Chapter 135
Nahun parted ways with Phynox and returned to the place where Seere was. As he passed through the corridor leading to Seere’s room, he heard a raucous noise echoing down the hallway.
Upon listening closely, it was unmistakably the high-pitched tones and laughter characteristic of females. The sound was coming from Seere’s room.
“…Wasn’t it supposed to be about picking clothes?”
Clearly, Nahun had requested help choosing a dress, so the continuous laughter could only signal that something else was happening inside.
Nahun strained to understand the situation. The pronunciation wasn’t perfect, but he could roughly catch the gist of the conversation.
“Try this on too!”
“Doesn’t this one suit you better?”
It seemed like Citrī and Gremony were unusually excited. Although Seere’s voice couldn’t be heard, it was likely she was being harassed by the two.
‘Looks like they were having fun.’
Citrī and Gremony were probably indulging in a bit of dress-up play. On a pretty mannequin that looked good in anything, how could it not be entertaining?
Nahun waited outside until their playtime came to an end. He could have returned to his own room right next door, but he would need to head to the banquet hall soon anyway.
About an hour later, perhaps their dress-up play had concluded, as the voices moved closer to the door.
“Has Nahun arrived?”
“He should be here soon. The banquet is starting soon. I wonder what he will say.”
As they spoke, Nahun stood ready at the door. When the door swung open, Citrī and Gremony startled and exclaimed.
“W-Whoa! You scared us!”
“I was surprised too… How long have you been here?”
“I just arrived a moment ago.”
“Liar.”
There was a girl who dismissed Nahun’s considerate words as lies. No, she was no longer a girl; she had matured into a stunning woman.
“You’ve been here for about an hour, haven’t you?”
“…Hmm.”
Her hair was neatly styled into a single bun, showing off her pale neck and sharp jawline. The dress, revealing just the right amount in the front and back, accentuated her distinct collarbone and cleavage, along with her smooth back and rounded shoulders, making for a true embodiment of beauty.
The black, thin dress with gold accents further highlighted her snow-white hair, and whether out of makeup or not, her cheeks bore a delicate blush. Her long, straight lashes made her already beautiful, large eyes even more captivating.
‘Is this the result of the two Demon Kings’ aesthetic sensibilities coming together?’
It was truly a sight that invoked admiration. Seere, embellished so elegantly, tilted her head slightly and asked,
“Why didn’t you come in?”
It seemed she was aware of Nahun’s presence. She was notably sensitive to her own magical energy. Gremony echoed Seere’s inquiry.
“You could have come in.”
“I was worried about being a disruption since you all looked like you were having fun so I purposely waited outside.”
“What? That’s a bit creepy. Were you eavesdropping?”
“Not eavesdropping; I heard it all. Out of all the voices, Seere’s was the loudest.”
“R-Really?”
Citrī scratched her cheek awkwardly. Gremony chuckled and asked Nahun,
“By the way, what do you think?”
“What?”
“You left it to us and here’s the result, but you didn’t say anything.”
“Ah…”
Nahun looked again at Seere. Even upon second glance, she was breathtaking. He nodded subconsciously and delivered a smile.
“She’s incredibly beautiful. I believe I made the right choice in asking the two Demon Kings for help.”
“Hehe, I did pick well.”
“Did Citrī choose this?”
“What do you mean by that?”
At Nahun’s unexpectedly bewildered question, Citrī furrowed her brow, and Gremony smoothly redirected the topic.
“I also helped a lot.”
“Ah, of course. Gremony also helped a lot.”
“Hmm, of course.”
“Do you want to die?”
Ignoring Citrī’s fierce warning, Nahun praised Seere’s appearance.
“Really, it suits you so well.”
“…Am I pretty?”
“Hmmm, you are quite beautiful. I almost couldn’t recognize whose disciple you were.”
Hearing Nahun’s compliment, Seere beamed. It was a facial expression that made it clear she was pleased.
“How cute.”
“Indeed.”
Unable to hide her delight, Seere smiled so happily that Citrī and Gremony could easily pick up on it… and Nahun found he could not bring himself to smile.
It was because he understood just how much Seere adored him.
‘…This feels too heavy.’
He felt the weight of affection pressing down on him. Being with this child was becoming increasingly burdensome. To forget this feeling, Nahun instead acted as if everything was normal.
“Shall we head to the banquet hall?”
“Yes, Teacher.”
#
Before the main meeting of the Demon World Assembly began, the preceding banquet was not mandatory for all Demon Kings to attend, unlike the official meeting.
This was simply a gathering for the fellowship of Demon Kings. However, anyone who understood how vital kinship was among Demon Kings in the Demon World had no choice but to attend.
After briefly surveying the banquet hall, Seere spoke to Nahun.
“All the Demon Kings from the Equites faction are here.”
“Ah, I see.”
The opposing Plebs faction was mostly in attendance as well, except for one person—the leader of the Plebs faction, Phynox, who was absent.
“Teacher, I don’t see Phynox.”
“It’s fine. He’s done everything he needs to.”
“Ah…”
Seere soon figured out where Nahun had just come from.
“So you suddenly had something to do and went to see him?”
“Right.”
“What happened?”
“Well, you can tell from Phynox’s absence.”
Nahun smiled leisurely.
“It was a success.”
“As expected of you, Teacher.”
“I look forward to when I propose the agenda tomorrow.”
“You certainly seem happy.”
“Am I happy? Isn’t it only natural?”
“It’s true that harvesting what you’ve sown is the most enjoyable part.”
“I’ve been busy preparing for this moment.”
“You’ve had a lot to deal with too.”
“Well, there’s still the meeting left. It would be premature to celebrate, Teacher.”
“Is that so?”
Nahun chuckled lightly before speaking to Seere.
