#519 The Heavenly Four’s Gathering

My name is Mamoru, one of the Heavenly Four of the Demon King’s Army—Mamoru the Coveted.

I am the venerable inheritor of the Coveted-Holy Sword, Zweiblau.

...Well, as an in-law, that is.

My predecessor, Lord Ravilian, tried to kick off his competitors in political strife, but he ended up losing his position instead.

I, his confidant, took his place and assumed the position of a Heavenly One.

I was once but a commoner who had no qualifications to be one of the Heavenly Four, but by marrying Lord Ravillian’s daughter, I became his son-in-law and joined the line of succession of the holy sword.

As his confidant, I greatly respected his daughter and protected her from the sidelines.

This loyalty earned me the nickname “Mamoru from the Shadows.”

Due to Lord Ravillian’s actions, the family line was on the verge of ruin, but my succession somehow managed to avert this.

However, I did not expect to take his daughter, whom I had served for many years, as my wife, for that purpose...

The princess seems satisfied, but I still speak to her in honorifics, which she gets angry about.

And so, my duties as a Heavenly One continue unceasingly today.

Because of my predecessor’s mistake, I’m the lowest in the rank of the Heavenly Four.

It’s harsh.

Nonetheless, I cannot give up my mission for the sake of Lord Ravillian, whom I have served and protected for a long time, and the princess, who is now my beloved wife.

I will do my utmost best to carry out my duties!

* * *

Today, the Heavenly Four has gathered for a plenary session held for the first time in a long while.

Since the war with the Human Kingdom has ended, we don’t do this often nowadays.

“Mamoru the Coveted of the Heavenly Four has arrived!”

“K.”

“You’re late.”

The two who greeted me disinterestedly were Aeshma the Wild and Leviasa the Malicious.

...

Didn’t they get promoted to Heavenly Ones after me?

How about some respect for their senior?!

...Or so I thought, but there is no point in arguing among the Heavenly Four here, so I’ll keep my mouth shut.

It’s not because I’m afraid of what Queen Astres and Queen Glasya, their predecessors and patrons, might say to me, okay?!

All three of us are new Heavenly Ones who have recently succeeded our seniors. Two of our predecessors married His Majesty, and the remaining one lost his position.

There is too much difference in our predecessors’ powers.

But as for the remaining member...

* * *

“Hey there. Sorry to keep you lads and lasses waiting...”

The last of the Heavenly Four to enter the room is the first generation Corrupted, Lord Belphgamilia.

He’s the only one left from the previous generation and therefore holds strong authority as our leader.

Not only that, he has been given the rank of army commander by His Majesty and is now officially the highest-ranking member in the Demon King’s Army.

He can do as he pleases.

The only person who can give his opinion to him is Demon King Zedan, our ruler.

That’s how powerful Lord Belphgamilia is now, but as for how he uses his authority...

“Lord Belphgamilia, each of us has a schedule to follow, so could you please stop coming late every time?”

“I am trying, but... How should I say this... It’s tough getting out of bed...!”

“Are you sleeping until the very last minute before the meeting starts?!”

As you can see, he only exercises authority to be lazy.

No, I think he has been like this from the very beginning...

That’s why he survived the political upheaval without anyone paying attention to him.

The reason why the command of the army was entrusted to such a fool is that it has become less significant post-wartime and will be downsized from now on.

Some say without hesitation that he is but a relic from a declining phase.

But that is a mistake.

A foolish mistake.

People who underestimate Lord Belphgamilia without knowing who he is are blissfully ignorant.

On the contrary, if you are like me, you will eventually perceive his hidden strength, all the while putting up with him...

And that takes a huge toll!

“I’m sure you’ve discussed a few matters before I arrived. Brief me on the details.”

This man...

It makes me think he purposefully came late because this is what he was after all along.

In the first place, everything is decided just by what he says.

Instead, he lets the young people do all the work. As a result, we get to examine the case more precisely, providing an opportunity for the younger generation to hone their critical thinking and judgment skills.

...Maybe that’s what he’s secretly after?

“If possible, just tell me what you agreed on. I don’t want to think too much.”

...Or maybe I’m overthinking this?

“...Today’s most important topic is related to the disarmament plan.”

“I’m not surprised. That’s the biggest problem the army has to deal with at the moment.”

Everyone knows that, including Lord Belphgamilia.

Until now, the army has always strived to expand to be stronger and bigger to win the war against its longtime nemesis, the Human Kingdom.

However, that arch-enemy was destroyed by the His Majesty, putting an end to the prolonged war.

With our enemy gone, the army must now downsize its organization and be rebuilt into an intelligent organization worthy of peace.

“However, the adverse effects of disarmament are now emerging.”

“The downside of disarmament, huh...”

Even if the war with the Human Kingdom is over, the army won’t become completely useless.

After all, countless menaces that plague this world and threat humanity still exist: monsters.

Born from the miasma that congeals in dungeons, they are vicious, attacking living creatures only with their ferocity.

If left unchecked, the damage to law-abiding citizens will never stop. Therefore, we must exterminate these monsters.

“Until now, we, the demon king’s army, have been in charge of this task. Along with pushing back the human army from the border, it is one of our most important missions.”

“Could you give me a run-through of that?”

Kuh...

No, calm down, self...!

“The number of military personnel has been reduced considerably due to the disarmament post-war. While the burden on the national treasury has lightened, it has become extremely difficult for the limited number of soldiers to manage the dungeons.”

Monsters spawn from dungeons.

It is most efficient to go inside and exterminate them all together before they overpopulate and raid nearby settlements.

The stationed soldiers have been regularly visiting dungeons to kill monsters. Still, due to the recent disarmament, their number has decreased to the point that they can no longer handle the situation.

“There have been reports of small groups of men being surrounded by monsters and nearly annihilated. If the army’s ability to conquer dungeons continues to decline, and if the monsters they have failed to exterminate cause damage to settlements, that would be disastrous...”

“Mhm, that’s what Lucife Focale has been urging me to do too...”

Lucife Focale?!

The Prime Minister who manages the internal affairs?!

I said earlier that only His Majesty could interfere with Lord Belphgamilia, who became the army commander, but I stand corrected. There is one more person. 

The Demon Army Commander Belphgamilia manages military affairs while the Demon Prime Minister Lucife Focale administers political matters.

Only these two leaders stand on equal ground, excluding the Demon King.

“According to Lucife, the hardship on the frontlines has reached its limit, and he said that the military should take immediate action. But I wonder how that information reached his ears?”

Before that, isn’t it illogical to have the person in charge of domestic affairs interfere with how the military does things?

But the reason why such arbitrariness is allowed is that disarmament is not progressing efficiently.

This must be remedied as soon as possible.

“In this situation, we have no choice but to implement the measure we have been considering for some time.”

“I knew it would come to this...”

Lord Belphgamilia looks uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, this is the only option we have left.

If we don’t have enough human resources to exterminate monsters, we must outsource to the private sector.

We are bringing monster extermination and dungeon exploration specialists to the Demon Kingdom...

In other words, adventurers!!!