Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The appearance of the Hero was considered a serious threat, even among the Demon Lord’s army.
While many Demon Lords have emerged over time, a Hero is akin to a natural enemy to a Demon Lord.
The reason lies in the nature of demonkind.
Demons follow the strongest. The moment the Demon Lord is defeated, they fall into chaos.
In theory, someone equally strong could take command in their place. But even that person would fall into disarray, rendering the entire army unable to fight.

In the past, the Heroes who defeated Demon Lords did so by cutting deep into enemy lines and confronting the Demon Lord directly. It was the worst-case scenario for demonkind.
One could argue that preparing a body double or training a successor might help.

But the problem is whether demonkind can mentally accept such a substitute… probably not. These things aren’t dictated by logic.
There is no replacement for the Demon Lord.
Even if someone as strong existed, they would have to build their power and influence from scratch.

“There you go again, with a scowl on your face…”
“Whoa!?”

A sweet-and-sour voice whispered into my ear, and I turned around in surprise.

“Yoo-hoo, it’s your dear jovial Movi-chan.”

My master greeted me with exaggerated childlike energy, waving her small hand near her shoulder.

“You’re still trying to make that nickname stick, Master?”
“Blame my parents for naming their beloved daughter Gomoviroa.”

Still holding a grudge, huh?

I know my master’s personality well. When she starts joking like this, it usually means she’s upset. She’s trying to lighten the mood by projecting it outwards.

“Are you worried about the Hero too?”
“…More or less.”

Her short reply couldn’t hide the concern in her expression.
Friedenrichter the Demon Lord, Tiberit the Giant, and Gomoviroa the Great Sage. They’ve been comrades since the beginning of the Demon Lord’s army.
Tiberit is stationed at the northern front, and the Hero will eventually aim for the Demon Lord. Of course she’s worried about them.

As I looked at my master’s childlike profile, I recalled my conversation with merchant Mao.
The Hero is in the strategic northern city of Schwelm.
Apparently, one of Mao’s agents has infiltrated it. It might be a good idea to have my master send me there so I can check things out.
Maybe I’ll find something that could ease her worries.

“Master, if it’s not too much trouble, could you teleport me to the north?”
“The north?”

She looked puzzled, so I explained the situation.
After a moment of thinking, she murmured:

“I see… a human spy. You’re not walking into a trap, are you?”
“I don’t know.”

If I’m ambushed, I’ll just run. I’m a werewolf, faster than cavalry and tougher than heavy infantry. I’ll manage.

“But the merchant has no reason to betray me. It wouldn’t benefit him.”
“What about a bounty from Miraldia or some religious motive? Is that a concern?”
“I don’t think so…”

It’s unlikely Miraldia placed a bounty on me. I’m just one of many vice-commanders.
And from what Monsa’s investigation found, Mao is a Ruhigermond follower, and not even a devout one. So religious hatred toward demons doesn’t seem to be a factor.
He might have a personal grudge, but so could anyone. I’ve decided not to worry about it.

“Do you even realize you’re one of the most important people in the Demon Lord’s army?”
“I wouldn’t say that…”

I do bear the responsibility of governing Lüenheit, but even if I die, Aylia and Technical Officer Kurtze would manage.

“Honestly… Very well. As long as I’m with you, we can escape if things go south.”

Master sighed and jumped down from her chair.

“Since Schwelm is enemy territory, I’ll open the teleportation circle in Bachen, which is still under our control. It’ll take a bit to prepare — wait a moment.”

While my master conducted the teleportation ritual, I finished up my paperwork. The finer details I left to Aylia.
Then, using Master’s magic, we teleported to the agricultural city of Bachen in the north.

“Ugh…”

That was the first word out of my mouth, which tells you how bad Bachen’s condition was.
There were two reasons.

The first: the city itself.
During the Second Division’s invasion, Bachen was devastated. Its infrastructure was completely nonfunctional.
Being an agricultural city, its waterways had been precisely laid out. Now they were crumbling. Their lion-shaped water fountains were shattered, and reddish-black water pooled in drinking basins.

The second: the state of the Demon Lord’s Second Division.
Combat-ready units had set up camp outside the city, but the streets inside were filled with wounded soldiers groaning in pain.
A small-sized demon soldier, about the size of a human, moaned while clutching a blanket around his upper arm. But he was missing an entire limb.
Nearby, a giant about five meters tall leaned against a house wall, breathing heavily through his shoulders. His eyes had apparently been gouged by spears, leaving horrific scars.

“It looks like they barely made it back alive…”

My master tried to maintain composure, but I could see the shock on her face.
Even just walking through the main road inside the gate, hundreds of soldiers were lying around. Some were no longer breathing.
One house had apparently been turned into a makeshift field hospital, horrifying screams echoed from within. Probably amputations.

My master looked up at me and said:

“These soldiers fought hard to return to the main force, only to die like this… It’s too pitiful. I’m going to treat the wounded.”
“I don’t mind if you do, but what about the Hero?”
“I leave that to you. If anything happens, make your way here.”

Clearly unable to ignore the injured any longer, she immediately began casting healing spells on the nearest soldier.

“Come now, hold on. I’ll close your wound right away.”

Once my master starts playing nursemaid, there’s no stopping her.

“Alright, Master. I’ll go alone. I’ll try to be quick.”
“Be careful. I’ll come pick you up later.”

She was already healing her third soldier. Two demon soldiers blinked in disbelief as they touched their now-healed wounds.
Well, it can’t be helped… Watching your allies die before your eyes is awful.

“Take care, Master. And don’t overuse your magic and collapse again.”
“Tiberit is here too. I’ll be fine. I’ll say hello to him later.”

I transformed into my wolf form and dashed through Bachen’s city gate. With the vast wheat fields to my side, I ran toward Schwelm.
Bachen exists to supply food to Schwelm’s garrison, so it’s quite close. With my werewolf legs, faster than any horse, I should reach it by nightfall.