"So, it's like this."
After hearing a few more explanations from Aider, I summarized.
"The Demon King is hosting this game, 'Doom Revelry,' and you were the opposing player. Now, having run out of power, you've handed over the role to me, the proxy player."
"Yes."
"And these external gods watching us, the 'Watchers,' mostly just observe, but they have occasionally intervened in the game without us knowing."
"That's correct."
"And both the Demon King and you have been endlessly resetting this game for your own reasons. You, to reach the 'True Ending.' And the Demon King, for reasons yet to be revealed."
Aider nodded, and I rubbed my chin.
"In simple terms, the Demon King is also stuck in an endless loop, like a hardcore gamer trying to clear a deathmatch challenge, with occasional viewer participation events like votes or roulettes."
"...What?"
"'What should the Dark Event for this stage be? Let's start a viewer poll!' The Watchers cast their votes and decide. 'Which monster legion will invade this stage? Place your channel points for the roulette!' The Watchers bet their points on the roulette... The more points they bet, the higher the chances... Isn't that right? Correct?"
Aider's face went blank for a moment as I spouted game streaming jargon. But fundamentally, isn't it the same thing?
'Somehow, I'm starting to get a clearer picture.'
Like an Earthling gamer playing to entertain viewers.
The Demon King is conducting 'Doom Revelry' to satisfy the 'Watchers.'
So, essentially, our principles of action are quite similar.
'And, just like how viewers enjoy the endless resetting of games, despite their frustrations, to challenge themselves repeatedly.'
Taking on this hardship to reach the one desired ending...
It's similar to me.
'So, what is the Demon King trying to achieve?'
What is he seeking through this countless repetition of Doom Revelry?
"..."
Trying to grasp the intentions of my enemy, I gripped the scepter in my hand tightly.
'Anyway, this is the last game.'
Both Aider, as the Demon King's opponent, and I can no longer continue the game.
This is the last run. One way or another, the ending will be decided. There will be no more resets.
I have no room to consider my enemy's circumstances. We must do our best to achieve the best possible outcome on our side.
"I will deliberately advance the stage."
I connected my consciousness to the scepter, examining the tower offense interface as I spoke.
"I will deliberately violate the immunity period. This will cause penalties for the attacking side."
A smile appeared on Aider's lips.
As if he had expected this.
"We will likely face weakened enemies."
I quickly confirmed the timing, monster legion, and Dark Event, then tapped the scepter on the ground with its end.
The gems at the head of the scepter flickered with a sinister black light, and then the system message appeared.
[STAGE 41 has been confirmed.]
[Both players, prepare for attack and defense.]
Both players, huh. I'm doing both roles right now.
I smirked. Demon King, whatever your goal is in endlessly resetting the game, whatever you're seeking in the Nightmare, that's none of my concern.
While you're away, I'll set things up to be as advantageous for us as possible. We're not in a relaxed situation ourselves...!
"Hey, Aider."
As I planned out the upcoming stages, I suddenly spoke to Aider.
"Come to think of it, you've never really told me what to do about the True Ending. Are you really okay with that?"
It had always puzzled me that, despite claiming to aim for the True Ending, he left me to my own devices.
"I never needed to."
Aider smiled gently, giving an answer similar to one he'd given before.
"Because you've done very well so far. And you'll continue to do well."
"..."
I'm grateful for the trust, but now I'm even more curious.
What exactly is the True Ending?
Where are we heading?
I asked Aider a few more questions about the Demon King's purpose, identity, and the current situation inside the inaccessible Lake Kingdom.
But Aider evaded my questions with a vague "You'll find out soon enough."
This cryptic director guy. He's definitely on my side, but he's stingy with spoilers.
"Well, it's late, so I'll be going now. Rest well, my lord."
"Hey, you're not going to disappear suddenly again, are you?"
"Don't worry too much if you can't see me. I have my own preparations to make."
Aider bowed respectfully and slowly exited the office.
"See you again, my lord."
Aider disappeared.
After staring at the closed door for a while, I turned my gaze back to the scepter and gripped it tightly.
No matter what, being able to configure the stages at my discretion is practically a cheat.
I'll exploit it to the fullest...!
***
"The next defense battle will be held in a week."
The next day, in the lord's mansion reception room.
I gathered all the top-tier heroes and announced. Everyone was surprised.
"What? But my lord, didn't you say the next defense battle is in three weeks?"
Lucas asked, bewildered, and I nodded.
"That was the original plan. But I advanced it at my discretion because it's more advantageous."
I briefly explained the functions of the Lake Kingdom's royal scepter, showing it to them.
The ability to specify the type of invading monsters, the invasion time, and even the Dark Event made the heroes' expressions varied.
"Indeed... If that's the case, we can strategically exploit this..."
"If we can deliberately choose only the easiest enemies to fight..."
"But our army is not in normal condition. Isn't this too hasty given our current situation-"
After allowing them to voice their opinions for a moment, I spoke again.
