Meeting my future husband...

This is the demonic city of Ivalice. The throne room of the Demon King's castle. Whose throne is it? Of course, it's mine.

　And today, a fearless hero was standing right in front of me. The other subordinates ran off on their own. I could say they were useless, but my position wasn't that strong.

　The heroic assassin in question had come this far, so it was possible that the guards would be no match for him.

"This is the first time. I never thought someone would go to the trouble of infiltrating an enemy country and trying to defeat me..."

　I muttered to myself and rose from the throne. I put the magic sword on my shoulder and walked across the red carpet, ready to go. Humans sometimes produce heroes who try to defeat the Demon King. I don't know if it's a tradition or a mission, but I think it's embarrassing. I was told to assassinate him alone and then I was thrown away.

　You come to another country alone.

"Fufufu, you've come this far. Let me hear your name, human hero."

　I, who am no great authority, spoke in an arrogant manner.

"My name is Tokiya. Demon Lord."

　Tokiya, the hero, dressed in a light leather outfit and a black robe, was laughing fearlessly. He looked happy... and... gentle. It even sounded like he was about to cry.

"Why are you laughing?"

"No, it's nothing. It's nothing. Anyway, why don't you tell us your name, Nefarius?"

"You know it, don't you, hero? Now, prepare yourself! I am here."

　I readied my magic sword. I'm better with swords than magic. I want to believe I'm good at it. I want to believe I'm strong. Even if... I've been locked up for a long time and I'm a puppet. If I want to live in the present... I have no choice but to fight.

"Get ready...is that what you mean?"

　The hero takes out a knife. It is so small, about 10 centimeters, that it is almost disappointing.

"Stop joking. How can you fight with such a small sword?"

"Sorry, this is all I have for now. I didn't bring anything heavy."

"Huh?"

"He said he only had this one."

"You got all the way here with just that one?"

"ah"

　At that moment, I realized that heroes are frighteningly strong. I don't know how he managed to hunt monsters with that knife. I don't know how he managed to travel. It's precisely because I don't understand that I'm scared. It sends chills down my spine. "Can I really win? No... I have no choice but to win. I have no choice but to win," I tell myself.

"Well, whatever. Such weapons are of no use to those who are going to die."

"Really? I think it's just beginning. It's just starting."

　As the hero showed his composure, I sensed something strange happening to my body.

"What on earth are you doing...ugh!?"

　His body was hot and his whole body was in pain, causing him to twist in pain.

"Wh-what did you do?!"

"I'm not doing anything right now"

"Now?! What is that...ugh"

　Clang clang!

　The magic sword falls, and a dry metallic sound echoes through the room. My knees buckle, and I hit the floor with my hands. I'm tormented by a stomach-churning headache. "Is this the end? Is this how my life is going to end? Is this... a life with nothing," I lamented in my head.

"No, no..."

　As I suffer, I think over and over again, "Am I leaving this world knowing nothing, not understanding happiness or anything else?"

"Ha ha ha ha, how cowardly! Hero!"

"Yes, that's true. It's unfair. But please bear with me..."

　The hero gently patted my shoulder. I could see a figure behind him.

"He's not dead yet?"

"You...Train! Weren't you the one who ran away?!"

"Yes, I came to ask you about it. It seems like you're having a hard time…more than anything."

　He walks confidently down the red carpet. Train is an excellent subordinate, and he chose the Four Heavenly Kings. He made the Demon Kingdom capital bigger and stronger. And... he is also the one who imprisoned me and controlled me. I am the puppet, and he is the master.

"Train!! Defeat the hero!! Eliminate this coward!!"

"Really? I get it."

Train holds his staff up, pointing it at me, and then... "Ah, that's what it means," I think to myself.

"Go away together, Demon King!"

"Train!! Are you betraying us!!"

　There's no point in shouting about betrayal. That's what they're like.

"No!! You were defeated by the hero. That's the story!!"

"Train!! You bastard!! How much misery have you been making me..."

　Magic power gathered in the wand. A black magic ball was shot out. As it approached, I saw the hero's calm face in front of me. Everything went dark. Then I realized I was dead... and I was left dejected. I lost consciousness.