The Demon King called for a meeting.

In the conference room of the Lazak palace.

With all the high-ranking officials, including the Elders and the Regent, gathered in one place, the Demon King gave a brief order.

"Organize an elite squad."

Reinhardt did not mention a word about Ellen Artorius's actions, as if intending to discuss the future, rather than debating the blame or merits of everything that had happened so far.

"The objective is to take preemptive measures against the monsters on the alliance army's route."

Fort Mokna was being evacuated, and Edina didn't require much military force for defense, leaving a considerable number of troops available.

Although a significant number of knights and priests were lost during the previous purification operation, Edina's power was not limited to that.

A considerable number of troops remained.

The last human army was now marching to destroy the gates.

However, their speed was admittedly slow.

They advanced a certain distance, then focused on establishing garrisons and securing the surrounding routes. This process of advancing and setting up garrisons was repeated continually.

It was inevitable as the entire continent was in danger.

"The faster the troop advances, the quicker we can respond to each gate. This will allow us to end the gate crisis a little sooner."

Thus, the Demon King's army would go ahead and do the same work as the imperial scouts and extermination squads.

In other words, they would be an escort force, clearing the path even before the alliance army knew of their existence.

"By securing the route, will we also cooperate in the gate destruction operation?"

At Regent Charlotte's question, the Demon King slightly shook his head.

"It will depend on the situation. If we encounter them clumsily, they might attack us. There might be situations where we can help and where we need to withdraw."

Harriet nodded at the Demon King's words.

"Right, if we're not careful, it could turn into a three-way battle. That would be worse than not doing anything at all."

If the human army detected the Demon King's forces while the gate destruction was a priority, an unexpected situation could arise.

So, they would move in a way that supported the human army from a hidden position.

Simply clearing the advance route would be a massive operation in itself.

They would leave the gates to the humans, helping only when necessary, but their primary mission was to secure the route's safety.

"If the situation is unfavorable, we can always secretly negotiate with the Emperor."

The complete resolution of the gate crisis was necessary for both the Empire and Edina. Therefore, it was entirely possible to conduct such negotiations secretly, keeping ordinary soldiers unaware.

"Please take charge of organizing the army, sister."

The Demon King spoke, looking at Olivia Lanze.

As the Holy Order occupied most of Edina's military forces, it was better for Olivia Lanze to be in charge of organizing the army.

"Okay, I understand."

With a firm expression, Olivia nodded her head.

"All of you Lords must cooperate in this operation as well. Is that possible?"

At the Demon King's words, the five Lords nodded their heads.

The Demon King did not mention anything that needed to be said.

Because of this, everyone felt somewhat guilty.

So, it was true that they all followed the Demon King's instructions and commands better than before.

In this way, everyone was working together towards the complete end of the gate crisis.

"The meeting is over. And Airi, stay behind. We have something to discuss."

With the Demon King's succinct order, the meeting was adjourned, and as instructed, succubus queen Airi remained in the conference room.

Airi approached the Demon King with a shiver.

Last time, it was Airi who had put Reinhardt to sleep.

That's why she was extremely tense, not knowing what to expect.

In their younger days, Airi and Valier had a rivalry.

In fact, it was Airi who used to beat Valier.

However, as time went by, Valier became the undisputed Demon King, possessing the abilities of one.

Having regained her horn and the ability to control her magic, Airi was now incomparably stronger than when she had lost her horn, and she could use various powers.

Nevertheless, due to her past actions, Airi couldn't help but shrink like a mouse in front of a cat when the Demon King told her to stay.

Seeing the Demon King fall silent for a moment, Airi nervously opened her mouth.

"Um... I'm working on the thing you asked me to do last time..."

The implementation of dream magic as ordinary magic, and its artifactization.

Although it was an order given to Harriet, Airi had to cooperate, so she was already collaborating with Harriet on the matter.

"Really? Do you think it's possible?"

"I'm not sure yet. But the scribe... seems to have a grasp on something."

Implementing the unique power of demons as magic, which is not even demonic magic.

It was something they had never thought of before, but Harriet seemed to be catching on to what Reinhardt had asked her to do.

A country where everyone is guaranteed a comfortable place to dream.

It was uncertain whether it had a significant meaning, but it would undoubtedly be helpful to many people if there were many places with wounded individuals.

"I'm glad to hear that."

Seemingly unaware that things would turn out this way, the Demon King smiled.

But as if that wasn't the main issue, the Demon King looked at Airi.