"Sure, the World Guardian Front is in a tough spot. The walls are not fully intact, and our troops are in poor condition. Even our key heroes have not recovered from their injuries."
And beyond these physical scars...
Everyone also bore mental wounds and accumulated fatigue.
We had just faced the King of Flies and the Black Dragon consecutively. The city was almost destroyed, and our allies' lives were constantly at risk.
Though they were standing strong, their inner selves must be battered.
"However, despite this, I judged that it's better to engage in rapid battles now."
I would prefer if the Demon King doesn't return until the end, but that's unlikely. This isn't a merciful game, and those Watchers won't just stand by.
'So, while the Demon King is away, I'll force the stage difficulty down as much as possible to prevent the Watchers from interfering.'
The way to do this is by applying penalties.
There's a 'no-attack period' rule between stages. I plan to keep violating this rule.
By doing so, the monster side will constantly receive penalties.
Even if the Watchers try to forcibly raise the stage difficulty, the penalties will limit their interference.
'I will select the monster legions I have thoroughly mastered, apply the least suitable Dark Events for those legions, and summon them to the battlefield with heavy penalties.'
Then, our elite forces will sweep away these weakened monster legions cleanly.
In short, that's the strategy.
When the Demon King returns, the scepter will lose all its authority. We must exploit it to the fullest while it still holds power.
After explaining this in a way the heroes could easily understand, I continued.
"And one more thing. During these rapid battles, we will train the volunteer army."
"...!"
"As long as I can control the battlefield with the scepter, the fights will be easier. This is the time to train the volunteer army."
Most of the soldiers in the Guardian Front are seasoned veterans, but the volunteer army is an exception.
They joined after the King of Flies incident, and due to the peculiar situation since then, they haven't had any proper combat experience.
Now, when we can adjust the battlefield difficulty easily, is the perfect time to train them. There's no better time than this.
"My speech has been long, but once we fight the imminent battle, you'll understand. How weakened the enemy is. How we should fight."
I tapped the blackboard.
"So, the enemy for the next defense battle..."
I calmly announced the already confirmed matter.
"Living Armor."
"...What?"
The veteran heroes were collectively astonished. Especially Lucas, Damien, and Lily, who had been with me since Stage 1, were shocked.
Well, it's understandable. Living Armor was the monster legion we faced in Stage 1.
But I didn't misspeak.
This is the 'real' Living Armor legion.
"The monster legion we'll face this time is the strongest among the Living Armor types..."
I smiled broadly.
"The army of the Phantom King."
The Phantom Knight, who was the boss monster in Stage 1, will now be a regular monster.
And leading these Phantom Knights is the Lord of Armors, the Phantom King—
The true Living Armor legion.
***
After explaining about the Phantom King's legion and the tactics to defeat them, the heroes were flustered by the news that the defense battle would be held in just a week, but they quickly started preparing. After all, they were seasoned warriors.
Watching the heroes rush to their duties across the city, I turned my head to the side.
Hecate and the Glory Knights were standing there. I approached them.
"Your Highness."
"Glory Knights, you've all gathered."
I nodded at the knights who saluted and declared.
"I'm sorry, but your retirement is postponed."
"What? But-"
"Until I permit it, you will continue to serve on this front line."
Currently, they are appointed as my— the Crown Prince's— personal knights.
Having lost their curses and magic, they can no longer fight on the front lines, but they need my permission to change their assignment.
Hecate had requested retirement. It seemed the Glory Knights had all agreed.
But I had no intention of letting them go.
Retirement? Denied!
"With all due respect, Your Highness."
Hecate, gritting her teeth, drew her sword.
Other heroes were startled and tried to rush over, but it wasn't necessary. Hecate's stance was awkward, her arms weak, and her sword trembled and fell to the ground.
Panting heavily just from drawing her sword, Hecate spoke in a suppressed voice.
"We can no longer wield our swords."
"..."
"After repeating death and resurrection excessively, our bodies are utterly broken. We only maintained our knightly functions by forcibly mending our magic through curses. But now, those curses are removed, and we can no longer wield swords."
Her beautiful and refined swordsmanship, once praised even above Lucas, was now gone forever.
"Staying here is a burden. Even receiving salaries is a waste of the empire's precious funds."
"..."
"Please let us go, Your Highness. Stop making us feel ashamed. I beg of you."
But I shook my head.
Hecate's face contorted.
"Do we seem like we're trying to flee from the front lines? Then, cut us down here and now."
"Denied."
"Then, let us lead the next battle and die at the forefront?"
"Denied. You will no longer enter the battlefield."
"Then what in the world...!"
"Find it."
Hecate's face went blank at my stern voice.
"Find out what you can do on this front, what you can do with your broken bodies, how you will live from now on."
"..."
"Find out what you can do in this world without dying."
I nodded.
"Find it. And tell me your answer."
"..."
"Until then, your retirement is on hold."
Hecate and the Glory Knights looked bewildered.
Looking at the other heroes around me, especially the young ones whose hearts were tangled, I raised my voice.
"Alright, the next defense battle is in a week! Everyone, go prepare!"