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I left the room with Master, and together we began to climb the spiral staircase.

“Are you really sure about this, Master?”

I, for one, would’ve been fine with Master staying as she was before. In fact, I thought a demon army where the Demon Lord wasn’t the strongest, but the one with the best leadership, would’ve been ideal.
Master looked up at me and gave a small, troubled smile.

“I understand what you’re thinking. But these are still turbulent times. A weak one cannot yet serve as Demon Lord.”

Then, lightly floating up, Master perched on my shoulder. It had been a long time since I’d felt that familiar, slightly chilly weight.

“That is why we must change things from here on. A world where kings are chosen not by strength, but by their qualities as leaders—that is what I wish to see.”
“You’re right.”

If that came to pass, I was sure we could live in peace with humans too.

Master gazed at her own fingertips and murmured quietly,

“I am no longer human, nor even demon. I am but a phenomenon—an emptiness with will. I’ve become exactly what the Demon Lord’s title for me said I would.”
“Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard what your title actually was, Master. What was it again?”

She smiled warmly.

“‘Serene.’ I am Gomoviroa the Serene, my dear Demon Wolf.”

From a thermodynamic point of view, that was certainly accurate.
The Demon Lord had probably named her that because of her aversion to humans and how she’d spent centuries holed up alone.

And so, Master had gained tremendous power—power truly fit for one called a Demon Lord.
But she regarded that power with distaste herself.

“This is not a proud and noble power like that of Friedenrichter’s. It is a cursed strength born from souls sinking into death’s depths, destroying all it touches. I would rather use it as little as possible.”

Indeed, it was far too dangerous a power.

Even so, I couldn’t feel too pessimistic. As long as Master wasn’t alone, nothing would go wrong. She had me, and senior Marlene, and the others.
Still, to think—the first Demon Lord had been a Dragon Warrior, and the second one a vortex of nothingness.
It was like watching the evolution of RPG final bosses through the ages.

After that, Master’s coronation was held without incident.

“I cannot seem to calm down.”

She muttered, fidgeting in his formal robes. Marlene, Firniel, and I all rallied around her to encourage her.

“You’re the strongest there is now, Master—both in power and in reputation. You can face everyone with confidence.”
“You can do it, Teach! If anything goes wrong, Veit here will handle it somehow!”
“Yeah, if we leave things to Senior Veit, it’ll all work out! More importantly, you look adorable, Master!”
“You two…”

I was about to scold my fellow disciples for dumping all the responsibility on me when Master’s turn came.

Senior Marlene and I took our places at Master’s sides as attendants, hurrying onto the platform.
In the castle’s grand hall, commanders and elders from every demon tribe had gathered, along with some soldiers.
Judging by the crowd, there must’ve been several hundred in attendance.
It reminded me of those school assemblies back in elementary school, when I had to stand on stage in front of everyone.

Master was so tense she was practically glowing, pale white light shimmering around her.
She was draining heat from the air without realizing it—causing diamond dust to sparkle around him.

“Please, calm down, Master.”
“The burden of inheriting the late Lord’s mantle… I find myself trembling now that the moment has come.”

Trying to ease her nerves, I spoke in as relaxed a tone as I could.

“I’m sure the late Demon Lord would forgive any mistake with a laugh.”
“H-he would, yes…”

Master took a deep breath and stepped forward to the center of the platform.

The one to present the crown was Vice-Commander Baltze, representing the dragonkin.
The crown was actually the late Demon Lord’s old helmet, so of course, it was far too big for Master to wear.
So she lifted it carefully with both hands and hugged it tight to her chest.
It looked a bit odd, sure—but for the soldiers of the Demon Lord’s army, it must’ve been a deeply symbolic moment. Even I found myself moved despite everything.
Ah, the will of the late Demon Lord is surely being passed on, I thought.

Now crowned as the Second Demon Lord, Master—no, Lady Gomoviroa—addressed the assembled soldiers.
Still nervous, diamond dust glittering around her, she began to speak.

“We have lost our great Lord Friedenrichter, yet his will continues to shine within us. I am told that ‘Friedenrichter’ is an ancient word meaning ‘Mediator of Peace.’”

Right, he must’ve told her that himself.

“Though he possessed tremendous power, Lord Friedenrichter never let it corrupt him. He was a ruler of great compassion. You all know well his kindness toward humans.”

Gomoviroa’s gaze swept over the ranks of soldiers and officers as she continued.

“I too wish to be a merciful ruler. Once, I was human myself—killed by human hands. Yet I no longer bear hatred for them. There is no need to destroy humankind. We need only make them recognize our existence.”

The assembled demons watched her in silence, listening intently.

“This is not something a single king can achieve alone. It will require all of your strength. But I will not compel anyone. Only those who wish to walk the path the late Demon Lord showed us should remain in the Demon Lord’s army. Together, let us build a realm where demons can live in peace.”

As Gomoviroa finished her speech, the hall erupted.

“Hail Lady Gomoviroa!”
“Glory to the Demon Lord’s army!”
“We’ll follow you anywhere, our new Demon Lord!”
“For the will of our late king!”

Thunderous cheers and applause filled the hall. Gomoviroa waved in response, smiling faintly.
Then she glanced back over her shoulder, looking at me.
Oh—she’s blushing.
Do your best, Master.
We’re right here with you.