After choosing to leave, they regretted it.

After all, I was forced to be a tool and didn't even have the most basic freedom in life. I had almost no happy memories during the whole process.

There's no need to make her recall these bad things.

Having said that, it is necessary for Aize to reflect on himself.

Has the anxiety I've revealed about the future and potential risks reached such a level that Miss Witch is worried enough to do something about it, no matter how much it costs?

Then I am really being a bit unreasonable.

Thinking of this, Aize felt a little guilty for a moment.

"Don't think about such dangerous things anymore."

He exhaled lightly and said this in a decisive tone.

"But……"

"No buts, don't think about it!"

Aize narrowed his eyes and turned over on Villian's legs, as if thinking about something.

Then, he made another decision.

He propped himself up and sat up, looked at the witch lady, took the book from her hand without saying a word, and threw it aside.

"Let's put this, including the academy matters, aside for now. On the way back to Tafia, do you mind if we take a detour?"

Miss Witch is a little confused

"Of course you don't mind. What's the matter?"

Aize took the kingdom map beside him, spread it on the table in the carriage, and gestured with his fingers:

"Follow the original route for two days, then change direction and head south. It only takes half a day to reach Lake Renoir. It's a famous resort with beautiful scenery and climate. You can stay there for a few days."

The witch blinked in disbelief.

"Then this is..."

"travel."

Aize gave an affirmative answer:

"Didn't you say before that you wanted to find a beautiful place to play? But you spent your last break doing renovations. We've finally made it here, so why not take this opportunity to go for a walk? What do you think?"

Before, just because Aize didn’t like the style of this world, Miss Witch spent a lot of effort and directly built a modern-style mansion.

Now, just because Aize was a little uneasy about the future, Miss Witch was going to completely sacrifice her own preferences, even her future and personal safety.

She was only thinking about herself.

This is obviously unfair.

So, since it was a rare opportunity for her to express her wishes, Aize would of course think about helping her realize them.

Besides, this wish is not a big deal.

Hearing Aize's suggestion, Miss Witch almost jumped up from her seat and answered without hesitation:

"Go! Of course!"

But then, his expression quickly turned cold:

"But, the matter of the academy and Tafia..."

"No, there's no rush over there. Besides, without you, this incident in the capital wouldn't have been resolved so smoothly. So what's wrong with taking a vacation? It's only natural."

Aize thought for a moment, then added with a smile:

"There's a classic line back home. What's the saying?...Oh, all work and no play makes a dull boy out of his wits!"

"Pfft-"

Villian was stunned for a moment, then laughed out loud:

"What kind of line is that? It's so weird. And if that's the case, shouldn't you, Aize, be a fool already?"

"Well... that's not wrong..."

Aize scratched his hair.

"No, that doesn't matter. So are you going or not?"

"Go! Of course!"

The witch nodded vigorously, and the serious expression on her face was finally gone. She couldn't help but reveal a smile full of anticipation.

----------

This continent is cut in half by the perilous Central Mountain Range, a mountain range that practically separates the two sides geographically and also serves as the dividing line between humans and demons.

On the left are the human countries.

On the right is the demon territory.

Somewhere in the demon territory, stands a castle called Blackstone Castle, stained in deep pure black and protected by countless combat forces and magic.

Its more widely known name is Demon King's Castle.

The core of the mysterious demon territory is also the home of the Demon King, the common lord of all demons. Legend has it that no human has ever set foot here.

In the room at the top, a small meeting is currently taking place.

"The above is the story of the blood plague incident that occurred in the capital of the human Kingdom of Arte."

One of the thirteen leaders, the demon intelligence officer, the Succubus Queen Prosia, put down the crystal in her hand that contained a huge amount of information, smiled and bowed.

The huge and ferocious body wrapped in a tight leather jacket swayed involuntarily with this movement.

Unfortunately, no one appreciates it at the moment.

Succubus is the only race among demons that has not yet engaged in direct war with humans. In fact, for well-known reasons, it is quite popular among many high-ranking human beings.

Therefore, he is responsible for gathering intelligence.

Although the demons were not directly involved in the Royal Capital Incident, the incident caused such a big commotion that the succubi easily obtained a large amount of information.

After passing it on to her own queen, the queen will directly inform the Demon King himself.

"What do you think, Lord Demon?"

The figure that Prosia called the Demon King was a figure not far ahead.

He sat on the chair with his back to her, so his face couldn't be seen.

