Chapter 214
Nahun let out a wry smile upon hearing Phynox’s words.
“…How many eyes and ears does His Majesty have in this demon world?”
“Well, who knows?”
“Are you a spy?”
“No? I don’t engage in risky business like that.”
If that’s the case, it means they have observed things from the outside. It seemed that Nahun had exceptionally high-performing subordinates, similar to Dein.
At this point, if asked to name the best informant in the demon world, Phynox would surely be at the top of the list. Nahun barely concealed his bewilderment and spoke to Phynox.
“I didn’t expect you to know that our lord fought a demon.”
“Hehe, honestly, I was surprised too. Who would have thought that at such a young age… he would overcome a demon? I heard it was ‘Mephistopheles’, right?”
“…If you know that much, it makes it easier to disclose the details.”
Nahun said.
“So, what do you think? The things I mentioned earlier, can you trust them now?”
“……I acknowledge that. Clearly, she can rise much higher.”
Phynox responded positively. It seemed that the previous suggestion by Nahun to trust Seere had paid off. Once during the Great War of Archangels and now during this incident, Seere had proven her strength.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Can I expect some support during the assembly?”
“Oh my.”
Phynox smiled and said.
“Of course.”
With that, Phynox passed by Nahun and headed towards the banquet hall. Nahun watched for a moment before exhaling in relief, muttering to himself.
“I thought you were watching the fight against TaUMIEL, but I guess not….”
Phynox mentioned there were no internal spies, but he would need to instruct the commanders to carry out a search later. Just in case.
That aside, for now, the fact that Phynox was overseeing that matter had a positive effect. The trust shown by Phynox was directed towards Nahun, not Seere. However, due to the Great Archangel War and this current situation, Phynox was likely to develop trust towards Seere as well.
“Good.”
Nahun then saw the Demon King entering. He greeted him with a polite demeanor.
“Welcome, Marbas von Gart.”
Marbas, with his imposing and kind presence, raised his hand slightly and said.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Marbas von Gart.
He was the most important figure among the guests today and the one to be wary of the most. It was clear that Marbas would aim to contact Seere and her allies at this banquet. However, since the assembly had not yet been convened, he could not risk losing Barbatos’s trust by contacting the Nobilis faction too early.
‘At least until the hierarchy is established in this assembly, I must maintain a good relationship with Barbatos.’
Of course, Marbas’s mere presence could raise questions about a potential connection with the Nobilis faction, but there was a significant difference between implying it and openly revealing it. Therefore, Nahun had specifically instructed Seere, Citri, and Gremony not to engage too much with Marbas.
‘I can’t not invite him, so they should endure a little.’
Marbas would likely notice the demeanor of their side. He might become more proactive, but…
‘…He’s not that kind of person.’
Marbas was tolerant. He would pick up on their intentions and show consideration, rather than cause trouble. While thinking that, Marbas spoke to Nahun.
“There’s a Demon King who wished to join me in this gathering. Would that be acceptable?”
“Yes, I mentioned that you could bring a companion.”
“Then it’s settled. Let them in.”
Nahun had anticipated that Marbas would bring a companion. This much was within expectations, so Nahun didn’t react particularly strongly, but he was taken aback upon seeing the Demon King who later appeared.
“Greetings. I apologize for the sudden visit.”
“…Welcome, Asmodeus. It’s a pleasure.”
With his striking light reddish hair, this man’s name was Asmodeus.
“You know of me.”
“Of course.”
He was the Demon King who ranked 31st in the hierarchy, often referred to as the last bastion among high-ranking Demon Kings. However, the rank itself wasn’t the issue.
Nahun’s surprise stemmed from the fact that Asmodeus was a member of the Nobilis faction and that he had no clear reason to visit Seere.
‘…What’s going on?’
It was unclear whether this was part of Marbas’s intentions or Asmodeus’s independent decision. Asmodeus was a Demon King mentioned as the potential new leader of the Nobilis faction, yet he wasn’t a particularly high-ranking Demon King who wielded significant power within the faction.
Surely, he was strong enough as a high-ranking Demon King, and Garp, whom Seere had previously defeated, had not dared to challenge him. This was the decisive reason why he had maintained his position.
However, putting that aside…
‘Why is he here?’
Nahun couldn’t decipher his motives for coming this far. Given that his greatest concern was ‘anxiety’, the appearance of an unknown element heightened his unease significantly.
“…The banquet will begin shortly, so please proceed inside. The servants will guide you.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you. I’ll excuse myself then.”
Nahun watched as Marbas and Asmodeus entered the banquet hall.
“Iris.”
“Yes.”
Iris appeared by his side as if she had been there the whole time.
The sudden appearance of Asmodeus, who belonged to the Nobilis faction, simply meant that Marbas had hinted at Seere soon joining the Nobilis faction.
“Ensure that Asmodeus doesn’t approach Seere, Citri, or Gremony.”
“Ah, are you asking for an elimination?”
“…….”
As Nahun glared sharply at her, Iris flinched and lowered her head.
“W-What should I do then…?”
“I’m not saying to kill him. For example, create an accident disguised as a coincidence. Or I’m telling you to interfere.”
