Chapter 124
Barbatos asked whose thoughts it was. Nahun pondered what to do in response to his question.
‘This is…’
And he came to a conclusion. It would be best to act according to Seere’s will. Whether to state it as his own opinion or to claim it as Seere’s opinion, either way was fine.
There were merits and demerits to both sides, and all he needed to do was act in accordance with the chosen response. When Nahun glanced down at Seere, Seere, sensing his gaze, replied with a subtle nod.
Seere then answered simply.
“Of course, it’s the Teacher’s thought.”
“Hooh.”
Seere immediately declared it as Nahun’s thought. Nahun quietly chuckled to himself. It was clear that Seere had no intention of deception to gain an advantage.
“Was it the prince’s plan to involve us?”
The gazes of Barbatos, Lezargie, and Jepar fell upon Nahun. This meant he was allowed to speak.
“I only provided advice. The decision was made by Her Majesty Seere.”
“Why did you choose us as targets for inclusion?”
“I thought that the Demon Kings of the Equites faction would share thoughts not too different from ours. The Demon Kings here…”
They blindly pursue strength. Nahun couldn’t say such a thing outright, so he wrapped it in much nicer words.
“Are they not very brave?”
Brave. Such praise was often nothing more than a cliché compliment. While those who were not foolish could distinguish between the two, the Equites faction’s Demon Kings were overflowing with pride in their power…
“Haha! Is that so!”
“I am somewhat brave, after all.”
“An interesting opinion.”
Such praise worked exceedingly well. As all three Demon Kings reacted positively, Nahun quietly smiled to himself.
‘It’s nice that it’s easy to match their expectations.’
Barbatos, who had been laughing heartily, turned to Nahun.
“Then I’m curious. What do you think is the reason to lift the ‘prohibition on entering the human realm’?”
Since it was pointed out that this was Nahun’s opinion, Seere stepped back, and Nahun stepped forward. He readily answered Barbatos’s question.
“The first issue is related to the dignity of the Demon King. If we simply fear humans and seal off the entrance, it will give the impression that the Demon King is afraid of humans. That would be an insult to the Demon King and, moreover, an insult to the entire Demon World.”
“I see. The first point implies that there is another reason?”
“Yes, of course. The second is that we need information about the human realm.”
“What do you mean by that?”
To Barbatos’s question, Nahun responded.
“Our Demon World must prepare for the Celestial Demon War.”
“What does that have to do with the human realm?”
“Barbatos, do you know about the existence called the Hero?”
“The Hero?”
He probably didn’t know. The two Heroes who had appeared so far had both been dealt with by Seere’s hand. The higher-ranking Demon Kings had little interest in the happenings of the lowest ranks.
“The one worshiped by humans as the Celestial God, the Archangel ‘Metatron,’ refers to a human who has directly received an artifact from him.”
“…Metatron would do such a thing?”
“It has already invaded the Demon World twice.”
“Is that so?”
He clearly was unaware. The highest-ranking Demon Kings believed that the Celestial Demon War, which began two years ago, was initiated by the invasion of the 50th floor.
“All were repelled by Her Majesty Seere here.”
For a moment, all three Demon Kings’ gazes turned to Seere. She seemed slightly burdened by the attention, but it was intentional rhetoric by Nahun.
By mentioning the existence of a Hero, he naturally imprinted Seere’s excellence in their minds. Nahun continued his story.
“Metatron seeks to eliminate pathways to the Demon World through the Hero and reduce the overall strength of the Demon World. It would not be incorrect to see that the Celestial Demon War began with the Hero’s invasion of the 72nd floor before the 50th floor invasion.”
“Is a Hero truly strong enough to contend with a Demon King? No matter how low-ranking, a Demon King is still a Demon King.”
“Currently, they are not that extraordinary. However, the later-appearing Hero among the two was significantly stronger.”
The Hero of the bow that couldn’t even lay a hand on Argo, while the Hero of the spear, Nicholas, had killed Argo. Nahun had been greatly surprised when he heard that fact.
“Thus, the third point. We cannot predict how strong the third, fourth, and subsequent Heroes will be.”
“An unpredictable enemy is difficult to contend with.”
“And that’s why I said we need to understand the situation in the human realm. To do that, the prohibition on entering it must be lifted.”
