Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Na-hun’s statement twisted Phynox’s expression.

“Don’t spout nonsense.”

“Was it nonsense?”

“I am the Demon King. What would I gain from doing such a thing? It’s utterly unpleasant.”

“Then why did you attack your confidant?”

“I only bit him because you were speaking meaningfully.”

“Then call him again. I need to inform another person about this story. If what you say is not true, you can simply clarify and refute it.”

Phynox no longer hid his feelings and growled.

“Shut up! If you spread these baseless rumors, I will deal with you right here!”

“Ha.”

In that moment, Phynox couldn’t help but feel his anger rise. It was because Na-hun let out a hollow laugh. The timing of his laugh was undoubtedly when he heard the words ‘I will deal with you.’

“It sounds like a joke.”

“That’s not the case, Phynox.”

The corners of Na-hun’s mouth lifted slightly. A bitter smile appeared on his face.

“You can’t do anything to me, which is why it’s amusing.”

“What did you say…!”

“Right now, the only people who know your plan are you and me. So when it comes time to revise and think about future plans… who would be the most helpful person?”

Na-hun pointed to himself.

“That would be me. Knowing that, would you still try to get rid of me? It makes no sense. At least if you are Phynox von Bog, you absolutely cannot do that.”

Phynox narrowed his eyebrows at Na-hun’s confidence.

“…What on earth are you saying? Are you suggesting you would assist me despite being aligned with the Equites faction? Besides, how could you possibly know my plan properly?”

“Well, I wonder if that’s really the case? Doesn’t it raise suspicion in the first place? Why do you think I know your plan?”

“As you said earlier, that’s no longer important. What matters is that I am aware of it. But knowing that doesn’t give you detailed insight into my thoughts!”

“Then let me take a guess.”

“What did you say?”

“First, let’s start with why you want to overthrow the Demon World. The ultimate reason is to reform the current system.”

Phynox’s expression changed. A hint of panic was evident. For someone so skilled at managing her expressions, revealing such emotions indicated just how surprised she was.

“You think the Demon World has stagnated. And you believe that the reason for that lies in the current system, which constantly pits the 72 Demon Kings against each other.”

As Na-hun spoke, Phynox was unable to hide her shock. It was absurd. She had never shared her plan with anyone.

“So you have a plan—the plan to overturn the Demon World’s system. To this end, you gathered the Plebis faction. Although you likely only told them you would bring about ‘good changes’ to the Demon World…”

Only Na-hun alone knew this. He hadn’t informed his subordinates and had been thinking alone, devising his own plan.

‘Overthrowing the Demon World.’

Phynox hadn’t devised this plan because she particularly despised the Demon World. She, too, as a Demon King, desired only the advancement and prosperity of the Demon World.

Phynox viewed the current ‘system’ of the Demon World as the reason why it couldn’t surpass the present stage and trample the human and heavenly realms.

“But that’s not all. No one in the Plebis faction knows your plan properly. What you want is not a small change but a complete ‘reform.’ To succeed in your reform, you first need to eliminate the old powers that reign over the system of the Demon World.”

Since the dawn of the Demon World, the original Demon Kings had emerged to govern it. Those still reigning among them were the biggest obstacles in Phynox’s plan.

“To do that, you intended to use the Heavenly Realm. You probably thought that with the power of the Heavenly Realm, even those old and powerful Demon Kings could be dealt with.”

Of course, that didn’t mean that the Heavenly War arose from Phynox’s intentions. The Heavenly Realm was not a group that could be moved with the whim of a single Demon King.

So when Phynox spoke of using the Heavenly Realm to overthrow the Demon World, it didn’t mean she had brought angels into the mix…

“While the powerful and formidable Demon Kings are engaged in mutual exhaustion during the Heavenly War, you intended to preserve your power as much as possible?”

Phynox had been thinking about using the inevitable ‘Heavenly War’ to her advantage.

“So you would attack and absorb the weakened Demon Kings’ power, aiming to seize control over the entire Demon World. You’d acquire power that even Belzebut couldn’t disregard. Then you would take another step towards your ideals.”

What Phynox sought to achieve through all of that was none other than…

“What you desire is to drastically reduce the number of Demon Kings and make the Demon Assembly the supreme governing body.”

Currently, the Demon World was structured with 72 monarchs governing the hierarchical nations. Viewed as a massive entity, the Demon World was akin to a confederation of 72 small nations.

That was Phynox’s issue with the Demon World. For the whole of the Demon World to advance, the 72 Demon Kings needed to unite their efforts towards development. Indeed, it was theoretically possible, but in reality, it was nearly impossible.

Thus, Phynox had conceived her reform.

“Furthermore, you aimed to completely engulf the Demon Assembly with your own hands, bringing prosperity to the Demon World through centralization.”

As Na-hun spoke, a chill ran down Phynox’s spine.

“You were indeed harboring such a plan.”

He was articulating exactly what she had thought, the plan she devised herself.

“…How on earth do you know all of this? Are you reading my thoughts!?”

