Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Nahun quietly descended to where Seere was. He waited for a moment as Seere spoke with the Demon Kings, then approached once the conversation ended.

“Seere….”

“Teacher!”

Before Nahun could finish calling Seere’s name, Seere reacted first. Despite the overwhelming magical power in the area making it difficult to sense his own power, Seere seemed to have already noticed.

“Yes, come here for a moment.”

“Yes?”

Nahun led Seere to a place where others wouldn’t see them. Then Seere suddenly said with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“W-Why did you bring me to a place like this…?”

“I’m not planning anything strange, so don’t worry.”

“…Hah.”

Seere openly expressed disappointment. Nahun started to sweat, wondering if he had created a dangerous situation.

‘I need to ask quickly and go…’

Thinking like that, Nahun asked Seere nonchalantly.

“Seere, earlier you met with Agreas, Basago, and Samygina, right?”

“Yes.”

“What did they say to you?”

“Uh…?”

“I saw from afar that you looked flustered. Can you tell me what they said?”

“Ah…”

Seere scratched his cheek lightly. He glanced around to confirm it was safe before speaking to Nahun.

“Actually, they asked me about Hell.”

“…Hell?”

“Yes. They asked if I had ever been to Hell, and of course, I said no. I haven’t actually been there.”

“And then?”

“They probed further, asking if I had any connections.”

Seere briefly looked at Nahun.

“Though you’re here, I still said no.”

“Good job.”

“Why did they suddenly ask me something like this?”

Nahun frowned and said.

“Belzebut must have returned.”

“Are you saying Belzebut has been to Hell?”

“Yes. They could have learned something about me.”

After all, he was the ruler of the first layer, which was the only place in the Demon World connected to Hell. Thus, Belzebut might have recognized Nahun and gone to Hell to find out what happened. It was a plausible scenario.

“What should we do?! You said my existence must not be revealed!”

“Don’t worry. It seems they don’t know the exact details.”

“Yes?”

“If they understood exactly what was going on, they wouldn’t have asked so vaguely.”

If they did, they would likely have referred to “the Great Demon” directly instead of asking about any connection to Hell. Nahun urged Seere.

“If they threaten you over this, tell me. I’ll make sure to resolve it.”

“Are… are you really concerned about me?”

“When have I ever not worried about you?”

Seere knew that, but hearing it directly felt nice. Even though he thought that one day he would have to break free from Nahun’s protection, the smile that came naturally couldn’t be helped.

“I’m glad.”

As Seere smiled brightly, Nahun suddenly cleared his throat awkwardly. Seere tilted his head, and Nahun spoke apologetically.

“…I’m sorry. I was suddenly distracted.”

“Ah.”

Seere felt a hint of disappointment inwardly.

‘It wasn’t that he was conscious of me.’

It seemed he wasn’t at that stage yet. While Seere thought that, Nahun felt a sense of relief inside.

He had cleared his throat without realizing it. It was almost involuntary. Nahun himself didn’t understand why he had suddenly felt flustered.

“Well… I have one request for you.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Since we have already suffered defeat in the human realm, it’s a given that the Heavens will invade. A meeting to decide the Demon World’s countermeasure will certainly take place.”

“Yes.”

“In that meeting, you must assert that the battlefield should be set at the 72nd floor.”

Seere widened his eyes in surprise.

“But I would need a valid reason, right?”

“I’ll explain that reason now.”

Nahun shared something with Seere. Hearing what Nahun said, Seere’s eyes grew wide.

“Teacher, will that be accepted?”

“Isn’t this just when Agreas, Basago, and Samygina suspect you’re connected to Hell?”

“Yes.”

Nahun smiled slightly.

“Then they have to see for themselves what they are doubting.”

“Will it be alright? The Heaven’s army won’t be an easy opponent.”

“It will be fine. This is our territory.”

Nahun stated.

“If they bravely step in, we will show them our strength.”

After hearing Nahun’s words, Seere contemplated for a moment, then nodded. When had Nahun ever boasted? Never.

Nahun’s insistence meant he had confidence. Seere stated.

