After the Hero's party, bound by Bind, was dragged to the Underground prison, I, left alone in the audience chamber, decided to have a more substantial conversation with the Demon King.
Drawn by the unconventional terms, I had blindly declared I would become a subordinate, but I needed to hear first what role I would play and what tasks I would be assigned within the Demon King's army.
When I brought up this topic first, the Demon King explained without much hesitation.
"You will first become my direct subordinate. After all, even if you were placed under the Four Heavenly Kings, wouldn't it just cause unnecessary conflict? Kaldra… no, Patraash. As you know, the number of demons you've killed is not small, you see. I also don't want to be unfairly placed as a parachute drop into any unit and get cursed at."
"Yes, indeed. Those are perfectly valid points."
Still, compared to what I had expected, the Demon King's brain seemed to work quite well, so I was satisfied.
That old man from the human kingdom must have eaten his age through his backside, because without providing any decent support, he blindly forces the Hero to come capture the Demon King; he's a shameless bastard.
Compared to that scoundrel, the Demon King before me was practically a celestial maiden.
As I nodded in agreement thinking that, the Demon King, resting his chin casually, asked.
"Is there perhaps anything else you want to ask? I am a busy person, so being able to answer leisurely like this is very limited."
"Ah, then one more thing, my former comrades… that is to say, what will you do with the Hero's party?"
Then, the Demon King wore an evil smile for the first time.
"If nothing special happens, I intend to execute them on a near date. If the Hero's head is hung outside the castle, the humans' morale will drop, and our army's morale will rise."
After hearing the Demon King's explanation, I hastily waved my hand.
"Demon King-nim, if it's not too much trouble, may I ask you to reconsider that matter?"
Perhaps it was an unexpected proposal, as the Demon King frowned.
"What's the reason? Surely not because of old feelings between comrades, are you?"
"As Demon King-nim said, I did not ask because of personal feelings. It's just that I'm concerned a new Hero might be born if the Hero is killed."
"…I want to hear more details."
Fortunately, it seemed I had managed to pique the Demon King's interest, so I slightly bowed my waist and began to spill out the information I had personally collected about the Hero.
"Originally, you surely know well that the Hero of the human race is chosen by the oracle of the Goddess of Courage. This is a very famous story even on the continent."
"That's right. As far as I know, it is so."
"However, a Hero has never appeared more than twice in one generation. Therefore, if a Hero on a mission to defeat the Demon King dies during their journey, the Order of Courage immediately receives the next oracle from the Goddess and is granted a new Hero. This is a historically recorded fact."
Hearing my words, the Demon King also nodded his head as if he had something in mind.
"As you say, among past Demon Kings, there were quite a few who killed the Heroes that came seeking them. However, most of them were eventually beheaded by the next generation's Hero who came soon after."
"Ultimately, it's a matter of utility. The Goddess of Courage does not select the next generation's Hero as long as the chosen Hero doesn't die, and if the Demon King is too strong, causing the current Hero to die, a new Hero possessing enough power to kill that Demon King is selected. However-"
"However?"
"What I want to point out is the Hero selection system itself. Just as a new Demon King is not born if the current Demon King doesn't die, so too, a Hero will not be born if the previous Hero doesn't die. Perhaps it's the Goddess's own stratagem to prevent two individuals with excessively strong power from existing simultaneously."
Only then did he seem to understand what I wanted to say, as the Demon King muttered with an astonished face.
"No way…"
"Therefore, for the time being, it is better for the Hero's life to remain, which is more advantageous for Demon King-nim, and furthermore, for the entire Demon King's army. Surely you don't want to spend years of constant anxiety again, not knowing when an assassin (Hero) aiming for your own life might reappear, do you?"
The Demon King, having heard my explanation, nodded his head as if empathizing.
"Certainly, your words have merit. If that's the reason, it might be better to keep the Hero, the enemy of demons, alive rather than kill them. However, with that logic, can't all humans other than the Hero be killed?"
To the surprisingly sharp point, I gave a wry smile.
"Well, that's true, but I personally recommend keeping them alive too. If the Hero is left alone, in the worst case, they might make an extreme choice."
"Why is that?"
I smiled wryly.
"People become stronger if they have something to be responsible for. Paradoxically, if there is someone to be responsible for, they cannot become weak. Especially if they have lovers they cherish right beside them."
