Chapter 138
The leaders of the Equites and Plebs factions, Barbatos and Phynox, were known for their rivalry. It was common knowledge that the relationship between the two Demon Kings was not good, which surprised not only Beelzebub but also most of the other Demon Kings.
“Barbatos…”
“Phynox is in agreement…?”
“Um, what’s going on, Phynox?”
In the conference room, only Nahun, who had brought Phynox into the discussion, and Seere, who had known this in advance, were not surprised.
In fact, even Barbatos, who had not heard this news beforehand, frowned upon seeing Phynox present the same opinion as him.
“Hey, Phynox. What’s your angle?”
“Oh dear, saying ‘angle’ doesn’t quite fit in a conference like this, does it? If someone hears this, they might think I’m siding with you!”
“There’s no way you’re agreeing with me.”
At Barbatos’s question, Phynox shrugged.
“I also dislike agreeing with the Equites faction… but I fully support Seere von Debata’s opinion.”
“……”
Barbatos glanced at Phynox and then looked forward again, his gaze subtly shifting to Nahun, who was standing behind Seere.
‘Is this your doing?’
It was as if his eyes were asking the question. Nahun, reading Barbatos’s gaze, slightly nodded. Barbatos let out a huff and quickly changed his expression.
“Wow, it’s rare for you to do something I like.”
“Is that so? I had no intention of trying to please you.”
“Barbatos, Phynox. Both of you need to provide justifications for your opinions.”
Beelzebub demanded reasonable grounds from the two Demon Kings. Otherwise, he would assume they had ulterior motives.
Nahun believed this was a critical moment. Even if they combined all the Demon Kings from the Equites and Plebs factions, they still wouldn’t achieve a majority.
To pass the agenda, they would also need to win over the Nobiles faction and those Demon Kings who were not affiliated with any faction, which depended on how Barbatos and Phynox, the most influential leaders from their respective factions, spoke.
“Chairman, we are Demon Kings. We are lords ruling over the Demon World and reigning over all demons. For us to issue a ban against mere humans based on caution is absurd. This is an insult to us Demon Kings.”
“I did not issue the measures with such intentions, Barbatos.”
“I know the chairman’s intentions are different. However, there are certainly others who share my thoughts. It is cowardly to close the doors out of fear of facing mere humans. This is the act of cowards.”
“Did you not hear Seere von Debata’s opinion? The strength of humans is growing day by day.”
Suddenly citing Seere’s opinion, Beelzebub was seeking legitimacy for the measures he had taken. However, Seere had mentioned it only to argue for the necessity of intelligence gathering…
‘…Cunningly manipulating it.’
Beelzebub replied.
“This measure is also to protect the lower-ranking Demon Kings. They are also Demon Kings who can only fall victim. I believe there is a reason to protect them. Is my thinking incorrect?”
“I believe the method of protection itself is flawed.”
This time, it was Phynox who spoke. After Beelzebub cleverly used Seere’s words to counter Barbatos, Phynox intervened before Beelzebub could take control of the conversation.
‘An excellent move.’
Nahun thought Phynox’s intervention was brilliant. By interrupting Beelzebub’s attempt to take control, Phynox redirected the attention back to herself and revived the atmosphere.
Of course, Barbatos seemed displeased that Phynox had jumped in, but Phynox, who cared nothing for Barbatos’s feelings, began to say what she wanted.
“What kind of protection can we offer against an enemy we know nothing about? At the very least, we need to understand our enemy to create proper defensive measures, and we can act appropriately as part of the Demon World.”
“You say we must understand humans?”
“Didn’t you acknowledge it too, Chairman? Humans are growing stronger every day.”
“…Indeed.”
Beelzebub was, this time, cleverly twisting Seere’s words, and Phynox was using that to counterattack. Having seized the conversational lead, Phynox continued.
“As Seere said, I believe we should abolish the ban and start gathering information about the human world from now on. Moreover, the angels from the Heavens come to the Demon World through the human world, right? Therefore, we can also monitor and prepare for the movements of the angels.”
