Taming the Soldiers
"Aw, seriously."
A few days after Sitri's visit to the 72nd Floor, an irritated voice echoed through the training grounds north of the Demon King Castle. This was where the castle's soldiers trained, and discontent was boiling over among them.
"Why do we have to be here?"
More precisely, these weren't Seere's soldiers. They were the ones Sitri had transferred under Seere's command. Even if they were surplus forces, they resented being placed under a lower-ranked Demon King after serving in Sitri's army.
"If you're that unhappy, go crawl back to your master like the dogs you are."
"Who are you calling a dog—!"
The complaining soldier fell silent. The man who had appeared before him was someone he could never hope to defeat. It was Baruna, vice-commander of the 4th Legion—the only survivor from the forces that had once served the previous Demon King, Seir von Devata.
He smiled at the soldier.
"Why'd you stop talking? Go on, keep going."
"...N-no, sir."
Having once led the previous Demon King's legions, his strength was beyond question. The soldiers had dismissed him because his master's rank was lower than theirs, but now he wasn't just stronger—he was their superior officer.
"If you want to stay soldiers, pick up your swords and start training. No slacking."
"Understood..."
Once the soldiers had taken up their weapons and moved off to train, Baruna folded his arms.
"You're just going to leave them like that, Commander?"
His gaze fell on a woman with distinctive twitching cat ears. Her delicate appearance and slight frame didn't match the sword at her hip, but she was an exceptionally skilled swordswoman—Rin El Laza. The commander of the 4th Legion, the only survivor from the previous regime, and currently the strongest fighter under Seere.
"What else can we do? We knew they'd be noisy for a while."
"Tsk..."
Baruna's expression twisted with clear displeasure.
"All because of that so-called teacher who showed up."
"Watch your tongue when speaking of the Royal Tutor."
"I don't know how he managed to charm that woman Sitri, but thanks to him, we're stuck with a mountain of trouble."
"Baruna, don't call it trouble. This is our duty."
Baruna knew Rin's rebuke was reasonable, yet resentment continued to simmer inside him. At the very least, when it came to military matters, he and Rin—the only legion commanders under Seere—should have been consulted.
"Haa..."
With a sigh, Rin watched Baruna's retreating back as he headed toward the training grounds, her eyes faintly tinged with pity.
Someone approached her.
"Good day, Legion Commander El Laza."
"...What brings you here, Royal Tutor?"
Speak of the tiger and it appears—Nahen had arrived at the training grounds.
"You know who I am?"
Rin turned to him and replied as if it were obvious.
"Besides Butler Kain, who else would Her Majesty cling to so closely?"
"Oh dear. Seere, we've been found out."
Peeking out from behind Nahen, Seere timidly poked her head forward. The sight of that adorable gesture sent a powerful urge through Rin to reach out and pat her head, but as a loyal subject, she barely restrained herself.
"So you've brought Her Majesty to the training grounds as well... What is your business here?"
"Seere wanted to see the place where she'll be learning martial arts."
Rin tilted her head.
"You're already planning to teach her?"
"She's seven years old. That's rather late compared to other Demon Kings, isn't it?"
It wasn't wrong. Some began training as early as five.
"Does Her Majesty agree with this?"
"Of course."
Rin glanced at Seere. The girl, still clutching her teddy bear, looked at her with eyes full of curiosity. She seemed interested enough, but...
"Your Majesty."
"H-huh?"
Rin was slightly startled. Seere, who normally spoke to her with formal respect, had just answered in casual speech for the first time.
She's changed a little.
It was a welcome change. A Demon King stood above her subordinates and should know how to address them accordingly.
"I have one question for Your Majesty."
"Hm?"
"Can you put down the teddy bear?"
At Rin's question, Seere froze. Of course, to hold a sword and practice, she would have to set the bear aside. Knowing Seere's attachment, Rin had deliberately reminded her of that fact.
Seere's eyes wavered. Rin sighed inwardly at the sight and turned to Nahen.
"This won't be easy, will it?"
"Well... it is certainly a problem."
Nahen placed a hand on Seere's head and gently stroked it. Feeling his touch, the tension in Seere's face softened.
