I felt like crying. You don't have to go that far. You can wait a long time. At least until I die.
But Ashild is the type of person who always keeps his word. He will never forget this promise. In other words, no matter when, the moment when I cross swords with that fearsome guy will definitely come.
"Demon?"
"Ah."
Now that I think about it, I think he said something at the end... He asked if he could go take a look.
I suppressed and swallowed the sigh that was trying to escape.
There is no justification for rejecting this.
Still, it's better than sparring, so should I take some comfort from that?
I had no choice but to nod my head, and a faint smile appeared on his hard face.
"Thank you. I can't thank you enough..."
Seeing a guy who goes crazy cutting up people on the battlefield speak so politely, it's rather burdensome and I don't know what to do.
It would be better if you spoke informally. I would have felt at ease if it had come out at least a little shamelessly.
"Uh, then can I go too? I've always wondered what the 0th Corps' training method is like."
Why does Idelia want to come if she and Ashlid are not on good terms? Oh, is that perhaps spying?
It seems like they're trying to spy on me to see if there's any useful information, so what should I do?
"I don't mind you coming, but..."
I feel sorry for Idelia, who is looking forward to it, but my training method is 'neglect'.
I literally just leave them alone and stop by every now and then to watch them train. That's all... I guess she'll be disappointed.
Still, I couldn't say with good conscience that I was leaving the 0th Corps unattended, so I quietly cleaned up the dishes.
I put all the dishes still full of food on the tray and stood up holding them. Then Jaykar and Ashild, who had already finished eating, stood up holding their empty bowls. Idelia, who came this way after putting all the dishes away, looked at my plate and tilted her head.
"Have you eaten enough?"
"Yes."
"Are you feeling unwell..."
"Yes, a little."
Because of you guys.
I swallowed the words that rose up in my throat and answered calmly. Then Jaykar looked at my complexion with a worried expression and said.
"Then shouldn't you first see your doctor?"
"It's okay."
No matter how nice Ben is, I can't guarantee what will happen if I continue to bother him over trivial things. In the end, isn't he also a 'demon'?
Thinking back to the man who seemed to claim to be a demon because part of his face was covered in snake scales, I shook my head and handed the tray over to the worker.
As I came out, the other Corps Commanders came rushing out after me. In addition to the unexpected situation, there seemed to be someone's image overlapping here, so I was startled and stopped reflexively.
It's like...
'Am I like the Demon King?'
Thanks to this, it feels like the constant gaze has become even more intense. I was planning to just eat quietly and leave, as if nothing was there, but somehow it ended up like this.
Because of the atmosphere, I felt like I should head straight to the military base like this, so I stopped awkwardly and looked around, but someone came running urgently from far away.
"Commander Jaykar!"
What is this now? Since something has happened to me, I started to be wary.
It was easy to judge whether it was an enemy or an ally.
"Commander Jaykar's paperwork is behind, so I ask as Commander Jaykar's deputy to come quickly..."
You are an ally.
"...Now that I think about it, there are documents piled up on my desk. Is that all there is?"
"Yeah, probably... I guess so."
A heavy sigh was heard.
Jaykar, who was wiping his face with one hand, clearly showing his irritation and frustration, soon lost his emotions and turned to me.
"You heard, but I don't think I can go today."
"Yes, that's a shame."
I don't regret it at all.
I internally praised the demon who delivered the good news and looked back on the past when I had drawn the line on paperwork from the beginning.
At the time, I was nervous that my voice would crack while speaking, but now that I think about it, I think I did really well. Thanks to that, I don't have to worry about being harassed by my lieutenant over paperwork.
For your information, the adjutant who has no work to do thanks to me is now out in the human world. I was so bored that he went out to find a new puzzle or cube for me. As expected, he
is a demon, so you have to be careful, but in his own way, he is just as kind and grateful as Ben.
"Well... now that I think about it, I'm behind, too."
