Chapter 131
“Cecili, I did it!”
Seere, having escaped from Nahun, headed to Rea’s office. Upon arriving and speaking to Cecili, who was waiting there, she smiled lightly and replied.
“Really? It seems things went well just as I thought.”
“Yes, Teacher… you’re more vulnerable to this kind of thing than I expected.”
In fact, Seere’s suggestion to escalate things was based on Cecili’s advice. While Cecili hadn’t explicitly told her to push for an ultimatum, she had advised Seere as follows:
“Nahun needs to create an atmosphere where it’s difficult for His Majesty to refuse his advances and push forward!”
Seere acted according to that advice. With the serious topic of the Celestial Demon War coming up, it was only natural to create an atmosphere where she could express her yearning by hinting that it could be the last time.
With that atmosphere set, she had boldly approached Nahun.
“But it feels like I was a bit too hasty.”
“Really? I told you to take your time.”
“Yes, I knew that…”
Of course, the reason Seere had acted so impulsively lay with Nahun. Seere wrapped her hands around her cheeks and said,
“You promised me you would never let me die, no matter what…”
Like a girl who had fallen in love and was blushing.
“Oh my!”
“Nahun is quite the character as well. He has no awareness of how his words come across.”
“And yet he tells me to endure. He went too far, don’t you think?”
“To be honest, I couldn’t argue if you said Nahun seduced you.”
“Exactly. Isn’t this just a roundabout way of asking for marriage?”
Rea and Cecili actively agreed with Seere’s words. In truth, it was bordering on a juvenile fantasy. Nevertheless, thanks to this, Seere was able to convince herself that her actions were justified.
“How did Nahun react?”
“His reaction?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmm, Teacher… it was cute. Hehe.”
Just thinking about the response Nahun had shown earlier made Seere feel good, and she chuckled foolishly.
Seeing this, Rea and Cecili smiled warmly. They understood that Nahun felt troubled by Seere’s advances.
But the reason they supported Seere was simple. They had witnessed how the young Seere lost her father and how she survived for two years. It was their first reason to cheer for her happiness out of sympathy for her sad past.
And the other reason was that they were individuals who once assisted the previous Demon King, Seir. The guilt of not being able to prevent Seir’s death kept them from abandoning her even as their power waned. They hoped that, in place of the happiness they could not protect from the former generation, Seere, the successor, would find her own happiness.
“Nahun is indeed a bit weak against bold seduction.”
Upon hearing Rea’s assessment, Cecili seemed to come up with a good idea.
“Then Your Majesty, how about trying this next time?”
“Hmm?”
Cecili leaned closer to whisper to Seere. Startled by what she heard, Seere looked at Cecili in disbelief.
“Y-you want me to do that? Isn’t that a bit too much?”
“It might be a little embarrassing, but I’m sure it will be effective.”
“How can you be so sure…?”
“I know it because I’ve tried that method before.”
“Really?”
Seere’s eyes widened in surprise. The fact that Cecili had tried it meant she had actually experienced it and seen its effects.
“Given that Nahun has a rather stiff and stubborn side, it shouldn’t be bad at all.”
“Did the person Cecili liked have that kind of side as well?”
To Seere’s question, Cecili responded with a smile. It was a positive affirmation. Suddenly, Seere thought,
‘Who could it be?’
Someone who had similarities with her teacher. It could have been someone Seere had seen. However, when it came to a stubborn person, no particular name came to mind.
Curious, Seere decided not to ask any further. Given that there was no one around Cecili, it was likely that the end of that connection wasn’t a pleasant one.
“…Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
“You made a good decision. I’ll help with the preparations.”
“Yeah. When would be good?”
“Hmm, since you’ll be staying at the same accommodation during the Demon World Conference, why not then?”
Seere nodded. Thus, without Nahun’s knowledge, she began to prepare something diligently.
#
The next day, the number of people entering Nahun’s office increased. This included Ersha Scarlet, a founding member of the bloodline he had brought on as an aide.
“Have you introduced yourself?”
Nahun was asking if she had greeted the members of the 8th Legion under Debata. Ersha nodded in reply.
“Yes, I’ve definitely seen them.”
