"…"
Though it's still speculation, all the Demon King's abilities are being used by Maris.
Meaning, I have to completely deceive Maris to ensure the Demon King's powers aren't used to kill humans.
The immediate task is to eliminate all the dungeons currently being constructed and stop the proliferation of monsters.
I need to come up with material to convince Maris.
"…"
I've got an idea.
Let's try it out.
"Maris, I have something to confirm. Before the Demon King's revival, dungeons started appearing all over this continent, right? Was that your doing?"
While continuing the chess match with Zelanium, I called out to Maris, who was floating nearby.
"Does it matter? As your body was partially transforming into a Demon King, I preemptively created dungeons. They weren't very powerful, and there were only a few," Maris explained regarding her actions before my complete transformation into the Demon King.
"So, you're saying that now you can create a large number of dungeons inhabited by powerful monsters?" I asked.
"That's right. I was planning to start creating dungeons as soon as your body fully recovers," Maris replied.
This situation is dire.
While I doubt Shion and the others would fall behind mere monsters, this could lead to numerous casualties among the general populace.
Well, from a Demon King's perspective, that's the desired outcome. But I need to prevent that.
"You really did something unnecessary. Your unplanned dungeon creations have only worsened the situation," I told her.
"What do you mean?" Maris seemed puzzled by my statement.
"That's why I'm saying creating dungeons is backfiring and should be stopped. Stop making new dungeons and erase the ones that have already been completed," I demanded.
At that moment, both Zelanium, who was playing chess with me, and Maris glared at me.
They both suspected something.
They thought I was trying to protect humans because I was still sane.
This is bad. Why do I always have to be considerate of others, even as a Demon King?
"Really, Maris. Do I have to spell it out for you? That's why you never win against the hero," I taunted her.
"It's inevitable that I lose to Holly due to our compatibility!" Maris retorted.
"Even so, losing every time is unreasonable. Especially the last time, you lost immediately after the Demon King's revival, hardly reducing the human population. That was due to your strategic error," I pointed out.
Maris seemed infuriated, her gaze filled with anger towards me.
Zelanium stopped his chess moves and observed me closely.
Now, can I deceive these two?
"If you can't understand without being told, then let me explain. And Maris, prepare another chessboard. You'll also face me," I challenged.
"Crow, are you planning to play both of us at once?" Zelanium asked, intrigued by my proposal.
"You alone are too boring. I'll take on both of you at the same time," I provoked them, continuing the conversation in a taunting manner.
Let them get angry. Lose their cool. Misinterpret my words.
Fuming with anger, Maris, using her powers, prepared another chessboard and began the match against me.
Maris's expresshion was filled with anger towards me, along with an unmistakable confidence that she couldn't possibly lose to a human.
However, as I expected, Maris's skills were on par with Holly's, making her no match for me.
Despite their moves being accurate and decisive, they seemed easily flustered by my whimsical and unconventional plays.
Without much contemplation during the game, Maris ended up in checkmate.
Maris remained frozen, glaring at the chessboard without flipping it like Holly would, which showed she was somewhat more mature.
While resetting the pieces myself, I looked at Maris and Zelanium.
"First, let me explain why we must not create dungeons and breed monsters indiscriminately. The primary reason is the Underworld Sword."
"Cineraria?" Zelanium asked.
"Yes. She possesses the Underworld Sword, which can convert defeated monsters into minions. If she uses this ability to amass a large number of powerful monsters, the hero's party will only grow stronger."
"Hmm. The Underworld Sword can only convert so many monsters into minions, and how many monsters she turns into minions doesn't really pose a threat to the Demon King or the demons..."
"Maris, when did I say that monsters pose a threat to us? I'm explaining that indiscriminately increasing the number of monsters is not good for reducing the human population."
"?"
"Listen. There's a variance in the strength of monsters. If we face a large number of powerful monsters, ordinary monsters under our control won't stand a chance. If Cineraria uses the minions converted by the Underworld Sword to defend places where humans live, like towns or villages, all monsters under our control will be easily defeated. We would lose the only advantage we have as the Demon King, which is the numerical superiority."
"If the enemy can provide even stronger monsters than those under our control, the situation will worsen as we would be continuously losing powerful monsters to them."
"Though, even if we lose those monsters, the number of civilians killed by the monsters would still be significant."
However, Maris seemed captivated by my explanation.
"Another reason is related to the saintly sword wielders I noticed while raiding dungeons with them. They grow stronger the more monsters they kill. Even considering their accumulated combat experience, their rate of growth is abnormal. Killing monsters seems to be a condition for their power-up."
"In other words, indiscriminately breeding monsters would accelerate the hero's party's power-up... no, their level-up."
"Indeed... The inexperienced heroes of the past somehow grew rapidly as they conquered dungeons."
"This hero is already the strongest of all time, and the number of saintly sword wielders is the highest ever. If we were to massively increase the number of monsters now, they would all become abnormally strong. Is that really what you want? If they spread out and defend humans, the power gap will only widen. We won't be able to reduce the human population."
"Right... I've been losing because of that..."
How could she not realize this...
And why am I, the Demon King, advising Maris that "leveling up the hero's party is dangerous," which could be quite detrimental for future heroes?
What if, instead of creating dungeons, the Demon King himself decided to break the rules and attack the hero without letting them gain any battle experience?
Well, I couldn't care less about future heroes.
"Looks like you've got it. Don't create any dungeons until we've reduced the number of saintly swordsmen! We must not give them any chance to grow!"
"Got it! I'll get rid of all the dungeons we have now!"
She's so gullible.
Definitely the type to get tricked by a bad guy.
Geranium, alternating his gaze between me and Maris, was grinning for some reason.
"By the way, Geranium. Can you see Maris now?"
"I can. Maybe I could even see Holly if I tried? What does she look like?"
"Think of Maris, but with silver hair and armor."
"...Is the level of exposure the same?"
"The same."
"Who decided on such attire? Isn't it a bit vulgar?"
"Who cares? I'm not complaining."
"Well, I understand your strategy now. And my role in it."
Geranium stopped our game and slowly stood up.
"I'll take on the role of reducing the number of saintly swordsmen."
To Geranium's outrageous statement,
"Idiot! Don't do anything reckless!"
I internally panicked, so I slammed the table loudly on purpose to hide my concern.
Indeed, deploying Geranium to decrease the number of saintly swordsmen was the correct strategy for the Demon King's side.
Geranium, even in life, boasted immense combat power, and probably became stronger after turning into a demon.
The fact that he can wield a saintly sword, a weapon supposed to be on the hero's side, indicates he's beyond normal strength.
If someone like him attacked the royal capital, the devastation would be catastrophic.