The simultaneous subjugation of two of the Five Great Demons… There was never a case of attacking different Demon Races simultaneously even in the game, and this is a first for me too.

Up until now, after defeating two, the story never progressed simultaneously… Although I had predicted it, it has become a troublesome situation.

“Lefin, just to confirm.”

“Yes.”

“Demon King’s Magic versus Strategy still needs time, right?”

“That’s right. If we rush, we’ll have to make a big move, but then the Demon Races will find out.”

That’s the thing… If it’s just preparing, it might be possible, but if we need to do it without being discovered, it’s a different story.

As I was thinking about what to do, Sylvie asked a question.

“Ruon, the events necessary to fight the Five Great Demons… can’t you stop them?”

A reasonable question. However, I shook my head from side to side.

“The prerequisite events are, so to speak, discovering signs that each of the Five Great Demons has started to move. Even if we interfere midway, as long as the Five Great Demons are moving, the Demon Race side will definitely start to move. Also, there’s a possibility that we won’t be able to enter the Stronghold if we don’t follow the event flow properly. Interfering carelessly also carries risks.”

“Ruon, wouldn’t it be fine if we just waited for the Five Great Demons to be defeated?”

This time it was Kuuza’s question.

“For example, Eina’s side… she’s Sofia’s cousin, right? If she talks to them, they’ll definitely listen. We’d need to consider how to explain it, though.”

“That’s impossible too. Especially for one of them.”

The Five Great Demons we’ll be fighting this time are Gudis, whose root Castle is in the Western Region, and Daclide, whose root Castle is in the Eastern Region. Both have very troublesome events awaiting once they start to move.

“First, the Western Region… Gudis is a Demon Race, I explained it to Lefin before, right?”

“They are a Demon Race that conducts experiments using Sage’s Power, correct?”

Yes. He uses Sage’s Power to create many Monsters. For example, Redras released Monsters for strategy, but Gudis’s case is an experiment to mass-produce Monsters and use them as vanguards. In other words, the purpose is to experiment.

So, if we leave it alone, a large number of Monsters will appear and there’s a possibility of damage?

Kuuza said bitterly. I immediately nodded and said,

Considering the current situation… do you think the Knights will be convinced?

Hmm, probably not.

Gudis was planning to expand his experiments to cover the entire Central Continent, so if we leave it alone, there could be immense damage… and it could even hinder the defense against the Southern Invasion. On top of that, if time passes, the Monsters will get stronger… we don’t know what will happen if we leave it alone.

Then, what about the other Five Great Demons?

Sylvie asked. I shook my head from side to side.

This one, we absolutely have to prevent.

Since you’re so certain, is he doing something bad?

It’s not just bad. If things go wrong, the entire Castle Surroundings will become a Wilderness.

At my words, Sofia and the others all focused their gazes on me, waiting for me to speak.

…The other of the Five Great Demons, Daclide, is investigating the Mighty Magic released by the Demon King. What he’s trying to do is an experimental verification of Magic.

So, if it’s activated, a scaled-down version of the Magic will be activated?

I agreed with Sofia’s question, saying, “That’s right.”

In the Story, no damage occurred and things went smoothly, so there was no problem. But what would happen if we left it alone…

How many days will that Magic experiment take?

This time, it was Lefin’s question. I answered with a grim face.

I don’t know. The Story doesn’t describe how many days passed… but it probably won’t be more than a month’s leeway.

Indeed, a quick counter-strategy will be necessary. We need to hurry with this as well.

A counter-strategy against the Demon King?

Also regarding the counter-strategy for the Southern Invasion.

“Hmm, given this situation, we must do our best.”

Garuku’s voice. Young Garuku appeared on the table and began to explain to everyone.

“Currently, with Feus and Azua also taking action, the completion of the counter-strategy is ahead of schedule… but we still need to hurry. So, Lord Ruon.”

What is it?

“Regarding the Southern Invasion, how long will it last?”

Honestly, I don’t know. However, it’s certainly not something that will end in a day or two. Hearing information about Monsters gathering in the Southern Region, military forces began to concentrate around King Kanan, and the battle began… at that point, about a month seems to have passed.

“Hmm, I see.”

Can you deal with it?

“From my estimate, it’s barely… if it becomes known that we Spirit Gods are moving, there’s a high risk that a counter-strategy will be devised. Therefore, it will take time because we need to move without the Demon King realizing it.”

–Lord Ruon, there’s another problem.

Sofia started talking. I had a rough idea of what she was going to say.

I know what you want to say. It’s about the Barx Kingdom and so on, right?

Yes. If the Southern Invasion begins after the Five Great Wars with Demons… what will happen to the Demon Races that invaded nations like the Barx Kingdom?

For example, in the case of the Barx Kingdom, it was always liberated by the time the Southern Invasion began…

This area was either a Capital City event flag, or even if left alone, it was eventually treated as recaptured after the Southern Invasion. There were no particular penalties for not liberating it. In game terms, it might have been that as a result of the Human Side’s victory, the Demon Races that had invaded various nations also retreated—but I offered my opinion.

If we leave them alone, there’s a possibility of a pincer attack on the forces gathering in the Southern Region.

But if we divert forces there, the battle in the Southern Region will undoubtedly be difficult.

Sylvie calmly analyzed and then further addressed me.

Also, won’t the situation with other active Demon Races become problematic?

“I’ve been using my Familiar to track King Kanan’s movements to some extent, but his response is faster than expected. Since we saved the Knights, I think we have more troops than in the Story. If things continue like this, we should have plenty of leeway even after defeating four of the Five Great Demons.”

At that, I turned my head to Sofia.

“The timing might be just right… If we’re going to Eina’s group, it would be best for Sofia to accompany them and introduce them.”

“Are you saying we should talk about it now?”

“Yes. We can’t rule out the possibility of the Demon Race on the Barx Kingdom’s side making a move, but… the King’s surroundings are stabilizing, and right now, King Kanan’s movements are also keeping the Demon Race in check, so it should be fine.”

“So, Ruon. We’re going to conquer both simultaneously, but what about the crucial Sage’s Power?”

Sylvie asked further. I looked back at her and said,

“Currently, with the Demon King’s Magic versus Strategy, the meaning of Sage’s Power has practically shifted to increasing the number of individuals who can counter the Demon King. The ones currently possessing power are Sofia and Radi… Considering Phili’s and Eina’s abilities, I’d want them as part of our forces, but–“

In the worst-case scenario, it seems we can manage if there’s just one person with Sage’s Power to create the Sword of Concentrated Spirit Power. If that person is Sofia, then even if no more people gain Sage’s Power–“

“Lord Ruon.”

Here, Sofia spoke up.

“I… think it would be better to have as many people as possible gain Sage’s Power.”

Her assertion—I questioned her about it.

“Is that considering various things?”

“Yes.”

–Until now, unforeseen circumstances have occurred. While I will do my utmost to avoid a future where Sofia herself is in trouble, it’s necessary to consider various possibilities.

“Understood. Then, let’s move in a direction to increase the number of Sage’s Power holders as much as possible.”

I said so, and Sofia nodded deeply.