The Demon King's Hall fell silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Serena kept her eyes downcast, maintaining an air of serene detachment as if she hadn't heard him at all.
Sylvia silently lowered her head, intently counting the tiles on the floor.
Barnier remained aloof, while the old Demon King and the witch showed no reaction.
How obedient—just like students being lectured by their teacher.
The moment I ask you to do something, you all give me these deadpan expressions!
"Serena, you're human and skilled at infiltration. Why don't you go?"
Eiji resorted to calling names directly.
If you won't let me handle this with dignity, then don't blame me for not letting you keep yours!
"With all due respect, Your Majesty!"
Serena immediately put on a troubled expression. "If that light truly possesses power capable of threatening our Demon King Army, then someone as weak as me would be utterly useless!"
She was extremely confident about her own weakness!
Among the Demon King Army's executives, there were the Headless Knight, chimeras, and monsters like Airi and the old Demon King who could instantly create numerous subordinates. Though Serena had a few tricks up her sleeve, she was indeed the weakest among them.
"Sylvia?"
"Reporting, Your Majesty. I've been busy these past two days searching for suitable breasts and simply have no time."
Sylvia wore an apologetic look.
So, for you, finding the right breasts is more important than the Demon King Army's survival, is that it?
Eiji glanced at the other three, who seemed completely detached, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I actually have the perfect candidate in mind!"
Seeing Eiji rub his temples, Serena spoke up with confidence.
Couldn't you have said that earlier?
"I believe Beldia is the most suitable!"
Her words drew everyone's attention to the Headless Knight.
"Eh, me?"
Beldia handed over his head, looking genuinely surprised.
An investigation mission should be the last thing suited for him, right?
"Are you serious, Serena?"
Eiji gave it some thought before replying, "For an infiltration mission, the operative should at least look human, shouldn't they? You and Sylvia aside, even the old Demon King and the witch could pass. But Beldia? He looks like a villain at first glance. How is he supposed to investigate?"
From an appearance standpoint, Serena—being human—was naturally the best fit, followed by Sylvia, who had a human form. The old Demon King and the witch only had horns as distinguishing demonic traits, so they could pass. But Beldia? His demonic appearance made blending in with humans impossible.
"Appearance isn't a concern, Your Majesty. After all, nearly every executive in our Demon King Army has had their appearance exposed. Each of us has a bounty of hundreds of millions in Belzerg Kingdom. Frankly, I'm tempted to turn myself in..."
Serena's eyes sparkled with longing.
She had never earned that much money in her entire life.
Tch.
That's right!
Now that he thought about it, it made sense. After years of conflict, the Demon King Army's executives couldn't possibly have remained hidden. Their appearances must have long been exposed. Even Kyouya Mitsurugi had recognized the witch at a glance, mentioning her bounty was at least 200 million.
Now that you mention it, none of the executives seem suitable for this kind of investigation task.
"Then why do you think Beldia is a good fit?"
"Well, for the past few days, I've been receiving complaints from female demons in the city every day. It seems that after bathing each night, King Beldia keeps forgetting his head in the bathhouse, which has infuriated our female comrades..."
"..."
The hall fell into dead silence.
The gazes of everyone present turned disdainful as they looked at the Headless Knight.
"T-this! Your Majesty, please let me explain!"
Beldia was sweating profusely, stammering as he spoke.
"I really just forgot! I absolutely wasn't trying to use this method to p-peek at demon beauties bathing...!"
"Alright, then Beldia it is!"
Eiji made the final decision.
"Your Majesty...!"
I'd believe it if you forgot anything else, but you're a Headless Knight who can't even walk without your head. And you forgot your head in the bathhouse?
Yeah, right!
...
"Wait a moment, old Demon King."
After the meeting concluded and the executives had dispersed, Eiji called out to the former Demon King alone.
"Your Majesty, I'm no longer the Demon King. Addressing me as such is truly too much honor!"
The old Demon King bowed deeply, his face full of exaggerated humility.
Truly shameless—no wonder he managed to annoy Vanir into joining as an executive just by crying!
Eiji didn't believe for a second that the old Demon King was unaware that he had seen through his schemes. Yet, the old man still pretended not to know that Eiji knew.
For him, dignity might as well not exist!
"How many people in the city can use teleportation magic?"
"Teleportation magic? What do you need it for?"
"That's none of your concern."
The old Demon King glanced at Eiji, lost in thought.
Just as his daughter had said, this brat was flawlessly cautious—ridiculously strong yet still so careful. What a pain.
"The castle does have a specialized unit trained in teleportation magic. Every member of that unit can use it, though they're all specialized in that field and have almost no other skills."
In this world, teleportation magic was a movement method that defied common sense.
As long as a mark had been left at a location beforehand, one could instantly arrive there regardless of distance or current location.
This method of travel was incredibly convenient, relied upon by both pleasure-seeking nobles and military forces where speed was crucial.
Thus, many factions in this world deliberately cultivated talents skilled in teleportation magic.
"Of course, if we're talking about the strongest in teleportation magic, that would be me and Airi!"
The old Demon King was brimming with confidence on this point.
"Aren't you two oni?"
"Precisely because we're oni that we specifically trained in magic!"
The oni were a physically powerful race—arguably the most physically gifted among demons.
Because of this, the old Demon King and Airi already possessed formidable physical strength.
Take the old Demon King, for example. Even without the effects of monster blessings, his strength rivaled that of a high-ranking Dark Knight—and that was in his weakened old age. In his youth, he must have been far stronger!
With physical prowess already at such a level, the only way to grow stronger was to study magic.
Not only advanced magic, but also auxiliary spells like teleportation magic—they had mastered them all.
The former Demon King, Kyoichi Yasaka, and the witch Airi Yasaka were both grand mages capable of wielding advanced magic. In any ordinary adventurer party, they would undoubtedly be treated like priceless treasures.
"I see."
Eiji pensively let the former Demon King leave.