The siege ended in the empire’s victory.
With a breach in the outer wall, the strategic burden on the demon army had doubled, forcing them to retreat.
The imperial army did not pursue them.
If they recklessly advanced too deep, their frontline would stretch thin, losing the tactical advantage they had just gained.
Instead, they established their camp using the demon fortress walls as a stronghold.
Nightfall was approaching, and the soldiers needed rest.
The atmosphere was lively.
They had expected the siege to last several months, but victory was achieved in just a single day.
Thanks to that, there was plenty of food and energy to spare, and bonfires and meat feasts sprang up throughout the camp.
Inside the commander’s tent, Baldric scrutinized the demon woman beside me—one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Lucrecia—from head to toe.
“Are you sure you’re okay keeping her with you?”
“Of course.”
“She’s not just any demon; she’s one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Even with restraints, you must never let your guard down.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Well, I suppose keeping her by your side is safer than anywhere else.”
I had captured Lucrecia while she was aiding her comrades’ retreat.
Normally, I would have killed her, but since she was left behind alone, I had the chance to take her alive.
Lucrecia struggled desperately, sensing her fate, but when my reinforcements arrived, she gave up everything.
Baldric spoke again.
“Still, it’s an impressive achievement. Capturing one of the Four Heavenly Kings on the first day? Whether we trade her or extract information, she’ll be useful in countless ways.”
“I think so too.”
“Interrogating her seems like the best option. Once we’ve tortured all the valuable intel out of her, it won’t matter whether we kill or exchange her.”
“I’ll take her to my tent first and think about how best to use her.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
After saluting Baldric, I took the bound Lucrecia outside.
The soldiers were still celebrating.
Their gazes naturally turned toward us—not at me, but at Lucrecia.
“You filthy demon wench. Serves you right.”
“Acted all high and mighty, and now look at you.”
“How does it feel to be captured? Still think you’re invincible?”
“Up close, she’s got a decent face and body. If I were you, I’d drag her into a tent and have some fun.”
As expected, the soldiers hurled insults at the enemy prisoner.
Leftover bones, spit, and scraps of food were thrown at her.
Yet, despite all of this, Lucrecia followed me with an indifferent expression.
She even smiled faintly.
“I’ve memorized all of your faces. If I ever get free, I’ll make sure to carve you up nice and slow.”
At that calm threat, a few cowardly soldiers held their breath and averted their eyes.
Of course, some just laughed it off.
The mages—Nervas, Altera, and the like—appeared as if they had been waiting for this moment, surrounding Lucrecia like curious children examining a rare beast.
“Oho, so this is one of the Four Heavenly Kings? It’s my first time seeing one up close. Fascinating… If possible, I’d love to dissect you.”
They asked if, once Lucrecia was no longer useful as a prisoner, they could have the rights to her corpse for dissection.
I told them I’d consider it and took Lucrecia into my tent.
Inside, Kalian, Evelyn, Elia, and Lumia sat around a campfire.
Lucrecia asked in a monotone voice,
“So, what happens to me now? Torture? Or dissection?”
“Take this first.”
I handed her a towel.
She stared at it blankly.
“And what am I supposed to do with this?”
“What else? Wipe your face and body. You’re covered in spit and food scraps from the walk here. Just don’t get it on me.”
“…That’s it?”
“Once you’re done, sit by the fire.”
“So that’s where the torture will take place, huh?”
Lucrecia wiped herself down with the towel, then sat by the fire with a resolute posture.
Her stance radiated a willingness to endure any torture—even death.
“Heh… So you plan to burn me? This level of firepower won’t work on me. I am the Blade Empress. I can withstand even the fiercest flames.”
“Do whatever you want. Here, take this.”
“This is…?”
I handed her a cup filled with a steaming liquid.
Lucrecia cautiously examined the contents of the cup she received, then sniffed it.
“It’s pitch black, yet it has a sweet scent. Is this poison meant to kill me? Or is it a truth serum?”
“That’s called cocoa.”
“Cocoa? So that’s the name of this poison?”
“Drink it.”
“You’re telling me to drink it now? What happens if I refuse?”
“You’ll find out if you don’t.”
“So, you’re saying you’ll give me endless suffering instead? Hah… Fine. It’s better to drink this and meet my end.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, she accepted her fate like a pilgrim preparing for their final journey and raised the cup to her lips.
“My apologies, Demon King. I will be leaving before you.”
Sip.
Sip.
After taking a few sips of cocoa, Lucrecia closed her eyes, savoring the taste, before letting out a hollow laugh.
“A death this sweet… This must truly be the devil’s poison. If it weren’t me, anyone else would have died without even realizing it.”
“What nonsense have you been spouting this whole time? That’s not poison; it’s just a drink.”
“…Huh?”
She opened her eyes.
Her solemn acceptance of death crumbled when she noticed that we were all drinking the same beverage without a care.
“This… isn’t poison?”
“Where in the world would you find poison that tastes that good?”
“That can’t be…”
Sip.
Sip.
Lucrecia hurriedly drank more cocoa.
Seeing her reaction, I calmly spoke.
“It’d be boring just sitting around, so I figured I’d give you something to eat.”
