Reincarnation as a Great Demon Lord - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Great Demon King's Exhilaration

For half a day after striking the 'Monster Tamer' with the counter-barrage, I continuously rained magical cannon fire upon the enemy forces.

It was a simple, crude attack, merely striking them with magical energy containing heat and physical impact, but we have infinite magical power. It was plenty powerful enough to incinerate low-level monsters.

In fact, not only small monsters like 'Slimes' and 'Giant Rats' led by the Monster Tamer, but even medium-sized monsters like 'Chimeras' and 'Wyverns' were dying one after another. If I landed a direct hit on a large monster, the massive quadruped 'Behemoth,' I could blow off half its body.

And I had been doing this without limits for half a day.

The Third Zone was already a scene from hell. Half of the visible ground was scorched red by my magical cannons. Against this, the 'Monster Army' simply pressed forward. It was like bombers fighting infantry; even a massive army of 20,000 should have been instantly annihilated—or so it should have been.

But despite half a day of continuous bombardment, I had not annihilated the enemy. On the contrary, at this rate, they would break through the Third Defensive Zone. That was the situation we were facing.

And it was all because the enemy was 'immortal.'

"I see. So, technically, they're not a 'Monster Tamer,' but a 'Necromancer.' They've been adjusted so that if even a part of the body remains, they gather together and regenerate. How interesting."

Arcelia said this while observing the 3D projection of the battlefield. Indeed, in the image, a 'Behemoth' split in half by the bombardment was messily merging with another half-split individual, and then resuming its march.

It was an appetite-killing sight. Well, I am the Final Boss, with thick skin and a healthy appetite, so I reached for the lunch Seren prepared without hesitation.

This was all happening in the throne room. To continue the bombardment, I couldn't move from here, and I had been sitting for half a day. My rear was starting to hurt.

However, a 'Necromancer.' In my previous life's image, that was a sorcerer specializing in manipulating corpses and creating zombies.

That certainly aligns with the phenomenon happening before my eyes. Corpses are moving, corpses are fighting, and corpses are gathering to become larger corpses. There is no other way to explain it.

There were characters in the original story who used similar abilities. But they were always enemies on the Demon Realm's side, and it's hard to associate them with a symbol of justice like a Hero...

"...Impossible. A Hero using necromancy..."

The answer was provided by the 'Hero of the Holy Sword.' Since she finished guiding the refugees to safety inside the Great Demon King's Castle, she had been glued to the battlefield view in the throne room.

"My Hero. Why is it impossible?"

".........The Hero's power is said to be the blessing of the Goddess of Beginnings. Conversely, necromancy is the art of the 'Demon God,' the creator of the Demon Realm. A Hero shouldn't be able to use it."

Despite saying it was impossible, the Hero of the Holy Sword's voice sounded uncertain towards the end. It seems she remembered that she had been asleep for 100 years. Everything changes in 100 years.

Regardless, the logic is understandable. It's the incompatibility of power sources that existed in the original story. A person with an affinity for Fire-element could not learn spells or techniques of the opposing Water-element. However, whether that is a physiological, psychological, or theological issue makes a big difference.

Incidentally, the fact that she no longer denies being called 'My Hero' is a positive sign. If asked, she would likely make the excuse that she's tired of denying it every time, but the mere fact that it's happening means her mental guard is coming down. Is the day of her surrender close?

"Arcelia. What is your assessment?"

"...Indeed, I've never heard of a Hero using necromancy. Well, the Demon Realm side has very little knowledge about Heroes in the first place... But yes, I know a little about necromancy. It's a related field."

Arcelia paused, then pointed at the screen and continued.

"Judging by how the corpses are merging at a cellular level, he's a considerable user. He must have reached at least the Master rank. But that's not the real threat. No matter how cost-efficient necromancy is, there's a limit. Sustaining magic of this scale over such a wide area requires an enormous amount of magical power. One that is—"

"Like mine?"

Arcelia nodded. In that case, should I assume the enemy also has infinite magical power, or an equivalent power source? ...Perhaps, like the Hero of the Holy Sword, infinite magical power isn't as rare as one might think.

But that's fine. I am the Final Boss. My distinctiveness should lie not only in my abilities but also in my mindset.

In that regard, I have no worries. On the contrary, knowing that infinite magical power alone won't guarantee victory, my mood is actually soaring.

The value of a Final Boss only increases by defeating a formidable opponent. What could be more exciting than routing an opponent with equivalent power? My stock as a Final Boss will skyrocket.

"But necromancy is my field. I've analyzed the spell, and I know its weakness."

