Sword of the Philosopher

Following Croix's guide, I've seen the Castle of the Demon King more than once. The pitch-black castle makes it more intimidating every time you approach it, and you may even think it's just as good inside.

- In Ange's prophecy.

On the road, I shake the subject to Croix.

"Go to the castle to get the weapons that unite the powers of the devil clan - but do you need to explore the castle?

"You can interpret it that way. Yeah, Rude said there's no traps, and there's no problem walking around."

... You never imagined walking around the Demon King's Castle.

Sophia walking next door has a strange look on her face, whether it's the same view as my mood.

"Speaking of which, Sophia, are we done discussing this?

"For one thing roughly. I've also told Mr. Croix that if anything goes wrong in the future, I'll take care of it every time."

"I've always been a demon king. Honestly, I don't know how far I can go, but I'll try."

I say "please" to Croix's words, and look out for the Castle of the Demon King.

If I could, I'd also like to know more about why the Demon King caused the war... but I guess that's just hard.

"Are you still concerned about getting in?

Croix turns to the subject.

"If anything happens, it doesn't matter on my authority. Don't worry about it."

"I hope so... but you look different up close"

Hold that sentiment. The castle today is heavier and more terribly intimidating than any demonic castle that existed on our continent. If I had to attack this...... I don't think I'd die just fine, but it even looks like a hassle.

That's how we arrive at the entrance… it's kind of an odd situation because there's only three of us.

"We're gonna open it."

Croix puts his hands together. Then suddenly the door began to open.

"Are you making magic moves?

"Correct. Whoever becomes the Demon King can manipulate the entire castle."

Ha, I see... I don't know how far I can interfere in the castle, but if it's going to work with magic or something, I think I can even change the structure in the castle.

Assuming that's the case, don't make the offense even harder... Inside Thinking about that, I saw the inner castle.

The presence of magical light allows me to look indoors… a hallway existed from the entrance and I could see a large staircase going a long way up behind it.

"Is that the back of the throne room or something?

"Right...... well, Mr. Luon. What about you?

"Looks like we'll just have to take a stroll first...... Croix, can we find a hidden passage or something, for example?

"I am only authorized to operate this castle as the Demon King. It's harder for me to find hidden passageways, etc., than it is for the previous Demon King to know the internal structure in detail."

Uh, then, for example, if a powerful weapon was in a hidden room or something, would it be difficult to find it... then there was a continuation of Croix's story.

"However, I am able to capture magic under my authority. If I had a powerful weapon, it would have been possible for me to locate it."

"Does that mean it's reasonable to walk around and find a place that looks like it first"

"That's what I'm talking about"

"Then let's just say it moves around like that... is Croix okay with you too?

"I don't mind."

"All right, then let's move on"

We'll start the walk. Demon King's Castle... Castle existed on our continent as a stronghold for invasion, but there is a different hard air than that place.

There are no signs of demons or anything like that. When I asked Croix, it meant "there was no point in preparing". Well, so is that. There's nothing fundamentally like being invaded by an enemy, and yet this is demon kingdom. There is no such thing as entering without permission, so there is no need for escorts.

"Were the previous Demon Kings living here alone?

"You don't have zero men. There must have been some caregivers, starting with Rude and Zemun."

"Nevertheless, the number is not high"

"Right. I wish there was someone who could get a perfect idea of the structure of this castle... unfortunately it doesn't exist"

Too bad... well, I'm just talking about looking for a spot crush, so I don't have a problem with that.

That's how we walk down the hallway, but the interior - just the shades are plain, but if you ask me if I'm far from a human castle, I'm not. I had no stupid imagination that just odd statues and such were placed narrowly, but honestly it was as simple as clapping it out.

"... that's a lot different from what I was imagining"

Second, Sophia opens her mouth.

"I never imagined a world of bad taste..."

"It would also have something to do with how much Rude organized it, but apparently there wasn't much stuff or anything out there from time to time."

"Does that mean you didn't have to?

"There would certainly be that aspect as well. Demons... Above all, beings with immense magic are closer in nature to spirits and such than humans. And when they do, for example, they won't need to eat, and they'll lose the sense of life that humans think they have."

"Are you saying that nature comes closer to the Spirit or something... that magic becomes more important than flesh?

"Correct. Such traits are also more capable... some demons are strong with their nature close to that of man, but there was a tendency to be stronger with the nature of abandoning man than that"

"Such demons have invaded our continent..."

Croix replied "Exactly" to this reference.

"It is of such a nature that we were able to follow the orders of the previous demon kings and form various strategies"

"I see...... few demons like that right now?

"Not being there, rather that nature is changed by reinforcing magic, etc. Me and Aemer and others are trying to be strong with the flesh maintained, but they thought the proximity of the previous demon kings was to show strong loyalty, and many people tried to quit the concept of living things even though they never gave up flesh."

- I mean, is that all you were drunk on the Demon King?

I think back to Bizell. It is unclear whether he would have gained the power to abandon his flesh, but perhaps if the demon king of his predecessors had survived, he would have followed that path.

With that sentiment - I stopped at the pretend.

"- Croix"

"I noticed, too"

Sophia is also in tune. Croix nods small, too, and gazes where I turn.

There was a single door.