The Hero's Surprising Stance
“What the hell?” Samson had abruptly steered the conversation toward the Hero. Ilios couldn’t help but automatically furrow her brows at this sudden move of his.
No matter what, why hand the floor to the Hero in a meeting like this? That thoughtless fool is always doing something unnecessary…
Even though they had become allies under the Demon King’s guarantee, Ilios still refused to lower her guard against the Hero. As someone who had fought him directly in the past, she knew the overwhelming power he possessed, and she also understood that he was not merely a brute but a man who knew how to use his head.
A supremely dangerous existence who combined both martial might and tactical cunning. Once such a person gained momentum, no one could predict how events would unfold. For that reason, Ilios believed it was only right to deny him any chance to make a conspicuous move.
Yet that muscle-brained Samson, completely unaware of any of this, had recklessly dragged the Hero into their discussion—into this critical conversation that could decide the very fate of the Demon Kingdom—simply because the two of them shared a past connection. In other words, Samson’s careless remark had opened the floodgates, allowing the Hero to exercise influence over state affairs from now on.
Since I already permitted him to speak once, the Hero will now be able to voice his opinions freely in future meetings. That muscle-brained idiot… What am I supposed to do if he keeps giving the Hero chances to solidify his position like this?
While harboring wariness about what might come later, Ilios also considered that this might at least soften the opposition from the hardliners—including that foolish Samson.
The Hero will surely support my opinion here. He knows better than anyone how foolish it would be to fight under the current circumstances…
Since the Hero was also a man who knew how to use his head, he must have reached the same conclusion she had. Relying on cold calculation rather than any sort of trust, Ilios predicted the Hero’s next move.
And then.
The words that finally left the Hero’s mouth after a moment of careful thought were:
“I also believe, as Legion Commander Samson said, that it would be best to launch the attack as soon as possible.”
!? …What the hell?
Suddenly dragged into the conversation by Samson’s statement, I felt as if one of two people brawling in the middle of the street had abruptly yanked a bystander into the fight. For a brief moment, a heavy wave of bewilderment washed over me.
Ah… No, why is that guy suddenly latching onto me? If they want to fight, they should bite and tear at each other…
Despite the abruptness of the situation, I forced myself to regain composure as quickly as possible. Sitting here in the role of observer—or something like a new hire—this moment carried immense weight. It would determine how the demons would view me going forward.
Although I enjoyed the Demon King’s protection, I knew all too well from the history of my original world how dangerous it was to act solely on one person’s favor in the treacherous arena of national politics.
Besides, my status as a human already puts me at a disadvantage in terms of first impressions. I need to give the most reasonable, amicable answer possible…
Feeling the heavy pressure from every angle, I racked my brain and finally settled on the response I had to give.
From a purely subjective standpoint, the side I should support here was clearly Ilios’s. As she had said, launching a thoughtless attack at this stage was anything but wise. In the current state of emergency, the allied races’ garrison would certainly be reinforcing their defenses with every means at their disposal, gripped by fear and vigilance over when the demons might strike.
Moreover, even with their supply lines cut, their numbers were still nearly three times our own. I judged that a hasty attack on our part could instead hand the enemy a path to break through.
However…
“In my humble opinion…”
Separate from all those calculations, the words that left my mouth were:
“I also believe, as Legion Commander Samson said, that it would be best to launch the attack as soon as possible.”
“Heh heh.”
“…”
A thick smile instantly spread across Samson’s face at my support. Meanwhile, an expression that could only be read as What the hell is wrong with this guy? settled over Ilios’s features like a layer of frost.
The meeting dragged on for some time afterward. Although the Hero’s statement had immediately tilted the atmosphere toward immediate war, the desperate opposition from the cautious faction led by Ilios—combined with the Demon King’s mediation—brought the session to a temporary close. They would reconvene tomorrow to reach a final decision.
“Mama, you worked hard today.”
“Yes. You did well too, Elisa.”
“Seriously… That Hero seemed fairly intelligent before, but why would he say something like that today? Was Belzebeuty right? Has he gone blind chasing military merits?”
“Hmm…”
Elisa voiced her discontent over the fact that the Hero, whom she had trusted to some degree, had expressed an opinion different from theirs. Listening to her daughter, Ilios could only furrow her brows slightly, unable to offer a clear answer.
Having expected the Hero to advocate caution as well, Ilios felt considerable doubt about the stance he had taken during the meeting. Of course, it was possible he had simply been blinded by the prospect of achievements, as Elisa suggested. Yet Ilios sensed there was more to it than that.
Could it be… is that Hero really trying to lead the Demon Kingdom to defeat? No… that seems too extreme, but still, just in case…
As her suspicion toward the Hero grew once more, Ilios and Elisa turned to head back to their quarters, weariness weighing on them both. At that moment…
“Hm?”
“!...”
A familiar face appeared before them just as they were about to leave the castle. The very Hero they had been thinking about stood there, and both women froze in place.
“Hero? What are you doing here—”
Elisa began to speak in a blunt, displeased tone, but Ilios stepped forward, cutting her off. With a cold expression, she looked at the Hero and asked,
“Do you have something you wish to say?”
“Yes, I do. No… Yes, I do.”
The Hero replied with a touch of courtesy while looking at Ilios. Her expression grew even more serious as she continued.
“It doesn’t seem like a topic to discuss openly. In that case, would you spare me some time in a quiet place?”
“Yes, I would appreciate it.”
The Hero nodded. Thinking this conversation might resolve the doubts that had been nagging at her, Ilios led him to a nearby private chamber.
The following day.
The legion commanders and royal guards gathered once more in the conference hall. Today they were to reach a conclusion on yesterday’s debate, and—as expected—Samson was the first to speak.
“I thought about it all night long, but my heart remains unchanged, Your Majesty. Please grant permission for us to sweep away those dogs of the racial alliance, weakened to the extreme, from this Demon Kingdom as swiftly as possible.”
“Please grant us permission, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm…”
The Demon King showed a brief moment of contemplation at Samson’s plea. Her gaze then turned directly to the Hero, who had supported Samson’s position the previous day.
“Hero, does your will remain unchanged? Do you also see this moment as the golden opportunity for us to launch a full-scale offensive?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.”
The Hero answered without the slightest hesitation. Seeing them repeat the same stance as yesterday, the Demon King began to suspect the meeting might not end today.
She turned to Ilios. Having declared her fierce opposition until the very end yesterday, Ilios would surely give the same answer again. Still, the Demon King asked.
“Sir Ilios, what is your opinion?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This servant has also reached the conclusion that it would be best to continue with the war, just as the other legion commanders have said.”
“I see. As expected of you… Hm?”
Contrary to the Demon King’s expectations, Ilios had voiced a completely different opinion from the day before. Samson and the other hardliners blinked in confusion, question marks practically hovering over their heads, yet they accepted her words with a somewhat dazed feeling.
And in that instant, Ilios coldly looked away from the Hero—who was watching her with a faint smile—and thought to herself:
Annoying bastard…