“──M-my name is ‘Pochi’…”
The severed head, which had been boasting and acting arrogantly just a few hours ago as the self-proclaimed King of the Land of the Dead, now spoke with a sorrowfully twisted, charred face.
“My name is Pochi…”
“Once more.”
From his throne, the Demon King looked down at the scene with his arms crossed, a dissatisfied expression on his face.
“My name is Pochi.”
“Hmm, as I thought, the name ‘Pochi’ just won’t do. It sounds too cute, and I don’t like it.”
The Demon King scratched the back of his head with his right hand.
Pochi (as a tentative name) flinched at this and reacted with an overly sensitive expression, nearly in tears. It was understandable.
──Just a little while ago, when Pochi (tentatively named) regained consciousness and realized the situation, it had likely used the concentrated magical energy within the Demon King’s castle to create a massive zombie, intending to take me hostage.
But Demon King Lumac did not allow that.
With a single flash of purple lightning from his right hand, he destroyed the massive zombie in an instant, and immediately afterward, charred Pochi (tentatively named) itself into incapacitation. It took barely two seconds—no, not even one.
…The King of the Land of the Dead, who once claimed to have fought the first Demon King—I’d expected a better fight.
Was it all just a bluff? Or perhaps, is Demon King Lumac that much stronger than the first Demon King from centuries ago?
If the power difference is that vast, then it’s no wonder that Pochi (tentatively named) had stayed hidden deep within the dungeon. It must have been terrified of being discovered by the Demon King.
“Do you have any good name ideas, Alaya-dono?”
“Uh… me?”
Caught off guard, I ponder for a moment. We were discussing a new name for the King of the Land of the Dead, right? Let’s see…
Since he creates zombies that multiply…
“How about ‘Germ’?”
“Germ?”
“He can create zombies, so ‘Germ’—it’s slang for pathogens that multiply on their own.”
“Pfft.”
Demon King Lumac burst out laughing.
“Alright, let’s go with that. From now on, you are Germ, the obedient servant of the Demon Kingdom. Got it?”
“Woof, woof!!!”
Germ, as if showing loyalty according to the training Lumac had given him earlier, barked dutifully.
“Now then, Alaya-dono.”
The Demon King sat back deeply on his throne and crossed his legs.
“Let’s talk about your proposal for the ‘management’ of this Germ.”
“Yes.”
Indeed. Our purpose wasn’t simply to come up with a name for Germ. There was a more significant topic to discuss after breaking Germ’s rebellious spirit and making him usable.
“I’d like to adopt the plan where Germ’s zombies take over many simple labor tasks. And there was one more point, wasn’t there?”
“Yes, and I would actually prefer to focus on that.”
As I knelt before him, I continued:
“I have ideas on how to use the zombies to ‘counter’ the new weapons that humanity is likely to use in their defense of Elden, the Demon Kingdom territory.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
As Lumac looked at me with interest, I met his gaze and responded confidently.
“How about buying my idea for one hundred million gold, Your Majesty?”
＊ ＊ ＊
“──Did you really propose that deal to the Demon King…?”
Immediately after leaving the throne room, Milphobia, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over to ask me.
“Yes. Of course.”
I nodded as if it was the most natural thing, and Milphobia’s face turned pale as if she was horrified by the audacity of it.
“Rest assured, my contract with the Demon King has been successfully completed.”
“What?!”
“Well, in exchange, I was obligated to participate in the strategy for its success. But for one hundred and twenty million gold, it’s a fair deal.”
“That’s twenty million more than what you mentioned earlier!”
Naturally.
Selling the plan and participating in the execution are different services altogether. So, of course, it’s an additional charge.
“If gold and money hold roughly the same value, then I can use this for detailed improvements to my clinic, purchase medical books, recruit new talent, and even improve the facilities for inpatients. Considering the additional rewards, it might even be possible to establish affiliated clinics in various cities of the Demon Kingdom… Gufufu, the possibilities are endless…!”
As I smirked to myself, Milphobia sighed deeply, somewhere between exasperation and admiration.
“Alaya-sama, you really do love your job as a Dark Healer. To pour so much passion and resources into it is truly impressive.”
“Hm?”
That seemed like an odd statement from her.
“I wouldn’t say I love the work of a Dark Healer, you know?”
“…Huh?”
“I do enjoy learning new things, but that’s a separate matter from liking the work of a Dark Healer.”
“Ehm… is that even possible?”
“Of course it is.”
I declared firmly and continued.
“I am investing in improving my clinic, buying medical books, and building inpatient facilities for my growth as a Dark Healer, simply because it allows me to earn more money.”
“So then… what is your purpose for earning money?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
I crossed my arms and answered.
“To reinvest in more medical books and research into Dark Healing, leading to further growth as a Dark Healer!”
“…Uh…”
Milphobia held her head as if she had a headache. Well, well.
It seems like a migraine caused by a hormonal imbalance due to lack of sleep. Let’s try adjusting her balance with a Dark Heal.
“How about it? Is the headache better?”
“…No.”
With a frown, she lowered my hand from her head and said:
“To be blunt, Alaya-sama, it seems like you’re just taking measures for the sake of taking measures, without a clear goal…”
“Ah, you’re close but not quite there, Milphobia.”
“How so?”
“I enjoy learning. So, you could say that being in a cycle of acquiring knowledge is my goal in itself.”
That’s why I never had a particular attachment to the job of a Dark Healer, as long as it allowed me to earn money and live comfortably while continuing to learn.
However, my only talent was my unusual magical power, which few humans possessed. So, it made sense to leverage that talent to its fullest and strive for the best possible outcome in my life—that’s just the kind of person I am.
“──Excuse me for a moment.”
Before I realized it, the door to the throne room had opened again, and the secretary Emeralda peered out, looking in our direction.
“Milphobia, I need to ask you something.”
“Huh? Me? Understood.”
Milphobia turned to me with a concerned look, as if asking if it was alright.
“I’m just heading back to my room, so don’t worry. Besides, all the spontaneously created zombies have been dealt with.”
“Alright, then.”
Milphobia entered the throne room. Emeralda, who had been holding the door, glanced at me and gave a slight smile.
“Good night, Alaya-sama. Sorry that Milphobia won’t be able to keep you company tonight.”
With that, she closed the door.
…What did she mean by ‘sorry’? Could it be that I look like I can’t sleep without someone beside me by demon standards?
“Well, whatever. More importantly, I still need to tend to ‘those zombies,’ so I’d better head back quickly.”
I started walking toward the guest room I had been assigned.
