I proceed through the elf village.
Before long, I spot Diera's back ahead.
She waits for my arrival with a slightly apologetic expression.
"My apologies. I simply had to see the World Tree."
"Don't worry about it. I was curious too."
This was a rare chance to see the World Tree.
Even factoring in my duty to chaperone Diera, it was a thoroughly attractive prospect.
Hardly a bad deal.
My reply makes Diera tilt her head in surprise.
"You haven't seen it before either?"
"No, this is my first time."
"Oh my, then this will be even more delightful."
Diera beams happily.
I couldn't quite decipher why she reacted that way.
Despite our acquaintance, there remained much about her I didn't understand.
Her words and actions were often opaque.
At that moment, a familiar voice called from the distance.
"Demon King Summer, Lady Diera!"
Luciana was heading our way.
She descended, tracing an elegant arc to land.
The way she moved was effortless despite her low-altitude flight.
Diera looked at Luciana with a curious expression. "Why are you here? I heard you were coming right before the banquet."
"I finished my work early. I wanted to rest as soon as possible."
Luciana spoke with a bright, relieved expression.
She seemed to be looking forward to the banquet as well.
In fact, she appeared to be in better spirits than usual.
Asking her questions in this state seemed harsh, but I needed to know about something.
"How are the other nations moving?"
"No problems. There are no signs of them invading the Demon King's territory. They seem to be focused on stabilizing the territories they recaptured."
"I see."
Hearing Luciana's assessment put my mind at ease.
Even though I already knew the answer, I still needed confirmation.
The nations that had reclaimed the Republic were busy with their administration.
Realizing the Demon King's army wouldn't counterattack, they were working to stabilize their territories.
For a while, there would be no invasion of the Demon King's territory.
If anything did happen, it would likely be a small elite force led by a hero, but the possibility was low.
I had a track record of killing heroes and holy maidens.
Both the Holy Staff Nation and the Demon Crafts Nation, which had experienced defeat before, would likely make cautious decisions.
Luciana stared at my face.
Crimson lips voiced a question.
"Still worried?"
"...I can't deny it."
I confess honestly.
This prolonged distance from the Royal Capital unsettles me.
I'm certain no problems will arise, yet it still weighs on my mind.
Only pessimistic scenarios pass through my thoughts.
All of them are utterly preposterous.
There was no basis for concern.
And yet, I can't help but consider the worst possibilities.
I was once told by that person that I was a worrier.
That bad habit, it seems, hasn't been cured.
I find it rather pathetic, even to myself.
Perhaps it's because my subordinates are all so positive, making me feel that way even more.
As I experience a mild self-loathing, Luciana tapped my back.
It was a gentle push.
She spoke in a playful tone.
"It'll be fine. Being away for a short while won't lead to any disaster. Besides, couldn't you return in an instant if it were you?"
Luciana is right.
With teleportation magic, I could return to the Royal Capital immediately.
There was absolutely no room for delay.
Moreover, even from our current position, magic could detect any anomalies.
I myself understood that the Royal Capital was in a perfectly peaceful state.
Furthermore, numerous defensive measures were deployed throughout the Royal Capital.
Even if a Hero were to approach, we could buy ample time.
The Royal Capital could now be called one of the safest zones in the world.
It was practically impossible for anyone to outwit me and destroy it.
"You're right. My apologies."
"Don't mind it. I do like the Demon King's caution, though."
"That's reassuring to hear."
As their conversation concluded, Diera addressed Luciana.
"World and I are going to see the World Tree. Would you care to join us?"
"Yes. I'll accompany you."
With Luciana now joining us, we moved along the village path.
The houses disappeared, and the way gradually turned into a wild track.
Eventually, even that path ended.
Dense thickets surrounded us, offering no passage.
Diera parted the brush with a grunt.
"Hmm, it seems like a dead end..."
"It's concealed through perceptual obstruction. We'll just pass right through."
"You won't destroy it?"
"Repairing it would be troublesome. It would inconvenience the elves."
As I answered, I cast a perception spell on myself and the other two.
Then part of the thicket vanished, revealing a hollowed-out passage.
A hidden path that hadn't existed moments before.
Even if one touched it without using the spell, the path was designed to never be found.
"This should do it. Can you see the path?"
"Oh! It's perfectly clear! What a convenient magic."
Diera exclaimed in surprise.
She looked around with excitement, as if searching for anything else hidden nearby. Unfortunately, there was nothing.
Luciana, on the other hand, wore a skeptical expression. Her sharp gaze was fixed on me.
"A magic like this... I don't remember hearing of it."
Luciana possesses vast knowledge of magic.
That's likely why she was curious.
I answered flatly.
"I improvised it. Just combined a few existing spells."
"...You're as unfair as ever, Lord Demon King. Developing a new spell is supposed to be a monumental feat, you know?"
"I know. I struggled with it in life as well."
Luciana laughed with an exasperated air, and I spoke while recalling those former days.
In the wars against the demon race, I had been forced to employ a wide variety of spells.
There were many situations where existing ones simply were not enough to cope.
So inevitably, I had set about developing new techniques.
Lately I had not faced much difficulty, so I had been recycling the same old spells over and over.
Rarely showcasing them like this meant I had managed to surprise Luciana after all.
We advanced along the hidden passage.
Several times we came upon forked paths, and each time we pressed forward while confirming the way with magic.
"Is this the correct direction?"
"I have no doubt. The spiritual energy is growing considerably stronger."
As I answered, I noticed an odd sensation in my fingertips.
One of my hands had begun to crumble.
The holy aura was penetrating through my protective ward and exerting its influence.
Luciana looked at my hand with a worried expression.
"Wait. Is that alright?"
"It's fine. I'll adapt soon enough."
I adjusted the protective spell and supplemented the damaged portion with miasma.
It would be fragile for a while, but if left alone, the reaction would subside on its own.
The body was not something that mattered much to me.
Since there were countless replacements available, a bit of damage was never cause for concern.
"Oh, it's just ahead, then?"
Diera, leading the way, murmured.
Ahead, the end of the hidden passage was visible.
At the same time, the holy aura and the power of the spirits reached their peak.
In the blinding light, I felt a sensation as if nonexistent eyes were being scorched.
(I'll just have to endure it for a little while...)
Shoving the pain out of my thoughts, I stepped through the end of the hidden passage.