Chapter 216
Asmodeus cut off his own hand and carefully observed the woman who had now pointed a sword at his neck. Losing a hand was trivial; after all, he could regenerate it.
What concerned him more was the woman who had severed his wrist. It wasn’t because she was beautiful, which might have been a reason that someone like Asmodeus could have considered.
“You…”
He couldn’t sense any magical power from her. Even the weakest demon should emit at least a trace of magical power, but she emitted none, which was peculiar.
“Why are you, a human, in the Demon World?”
Asmodeus’s expression hardened. This was the typical attitude of a demon king who despised the human race. However, Iris was less scared of this and more embarrassingly blushing.
Asmodeus inquired of Gremony.
“Could she be a slave of yours, Lady Gremony?”
“Not mine, but…”
Gremony also hadn’t heard anything from Nahun, so she didn’t know who this woman was. If she were one of Nahun’s underlings, Gremony would have protected her, but that wasn’t the case.
“So, what are you then? If you don’t answer properly…”
Asmodeus revealed his contempt and released his magical power, causing Iris’ lips, which had been hesitating, to slightly quiver.
“T, shut up. You rapist.”
“What?”
“H, how dare you touch someone who doesn’t want you to? What did you intend to do to her when you touched her? Pervert.”
Iris continued speaking, her face beet red. Understanding from her tone, voice, gaze, and expression, Asmodeus snorted and spoke.
“Are you excited imagining the situation we’re in right now?”
“H, h, h, excited? W, when did I ever? A righteous Holy Knight couldn’t possibly be excited by something like that, right?”
“Haha, what a laughable person you are.”
Asmodeus narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Iris. If only he could silence her mouth, he could potentially quiet Gremony as well and resolve the situation.
Moreover, even though he was missing a hand, his physique was more impressive than it appeared. Concealing his disdain, Asmodeus spoke gently to Iris.
“If you cannot control your overheated body, perhaps you should leave it in my hands…”
“Kyaaah! Pervert! PERVET!!”
Swish!!
Asmodeus’ chest was slashed open. Thankfully, he had dodged quickly, or his head might have been severed.
“What, what a crazy woman…”
However, whether by his control or chance, the cut, though large, wasn’t deep enough to cause serious pain. A slight stinging sensation was felt, and some blood trickled out.
Asmodeus wondered if the woman had deliberately reduced the severity of the cut. While it was true that he had moved to avoid his head being cut off, he hadn’t made any movement to create such a shallow cut on his chest.
“What is going on?”
A sound was heard. But enraged that a mere human had the audacity to harm him, Asmodeus paid it no mind and showed full signs of anger.
“You… what do you think you’re doing? How dare you…”
“B, pervert, there’s a pervert.”
Iris, however, wasn’t talking to Asmodeus but was staring at something else. Gremony also directed her gaze there. Curious, Asmodeus turned his head.
“That person…”
“Pervert?”
A man with black hair and golden eyes was approaching. Asmodeus recognized his face.
He was Nahun, the teacher of Seere von Debata. Remembering him, Asmodeus smiled faintly as he stood and said.
“Good timing you’ve arrived, Sir Nahun. There’s something you need to see. Do you see this wound?”
Asmodeus pointed to his severed hand and the cut on his chest.
“It seems to be a human slave from here. Their education seems to be lacking.”
At Asmodeus’ words, Nahun’s gaze fell on Iris. She shuddered, tensed up and glanced at him. He then asked Asmodeus.
“Did this girl do it?”
“Yes, she dared to inflict such a wound on me.”
“Hmm.”
Nahun then turned his gaze to Gremony.
“His Majesty Gremony.”
“Y… yes?”
“Is there anything you would like to report?”
Gremony was slightly surprised at how he seemingly knew to ask, while Asmodeus startled as if caught doing something wrong, quickly changing the subject.
“H, Hey! Sir? I’m injured here.”
“Yes, but shouldn’t we clarify the truth first? That way, I can decide whether or not to take action.”
“Isn’t that unimportant? I, a guest, have been harmed by a mere human slave. How can that be acceptable?”
“It’s important. We should thoroughly investigate to ensure fitting punishment.”
“Just immediate execution! If anyone harming the body of a Demon King lives, it’s an insult to me!”
Nahun calmly looked at the loudly asserting Asmodeus.
“Your Highness Asmodeus.”
“Y, yes, Sir.”
“Is there anything you shouldn’t share with me?”
“What do you mean…?”
“His Majesty Gremony, please be honest.”
“Wait, Sir! Are you disrespecting me?”
Nahun no longer gave Asmodeus a glance and asked Gremony for an answer.
“If you tell me what happened, I can take the appropriate measures.”
“Is it okay even if…? He’s part of the Nobilis faction…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Nahun stepped closer and whispered quietly so only Gremony could hear.
“Eventually, we need to discard all that’s old and replace it with new things.”
“!”
“If His Majesty Asmodeus tried to do something inappropriate to Your Majesty Gremony…”
Nahun stepped back.
“Please share so I can respond appropriately.”
“Wait, Sir…”
However, Gremony had already made up her mind after listening to Nahun’s advice.
“M… Master Asmodeus was attempting to fondle my horns unnecessarily. I don’t know the intent, but he even made some false claims of being interested in me.”
With Gremony’s statement, Asmodeus stiffened. Iris nodded to Nahun, signifying that what she said was true.
When Nahun glanced at Asmodeus, he regained his senses and shook his head.
“No. What His Majesty Gremony said, approaching under the pretense of interest is true, but I never did anything improper like touching the horns.”
“His hand was heading exactly toward my horns?”
“That was… my hair! I couldn’t control the impulse to touch her hair, which looked so good.”
