The Great Demon King's Test
The training ground of the 69th floor Demon King's castle was far larger and more comfortable than the one on the 72nd floor. Dantalion had constructed it with abundant funds, so it was only natural that the facilities were excellent. Seere's legion soldiers monopolized this vast training ground, enjoying a luxurious training life. One might question what luxury had to do with sweating and panting until exhaustion, but compared to the facilities on the 72nd floor, this life could indeed be called luxurious.
With the 72nd floor's forces occupying this place, most of the original 69th floor soldiers had been driven out. The majority had already died in battle against the 68th floor, and the survivors were of low quality since Dantalion had simply gathered them with money. Under Nahen's judgment, the 69th floor soldiers were expelled to the 72nd floor along with Dantalion. From now on, they would hunt humans entering the 72nd floor alongside Argol, honing their skills diligently.
This made expanding the army absolutely necessary. The 69th floor soldiers were needed to replace the defenses of the 72nd floor, and the 68th floor's forces had been halved in the war against the 69th floor, with the other half killed by Nahen. A gap in manpower had formed. As a result, the 68th floor was currently relying on Sitri's strength for its defenses.
Nahen wanted to resolve this situation quickly and ordered each legion commander and vice-commander to select talented individuals.
"Commander Rin."
Today, Nahen had come to review the results of the army expansion policy. Beside him stood Seere, who had put considerable effort into her appearance once again. Though she wore her formal attire for official duties, the light makeup and accessories showed she had made an effort. The soldiers training nearby had their gazes drawn to Seere for a moment due to her beauty.
Rin bowed respectfully toward the two of them.
"You've arrived, Your Majesty. Nahen, you're here as well."
Nahen asked her, "The selected soldiers?"
"They are in the 4th training ground."
"Let's go."
As Nahen and Seere followed Rin, the training ground was packed with carefully selected soldiers. When the soldiers saw Nahen and Seere appear with Rin, they stopped chatting and turned to look at them.
"You said there were twenty thousand?"
"Yes."
According to the report to Seere, Rin and Baruna had selected about five thousand soldiers, while Epsilon and Zeta had selected around fifteen thousand. It was surprising that so many could fit in one training ground, but it was also proof of how spacious and excellent the facilities Dantalion had prepared were.
Nahen looked at the twenty thousand soldiers and asked Seere, "Seere, what do you think?"
"...The soldiers selected by the 4th Legion's officers are on the left, and those selected by the 5th Legion's officers are on the right, correct, Commander?"
"Yes, that is correct."
The number of soldiers selected by Rin and Baruna, who had stricter and more demanding standards, was smaller. As military officials who had served since the previous generation, their selection criteria were naturally higher.
"...There are quite a lot."
Still, from the perspective of Seere's forces, which needed manpower, it was better to lower their standards and recruit more. They had to fill the ranks immediately. In this regard, Epsilon and Zeta could be said to have compromised appropriately and selected well.
But Seere's thoughts were slightly different.
"We don't need those who fall short in skill, do we, Teacher?"
"...Seere?"
Nahen was slightly taken aback. He had been about to suggest increasing the numbers further, but Seere was trying to reduce them. Before Nahen could say anything, Seere narrowed her eyes and spoke.
"Commander Rin."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Let's hold a test."
"...Pardon?"
These were soldiers who had already passed the selection tests set by each legion commander. While Rin was flustered, Seere drew her sword and leaped down to the center of the training ground. Looking at the soldiers divided on either side, Seere declared, "From now on, only those who can withstand my sword will be selected as soldiers."
"...What?"
The soldiers began murmuring. They were confused because they had already passed such a rigorous selection test, only to face another one. However, Seere gave them no time to think and swung the Sword of Blood Tears. A soldier who failed to react in time was about to be struck by her blade.
BOOM!!
The sword was blocked by something. Seere frowned briefly, then looked at the person who had blocked her sword and exclaimed in surprise, "...T-Teacher?"
"Seere, stop. What are you doing, leaving without even listening to the discussion?"
