Chapter 195
Marbas von Gart.
Once the founder and leader of the Nobilis faction, which was established to claim neutrality amidst the escalating conflicts between the Plebes and Equites factions, he remained a powerful Demon King ranked fifth, maintaining a vast unyielding influence.
And most importantly, he was one of the primordial Demon Kings still alive, alongside Belzebut. His stature was so grand that it rivaled even the martial Demon Kings, and just looking at his face exuded overwhelming experience.
Before such a Demon King…
“Oliva Head Merchant Bernet, I believe I was supposed to meet with you.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness. My benefactor and excellent business partner wishes to humbly meet with you.”
Marbas narrowed his eyes. Then he saw three people appearing behind Bernet.
“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty Marbas.”
“You are…”
“I am honored that you remember me, even if just vaguely. I am Nahun, the current aide of Seere von Debata.”
Nahun bowed politely.
Marbas had known of him from earlier. He was the man who stood by Seere von Debata, who had proposed a direct counter to Belzebut even before the Celestial War began.
That alone had piqued his interest, but he became even more intrigued through Seere’s actions in the current Celestial War. Although he felt a bit displeased that Bernet had taken the initiative to arrange this meeting, he was somewhat satisfied to meet a man he had been curious about.
Marbas disregarded Bernet’s impudence and scanned the faces of the others. Then, he frowned in surprise.
“…Who are the people behind you?”
“This is my aide, and this is a servant I brought along.”
“…Huh.”
Marbas chuckled hollowly. Then he turned his gaze toward a woman standing beside Nahun.
“Are you telling me that you brought that woman as an aide?”
“It is the truth.”
Ersha stepped forward slightly and said, “Long time no see, Marbas.”
“…I was puzzled as to why you suddenly sent me such a message.”
Marbas glared at Nahun.
“I see that question has only now been clarified.”
“I apologize for that matter. It was a decision we had no choice but to make.”
“Are you saying that I must understand that?”
Feeling the cold fury of the fifth-ranked Demon King, Bernet and Iris stiffened momentarily. Although Marbas wasn’t intentionally spreading magic, he overwhelmed them with sheer presence and atmosphere.
However, Nahun, who was here, seemed unfazed by such matters and spoke in a blunt tone.
“What can we do? It has already happened. We must put aside the past to plan for the future, mustn’t we?”
Bernet was horrified, and Ersha was somewhat taken aback by Nahun’s attitude. They had discussed beforehand how to proceed, but they were left wondering if it would be acceptable to act with such arrogance.
However, Nahun wasn’t foolish. He wasn’t acting like this by carelessly disregarding Marbas. Although Bernet had said Marbas was meticulous, that statement was only partially true.
The reason Marbas was so fastidious was that most beings felt nervous in his presence. Therefore, if one assumed there were a hundred points to discuss, most would only express seventy to eighty of them. They couldn’t fully reveal their thoughts due to tension and fear.
Thus, to hear the rest of the conversation, Marbas had no choice but to be meticulous. Nahun, who had played Ebel Queen Maker dozens of times, understood this fact well. And Marbas’s natural personality was more…
“…Not incorrect.”
He was quite forgiving. Bernet was surprised by Marbas’s reaction, and Ersha looked at Nahun with a sense of wonder at how he had discerned Marbas’s nature.
The reason Ersha had suggested that she could now threaten Marbas was for this reason. He was the type to bury past grievances and affairs. Therefore, even if a new topic was raised, Marbas would be willing to listen.
It was due to this personality that he, along with Belzebut, was the only primordial Demon King to survive, and even though he espoused such an ambiguous position of neutrality, no one dared to touch him.
Marbas asked Nahun.
“Then today you bring news of what is to come, is that correct?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty Marbas, you have keen insight.”
“I dislike dragging things out. Let us get to the point.”
“Understood.”
Nahun took a seat, and behind him stood Ersha and Iris. Marbas gazed at them for a moment, chuckled, and spoke.
“So the ‘mad princess’ acts as your aide.”
“My, to refer to a girl with such a derogatory term… Marbas, are you hoping I will speak?”
“It was just a jest upon seeing you after such a long time.”
Although Marbas didn’t apologize, Ersha merely let it pass. It was because Marbas had stepped down from the head of the Nobilis faction due to her threats.
“Before I provide any information, there are two requests we have.”
“Two requests?”
“Firstly, please lift the restricted access measures selectively. The three of us here would suffice.”