“Hmph…”
Seeing the ridiculous response, Nahun raised a hand to stop both of them.
“I understand.”
“Are you understanding?”
“Nahun, surely you’re not thinking of letting this pass?”
“Iris.”
At that moment, Nahun called Iris. His cold tone caused her to jump and look up, worried that he might be scolding her for overreacting. However, Nahun’s question was completely different.
“When did I arrive in the corridor?”
“Huh?”
“When did I arrive?”
“A, a, well… about 30 minutes ago…”
Asmodeus’ expression turned rigid. He stared at Iris, dumbstruck as if he heard something unbelievable.
“…What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
“I’ve been here for 30 minutes,” Nahun said.
30 minutes ago was even before Asmodeus had begun his advances on Gremony.
Asmodeus frowned heavily.
“…So, are you… lying to me?”
“The word ‘lying’ doesn’t fit. I simply waited until your Highness Asmodeus decided to speak the truth. If you had disclosed the truth earlier, it could have been resolved more simply. I might’ve even believed that your intention was to touch her hair rather than the horns. But now…”
Nahun looked at him coldly.
“I’ve only heard lies.”
“Dare… dare you test me, the Demon King!”
“Are His Highness finding Devata amusing?”
“You’re the one who makes it seem so!”
“If not, then…”
At that moment, the golden eyes lost their warmth. Seeing the somber gaze, Asmodeus instinctively took a step back.
“How dare you try to harm a valuable ally of Devata?”
“H, harm? I haven’t done such a thing…”
“You’re still denying it.”
Nahun’s demeanor shifted. The ominous atmosphere made Asmodeus realize he needed to resolve the situation immediately.
“If Sir Nahun harms me now, do you think Lord Marbas would just sit by?”
“Yes.”
“What? Wouldn’t sit by… Yes?”
Nahun replied.
“His Majesty Marbas would sit back. At least if he’s considering the future of the faction.”
“What…”
With that statement, Nahun had nothing more to say to this liar. Swiftly, he reached out his hand.
—
Nahun’s hand gripped Asmodeus’ remaining wrist and neck. Asmodeus, an upper-tier Demon King, didn’t even have the time to react to Nahun’s rapid movement. Even Gremony and Iris standing nearby noticed the movement belatedly.
“Ck… I, I can’t… let go…”
“Experience firsthand what happens when harm comes to Devata and its alliances.”
Nahun triggered his magical power. Swirling dark magical force spread under Asmodeus’ feet. When the dark power fully enveloped the area, Nahun softly intoned.
“Into the endless abyss.”
“Taartarus.”
The magical power activated, forming an impenetrable black hole beneath them. Nahun flung Asmodeus into the void, who descended without resistance, yelling.
“What is this sorceryaaaauuuugh!!!”
Asmodeus’ cries echoed but gradually faded until they were no longer audible.
“Nahun, was this okay?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll explain persuasively to His Majesty Marbas if necessary. Even if he doesn’t accept it, there’s no way he’ll abandon us because of this. Actually, he would likely choose to ignore this small matter.”
Marbas needed Seere von Debata too much. Gremony sighed, assured by Nahun’s confident words.
“Hmm, alright. I trust you, Sir Nahun.”
“No issues. Thanks to the unknown knight you brought without notice.”
He pointed at Iris, explaining so there wouldn’t be any misunderstanding.
“I don’t usually assign people to His Majesty Gremony. Alliances should be based on trust.”
“I understand. You must have assigned this person because we didn’t bring anyone this time.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“That said, in the future, please notify us beforehand. Honestly… it startled me.”
In response to Gremony’s request, Nahun nodded.
“I will. Let’s return to the banquet.”
“Yes.”
“Iris, you may retire.”
“A, understood.”
As Iris hesitantly turned back, Nahun looked after her for a moment and said,
“Well done.”
“Huh?”
“I mean what I said. Thank you for a job well done. Rest well.”
“Ah… yes.”
Iris retreated with shaky legs. Nahun then returned with Gremony to the banquet.
Inside the banquet hall, Seere was talking with Phynox. Nahun briefly approached her and whispered.
“When Marbas asks, tell him Asmodeus returned because he wasn’t feeling well.”
“Uh?… Yes.”
Though Seere replied affirmatively, she looked slightly bewildered. Nahun explained succinctly.
“Since His Majesty Gremony tried to cause harm, I’ve already dealt with him. I’ll explain to Marbas later. Just tell him that for now.”
“Ah, yes.”
Seere hesitantly nodded. Nahun briefly greeted Phynox and excused himself. Phynox watched him go for a bit and then mentioned,
“Seere, you’re quite fortunate with such an excellent teacher.”
“Yes. Because of my teacher, I’ve come this far. Without the teacher, I wouldn’t have gotten here.”
“But now, I have to admit it does make me curious.”
“What, Phynox?”
Phynox almost asked but then decided against it and instead chuckled.
“…You stopped asking.”
Seere felt somewhat suspicious about the attitude but Phynox smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere.
“Ah, and where will you move the next stronghold?”
“Um, we’ll go to floor 41 first. After some preliminary relocation, we’ll finalize the move when the ranks are properly decided.”
“Hmm, as expected from you, at least… you’ll probably rank within the top 20.”
“Wha? How does Phynox know?”
“Haha, there’s a way to know. I might be wrong, but it’s best to prepare that way.”
Seere looked at her suspiciously, but Phynox wasn’t willing to elaborate. She smiled and said,
“I’ll invite you to my floor another time, Seere, and of course your teacher as well.”
“…Yes.”
“I need to speak to others now. I’ll take my leave. Phynox, I’ll excuse myself.”
Seere bowed slightly and moved away. As she did, she reflected on the words Phynox had spoken.
“It felt like she already knew the rankings…”