“Ah, understood. I got it.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Nahun pondered momentarily, feeling a bit uneasy about whether he should bring Dein, but then nodded. Iris received her orders and vanished, and Nahun sighed as he adjusted his tie.
“It’s about to begin.”
#
Citri and Gremony were tense. They had heard the news that a significant figure was visiting, but they had thought it was just going to end with Marbas.
‘…W-What is this situation?’
‘Surely, those two Barbatons and Phynox wouldn’t be invited together…?’
Indeed. It was well-known that Barbatos von Eishval and Phynox von Bog had a famously poor relationship, yet here they were, seated together.
In fact, even now, Barbatos was looking at Phynox with contempt, and Phynox was responding to that gaze with a somewhat frightening smile. Lezargie was also growling at Phynox.
Within that tension-filled atmosphere, Glashalavras wore an amused expression. Marbas maintained his kind demeanor, while Asmodeus wore an inscrutable expression.
The number of Demon Kings gathered was small. Excluding Citri and Gremony, the rest were all prominent Demon Kings. There were no mid to lower-ranking Demon Kings present.
Citri, originally from a top-ranking bloodline, was somewhat less tense, but Gremony appeared to be on edge.
Just then, Asmodeus moved towards them. Specifically, to where Citri and Gremony were situated.
“Greetings, Gremony. Citri.”
“Ah, hello, Asmodeus.”
“…Hello.”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yes, well….”
“Been well indeed.”
Citri recalled Nahun’s words. His advice not to engage with Marbas was a message that applied to Asmodeus, who belonged to the Nobilis faction as well.
Thus, she intentionally made a statement to create some distance.
“However, I don’t think we are in a position to share light-hearted conversation, are we? I believe we don’t know each other very well.”
“I wanted to take this opportunity to get to know you all better.”
“Well, I’m not sure why that needs to happen.”
Citri pretended not to know that Asmodeus belonged to the Nobilis faction. For a moment, confusion crossed Asmodeus’s face but quickly faded.
“Ah, I see. Then I guess we should be satisfied with just exchanging greetings today.”
To everyone’s surprise, Asmodeus chose to withdraw rather easily. Citri and Gremony were slightly taken aback by this, and Asmodeus genuinely returned to his original spot.
“…What was that about?”
“Who knows…?”
At that moment, the lights on the podium in the banquet hall were illuminated. Though many prominent Demon Kings had gathered, this occasion was, after all, a celebration for one person. It was time for the protagonist of the banquet to make her entrance.
The sound of heels clicking echoed as the eyes of the important figures there gathered in one direction, all showing the same reaction.
“The unworthy heir of the Invincible King…”
“She has grown so much.”
“She looks different from what we saw on the battlefield.”
The black dress contrasted against her white hair and skin, making her beauty stand out even more. The Demon Kings couldn’t hold back their admiration for her dazzling appearance.
Seere, standing on the dais, lifted the hem of her dress slightly to greet the attendees.
“Thank you so much for joining us today.”
The Demon Kings responded with a short round of applause.
“This banquet is my small gesture of thanks for your support in my victory. Please enjoy yourselves.”
Seere announced the beginning of the feast and descended from the dais to greet each individual personally, adhering to formalities according to their ranks.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to greet you personally. It’s an honor that the always-respected Marbas could attend.”
“Not at all. I’m the one grateful for you inviting me to such an occasion.”
After greeting Marbas, Seere aimed to head towards Barbatos. At that moment, Marbas spoke again, halting her movements.
“There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you directly.”
“Yes, of course. What is it, Marbas?”
“Mikael.”
The single word that escaped Marbas’s lips, short enough to require no elaboration, was enough to capture the attention of not only Seere but also Barbatos, Phynox, and all the other Demon Kings present.
“Just how did you deal with him?”
#
When Nahun entered the banquet hall after finishing his checks, he found Seere before Marbas, who had just asked the question.
“…That old man is asking troublesome questions.”
Yet, Nahun did not panic. He had anticipated this scenario. Whether it was Marbas, Barbatos, or even Lezargie, he had believed someone would inquire about that incident.
In fact, Glashalavras had asked Nahun as soon as she arrived. Although she had foolishly asked separately, thus not requiring any grand excuses, the other Demon Kings were not fools. Nahun was aware they would ask in a public setting filled with many people, which would prevent him from giving a clumsy excuse.
So he had relayed some information to Seere ahead of time. A solution for such a situation. And at the same time, a way to firmly imprint the name ‘Seere von Debata’ onto these formidable figures.
“…I dealt with it.”
“…What did you say?”
“The Archangel Mikael.”
Seere slightly raised her hand. When she placed it over her chest, black mist swirled behind her.
Her blue eyes shone with a chilling light. The spirit emanating from a mere twenty-year-old Demon King was anything but ordinary. No Demon King present was free from that oppressive aura.
“I dealt with it.”
From the black mist, a massive white shadow flickered into view before disappearing again. Following that, large beasts with massive fangs and long snouts, as well as monstrous creatures with large beaks, appeared and vanished. Finally, the black mist dissipated completely.
Marbas, upon witnessing this, stood with a frozen expression, doubting his own eyes. The faces of Barbatos, Phynox, and the other Demon Kings were also filled with shock. The magical power sensed just moments ago was…
Seere smiled slightly at Marbas and said.
“Does that answer your question?”
