Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Nahun followed Gamaliel and arrived at the entrance of the Titan’s Castle. True to its name, the entrance and walls of the castle were grand and colossal. Even if Behemoth or Leviathan returned to their original sizes, they could probably pass through the door.

“…It’s enormous.”

“Are you talking about my chest?”

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll go alone.”

“Sorry~.”

Gamaliel displayed a surprisingly light demeanor. Nahun found it strange that the Great Demon would show such a carefree side, but on the other hand, her frivolous outfit seemed to suit her personality.

Gamaliel guided Nahun inside. As they passed by demons within the castle who quickly bowed their heads upon seeing them, Nahun felt a renewed sense of his own status as a Great Demon.

“Is Golraph inside?”

“The castle gates were open. That means Golraph is here.”

If that were the case, it implied that the gates would be closed when Golraph was absent.

‘As long as he is stationed here, it is safe… does this mean?’

It revealed how much confidence Golraph had in his own abilities. Additionally, Nahun could also get a glimpse of how powerful a Great Demon truly was.

“By the way.”

“…What now?”

“How much do you remember about Golraph?”

“Just his name.”

Nahun remembered the names of Great Demons like Gamaliel and Taumiel, but not much more than that, along with their general characteristics.

“…And that he is tremendously huge.”

“It seems you only know the basics?”

“I’m aware that my memories are sealed.”

“That much you know, but you have no idea how many memories are sealed.”

Though Nahun thought it was bothersome, he did not dispute her words. Gamaliel looked at Nahun and continued speaking.

“Golraph is authoritative and violent. If anything annoys him, his personality is to trample it without question.”

“Isn’t that a typical trait of a Great Demon?”

“Oh? I’m not like that!”

That’s a lie. Considering how Gamaliel had sent her subordinates to the Pope of the Holy Kingdom, despite her pretending to be pure, it was hard to trust her.

Perhaps noticing Nahun’s gaze, Gamaliel shook her head and insisted, “I’m telling you, I don’t just trample on anything that annoys me. First, I determine whether it’s a man or a woman….”

“…I don’t need to hear more.”

“Anyway, Golraph is that kind of Great Demon. You should be careful too, you know?”

“Careful?”

“If it were you from before… yeah, it wouldn’t have mattered what you did, but now it’s different.”

“I was actually wanting to ask about that.”

Nahun did not know the measure of his own power. Even with the seal on his abilities, he did not know the difference between his current power and his original power. He needed to gauge his abilities accurately.

“How much weaker is the power I feel now compared to my original strength?”

“Less than half? I can’t be sure. Because all I can feel is your magic power. Magic power isn’t the only measure of strength, you know? And….”

Gamaliel glanced at the small elephant, Behemoth, who had been following Nahun.

“If you can pull that out of your domain, you’re stronger than I expected.”

“Still, I need to be careful of Golraph?”

“Oh my, sweetie. You really don’t know much, do you?”

“Don’t call me sweetie. If you do that one more time, I’ll go alone.”

“Alright, alright. You shouldn’t compare Golraph to that cute little pet of yours.”

“Mooow!”

Behemoth protested, raising its nose, but Gamaliel lightly ignored it and continued talking to Nahun.

“Even though the creatures of the apocalypse you’re carrying around aren’t easy monsters, compared to the Titan you’re about to meet, they’re nothing. Especially since they belong to the same category.”

The same category. Nahun thought he understood what it meant. Behemoth and Leviathan were fundamentally enormous. Their strength and resilience stemmed from their size, and their destructive power was also derived from it.

While it was true that as monsters, they possessed considerable magic power, that was a basic aspect of their nature. Being of a higher rank compared to these monsters meant….

‘…How colossal are we talking about?’

He had just seen the door, but he still felt as if he couldn’t grasp it.

“In the end, it’s just about size, isn’t it?”

“That’s a negative way to think. Just looking at your monsters alone makes it clear that they can’t be easily ignored.”

“…You have a point there.”

If something is sufficiently large, it can become useless depending on various differences, but if it is overwhelmingly massive, that is not the case. The overwhelming bulk renders most attacks ineffective due to the sheer power and resilience it commands.