Both Barbatos’s and Phynox’s claims held merit. There were indeed proud individuals who thought like Barbatos, and there were Demon Kings like Phynox who could not afford to ignore the human world.
“May I speak?”
At that moment, another Demon King pressed the bell. She was Glashalavras, a Demon King ranked 24th, but her cruelty and fierceness were such that even the top-tier Demon Kings took a step back.
Beelzebub, curious about what she might say, decided to listen.
“I also agree with Seere von Debata’s claim.”
“There must be a valid reason for that, Glashalavras.”
“Don’t worry. I have a valid reason. It’s not like I’ve ever acted recklessly.”
At Glashalavras’s words, Beelzebub and the other Demon Kings looked at her with expressions that seemed to say, ‘You always do that.’ However, completely oblivious to their gazes, she continued speaking casually.
“I also think we need to gather information about humans.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m considering the reasons I mentioned earlier, but I have my own personal desires as well.”
Beelzebub looked at her, as if asking what those were. Glashalavras smiled lightly, finding amusement in how flustered this high and mighty Demon King appeared.
It was a delightful feeling. She was grateful to the Debata faction for providing such an entertaining spectacle.
“Do those lowly humans really need to have their own world? I think it’s perfectly fine to place the human realm under our Demon Kings’ control. For that, the information warfare that Seere von Debata proposed is essential.”
It was a suggestion to conquer the human realm. Some Demon Kings were intrigued by that idea. They wanted to expand their territories but lacked the courage to conquer the upper classes.
In the midst of this, one Demon King spoke up.
“…Glashalavras, that statement is dangerous.”
It was not a warning from Beelzebub. It was Marebas von Gath, the ranked 5th Demon King, who was listening to the conversation.
“Do you know how the Heavens might respond if we attack the human realm?”
“Oh my, Marebas. Since you’ve stepped down from the position of leader of the Nobiles faction, you’ve started to speak foolishly. Are we Demon Kings so afraid of the Heavens that we ruin our own plans? If that’s the case, why do we engage in the Great War against the Angels? Shouldn’t we just present our lands to the angels we fear so much?”
“Glashalavras, watch your words. Going too far is an act of insulting Marebas.”
As Beelzebub stepped in to mediate, she shrugged and nodded. It was a gesture of understanding, though difficult to accept.
Marebas seemed to sigh without arguing, knowing that it would be pointless to reason with that madwoman.
“Understood, I see your opinion, Glashalavras.”
Beelzebub realized he could not overlook this issue.
After the leaders of the Equites and Plebs factions and such a remarkably unique Demon King as Glashalavras supported the motion, and given that the agenda’s originator was the most well-known deity in the Demon World, it was a situation he could not afford to ignore.
For Beelzebub, it was an entirely entangled situation.
“Is there any further opinion to present?”
Beelzebub expected dissenting opinions, but no one dared to directly counter the views supported by two top-tier Demon Kings.
People like Agreas and Basago seemed uninterested, and even Marebas, who had been providing counterarguments, was overshadowed by Glashalavras’s madness.
Though Beelzebub was not fond of those opposing his measures, he could not afford to ignore them and thus banged the gavel, stating, “The first agenda of the assembly has been settled. We will proceed with a vote on this agenda. Those in favor should write ‘yes’ on their ballots, and those opposed should write ‘no.’”
Seere smiled slightly and glanced at Nahun. Nahun bowed his head and whispered to her.
“Well done, Seere.”
“…Hehe.”
The once cold expression vanished as Seere now beamed, and Citri, witnessing her change, blinked in surprise.
“What’s so fun that I’m not part of it?”
Nahun looked at her and thought: Demon Kings really don’t change. Even after 8 years, Citri still had her foolish traits.
“…Just write down your vote, Citri.”
“What? Is this a secret conversation?”
“It’s nothing like that. Stop saying strange things and just write it down.”
“Tch, fine.”