"…You intend to use them as a safety device to prevent the Hero from committing suicide, I see."
"Well, that's partly the intention, but humans are fundamentally animals easily dominated by emotions, so even with just a little bit of sadness, they can make an extreme choice. In that case, wouldn't it be better to leave them with some false hope?"
Saying that and concluding my long explanation, the Demon King shook his head and said, as if exasperated.
"You truly seem to be without blood or tears. Just hearing you speak, one wouldn't know who the demon is."
"Haha. Now that I'm in the same boat as Demon King-nim, I merely employed a bit of cunning. This much is within anyone's reasoning capabilities if given sufficient information."
"Alright. Then, regarding the Hero's treatment, I will follow your opinion for now. Although it's not exactly a trade, may I ask one thing?"
"Yes. Please ask anything."
The Demon King, seated on his throne, stared straight into my face with serious eyes.
"Even though you contracted via the Gears Scroll, you are originally human. However, seeing your actions and words shown so far, it seems you had betraying humanity and the Hero in mind from the very beginning. Since when exactly did you start harboring such thoughts?"
"Hmm."
I was momentarily speechless.
Actually, it was hard to say definitively since when. Because it was due to quite complex reasons. So, I tried to recall old memories.
At first, I had my own pride as part of the Hero's party, and my relationship with my female comrades wasn't particularly bad.
However, the party's atmosphere began to change distinctly and unnaturally after a major battle ended, when the Hero started touching the female comrades.
Actually, even up to this point, it was fine.
After all, they were involved in making out and fighting amongst themselves, so even though they were comrades, I, as a third party, had no need to interfere.
But the fucking double standards were the problem.
Those fucking bitches, while they themselves freely had sex with the Hero during travels, looked at me with contemptuous eyes when I went to a brothel to relieve myself.
"No! You weren't going to give it to me anyway!"
However, saying these motives directly in front of the Demon King was tantamount to self-destruction, so I put on a suitable bitter smile and said in a calm voice.
"There's a saying in the world: office workers always carry a resignation letter in their hearts."
"…That you submitted it today, is that it?"
"Yes. Although it was impulsive, I have no regrets. I am a petty person who only thinks of my own wealth and prosperity."
"I understand. That much seems like a sufficient answer."
Nodding his head, the Demon King who said that snapped his fingers on his right hand.
-Snap!
Then, someone outside the audience chamber opened the door and came inside.
'There was definitely no one there?'
Feeling puzzled, I glanced sideways, and there, a demon with a goat's head and a human body stood like a shadow.
"This is Seneca, the Chief Steward of the Demon King's Castle. He will guide you to the lodging where you will stay. Coming all the way here must have been quite tiring today, so rest well, and starting tomorrow, we will talk about official business."
"I am overwhelmed by Demon King-nim's kindness."
"Haha, don't give me sweet talk. I am well aware of the fact that among humans, you are called the Rampaging Mage."
His teasing while smiling was a bit irritating, but I did not deny his words.
Because it was all true.
"Then, I will take my leave now. May your noble body be free from illness."
Saying that, and offering my greetings according to noble etiquette, I turned my back to follow the demon named Seneca.
"Ah, lastly, may I ask just one more thing? I am truly sorry for stopping someone who is leaving."
"…He will be my future boss, so I cannot speak ill of him for just such a small matter."
"Yes. Please ask whatever you wish."
"Are you really planning to change your name to Patraash? Not as a joke?"
Although it was a bit out of the blue, it was a suspicion that could reasonably be held.
I too just somewhat chose it because it rhymed.
"…Since my previous self is considered dead, I do intend to change it soon. However, if it is truly inconvenient, you may call me by my original name for the time being. It hasn't been finalized yet."
"I understand. You must be tired, so go in and rest well."
"Then, I will see you tomorrow."
I once again bowed my head and followed Seneca, the Housekeeper of the Demon King's Castle, out of the audience chamber.
Thanks to so many things happening in just one day, my tension hasn't eased, and my heart still feels like it's pounding.
But even more than that, I felt great!
Starting today, I am Kaldraash, the eternal second-in-command of the Hero's party, but now I'm Patraash, Nero's hunting dog, starting a new life!
'Ohoho, I like it!'
Looking forward to the rosy future that lay ahead, I unconsciously performed a joyful tap dance in the hallway.