“You’re not going to kill me or torture me? What are you plotting, you devil?”
“Just trying to have a conversation. About the Demon King you cherish so much—Victoria.”
“A conversation?”
“If you have something to say, say it. If not, just stay silent. I won’t force you to talk.”
I started speaking lightly.
Torture wouldn’t yield much information, and even if it did, it wouldn’t change anything.
That’s why I chose a different approach—winning her over.
Being kind wouldn’t make her my ally, but at the very least, it would make her listen.
“You believe humanity wants to wipe out all demons.”
“Is that not the case?”
“Not really. At least, not for us gathered here. Our true goal is to save Victoria and end this meaningless war.”
“Hah! That’s an amusing tale. What trick are you trying to pull now, devil?”
“It’s not a trick.”
I refilled Lucrecia’s empty cup with cocoa.
For someone who mocked my words, she sure was gulping down the drink at an alarming speed.
“You said we deceived Victoria, making her believe humans are good. But have you ever considered this? Why would humans like us have a positive view of the Demon King in the first place?”
“That’s… because you, a devil, are trying to mock the entire demon race.”
“No. The reason we respect Victoria—the reason I’m even speaking to you like this—is because humans and demons aren’t so different after all.”
“Humans and demons aren’t different? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard such nonsense.”
“But deep down, you’ve felt it too. Just like how you care for your comrades, we do the same. Just like how you experience joy and sorrow, so do we.”
I pressed on, striking at the core of her doubts.
Any intelligent being—anyone capable of thinking—must have questioned it at some point.
‘Can humans and demons really never coexist?’
Those who were already aware—both humans and demons—had realized the contradiction in that belief.
She wouldn’t be an exception.
Clatter.
Suddenly, she smashed the cup in her hand, letting out a mocking laugh.
“Hah… You almost had me there. A lesser demon might have fallen for that nonsense. So this is what they call the devil’s whispers?”
“I understand why the Demon King was deceived. But it won’t work on me, no matter how persuasive you sound or how special your food is.”
She crossed her arms stubbornly.
Her deep-rooted distrust of humanity prevented her from accepting any goodwill.
But… how long could she keep resisting?
Exchanging glances with my companions, I brought out the next step of our plan.
A sizzling grill, sausages, marinated ribs, cheese fondue, garlic bread—a lavish feast spread out before her.
As the hot grill warmed up, the sound of meat sizzling filled the tent, unleashing an overwhelming aroma that ignited one’s appetite.
Lucrecia’s eyes widened in shock.
“W-What… What is this?”
“There’s something I need to correct. Earlier, you called cocoa ‘special food.’ But for us, cocoa is just an ordinary drink. Now, let me show you what real special food looks like.”
There’s an old saying—
It’s not the harsh winds that strip a traveler of their cloak, but the warmth of the sun.
Tonight, we were going to show her the most intense warmth imaginable.
Judging by how Victoria had never tasted proper food, it seemed likely that Lucrecia hadn’t either.
Well then, she might as well enjoy herself to the fullest.
—
Meanwhile, at the Demon King’s Castle, Darkan and Bellard pushed open the massive doors, battered and exhausted.
They stood before their leader, the ruler of the demons.
Victoria, seated upon the throne, spoke.
“Darkan, Bellard… you’ve done well.”
“We apologize, Demon King! Due to our incompetence, we failed to stop the imperial army, and the outer wall has been breached.”
“That much is fine. But… where is Lucrecia?”
Victoria gazed down at the two kneeling before her and asked.
Darkan and Bellard bowed so low they were nearly touching the ground.
“Lucrecia… was captured by the enemy. During our retreat to reorganize the formation, she sacrificed herself to protect our allies.”
“I see…”
“It was our failure. Please, punish us!”
“No, it’s fine. Lucrecia is one of the Four Heavenly Kings. They wouldn’t have killed her so easily. We’ll simply retrieve her in the next battle.”
“We are deeply moved by your mercy, Demon King.”
Darkan and Bellard repeatedly lowered their heads.
They reported the flow of the battle, the current state of both allied and enemy forces, and their proposed strategy for the next move.
“…And… there is one more thing.”
Finally, Darkan broached the topic he had been hiding all along.
Victoria urged him to speak.
“What are you hesitating for?”
“Forgive me, but I have a question for you, Demon King.”
“Go on.”
“When you disguised yourself as a human and ventured outside… what exactly did you experience? Did you meet… any devils?”
“Devils?”
Victoria tilted her head at the strange question but soon leaned back on her throne, gazing into the air.
A gentle smile spread across her face—nostalgic, yet tinged with sorrow.
“I don’t know about devils… but the outside world was wonderful. The plays were entertaining, the food was delicious… and there were kind people.”
“That can’t be! Then… what about your contact with the devil… Wade?”
“He was one of the kind people. If it weren’t for Wade, I would never have known the beauty of the human world.”
Hearing that, Darkan and Bellard’s faces turned pale.
That devil had said it himself—he had manipulated the Demon King’s mind, making her sympathetic toward humanity.
They exchanged despairing looks.
Their beloved Demon King had completely fallen into the devil’s trap!