**Chapter 11: The Demon King’s Army**
As I wandered through the base of the Demon King Raineel’s army, I began to understand how such a fragile race as humans could thrive in a world teeming with powerful phantom beasts—monsters that roamed freely.
While the physical structure of beasts may be suited for hunting, it is not conducive to building civilization. Their quadrupedal nature takes up considerable space, and although there may be differences in reproductive capabilities, it would not be easy for them to proliferate even with a semblance of human intelligence. Some may possess the ability to wield magic, but magic tends to be rather crude and cannot replace the dexterity of two capable hands.
The army of Demon King Raineel was a mixed bag of various monsters. However, as I toured the base guided by Monica, I began to discern the hierarchy within the army.
Essentially, bipedal monsters held a higher status. I had heard that the more powerful a demon became, the closer they resembled humanoids. The further I ventured from the castle, the more beasts I encountered, and as I approached the castle, the proportion of bipedal beings increased. Even so, the lack of a unified species made the environment feel considerably cramped. There were likely some monsters that were originally adversaries among them. To command such a diverse array of beasts truly made Raineel a fearsome entity worthy of the title of Demon King.
Monica Ulzvia seemed to hold a respectable position among Raineel’s subordinates.
As far as I knew, demons were powerful entities. I had suspected this due to her being entrusted with the task of disrupting supply routes and her ability to communicate directly with the Demon King. It appeared that her face was recognized even among the lower-ranking members. Monica was undeniably attractive (though I wasn’t sure how that translated among beings of different forms), yet the glances directed her way were filled with a strong sense of dread. She was certainly not a mere foot soldier.
“You have quite the status,” I remarked.
“The abilities of a demon are of a different nature than those of monsters… While my ‘Charm Eye’ is not as potent as that of the Night King, it is effective for influencing a wide range of targets.”
It was likely common knowledge. Monica’s words were casual, almost nonchalant. It seemed that demons were indeed adept at beguiling others. There were similar legends surrounding vampires. I was unsure when I would acquire such abilities, but it was said that a long-lived vampire could enchant a person simply by locking eyes with them. Though it probably wouldn’t work on Senri.
“Could it be that you’re using that ability on me?”
At that moment, I felt a flicker of excitement about this new situation, but I had always been the cautious type. Monica’s eyes widened at my question.
“…Do you jest? There is no way the Night King’s ‘Charm’ magic would work on you.”
It seemed that her assertion was correct. Well, I had wanted to look around until the very end, even if it meant facing death…
It appeared that everything in Raineel’s Demon King army was built on plunder. They attacked human settlements to acquire resources, distributing them based on strength. Was this what they called a meritocracy?
In the lower levels—beneath the base—everyone acted as they pleased. The mingling of blood, flesh, screams, and roars created a scene reminiscent of hell. They were likely waiting eagerly for the time to fight. According to Monica, there was a squad leader, but I couldn’t distinguish them at all. It seemed that those with the most severe injuries were likely the leaders. I could only nod in agreement with Monica’s words, which echoed the same sentiment as among humans.
The upper levels were somewhat better than the lower ones. There were more subhuman entities such as ogres and beastmen, and the density was not as overwhelming. Some even cast lecherous glances at Monica. It appeared that the aesthetic sensibilities of beastmen and ogres were similar to those of humans. After all, tales of beautiful maidens being abducted by demons or ogres were a staple in folklore.
In the upper levels, near the castle, there was a sturdy stone structure. Monica pointed it out and said, “That is the treasure vault. The fate of all spoils is determined by battle. From weapons and armor to alcohol, meat, human captives, and even fellow kin, everything is obtained through competition. Only the strong can claim it all.”
“…What about money?”
“Human currency holds no value in this army. It is unpopular among the lower ranks. While there are instances of transactions in the upper echelons, it is rare…”
“Did you acquire that outfit in such a manner?”
“…Human clothing is not sought after, so it does not lead to competition.”
I see… Culture varies greatly. They were undoubtedly enemies of humanity. Given that their way of life revolved around plunder, understanding them would not be easy. Moreover, since they were actively opposing humans, there must be emotional reasons behind their actions as well.
