"Demon, is there anything uncomfortable about you?"
"No."
"Maybe you have a headache..."
"I'm fine."
"Would you like some water?"
"It's okay."
Was this a murder notice?
I looked at the bizarre flower in front of me with a bewildered expression.
Then, the guy who held out the flowers was dragged through the crowd of people, and soon there was a dull sound and a commotion.
"Are you crazy!"
"How dare you give flowers to Demon? Where is your mind?!"
"Ugh! Demon likes flowers! It's an expression of my respect! Why!"
"Demon likes flowers...?"
"Oh! I saw him enjoying a walk in the garden!"
"How much would you like it if you walked with an incubus next to you just because he was a gardener?"
"Then he paid a bribe!"
"Aaaah!"
I don't know what it is, but this guy's having a hard time…
I shook my head.
Currently, I was sitting quietly in the carriage. When I woke up, I was so surprised to realize that I was in a carriage.
It even made me wonder if the damned Demon King had taken advantage of my drunkenness to send me to the Empire.
It wasn't until I opened the window to understand the situation that I realized that wasn't the case, but I was surprised in a different way.
'Why are they looking at me like that?'
As soon as the window was opened, numerous eyes were focused on it.
Those eyes turned towards me with a strange heat in them, and I froze, unable to do anything. Maybe it would have stayed that way if Ed hadn't approached me.
Ed looked at my complexion through the window and asked if I was okay, and I just nodded without knowing what was going on.
Due to the atmosphere, I couldn't even ask what was going on.
Later, I found out that I had done something while drunk...
Seeing that I had done a great job in the war, it seemed like I had jumped into the battlefield...
'What on earth did I do?'
I wondered why we just went back.
It's not just about going back, it's about going back because it's already over.
I thought I definitely drank it in moderation. Has my drinking tolerance really decreased? That didn't really cause any problems, but it was still a bit disappointing.
Anyway, I think it was quite impressive.
All the way back, 0th Corps members were snooping through the open window and talking to me.
Those guys who always kept their distance from me with a stiff expression...!
"Are you not hungry?"
"I'm not."
At first I was dazed, then I was scared, and now...
'I'm exhausted.'
It wasn't possible to close the window because there were people who kept talking to me. If I just ignored them and closed it, I might disappear without even a rat or a bird noticing...
It was really driving me crazy.
At that time, Ed appeared, pushing through the corps members gathered in front of the window.
When I tilted my upper body toward the window to see a happy face, he bowed once and said, "We're here."
At last!
I quickly got up.
I'm not sure if it's because my body was always tired, but my mind was so tired.
I felt like I was going to lose my mind if this continued, so I got out of the carriage with the intention of getting a quick rest.
And...
'...When did I come up to my room?'
I was so tired that even my memory seemed to have faded. I don't know when or how I came up.
***
"Ah, are you here?"
The Demon King raised his head.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the white-haired man standing in front of him with an expressionless face as usual.
"I heard you did a great job this time? Thank you for your hard work. How did you feel about meeting the new hero?"
"...I have something to tell you."
Even though there was no answer to the question, the Demon King put a smile on his face instead of pointing out the rudeness.
Because some very interesting information just came in.
Very important information that was also related to Deon Hart in front of him.
"Okay? Before that, why don't you take a look at this? The 2nd Corps Commander brought information about the new hero."
Startle.
Deon's body trembled when he heard the words '2nd Corps Commander.' He shivered again, and unlike before, he hastily picked up the document.
His eyes moved left and right and he began to read the text.
Actually, there wasn't much to read. But.
"The new hero's name is..."
That little amount of text contained heavy information.
"Cruel Hardt."
"...Yes."
Deon Hardt could only smile, forgetting about the urgency from earlier.
Red eyes were shining. The corners of his mouth rose, revealing hostility and murderous intent.
A very familiar name.
He said, repeating the name of his older brother, who was difficult to forget even as his life goes by, "I should have just killed him, then."
Even if it meant overdoing it.
Deon put down the documents and raised his head. The Demon
King's unique eyes, with black sclera instead of white, were facing towards him with a smile on their face, as if he knew what he was going to say.
"Are you planning on going to the Empire?"
"..."
Sometimes, silence is an answer.
After leisurely organizing his desk, the Demon King stood up and approached Deon.
He spoke as he tapped the border between Deon's collarbone and neck, who was standing there without a hint of doubt, as if he already knew what he was going to do.
Even though a black mark appeared on the spot where his finger touched, neither of them cared.
"Go ahead. Even on the Empire's side, if you are away for too long, there will be people who become suspicious. Of course, if you have gain useful information, let me know."
The Demon King grinned.
Why he cared about Deon.
That was because Deon Hardt was taking on a task that even he could not do.
This was something that demons, who have an outward appearance slightly different from humans, could never do.
Act as a spy.
"Then, I'll be back."
Deon Hardt.
He was a commander of the Demon King's army, and a hero of the Empire.
***
After much thought, I was finally able to recall a fragment of my memory.
Yes, I met the Demon King. It was a natural obligation to report to your superiors as soon as you return.
And one of the conversations I vaguely remembered.
'The commander of the 2nd Corps has returned.'