"I believe in Seere. She'll do well."
"That doesn't sound like you intend to begin training today."
"Today we're only here to inspect the training grounds. And while we're at it, there's something else to take care of."
Rin had a vague idea of what Nahen was planning. The troops transferred to Seere through his deal with Sitri. He had come to quell their discontent.
"If you were going to make that decision, it would have been nice to give me some warning."
"I do feel sorry about that. There wasn't much time. That's why I'm here now to handle the aftermath, isn't it?"
"How exactly do you intend to resolve it, Royal Tutor?"
"First, I'd like to look around the training grounds. And please, drop the formal title. My name is enough."
Rin nodded in understanding. She still had questions, but this was the man who had charmed even Sitri.
He must have something in mind.
Nahen smiled, pleased by Rin's decision not to press further. He extended his hand to Seere.
"There are a lot of people here. Be careful not to get separated."
"Yes, Teacher."
A small hand tightly grasped Nahen's. Though small, the grip was firm, and Nahen chuckled inwardly.
This child might become the strongest Demon King someday...
It was hard to imagine now, but it would surely happen. After all, he was the one raising her.
Nahen spoke to Rin.
"We'll take a look around."
"Please, feel free to inspect as you wish."
Nahen began walking through the training grounds with Seere. Holding his hand as she trotted along, Seere drew the attention of the training soldiers.
"Huh?"
"That's Her Majesty, isn't it?"
"Why is she here? And who's that beside her?"
It wasn't only the soldiers who noticed them. Baruna, who had been overseeing the elite troops of the 4th Legion, frowned slightly.
Is that the man?
Seere's new teacher—the one who had charmed Demon King Sitri. Recognizing him, Baruna paused his instruction and approached.
"Your Majesty."
"Hello... I mean, ah, greetings..."
Like Rin, Baruna was briefly puzzled by Seere's awkward casual speech, but he let it pass without comment.
"What brings you here? And this gentleman beside you is..."
"He's my teacher."
"I see. What business does the Royal Tutor have at the training grounds?"
"Ah, you don't need to concern yourself with us. Please continue with the training, Vice-Commander Baruna."
"...Pardon?"
What did that mean? Nahen's words sounded to Baruna like an order to ignore him. He furrowed his brow.
"I'm asking why you've brought Her Majesty to the training grounds, Royal Tutor."
"Is this a place Her Majesty shouldn't come to?"
"Not exactly, but it could be dangerous right now. As you're aware, after someone arbitrarily transferred soldiers from the 71st Floor, our chain of command and control haven't been properly established yet."
Baruna's roundabout way of criticizing Nahen carried a clear implication: You should have consulted us before deciding.
Nahen mulled over Baruna's words, then nodded.
"I suppose so. But it's fine."
"What do you mean?"
"Because I'm here. And dealing with that issue is the very reason I came today."
"Pardon?"
He was going to solve a problem that had been giving both the commander and himself headaches? Baruna let out a dry laugh.
"Royal Tutor, have you ever led troops before?"
"No, I haven't."
Nahen hadn't needed to, but Baruna didn't know that.
"I don't mean to disparage you, but integrating soldiers from an entirely different faction isn't easy. How exactly do you plan to do it?"
"Would you like to see?"
"Pardon?"
Nahen smiled confidently.
"You said you were curious how I'd handle it."
#
Nahen was leading Seere and Baruna toward the 3rd training grounds. This was where Sitri's former soldiers trained.
Just as planned.
In truth, Nahen could have gone straight to the 3rd training grounds without passing through the 2nd, where Baruna had been. The reason he had stopped there anyway was to bring Baruna along.
Baruna. His skill was impeccable and his loyalty deep, but that loyalty belonged only to his former master, Seir, and to Seere. That won't do.
Considering the plans Nahen intended to carry out in the Demon King Castle in Seere's stead, it was important to win over people like Baruna first and build rapport. Nothing was more troublesome than obstacles arising from within.
Rin El Laza, the legion commander, was also a target, but she was far more flexible than this man, so she could wait.
That was why he intended to show Baruna his capabilities—imprint them clearly so that whatever decisions he made in the future would be understood.
