he decided to find a fairer way to choose the vice commander.

“Now, draw lots. Whoever draws the fork with the burnt end is the vice commander.”

Since Lydon had given up his position as vice commander, the number of forks was four. Cadel held the forks out in front of the four serious-looking men.

“You’re not allowed to use dark energy, Yozen.”

“……Don’t penalize me alone.”

“It’s for fairness.”

His eyes, as serious as ever, scrutinized the fork. The position of vice commander would in fact be vacant once this meeting was over. Cadel smirked at his needlessly serious subordinates.

And the next moment.

“This!”

The four men reached out at the same time, each pulling out a different fork.

“I can’t believe……. How could that guy…….”

“I already knew it, I was born this way, I’m not lucky. I have to accept it.”

“……Be thankful you’ve lived a good life. Because that’s the only reason you’re alive tonight.”

Van, Garuel, and Yozen. The three men muttered grimly as they clutched their wooden forks, threatening to break them. There was no sign of charring anywhere on the forks, and the more they looked, the more depressed they became.

The owner of the fork, on the other hand, had a charred tip. Lumen Dominic set the fork down on the table with a relaxed smile.

“Well, I expected it, and heaven knows I’m the only one here worthy of the title of vice commander.”

It was only a one-in-four chance. Still, Lumen smirked and looked down on the losers as if he were a hero divined by the gods.

If left unchecked, the cynical members of the Order would go on a rampage. Seeing the future, Cadel slapped Lumen to stop him from acting so arrogant.

“I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with being vice commander, Lumen. It’s not a position you should take lightly. It’s a gathering of the greatest Knight Order commanders from across the continent. There will be a whole host of people who will be outmatched in age and length of time leading the Knight Order, and we’ll have to make our voices heard.”

It was like being a first-year recruit who’d been lucky enough to get in on a few meetings with the top brass, but he knew better than to expect his opinion to be heard.

‘No matter how things may have gone in the story, here, we have to go our own way, so I need to utilize all the information I have.’

After entering the Demon Realm, he had to combine combat with exploration. Moreover, Cadel wouldn’t be able to bring along any members for the exploration. Unless he could prove the survival of the other heirs of the Demon King, he wouldn’t be able to call for help. He couldn’t afford to take gambles that would distract his troops from the war, which was why he needed to put all his energy into it in the first place.

It was also difficult to focus on the war and then move once victory was assured. This was because he didn’t know how long it would take for the system to recognize the victory and award the privilege.

If the reward was awarded immediately after the system recognized victory, there would be no chance to determine if there was another heir to the Demon King.

For this reason, Cadel decided to save the Scarlet Scales Knight Order for later in the war. He would conserve his forces by supporting the lead Knight Order in the early stages, and then enter the fray as soon as the search was complete.

‘If I’m going to do that, I’m going to have to push for it among the commanders.’

Cadel’s hope was that he’d be able to keep his strength in reserve, not just watch the tide of the war, but come in at the last minute and claim the title of hero, capitalizing on everyone’s sacrifice.

‘I hate appearing as incompetent too. But it’s for everyone’s well-being.’

Would such a timid tactic be accepted among the formidable Knight Order commanders? Lumen, who had become the temporary vice commander, spoke confidently in front of Cadel, who was feeling lost.

“Don’t try to lay everything out on the table at the meeting. This is supposed to be about the work below the surface.”

“Work below the surface……?”

“First, let’s gather some powerful allies to back up Commander’s argument.”