"Anyway, now that there are no more refugee search operations, you won't have anything to do, right?"

"Huh? Oh... Yeah, I guess so."

Airi's primary mission was to take care of the mental state of those who had arrived in Edina, providing counseling and helping them dream.

She had been very busy during the early days of Edina's founding, but as the number of refugees decreased rapidly, Airi began to have more free time.

And now, with the complete suspension of Port Mokna's operation, no more refugees would arrive.

So, taking care of existing counseling and dreams could be left to other succubi.

In the long run, Airi might have to take on another position.

"Remember when you looked after my dream last time?"

"Ah... Yeah."

"It was quite good. Definitely."

The Demon King had never personally experienced what it meant for a succubus queen to take care of one's dream. The first time he had experienced that power was the last time.

Airi's power had a considerable influence in somehow keeping his dying spirit alive.

"So from now on, I'd like you to look after my dreams every day, if possible."

Airi seemed to finally understand what the Demon King was saying.

No matter how fine he pretended to be, his heart would be filled with confusion and anger.

Even though the vengeful spirits that tormented his soul and mind were gone, Ellen had taken them on.

So, the Demon King was merely holding back all his negative thoughts and words, and it must have been quite painful. The possibility of still having nightmares even with the vengeful spirits gone was very high.

Therefore, asking her to look after his dreams was something she could do without hesitation.

"It's not a reproach or a criticism, but a request for help."

"Sure, I can do that. I'll make you have pleasant dreams."

Airi vigorously nodded her head at the thought that she could do something to help.

It wasn't to absorb energy, but to help Reinhardt regain his peace of mind within tranquil dreams.

Upon hearing Airi's words, the Demon King lowered his head.

"Hmm... I appreciate the thought, but I want something different."

"...Different?"

The Demon King looked at Airi.

"I don't want pleasant dreams. I want nightmares."

"What?"

Airi felt as if her mind was freezing at the Demon King's calm statement.

Not peaceful dreams, but nightmares.

To desire such a thing.

But why?

"Make me dream of Ellen trying to kill me. Every day."

Airi couldn't comprehend what she had just heard.

Thanks to Airi's power, I was able to somehow hold onto my fragile mind.

But the vengeful spirits that had tried to break and devour me were no longer within me; they had been transferred to Ellen.

So, I no longer needed to pursue that peaceful state of mind. I had already learned how to do that from Rezaira.

Succubi are dream demons.

Dream demons traditionally enter someone's dreams to absorb their energy.

Reina, the previous Succubus Queen, had prevented countless soldiers from waking up with this method. Soldiers who couldn't overcome their drowsiness couldn't concentrate in battle, and once they fell asleep, the Succubus Queen drained their energy, rendering them unable to wake up again.

Now, our succubi, including Airi, use their powers in a way that deviates significantly from their original purpose.

Originally intended to seduce and absorb energy, their powers are now used to help people find peace of mind.

Then the opposite should be possible too.

If they can give someone pleasant dreams without absorbing their energy...

Then they should also be able to give someone nightmares without absorbing their energy.

In the moment when I have to fight for my life against Ellen,

I must become accustomed to that very moment.

Even if it's just happening in a dream, I need to become familiar with it, so I can remain calm in that situation, and changing the future can begin from there.

From that day on,

Airi began to watch over Harriet and me in the bedroom where we slept.

Airi and Harriet looked at me with pity when I requested to have nightmares on purpose.

They must know what I'm trying to endure through this.

There's no such thing as a predetermined future.

There are only futures that can be determined.

I will change the future.

I've changed it many times before.

Though I now know that very important futures never change.

I will change it.

"How... should we do this?"

"What do you mean?"

Airi looked at me with trembling eyes as I asked.

"Do you want to make the pain... and things like that... not be felt, or make them weaker...?"

"Make them stronger."

""

Airi bit her lip slightly, as if she had expected me to say that, while looking down at me lying on the bed.

It's a fight within a dream, injuries within a dream, and death within a dream.

As long as no one is actually harmed, the more pain, the better.

Her eyes seemed to ask if I really had to go this far.

Airi placed her hand on my forehead.

Airi's touch on my forehead was warm.

But that hand would soon plunge me into a deep nightmare I wouldn't even want to think about.

The Succubus Queen

If Airi held malicious intent while putting someone to sleep, she could potentially trap them in a never-ending slumber, regardless of whether or not she absorbed their energy.

"Sleep well... Valier."

Airi's trembling voice reached my ears.