"Hm?"
"Hey, over there... isn't that Lady Seere?"
"Who's that next to her?"
The soldiers murmured as they spotted Nahen, Seere, and Baruna entering the grounds. A man who had been instructing them approached.
"What brings you here, Lady Seere?"
"It's good to meet you, Sir Epsilon."
It was the man named Epsilon, who led Sitri's forces. Seeing Nahen answer in Seere's place, Epsilon's brow twitched slightly. Whether Nahen noticed or simply ignored it, he extended his hand with a friendly smile.
"I'm Nahen. You've heard Seere has a new teacher, I assume?"
"...Ah, yes, I have."
Epsilon gave a faint smirk as he shook Nahen's hand.
"You're the one who separated us from Her Majesty Sitri, aren't you?"
The implication was clear: Why did you do something so unnecessary and create this mess?
Nahen simply nodded, still smiling pleasantly.
"You know exactly what happened. That was me."
"...What?"
"That's right, it was me. And I think it was a job well done."
Epsilon nearly burst out laughing, but managed to hold it back. Staring at Nahen's infuriatingly cheerful smile, he spoke in a low voice.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Sir Epsilon, are you... having trouble understanding?"
When Epsilon's expression darkened, Nahen poured more oil on the fire.
"I took in you lot, who had nowhere else to go. How is that not a good thing?"
"What did you just—!"
It wasn't just oil anymore—it was a full blaze. Epsilon glared at Nahen as if ready to strike him down, unconsciously tightening his grip on their joined hands. But...
"Ghk!?"
"My, Sir Epsilon, your handshake is rather rough."
It was Epsilon who was forced to let go first. For an instant, Nahen had overwhelmed him with sheer strength. Epsilon stared at him, bewildered.
"Epsilon."
Nahen dropped the honorific. The sudden shift in atmosphere made even Baruna flinch.
What...?
What was this? No matter how one looked at it, this overwhelming presence couldn't be explained simply by the fact that he was the Demon King's teacher.
Nahen openly displayed his emotions, snarling at Epsilon.
"Know your place. Your new master is standing right here, and yet you dare to match words with me, her teacher?"
"......"
"And the first thing you say to your new master is to question our purpose? Did Sitri teach you to speak that way?"
At the mention of Sitri's name, Epsilon ground his teeth and shouted.
"Mind your words, Royal Tutor! How dare you insult Her Majesty Sitri!"
"So you still think your master is Sitri."
Nahen sighed, then released Seere's hand and lifted her up with both arms.
"Eep?"
He held the raised Seere right in front of Epsilon's face. Confronted with her cute, round features, Epsilon faltered.
"Look closely. Your master isn't Sitri—it's Seere here. She may look like a small, adorable child, but she is undeniably your master."
"...My only master has ever been Her Majesty Sitri!"
"So you refuse to swear loyalty?"
"If that's the case, then what will you—"
In that moment, something changed across the entire 3rd training grounds. The soldiers suddenly found it difficult to breathe, and both Epsilon and Baruna felt an immense pressure that left their bodies frozen. Baruna could still stand, but Epsilon collapsed to the floor. Realizing what was crushing them, he was horrified.
Ma...na?
Mana had blanketed the entire vast training grounds, pressing down on them. The overwhelming force suppressed their bodies, and only Seere remained unaffected.
Nahen set Seere down for a moment and met Epsilon's eyes at his level.
"A dog that cannot be loyal is unnecessary. It will simply be disposed of."
"...!"
"I'll give you one last chance."
The mana that had covered the grounds receded. Several soldiers had passed out with their eyes rolled back, but even their comrades lacked the strength to help them. They could only gasp for breath and steady themselves.
Epsilon, also breathing heavily, looked up at Nahen. His gaze had completely changed. Fear and awe now flickered in his eyes.
"Will you continue denying reality and be disposed of as a useless dog, or—"
Nahen lifted Seere once more.
"Hweh..."
Clutching her teddy bear tightly, Seere found herself face-to-face with Epsilon again. It almost felt as if familiar music were playing somewhere. Holding Seere out before him, Nahen posed his final question.
"Will you place your hopes in a new future?"