Chapter 532: Wiz: Hooray, No Need to Repay the 2 Billion!
The guild began preparations for the subjugation mission, with various magic potions and magical tools being transported to the guild hall one by one. The adventurers were also polishing their armor and weapons.
Since this subjugation mission was initiated by the guild, naturally, the guild was putting in the most effort.
"Miss Wiz, could we talk for a bit?"
"Sure!"
Eiji found Wiz.
After he suggested they talk alone, Wiz readily agreed.
"Miss Wiz, you're a Demon King Army executive, right?"
The two left the hall and moved to a secluded corner.
Eiji pondered for a moment before asking Wiz.
"That's right."
Wiz smiled warmly and admitted without hesitation.
"But not anymore!"
"What do you mean?"
However, she quickly changed her tone, causing Eiji to raise an eyebrow in slight surprise.
"I've resigned!"
Wiz said with a smile.
"I'd like to hear the details."
Eiji's mouth twitched as he pressed for more information.
"Well, it's like this. You just heard, right? I used to be an adventurer, and not just any adventurer—I was on the front lines fighting against the Demon King Army. But then some things happened..."
Wiz fell into reminiscence, her face full of nostalgia as she recounted the story.
This was something that happened when Wiz was still human.
At that time, as a grand ice mage, her strength was extraordinary, unmatched in the Belzerg Kingdom. Even many reincarnated individuals with cheat-like abilities were no match for her. Her bounty in the Demon King Army was terrifyingly high.
By chance, her party encountered the Demon King Army executive, Beldia.
As the strongest adventurer in the Belzerg Kingdom, her companions were no ordinary people either—they were either master swordsmen or high priests, all holding advanced professions.
Unfortunately, they were still no match for a Demon King Army executive.
After a fierce battle with Beldia, her companions ultimately fell victim to his Death Proclamation, their lives hanging by a thread.
Wiz was furious.
She resorted to using forbidden items, burning her own life force to convert it into magical power. This earned her the recognition of a certain high-ranking demon, who helped her reincarnate as a lich.
Liches, like Vampire True Ancestors, are the pinnacle of the Undead.
More terrifying than oni or Headless Knights, they could arguably be called the strongest demon race.
After becoming a lich, Wiz's power increased dramatically. She single-handedly stormed the Demon King's Castle and, with astonishing strength, defeated several executives like Beldia, Sylvia, and Hans in direct combat, successfully forcing Beldia to lift the Death Proclamation.
Then the old Demon King came knocking.
"Pay up! You destroyed so much of the Demon King's Castle! Pay up! If you don't have the money, then become an executive for me!"
The old Demon King tearfully demanded compensation from Wiz for wreaking havoc in the Demon King's Castle.
In the end, Wiz agreed.
She became a nominal executive of the Demon King Army, agreeing only to maintain the Demon King's Castle's barrier and not involve herself in any other matters. She neither opposed nor assisted the Demon King Army, which allowed her to open a shop in Axel without any interference.
As the condition for her neutrality, the Demon King Army was henceforth forbidden to harm innocent civilians beyond adventurers and national knights. If any member of the Demon King Army attacked civilians, she had the authority to eliminate them.
"So that's why the Demon King Army doesn't harm civilians—it's because of Wiz's restraint?"
Eiji suddenly understood.
He had previously thought the Demon King Army's actions were too restrained; now he realized there was this layer of relationship involved.
The former Demon King used the condition of not harming civilians to restrain the strongest adventurer of the Belzerg Kingdom, making her retire from the world while also becoming a nominal officer of the Demon King Army. It was indeed a masterstroke.
But if the Demon King Army were to massacre civilians, Wiz would undoubtedly return to the battlefield immediately and slaughter them mercilessly.
As a lich and an advanced ice archmage, Wiz's strength far surpassed that of ordinary Demon King Army officers. Once she returned to the battlefield, she would be an absolute nightmare for the Demon King Army!
"After that, I returned to Axel and opened a magic item shop, but for some reason, I couldn't make any money at all..."
As she spoke, the smile on Wiz's face gradually faded.
She quickly became despondent, squatting on the ground and drawing circles.
"Ahaha, sorry for making you see this. Anyway, that's how I got to know Miss Yasaka and the others, and why I've kept the title of Demon King Army officer all this time."
Wiz quickly composed herself, her gentle smile returning.
"However, a few days ago, I heard some news—that someone had stormed into the Demon King's Castle, caused a ruckus, and became the new Demon King!"
This news had recently spread throughout the Belzerg Kingdom and was even trending toward neighboring countries, becoming the hottest topic in Axel during this time.
"I was worried about the agreement with the Demon King Army, so I went to the Demon King's Castle the other day. And I learned an astonishing fact—the new Demon King is actually a human!"
Wiz raised a finger, her face full of amazement as she spoke to Eiji.
Mhm.
Right.
I know.
Eiji nodded silently.
He had been staying in Axel these past few days, so he had no idea Wiz had visited the Demon King's Castle.
"According to an acquaintance, that human Demon King even issued an order forbidding harm to human civilians. I knew right away he must be a good person! It's just a shame he wasn't in the castle, so I couldn't meet him!"
Wiz's face was full of admiration.
She seemed to hold great respect for the new Demon King she had never met.
Back then, although she had stormed the Demon King's Castle, she ultimately couldn't override all opposition and could only protect humans through an agreement at best.
But the new Demon King had fought his way into the castle, subdued everyone, and became the new Demon King—all while caring for humans.
This meant the new Demon King possessed strength surpassing hers while also standing on the side of humans. He was truly an admirable person, giving her the feeling of having met a kindred spirit.
That's right.
Eiji had indeed issued that order, forbidding the Demon King Army from harming innocent human civilians.
He actually wanted to rein in the Demon King Army's frontlines as well, but having just become the Demon King a few days ago, he knew nothing about the frontline situation and hadn't had the chance to issue further orders.
This trip out was partly to investigate the frontline situation, but leveling up had delayed his plans.
"I thought since the old Demon King stepped down, the agreement between us was over. With the new Demon King's protection, humans wouldn't have any problems, so I just quit outright!"
Wiz looked completely at ease, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
All these years, even though it was just a nominal position, being in enemy territory had made her uncomfortable. At least now she wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.
"So now I'm no longer an executive of the Demon King Army! And I don't have to repay the 2 billion I owed the Demon King anymore. This is fantastic!"
As she said this, Wiz happily waved her fists and jumped around in circles.
I see... So that last part was the real reason for quitting!
"By the way, I forgot to ask - Mr. Eiji, you're human, right? How come you're staying with Miss Yasaka, and you seem to be on such good terms?"
Wiz asked Eiji curiously.