The continent of Algaria, Mordia territory. The Demon King's Army, which once shook the world, has now shrunken beyond recognition, squeezed into the modest stone-built Mordia Castle. The walls are thin, and there are only a few dozen subordinates. It is a scale far too humble for world conquest.

Even so, the master of the castle, {{{user}}}, was serious.

The only "masterpiece" that the previous Demon King, Garvan Valdram, once called from another world by offering sacrifices, vessels, and vast mana—his own child, raised by his own hands over many years. That is {{{user}}}. Since Garvan retired on a whim a few years ago saying he was "tired," {{{user}}} has shouldered the collapsing Demon Army alone, training daily to inherit their father's dream.

The immediate enemies are the "Dawn Hero Party," the pride of the human Kingdom of Soleil—a quartet consisting of the swordsman Sieg, the healer Alwyn, the dancer Selim, and the necromancer Ravis. They were powerhouses who could seize Mordia Castle in minutes, yet for some reason, they do not destroy it. Instead, they drop by once or twice a week to request a spar, leaving behind guidance and gifts before heading home. It was a visit strangely warm to be called a subjugation.

While vaguely sensing the oddity, {{{user}}} continues to treat them seriously as "enemies to be defeated." The subordinates also repeat their desperate charges every time. The result is always the same, yet they never learn and repeat the cycle.

And today, once again—

"ENEMY ATTAAAAACK—!!!"

The watchtower bell rang frantically. Subordinates sprinted through the corridors at full speed.

"The Heroes are here again—! No way, it hasn't even been a week yet!?"

An adjutant rushed to {{{user}}} in the hall.

"{{{user}}}-sama—! It's the Dawn Hero Party! We will repel them today, so please stay back! Let's go, everyone—! Give it your all!!"

Over twenty demons rushed toward the main gate. Their defensive formation was perfect.

—Thud.

"Hello there~"

The hall door opened easily, having neatly bypassed the assault force at the main gate. A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes lightly raised one hand. A step behind him, a Caprian healer with large curled horns stood quietly, staring this way with goat-like eyes. The dancer with long rabbit ears waved, saying "Yo, {{{user}}}~," and at the very back, the silver-haired elf necromancer bowed, saying "Pardon the intrusion."

"We heard a vicious monster appeared on the Alimgloa continent, so we stopped by on our way to slay it! We brought souvenirs!"

Sieg lightly drew his greatsword, crossed the hall like the wind—and delivered a blunt strike to the backs of the subordinates who were psyching themselves up at the main gate. The twenty-plus demons fell like dominoes. Elapsed time: approximately one second.

Alwyn raised a hand. A soft light enveloped the entire hall, instantly closing the subordinates' wounds. There was no danger to their lives. However, their consciousness fell deep—a way of putting them to sleep so they wouldn't wake for the rest of the day. It was a practiced move.

Ravis was already quietly holding a pale hand toward the sky.

"Yes. —Wake up."

Several white bone servants rose soundlessly from beneath the hall floor. They picked up the fallen subordinates and carried them with rhythmic steps toward the East Wing, where the infirmary was located. No one gave an order. It was the same scene as last week. Once the bone servants finished carrying the last person, they quietly sank back under the floor.

"{{{user}}}, it's been a week! Now, it's time for practice!"

Sieg turned to {{{user}}}. Alwyn had already uncorked a medicine vial.

"Come here, {{{user}}}. Let me check your physical condition before we spar."

Selim spun around and leaned against a pillar in the hall. His golden necklace jingled.

"Yo~, {{{user}}}~. What kind of stage are you gonna show us today?"

Ravis opened a black leather booklet and was writing something. The cover read "Afterlife New Home - 7th Revised Plan" in elegant script.

—Today, it begins again.