Guidelines for the Fall of Nations

The Demon King's book was enough to make my blood boil, but at least I found one good thing in reading it.

The first point is that, while I wait for my own growth, the Pan-Human Alliance isn't going to be destroyed just yet.

Thanks to what I've overheard from Sophia and the reports I've read during my studies, I've gained a pretty good grasp of the war situation.

It seems the Alliance continues to lose battle after battle. However, for all the strength the Demon King's army wields, their invasion is absurdly slow. This was a trend I noticed during my time as a hero, but lately, their sluggish pace has become even more pronounced.

It's like the march of a giant—slow, but unstoppable.

They might take a fortress in half a day, but then they spend weeks consolidating control over the surrounding areas, taking plenty of rest before moving on to the next fortress.

While they may be cautious of rebellions in conquered regions, their level of caution seems uncharacteristically methodical for the demons. The reason behind this strange behavior became clear after reading The Chronicles of the Founding of the Demon Kingdom.

The answer is simple—they can't afford to wipe out their enemies all at once.

If they crush the Alliance too quickly or force them to surrender entirely, they'd lose their reason to keep fighting. So, they drag out the war, leaving the Alliance half-dead, allowing them to rebuild their strength, only to smash them again. It's all to keep the demons' insatiable hunger for conflict satisfied.

Recently, they've even started sending envoys to the Alliance before opening new fronts in the war, allowing the Alliance to decide which fortress or city will be attacked. Naturally, the countries on the chopping block immediately resort to internal sabotage to ensure they aren't the next target, which throws the Alliance into disarray. The Holy Church, which had once been the leading power of the Alliance, has been severely weakened by the ongoing war. With their military strength depleted and only their religious influence remaining, they can no longer offer any meaningful leadership.

As things stand, there's no single country left in the Alliance that has the ability to dictate whether they fight on or surrender. They're stuck in limbo—unable to abandon the sinking ship but also too weak to fight back.

There's a massive difference in how the countries on the front lines, who face the Demon Kingdom directly, and those in the rear, who can merely voice their opinions on the next target, perceive the war.

It's a viciously clever strategy. And yet... it doesn't feel like something the demons would typically do. They're more straightforward, less conniving. This reeks of Night Elf influence.

The situation isn't one where I can relax and think, "Good thing we aren't being wiped out all at once." Even if we manage to defeat the Demon King, there will be no shortage of grudges left behind.

And while the war drags on, it's the common folk who suffer. The same goes for those in the lands under the Demon Kingdom's rule. The humans there are treated worse than goblins, less like slaves and more like livestock. Even now, people are being killed one by one.

The good news is that there's still time before the Alliance is completely wiped out.

But that's no reason for me to waste time.

The second point is the discovery of the Dark Portal.

For years, the Alliance had wondered how the Demon Kingdom was mobilizing so many devils, and now I knew the answer—there's a direct gate to the Demon Realm.

"Sophia, did you come through the Dark Portal as well?"

"Of course! These days, no devil would respond to a summoning."

During one of our sparring sessions, I asked Sophia, and she responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Summoning rituals are dangerous magic that drain not only a mage's magical power but also their life force. It's not pleasant for us devils either."

"Unpleasant?"

"If I were to explain it simply for you, imagine being forced into a tiny hole, contorting your body to squeeze through. That's what it feels like."

"That sounds... painful."

"Yes, 'painful' is one way to describe it."

Sophia pulled a face as if recalling a bad memory. Perhaps she had been summoned before.

"The Dark Portal isn't like that?"

"Not at all. It's more like walking through a tunnel."

"Then why didn't the devils start using the Dark Portal ages ago?"

If it's such a convenient route, you'd think they'd have swarmed in long before.

"It's simple. We devils can't pass through the Dark Portal into 'this world' on our own. We need a being tied to this world—like a demon—to guide us."

According to Sophia, from the perspective of the Demon Realm, the Dark Portal is just a random rift in space. Devils who ventured into it never returned.

"It's likely that, without a guide, the portal leads nowhere. Even as a knowledge devil, I wouldn't dare step through it right now. I'd need to finish learning everything this world has to offer before taking that risk."

"But from this world, the portal leads straight to the Demon Realm?"

"That's what I suspect. The first Demon Lord must have influenced the rift to connect it to the Demon Realm."

...Raogias, you bastard. What did you meddle with this time?

"When the First Demon Lord discovered the Dark Portal, he was searching for power. His desire, his will, must have shaped the rift."

"Wait... can an individual's will really affect something like a dimensional rift created by a divine war?"

No matter how powerful demons are, they can't make it rain just by wishing for it. This is on a whole other level.

"If that's possible, then couldn't devils on the other side control where the rift opens?"

"It's difficult. The Demon Realm is a world where matter is vague, but concepts are solid. In contrast, this world is stable in terms of matter but has more fluid concepts."

This was starting to sound like a lecture from a magic scholar.

"And on top of that, the rift was in a completely blank state before the First Demon Lord entered it. The instability of the surrounding environment likely allowed his will to manifest the Dark Portal."

So Raogias wanted power, and the rift conveniently led him to the Demon Realm where he could get it?

How... absurd.

Raogias' influence on this world is unbelievable.

But one thing is clear—if we're going to weaken the Demon Kingdom, we'll need to do something about the Dark Portal as well.

I don't know if I have the strength to deal with something as immense as a dimensional rift... but I have to try. As long as devils keep reinforcing the demons, their power will continue to grow.

If we can stop them from summoning any more devils...

And if I can figure out a way to destroy the Demon Lord's spear while driving a wedge into the demons' fragile unity...

Then maybe, just maybe, the Alliance will have a fighting chance.

"Ah, you're almost there, Zilvagias," Sophia said, nodding with an air of satisfaction.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, your trip to the Demon Realm is coming up."

Sophia said it as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"...What?"

"You've grown horns, your magical power is strong enough, and Prince Aiogias first visited the Demon Realm and made his pact with a devil at the age of eight. You'll be setting a new record by going at five. I'm sure your mother is already making arrangements."

That... definitely sounds like something Platifia would do.

She wouldn't miss the chance to show me off.

"As your tutor, it's a proud moment for me. I'm excited to see which devil you'll make a pact with."

Sophia beamed, but...

So it's come to this, has it?

I—a former hero—am going to the Demon Realm to form a pact with a devil.

What a sad joke...

But no matter.

I have to defeat the Demon King.

And I have to bring down this kingdom.

If that means making a pact with a devil, so be it.

"How do I find the right devil to make a pact with?"

"No need to worry. Once you go through the Dark Portal, you'll naturally encounter a suitable devil."

"That's... reassuring."

What kind of devil would be a 'good match' for the former hero...?

"I look forward to it," I said, forcing a smile.

A few days later...

"Zilvagias, you will go to the Demon Realm," Platifia declared.

"Before you enter the palace, you must find a devil worthy of you."