“What do you mean by ‘seen’?”
“I’ve seen my children living as they deserve.”
“Then, you’re not just going to treat them as soldiers without proper treatment, are you?”
“Oh my, Nahun. Surprisingly, there are many in this world who do just that.”
“Well… that’s undeniable.”
“On behalf of my children, the girl thanks you.”
“…You should thank Seere instead.”
“Pardon?”
“I haven’t been here for the past eight years. The reason your bloodline has been able to establish itself like this is because Seere respected them.”
“A Demon King… respecting the Demon Race?”
“My disciple is a bit unique.”
Ersha looked surprised. The Demon King she knew was generally brutal, cruel, and a ruler who sought dominance.
Surprised, Ersha soon smiled faintly and spoke as if Nahun should hear it.
“Indeed, it seems you are indeed the successor of Seir.”
“Sounds like Seir was similar.”
“You may not remember, Nahun, but Seir had a kindness not found in other Demon Kings.”
“Wasn’t he called the ‘Martial King’?”
“That was just a title praising Seir’s strength, it had nothing to do with his personality.”
Was that really his nature? Nahun hadn’t known how Seir had conducted himself as a Demon King since it hadn’t been revealed in the game.
What had been important in the game were two things: one being Seere’s father, the main character, and the other being the secret surrounding his death.
“…I see.”
“More importantly, girl, I’m curious about what you said earlier, Nahun.”
“What are you curious about?”
“What was the reason why you were absent for eight years?”
“Ah.”
Nahun hesitated for a moment and decided to confide in Ersha about his experiences. He felt she might be able to explain why he had experienced such phenomena.
After hearing the entire story, Ersha expressed a surprised look.
“…It’s amazing that only eight years have passed.”
“Is it a common occurrence?”
“Hell and Heaven wouldn’t create entrances in the Demon World and human realm for no reason. While the Demon World and human realm are similar in nature, Hell and Heaven are entirely different places. Thus, if you use a different passage like Nahun did, such phenomena can occur.”
He had expected there might be issues with his method, but he never thought it would be for such a reason. Nahun furrowed his brows and said,
“If I had just used the first floor from the beginning…”
“You probably wouldn’t have returned after eight years.”
“Ah, I see.”
In the end, it was a situation born from Nahun’s ignorance. He began to think that if only the production team had released some setting materials, this wouldn’t have happened.
“…Alright. Anyway, let’s leave this topic for now. I have much to discuss with you today.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it since earlier.”
“I mentioned I drew in the Martial King, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s where it all begins. I have a plan to handle the Plebs faction in conflict with the Equites faction, but the problem lies with the others.”
Ersha spoke as if she had anticipated that.
“Is it the Nobilis faction led by Marbas?”
“Correct.”
Ultimately, to pass the agenda at the Demon World Conference, the majority of Demon Kings needed to cast their votes in favor.
And the most important ones would be the Nobilis faction. The direct translation would be ‘New Nobility,’ a faction that held many Demon Kings not aligned with either Equites or Plebs.
Aside from their leader, Marbas, there were hardly any top-tier Demon Kings, meaning while there were fewer strong Demon Kings, they had a larger number instead.
Thus, ultimately, what would most affect the vote…
“If we cannot garner the Nobilis faction’s agreement, the agenda will not pass.”
“As Nahun said, you already got the agreement of the Equites and Plebs factions, didn’t you? Since the Nobilis faction is maintaining its neutrality toward the two conflicting factions, I believe they will go along with it.”
“The issue is that the agenda is fundamentally a measure opposing Beelzebub’s actions. The problem is whether Marbas, the leader of the Nobilis faction, will harbor animosity toward Beelzebub.”
“If Marbas does not cast his vote in favor, it would be difficult to sway the loyalty of the Nobilis faction that follows him.”
Ersha nodded, seeming to organize her thoughts in her head. After pondering, she cautiously spoke to Nahun.
“Well, it might be a hassle, but there is a way.”
“What kind of way?”
Ersha smiled mischievously. And, in a way that contradicted her expression, she uttered a chilling statement.
“Let’s remove the leader of the Nobilis faction. Since it is irrational for Marbas to oppose Beelzebub.”
