“H-how…? This is sooner than expected.” Zenkiel growled, staring at the report before him.

According to what was written there, the forces of Demon Beasts sent to the Elf Kingdom had all been vanquished.

Not an ounce of Miasma could also be sensed in their territory.

“What’s happening? This shouldn’t have been resolved yet.”

While the report hadn’t mentioned the details concerning the incident—like how it had occurred or who the perpetrators were—basic facts like the utter annihilation of their Demon Beasts, as well as the dispersal of Miasma, were mentioned.

It was incredibly worrisome, to say the least.

Zenkiel had also heard of how the Eastern Kingdom was also able to eliminate the Demon Beast threat sooner than expected. Both their opponents were more troublesome than expected.

As a prime General, as well as an extremely intelligent Demon, the Lord was beginning to question his initial assertion of their opponents.

Underestimating one’s targets was a fatal move, but the same could also be said concerning overestimating them.

According to the information he received from Blanc and her agents spread across the Eastern Kingdom, it was very obvious that the humans weren’t major threats to them.

In fact, most of them were utterly mediocre.

Appropriate countermeasures had been placed for the few who could stand up to them, so they were no problem either.

Still, it was quite upsetting that the Elves were also betraying his expectations.

The Whites hadn’t been able to invade the Elf territories thanks to their opponent’s troublesome discerning abilities.

The intensity and purity of Mana there also prevented them from keeping a low profile while there.

That was why the probe attack had been to determine the Elf Kingdom’s level of power.

The initial results had been satisfactory, but the sudden destruction of Demon Beasts made Zenkiel worried.

“What should I do…?” He murmured, gritting his teeth.

He needed more information, that was for sure.

“I should launch another probe attack on both parties,” Zenkiel murmured.

The only way to get accurate reports was to experience them personally.

While he couldn’t leave his position, due to several reasons, he had several trustworthy servants who could serve as his eyes and ears.

“Yes. I should send four of my Nine Stars. If they each lead an army of one thousand Demon Beasts, and launch assaults and multiple places at once, I’ll be able to gain more intel.”

Allocating two of his direct subordinates to the Eastern Kingdom, and two to the Elf Kingdom was the best step to employ.

‘I’ll make sure they attack separate spots so I can get more information…’ Zenkiel’s thoughts were in overdrive.

Now, all he had to do was acquire the pawns for the task from Kyron—the Demon Lord in charge of their Beasts.

While Demon Beasts were disposable soldiers, conscripting four thousand of them out of the blue wasn’t exactly a simple matter.

However, as Commander-In-Chief of the Demon Army, he was allowed this much leeway.

“I’ll just draft an order for him… or should I see him in person?”

As Zenkiel pondered on his options, the image of Kyron appeared in his mind.

If he was being frank with himself, the Vert Demon Lord didn’t really like Kyron’s personality. He had tried to get rid of this bias, but nothing worked.

“It always seems like he’s planning something ominous…” Zenkiel murmured.

He despised people with conniving personalities the most. They weren’t loyal, and their selfish actions often destabilized the much larger group.

Perhaps Kyron was different and he was just being paranoid. But, Zenkiel’s instincts kept telling him he was right.

Which was why he was hesitant to visit his colleague in person.

However, after considering it for a bit, the Commander-In-Chief decided that a direct request would be much faster.

After all, they didn’t have much time left.

“Huu… I better resolve this quickly.”

For the greater good of the Demon Realm, and also for his King, Abellion, Zenkiel steeled himself for his decision.

******************************

The light around me flashed, and everything became blurry as we all warped.

As the scenery changed, a smile formed on my face as I swiftly replayed the expected incidents that would soon occur.

After Kahn informed me of the current ranks of Demon Lords, and I knew Zenkiel was now among them, it became a near-certain win for me.

I knew his Superior’s methods inside and out, and Zenkiel was bound to follow the same route.

Everything that had happened so far was exactly as I predicted, which meant the next move would also fall within expectations.

‘Zenkiel must be getting worked-up from the Denise of the Demon Beasts. Knowing him, he’ll want to swiftly correct his mistake.’

To do that, he would need to acquire dispensable tools to test the waters and re-determine the level of threat both the Elves and humans posed against the Demon Army.

If I was right, he would launch simultaneous attacks on the Eastern and Elf Kingdoms—at a much more dangerous scale than before, no doubt.

Since I wasn’t in the Eastern Kingdom currently, I was leaving the matter in capable hands.

As for the Elves, this was simply a better opportunity to score more points with them.

‘I’ll make you overestimate your enemies, Zenkiel. And, when you do…’

A broad grin formed on my face as I remembered the younger green Demon General from my Past Life.

‘… You’ll be playing right into my hands!’

>VWUUUUUSSSHHHH!!!<

As soon as I concluded my thought, the bright light around me shimmered once more, and the landscape was completely different from before.

I now stood before a very massive gate, laying my eyes on tall walls that stretched for a.long distance. They encircled a city, and the materials seemed highly fortified, as well as beautiful.

Behind me were the Elf Soldiers. Beside me were Elf Royalty.

So, even though I was a mere human, my sudden appearance before the massive gate didn’t instigate violence from the wary Elf Guards who manned the city’s garrisons.

I smiled, looking at the polished stones that made up the fortified City walls.

Memories came flooding in as I looked above me—witnessing a towering structure that seemed to sink into the clouds.

Bittersweet experiences flooded in, and I clutched my aching chest, softly whispering to myself.

“After so many centuries… I’m finally back.”