It was Nahen, gripping Seere's sword with one hand. Despite blocking her blade, not a single drop of blood flowed from Nahen's hand. Seere, and even Rin who had looked down at the training ground the moment Nahen disappeared, were stunned by the sight.
'He blocked it with one hand... and wasn't even cut?'
Nahen sighed, lowered Seere's sword, and said to her, "Your policy is good, but it doesn't suit our current situation. Considering the defenses of the 68th floor and the wars ahead, even these twenty thousand aren't enough. We need to increase the numbers further."
"...But Teacher, these ones are too weak."
"We can't expect officer-level skill from each and every soldier right now."
"...Mmm."
"They'll reach that level someday, but not yet. Naturally, there's a limit to the skill of talents we can recruit from the lower ranks. The strong become more numerous the higher the rank."
Nahen persuaded Seere. "So let's pursue your policy once we've grown a bit stronger. For now, we need more personnel. And since the legion officers have already conducted their selection, they should have some value."
After hearing Nahen's opinion, Seere pondered for a moment, then nodded after thinking it through calmly. "...It seems Teacher is right."
"Good. That doesn't mean we should abandon your policy entirely, though."
"Pardon?"
Nahen had no intention of ignoring Seere's authority. If Seere, as the Demon King, had made that judgment, then it should be followed. However, applying it to all soldiers would make it impossible to recruit more even if they wanted to expand the army. "Let's select the officer corps using your method."
"The officer corps?"
"We can't incorporate all the soldiers here into the 4th and 5th Legions anyway. If we did, Commander Rin and the others would work themselves to death."
It was a suggestion to change the target and compromise to fit reality. Seere nodded in understanding.
"So you're planning to create new legions."
"Yes. We'll need to form the 6th and 7th Legions. Of course, we don't necessarily have to choose from the soldiers here."
"Pardon?"
Nahen spoke matter-of-factly. The 5th Legion had promoted Sitri's subordinates to officers to appease them, but in truth, there were stronger and more suitable candidates for officer positions under Seere than the soldiers selected this time.
"Commander Rin."
"Yes?"
"Receive applications from the 4th Legion for the officer corps of the newly established legion."
"Understood, Nahen."
After Rin left the training ground, Nahen suggested to Seere that they head upstairs for now. As they passed through the soldiers, Nahen felt their gazes focused on him. The soldiers who had witnessed the brief exchange had changed expressions. It seemed the earlier event had inspired awe in the new soldiers. Though it had been accidental, Nahen thought it was a positive change.
Satisfied, Nahen smiled and looked at Seere standing beside him, wanting to finish the remaining discussion. "For the officers, after testing them in the way you prefer, we'll finalize the officer corps for the 6th and 7th Legions."
"I understand."
"But you know you can't kill the applicants, right? I'd prefer you use a wooden sword instead of your real one."
"Wooden swords don't have the same cutting feel..."
"We have no choice. This isn't a duel to the death—it's a test."
After hearing Nahen's words, Seere nodded slightly. She seemed a bit dissatisfied about having to use a wooden sword. Nahen considered allowing her real sword but making her promise not to harm anyone, then changed his mind. Remembering what had happened before... it was better to avoid situations where Seere might cause an accident.
"Still, it'll be good for loosening up your body, won't it?"
As Nahen said this and gently stroked her head, Seere's dissatisfied expression gradually softened. Closing her eyes slightly and enjoying his touch, she looked just like a cat.
"...If we recruit more soldiers, conquering the 67th floor will be easier, right?"
"That's right."
"Then I'll understand. Meat shields have their own importance, after all."
"Mm, yes."
It wasn't wrong. One reason they wanted to recruit more soldiers was so the army could serve as cannon fodder in the upcoming conquest of the floors.
"Instead, I'll select the officer corps thoroughly. I won't compromise on this, even if it's Teacher's request."
"That's what I want as well. If none of the applicants are satisfactory, we can leave the officer positions vacant and recruit again later."
"Yes."
Just then, Rin returned. She briefly greeted Seere again and spoke to them. "I've made the announcement. It seems they can't decide right away... It might take a day."
