The Second Legion Commander's Gaze
The corridors of the Demon King's Castle were vast, with a style that differed noticeably between the exterior and interior. As I walked slowly through them, I felt an unexpectedly strong tension building within me. 'A meeting of the Demon Army's high command… I never imagined the day would come when I'd attend such a gathering as a hero.'
According to what I'd heard, the demon leadership was currently planning a large-scale counteroffensive under the Demon King's orders. The results Elan and Elisa had achieved in Rob—completely burning down the Racial Alliance's supply lines—were already causing ripples throughout the alliance's territories. Their periodic offensives had suddenly stopped, and the atmosphere in the occupied regions had visibly quieted. It was as if they were openly showing that they couldn't fight right now.
Furthermore, recent news indicated that internal conflicts had suddenly erupted within the Racial Alliance. For the demons, who had been forced onto the defensive until now, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a counterattack. At the same time, it was the perfect chance for me, who wanted to distinguish myself for the Demon King.
'Just like in Rob, I need to make a strong impression this time as well. Especially since most of the other officers and legion commanders will be participating…'
It was only natural, but there were still quite a few high-ranking demons who harbored suspicions about me. Thinking that I needed to do my best in the operation to dispel those doubts as much as possible, I headed toward the conference hall. Just then…
"Hm?"
"A hero? It's been a while."
The moment I turned the corner in the corridor, a familiar figure came into view. A demon with a small stature that required me to look down, silver hair, and the appearance of a young girl. Seeing Elisa, with whom I'd carried out the operation in Rob, I felt both awkwardness and a hint of gladness as I spoke.
"It's been a while, Elisa. Have you been well?"
Unlike her previous full-body purple armor, she was now wearing a pure white uniform. Honestly, seeing her like that gave off the impression of a little girl playing dress-up, and I found it rather cute. Noticing my thoughts, Elisa smiled lightly and replied.
"Well… I've been managing just fine. You, on the other hand, seem to have been doing very well. Your complexion looks much better than before."
"…I can't deny it. Thanks to the Demon King's grace, I've been living far more comfortably than ever before. It's completely different from when I was in the Hero Party."
"That's only natural. In our Demon Kingdom, it's an absolute principle that capable individuals receive treatment befitting their abilities. I believe someone like you deserves such treatment as well."
Elisa spoke with an unexpectedly sincere tone, without any sarcasm. Seeing her like this, I automatically realized that her attitude toward me had become considerably warmer compared to when we first met. 'Well… after all, we fought back-to-back, and I even saved her life in a close call.'
Honestly, during our first mission together, Elisa had felt more like a supervisor than a comrade. It was also highly likely that she had secretly been given such orders, but regardless, even someone as dense as me could tell she was showing a bit more friendliness now. Though it wasn't intentional, I recognized that Elisa's favorability toward me had risen slightly. With that in mind, I began walking alongside her toward the conference hall.
"Come to think of it, I heard that not only the Four Heavenly Kings of the Royal Guard but also the legion commanders will be attending this meeting?"
"That's right. Personally, they possess combat power equal to or slightly below ours, but unlike us, they also hold command authority over the army. Even so, not all of them can come. However, since it's Her Majesty's summons, most of them will likely attend."
"I see…"
As I listened to Elisa, memories from the past—more precisely, things I knew from the original game's setting—began surfacing in my mind. The legion commanders, who existed as mid-bosses in the Demon Army. According to the setting, there were about five of them, but during the story, I'd only faced one. Though it was game balance, he had given the early-game, low-level Hero Party quite a hard time. He was a figure who displayed his immense power, cunning, and cruelty without restraint, arranging a meeting with YOUDIE for users including myself. Even in his final moments, just before meeting his end at the hero's sword, he barely escaped while radiating tremendous hatred and vowing revenge—a being who proved just how strong a demon legion commander could be.
Since there had been foreshadowing about the Demon Army's 2nd Legion Commander, Ilios, I had personally hoped she would appear again later, but recalling how that character had ended her appearance without even revealing her face until the very end, I suddenly felt a flicker of anticipation. 'This upcoming meeting… maybe I'll get to see Ilios's true appearance here? She was a character I wanted to check out even if it was just dummy data.'
Her difficulty had been quite high for a mid-boss, but that was exactly why she left such a strong impression in many ways. Just as I was feeling curiosity about what her true form looked like, along with the expectation that it might soon be resolved…
"Oh my… Elisa."
A woman's voice suddenly came from behind us. Elisa and I turned around. The figure that came into view was a female demon wearing a uniform reminiscent of black mourning clothes. She had a fairly tall stature, red hair, brown eyes, and a single horn on her forehead like Elisa. Her overall build was relatively slim, and her face carried an air of maturity along with a deep maternal warmth. She gave off a generous, peaceful impression, as if she could embrace everything. If I had to compare her to something…
"Mama!"
"Eh?"
The next moment, Elisa rushed forward with a bright voice and threw herself into the woman's arms. Seeing Elisa discard the 'dignified demeanor' she had shown me just moments ago, I couldn't help but feel slightly bewildered.
"There, there… Have you been well, my dear?"
The demon woman spoke while gently embracing Elisa. Elisa buried her face in the woman's chest and replied with sparkling eyes.
"Yeah! I've been well, but… I missed you, Mama. Elisa worked hard while being away from you, but honestly, it was really tough."
"I'm sorry. Mama was too busy, wasn't she? I should have sent letters more often. I'll be more attentive from now on."
"Really… promise?"
"Yes, I promise."
Honestly, if you ignored all the external factors and just looked at the image, it didn't feel particularly out of place. However, the fact that the person having this baby-talk conversation was a member of the Demon King's Royal Guard who had been acting dignified in front of me just moments ago left me with a very peculiar feeling. 'Well… it's not like everyone's image outside and inside is the same. But this gap feels pretty extreme… That aside. Mama? That doesn't sound like a simple title. Don't tell me she's actually Elisa's mother?'
Though her hair color was slightly different, she bore a considerable resemblance to Elisa. Realizing that this was likely not just a title but that she was genuinely Elisa's mother, I cautiously began approaching the two of them. Just then…
"…Oh my, who is this?"
"!"
The next moment, she slowly released Elisa from her embrace and looked toward me. The instant she saw me, the warmth she had shown while holding Elisa vanished in an instant, replaced by an unmistakable killing intent. Clear hostility that was obvious at a glance. The sudden shift in atmosphere made me reflexively feel on guard… and seeing this, the woman spoke in a cold voice, her tone sharp.
"Well, well… If it isn't the hero? The filthy blade of that disgusting Racial Alliance. What business do you have showing up here?"
She wore a chilling smile that was a stark contrast to the warm one from just moments ago. Though I could tell her pure combat power was below mine, the pure hostility she directed at me as a person made me furrow my brows slightly. However…
"Don't do that, Mama. Even if it doesn't look like it, he's an ally recognized by the Demon King. Besides, fighting is forbidden in a place like this."
"…Haa…"
"Well then, hero, though we're already acquainted, allow me to introduce her."
At Elisa's words, 'Mama' began suppressing her menacing aura. Elisa then proceeded to formally introduce her, and I felt a slight sense of relief that the atmosphere had calmed down. However…
"This is my mother, Ilios, who serves as the 2nd Legion Commander."
"Ah… I see. So this person is… what?"
At Elisa's following words, I felt as though I'd been struck by a hammer—far more than the menacing aura from just moments ago.