If the worst comes to pass, Lucille would lose Merle. She was most certainly going to live an empty life full of regrets. She would do anything to keep that from happening, so there’s no reason for her to stay here.
Lucille had set her choice in stone as she left the mayor’s mansion.
Whatever happens, she wanted to be by Merle’s side. She would regret it for the rest of her life if she didn’t start moving right at this moment.
–She was going back to the capital. She was going back to Merle’s side.
Even if she lost the battle with the Heroes or Merle got angry again at her for breaking her promise.
If she didn’t move now, Lucille had no hope for her future.
She disguised herself in a robe, took a horse out from the barn, and tried to discreetly leave the town of Pekona.
“Hey, hold up, Succubus,” Lucille hears behind her, just as she’s about to ride off.
She instinctively turns to look, finds several refugees smiling, armor on their bodies and swords and axes in their hands.
“We can see your tail poking out from underneath your robe, Succubus, it’s obvious it’s you.”
At those words, Lucille hides her heart-tipped tail underneath her robe.
“Succubus, let’s head out together, we can’t leave the Demon King alone and let throw her life away.”
“… You all wait here,” Succubus said. “That’s a command from the Demon King’s right-hand. I…”
“You’re being too formal and saying too much.”
“I…”
If she does nothing, the refugees will arm themselves and rush to the city. Merle doesn’t want that but if Lucille heads out now, they will surely follow.
As she worried about what to do, a carriage headed into Pekona; it stopped before Lucille and the gathered citizens, three figures step out. They’re familiar faces, ones that neither she nor Merle would ever forget.
“Hey, Succubus!” Page said.
“Ms. Succubus, we’ve heard the news,” Ramiel said.
A third woman joins them, her clothes full of paint. “So you’re Succubus! Page and Ramiel have told me so much about you, the Demon King’s potential wife!” she said as she excitedly grabbed Lucille’s hand and shook it.
All three of them were just as ready for battle. Page’s sword had been carefully polished and sharpened and the wand in Ramiel’s and her body overflow with magical power.
“This painter is the mage Attai, she’s a childhood friend of ours from town. She informed us there was a Hero who wanted to slay the Demon King.”
“It’s ridiculous to think of slaying the Demon King!” Lucille said. “I’ve just met you, Attai, but I’m certain you’re an ally of the Demon King.”
“We received a messenger from Pekona’s mayor,” Ramiel said. “Is it true the Demon King will challenge the heroes alone?”
Lucille nods silently.
“I see,” Ramiel said. “We were also told everyone was evacuating here.”
“It’s impossible for the Demon King to have her big clash with the Heroes all by her lonesome!” Page yelled.
“Indeed,” Ramiel said. “Succubus, are you just going to wait here?”
“I was ordered by the Demon King to evacuate, I’m going to break my promise to her if I return to the city,” Lucille said.
“Heh, well, you’re certainly not going at it alone,” Page said.
“Yes! We, the people, want to help the Demon King!” one of the citizens cried.
“Everyone…” Lucille whispered.
She had tried to escape alone and was now surrounded by everyone joining in to rescue the Demon King.
It’s certain: the world has already been unified.
Lucille takes off her robe and says, “We’re all heading for the capital. We must aid King Merle…!”
“Let’s go!” Page yelled. “Everyone, to arms!”
The refugees cheer as one.
The refugees who stayed in the mayor’s mansion listened in on the commotion. One person shouted, “I’m going to help the Demon King!” and soon the whole building was abuzz. Everyone grabbed as much equipment as they could and gathered outside. With the residents of Pekona joining in, their numbers continued to swell.
“Succubus,” the mayor said.
“Mayor,” Lucille replied.
Before her, the mayor stands with his granddaughter Emil. Though young, Emil is armed with a slingshot and a pot for a helmet.
“Succubus, please forgive us for breaking our promise with the Demon King, but we all cannot let things stand as they are,” the mayor said.
“What else are we supposed to do?” Emil shouts. “The Demon King saved us! Now it’s time for us to save her!”
The residents of Pekona shout in agreement.
Anne looked at the foliage behind her and said, “Hey, you all can’t just stand around and look pretty. Come on out, everyone!”
The trees shook and the leaves rustled as goblins, golems, and dog-like monsters stepped out into view. They continued to swell in number until there was a horde of monsters as far as the eye could see.
“These are the ones who received the kindness of the Demon King,” Attai said. “Now, Ms. Succubus: you’ve got an army ready to return that favor to the Demon King. They’ll move at your command; what will you do?”
The answer was obvious.
Lucille pulled out the Demon King’s flag, the one with a skull with horns. The jet-black flag is flying in proud in the wind.
“I am not King Merle—I am not the Demon King,” Lucille said. “So, this is not an order. I have no intention of stopping you from trying to save King Merle! I’m going to go save King Merle!”
“You all heard her, everyone!” Attai yelled. “We’re going to save the Demon King even if we have to put our lives on the line! Nobody’s going to stop us…!”
“We’ll save the Demon King…!” everyone roars, their voices coming together as one as their passion swelled.
ruff Translations 