And then, I was plunged into a deep sleep.

Dreams, by their very nature, are typically devoid of self-awareness.

Once you become aware, your brain awakens, and you are pulled back into reality.

Consciously dreaming, or lucid dreaming, is a difficult skill to master, and even harder to control.

But the dream I was experiencing now was very special. In a dream controlled by the Succubus Queen, I was essentially experiencing a lucid dream.

I found myself in an expansive reed marsh.

It appeared to be daytime.

Autumn, perhaps.

The time, season, and location were all uncertain.

I couldn't tell whether this was Airi's creation or a product of my own mind.

But I thought it was probably the latter.

I had asked Airi to make me dream of a nightmare where Ellen tried to kill me.

However, Airi knew little about Ellen.

Thus, the Ellen in my dream would be based on my understanding of her.

The Ellen I imaginedEllen Artorius.

Such an Ellen would be driven by the intent to kill me.

If Ellen were to lose her sense of self, becoming a puppet driven solely by the desire for the Demon King's death due to the spirits inhabiting her.

The Ellen I would face now, and the Ellen I would face later, would be the same entity, disregarding their actual abilities.

A hollow shell of Ellen, devoid of her ego, intent only on killing me.

I summoned this entity in my dream.

And later, I might have to face such an Ellen in reality.

-Swoosh!

Amidst the obscuring reed marsh, a figure leaped out.

In midair, Ellen, armed with her Void Sword and the Sun's Cloak, struck down at me.

-Crash!

Barely dodging, the shockwave of her attack sent a portion of the reed marsh flying.

The dream Ellen Artorius, with her empty gaze, charged straight at me.

-Clang!

As my Aura Blade met her Void Sword, another shockwave erupted, and this time both Ellen and I were repelled by the force.

The Ellen I imagined.

I had never truly defeated her.

How much of a difference was there between the real Ellen and the dream Ellen's abilities?

I still remember the inscription on Lapelt.

"Born from hatred, made immortal."

An Ellen burdened with the world's hatred.

Ellen could now wield the true power of Lapelt.

What that power was, I didn't know.

Perhaps it was related to flames; I could only hazard a guess.

So I didn't know much about the current Ellen.

Thus, the dream Ellen would be weaker than the real one.

I didn't know how powerful Ellen would be once she harnessed the true power of the two relics.

-Swoosh!

The Void Sword thrust from between the reeds, aimed straight at my heart.

I parried it with my Alsbringer, aiming for her throat.

In this moment, I could strike down Ellen's neck.

Strike it down.

Even though it was a dream.

But was it right?

For me to do this?

To Ellen?

The moment I discovered my fear of even seeing Ellen die in a dream.

My sword slowed, and the strength in my grip waned.

The power in my sword weakened, and the dream entity didn't miss this fleeting hesitation.

In my moment of hesitation.

Seizing the opportunity, Ellen struck out with her left elbow, spinning around in a full circle.

As she swung her void sword along its trajectory, it returned to her.

Swish!

My head was severed.

I had died six times at the hands of Ellen.

The real Ellen would be stronger than my imagination, meaning that if a fight were to happen in the future, the predetermined vision of that future would unfold just as it was.

The reason I had died six times wasn't because the Ellen in my dreams was too strong.

I had faced Ellen countless times. Even if it was just in my imagination, clashing swords with Ellen was nothing new to me.

However, I felt how difficult it was for me to truly swing my sword against Ellen, who attacked me with the intention to kill.

It was just a dream, so hurting her wouldn't be an issue, but the moment my sword seemed to touch Ellen's body, my body would stiffen involuntarily.

The Ellen in my dreams was naturally moving to kill me, but I was afraid to hurt her even in my dreams.

Regardless of my own abilities or the strength of the Ellen in my imagination,

In a situation where I might sever Ellen's life, my body would freeze in fear.

Since it was a dream, it wouldn't affect the real world, so I shouldn't hesitate to hurt Ellen.

But what if I became too accustomed to that?

Could it result in me actually hurting Ellen or even taking her life?

My darkened vision returned.

This time, the backdrop was the Demon King's castle at night.

The central garden of the ruined Demon King's castle.

The place where the fight between Ragan Artorius and the previous Valier took place.

Across from me, Ellen looked at me, holding her void sword.

Snap!

In the end, there was no change in the fact that I had to become accustomed to this situation while having such dreams.

Clang!

The impact of the Void Sword and the Alsbringer colliding sent a shockwave through the air, scattering stone dust.