A war is beginning.
The Holy Capital, with the church this time, has devised a plan
to retake Bright Light Island.
The church is set on this.
Without the fight against demons, their power as a unifying force wanes.
I'm sure the papal election also has an effect.
There'll be more naval skirmishes around Bright Light Island.
So we're making more compasses?
Warships, as well.
I've taken control of the Tin Country's naval yards.
If we can win control of Bright Light Island,
we can open new trade routes to the west.
Transporting goods that way will be far cheaper than by land.
My jurisdiction,
the Southern Nations, grows more productive,
so I don't want anything to stop it.
And I've also been asked
to provide a large quantity of South Sea herring.
At a minimum, five times my current holdings.
Are they planning to build a palace of herring?
They've a magic spell that changes herring into wheat.
So it's that princess, then...
Yes, she is my bright star.
I thought money was the only thing you could ever love...
But if we lose, it will be a serious problem.
Although war still benefits us somewhat.
The war will last as long as the demons do.
And in the south, power changes hands rapidly.
All will depend on the war's outcome.
Chapter 5
—You smell good, Demon King. —And I feel safe in your arms, Hero.
What are you doing, demon?
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry...
You're pretty cute.
Come, I'll give you a chance to make up for it!
Sir, please...
Shut up!
Who do you think keeps your town safe?
Stop it.
She wants you to release her.
Who are you?
The time has come!
It's been fifteen years since the foolish demons
first tried to steal our world of light!
A foolish commander's failed strategy cost us Bright Light Island.
A grave loss!
That's not true!
You dare to insult the Winter King?!
But listen, men...
Before us, warships are arrayed from across the world.
Two hundred of them!
When you valiant warriors board them,
these two hundred ships will stab two hundred daggers
into the demons' hearts!
With a man like that commanding, we'll lose a war we could easily win.
Now it's time to set sail.
The sun shines for our victory!
Then, the Crusade of the Holy Key's troops run Gate City?
Yes.
What of the forces outside?
Do they watch the surrounding area?
There are four armies...
They enter the town on rotation.
What's the difference between the forces outside and those within?
When they return, they're rowdy,
and they do terrible things.
The forces in town are more highly ranked.
Like the king's children or relatives.
So mostly nobles?
They stay safely in town, doing what they wish to the demons.
We lost.
So you have to live through hell?
We don't have a choice.
We lost.
This...
This is what we won?
If the humans win,
will the entire demon world end up this way?
And if the demons win,
will the human world end up like this?
B-But...
The people in the Eastern Fortress don't really do anything bad.
So when the demons run, they always run east.
The Eastern Fortress?
That's good information.
Y-Yes?
But it's not enough...
What would the Demon King say?
Probably to follow the money...
This is a temple.
It's a mess.
Black Knight, if you're a human,
why are you the Demon King's knight?
Ah, well...
I belong to the Demon King.
You belong to the Demon King?
Yup.
Then you lost to the Demon King...
Die! Die, humans!
U-Uh, let's go.
What's that voice?
It's better that you don't know.
You won't...
You won't like it.
Die!
You stole our lives... You stole our peace!
You took everything from us!
All that you deserve is maggots!
I'm sorry!
It's okay.
May you be cursed for three thousand years!
May the human world be cursed with darkness until oblivion arrives!
What you just said...
You don't belong to someone because they beat you.
That doesn't mean they can do anything they want to you.
I belong to the Demon King, but not from losing.
Winning doesn't make you right,
and it doesn't mean you can do whatever you want.
I'm proof of that.
I am
the path that extends beyond the hill.
Winter King!
We're meeting with the White Night King's forces.
Okay, we'll make land before dawn.
Wh-What's that?
Enemy attack!
Calm down!
The Winter Fleets will not fall so easily!
Focus on their vital point and fire!
Ship 18 has sunk!
The White Night King's ship, too!
We can't let them sink our flagship!
Thwart the enemy!
Oh, taking a walk?
Well...
I saw you.
I arrived too early...
So I was watching the flowers.
I see.
A disaster.
What is this?!
The Winter King died,
in order for you to escape!
His sacrifice does not atone for his failure!
What happened to your southern warrior's pride?
Who cares if we lost two hundred beat-up, old ships?
We'll get new ones!
My father died doing what he believed in.
That is fine and well.
But responsibility for the defeat is a different matter!
Your failure to plan ahead cost the lives of six thousand soldiers!
As a king, you should know what that means.
Very well.
I'll assume responsibility for whatever you like.
However, Winter Prince, I've heard
that you have the Lakeside Convent and some scholar
bringing you riches you've kept to yourself.
You've also involved the Alliance, and received a large sum of money from them.
It's true that we've adopted a new method of farming.
Yet you still desire financial support?
You're a greedy man.
This is farewell.
I take for myself the name of Winter King.
Before this winter is out,
I shall carry out a second plan to retake Bright Light Island!
Are you certain?
My weakness meant I had no influence over anyone,
but I feel the weight of this sin in my soul.
We laid a burden that should have been ours
upon the shoulders of a single hero,
and consequently a star has vanished from this world.
As child of the last king, I will take back Bright Light Island,
He was a soldier, like any other.
and bring the Southern Nations some tiny fraction of the light
the hero was to bring us!
My lord?
Send a messenger to her at once.
We require a commander.
I see...
You're finally leaving.
Yeah.
It's sooner than I expected.
Be well.
That's all.
Wait!
Well, um...
I only have one other friend of my gender.
And that's the Head Maid, but...
What are you talking about?
Well, I...
I've always
wanted to be something approaching friends with you!