“Then let me ask one thing, Demon King.”
It was Lezargie.
“Do you think that our Demon Kings would be defeated by a Hero?”
“To clarify, I am not worried that a Hero will completely defeat all the Demon Kings. I am concerned that, amidst the turmoil created by the Hero’s invasion, our true enemies will move.”
The Hero’s invasion, followed by the invasion of the Angels. There was no way the Heavenly Realm would not use the same method as the beginning of the Celestial Demon War two years ago.
Because they had succeeded with it. They had burned through nearly twenty layers of the Demon World.
“…I believe that makes sense, Brother.”
“Hmm.”
“I think quite differently, Brother.”
Lezargie spoke to a pondering Barbatos.
“When considering this issue, there’s something you should keep in mind.”
“What is it?”
“When the prohibition is lifted, at first glance, the area that seems most dangerous and likely to suffer losses is the 72nd floor, closest to the human realm.”
“That is true.”
“But that’s an illusion. If the prohibition on entering the human realm is lifted, the one who benefits the most will undoubtedly be the 72nd floor.”
“Why is that?”
Nahun narrowed his eyes slightly. To Barbatos’s question, Lezargie replied.
“The 72nd floor… which means the Debata faction captures humans coming over from the human realm and runs a slave business, right?”
“…Oh, that’s why there have been so many filthy human slaves being supplied to the Demon World lately.”
Barbatos looked at Nahun and Seere.
“You were behind this?”
#
Humans are seen as inferior and lowly.
This was the basic perspective held by the Demon Kings. While the demons of the Demon World preferred human slaves of rare value, the Demon Kings were different.
They disliked inferior beings stepping foot on their land. One could tell just by looking at Seere’s reaction when she visited the human realm.
“How amusing. Isn’t it no different from saying you want to borrow our strength for your own business?”
Therefore, while it may have ceased for now, knowing that they had engaged in the human slave business made it impossible to view the Debata side favorably. As Barbatos’s gaze turned cold, Seere felt a slight tension.
“I’d like to have a talk, Seere von Debata.”
However, she could not remain silent. Seere glanced at Nahun. He nodded as if telling her to speak the truth.
“…I won’t deny it. We certainly used that business to lay the groundwork for our finances and reach our current position. Though there was the reason mentioned by my master ahead, that reason surely exists as well.”
Lezargie narrowed his eyes angrily at Seere’s response.
“Are you saying that you dared to use the strength of the Equites faction for your business?”
“What is wrong with that?”
“What did you say?”
“The Demon King is fundamentally a ruling being. Governing and developing one’s faction is an essential virtue for a Demon King.”
“What does that have to do with this?”
“For the development of one’s faction, isn’t it the Demon King’s duty to do whatever it takes? Even if it were something undesirable? I’m quite curious if the Demon Kings present here have never done so themselves.”
As Seere spoke, Lezargie, along with Barbatos and Jepar, found themselves unable to respond. It was clear that they too hadn’t always acted cleanly.
“And running a business by selling human slaves is not prohibited in the Demon World. I personally dislike humans, and so do most Demon Kings, but many of our followers and servants desire them. Just look at how prosperous my slave business has been.”
Seere stated.
“So there’s no need to deny it. Everyone does it to grow their power, so what’s there to be ashamed of?”
“…Alright, young heir of the Demon King. I understand your opinion. It is certainly not incorrect.”
After Lezargie fell silent, Barbatos spoke.
“However, such a perspective does not suit our Equites faction. If you intended to persuade us in that way, you should have gone to Phynox instead of me.”
“I did not plan to persuade in such a manner. I merely spoke that way because you brought up the topic of business.”
“I suppose that is true. But now we have learned everything. How do you intend to change our minds again?”
Barbatos glanced at Seere, then turned his gaze to Nahun. But something felt off. The emotions emanating from Barbatos’s gaze toward Nahun were neither anger, disappointment, nor suspicion.
‘Is he expecting something…?’
At that moment, Nahun realized something.
‘…Ah ha.’
This discussion… it was not planned by Lezargie.
Specifically, the information that ‘the Debata faction is running a slave business’ was not even known to Lezargie.
It was Barbatos, the leader of the Equites faction, who had informed Lezargie of this fact and ignited the spark of this topic during the meeting.
