Bonus: Interlude - The Beast-Eared Girl

"The operation ended in failure, then…"

The elders sat gathered in a dim, oppressive conference room, sinking into the plush comfort of their leather chairs as they spoke one after another in weary, half-sighing tones.

"It was an unexpected surge of intelligence. There was no way to prepare."

"Still, it seems one of Zexais’s close associates possesses remarkable combat ability."

"Most likely one of his pawns—someone from the Special Ground Combat Unit, I’d wager."

"However, according to the report, he denied any such connection."

"Then it must be a deception aimed at misleading us."

"In that case, the only force capable of opposing one of his pawns would be the Church’s Holy Knights—the Paladins, correct?"

"We are owed favors by the Church. If we request it, deploying a Paladin shouldn’t be difficult."

"Yet, officially, they can only act against the Demon King’s army—those branded as heretics."

"Then the solution is simple. We declare that Zexais is in league with the Demon King’s army, and that his subordinates are part of it."

"Ah, I see. The Church will certainly take action under those terms. And as for evidence—well, even if it later comes to light that he was innocent…"

"We can simply express our regrets."

"That will suffice."

"Heh heh heh…"

The dark chamber filled with low, unsettling laughter.

But none of them realized—
the very falsehood they had devised to ensnare Zexais was, in truth, alarmingly close to reality.

"Lord Zexais, those people… who were they?"

After the Demon King and Princess Sonia had departed, a shadow quietly appeared in Zexais’s private quarters.

It was a girl dressed in a sharp, black military uniform—high-collared, crisply pressed, and topped with a matching cap. Her light-blue hair, cut neatly to her shoulders, framed refined, composed features.

Yet the military sword at her waist and the soft, fluffy beast-like ears peeking through her hair made it clear she was no ordinary human.

"Even you are not permitted to know the answer to that question. Now then—report only what was obtained through Passive Analysis."

"My apologies, Lord Zexais. To begin with the conclusion: that being is not human. According to our findings, its body appears to be a type of golem."

The beast-eared girl answered with perfect military precision.

"However, it wasn’t an Iron Golem or a Wooden Golem. More akin to a Flesh Golem, correct?"

"Yes, sir. But based on its durability, it can’t be classified as a standard Flesh Golem. It must have been created from some kind of special base material."

"Hm… As I thought. Our current knowledge isn’t enough to fully analyze it. What about the intelligence sealed within?"

"Yes. According to mana-spectrum readings and testimony from the spirit users, there’s little doubt. It’s almost unbelievable, but the entity appears to be one of the Four Great Elemental Kings—Behemoth, the Earth Spirit King."

"Hmm. I suspected as much from its self-introduction and its combat capabilities, but to think it was truly him…"

Zexais’s tone carried a trace of weary amusement.

"To summon an Elemental King, even for a brief period, requires an enormous expenditure of mana. How did they possibly secure enough energy to anchor such a being in the physical realm? And more importantly, how did they construct the magic circuits necessary to stabilize it? I can’t even begin to imagine."

The girl frowned thoughtfully.

"Well… if they had access to a vast amount of Adamantite, the magical mineral, it might be theoretically possible—but that’s a ridiculous assumption."

Zexais mused aloud, then shook his head slightly.

Even a single grain of Adamantite could form a massive mana crystal with unparalleled hardness and lightness, but the amount of energy required to charge such crystals—and the mineral’s exorbitant rarity—made the idea nearly impossible.

And yet, the impossible had been achieved—by none other than the Demon King and his lich companion, Heishil—driven purely by curiosity.

"That must be it. They’ve used some unknown magic beyond our understanding to anchor the Elemental King in this world."

Zexais sighed softly, his expression one of reluctant admiration.

"Now then, regarding our next course of action—Lieutenant Colonel Sylphy, you will lead the Second Division and continue intelligence-gathering operations."

The beast-eared girl—Sylphy—was the commander of the Special Ground Combat Unit, the most powerful strike force within the Merchant Guild’s private military organization.

The unit was divided into two main branches: the First Division, which specialized in conventional warfare, and the Second Division, which handled irregular and covert operations. At this point, Zexais had effectively brought the entire organization under his personal command.

"Understood. Then, should we have the First Division currently deployed in the Kingdom of Paptes withdraw?"

"No. There are a few matters concerning the civil unrest in Paptes that concern me. Assign personnel to investigate that situation, and also conduct security operations within the Kingdom of Sugarcrea."

"Yes, understood. In that case, units One through Three and Twelve will remain in Paptes, while units Five through Seven and Eleven will be deployed to Sugarcrea."

"Please proceed with that arrangement."

Zexais gave a calm, pleasant smile.

"…May I ask a question, if I may?"

Sylphy hesitated, choosing her words with care before speaking.

"What is it?"

"To be honest, Lord Zexais, I don’t quite understand why you’ve shown such consideration toward the Demon Ki—ah, I mean, toward Lord Maor."

"…"

Zexais fell silent.

"My apologies, Lord Zexais. That was out of line."

Sylphy bowed her head immediately.

"Hm… I see."

Breaking his silence, Zexais rested his chin against his hand and pondered.

"If there’s one thing I should tell you, it’s that true history… is often inconvenient."

"True history, sir?"

"And those who know the truth bear the responsibility of preventing the catastrophe it foretells—to protect, above all else, the rights of humanity."

"I’m sorry, Lord Zexais. I’m afraid I don’t really understand."

Sylphy’s ears drooped as she looked down, her expression troubled.

"Heh heh. That’s quite all right. Now then, let’s get to work."

Clap!

Zexais clapped his hands once and smiled warmly.

"Y-yes, sir!"

Sylphy straightened up, her ears perking high again. Her cheeks flushed faintly as she smiled—unable to hide how happy she was to be of service to Zexais.