Ashild, who was standing next to him, let out something that I couldn't tell whether it was a lament or a groan.
He shook his head nervously, sighed and looked at me with an apologetic expression, as if there was nothing he could do.
"I guess I'll have to postpone the visit until later. I'm really sorry for asking you first."
"No, thanks."
It's really okay, so I hope you don't apologize.
I did my best to show that it was okay and sent a look full of affection to the demon who delivered the good news. Then the guy flinched like a petty thief facing a security guard.
I didn't find it particularly strange. In the first place, it's strange that you don't feel anything in front of the Corps Commanders. Moreover, it's scary to tell them that they have to hurry up because they have a backlog of paperwork.
"Well...Commander Idelia...huh? Commander Idelia?! Where have you gone,
Idelia?"
Another attendant, who had been looking for Idelia while keeping an eye on her, opened his eyes and looked around.
'Idelia? If it's Idelia, she's right here...huh? Where has she gone?'
Am I the only one who didn't know she was gone?
No, that doesn't seem to be the case. Both Ashild and Jaykar were looking around with expressions of subtle admiration and irritation.
The 4th Corps Commander suddenly went somewhere. I guess you ran away because you didn't want to do the paperwork. No matter what, she is still a Corps Commander in name.
"It looks like she ran away again."
"It seems like her skills are improving day by day."
Really?!
I forgot. The corps commanders were not normal.
The servant seemed to have realized that she had run away, and he was very tearful. Rather than crying, he was lamenting one after another as if he had forgotten who the other person was.
"Did you see the deputy's face, Idelia? It's almost like rage. If that were all, I could just say it was a pity and move on, but the problem is that the deputy is now making a fuss about submitting a resignation letter..."
...Thanks for your hard work.
"No... I was sorry. Then I'll just leave. If you happen to find Commander Idelia...."
"I will catch her and throw her in front of the adjutant."
"Yes, please do."
The attendant bowed and walked away, as if he wanted to search more.
And when the figure faded from sight, Jaykar and Ashild simultaneously turned to look at me.
"See you later then."
"See you next time."
"Yes, good luck with the paperwork..."
Oh, I guess I escaped from them.
The two of them sighed as if they completely disagreed with what I said as a bit of encouragement.
I was nervous that they might get angry, but fortunately, the two turned around without saying anything and walked slowly and unwillingly.
'And I...'
I guess I'll have to go and see the 0th Corps.
There is no set deadline and it could be postponed as long as I want, but if I do that, the corps commanders who have completed the paperwork may stick around.
Now that everyone is busy disappearing is the best time that will never come again.
That's why I kept forcing myself to keep walking towards my room and turned towards the 0th Corps' exclusive training ground.
Oh, I don't want to go.
***
Perhaps because lunch time had just ended, the training grounds were empty.
After all, who would run right after eating? My side hurt thinking about it.
The thought of going back like this slowly crossed my mind, but if I go back without seeing a single member of the corps, that means I wasn't looking after the corps.
So, with the intention of waiting, I grabbed a wooden sword from the stand, trudged over to a corner of the training hall, and sat down with my legs crossed.
As I touched the wooden sword with the discolored handle, I felt it again.
Maybe it's because it's from the demon world, or maybe I'm just weak, but it's still heavy. If I wanted to swing it, I could swing it, but it would be the wooden sword swinging me instead of me swinging the wooden sword.
Cursed strength that cannot control even a wooden sword, let alone an iron sword.
Because of that, when I was first taken to the battlefield, I remember being in a hurry to avoid and run away without being able to hold any weapons of any kind. It wasn't until later that the weapon I chose was a small, light dagger.
"Oh."
Suddenly, a small sound woke me up from my thoughts and I raised my head. At the entrance to the training hall, I saw a guy who looked like a corps member staring at me with a blue face.
This is a training ground exclusively for the 0th Corps, so they are probably our corps members. Are you here for training? You are diligent.