However, perhaps because I was already an enemy of humanity, I felt little aversion. There was a sense of resignation, akin to how I felt when I first encountered a corpse and remained calm.
As I enjoyed the night view with a sense of detached curiosity, a low voice suddenly called out from behind me.
“Monica. Who is that man?”
It was a voice that clearly did not belong to a human, grating on the ears.
There stood a towering figure, a man—or rather, a creature I could only assume was a man. I could not discern the gender of subhumans.
He must have been at least three meters tall. His skin was covered in black scales, and his reptilian-like golden eyes glinted. His arms were robust, several times thicker than mine. He wore nothing but a loincloth, appearing nearly naked. Surprisingly agile, he bore a trident on his back, its tips splitting into three prongs. A thin tongue flicked out between his sharp fangs.
This was likely a Lizardman. A subhuman known for its ferocity and superior physical abilities, they were one of humanity’s adversaries. It was my first time seeing one.
“Seiruzadoro… This is End-Balon-sama, a guest of Raineel-sama.”
“A guest…? A human? One of those detestable Olivar-Albor’s kind? Or perhaps your slave? A spy for Ronaburuk?”
His voice was laced with clear disdain. His sharp gaze bore a strong intent to kill. Behind him stood a slightly smaller Lizardman, also watching me.
Lizardmen were generally classified as monsters due to their vastly different cultural forms from humans. They were omnivorous and could consume humans. While they were known for their ferocity and ability to use tools to some extent, they lacked a culture that allowed them to create tools, often raiding villages and towns for human-made items. Conversely, they established territories near pristine water sources and marshes, making it common for humans to hunt them. It was no surprise that they aligned with the Demon King’s army.
I had not expected them to speak human language.
“You weak and cunning, foolish human. To sell out your own kind… Unbelievable. My tribe was driven from our home by your kind.”
He leaned closer, glaring at me from a short distance. His nostrils flared. I took a step back, furrowing my brow. I was at a loss for words. I hadn’t driven them out, and while I might feel a pang of guilt if they were harmless, they did eat humans, after all. Moreover, they engaged in plunder under the guise of civilization. If humans fought amongst themselves, it was no wonder that they would be seen as enemies.
Realizing the precariousness of the situation, Monica hurriedly interjected, “N/A!? How rude! To mistake him for a human! He is neither a traitor nor a slave nor a werewolf. He is—’the Night King’!”
“What!?”
There was no warning. The moment those words left her mouth, the Lizardman, Seiruzadoro, lunged forward, his sharp claws piercing my torso from below.
The impact lifted my body off the ground. Pain surged through me a moment later. My heart was pierced. As rumored, his strength was astonishing.
Monica gasped in shock. Before my body could hit the ground, the trident that had been drawn without my notice came crashing down toward my skull.
A powerful blow. My body was slammed into the earth by the strength of a creature far beyond human capability. As I lay face down, Seiruzadoro pressed his foot onto my back, the pressure causing my flesh and bones to creak.
“W-What the hell—”
“My homeland was ravaged by the Night King!”
I wanted to assert that it was not me, but my voice failed me. His words were filled with intense anger and exhilaration. The ground felt cold, and blood flowed from my head into my eyes.
“…But is this all? Is this all that the feared Night King is capable of—!?”
I had let my guard down. I had heard there was a possibility of entanglement, but I never expected someone would launch a surprise attack. However, while he thought I was human, he had refrained from attacking, only to turn hostile the moment he learned I was a vampire. Was the Night King truly that sinful?
Gathering my resolve, I pushed myself up with my hands. Though I had been tossed around the ground, it was not because I had a particular affinity for such treatment.
As I exerted my strength, my legs lifted off the ground. The pierced heart and shattered skull had already healed. It seemed the spear was not made of silver after all.
SeルザーDoro poured all his might into his legs, but his strength was not on par with Albaトス.
“Unbelievable… pierced through the heart—”
“My new clothes are ruined—”
Indeed, the heart was a weakness, but as long as it wasn’t a wooden stake, it wouldn’t result in instant death. If I had been pursued, I might have panicked, but merely being trampled was far too lenient. He should take a lesson from Albaトス.
