Chapter 197
Before punishing Nahun, there was something else that needed to be done. It was to deal with the remaining alliance of Phynox that had not given up yet.
Having defeated Bine, Shaz, and Garp on the 43rd floor, Seere had also conquered the 42nd floor while Nahun was meeting Marbas on the 5th floor and Paimon on the 9th.
The Demon Lord on the 42nd floor, Sabnac, had barely escaped to join Phynox, while the remaining forces had either been disposed of by Seere or surrendered.
Now, only the 41st and 40th floors remained. To strategize for the next floor, Seere summoned the commanders of the legions. The commanders, upon seeing Nahun attending the meeting as an aide, could not hide their bewilderment.
“…Nahun?”
“Oh, Commander Lin. You’ve worked hard.”
“Is there a reason for your appearance…?”
Both hands and feet had been tightly bound with magic cuffs and shackles, sitting next to Seere. Even a collar was fastened around Nahun’s neck, with a chain connecting it to Seere’s wrist.
“Punishment…”
“Pardon?”
“I’m being punished.”
“……?”
As Lin failed to understand and displayed a question mark above his head, Seere explained clearly.
“There was a reason, but it’s still an escape from duty. It’s a temporary restraint.”
“Oh… But Nahun didn’t do it intentionally, couldn’t you let it slide, Your Majesty?”
Since Lin was aware of Nahun’s true identity, he offered that advice. Attempting to put a collar on the Great Demon would cause a stir in Hell if known.
“I know that as well. I’m not doing this because I think the teacher truly needs to be punished.”
“Then why…?”
“To show that everyone can be punished, so that the subordinates will follow.”
“That’s true, but….”
“I’m not giving a particularly harsh punishment, so why?”
Seere asked, and Lin slightly shook his head. He thought it might be better to just beat him a bit… but he had no intention of objecting to his lord’s decision.
At that moment, Veronica spoke up.
“Seeing Nahun like this makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, perhaps. I feel somewhat the same.”
Other commanders nodded, somewhat agreeing with Veronica’s words. Knowing that Nahun had devoted himself to the Debata faction, their reactions were only natural.
“No. This level of punishment is necessary as an example.”
“An example?”
“With the teacher being restrained like this, it’s obvious what will happen if the other soldiers escape.”
“…That’s true.”
As Seere raised her wrist slightly, the collar tightened. However, Nahun remained silent and just shifted his chair slightly. The commanders gazed at him with a confused expression.
“Everyone has gathered, so shall we begin the meeting? Teacher?”
“…Huh? Why?”
“You’re also attending the meeting. Please feel free to share your thoughts.”
“Oh, right.”
With hands and feet bound and told to just spit out ideas, the commanders began to feel that their lord appeared a bit cruel for the first time.
Nahun had already heard how Seere fought since the first battle on the 44th floor. Although he thought he had a rough idea of what to expect, he was honestly surprised.
Based on that, Nahun spoke to Seere.
“Honestly, with your strength and the current power, you won’t lose no matter what you do. Unless you couldn’t defeat Garp.”
“The help from Levi was significant in that fight.”
As Seere mentioned Leviathan, a small white whale that had been circling around her appeared, wagging its tail. Nahun felt relieved that the creature seemed to help Seere well.
“While it played a significant role in reducing the numerical difference, defeating Garp was still your power. Not getting a single scratch while defeating a Rank 32 Demon Lord is proof that you’ve gotten that strong.”
Nahun was not just praising Seere because she was his disciple. He spoke objectively because it was the truth. To Nahun, Seere already stood at a level where she could easily compete with top-ranked Demon Lords.
“So, there’s no need to feel overly burdened or make things unnecessarily complicated.”
Nahun said.
“You can lead with rotation or just go for a direct siege. As long as you aren’t ambushed, trapped, or surrounded, most situations will favor you.”
“If I choose rotation, I need to consider an encirclement as well.”
“There are ways to address that.”
“Can I borrow Levi’s power again?”
“If that creature agrees.”
Nahun readily permitted it. He intended to assist Seere during the war, but he also wanted to make the public aware that “there exists a monster following Seere von Debata.”
‘To smoothly rise to the leader position within the Nobilis faction, I should start shaping my image from now.’
Seere’s power was becoming formidable, and the image of her as a “Demon Lord with overwhelming might” was being steadily established. If she successfully ended this war with a complete victory, that image would solidify further.
If rumors spread about a monster following her…
“So, plan the operation comfortably. It just can’t be utterly useless.”
Nahun finished his advice and waited for opinions from Seere and the commanders. He now seemed to suggest that they could speak freely.
The commanders could only feel a truly peculiar sensation seeing Nahun, still smiling relaxedly while bound hand and foot and with a collar around his neck.
