The only thing left to do was play board games Maris made or play video games created with incomprehensible technology.
Maris, for her part, seemed to have given up on asking me about my policies as the Demon King and only thought about playing.
Maybe because of that, the destructive urges that used to constantly plague my mind have started to fade.
Actually, I don't feel like killing or destroying at all now.
Am I the worst Demon King ever?
At this point, do I even need to be killed by Shion?
I'd like to think so, but if Maris realizes she's been deceived, she might independently use the Demon King's powers, and I could lose my sanity at any moment.
I can't really believe things will continue without incident.
"…Crow, Maris. You two spend all your time playing inside the Demon King's castle, but when are you planning to attack humanity?"
Our greatest military asset, Geranium, the only one seriously intending to massacre humans, reprimanded Maris and me during a game.
"Crow. Have your wounds from the hero healed yet? I'd like to discuss our future plans soon."
"Ah..."
"Maris. Is it my imagination, or is your motivation dwindling by the day?"
"Ah, who cares when we attack humanity~? Whenever is fine~"
"Huh?"
Geranium was speechless as Maris continued playing the game without stopping.
"Just let humans die of natural causes, right? Why should I go out of my way to pop them off one by one?"
To me, it sounded completely logical, but coming from a spirit residing in the Demon King, it was a dangerously radical statement.
"I mean, I've gotten pretty tired of all this. Why keep repeating something when you know you're going to lose in the end? Playing with Crow made me realize, what's the point of playing a game where the outcome is already decided? Whether it's a guaranteed win or loss, there's no point, especially not to the extent of risking our lives, right? I mean, I won't die, but if Crow dies, I lose my playmate, and that would be troublesome."
Geranium was gaping so wide it looked like his jaw might dislocate.
So, Maris is saying she's tired of being the Demon King, much like Holly would.
"And even if they say humanity will eventually perish if we don't thin them out, I've started to feel like, so what? It feels backwards to thin out life to save it from extinction."
"Eh?"
Geranium, who seemed not to grasp the true purpose of the Demon King, looked momentarily puzzled.
"Geranium. As you said, my wounds have healed. I'm about to discuss my strategy, so listen along with Maris."
Seeing me hastily make something up, Geranium immediately smiled.
"So, I finally get to hear your strategy... the one that disrupted my five-hundred-year plan. I wonder how devilishly cunning it will be."
"Hmph. Don't expect too much."
This is bad.
I hadn't thought of anything.
Alright, I've got it.
It seems I've become adept at coming up with excuses on the spot since becoming the Demon King.
Though it's sad that one of the abilities I gained from demonization is the capacity for instant fabrication.
I sat back in the throne of the Demon King's castle, crossing my legs pompously.
Maris and Geranium were eagerly awaiting my declaration.
"The conclushion is simple: as long as the hero exists, it's impossible for the Demon King to achieve his goal. And the Demon King's side has no means to defeat the hero. In short, victory is impossible."
"...! You can't mean to give up...!"
"While victory is impossible, neutralization is not. Geranium, you proved that, didn't you?"
"Eh? I, well, yes, but that was because the hero's powers were halved at the time..."
"I'm not saying we use the same method. My goal is to isolate the hero and then divide and conquer the saintly swordsmen."
For some reason, every word I said seemed to shock Geranium.
"Listen up. Sooner or later, the hero will invade the Demon King's castle. Holly has the ability to understand the layout of dungeons, allowing her to find the shortest route directly to the throne room, no matter how complex the castle's interior is made. We'll use Holly's ability against her."
"?"
"Meaning, the moment the hero enters the Demon King's castle, we'll continuously change the interior layout of the castle. Make it so they can never reach the throne room."
"Gross! That's so underhanded! It's basically an impossible game! A crappy game!"
Maris shouted something incomprehensible, but Geranium,
"…Incredible… No wonder I was defeated… Preparing a dungeon that has no end and trapping them forever is not a human's way of thinking."
He was impressed, despite it not being such an innovative idea in my mind.
After all, if Shion swings the Holy Sword around, the dungeon would just be destroyed.
The plan was doomed from the start.
"While the hero wanders aimlessly in the dungeon, I'll take out the saintly swordsmen, and Maris will create dungeons and breed monsters, right? Then, all humans except the hero will be annihilated. The hero himself will eventually die of hunger, and even if he escapes, he'll face a world post-human extinction, unable to leave any descendants... It's the end of the world!"
Geranium seemed thrilled.
"Impressive, Crow! I had started to doubt you, but I never thought you could be this cruel. It's the worst strategy that tramples on the opponent's dignity and efforts! Wonderful."
Shut up.
I have no intention of actually executing or succeeding with such a plan.
Besides, if Shion attacks, I'll be the first to deploy you using the Demon King's authority.
And let you be defeated and vanish.
But, it seems hopeless, after all.
Occashionally, like a sudden reminder, the urge to destroy overwhelms me.
If I let my guard down, I find myself wanting to kill.
I was born weak.
Everyone around me was invariably stronger.
So, my life was always in the hands of those around me.
I've survived because those stronger than me have been friendly towards me.
It was because of Shion, Holly, and Instructor Cattleya that I was protected.
I should have been thankful.
Even now, I think I should be grateful for being blessed with companions.
Yet, all I felt was frustration.
I hate being at the mercy of others more than anything.
I want to protect myself, and those who displease me, I want to annihilate them all.
I'm not interested in senseless slaughter, but those who act against me, I want to make them suffer immensely, to torment them until they're trembling with fear before I end them.
Any human would think the same, wouldn't they?
The sweet taste of victory is, after all, the most exquisite pleasure to humans.
I too wanted to win with my own strength and talent.
Not just issuing commands to comrades, contributing just a bit, and overcoming challenges together, but solving everything with my own power.
I wanted to show off my strength and be adored by those around me.
I was desperate to be feared by the people around me to the point of madness.
That was my motivation for admiring heroes.
But, as Maris said, it's true.
Those who think like that are not heroes, but Demon Kings.
Drowning in their own power, acting as they please, and eventually being killed by the hero.
That role suits me perfectly.
"Hey, Geranium."
Both Geranium and I will die sooner or later.
I know that eventually, I'll have to let Geranium die, but if this is the only chance to talk, there are things I want to ask.
"All your acquaintances are dead, right?"
"Well, yes, after living for five hundred years."
Maris, who was fully engrossed in creating a new video game in the throne room, utilizing her abilities as a Demon King to the fullest, silently produced a strange machine, shining a light onto something that looked like a silver disc.
Is she completely lost in what she's doing...?
As I played chess with Geranium, glancing at Maris,
"How have you managed to live all this time alone? Even if you make new acquaintances, they all die before you, right?"
"Well, yes, but I never really felt shocked by the death of others. What really got to me was not being there when the previous hero died and that his grandson turned out to be a tyrant. That truly hurt. I regretted every time I went out looking for the saintly swords."
"I don't think your friend's grandson turning out to be an idiot has anything to do with you."
I continued to move the chess pieces, trying to make casual conversation.