He Became the Only Ally of the Abandoned Warrior

“You need to rest and recover quickly so we can take that walk together.”

Yes, that’s how a woman should care for her husband, Reinhold thought, his mind easing as he prepared to return to bed. But then Linasien’s next words made him frown.

“The palace received word from the mage. She and the porter will return to the capital this evening.”

“Why? If they secured the porter, they should have subdued him and returned discreetly. Informing Ailan Decarrun suggests they’re making a public return, doesn’t it?”

Linasien had raised the same concern. However, the news Rabin had brought contained a reason that both Linasien and Reinhold found convincing.

“They encountered the Demon Generals and had to fight their way out. It seems they decided it was better to return before the enemy could gather reinforcements.”

“Hmm.”

As the shield-bearer pondered this, his wounds began to ooze blood again. Linasien wanted nothing more than to force him back into bed, but she knew he was lost in thought, considering their next move, so she could only watch anxiously.

The situation seems plausible, but the remnants of desire I felt from the mage have disappeared, whispered the Demon God Angria, who was connected to him.

I thought she would be the easiest to control, but how did she manage to escape first?

Cunning as ever, Angria had kept the fact that Tigrea was a clone of the Second Mage a secret from Reinhold. Unaware of this, Reinhold continued to place significant trust in Angria’s words.

That puppet can be lured back in with the promise of more research. What’s more pressing is the Demon Generals. Aren’t they under your direct control? Can’t you command them properly?

Oh, don’t be so harsh. They’re under the Demon King’s direct control, not mine. They have autonomy and can act on their own.

I heard from the mage that you turned the First Hero into the Demon King. Is that true?

I had no choice! My sister’s power was overwhelming. I couldn’t even compete. A hero? What a ridiculous system! We needed the Demon King to maintain balance!

Reinhold wasn’t pleased about the First Hero’s corruption, but if it was necessary to maintain balance, he couldn’t argue. After all, he had betrayed the Fourth Hero for the same reason.

Just look at her now. She’s still standing strong despite all the insanity, enduring the massive forces of causality! It’s so unfair! Unfair! Unfair!

You’re giving me a headache. Please stop.

And on top of that, she instantly created unique items for all the Hero’s party members! Even I don’t have the luxury of time to make one for you!

Angria was genuinely frustrated. From the start, the Goddess had been far more powerful than him. She had created this beautiful world and all its various races. In contrast, Angria could only control those he managed to corrupt. After a long struggle driven by jealousy and resentment, he had managed to bring the world to the brink, even creating demons, monsters, and the Demon King. Yet, it was never enough, so he had resorted to countless schemes to thwart the heroes over the ages.

Damn it, because of that irregular porter! A tiny bug has caused all this, and I underestimated my sister’s innocence.

You said everything balances out in the end, didn’t you? Even though I’m supposed to become a guardian, there are so many things I still don’t understand.

Don’t worry about it.

Angria glanced at the unfinished unique item he was crafting and smacked his lips.

We need to properly educate those Demon Generals. Once this unique item is complete, it will allow us to absorb their bodies and power. Yes, you and I will even control the power of resentment.

Resentment?

Didn’t you know? That’s what’s eating away at your body. It’s called resentment. It’s the Demon King’s unique power, a manifestation of the resentment toward me for corrupting him and toward my sister for failing to save him.

So Luciena has already become the Demon King?!

No, the sword she’s wielding is the Demon King’s cursed blade. She must have obtained it on the Zramon Archipelago.

Reinhold felt a pang of recognition. He recalled that they had pursued the Hero’s party to the Zramon Archipelago, where the group had reassembled. Luciena must have gone there specifically to obtain the cursed blade. But how had she known it was there?

The Hero he knew wasn’t well-versed in history. Even he, who had studied the chronicles, didn’t know, and yet the mage had this knowledge? Who could have informed her?

His thoughts eventually settled on the unassuming porter with the mask.

Even the Demon God referred to him as a small bug despite his recent impressive actions.

The reason neither holy power nor my magic can heal you is that your wounds were inflicted by resentment, a third power. I’m doing what I can, but try to rely on natural recovery as much as possible.