So I thought about going to the Empire to avoid her, and the Demon King gave me permission to go...?
It somehow felt like a memory modified to my taste, but whatever.
As a result, it was clear that permission was given to visit the Empire.
'Go ahead. Even on the Empire's side, if you are away for too long, there will be people who become suspicious. Of course, if you have gain useful information, let me know.'
These words of the Demon King remained clearly in my memory.
In that case, since I had permission, let's leave quickly before the 2nd Corps Commander comes here. I'm sure as soon as she found me, she'll try to dress me up in various clothes.
I quickly got up from my seat and started packing my things .Anyway, the luggage needed to go to the Empire was not much. All I had to do is dress appropriately to avoid exposure to the sun, and bring some food to eat along the way.
'Wow, it's perfect.'
I was a little worried about whether I would be able to get food without running into the 2nd Corps commander... I trembled as I remembered the 2nd Corps commander who had brought a lot of clothes.
'I won't let you go until you try on all those clothes.'
She may not seem like a bad guy, but she was a terrifying demon who taught me that people can become exhausted just by putting on and taking off their clothes.
I put my hand on the door handle to quickly grab some food, but paused for a moment.
'Where do I get food?'
It's difficult because there will be Corps Commanders in the restaurant.
...I'll go out first.
The moment I turned the handle, I heard a knocking sound. I was startled and ran away from the door.
'Is the Commander of the 2nd Corps already here?'
My feet automatically took a step back.
As if to reassure me as I hesitated on asking who it was, I heard a very familiar voice through the door.
"This is Deputy Ed."
***
"If you came, please sit here."
The Demon King, who was examining the documents, raised his head and lifted his chin. Unlike when dealing with Deon, his face was serious.
Ed obediently sat down and quietly rolled his head.
Demon must have reported already, so why did he call me?
Could it be that there was something unclear?
Meanwhile, the Demon King, who had organized the documents and piled them on one side, softly called out to Ed.
"I don't like procrastination, so tell me right away."
"..."
"Are you planning on becoming a Corps Commander?"
"!"
Regardless of all his assumptions and determination, his mind became a blank page.
Even though he was dazed by an unexpected topic, Ed was able to quickly understand the situation.
"Is this because the 9th Corps Commander's position is vacant?"
"Yes. Until now, all the Corps Commander positions were filled, so you were the deputy to the 0th Corps Commander, but the situation is different now."
A seat was empty.
It was natural that the choice for that position would be given to Ed.
It was something he'd always been waiting for. How did he forget this?
However, even though it was something he had been waiting for, Ed could not easily open his mouth.
"When I become a Corps Commander, Commander Demon's adjutant will be..."
"I guess I'll have to pick a new one."
"So what happens if I refuse?"
"The guy who would've been the new adjutant will be offered a seat as a Corps Commander."
"Is that so."
Ed, who had said that far, kept his mouth shut.
A look of distress was evident from his facial expression. The Demon King leisurely leaned back in his chair as if to give him time to think.
The air was released and a soft silence settles in the room, as if time has stopped.
Ed, who had been unable to open his mouth for a while even in that space, managed to speak only after the three moons lined up outside the window began to overlap again. "I..."
After finishing the conversation with the Demon King, Ed headed to Deon's room as if it were natural.
As always, he knocked twice and said what he always said.
"This is Deputy Ed."
"Come on in."
As he opened the door and wet in, he saw my boss standing in the room. Ed stopped on the spot.
He looks fully armed as if he's going out at any moment.
It was an unexpected appearance, but considering that he had previously met the Demon King, he could have predicted that he had received some kind of secret message, so he showed no signs of agitation and closed the door.
"Are you trying to leave?"
"Yes, I will be out for a while."
"Ah..."
Uncharacteristically, he hesitated.
Demon, who looked at Ed strangely, decided that there was no need to inquire for a moment, so instead of mentioning this, he added a slightly belated explanation.
"I'm going to visit the human realm."
"Is that so. Then, you will need food."
Ed's actions were quick, as expected.
Ed, who had stopped him from taking care of it on his own carefully tied a small enchanted pouch to his waist, glanced at him and carefully opened his mouth.
"I..."
"Oh, thank you. Then I guess I'll just go now."
Ed looked blankly at Deon, who stood up from his seat.
A traveler's hood covered his white hair and his red eyes.
And at some point, his back was turned towards the door as if he would never look back again.
"Ed."
"Yes, Commader Demon."
"Is there anything you want?"
"...Yes?"
"It's been a long time since I went to the Empire, so tell me if there are things you need."
Ed smiled without realizing it.
Where else could you find a superior who takes care of his subordinates like this?
And nowhere else would a superior need so much help.
"Nothing in particular."
"Hmm... Then, I will take care of finding the right thing for you. I'm busy right now, so let's talk about it later."
From there, Ed decided to keep quiet.
Instead of mentioning the proposal he heard from the Demon King, he raised the corners of his mouth and slightly folded the corners of his eyes. Then, he bowed politely and spoke.
"Yes, I will wait."
There would be no need to disturb the busy person by bringing up an offer that had already been rejected.
"Please come back safely."
Even if he left for the Empire, Ed would still greet him as his adjutant.