“…Do you know the reason these restrictions were put in place?”
“I am aware. In fact, my coming here was unintended.”
“Unintended? I had wondered why I had not heard about the Debata faction’s members coming. How then do you stand before me?”
“Surely, Your Majesty is aware?”
Nahun summoned his magic. In response, the black knight and white knight guarding Marbas both drew their swords simultaneously, but Marbas raised his hand to stop them.
“That there exists a magic called Gate.”
Līmen
Nahun’s magic rippled through the space, opening a passage. Seeing this, Marbas could hardly contain his shock.
“How do you know of this magic! In this era, only I and Belzebut know of this magic…”
Marbas, with a hint of hope, asked.
“Could it be that Ersha Scarlet, you taught him?”
“How could I possibly teach such a thing?”
“…That is true.”
“This is magic I have always known. In any case, it seems my means of reaching here has been explained.”
While Marbas understood, he still had questions about things he could not comprehend.
“The Gate magic transmits the user to desired coordinates. But you just said you did not wish to end up here on the fifth floor.”
“An error occurred with the coordinates. Even if I tried to return, the same situation would likely repeat, so I seek to use the layer portal.”
“…An error with Gate magic?”
Marbas looked perplexed, but Nahun did not elaborate further. To explain any further would be too lengthy, and he had to disclose that Iris was a hero.
“Thus, you requested for the access prohibitions to be lifted. But wouldn’t two weeks be enough? Unlike the head merchants, you have quite a bit of time available, do you not?”
“That is not possible due to circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
“Currently, my liege, Seere von Debata, is at war. From the 44th floor’s Vinne to the 40th floor’s Phynox.”
“…Ah, I believe I have heard of that. Surely Sephar and Sabnac are also involved. I heard Garp is also departing…”
Marbas laughed incredulously.
“So that is why you are here, to fight against them.”
“Yes.”
“And why would you relay that information to me? Do you think I would let you go simply because you’ve told me this?”
Marbas stated.
“I don’t protect all the faction’s Demon Kings from every threat, but I do uphold basic principles. Why would I assist an enemy faction of a Demon King affiliated with mine?”
“Of course, mentioning that would give you no reason to grant me passage.”
“Indeed.”
“Therefore, I would like to make a second request.”
“Mm?”
Marbas appeared intrigued and awaited Nahun’s words. Nahun quietly proposed his second offer to the attentive Marbas.
“Please allow my liege, Seere von Debata, to join the Nobilis faction.”
Marbas’s eyes widened slightly. Even he, with his decades of experience, seemed genuinely taken aback.
“…What?”
Nahun was serious. It was not a falsehood. Even Marbas could somewhat sense that Nahun was earnest. Yet it was a hard tale to believe.
“That is an absurd proposal.”
“Why do you think so?”
“I know that your liege shares bonds with the Equites faction.”
Marbas’s words prompted Nahun to nod.
“That is correct.”
“Then they cannot join the Nobilis faction. Do you not understand the position our faction is espousing?”
“I am well aware. However, Your Majesty Marbas.”
Nahun said.
“Then after Marbas, who do you intend to appoint as the head?”
“…Has that news already spread?”
“It is common knowledge. Especially that Your Majesty is somewhat displeased with Aiphorus.”
“…There’s nothing wrong with Aiphorus.”
“I understand. I suppose you are simply considering the case of Marbas. Have you not seen firsthand that a leader with ambiguous power ultimately ends short?”
Marbas frowned. Had he been able to retain his leadership position, this would not have happened. Ultimately, it was Ersha before him and likely Nahun who had commanded such a situation.
“Who do you think made it come to this?”
“I take some responsibility for that. That is why I made this offer. Accept my liege into the Nobilis faction and propose them as the next leader.”
“That is nonsense. How can you appoint a newly inducted Demon King as a leader?”
“I am not saying to do it immediately.”
Nahun stated.
“The council will be held soon.”
“Are you suggesting that after the council concludes, when ranks are reshuffled… you want me to recruit your liege?”
“I will hold my discussion until then. You simply need to show you are with my liege during the gathering at the council.”
Marbas fell silent. It wasn’t because it was difficult to answer, but because he was deep in thought.
Nahun understood. He knew just how appealing this proposal was to Marbas. Although Seere’s rank was only 46 currently and no matter how much he rose during this council, it would be hard to climb more than twenty ranks… it was still ensured that he would become a top-tier Demon King.