The Demon Kings made their decisions based on their own values and thoughts. Of course, some simply pressed ‘yes’ to support the leader of their faction.
Nahun quietly observed their choices. The number of Demon Kings he had drawn in included 6 from the Equites faction, 13 from the Plebs faction, 1 Glashalavras, plus Seere and three of her allies.
In total, it was certain that 23 Demon Kings would vote in favor. It was widely known that the Plebs faction followed Phynox closely, making it unlikely for the decision to change.
‘The issue is…”
Yet, they still did not make a majority. There had been Demon Kings killed during the power struggle in the Debata faction, so the number of Demon Kings had decreased from 72 to 69, but 23 was still not half.
How many individuals would dare to oppose Beelzebub von Deus at the pinnacle of decision-making? The merits that might intrigue the Demon Kings were suggested by Seere, Barbatos, Phynox, and unexpectedly, Glashalavras as well.
There were technically no more advantages to present… Having shown all possible cards, all that remained was to hope the responses from the other Demon Kings would unfold as anticipated.
Time for the vote passed. When the sound of ballots being filled silenced within the conference room, Nahun glanced around the room.
Everything had gone according to his design thus far. Just as he had played in Ebel Queen Maker, he had crafted the situation perfectly.
However, there remained an element of anxiety. This vote in the Demon World Assembly was, in the original game, a so-called ‘luck element.’
In the original, players could propose to other Demon Kings like Nahun did, inviting them to join in alignment with the Equites and Plebs factions and forming alliances.
However, at this stage, those who claimed neutrality like the Nobiles faction could not be targeted for recruitment.
Thus, just like in the game, Nahun could only secure allies from the maximum number he had drawn from the Equites and Plebs factions, plus Citri, who was definitively on his side, while the rest would be left to chance.
In this way, Nahun could assess that he had done his utmost. Although he could not enlist the Patricii faction, it was impossible from the very beginning since the agenda contradicted their views.
He had managed to draw in the maximum potential allies, and additionally brought in Gremony and Glashalavras, thus improving the overall situation.
But now, from here on out, all he could do was pray, as he had in the game. He hoped that the statements from Seere, Barbatos, Phynox, and even Glashalavras would sway the hearts of the other Demon Kings.
“I will announce the results.”
The counting completed, Beelzebub raised his voice. Nahun quietly observed him.
“…In favor 38, opposed 31.”
“!”
“Since there exists a majority in favor, this agenda is passed.”
In addition to the 23 votes, 15 more Demon Kings had responded positively. Nahun felt relieved while also feeling the weight of Beelzebub’s influence once again.
To be honest, even with all the appealing merits presented to the Demon Kings, 31 had voted against simply out of fear of opposing Beelzebub’s measures.
Beelzebub frowned slightly, but a decision was a decision. He banged the gavel and announced, “Thus, the resolution regarding the first agenda is concluded. From this moment on, the restrictions on entry to the human realm are abolished.”
Seere, upon hearing the result, beamed and turned to Nahun.
“Teacher, we did it!”
“Yeah. You’ve worked hard.”
“Hehe, so you’re going to give me a reward for doing well?”
“Right, later I’ll….”
Nahun was about to say he should definitely give her one when he suddenly felt a chill. Seere was already wearing a victorious smile.
“You said you would give me one.”
Nahun began to sweat profusely. As he worried about how to retract his statement, an idea struck him, and he said, “Since we didn’t set a punishment beforehand, I’ll grant you the reward of not having to follow through with it.”
“…What?”
“A reward is a matter of the giver’s discretion, isn’t it?”
“Th-that’s not how it works!”
“Anyway, the punishment was something that had to be enacted… were you planning to just gloss over it?”
“Ugh…”
Seere, having just barely seized the opportunity, looked frustrated at not being able to make it work. Meanwhile, Nahun had a look of relief on his face.
And as they observed the two of them, Citri and Gremony were…
‘…What’s going on? So frustrating.’
‘Their relationship seems interesting, doesn’t it?’
Each displayed their own form of interest.