“I trust you, Teacher.”

“I trust you too. And I believe in the strength of your legion.”

With Nahun’s boundless trust, Seere smiled brightly. Then Nahun cleared his throat again.

“Teacher?”

“…I’m sorry. I’m still getting distracted.”

“Please drink some water.”

“I should do that. Seere, finish up whatever you are doing and come back. I’ll check on the movements of the Heavens again.”

“Yes.”

Seere bowed and left, and Nahun looked after him for a moment before sighing deeply.

“…What on earth is going on?”

#

The retreat operation was completed, and as there was no immediate movement from the Heavens, a battle did not occur right away.

The Demon Kings decided to gather and discuss how to respond moving forward.

“Will we block them at the 72nd floor?”

“Isn’t 72nd floor too small? It’s not a good battlefield for moving large forces.”

The key was deciding where to set the battlefield. In fact, the deeper they went lower in layers, the greater the damage to the Demon World. Thus, it was important to hold the line at a suitable place.

“Is it not arrogant to claim we will block on one single layer?”

“Then how much land do you intend to give to the angels?”

Some suggested the 60th floor, while others pushed for the 50th, 55th, 57th, and even the 64th floor, leading to various opinions. In that moment, one of the Demon Kings put forth a suggestion.

“We can hold at the 72nd floor.”

It was none other than Seere von Debata, the ruler of the 72nd floor. Despite rising to the 46th rank, she did not relinquish the 72nd floor. Upon hearing her statement, Basago asked.

“What does that even mean? Has the 3rd army never faced Archangel Mikael or the Spirit King?”

“It’s hard to explain with words, but I can assure you we can hold it.”

“That’s merely bravado…”

As Basago was about to argue, he suddenly fell silent, recalling something, and slightly changed his attitude.

“…It may be bravado, but is there a reason why you are insisting on this?”

“If I fail, I will take responsibility.”

Responsibility. When a Demon King declares this amidst such an important matter, it essentially means they would abandon everything they held, including current rank, reputation, army, and wealth, and return to the rank of the lowest Demon King.

“…You’re that confident?”

“Yes.”

Naturally, the other Demon Kings were shocked by Seere’s claim. In particular, the allied Citri and Gremony were aghast, seemingly questioning what she was saying.

Even Phynox, who had personally formed an alliance with Nahun, found it to be a puzzling judgment. But thinking back to what Nahun had said, he felt a flicker of hope.

‘A Demon King who will reach the pinnacle… That kind of confidence suits well.’

Basago looked at the commander-in-chief, Agreas, and wondered what she would do. She sighed softly and said.

“Are you really that confident?”

“If you just give me a chance, I will show you.”

“…Alright.”

Of course, there was a reason why Agreas and even Basago changed their minds. They thought that since Seere von Debata, who was suspected to be closely linked to Hell, was declaring her intention to engage in battle against the Heaven’s army, it was highly likely that related information would be revealed.

“In that case, may I expect great things?”

“Of course.”

Seere looked steadily into Agreas’s eyes with a faint smile. Agreas furrowed her brow at that gaze for a moment, but Seere continued without being perturbed.

“The Heavens will not surpass the 72nd floor.”

The Demon Alliance dispersed. Agreas wanted to give command of the troops, but Seere adamantly refused, claiming that her own allied forces were more than sufficient.

Naturally, Citri and Gremony were shocked and almost shouted in confusion, but… they couldn’t refuse because they were allies.

And all of this was the directive of Nahun. He had indicated that the forces of Gremony and Citri, combined with Seere’s, could secure victory against the Heaven’s army.

Furthermore, even if the Archangel appeared, it wouldn’t matter. Nahun was prepared to retain his forces, while also planning to step in himself.

“Teacher, we succeeded!”

“You did well.”

Seere was now responsible for the first battle to occur in the Demon World. Nahun was thinking of bringing her sweet victory.

“Now we just need to sit back and wait.”

“Yes.”

Nahun looked at the portal connecting the Demon World to the human realm with a meaningful smile.

“The prey will come to us.”

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