"Then we'll hold the test tomorrow, so please compile the list of applicants and send it up, Commander."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
#
The next day, several soldiers gathered at the 69th floor training ground to take the officer selection test for the establishment of the 6th and 7th Legions. There were applicants from the 4th Legion, as well as some from the newly selected soldiers. Surprisingly, no separate applicants came from the 5th Legion. Whether Epsilon had controlled it or the 5th Legion knew their place, it was a wise decision. They probably wouldn't reach officer level even if they tried.
Nahen, Seere, Kain, and even Secily who would attend to them, were seated on the platform of the 69th floor training ground. There was one more person.
"...Why on earth did you call me to a place like this?"
"Your Majesty Sitri has a discerning eye as well. Please help with the evaluation."
It was Sitri. Nahen had deliberately invited her. As someone who had once been the 12th-ranked great Demon King, her eye for talent was accurate. This was evident from the fact that the 5th Legion led by Epsilon and Zeta had been Sitri's surplus forces. Though they had accumulated experience and training results to become this strong, it meant they had that much potential. They were exceptionally outstanding for surplus forces from the 71st floor. As mentioned earlier, they simply couldn't go any higher.
"What do I get out of it?"
"Do you expect compensation even for something like this between allies?"
"I want to throw those words right back at you."
"It would be nice to watch something interesting and leave. You'll also be evaluating on the side. Who knows, I might be grateful later and do something for you."
"...Fine, I'll look forward to that."
Sitri answered sharply, then casually glanced to the side. Her gaze landed on Seere. For some reason, Seere had a wooden sword at her waist.
'...What?'
Why would the Demon King be carrying a sword at an officer selection? And a wooden sword at that. While Sitri tilted her head in confusion, Baruna entered the training ground. He stood before the waiting applicants.
"I'll check if everyone's gathered. Answer when I call your name."
Baruna quickly called out names to verify the applicant list. Once confirmed, he glanced back. Seere then rose from her seat.
"Lady Seere? Where are you going?"
When Sitri asked, Seere looked at her briefly before slightly raising the corner of her mouth and answering, "I'm the examiner."
"What?"
"Teacher."
Before descending to the training ground, Seere called out to Nahen one last time. When Nahen asked why, Seere made a request. "If I win all my matches today, will you grant me one wish?"
"Hm?"
"I'll show you today how well your disciple has learned. If I do well, you'll give me a reward?"
"Alright. I understand."
Nahen nodded readily. Since Seere was putting in effort, he could at least give her a reward. Seere smiled contentedly. And the moment her cloak fluttered in the wind, she lightly leaped from the platform and landed in the training ground.
THUD!
The height was considerable, and the impact of Seere's landing alone created a loud sound. Baruna, who had been explaining the test, continued, "...Therefore, this test will be directly overseen by Her Majesty."
The young Demon King who had landed in the training ground held a wooden sword. She calmly addressed the applicants. "I'll personally assess your skills and select the officer corps. Come forward one by one and spar with me."
The Demon King herself would conduct the test. While some became tense at those words, others still underestimated the young Demon King. Most of them were applicants from the newly selected soldiers.
"Then I'll go first."
They thought that no matter how strong the young Demon King was, she couldn't be that strong. Even if she was definitely stronger than them, they believed they could at least hold out. Seere looked at the first tester who stepped forward confidently with a wooden sword and said with satisfaction, "Good, your spirit and courage are worth acknowledging."
Then Seere's atmosphere changed completely. Sensing this, Baruna stepped back a distance. He raised his hand high.
"Then, from now on..."
Baruna's hand dropped quickly.
"We will begin."
At the same time, Seere vanished in an instant. The soldier who had stepped forward confidently was greatly flustered.
"Huh...?"
WHOOSH!
With the sound of cutting through the air, he was struck directly by the wooden sword that flew from right behind him.
"Gah...!"
"Your reaction speed is terrible. You're eliminated."
After casually declaring the elimination, Seere glanced back. "Next, come forward."
The test of the young Demon King, who was blocking the soldiers' path to promotion, had begun.