“Of course, if I’m beside you, Golraph won’t be able to say much….”

“Is that so?”

Who knows if it will be so? Nahun thought differently inside. He felt the possibility of Gamaliel pushing back against him along with Golraph was higher than the opposite.

“Gamaliel.”

“Hmm, you have to call me by the other name. I’ve only allowed it for two people, so why do you keep calling me Gamaliel?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t there another name that comes to mind?”

Nahun narrowed his eyes. As Gamaliel had said, there was indeed one more name that popped into his head.

Perhaps, this name was not symbolic of the Great Demon responsible for Kliroft but rather represented her true nature. It was the word that symbolized ‘lust’ itself.

“…Lilith.”

“Hmm. Why did you call me, dear?”

“That’s enough. You can go back now.”

Nahun felt he had received enough guidance. And if she were to overhear the conversation he would have with Golraph, it was clear that she would push back… so he wanted to eliminate the uneasy factor for now.

“What? Why?”

“I want the conversation I have with Golraph to be private.”

“…Huh?”

However, Gamaliel… Lilith slowly tilted her head and then smiled.

“Is it because of the Celestial Demon War?”

“…!”

She already knew. Nahun frowned at her, and Lilith spoke with a soft laugh.

“Of course, I knew. I heard about Golraph sending his subordinates to your Demon World… it seems everything was a failure after all.”

“…The fact that you allowed it despite knowing.”

At that moment, Lilith felt a chill run through her body. The golden eyes gazing at her were entirely different from before. They already regarded her as an ‘enemy.’

“You share the same opinion as well.”

“…Kyaah, that’s scary. However, make sure that choice isn’t too good for you.”

“What?”

“If you reveal your murderous intent like that….”

Boom─!!!

A giant footstep echoed. It was louder than the stomping of Behemoth, which they encountered in the Land of Heat. With every step, the entire castle shook violently.

Lilith smiled brightly and said, “Even the most foolish Titan would sense that, wouldn’t they?”

The footsteps sounded once more, and a booming voice rang out from high above.

“Gamaliel. How dare you cross into my domain without permission….”

Golraph, who had intended to scold Lilith for intruding, fell silent. He realized that the energy he had felt moments ago was not hers.

“…Heh.”

The sound of Golraph snickering echoed, and simultaneously, a bright light illuminated the castle as if welcoming its guests.

The surroundings brightened, and Nahun was finally able to see his face.

“When you sent your subordinates, you didn’t even think of coming yourself, but here you are on your own.”

Before the living Titan.

Golraph. The Great Demon who ruled the fifth Kliroft and boasted an immense size so great he was called a Titan.

Even after meeting Behemoth, a monstrous creature of overwhelming size in the Land of Heat, Nahun still felt the colossal presence of Golraph.

Golraph lowered his head. Nahun quietly watched the giant move, and Golraph spoke to him.

“…Yes, my mind may have changed. Whatever the process, isn’t the result what matters?”

Golraph extended his enormous hand.

“Welcome.”

Nahun quietly gazed at that hand. Then he slowly lifted his head and met Golraph’s eyes.

“…Golraph.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of doing that.”

At Nahun’s declaration, Golraph’s gaze sharpened. However, Nahun remained undeterred as he continued to speak.

“I didn’t come to cooperate with you; I came to receive a clear answer.”

“A clear answer?”

“Yes, your assurance that you will not interfere with me and my Demon World any longer.”

Nahun took a step closer to Golraph. Instinctively, Golraph took a step back. He wasn’t afraid of Nahun’s currently sealed power.

“…!”

Because he had a clear understanding of who he used to be, because he had felt that power painfully deep before.

Thus came this instinctive response. Golraph frowned at the thought of having taken a step back.

“Are you here to threaten me?”

“I’d prefer to resolve this with words. But if you don’t want that….”

The golden eyes shone. At that gaze, Golraph felt the fear he had previously experienced awaken again and faltered.

“I can’t help but give you what you desire.”

“…I know your power is sealed.”

“What of it?”

Golraph looked behind Nahun. There were two monsters, small and cute in appearance, but one of them could turn Golraph’s domain into a shambles if even one of them was released.

‘He has some faith in them.’