#
While discussing various strategies, the decision for this battle was made as a straightforward siege following a report from a scout. The information brought by the scout revealed that Sephar and Phynox’s allied forces were preparing to confront Seere’s army at the walls of the 41st floor.
“In a siege battle, like against Garp, once we break through the walls using the power of Massu, we will gain a significant advantage.”
Celestia’s words prompted nods from all the commanders as well as Nahun and Seere. However, they did not choose a siege without knowing what they were doing. Phynox and Sephar had likely witnessed Seere fighting Garp.
“Does that mean they have a plan against Levi, Teacher?”
“Well, it seems likely.”
Nahun’s voice while responding was somewhat uninterested. When Seere pulled the collar taut slightly with a somewhat ambiguous expression, Nahun moved a bit closer to her.
“It’s not that I’m annoyed…”
“Then what is it?”
Nahun explained simply.
“It’s amusing that they’ve prepared countermeasures to block this creature.”
“What do you mean?”
“How can a Demon Lord ranked only about 40 stop my Massu’s power?”
Nahun was not boasting. He spoke calmly, as if stating something entirely obvious, without a hint of special emotion in his voice.
“It’s just a useless struggle. No matter what they try, if left to Leviathan, the walls will crumble.”
Though he spoke nonchalantly, there was unwavering confidence in his words. Of course, that didn’t mean that Nahun, wearing a collar, emanated his usual intimidation.
“However, that’s where Leviathan’s role ends.”
In reality, Leviathan could easily sweep away Phynox’s allied forces if need be. But, what was the meaning in doing that? Making the public aware that Seere commanded Leviathan was essential, but it must not hinder Seere’s growth.
Even if Seere ended the battle effortlessly, it had to be through her own hand. Nahun stated.
“I won’t allow anything beyond that.”
“I wasn’t looking for anything more, Teacher.”
“Right, just wanted to mention it just in case.”
Seere loosened the collar slightly. Nahun, however, didn’t move from his spot. Seere momentarily stared in surprise at Nahun before feeling delighted and breaking into a cheerful smile.
“Then it’s settled.”
Seere said while lifting the collar.
“Teacher, shall we go?”
“…Let’s go. Woof woof.”
When Nahun playfully remarked as if giving up, Seere laughed in amusement. She then took hold of Nahun’s leash and led the way out of the barracks.
Meanwhile, the commanders, witnessing the prince being calmly led away while still bound with a collar, shackles, and cuffs on, felt an incredibly strange sensation.
#
“Seere.”
“Yeah?”
Riding on Bicon, Seere glanced at Nahun with a questioning look. Thankfully, while riding Bicon, she wasn’t holding onto the leash. Though it remained attached, she had it hooked to Nahun’s reins to prevent him from escaping.
“Things like this aren’t necessary… I won’t run away, you know?”
“Every criminal is treated that way. Since I’m not imprisoned right now, I have to tie you up with the reins.”
“……”
It wasn’t an incorrect statement. Seeing Nahun like that, Ersha commented from beside him.
“Just give up, Nahun.”
“It’s just uncomfortable…”
“That’s the punishment.”
“If you put it that way, why are you free?”
“It’s customary for a superior to take responsibility for a subordinate’s mistakes.”
Ersha chuckled. Nahun sighed, unable to retort back to that statement. He then spoke to Seere, who was preparing to use the portal.
“Seere.”
“Yes?”
“Just one last piece of advice. Be cautious of the vanguard.”
“Do you think they will run a vanguard?”
“The likelihood is high. Especially if they chose to defend, buying time will be crucial. They could be waiting at the portal, so inform the legion commanders.”
“I will.”
Seere accepted Nahun’s advice and instructed each legion commander to prepare for battle as soon as they arrived via the portal. The moment Seere’s legion stepped through the portal to the 41st floor, arrows fell like rain above them.
However, Seere’s army, having anticipated it, sustained no significant damage.
“…Did they catch on?”
Ariana, the closest to Phynox leading the ambush, furrowed her brows. Realizing their surprise attack had failed, she retreated with her soldiers immediately.
“It was true then.”
“It’s obvious.”
Nahun said while glancing toward the distant Demon King Castle on the 41st floor. Although it was unusual to see the Demon King Castle from this location, the vision of the Great Demon was incomparable to that of others.
“I will watch and see how well you fight.”
Hearing Nahun’s words, Seere glanced at him for a moment, then chuckled softly. She then said.
“I’m going to conserve my stamina, alright?”
“…Huh?”
“So don’t think you can avoid it, Teacher.”
Finishing that statement, Seere drew her sword and stepped forward. Watching the legion following her, Nahun let out a deep sigh.
Ersha then spoke to Nahun.
“Should I prepare some stamina potions, then?”
“Please, don’t start saying strange things too…”