“…What?”
“It’s something that can be settled by removing Marbas.”
“Wait a minute, Ersha. Do you think I haven’t considered that possibility?”
“Are you saying there’s no way to remove him?”
“There’s no Demon King more stable in power than Marbas. You think I should just remove such a Demon King?”
“Hehe, Nahun. Do you really think I would say that without a plan?”
Nahun looked slightly surprised, his eyes widening.
“You have a plan?”
“Marbas is also one of the primordial Demon Kings, as you know.”
“I do know.”
The primordial Demon Kings who coexisted with Ersha Scarlet. A few of them had ruled the Demon World for a long time. Notably, Beelzebub von Deus, known as the eternal number one in the Demon World, Seir von Debata, who was called the Martial King in the past, the clever Demon King in 3rd position, Basago von Diarty, and Marbas von Gart, ranked 5th.
“I know quite a bit about Marbas’s secrets.”
“…Huh.”
What Ersha was about to propose was very similar to her intended method towards Phynox.
“Is it lethal?”
“It’s deadly.”
“Good.”
Nahun addressed Ersha.
“The Demon World Conference is approaching. If we want to start, it has to be now.”
“In that case, Nahun, can you provide me with what I need?”
“What do you need?”
“What I need is….”
Ersha said confidently.
“Paper and a pen. Those two will suffice.”
“…What?”
“Since I’ve become Nahun’s aide, I need to prove my usefulness.”
Ersha slightly curled her lips.
“This is that proof.”
#
In contrast to Nahun, who had knowledge based on the game, Ersha had accumulated knowledge since her days with the primordial Demon Kings.
Their knowledge complemented each other well. Hidden settings were mostly known by Ersha, while Nahun knew all the general things that had been revealed in the game that others typically did not.
Nahun had seated Ersha as an aide precisely for this reason. However, this was truly… unexpected.
Two days had passed since Ersha requested paper and a pen, and now Cain came in with surprising news that could make anyone fall over in shock.
“Marbas has stepped down from the leadership of the Nobilis faction. The reason is unclear. Various speculations are circulating, but most are baseless rumors.”
“…….”
“As a result, the Nobilis faction is temporarily led by Morax, who is ranked 20th, but… it’s questionable whether the faction can sustain itself after Marbas’s resignation.”
Nahun seemed shocked by Cain’s report, unable to articulate any response.
“Nahun?”
“Ah… no. Thank you for relaying the information.”
“Yes, then….”
Cain bowed politely and left. Nahun turned to the woman standing next to him. Ersha, who appeared to have expected this outcome, had a relaxed smile.
“Why don’t you share with us what you said to Marbas?”
“Hehe, it’s nothing much. Marbas is a Demon King with a lot to lose. If you just tap on a secret that would put his position in jeopardy… knowing his personality, he would naturally distance himself from danger.”
What that secret was, Nahun was curious but it seemed Ersha had no intention of revealing it. She probably made some sort of agreement with Marbas to keep his resignation a secret while sending him a letter.
“Were you close?”
“Of course. We’re like bitter enemies. I’m delighted to have the opportunity for revenge thanks to you, Nahun.”
Nahun slightly widened his eyes, narrowing them again as he asked hopefully.
“Could it be that your slumber’s cause…?”
“Nahun, you’re quite perceptive. That story carries some unpleasant memories for me, so let’s leave it at that, shall we?”
“…Alright.”
As they say, a gentleman’s vengeance is not late even after a decade. This seemed less like a decade and more like a couple of centuries, but…
‘Thanks to that, it might be easier to act right away.’
For the time being. However, the likelihood of becoming hostile to Marbas afterward would be high, but what could be done? This was the only method.
Since Marbas had fallen, Morax’s power would not be able to oppose the agenda supported jointly by the Equites and Plebs factions.
“All I need to do is my part well.”
“Yes. It’s premised on bringing the Plebs faction into play. Your skills are essential, Nahun.”
“Understood.”
Sunlight slanted into the office, casting shadows within. In the gloom covering the desk, golden eyes glimmered.
“I’ll take care of the rest.”
