It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

0: Past Grudges 0. Prologue

───It seems that the Demon King has infiltrated our Brave Party (us).

The one who told me this was the god Mirabel, who brought me to this world.

I’m a so-called “reborn person.” In my previous life, I was an ordinary office worker, and I died after being hit by a truck, following a typical template.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

When I asked if it was really true, I was told with a straight face.

It seems that the Demon King has indeed infiltrated our party.

“I don’t know what their purpose is, but there’s a Demon King among your friends.”

“Do you know who it is?”

“Well, if I knew, I would have said so from the beginning.”

This god is useless.

“You thought so, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t think such an impolite thing.”

Mirabel let out a deep sigh. Although she’s clearly angry, she’s not pursuing the matter further.

“Originally, we gods have a rule not to interfere with the lower world.”

“It’s forbidden to give advice like this, saying that the Demon King has infiltrated your party.”

“You said so when I was reborn.”

“That’s right! But I couldn’t just leave a human I reborn in danger, so I’m telling you this!”

She’s a god, but it seems she’s in a middle management position.

Of course, there’s someone above her, and if she carelessly breaks the rules, she’ll be punished.

Mirabel is a kind god. If she weren’t kind, she wouldn’t have bothered to give me a warning.

I shouldn’t feel embarrassed about thinking she’s useless, even if only for a moment.

“There’s a Demon King among my friends?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“I believe you, Mirabel, but it’s hard to doubt the friends I’ve traveled with so far…”]

“That’s right, but the Demon King is really among you. You’re free not to doubt them, but if you’re betrayed and killed by someone you trusted, it’s unbearable. You know that demons are cunning and can’t be underestimated, don’t you?”

“Yes…”

There’s a Demon King (archenemy) among my friends.

It’s a harsh reality to accept.

It’s been three years since I was summoned by the country and set out on a journey to defeat the Demon King.

While solving the problems of monsters rampaging across the land and dark forces secretly manipulating events, I’m searching for the enemy’s stronghold, the Demon King’s Castle.

After traveling together for three years, I naturally feel trust and camaraderie towards my companions. It’s painful to suspect them.

“Can’t discuss it with anyone, right?”

“At least not with anyone except me.”

There’s another difficult thing. Mirabel said it’s better not to discuss the fact that the Demon King is among our party with my companions or anyone else.

The Demon King has the magic of “Mind Reading,” which allows them to read people’s minds. If I discuss it with someone who turns out to be the Demon King, I’ll be killed on the spot. And if I discuss it with another companion, the Demon King will read their mind and kill them.

“You have the ability I gave you, so the Demon King’s Mind Reading and brainwashing won’t work on you, but it’s not the same for the other companions, right?”

“That’s right.”

They’re not weak at all. As the Brave Party, they’re naturally stronger than others. However, according to Mirabel, there’s no one who can defend against the Demon King’s Mind Reading.

“I’ll explain it simply: your party’s level is around 65.”

“That’s a bit tricky.”

“It’s roughly that level. But since you’re strong, don’t worry about it.

And your enemy, the Demon King, is at level 100.”

“It’s a huge gap, and it’s frustrating that the level difference is so close yet so far…”

“In reality, if you get stronger, you’ll be able to catch up. It’s not a mistake. And as you know, the Demon King’s level is different, so you can’t win in a one-on-one fight.”

“That’s right.”

“To defeat the Demon King, you need to be strong enough to compensate for the level difference or work together with your companions.”

“But one of those companions might be the Demon King…”

The words I spoke felt like a heavy burden. To defeat the Demon King, it’s crucial to work together with my companions, but I don’t know who to trust among them. If I suspect the wrong person, I might end up killing an innocent companion. The Demon King is cunning, and I’m well aware of that.

“There’s only one thing you can do. Find solid evidence to identify who among your companions is the Demon King, and then reveal it to the other companions and work together to defeat them!”

“And that’s the only way to defeat the Demon King.”

“Doubting my companions to find the Demon King…?”

“I’ve told you many times, but the only one who’s immune to the Demon King’s Mind Reading is you! Don’t discuss it with anyone until you have conclusive evidence that someone is the Demon King. If your mind is read, it’s game over!”

“I understand. It’s painful, but I’ll find out who the Demon King is.”

I need to gather evidence. I’m not a great detective, but I have to do it. If I don’t, I might not know when one of my companions gets killed.

I need evidence that will convince my companions that someone is the Demon King. Just thinking about it is making my stomach hurt. I never thought things would turn out like this before I was reborn.

“Sometimes I appear in your dreams and offer advice.

Let me know if you make any progress or not. Don’t bear it alone. You have someone to talk to here!”

“Thanks, Mirabel. I’m already dying from stomach pain, so it’s okay to vent.”

“Don’t vent too early!”

I got a light tap on the head. From the time we first met, she’s always been a bit eccentric and prone to sudden outbursts.

It’s been 28 years since I was reborn into this world. I only meet Mirabel in my dreams. She’s not supposed to interfere with the mortal world, but she does it anyway. We’ve met over 100 times in my dreams.

She must be worried. She’s always been kind and concerned about me. She’s the one who supported me when I was on the verge of breaking. I’m grateful.

I’ll stop venting for now. My stomach still hurts, but I can move forward for the sake of my companions.

“It’s almost morning. See you later, Kail.”

“See you later, Mirabel!”

“Good luck!”

Her bright smile, accompanied by a “nikori” laugh, was dazzling.

Her figure was growing fainter. It would soon be morning. My consciousness, too, would awaken with the passage of time.

There were five suspects among the companions I had doubts about.

First was the brave warrior Ekurea, the core of the Brave Party and wielder of the sacred sword. It was a fundamental problem whether I could suspect the brave warrior. He was taciturn and had never spoken a word during our travels so far. Incidentally, he had once been arrested for committing a crime.

Second was the magician Sāsha, who supported everyone with her numerous magical abilities and was in charge of the party’s firepower. She was often drunk due to her alcohol poisoning and tended to act alone. She had been arrested for going on a rampage while drunk.

Third was the expert thief Daru, who could detect traps, remove them, and even create maps. She was a skilled member of the Brave Party, but her background was somewhat suspicious. She had once been arrested for attempting to steal a national treasure.

Fourth was the martial artist Tora, who was also a vanguard like me. He was a tiger beastman with a somewhat stern face. He had a fondness for cute boys and had been arrested multiple times for trying to take them home.

Fifth was the Elf priest Noel, who was essential to the party as a healer. Although she opened up to her party members, she publicly declared her hatred for humans and found it unbearable to even be in the same space as them. She had been arrested for hitting a noble.

───Yeah. Everyone had a possibility!

Let’s organize the information once we wake up.

There’s no need to rush. I’ll definitely find evidence that proves who the demon king is.

“As a detective, I’ll suspect my companions to protect them.”