...As soon as I thought about it, the guy rushed out of the training ground.
"...."
What is it? If you were going to go back, why did you come?
Or is it because you hate me? Are you trying to conspire so that no one will come back until I return because you hate me?
"Ha."
Yes, how dare a mere human being act as a corps commander.
Let's go back now. I've done enough.
Actually, I can't say I've done enough, but my conscience is screaming that this is enough, so I guess it's enough.
I stood up to return the wooden sword. As I was just starting to walk, I felt a vibration in the ground.
At first, I thought it was just my mood, but...
Dum dum dum dum dum dum!
I was convinced when I saw a cloud of dust gathering in the distance.
'What is that crazy thing? Is it a monster? Were there monsters in the Demon King's Castle?'
Ah, a figure resembling a human is revealed through the dust cloud.
Only then did I know. Those guys are corps members. That's on our side too.
"..."
Let's run away.
I don't know what it is, but I have a bad feeling. I can postpone examining the corps until later. No, at this level, heaven is giving a revelation that it must be postponed.
While I was hesitating and retreating, the guys who had come right in front of me were standing in line in front of me. Itwas a surprisingly quick and well-coordinated action.
"..."
"..."
A silence fell in the vast training hall.
Unlike the quiet space, my mind was very complicated.
What is this? Since you treated me like a corps commander, does that mean I should get out of the way quickly? When will I go back? Should I go back now? Looking at those eyes... I think I should probably go now.
I nodded once to show my intention to go back and was about to turn when the person who seemed to be the representative among them cautiously called me out.
"Commander Demon."
"Yes?"
"The reason you came here..."
Why do those words sound to me like, 'Why did you come when you have nothing to do?'
However, even if my interpretation is correct, it is not particularly wrong and I cannot say anything about it.
My hands, unable to overcome my anxiety, try to move as they please. I would grab my collar, but it would look much better to grab the wooden sword instead.
I said, strengthening the hand holding the wooden sword, "I'm curious."
The skills of the 0th Corps members.
Since I've been training almost every time I've come, I believe I'll do above average, but other than that, I want to see it with my own eyes at least once.
Unable to resist the unspoken pressure to return quickly, I headed to the wooden sword stand to put the sword back in its place.
I tried to move as naturally as possible without showing signs of nervousness, but I think I was too nervous.
My toes caught on the back of my heel!
Even today, my body is failing me!
'I'm falling!'
If I fell like this, I'm in trouble.
If I fell like this, there would be a rumor that I had tripped over my own feet. It's obvious what will happen after without even thinking about it.
Thinking that I would die if I fell, I took a big step forward desperately tried to keep my balance.
Then, as I was lowering my upper body and establishing a stable posture, something passed over my head!
"Commander Demon!!"
When I slightly raised my head to look, something fell gently in front of me.
It's like white fur... This is my hair, right?
I was scared and raised my upper body while twisting my body and looking back. Then something blunt hit my elbow.
And then moaning followed.
"Ugh!"
"Wow!"
"...?"
When my field of vision became fully clear, the other person was already trembling, clutching his solar plexus and bending his back.
My eyes widened at the familiar appearance.
"A human?"
They had no tail, horns, or scales. Unlike demons that have some parts that are different from humans, this guy looked like a human no matter how you look at it.
The question of how a human ended up in the Demon King's Castle briefly crossed my mind as I saw the sword he was holding.
He's an intruder. Could it be that this guy's solar plexus was what hit my elbow?
I was lucky. If I hadn't been, I would have suffered the consequences.
After comforting my shocked heart, I held the wooden sword with both hands and lifted it up.
Whether he was a human or something else, it didn't change the fact that he was an intruder and attacked me.
That's why I had no hesitation in my actions.
Rather, I thought that if I left it like this, I could be in danger, so I put my weight into it and struck with the wooden sword with all my might.
Bam!