Let's stop this

I, Kageyama Kai, just challenged my favorite character to a one-on-one. It was a day I never imagined would come.

"Alice, are you really going for it?!" Sophia gasped.

It was not just her, but the entire party tried to talk her out of the challenge. Based on her appearance, it was no wonder. Despite Harald's treatment, she wasn't completely healed yet. There were still some open wounds and bruises on her body. Furthermore, her stamina must have been drained by now, after fighting Owen. And yet, she slowly headed towards me.

"..."

I took a quick glance at Owen's body. Maybe it was because I didn't know him that well, but I didn't feel sad or anything. If I were to feel something, then it'd rather be gratitude. I gave Owen the order to make the whole group retreat and if they were to refuse, then he should at least try to bring Alice to the castle. Obviously, retreating was not an option for them and Alice, of all people, would surely not listen to a demon and went for his head.

As the Demon King, this wasn't something I should say, but I never expected Owen to win. I just sent him out first to test a general's might.

"I will never hesitate in front of a demon...!" Alice claimed, piercing me with her sharp eyes.

She was exhausted and wobbled slightly. In other words, a general managed to push her that far in a battle. The only time she was in a similar state was when she fought against the previous Demon King. 

I suppose their title wasn't just for show then.

"I, the Demon King Kai, look forward to this match." I said as I introduced myself for the first time.

"Let's cut the idle chatter, Kai." Alice replied coldly.

"..."

Alice called me by my given name! The one and only Alice! To think I'd be able to experience this moment! As a fan, I could transcend any moment now!

"Your face disgusts me. Wipe off that vile grin from your hideous face."

Her hurtful remark and threatening aura made me realize just now that I was smiling too much out of joy.

"A-ahem...! T-then, are you ready, A-Alice?" I asked, trying to hide my embarrassment.

However, that was a stupid question.

"!"

Without even answering, Alice already dashed towards me and swung her sword. But fortunately, she was not in top shape. Even without using my skill on her, I was able to dodge her attack easily.

"Watch out for his skill!" Jean shouted from the sidelines.

Alice was gasping for air rapidly. And truth be told, it hurt me a little to see her like that. If we had met under other circumstances, then I'd have wished to have a normal talk with her. Not just with her but also with the human king.

"Hero Slayer!" I announced.

In her current state, I might have had a chance to win against Alice, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Ugh!"

All her strength suddenly left her exhausted body, making her fall to her knees. Her sword was stuck in the ground and she tried holding on to it only to collapse shortly afterwards.

"You...!"

Only her voice had enough strength. But she didn't appear threatening at all as she was crawling desperately on the soil with her body shivering in pain.

Naturally, I didn't want to fight against her in the first place. Harming her in any way was the last thing I wished for. It was the other way around. What I wished for was for us to exist peacefully with each other.

"That's enough now." I declared firmly to everyone.

Many might have thought that this would turn into a fierce and long battle, but they couldn't be further away from the truth. The battle was over the moment Alice was in my reach. With her stats now being ranked E overall, there was nothing she could do to defeat me. It may look cowardly, however, that was the only plan I could think of to win against Alice and make her and the others return to the human kingdom.

"I haven't admitted defeat yet...!"

"As you can see, I have won against the hero, so take her with you and get lost already!"

"I won't retreat, you scum...!"

The group was hesitant and confused about what to do until Jean stepped forward.

"As long as I breathe, I will continue to fight...!" Alice stated determinedly.

"Good to see that you finally understand." I complimented Jean, still ignoring Alice's words.

I thought that Jean came to pick up Alice because that was the only way for her to accept her defeat without getting penalized by her skill, however, he was now pointing his sword at me.

"What's the meaning of this?" I asked while still putting up a tough act, befitting of a Demon King.

"You look more like a Demon King than the first time we'd met." Jean remarked with a nervous grin.

"Unfortunately, I can't remember agreeing to your conditions. It was just our stubborn leader, who selfishly stormed ahead and fought you." he added.

"So you're saying that you want to continue this farce?"

"It's not that we want to... It's something we must do to bring peace to humanity!"

At his words, those random and typical NPC-looking soldiers roared vigorously.

"You do realize that I'm still the Demon King, right?"

"I sure do."

I acted as intimidating as I could. But truth be told, I was about to shit myself! I was not scared when I fought Alice thanks to my skill, but against someone like Jean, the only thing I could do was to pray for something or someone to save me!

"?"

Jean and I simultaneously noticed the presence of two people approaching us from behind.

"Please allow us to handle this matter, my liege."

"Eri! And..."

"Tch."

Coming to my rescue were Eri and Valer.

"We can't let our liege dirty his hands any longer. Isn't that right...?"

Valer wore his usual carefree grin, however, his eyes were not smiling. Rather than that, they appeared somewhat threatening, especially when his gaze fell on Jean.

"Wow..." I murmured, inaudible to those around me.

I didn't know that Jean was able to make such an expression... Even if it was just for an instant, he looked like he'd just seen his greatest enemy.

"We're leaving." Jean stated indifferently as he lowered his sword.

"S-Sir Jean...?" one of those soldiers stuttered in confusion.

"Jean! Let me go!" Alice protested, despite almost losing consciousness.

He turned to face his party and the others.

"We won't be able to win against those three."

These were the only words he offered them before he retreated while carrying the scolding Alice like a sack of rice over his shoulder. And luckily, it didn't take long for the rest of them to follow after him.

"You two came at the perfect moment." I said.

"I am unworthy of your praise." Eri replied, bowing her head again.

Meanwhile, Valer's eyes still looked in the direction of the retreated enemies. Was there something I was potentially missing...?

"O-old man!"

I shifted my gaze to Carmilla, who had just joined us, and saw her grieving over Owen's dead body. I had no clue what their relationship was like, which was why I was even more surprised to see her that emotional. She didn't strike me as the type to care about others deeply, however, I had to correct my assessment of her after witnessing those tears that didn't seem to stop for a while.

Seeing her like that made even me feel pain in my chest.

"Should we head back, my liege?" Eri asked.

"You two can go ahead without us... I will return with Carmilla."

"Understood."

Time passed and the only thing I did was continue observing Carmilla and the lying body of Owen. Did I feel guilty because I was the one who sent Owen on a suicide mission? Because I didn't arrive sooner? Or was it because I treated him like a random character, instead of facing him as a real person, who lived just like me?

I... I just didn't know the answer...

"I'm sorry..."

My voice was faint and due to her hysterical sobbing, I was sure that she didn't hear me, but I apologized nonetheless — even though I didn't know the exact reason why I was sorry.