Chapter 132
The location of the Demon World Assembly always changes. This is to ensure fairness, as holding it in one place would surely lead to backlash.
However, there is a rule for selecting the location: it must be held below the 30th floor. As always, this rule was upheld, and this time the assembly was held on…
The 8th floor, ruled by the powerful Demon King ranked 8th, Barbatos von Eishval.
“The venue is quite fortunate.”
“Indeed. I wouldn’t have thought it would be held in Lord Barbatos’s domain.”
Nahun and Seere also arrived here to attend the Demon World Assembly. There was a rule that only one aide could accompany each Demon King, so Nahun couldn’t bring Ersha.
“Teacher.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s been a while since it was just the two of us like this. Can’t we walk around a bit before the banquet starts?”
Nahun hesitated slightly. In the past, he would have readily agreed, but…
‘…What is he up to?’
These days, such thoughts came to mind first. However, it was also awkward to refuse his student’s request. If he were to reject it…
‘It would look like I’m conscious of it.’
Nahun didn’t want that appearance. Naturally. If he showed such a look, Seere would become even more aggressive.
“Alright, shall we?”
“Really?”
“It’s been quite a while since we went out like this.”
Seere seemed genuinely happy, beaming with a bright smile as if he hadn’t expected Nahun to respond so positively.
“Then I want to eat that sweet treat!”
Sweet treats. It was a word that didn’t quite fit a Demon King, but Seere was known for loving pudding and cake the most. Nahun couldn’t help but chuckle at the pure image of Seere.
“Teacher?”
“Oh, no. Then shall we find a dessert shop?”
“Sure!”
The 8th floor, ruled by the top-ranking Demon Kings, was a magnificently developed place. As they moved toward the center, a street that was more dazzling than the quite good facilities of the 50th floor unfolded before them.
‘It’s no wonder they say that each floor offers a comparison as you pass through them.’
It was hard to imagine what the highest floor of the Demon World, the 1st floor, which was the farthest from the human realm, could be like. Perhaps it was Seere’s first time seeing such a grand street, as he was curiously looking around.
Seeing him like that reminded Nahun of the curious Seere from when he was seven years old, causing him to smile warmly.
“Teacher?”
“Hmm?”
“If you keep looking at me with such passionate eyes, it’s embarrassing…”
“When have I ever looked at you like that…?”
Seere lightly disregarded Nahun’s disbelief and took his hand without permission. Nahun flinched and looked at her, but Seere spoke casually.
“Is it okay to hold hands?”
“What if I say it’s not?”
“Even so, I want to hold it. You used to let me before.”
“……”
Nahun always found this difficult. Seere was performing the same actions now with slightly different emotions, referencing things he had previously permitted. Since they were things he had allowed, it was hard to change his attitude now.
“…Fine.”
“Hehe.”
“I never allowed interlocking fingers.”
“Tch.”
Seere clicked her tongue, looking disappointed, but she still obediently listened to Nahun’s words. She gently held his hand and happily led him to the street.
Perhaps due to the talk of the Demon World Assembly, there were fewer pedestrians, making the wide street quite deserted.
When the Demon World Assembly happens, Demon Kings gather, causing the residents of the floor to usually keep their distance. You never know what conflict might arise with these cruel and fierce Demon Kings.
“But there are more people than last time. Many shops are open too.”
“That’s because there’s deep trust in the ruler.”
Barbatos von Eishval. It was this trust that allowed the residents to come out into the street. If a problem arose, Barbatos would be able to resolve it. That trust was still making the street sparkle with life.
Seere and Nahun headed toward a large dessert shop that was on the street. However, they encountered an unexpected meeting there.
‘…Huh?’
Seere was completely unaware and was merely staring at the menu. But Nahun, upon seeing someone beside him, doubted his own eyes.
A woman with beige hair, golden eyes, and brownish horns was contemplating the dessert menu with a troubled expression.
She was so troubled that she was even mumbling to herself as she chose from the menu.
“What should I do…? They all look delicious.”
‘Why is she here?’
She was none other than the target Nahun had set his sights on at today’s Demon World Assembly—a target he had to draw in.
“Should I just buy everything?”
The leader of the Plebs faction and the powerful Demon King ranked 9th, Phynox von Bog.
—
Was there such a coincidence? Nahun pondered how to act.
‘…Should I pretend not to see her?’
For now, he had been avoiding eye contact since he first saw her. However, that one glance might have been enough for her to notice him.
Phynox was certainly someone who would have no trouble recognizing them. An excellent strategist, she was one of the most politically savvy Demon Kings.
“Seere, have you made your choice?”
Nahun feigned ignorance about her selection. Intentionally, he called Seere’s name to gauge Phynox’s reaction. If they had already realized their presence, they wouldn’t react much anyway.
Then Phynox turned her head slightly and looked at Seere and Nahun. Nahun was slightly taken aback by her reaction. It seemed she hadn’t noticed them until just now.
