Sword of the Philosopher

"While knowing about us... recognizing that you are the one who debated the Demon King, you, the Demon Nation, are asking for help. Are you convinced of that?

Croix's answer to Sofia's question was clear.

"I have no hesitation about that. I'm not convinced about that battle myself."

"Are you unconvinced by the battle waged by the Demon King? What do you mean?

Croix pushes silence at the inquiry. He's thinking about whether to tell us or not.

"... I was thinking about the demon king's prospects, too"

Then this one opens its mouth. Croix sent her gaze in silence.

"While planting the magic that would crumble the continent, the Demon King was looking to dominate one way or the other... as a last resort, the Demon King tried to use the magic, but in the end he couldn't do it, he decided against us, and it was over"

"For that magical purpose, I think it was meant for a different purpose."

Croix speaks... whereas I,

"... The Demon King said at the end that I could save everything. I mean, it was a means for that continental invasion to be an end for something, not an end."

"After investigating it, we decided that the Sherzian continent was the place where the Demon King's purpose could be accomplished... that's why we attacked that continent"

Croix goes on...... a little silence and he starts talking.

"If you two saved the continent, you might know... there is a 'God' in this world where people can't reach you"

- After all, was the Demon King also associated with 'God' sleeping underground?

"For the most convenience, I'm just calling it 'God', and what about in fact... whatever existence possesses the power to just call it that, there is in this world"

"Was the Demon King meant to take it in?

"The other way around. The Demon King... was meant to destroy 'God'"

"That magic was meant to be used in 'God'?

To Sophia's inquiry, Croix nodded small.

"I guess so, I'm thinking... this is just a guess. In fact, maybe he was going to use magic to destroy everything and do something about 'God' on it."

"... that magic strengthens the Demon King. There's a chance he was looking for it."

Croix responded to my words, "Maybe so."

"Whatever the way it's done, 'God' is involved in its actions...... but honestly I don't think it's a good way to do it"

"But the Demon King had only one reason to do so… did he foresee that in the future 'God' would do something and that the Demon Clan would disappear, or something?

- In fact, the Demons were almost extinguished in a world where they had collapsed due to 'God'.

"That's how I interpret it."

Croix agreed...... went on further.

"The Demon King was in an absolute position to lead the Demon Nation at the time of the continental invasion, but he was not inherently a person who preferred to do so in such a way as to force the Demon Nation to submit. Before being sealed by the wise, he was gentle with his people, which is why many had pledged allegiance, and the Demon King was active in responding to it... a war that his demon king had decided to wage. I wonder how much happened."

... I don't know much about that demon king side either. No, in the 'Elders Sword' world in the first place, we often don't know about the past, including about the wise.

Who is the wise man who sealed the Demon King? And I don't know what it's like to be a demon king.

"Much, you're familiar with it"

When Sophia told him, Croix shrugged her shoulders.

"I looked into it. As a result, I got as much information as I could guess as to what the Demon King intended. Though all of them were destroyed by the raid."

"What are the chances that you attacked to cover up that information?

When I asked him somehow, Croix replied, "It could be."

"Probably... there are those who try to cover up what the Demon King did. Even those who have made it clear that they will invade the Sherzian continent again without knowing the purpose of the Demon King."

"Trying to cover it up... why?

"I can think of two ways. One is what the Demon King's purpose is... there is something wrong with being out-of-the-box. I looked it up and it didn't come out... but no, maybe there's something in the part I haven't looked into yet"

"What's the second?

When asked, Croix grinned,

"The existence of 'God' is interfering in some way"

"Obstructing... to fall into the demonic realm, huh?

"As a result of my own research, there is more or less the influence of God in this demonic world."

Influence... I don't know how much it is...

"Perhaps even those who destroyed the material by 'God' do not recognize that it is the work of 'God'"

"You're talking about hiding and working well."

I breathed.

"I understand the situation... there's a side to it that would help if you became the Demon King from me or Sophia... can I just add one more condition when I work with you?

Croix replied "I don't mind" to these words.

"First of all... we were originally trying to get into the demonic world"

"To destroy us, huh?

"No. We're currently trying to 'God'"

Croix opened her eyes to the words.

"... are you willing to fight"

"You think it's reckless?

"No, as far as I'm concerned, I think I deserve more than being the one who broke the Demon King. But the path is never flat."

"Oh, I know. With the help of dragons and angels, he creates or asks for martial artefacts that bring together the pieces of his species."

"So the reason for visiting the demon world is to get weapons"

"Oh, yeah. I haven't decided what it would be like."

That's what I said, I shrugged my shoulder.

"However, even if we entered the demonic world on the supposed route, we might not have gotten what we wanted."

"I guess. At present, the demon kingdom is chaotic with each other in contention. No one would have listened to you."

That's it, Croix grinned.

"At least I will not make enemies of the existence that lives in a world that includes humans. I'll do whatever I can to respond to your requests."

"Then negotiations are in place..."

Nevertheless. Something I still have to check.

"Should I tell the people in the village what's going on?

"No, if you can do it, it's better after it's all over. I still don't know how it's going to end."

Copy that.

Was it ideal as a hand-to-hand opponent - it was a very abrupt start... but not so bad as a result, was it?

"... it's just that we can go around flashy? Does the fact that you worked with people not prevent you from becoming a demon king?

"You don't have to worry about that because I have my own thoughts on it... and yes"

Croix shrugs as if she remembered something here.

"I will be resting here today. Since there are rooms available, you are free to choose and use them. I can also pick food and afford it. You can let me go, including about the castle."

"Okay."

"And one more thing... if you could use Ange's abilities in return for getting him to work with you"

"Ability... prophecy"

"That's right. I can't ask any more questions until what I ask has been accomplished, so I can only predict once per person... but its power is absolute. I don't know if I can ask you about 'God', but why don't you give it a try?

Prophecy, or... will it be the guiding principle for the future?

I agreed, "Okay," to move from the throne room - a very abrupt beginning... but the demonic realm offense was to begin.