Shadow Demons are one of the six tribes of the Demon race.

They possess bodies that allow them to phase through physical matter and also increase their density to bolster defense. Using their bodies as the ultimate weapon, no other Demon tribe boasts versatility as much as they.

They also possess resistance to physical attacks and can bypass normal defenses by exploiting the smallest gaps. As a result, even stronger opponents end up losing to them.

Well, at least back in my days.

The war against the Demons was a harsh one that claimed many lives. We couldn’t continue down that path, which is why we settled for a peace treaty.

Of course, things weren’t so simple. Humans would never allow the threat of the Demon scourge to persist, and the Demons couldn’t ignore the threat humans posed to their race.

Ultimately, the Hero Party—of which I was a member—made a deal with the so-called Devils. The pact satisfied both parties, and we were ultimately satisfied with the results.

The Demons withdrew their forces, and the humans were convinced that their race was wiped out—or nearly.

Humans didn’t pay much mind to the Demons and would eventually treat them as fairy tales. As a result, the fear that fueled the war was quelled. Lewis Griffith—me at the time—was the one who proposed this treaty, seeing as there was no other way to end things without resulting in a major loss on both sides.

It was a risky venture, especially considering that the Demons could betray them. Of course, there were countermeasures put in place in case that happened, but… the Great Sage—I—felt the Demons wouldn’t betray the pact.

The results were satisfactory… and the world enjoyed peace for over five hundred years.

Even when I reincarnated, I was happy to find out that Demons were no more than fairy tales and vestiges of history. I was grateful for both sides, relieved that the plan went well even after everyone’s death.

That was why I was so surprised to see a Shadow Demon!

What are they doing here?

What of the pact?

Why now?

Are my enemies the demons?

Did they find out I reincarnated?

But, then that would mean…

What is going on?!

My mind was in disarray as multiple thoughts surged in my mind.

In the end, these thoughts would only hinder me in my fight, so I sealed them away.

I was initially hesitant to slay the first Shadow Demon I came across, especially since it reminded me of an old acquaintance—a very troublesome one. However, considering the circumstances; the fact that many of them surrounded the dorm in a siege, they killed the Dorm Master, and leaked out such bloodlust; I had no choice but to steel my resolve and go in for the kill.

They betrayed us first; I didn’t do anything wrong.

No, it was too soon to conclude that the entire Demon race was in on this. I only saw Shadow Demons, and a few of them for that matter—compared to their actual numbers.

It could be that a few had gone rogue; that was actually more plausible.

I could suspect a few who could pull that off… like Kahn, the Demon Lord at the time. But, he was too loyal to the Demon King to betray the pact. His loyalty was what bred his hate for humans, to begin with, so I couldn’t really suspect him.

Then what was the matter? Did something happen to the Demon King? Did the humans do something first? Was this the reason Neron left Ainzlark?

So many inquisitions, no time to answer them.

My subconscious swirled around these thoughts as I brandished my blade of light and slew my opponents.

SWOOOSHHH!!!

Against me, the Demons were no match!

Not only was I experienced in their moves, but I also knew their weaknesses, so it was easy to dispatch them. Fortunately, these were only clones. I didn’t sense any form of intelligence from them, which was why I didn’t attempt to converse while fighting.

WHOOOOSHHHH

I sped across the room and faced off the final opponent, impatiently cleaving through its body with an intense light-attributed stroke.

It shrieked in pain and I plunged in for the finishing stroke.

BOOOOOMMM!!!

It exploded into particles of dust, causing me to resume my internal deliberation.

Clones of this level meant that my actual opponent was a powerful Demon. Was it a Captain? I certainly hoped it wasn’t a General!

The image of my enemy flashed in my head. He was a Senior Lecturer within Ainzlark, and now that I began seeking a rational explanation, I was beginning to see the light.

Was it possible that ‘he’ was a Demon in disguise? It would make sense that he commanded these Shadow Demons.

But, going this far would mean he was risking his position in Ainzlark. Was it just for me, or did he have another objective? I wasn’t so conceited as to believe the former so I went with the latter.

There was certainly something bigger in the works here.

But, that also led me to another conundrum.

Shadow Demons were impressive in many areas, but intelligence wasn’t one of them.

My opponent was a brilliant strategist; there was absolutely no way Shadow Demons could be responsible for that, especially if I used someone like Kahn as a standard.

They were too dense and inflexible—a sharp contrast to the nature of their bodies.

‘Then what the heck is going on here? An alliance?” That made more sense, but more questions popped up.

I had gotten rid of the Demons within the vicinity, but my mind wasn’t set at ease. Something this grave was bound to be more elaborate. I suspected that things weren’t over—not by a long shot.

‘I’m currently lacking in information…’

Using that as my objective, I quickly took the initiative this time.

“Spy Automaton Creation: Basic”

A creature formed as a Magic Circle appeared in the air, just a few meters from me.

It was like a one-eyed bat, having red eyes.

“Concealment” I cast an Intermediate stealth Spell on it, causing the construct to turn invisible.

I nodded satisfactorily. This would do, for now. Given the situation, nothing was more optimal.

“Go. Scour the area…”