“Let’s go say hello first.”
“Yes.”
Nahun led Seere to the table where the Equites faction was gathered. As the two approached, the other Demon Kings, who were seeing them for the first time, were visibly on edge.
“Ah, you’ve come!”
“I’ve been waiting!”
“Make yourselves at home.”
However, when the center of the Equites faction, Barbatos, along with his second-in-command, Lezargie, and Jepar, rose from their seats to greet them, the other Demon Kings of the Equites faction looked taken aback.
Seere stepped forward instead of Nahun and politely bowed her head.
“Good day, Barbatos, Lezargie, Jepar.”
“It is good to see you again, great Demon Kings.”
As Seere greeted them, Nahun followed suit, and Barbatos burst into a hearty laugh, addressing his surprised fellow Demon Kings.
“Ahh, I never told my brothers.”
‘You didn’t?’
Nahun was taken aback that he had yet to mention it when Barbatos continued.
“This is Seere von Debata and her master, Nahun.”
“It’s an honor to meet so many Demon Kings.”
As Seere modestly greeted them, the other Demon Kings who were still unfamiliar with her and Nahun responded with somewhat dazed expressions.
“I am Veris.”
“I am Salenos.”
“I am Aiinio.”
After Seere finished greeting them, Barbatos spoke again.
“In this Demon World Assembly, our Equites faction shall support their opinions.”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you mean?”
“They proposed the repeal of the ban on entering the human realm.”
At that moment, Nahun almost laughed out loud but barely managed to suppress it. Salenos, Aiinio, and Veris were all members of the Plebs faction. Upon hearing Barbatos’s words, their faces lit up with approval.
“Hmm, that’s alright then.”
“I’ve been bothered by that restriction anyway.”
“I agree.”
Of course, they were Demon Kings belonging to the Equites faction. Their reactions suited Demon Kings who believed they should not fear humans.
“However, Barbatos, liking the proposal and agreeing to support us are two separate matters. Has it been substantiated?”
“Hmm.”
Barbatos nodded. He held out his palm. The scar from his previous duel with Nahun remained, an undeniable mark.
“Barbatos?! That is…!”
“I believe this is enough proof. Don’t you think so, my brothers?”
The three Demon Kings had no choice but to nod. Naturally, the next question that arose was one of curiosity.
“…Whose strength is this?”
Upon Salenos’s inquiry, Barbatos glanced at Nahun. Catching his gaze, Nahun nodded.
“It’s the power of Nahun, who is here.”
“…What!?”
“I can’t believe it. A non-Demon King inflicted a wound on Barbatos?”
“I was surprised too, but the power was genuine. Jepar mentioned that the strength of Seere von Debata had already achieved incredible heights for her age. I believe the Equites faction could lend our strength without issue. What do you all think?”
Though he asked for their thoughts, it was a mere formality as Barbatos already anticipated their answers would be similar.
Predictably, the three Demon Kings all responded in harmony.
“Understood.”
“If my brother has recognized her, then there is no reason to refuse.”
“I agree as well. It’s intriguing that there exists someone who could leave a mark such as that on Barbatos.”
The female Demon King Aiinio showed interest in Nahun. Suddenly, an air of tension swallowed the surroundings, felt by everyone present.
Nahun immediately identified the source. Seere was glaring at Aiinio, guarding against her. Quietly, he whispered to Seere.
“Seere.”
“…Yes?”
“Relax your expression.”
“Haa…”
Seere followed Nahun’s advice, concealing her emotions and regaining her composure. Noticing the change, Barbatos observed Seere with a look of interest.
‘The student is as impressive as the master.’
Moments before, Seere had momentarily commanded the atmosphere. The fact that an imposing Demon King could do so among many present meant that Seere had that kind of pressure about her.
“Now then, shall we toast to our collective efforts for success?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll graciously accept.”
Barbatos personally handed a cup to Seere, while Jepar offered one to Nahun. The fact that they handed a cup to Nahun, who was not even a Demon King, spoke volumes about how they regarded him.
“Well then….”
Just as Barbatos was about to deliver a toast, the door to the banquet hall swung open with a loud clang.
It was a coarse display showing disregard for the respect and etiquette owed to the Demon Kings present. Barbatos narrowed his eyes slightly but when he saw who entered, he let it slide.
However, Nahun did not. More accurately, it wasn’t the act that bothered him, but the identity of the person who entered.
‘I heard she doesn’t often attend banquets.’
She commanded the attention of every Demon King in the room the moment she walked in. Was it because of her rough behavior? Or perhaps her outstanding appearance? It was neither of them.
It was because she was currently one of the closest individuals to the apex of the Demon World. Nahun regarded her intently and spoke.
“Seere.”
“Yes?”
“Remember her well.”
“…Is that Agreas?”
Agreas von Dio. The current second-ranked powerful Demon King and the individual who stood at the pinnacle of martial prowess after Seir von Debata’s passing.
“Correct.”
“What do you mean by telling me to remember her?”
“She is your adversary whom you must overcome.”
“……”
Unlike the other Demon Kings, Agreas could not be drawn into an alliance through mere friendship. It wasn’t simply that Agreas had an independent nature and was a staunch meritocrat.
“Isn’t that the same for other Demon Kings?”
“No, it’s a bit different.”
“What do you mean?”
“…I will tell you later. Regardless, always keep a watchful eye on that woman.”
“…Yes.”
If it were just that, Nahun, who had managed to draw Glashalavras into his faction, would have no reason not to do the same for Agreas. Yet he mentioned the urgency of needing to overcome Agreas for a different reason.
That reason being, that Demon King was…
‘One of the Demon Kings who killed Seir von Debata.’
She was the Demon King Seere needed to defeat to achieve her revenge.
