Vargas Leon — "The Demon Lord who lost his Hero"

Race: Black Wolf Beastman

■ Leon of the Past About 600 years ago. Leon was a completely different Demon Lord than he is now.

At that time, demons and humans were in fierce conflict, and Leon, as the Demon Lord, fought human nations to protect the demon race.

And the one who appeared before him was— A single Hero. A human who was young, inexperienced, and yet never gave up.

Leon and the Hero fought many times. However, as they clashed, the two began to understand each other.

The Hero learned that Leon didn't actually want to destroy the world, and Leon learned that the Hero didn't want to kill the Demon Lord, but only wanted to protect his home.

In the final battle, after their struggle, the two chose peace. With that as the catalyst, the long war between humans and demons ended.

■ The Promise with the Hero After the war ended, the Hero said to Leon: "Someday, when the world is peaceful again, let's go on an adventure together." Leon believed in those words.

But— The Hero was human. Leon was a long-lived demon.

Eventually, the Hero grew old and passed away. Only Leon continued to live through the long years.

■ Leon Today That is exactly why Leon is bored in this peaceful world.

However, the real reason isn't just to kill time.

What he is seeking is "to go on an adventure with the Hero once more."

Of course, he won't honestly admit that. "It's because I was bored." "I thought it'd be interesting if there was a Hero around." He laughs and brushes it off.

Leonis — "The Lion who was supposed to slay the Demon Lord"

Race: Lion Beastman

■ Leonis in his Youth Leonis once fought against demons as a mercenary for the humans.

Gifted with the sword from a young age, he was raised as a "warrior to defeat the Demon Lord."

However, in one battle, he faced Leon directly. Though Leonis intended to kill Leon, he witnessed Leon protecting his own subordinates during the fight.

"Why would a Demon Lord protect his subordinates?" That question remained within him.

■ Meeting Leon Afterward, Leonis fought Leon many times. Eventually, the two came to understand each other's ideals.

When peace was established, Leon said to Leonis: "It would be a waste to keep a warrior like you as an enemy." Leonis decided to join the Demon Lord's army.

Since then, he has served as Leon's close aide for hundreds of years.

■ Feelings toward the Hero Therefore, to Leonis, the Hero is also "one who defeats the Demon Lord," just like his former self.

When he first sees the Hero, he feels: "...It's like I'm looking at my younger self."

That is why, among the Four Heavenly Kings, he is the strictest—and the kindest—toward the Hero.

Ryuga — "The Dragonewt who lives for eternity"

Race: Dragonewt

■ A Lonely Childhood Ryuga was born into a very ancient clan of Dragonewts. Dragonewts are long-lived and blessed with great magical power.

However, because of that long lifespan, others kept their distance, saying: "His values are different from humans."

Ryuga himself began to avoid deep involvement with others.

■ Meeting the Demon Lord The one who changed his life was Leon.

Leon didn't just value Ryuga's abilities; he suddenly invited him, saying: "Hey, aren't you bored?"

Though exasperated, Ryuga joined the Demon Lord's army. Since then, the two have spent hundreds of years together.

■ Actually Lonely Ryuga is calm and doesn't show his emotions. However, in truth, he cherishes his comrades more than anyone.

That's why he thinks his current life, with the Four Heavenly Kings gathered together, is "not bad."

He would never admit it, though.

■ The Real Reason for the Hero Summoning Ryuga was the one who perfected the interdimensional summoning magic.

At first, he said, "I am merely going along with the Demon Lord's whim to kill time." But in reality, he knows that Leon lost his old Hero.

So, there is also a feeling of: "I want to give him time with a new Hero."

Baldo — "The man who cooks on the battlefield"

Race: Bull Beastman

■ War Orphan Baldo was born during the era when the war between humans and demons was at its peak. He lost his home in the war at a young age and was separated from his family.

Afterward, he became a soldier in the Demon Lord's army.

At that time, Baldo thought, "I have to become strong to survive."

■ Encounter with Cooking The only thing Baldo was good at on the battlefield was cooking.

When he made warm meals for the soldiers, they told him, "Eating your food makes me feel like I can fight again tomorrow."

That's when Baldo realized: "Fighting isn't the only way to protect someone."

Since then, he has come to treasure cooking.

■ Relationship with Leon After the war ended, Leon invited Baldo to stay in the Demon Lord's army.

Baldo tried to refuse, saying, "If the war is over, then my job is over too."

But Leon said, "In that case, this time, fill the bellies of those living in peace."

Liking those words, Baldo stayed in the Demon Lord's army.

■ Present Day Because of this, Baldo holds the belief that "Someone who is hungry is neither enemy nor ally."

Feeding the Hero is an extension of that. Among the Four Heavenly Kings, he is the most "father of the family" figure.

Lapis — "The Laughing Assassin"

Race: Rabbit Beastman

■ Childhood Lapis was born in a small village of Rabbit Beastmen.

Because of his small stature, other races thought of them as "a race unsuitable for combat."

However, Lapis possessed abnormal leg strength and reflexes.

■ Reason for becoming an Assassin During the war, Lapis was picked up by the Demon Lord army's intelligence unit.

There, he acquired skills in infiltration, information gathering, traps, surprise attacks, and assassination.

At a young age, he became one of the most capable members of the Demon Lord's army.

■ Meeting Leon On a certain mission, Lapis was ordered to assassinate Leon. However, Leon was aware of Lapis's presence.

Even so, he didn't attack and spoke to him normally: "Hey, what are you doing in a place like that?"

Surprised, Lapis answered, "...I came to kill the Demon Lord."

Then Leon said, "I see. Well, have some food before you go."

For the first time, Lapis thought, "This Demon Lord is a weird guy."

■ Lapis Today Now he is the top intelligence agent in the Demon Lord's army. However, his ruthlessness as an assassin has faded considerably.

Rather, a large part of why he follows the Demon Lord is "because it seems interesting."

He messes with the Hero at first, but gradually starts to cheer them on for real.