No, I’m not bothered, really! I’m a peaceful Vampire. It’s just that I got a sudden attack, and my blood was boiling a little. One hit is still one hit.
My legs slipped free, and my stance faltered. Before Monica could intervene, I swung my fist with all my emotions directed at the opening before me.
A short sound echoed. The air trembled violently. Monica gasped in shock, and SeルザーDoro’s eyes widened in disbelief.
My fist was fully embedded in his body. It appeared the scales covering him were not as resilient as Albaトス’s fur. If SeルザーDoro had been a bit smaller, I would have completely penetrated him. A strange thrill coursed through me as I felt the soft, warm sensation of flesh wrapped around my fist and the hard resistance of bone.
SeルザーDoro’s right arm twitched as he swung his trident down. I felt a twinge of guilt as I withdrew my fist, dodging the feeble strike that followed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, but I never expected to pierce through your scales.”
“Ugh… g-N/A…”
The massive body trembled from a single blow. It seemed that even a sturdy lizardman warrior couldn’t remain unscathed when struck directly in the center. His eyes still held a glimmer of fighting spirit, but his body swayed, refusing to move. An opponent with such low endurance was surprisingly refreshing. I looked down at the large hole in my clothes.
“I didn’t intend for this to happen. It wasn’t on purpose. But doesn’t it seem strange that I, who had my heart pierced and my head cracked, end up looking like the aggressor? Honestly, you’re the weakest opponent I’ve faced. It would have been better if you had attacked me first.”
After all, facing Albaトス and then this? BaラN/Aス is just too much.
“…Y-you…”
SeルザーDoro groaned as he pressed his hand against the gaping wound, collapsing to the ground. The earth shook beneath him. His massive form convulsed, green blood pooling around him.
He looked strong, yet he was incredibly weak. However, there were lessons to be learned. I had been careless, allowing a direct hit to my heart. If SeルザーDoro had wielded a wooden stake as a weapon, I would have been dead. A chill ran down my spine; it seemed my usual vigilance was lacking.
I glanced around at the other lizardmen. Their eyes were filled with a burning malice mixed with fear.
Perhaps, if Senri were here, he would understand the necessity of defense against SeルザーDoro.
Lizardman blood wouldn’t satisfy my Bloodlust. But it couldn’t be helped. If they came to kill me, I would kill them first. If they were strong, I would flee, but against someone like SeルザーDoro, I could handle him simultaneously without issue.
“Without human blood, it might not mean anything to drink…”
Just as I muttered this softly, Monica clung to me, her voice trembling with apology.
“I’m so sorry! Please forgive SeルザーDoro for attacking without understanding his place!”
“Huh… yeah.”
“I had no intention of killing him!”
“Uh… but you seemed quite intent on it.”
After gouging out his heart, swinging a spear at his head, and trampling him, there’s no way she didn’t intend to kill him. I may be a harmless Vampire, but I’m not so magnanimous as to laugh it off after being attacked.
“SeルザーDoro is already near death! You must have understood End-sama’s strength by now. Please, grant us some mercy!”
I paused to think. Monica had tears in her eyes as she bowed her head. I hadn’t intended to kill him, but—
…Well, it’s fine.
If it had been Albaトス, I would have never forgiven him, but SeルザーDoro was far too weak to maintain any killing intent. I doubted he could take on the entire magic king’s army and win. To live in human tranquility, I had to learn to compromise… and perhaps I might get some blood out of this.
“Alright, fine. Just take him away and treat him, will you? He might survive since he’s a lizardman, even if a human would die.”
SeルザーDoro lay face down, convulsing as they carried him away. I should have gouged out his heart with the first strike. That thought flashed through my mind, but the wound had completely healed. The only problem was the bloodstains on my clothes. I must have used power for regeneration, but it didn’t seem to bother me too much.
“I need a towel and some new clothes.”
“I’ll prepare them right away!”
At my words, Monica bowed deeply and hurried off toward the stone building. I licked the blood off my hands, but lizardman blood was still not to my taste.