Ignoring Phynox’s gaze, or perhaps unaware of it, Seere remained fixated on the menu.
“They all look delicious, so I don’t know what to choose.”
“…There’s pudding here too.”
“Then I can’t eat the cake.”
“Have both.”
“They say I gained weight…”
Seere puffed her cheeks slightly. It seemed she still held that in her heart. Nahun spoke with a slightly reluctant expression.
“It was just a joke. You can’t even tell.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. You’re still slim.”
“Hehe, really?”
Seere ordered her favorite pudding and cake from the store owner. Meanwhile, she quietly whispered to Nahun.
“The person next to us keeps staring at us?”
“Have you not seen her at the Demon World Assembly?”
“No?”
Seere seemed to think hard before finally recalling the face.
“Oh, I think I’ve seen her. What was her name again…?”
“Why can’t you remember…?”
Nahun thought this child had such poor memory. As he was pondering, Seere said:
“I’m busy remembering my people.”
“You don’t remember even your soldiers’ faces…”
“I do!”
Nahun’s eyes widened slightly. Then Seere said:
“She’s the human you told me to be careful of. That means she’s quite skilled. I wanted to know why you told me to be cautious, so I did some research. There were things to learn.”
“…You learned?”
“Yeah. So, I memorized all my soldiers’ faces too. That way, I can recognize them right away if a spy appears.”
It was astonishing for a Demon King, who fundamentally thought of humans as inferior, to say that she learned something from them.
Nahun couldn’t help but be impressed. While it was true that this would be good, he had thought it impossible of Seere, being a Demon King.
Thanks to that, Nahun unconsciously raised his voice and ruffled her hair.
“Well done!”
“Hehe.”
Since Nahun raised his voice, the store owner preparing the desserts and Phynox, who had been staring in their direction, looked at him with curiosity.
“…Um, right. Seere. Should we take the desserts to go?”
“No? We’re going to eat here.”
“Let’s just take them home…”
“Then will you eat with me?”
Observing the situation quietly, Phynox interrupted and cut off Nahun’s words. Despite seeing Seere as someone ranked lower than herself, she greeted her politely.
“Hello, Seere von Debata. I’m Phynox von Bog. We’ve only seen each other once, but this is the first time meeting in private.”
“Oh, hello, Phynox von Bog.”
Since the other party had addressed her with the family name, Seere politely responded in kind. Phynox smiled brightly at Seere and continued.
“I love desserts too.”
“Oh, yes.”
“So, how about sharing some? I could order a different item, and it would be nice to share.”
Phynox’s suggestion was a sufficiently sweet offer for Seere. She indeed wanted to try many flavors, but there would certainly be some she couldn’t try because of portion size.
Nahun thought it was not a very good choice. It was better not to reveal as much information as possible to someone he needed to keep under control. Until now, silence would have been preferable.
However, it was up to Seere’s choice, and he was secretly hoping she would decline when Seere simply responded.
“No. I appreciate the offer, but we’ll eat alone.”
“…Pardon?”
“I…”
Seere smiled brightly and glanced casually at Nahun before taking his hand again. This time, she interlocked their fingers on purpose and said to Phynox in a showy manner.
“We’re on a date right now~♪”
“……”
Nahun looked at her in disbelief, but he didn’t argue with Seere. The excuse of a date was excellent for creating a situation that others couldn’t intrude upon.
Phynox appeared slightly taken aback, but she must have realized as well. In this scenario, there was no room for her to interfere. She slightly concealed her surprise and fanned herself with the hand fan she was holding to hide her mouth.
“Oh my, is that so? I’m sorry for not realizing. I nearly interrupted unintentionally.”
“I appreciate the offer. Let’s definitely eat together next time.”
“Yes, then…”
Phynox left with the menu she had ordered. Once Nahun saw her completely go away, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Well done, Seere.”
“Hmm, you’re not angry?”
“While I don’t entirely like it, I know that’s the best excuse to have.”
“Indeed, Teacher. That’s a rational judgment.”
Seere smiled brightly.
“By the way, that means you’re acknowledging that this is a date, right?”
“What? Why is the conversation turning like that…?”
“It’s a date, a date~♪”
Seere took the desserts that the store owner had prepared and, with light steps, headed toward a table on the terrace. Nahun, watching the cheerful figure of Seere, shook his head and followed her.
—
Phynox, having exited the dessert shop, narrowed her eyes. Glancing at the happily laughing Seere, she murmured to herself.
“The heir of Seir… I hear they’ve already connected with the Equites faction.”
Surprisingly, Phynox was already aware of the fact that she had made contact with the Equites faction. How she managed to infiltrate even that fiercely loyal group with her spies was unclear.
“I don’t know what she plans to do over there…”
Her golden eyes shone ominously.
“It won’t be easy.”
