The Beginning of Ruin 4
The demons displayed unmistakable hostility. I advanced slowly toward them. At that moment—
Thwack!
“Hm?”
An arrow struck the ground right before my feet. Its meaning was a clear warning. I halted my steps.
“Stop right there! One more step and we’ll attack!”
“…”
The opponent radiated sharp, unyielding malice. In an attempt to open dialogue, I spoke in a clear, steady voice.
“I am Demon King Arcadia Armageddon. As the sovereign of this nation, I wish to meet with your representative. Come forward at once.”
“...!”
“D-Demon King…?”
The demons visibly wavered at my words. Noting that my name still carried weight among them, I continued in a calm tone.
“That is correct. I have not come to bring you harm. I merely wish to hear why you have ignored my summons. Shall we speak openly?”
“Ugh…”
“W-What should we do?”
The demons hesitated, unable to decide. Their lack of organization suggested this might end more easily than expected. Then—
“Do not waver! That thing is nothing but a filthy traitor. It is no longer our lord or anything else!”
“Oh?”
At that moment, a familiar figure entered my sight. Blue hair, blue eyes, and prominent long horns—a female demon. She had once been one of my direct subordinates, alongside Hela. A faint smile crossed my lips as I raised my voice.
“Is that not Yormun? Yormun Surtrna. It seems you are their representative. Come out and speak with me—”
Thwack!
Another arrow cut me off, landing precisely at my feet once more.
“Silence! Even if you truly are the Demon King, nothing has changed! We will no longer serve, trust, or follow anyone!”
“Yormun! What is the meaning of this?! You swore loyalty to the Demon King—how can you do this?! Kneel before him at once! I will not tolerate any further disloyalty!”
Unable to restrain herself any longer, Hela stepped forward, her fury plain. Given how close she had once been to Yormun and Fenrir, her words might have carried weight. Yet—
“That is what I want to say! How can you still serve the Demon King, Hela? His foolish delusions brought ruin to our kingdom! Even now, countless demons weep tears of blood because of the aftermath! I have no intention of associating with that wretch any longer—get out of here!”
“You…!”
Hela drew her weapon, unable to endure Yormun’s words. I placed a hand on her shoulder and stopped her.
“Stand down.”
“B-But…!”
“I have already said this is entirely my responsibility. Even if I leave the conclusion to others, tying the final knot is my duty alone.”
“Tch…”
Hela bit her lip to suppress her emotions. After erasing the anger from her face, she quietly withdrew.
“…Understood. Please be careful, Demon King.”
“Thank you.”
With those words, I began walking forward once more.
“Did you not hear the warning?! Turn back at once! One more step and I will shoot!”
The previous exchange had made one thing clear: words would no longer suffice. Only one option remained.
“Damn it! Fire!”
Yormun issued the order in haste. Even those who had hesitated moments ago released their bowstrings at her command. I had thought them a disorganized rabble, yet they still followed orders. Acknowledging her competence as a subordinate, I watched the arrows rain toward me.
A massive volley, like a storm of arrows meant for war, all aimed at a single target. The sight was oddly spectacular. Then—
Thwack!
“!!!”
“W-What…?”
My brief impression ended as I lightly waved my hand. Every arrow froze in midair, as though grasped by an invisible force. Then—
Tap!
With a flick of my fingers, the arrows clattered harmlessly to the ground. I could have erected a barrier or incinerated them instantly, but conserving scarce resources made this the better choice.
‘And it serves to break their will while I’m at it.’
The visual impact far exceeded a simple defense. The effect was immediate.
“W-What…?”
“How did all those arrows…?”
“Tch…”
Shock spread among the demons. Yormun’s expression hardened. I resumed my slow advance.
*
After halting the arrow storm with a mere gesture, the Demon King approached once more. His steps were neither hurried nor running. He cast no spells. Yet as Yormun watched that unhurried figure draw nearer, an overwhelming terror she had never known gripped her.
It surpassed even the fear she had felt facing the hero party. The sensation of an unstoppable calamity approaching left her breathless.
“Tch…!”
Even amid the dread, she steadied herself. She could not falter now. No matter how monstrous the opponent, if she intended to retreat so easily, she should never have begun.
‘I will not submit… For the sake of the subordinates who died because of him. For the sake of the citizens sacrificed because of him… I can never… forgive that bastard!’
Recalling the horrific spectacle created by their foolish ruler, Yormun drew her hammer and barked a sharp command.
“Damn it! What are you doing?! Shoot again! He cannot block forever!”
“B-But…”
“That is an order! Carry it out at once! Otherwise, I will enforce military discipline immediately!”
“Y-Yes…!!”
The subordinate moved to relay the command, but his face froze as though he had seen something unspeakable.
“U-Uwaaaah!”
“! Tch…!”
A chilling presence washed over them. Yormun swung her hammer reflexively. The weapon, imbued with lightning capable of burning even a dragon, could cause catastrophic damage if mishandled—yet she had no luxury to worry about that now. However—
Thud!
“!!!”
Despite the power within it, her hammer was effortlessly caught. Yormun’s face twisted with undisguised shock. The man—the Demon King—regarded her with an utterly calm voice.
“I am not particularly accustomed to this sort of thing… Even for me, avoiding casualties while dealing with each of you one by one would be troublesome.”
Tap!
With those words, he flicked the hammer with his finger. Though the motion seemed simple, the immense force sent Yormun tumbling across the ground along with her weapon.
“Guh…!”
“In that regard, as I requested earlier, I would like some private time with you. Will you permit it?”
The Demon King’s request was impeccably polite. Yet Yormun felt fresh anger surge through her as she rose. Then—
Crackle! Crackle!
“…”
Enormous mana erupted from her body. Black lightning coiled around the hammer in her hand.
“I already told you… There will be no more conversation between you and me!”
Her reply was filled with rage. Yormun swung the mana-infused hammer at the Demon King once more.
“…Tch.”
BOOM!!!
A tremendous shockwave erupted. The impact hurled the Demon King’s body from the ramparts into the fortress interior. Yormun immediately leapt after him.
‘D-Did I get him?’