Phynox couldn’t fathom how this man knew what she alone held in her mind.

Na-hun wasn’t using telepathy or predicting the future… He was merely piecing together information based on Phynox’s actions in ‘Ebel Queen Maker.’

Indeed.

Na-hun didn’t fully know what Phynox’s thoughts were.

He simply sifted through the information revealed in the game regarding her actions, behaviors, and dialogues, pieced it together, and told a story.

And most of it matched perfectly.

In other words, Na-hun had never read Phynox’s thoughts with magic or knew them directly as nothing had been explicitly described in the game…

However, having seen all the endings, Na-hun had no trouble gauging what kind of person Phynox was, and he was able to infer her thoughts from numerous circumstantial evidences.

Though he had a few slightly uncertain pieces of information, he deliberately bluffingly presented himself as if he knew everything. He was fitting together a puzzle even before all the pieces were collected.

The outcome was just as Na-hun had predicted. Phynox showed an attitude of acknowledging that he had guessed her thoughts, and Na-hun could gain an upper hand in this relationship.

Na-hun was convinced he had seized the advantage. With a relaxed smile, he said.

“You already said it doesn’t matter how I know, right? What’s important is that I am the only one who can listen to your plan and think alongside you.”

The arrival of someone who could understand her ideals was something Phynox had always longed for.

Yet, she also understood well. Her ideals were by no means…

“That’s hilarious. How can you possibly understand?”

“Why not?”

“How can a demon race that prioritizes the Demon World and loathes the Heavenly Realm understand my thoughts?”

It was a valid point. However, Na-hun smirked.

“If that’s what you believe, then so be it. If you think of me that way, then I must act accordingly.”

“…What do you plan to do?”

“I will reveal your plan. At the Demon Assembly.”

“Are you really wanting to die that badly!?”

“What else can I do? Now that I’ve learned a secret that shouldn’t be known and failed to secure a partnership, you’re bound to want to eliminate me at all times… Rather than living under such a threat, I must grab the lifeline that is right in front of me.”

Phynox furrowed her brow, but that didn’t change anything. A reckless Demon King might try to deal with Na-hun without caring about the aftermath, but Phynox was not one of them.

She was someone who thought ahead and was calculative. Phynox sighed. Then she squinted her eyes and looked at Na-hun.

“…What is it that you desire?”

“I only desire one thing. If you can grant me this, I won’t speak of your wishes to anyone else.”

“Say it.”

“We intend to present a proposal at this Assembly. I hope you will support it.”

“Ha… I see. So that’s why you involved the Equites faction.”

“If both the Equites faction and the Plebis faction voice their support, the proposal is sure to pass.”

Phynox’s eyes widened slightly.

“Are you implying that Marbas’s resignation from the leadership of the Nobilis faction is also…?”

Na-hun was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected her to be the first to mention it. Truly, a politically savvy Demon King.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Phynox accepted Na-hun’s proposal. She understood well how much backlash her thoughts and plans could evoke in the Demon World and how incomprehensible they could be.

Even if such rumors were dismissed, the fact that they circulated would certainly have a significant impact on the image and power she had built up over the years.

Having successfully established a satisfactory deal with Phynox, Na-hun expressed his gratitude.

“I look forward to your support, Your Majesty Phynox.”

“Understood. You must keep your secrets well.”

“Of course.”

“By the way, I have one more question.”

At Phynox’s words, Na-hun tilted his head. To that Na-hun, Phynox asked candidly.

“You said that trying to change the Demon World using the Heavenly Realm is a completely misguided plan. Why is that?”

“…First of all, the Heavenly Realm is not a place that can be toyed with as you wish. Secondly, if a Demon King who has shown lukewarm reactions while fighting against the Heavenly Realm suddenly begins conquest activities and proclaims reform, no one will easily follow them.”

“I know that much. I was considering it even with that in mind. That was the only way the system of the Demon World would change.”

“There’s one more story left. Even if that happens, there’s another reason why your plan will inevitably fail.”

“What reason is that?”

At Phynox’s question, Na-hun slightly raised the corners of his mouth. Confirming that Phynox’s barrier was still in place, he quietly whispered to her.

“The great beings are watching over this.”

“Are you implying you came from hell? On whose orders…?”

“Let’s leave it at that for now. If you truly want to reform the Demon World, you should solve it from within rather than using external forces.”

“…But that wouldn’t be able to bring down the powerful Demon Kings.”

“No, there is a way.”

Na-hun extended his hand.

“Let us join hands.”

“…Are you asking me to trust Seere von Debata?”

“What I’m saying is to use us. We will rise to the pinnacle of the Demon World anyway.”

“Such a….”

Phynox seemed taken aback by Na-hun’s ambitions. To that Phynox, Na-hun simply said.

“Whether you believe it or not is Your Majesty’s choice. But let me state one thing clearly.”

Phynox was slightly taken aback upon seeing Na-hun’s expression.

“Seere will become a Demon King even greater than Seir von Debata.”

Na-hun flashed his characteristic confident smile.

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