Even if the rank appeared a bit low, the fact that he single-handedly concluded the Celestial War along with allied forces would become widely recognized. Thus, Seere’s ‘power’ would surely be ingrained through the Celestial War and this battle at the 40th floor.
Then, Marbas would be able to fulfill the role of a ‘capable leader’ both externally and internally. Seere possessed that strength and, should the need arise, Nahun could assist him.
“And then you can gradually solidify the leadership position. In this council, the only discussions will be regarding the aftermath of the Celestial War, so it won’t be a major issue even if there is no faction head present.”
“However, I wonder if the faction’s Demon Kings will accept it. This war, your liege is indeed fighting alongside three Demon Kings from the Nobilis faction.”
“That is fine.”
Nahun replied.
“If they drag it out, they might hesitate, but if they show overwhelming military achievements, they won’t dare to challenge it.”
“…You seem quite confident.”
“What would I say if I lacked confidence?”
Marbas, with his years of life, was wise and sagacious. He was not foolish enough to be wholly persuaded by Nahun’s words, recognizing that much of what was spoken was likely included to earn Marbas’s trust. It mattered not whether the words were true or false.
Yet what was concerning Marbas was…
“…Why are you looking at the girl?”
“Not at all.”
It was precisely the point that the first moon, Ersha Scarlet, genuinely served and followed Seere von Debata’s master, Nahun. And the fact that Seere von Debata’s faction had truly ended the Celestial War independently.
“I will add one more condition.”
“…Please go ahead.”
“Seere von Debata’s current allies… Citri and Gremony von Due. They must also be included.”
“…Are you saying they cannot belong to the faction unless they are all together?”
“Precisely.”
Marbas stood and spoke.
“I will ensure those three can pass through specially. You must also fulfill your contract with me faithfully.”
At some point, a contract rune appeared in Marbas’s palm. Nahun stood momentarily, staring at the quickly formed contract rune, then smirked.
“Very well.”
As Marbas and Nahun concluded their contract, Bernet, who had been nearby, spoke.
“Um, Your Majesty Marbas.”
“What is it?”
“Will you not send our merchant as well?”
“Your merchant’s investigation has yet to begin, so of course not.”
“Y-Yes!?”
At Marbas’s words, Nahun laughed heartily. Then, patting Bernet on the shoulder, he said.
“What can we do?”
“N-Nahun! Please take me with you! If I remain bound here, how significant a loss it would be…”
“I’m sorry, but this is the limit. If you push it, nothing will matter.”
“Wait, wait a moment!!”
Bernet expressed his frustration, but with other merchants likewise bound, there was no special treatment to offer them. Nahun briefly looked at the helpless Bernet, then smiled apologetically.
“It can’t be helped, can it?”
“N-Nahun!”
“Just endure a bit longer.”
Meanwhile, while Nahun was finalizing the contract with Marbas, Seere was reading a letter that had been relayed from the 50th floor. The letter sent from the fifth floor was penned in Nahun’s handwriting.
The letter stated that Nahun was currently on the fifth floor and would be returning shortly. However, it did not explain why he had ended up there, which left Seere puzzled.
“Why on the fifth floor…?”
In truth, had Seere known that the cause was Iris, he would have been worried that he would have to punish Iris for “causing trouble for the teacher.” If Seere questioned whether he had the authority to do so at his discretion, the answer was yes. A liege certainly had the right to punish a person who caused trouble for both the royal tutor and their aide.
Regardless, Seere had slightly different conjectures due to Nahun’s omission of details.
The fifth floor of Marbas von Gart. It was a grand and famous floor in many ways, yet especially notorious for its red-light district. As a primordial Demon King, Marbas didn’t see anything wrong with such a vulgar place.
Thus, even though restrictions on the red-light district weren’t particularly strict, and access control was very stringent, the overall safety was excellent, making the fifth floor’s red-light district renowned in the Demon World for being a safe place to enjoy various entertainments.
Seere pondered upon that place momentarily, then shook his head.
“It can’t be.”
His teacher wouldn’t already be cheating. Thinking that, Seere was about to fold the letter when he noticed the location from which the letter had been sent.
“…?”
That location, where Bernet’s merchant group and most other merchant groups had gathered, was not very far from the red-light district. It was evident from how easily Nahun had reached it after arriving at the red-light district. So, the place Bernet had sent the letter from was none other than…
“…The red-light district.”
Realizing that fact, Seere furrowed his brow. Muttering something to himself, he immediately stood up and headed outside.