Only pure black hair can be seen.

And the sharp, huge, goat-shaped black horns growing out of it flashed a strange light under the not-too-strong sunlight.

"A monster created from the magic power of over a hundred thousand people, mixed with the blood of a True Ancestor? Humph, humans can occasionally come up with something interesting. If possible, I'd really like to fight it myself."

His voice was a little deep, but it gave people the feeling that it was more like a young man deliberately pretending to have a smoky voice.

But the power and pressure contained in it are real.

Even the free-spirited Succubus Queen couldn't help but become a little reserved in front of him. She respectfully folded her wings and knelt on one knee.

"Reporting to the Demon King, that experimental subject was reportedly eliminated within a few hours of its resurrection, without causing any substantial damage at all."

"……snort"

The Demon King snorted softly.

"Who was it? Who eliminated that powerful individual?"

"Replying to the Demon King, it is the God-chosen Hero, Aize."

"Oh, is it him again?"

"Yes, it's him."

"Oh, should I say it's not surprising at all..."

The Demon King chuckled, his tone not seeming to show much displeasure, and then waved his hand:

"Okay, I understand, Prosia. You've done a great job. Please leave today. If you have any new news, please let me know."

"Yes, I obey."

Prosia took a few steps back, bowed deeply, and then obediently left the room.

As the door opened and then closed again, the demon king turned his attention to the other person in the room:

"Did you hear that? Sir Frederide, if you want to carry out your plan, you'll inevitably have to face this guy. So far, this guy hasn't even suffered a single defeat. Do you have the confidence to defeat this monster?"

The one called Frererid is a demon with very strange attire.

He was dressed in an extremely gorgeous robe, embellished with dazzling, strange and complex patterns like murals.

The head was completely wrapped in a golden helmet, and the matching mask completely covered the facial features, making it impossible to see the appearance and distinguish the race.

Facing the Demon King's question, he knelt on one knee, without raising his head, and answered without hesitation:

"Of course, Demon King, no problem at all."

The devil knocked on the armrest of his chair, held his forehead, and said:

"It's better not to be so confident. Don't forget, up to now, three leaders have been directly or indirectly defeated by him. I don't want you to be the fourth."

"My Lord Demon, that's because they were too inconsiderate. The variable of the Hero Aize was already considered from the very beginning of the plan. Don't worry, this time, I will completely defeat and annihilate him, and avenge those of our compatriots who fell at his hands!"

Fred Reed said this in a somewhat dry voice.

The Demon King thought for a moment, then sneered.

"Plan, I've seen your plan, it's really good. The target, Marquis of Karseide, and even the entire empire, have already taken action—just as you predicted."

"Thank you for the compliment, Demon Lord."

"But this alone is not enough. It is far from enough to make up for the losses caused by the heavy losses suffered by the witches and orcs. Therefore, I must slightly modify your plan. Come out."

After saying that, the black-horned and black-haired demon clapped his hands twice.

A cloaked figure, whose features could not be seen clearly, suddenly appeared from the shadows where the sunlight could not reach, and knelt down beside Fredreed.

"You are……"

The figure before him made the mouth under Frekelide's mask—or some similar organ—make a surprised sound.

The cloaked man didn't care at all and didn't even say a word.

Of course, it is also possible that he/it does not have the ability to communicate at all.

He just kept his head down without saying a word or moving.

A strange magical power suddenly filled the room, making people shudder, and directly transmitted consciousness into Frederick's mind.

This made Fred Reed very unhappy.

"You freak, are you kidding me? Don't look into my brain without permission! If you dare to do that again, I will..."

"Sir Frererid, proceed with your plan."

The Demon King interrupted his subordinate who was about to lose his temper without hesitation.

"But at the same time, you must support its plan. Before my army is ready, you two must act simultaneously and support each other to see who can reach the goal first."

"This……"

"Any questions?"

"No, my Lord! I'll go make preparations right away."

Intimidated by the pressure, Frederick didn't dare to say more.

After bowing deeply, she stood up and walked out of the room respectfully like a succubus queen.

And the quiet and strange figure, completely shrouded in the cloak, followed closely behind, silently, like a ghost or a phantom.

In the huge room, the Demon King was the only one left.

"Brave Aize, as always, is an eyesore. Even the two leaders probably wouldn't be his match. Well, just treat it as a sideshow before I personally go out. Don't let me down, old friend~"

The Demon King muttered to himself in a slightly amused tone.

(End of this volume)