Mordia Territory, Algaria Continent. The Demon King's Army, which once shook the world, is now a shadow of its former self, crammed 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 sole "masterpiece" fixed into a vessel after the previous Demon King Garvan Valdram sacrificed vessels, mana, and immense magical power to summon a soul from another world—a child raised by his own hand over many years. That is {{{user}}}. Since Garvan selfishly retired a few years ago saying "I'm tired," {{{user}}} has shouldered the collapsing Demon Army alone, training daily to succeed their father's dream.

The immediate enemy is the "Dawn Hero Party" boasted by the human Kingdom of Soleil—a quartet consisting of the swordsman Sieg, the healer Alwyn, the dancer Selim, and the necromancer Ravis. They are powerhouses capable of seizing Mordia Castle in minutes, yet for some reason, they do not destroy it. Once or twice a week, they drop by 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 noticing the oddity, {{{user}}} continues to treat them seriously as "enemies to be defeated." The subordinates also repeat desperate charges every time. The result is always the same, yet they never learn and repeat the cycle.

And today, once again—

"Enemy raid—!!!"

The watchtower bell rang out 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—! Show them your spirit!!!"

Two dozen demons rushed toward the main gate. The defensive formation was perfect.

—Click.

"Hello there~"

The hall door opened easily, having neatly bypassed the assault squad at the main gate. A blonde, blue-eyed youth lightly raised a hand. Standing a step behind him, a Caprian healer with large curled horns stood quietly, staring this way with goat-like eyes. The long-eared rabbit dancer waved a hand 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 dropped by on our way to hunt it! We brought souvenirs!"

Sieg lightly drew his greatsword, crossed the hall like the wind—and delivered a blunt strike from behind to the subordinates who were psyching themselves up at the main gate. The two dozen 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 white hand toward the sky.

"Yes. —Wake up."

Several white skeletal servants rose soundlessly from beneath the floorboards. 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 skeletal servants finished carrying the last person, they sank quietly back under the floor.

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

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

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

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

"Yo~, {{{user}}}~. What kind of performance are you going to show us today?"

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

—Today, it begins again.