“Hmm…”

“Reinhold!”

Linasien’s sharp tone snapped Reinhold out of his thoughts. She was glaring at him, visibly angry.

“Thinking is fine, but how about paying more attention to your fiancée?”

Where had her previously compliant attitude gone? She was irritated again. The moment when he had almost grasped something important had been interrupted, and Reinhold was in no mood to let it slide.

“We are in a state of emergency. The Hero’s party is moving without me, and Your Highness insisted on coming here, leaving the capital exposed.”

“The Pope of the Church is my ally. There’s no need for an injured man like you to go on a mere regrouping mission. I’ve already placed my agents there, so you have nothing to worry about!”

“Your agents? Who are you talking about?”

Was there someone he didn’t know about? Reinhold was genuinely surprised as he asked, and Linasien placed her hands on her hips, looking triumphant.

“Why, is it so strange for the crown princess and heir to the empire to have a spy?”

Reinhold turned away, his face stiff, but Linasien didn’t back down and stared right back at him.

“And in the capital, Ailan Decarrun remains. She is the Emperor’s loyal servant and will soon be mine as well.”

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“While she holds you in high regard, she hasn’t sworn her loyalty to you yet.”

“She’s like a commoner who only cares about her family’s well-being. If I take care of them, she won’t have any complaints.”

“Plans need to be made with precision.”

“We’re stuck here, and I’ve already placed someone in the Hero’s party and have my ally holding the capital. What more precision do you need?”

Regardless of how precise it needed to be, there was no reason for them to engage in a power struggle here. Even though his head was throbbing, today, Reinhold didn’t feel like backing down to the crown princess.

Knock, knock.

“Benefactor, it’s Gyanal Protech. I’ve brought breakfast.”

“Oh, please come in!”

“Wait… Reinhold!”

Reinhold’s disregard for Linasien’s protest as he allowed Gyanal to enter left her fuming. Gyanal, who entered with a tray in hand, lowered her gaze modestly as she approached, which only further angered Linasien.

“You don’t have to come every meal.”

“It would be unbecoming for the lady of the house to send a mere servant to attend to Your Grace and Her Highness.”

Reinhold nodded in satisfaction, clearly pleased with the answer, oblivious to Linasien’s increasing frustration as she glared at Gyanal. The young lady, sensing the tension, hurriedly excused herself and left the room.

“Oh, it’s the clam porridge I had last night. It was quite good. Would you like to join me?”

But Linasien’s mood had already soured beyond recovery.

“Hmph!!!”

She stormed out, slamming the door behind her, and then barked her orders with renewed fury.

“Someone prepare breakfast in my room!”

Reinhold let out a heavy sigh.

She was a difficult woman to deal with. No matter how much he tried to balance things, she would never be satisfied unless everything revolved around her. If not for her beauty, he would have reconsidered the engagement long ago.

Come to think of it, she declared our engagement unilaterally, didn’t she?

His headache worsened.

Stress is the root of all illness. Try to take it easy, Angria’s voice suggested.

Does this seem like a situation where I can take it easy?

I told you, don’t worry.

Angria was much more relaxed than before.

Once this unique item is complete, you’ll be able to harness not only the Demon Generals’ power but also my power. We’ll be invincible!

“Is that true?”

Reinhold asked in astonishment, to which Angria chuckled playfully.

You’re asking a Demon God if it’s true? You just have to trust me because there’s no other choice, is there?

Then came a more ominous whisper.

As soon as the mage and the porter return, give them no more than a day before you send them to the Church. The Pope may look unassuming, but he’s a loyal servant of mine.

“You’ve even extended your reach to the Church?”

Reinhold’s surprise seemed to delight Angria.

Of course. To maintain balance, I have to extend my influence everywhere.

Finally, Reinhold felt reassured. His calm and appetite returned. He walked unaided across the corridor to Linasien’s chambers, where he found her crying alone. He embraced her and apologized.

“If you ever make me cry again, I’ll break off the engagement!”

“It was my fault. Please forgive me, my lady.”

“Idiot… idiot…!”

Linasien cried in his arms for a long time. It wasn’t until nearly lunchtime that they finally sat down to a late breakfast together.