This war involves me, as well.
It's easy to imagine that my will has had a butterfly effect.
But there are still some things I cannot bring myself to do.
They feel to me like betrayals.
I'm lying to you.
I've been lying to everyone.
I am the Demon King.
You know I am the Prioress of the Lakeside Convent, yes?
Yes.
And that I serve the Light Spirit.
Then as a servant of the holy Light Spirit...
I shall hear your confession.
You have lied to everyone.
You have confessed this to me and to the Spirit.
Your sins have been forgiven.
There are no more problems.
Even though I'm the Demon King?
Your sin was lying, was it not?
Or do you think being the Demon King is a sin?
Do you regret trying to take the Hero from me?
Then we're done here.
The Lakeside Convent doesn't like annoying rituals.
But then...
There's no problem at all.
Please!
She's the Demon King, but she isn't a bad person.
She's not the type who'd break her word.
There's no problem at all.
Listen, Demon King...
What?
It's true the Hero made a contract with you.
Perhaps there is a special bond between you two...
But there's more than one kind of bond.
The Hero trusted me.
That is my treasure.
I...
I won't betray him, either.
Let's be friends, fair and square.
With pleasure.
There's not a chance in hell I'll be injured in a fight like this.
And I will not give up on the Hero.
Ta-dah!
What's this?
A present for the New Year's festival.
It's nothing special.
This is for you, miss!
What's this?
A doll of the Hero!
I'm embarrassed.
That's amazing!
My gift is some lily of the valley perfume.
That's so nice...
Thank you.
Oh, oh! My, my!
The two of us made this for the lady with the glasses.
For me, too?
Yes...
It's a frilled apron.
My sister did the embroidering!
Lily of the valley?
Just like me.
Yes.
Thank you...
This...
But I'm sorry.
I'd forgotten about the festival until you mentioned it...
I didn't get you anything.
It doesn't matter!
Yes, don't worry about it.
You've been so kind to us,
and gave us such a warm place to work.
It's like we're getting a present every day.
Happy New Year!
You're sure you won't go, miss?
Yes, I'm not good with crowds.
Then we will be leaving you alone for a while.
It's been a whole year.
I haven't touched you for a year.
I haven't had the chance...
And I belong to you...
I've grown weak.
I'm afraid to change the world.
I'm a demon, and my blood carries the genes for war.
But now, I'm scared of blood...
But I'm still doing my best.
Are you doing your best?
I want you to praise me.
Yeah, you're great, Demon King.
Hero!
Hey!
Hero...
Yeah.
Hero...
Hero!
Demon—
Wh-What?
You moron!
Where the hell have you been this past year?!
Ow! Wait! Ow! Stop hitting me!
I've been sending you reports!
Those are just picture diaries!
Why didn't you ever come to see me?
I've been busy with Gate City.
Trying to figure how to get things into the Northern Fortress...
Why are you doing that?
You're the one who ordered me
to stop anything that could help the extremists.
You could just use your Ultimate Destruction magic to take care of them!
No, I can't!
Everyone there is alive.
They're doing their best...
Every day, they cling to the slimmest hopes.
I can't just destroy them all!
Hero...
The Fairy Queen,
the beautiful forest songstresses,
the Dragon Princess!
The mechanoid girls,
the girls at the tavern...
All of them are trying their hardest!
I can't destroy them, just because I'm the Hero.
Sure you weren't simply enjoying your popularity?
Th-That's not true.
Really?
You're absolutely certain?!
What about you?
Weren't you getting all kinds of passionate glances
from nobles in the capital and rich merchants?
Head Maid, I told you not to tell him.
You're serious?
No, it wasn't like that.
It was during a negotiation, like a duel...
What's with that look?!
Weakling!
What do you mean by "weakling"?
I was doing my best...
You...
flabby Demon King!
Flabby...
Flabby!
Did you say flabby?!
Was it this mouth?
This mouth?
That hurts! Stop it...
I've been doing stretches and calisthenics every single day!
You're the Demon King, so why spend your time on something so petty?
It's not petty, you stupid Hero!
What? You're just a dumb recluse!
And you're an idiot who can't even stay in one place!
The music of the New Year's festival...
Can I turn the lights on?
No!
You just suddenly returned,
so I look like a mess.
It's fine.
It is not!
It is.
No, it isn't.
I haven't put on any perfume.
And...
Enough.
You're always pretty and wonderful, so it's fine!
What?
How about a dance?
If you'll take the lead...
I'm not good, either.
Um...
Push out your chest a little more.
Like this?
Don't get mad if I step on your feet.
Half step to the right.
And now the left.
Yeah, you've got it.
I should've worn a nicer outfit...
You smell good, Demon King.
And I feel safe in your arms, Hero.
Is this enough?
I mean, for your New Year's present...
I...
I didn't get you anything.
D-Don't worry about it...
I wasn't expecting anything.
Hero...
Well, if you want...
As your owner, I could reward you.
Of course,
I still have a lot of useless flesh,
so maybe it's more a punishment than a reward.
Y-Yeah.
My...
I-It's over.
R-Right.
Shall we let go?
Yeah...
Seeing you gave me courage.
Sure you don't want to see everyone?
Yes.
Don't wait so long this time.
I'll retake Gate City in under a month.
Can you do that?
Talking with you gave me an idea.
Same here.
The next time we meet...
It'll be on a battlefield...
I'm going to the sea, as well.
Don't fall behind.
Of course not!
I am your sword and your path.
You are
my light.
Next Chapter
—Welcome back, Hero! —Yeah, Old Man. I'm back!