Given that he was leading a faction, it made sense that his mind would be somewhat sharp.
‘Additionally, he is calculated and cautious.’
It was evident from purposefully informing Lezargie and hiding behind her. Nahun felt a sense of kinship. It was remarkably similar to how he executed plans with Seere at the forefront.
Nahun grasped his intent. What Barbatos was trying to obtain through all this was singular.
‘This is…’
This was meant to be resolved through negotiation, and it was actually progressing well.
If Barbatos had not intervened in this meeting and only Lezargie had come as planned… she would have certainly made it through.
However, with Jepar discussing Nahun and Barbatos interrupting, the purpose of their attendance at the meeting was predetermined from the very beginning.
‘Everything was in vain.’
The plans had been flawed from the outset.
Initially… it should have been handled this way.
Nahun took off his mask. He dropped the mask he had worn in politeness and revealed his true expression. The corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
“I hear you’ve spoken with His Majesty Jepar, and you seem curious.”
“…Yes, it was quite interesting.”
“In that case, let me ask you.”
“Alright… what is it?”
“I…”
Nahun stepped forward. He extended his hand sideways and warped the space with his magic. At that sight, an emotion greater than expectation flickered in Barbatos’s gaze.
As Nahun distorted the space and withdrew his hand, a black magical sword was drawn forth. Lezargie and Jepar both flinched in surprise.
However, amidst all that, one Demon King consumed by the definition of power revealed only one feeling.
That was, pride.
Kwahjik!
Nahun thrust his sword into the center of the table where the four Demon Kings were gathered. The golden-eyed gaze focused on the Immortal Vanguard.
“If I were to face you, would your thoughts change a little?”
In that moment, the corners of Barbatos’s mouth curled into a grin. The martial artists of the Equites faction, true to their nature, were…
“…Good!!!”
They were a group consumed by the desire for battle.
#
When Nahun heard that Jepar had not dealt a single blow to him, Barbatos and Lezargie could not contain their rising pride.
Jepar was regarded as a strong figure not only by Barbatos and Lezargie but by anyone. Naturally, it could not fail to pique their interest, and the two already warlike Demon Kings of the Equites faction were compelled to want to face him.
Thus, the current situation was born. After hearing about Nahun from Jepar in advance, they had made it so that the Debata faction… specifically, Nahun could only oblige Barbatos’s intent for battle.
Deliberately gathering information about the Debata faction to prepare for this.
“Teacher, are you okay?”
“Yes.”
Seere narrowed her eyes. She then glanced at Barbatos, who was preparing on the opposite side.
“Did they intend this from the very beginning?”
“Probably. Their continued engagement in the conversation was likely a façade.”
“We were thoroughly duped.”
“I should have thought about it when Jepar told me about my story. I made a mistake.”
As Nahun gave a dejected smile, Seere slightly pressed her lips together. Then she spoke softly again.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“…You must not get hurt.”
Nahun chuckled. Though she seemed sulky, it appeared that she was not wholly displeased by her concern.
He lightly patted Seere on the head and said.
“There’s no need to worry.”
“…I know you’re strong, but still, the opponent is the opponent.”
“I’ll be fine. There’s no way I’ll get hurt.”
Nahun said this as he drew his sword and stepped forward. Barbatos had already completed his preparations, stepping forward as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Nahun stood opposite Barbatos. Nahun held a magical sword, while Barbatos wielded a gigantic battle axe.
“How fascinating. You show no signs of tension even in front of me. You certainly seem confident.”
“To be honest, it’s unexpected.”
“You can’t foresee the outcome? Then why do you exhibit neither tension nor excitement?”
“It’s not about the outcome…”
Nahun closed his eyes for a moment. When he reopened them, Barbatos let out a hollow laugh.
‘…This guy is something else.’
His golden eyes gleamed with the light of a predator hunting its prey.
To be regarded as prey by someone currently acknowledged as one of the pinnacle fighters in the Demon World was something that ignited Barbatos’s thrill.
And Nahun’s next words ignited Barbatos’s impatience to the breaking point.
“…I was thinking about how I could end this as quietly as possible.”
“How interesting…!”
Without anyone signaling the start of the duel, the two individuals swung their weapons at each other.