Golraph sighed. If they confronted each other head-on, he wouldn’t lose to Nahun, but the damage that would occur from that confrontation was far too great to consider. And if the seal were to break, revenge could ensue.

“…You’re mistaken about something.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Celestial Demon War will occur whether or not I act. You don’t know that warning won’t change your fate.”

“Don’t say such obvious things.”

“…Are you saying you know this? If you know a Celestial Demon War is going to happen, wouldn’t it make sense to join me and deal with the Heavens?”

“Golraph, the reason you can’t act isn’t because of the Celestial Demon War itself.”

Nahun stated simply.

“What matters is the timing.”

“…I’m asking because I’m doubtful, but it’s not because of that Maou you are keeping, is it?”

“Is there any other reason?”

“Ha….”

Golraph exhaled as if at a loss for words. The fact that that Maou was needlessly binding him to the Demon World was already a problem, but now that such a Maou was coming to intimidate a Great Demon like himself was simply too much.

Even among Great Demons, this was crossing a line. If the reasoning were justifiable, Golraph could accept it, but this was something he couldn’t condone.

“…Then prove it.”

“Prove what?”

“Why I should listen to you because of just that Maou.”

At that moment, Golraph’s fist was thrust forth with unbelievable speed.

“Golraph, you!”

Gamaliel shouted angrily, but Golraph didn’t even glance her way.

“Wha—?”

To be exact, he couldn’t turn his gaze. Golraph’s eyes widened in disbelief, and Gamaliel’s were just as wide.

In the direction of their gazes stood Nahun, who had blocked Golraph’s fist with his sword.

“How can this be… your power must have been sealed.”

‘Certainly, it’s heavier than Behemoth’s.’

But that was all there was to it. Just like he had easily blocked Golraph’s punch, Nahun asked him, “Does this prove it? If you still find it insufficient….”

“Mooow.”

“Puu.”

The two monsters made an unimpressive noise as they crawled forward. Nahun glanced at them briefly before clearing his throat and saying, “…Ahem, you’re welcome to try more.”

“…No.”

Golraph withdrew his hand.

“I misjudged. Apologize.”

“I accept.”

Golraph asked Nahun, “…As you’re aware, it is impossible to stop the Celestial Demon War from occurring. If you wish to delay it, for how long do you want it delayed?”

“At least two years. The longer, the better.”

“The angels won’t sit idly.”

“The doves will stir up chaos, so you don’t need to worry about them.”

“Kak, calling them doves.”

Golraph seemed to enjoy calling the angels doves, and he laughed heartily.

“Very well. I will grant your request to wait two years.”

“…Is beyond that impossible?”

“I’m afraid even Taumiel will not allow it. Beyond that, it is no longer within my jurisdiction.”

Just as angels wish to purge the Demon World and hell, demons, out of instinct, wish to annihilate the Heavens and the human world. The strongest will to do so exists among the Great Demons, and Taumiel, the leader among them, is the one seeking to realize that will.

Nahun fully understood Golraph’s position.

“Understood.”

The matter was settled. The encounter with the Titan was brief, but Nahun had achieved what he wanted. He had effectively blocked the interference from hell for a while and gauged how much power he still held.

Nahun nodded simply as if signaling the end of their discussion and turned to leave.

“Are you planning to leave again like this?”

“My duties are not yet fulfilled.”

And when that duty is complete, whether he can return or not….

‘…I don’t know.’

He would only understand when that time came, but rather than abruptly telling someone who could be regarded as a comrade in his true nature to leave, he chose to speak kindly,

“If my duties end, I’ll be able to return.”

—

After Nahun set out again, Golraph asked Gamaliel, who remained with him, “Unexpectedly, you’re not being clingy.”

“Otherwise, he would dislike it. And….”

Gamaliel smiled coyly.

“I think it would be fun to leave him be like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I realized after talking to him earlier….”

Gamaliel’s gaze turned cold.

“I still don’t know how exactly my dear friend died.”

“…!”

“If I had known, I would have been adversarial from the moment I met you.”

Golraph looked at her in shock. Gamaliel watched Golraph with amusement, curious about what kind of future would unfold if this situation remained unchanged.

“This will be interesting.”

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