A Night of Paranoia (5)

'So... Menou, you have to live, too. And fight for your comrades... Promise me, okay?'

'...I... understand.'

At that moment, Menou realized they weren't suited to be a leader.

If Menou pursued their ambition as they pleased, countless lives would surely be lost. They hadn't considered that at all. And Menou realized they would never be able to fight while keeping that in mind.

Menou didn't know how to fight without hurting their comrades.

Menou understood the Demon King, who had said, 'There are things more important than ambition...' Menou concluded that the Demon King was waiting for an opportunity for the demon people to live without being hurt or threatened by humans.

Menou resolved to learn under the Demon King, gaining extensive knowledge and the ability to handle any situation, so that when that day came, they could wield their strength to the fullest and command battles that wouldn't harm their people.

"In the end, the strength I gained was no use at all... My first battle ended with Master Kagami beating me to a pulp. I nearly despaired when he stood before me. I mean, even after I hit him with my full-powered magic three times in a row, he was still completely fine."

Perhaps remembering their first meeting with Kagami, Menou smiled wryly.

"It has been useful. There have been plenty of times when things would've gone badly if you hadn't been there. Master is so overwhelmingly powerful that everyone else gets overshadowed, but if even one of you—Takako, Menou, Parna, Kururu, Tina, or Alice—were missing... I'm sure we wouldn't be here now."...