"Oh? Then you have a countermeasure in mind?"

"Of course. It will take a little time and cooperation, though."

Arcelia glanced at the Hero of the Holy Sword. I see. I broadly understand her intention. The question is whether she will accept our request for cooperation, but I don't think that will be a problem. The person in question has a question mark floating over her head, but I'm sure it will be fine.

In the original story, dark-element magic like necromancy is weak against Light-element magic, which is wielded by Heroes. It possesses a so-called super-effective quality.

"I will handle that part. You proceed with the preparations. I will leave the task of buying time to Egret."

Arcelia nodded at my answer. The fact that she didn't ask "how" means Arcelia has come to trust me considerably.

"...I'll hurry. When night falls, the effect of necromancy increases. I have no intention of letting those vulgar creatures step onto my castle."

I've also grasped the enemy's ace in the hole. The reason the enemy is advancing slowly is that time is on their side. When night comes, their power will naturally increase, and they will be able to take the castle.

...It's the reverse of a typical siege. We must hurry to achieve a breakthrough. What is needed is the cooperation of the Hero of the Holy Sword. And securing that is my job.

I've come to understand the Hero of the Holy Sword's personality well over the past month.

She handled many tasks as the refugee coordinator. Although she would say things like, 'This is a hassle' or 'Why me?' she always finished the job she was asked to do, and she did it thoroughly. When mediating fights between refugees, she even visited the parties' homes for aftercare.

Thanks to this conduct, she has gained the affection of the refugees. The children call her 'Swords-sama' and look up to her. It seems complex for her to be called that when she only possesses a sheath, but the important thing is that she is a caring and earnest person.

Therefore, persuasion will be easy.

"—Great Demon King."

In fact, she spoke to me right after Arcelia excused herself. Although her expression maintained its usual listlessness, it was clear from her tightly clenched fists that she couldn't sit still.

For someone who calls herself a Hero to plot mass murder must be unforgivable to her sense of justice. Agreeing to lend her power to the Demon King, who should be her sworn enemy, must be an extreme measure.

...I understand the feeling. Acts like merely killing or merely taking are things that anyone, not just a Final Boss, can do.

Simply put, they are boring. Even if they are part of the Final Boss's duties, they are certainly not the main path. I would have made the same choice if I were in the Hero of the Holy Sword's position.

"—You want to fight, don't you? I permit it. I will give you a weapon."

"Huh?"

When I gave permission preemptively, the Hero of the Holy Sword looked bewildered. She probably didn't expect me to grasp everything. But a Final Boss anticipates and precedes all things. This much is child's play.

"However, swinging a sword and defeating the enemy on the front lines is not the only way to fight. I will have you cooperate with our strategy."

"...What should I do?"

"First, follow Arcelia. She will tell you what is needed."

"Arcelia...? You mean that vampire?"

The Hero of the Holy Sword frowned, but when I nodded, she followed after Arcelia. She probably couldn't reconcile the 'Black-Blood Princess' she once fought with the Arcelia of today in her mind. It can't be helped, but since the cause lies with the Hero of the Holy Sword, all I can do is pray that she doesn't say anything unnecessary.

"...I'm a little tired."

I muttered this once I was alone in the throne room.

...Honestly, I am mentally exhausted from the last half-day, and I feel incredibly drained... No, that's not true! I can still do it...! A Final Boss doesn't get tired!

I will get right to work. I established communication with the launch bay at the bottom of the castle.

On the communication screen was Egret. Behind her were five of her Dragonkin Knights and fifty human warriors handpicked from the refugees. Defending the Second Defensive Line is their job.

"You have received the enemy's information, correct? My Knight, my Warriors. The time for deployment has come. Show me your valor!"

"—Yes, Your Majesty! Leave it to me! The Imperial Dragoon Knights are launching!"

At Egret's command, my Imperial Guard—the 'Imperial Dragoon Knights'—were launched. Protected by the 'Magical Barrier' developed by Arcelia, the knights struck the ground with the force of meteorites, scattering the surrounding monsters, and safely arriving at the battlefront.

The Imperial Dragoon Knights immediately began their battle against the monsters under Egret's command. They are only about fifty in number, but each is worth a thousand. With the added support of my bombardment, they can definitely fight effectively.

I have to say, my naming sense is excellent: the 'Imperial Dragoon Knights.' Watching their efforts, my heart pounds, and my fighting spirit is ignited.

The real battle starts now. You wretched Hero, you will not kill a single one of my people. Learn the meaning of a Final Boss's pride!

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