Chapter 220
Four days passed quickly, and the day of the second Demon World Assembly, which Nahun and Seere were both welcoming, arrived.
All the Demon Kings of the Demon World headed to the sixth floor ruled by Malepare, and Seere and Nahun were no exception.
“Seere…?”
“……..”
Nahun gently called out to her, but Seere, with a sulky expression and her cheeks slightly puffed, did not respond. She was extremely displeased with the current situation. The evidence was clear in her furrowed brow even though she remained silent.
“I’m really… sorry, Seere.”
The beautiful Demon King apologizing repeatedly to Seere was Phynox von Bog. Now, in Malepare’s domain, Nahun could not pretend to be in a romantic relationship with Seere.
At least not until the assembly was over. He could not betray Malepare’s support; thus, he didn’t need to maintain a false romantic relationship with Phynox… Nahun could not show any signs of affection toward Seere either.
Initially puzzled by Seere’s behavior, Phynox, after hearing Nahun’s explanation, felt genuinely sorry.
She had not anticipated things turning out this way. She was completely unaware that Nahun had entered a romantic relationship with Seere.
Phynox looked at Nahun with a slightly resentful gaze.
“If that’s how it was, you should have rejected my proposal.”
“Wasn’t it what you wanted, Your Majesty? And didn’t you kind of sense it the other time? You know, in the dessert shop…?”
“Back then, I just wanted to chase you away!”
Nahun had no retort to Phynox’s words.
“I’m not a rogue either. Had I known the circumstances, I would have offered a different solution.”
As he thought this, Nahun wished he had asked about it earlier. However, despite Phynox’s apology, Seere did not seem to be in any better mood; her puffy cheeks showed no sign of deflating.
“Well… there’s no point in us staying together. Your Majesty, you should return to your accommodations.”
“Oh, right. Seere, please understand, I had no ill intentions.”
Phynox left, reassuring Seere until the very end. Nahun saw her off and turned to Seere.
“Are you still not done being angry?”
“……..”
The only response Nahun received to his question was a sharp glare. He showed a slightly troubled expression, but Seere’s demeanor remained unchanged. Nahun wanted to comfort her here, but he worried that Malepare might be watching.
“Let’s head to your accommodations for now. There, we can…”
Since no one would see them in the accommodations, he thought he could properly console her. Seere glanced at Nahun and then abruptly turned her head away, moving forward.
Nahun stared blankly at her back for a moment due to her light spitefulness. Then, unable to help it, he let out a chuckle.
“…I really am in deep trouble.”
Even that was starting to look cute. Nahun wore a light smile and quickly followed her. The venue Malepare prepared for this assembly was wider and more extravagant than the one Barbatos had previously arranged.
What stood out the most were Malepare’s legionnaires stationed all around. Although Barbatos had his subordinates set as guards, Malepare’s legionnaires were more conspicuous because of their splendid uniforms.
Overall, the military uniforms were a white base adorned with red epaulettes and golden thread, making it apparent that they were treated well.
‘It would be nice if our military had something like that.’
Of course, the Debata military had uniforms. Notably, high-ranking figures such as the Daejeong and vice Daejeong were given formal attire that rivaled Malepare’s. However, since ordinary soldiers wore them here, it gave a sense of proper treatment.
“They must have high loyalty.”
“…What are you talking about?”
Seere, having overheard Nahun’s mumbling, questioned him in a curt tone. Nahun, unable to hide his smile directed at her finally speaking up, responded.
“Ah, look at the clothes the soldiers of Malepare are wearing. I think it would be good for us to pay a little more attention to our soldiers’ uniforms.”
Upon hearing Nahun’s delighted grin, Seere’s mood softened slightly, and their conversation continued.
“We don’t have any money.”
“Huh? What do you mean? Our business has been doing well…”
“We spent a lot repairing the recently conquered layers. We acquired many tiers at once, remember? We have no surplus money for now or for a while.”
Since Nahun had handed over financial authority to Seere, he was unaware of how low the funds at the Demon King Castle had become. He touched his chin and said.
“It looks like you need some money.”
“The soldiers do not seem dissatisfied with their outfits right now, so is it really necessary?”
“Seere, don’t you feel like your status is rising?”
“…I suppose?”
“Then the subordinates should be compensated accordingly, and they will become more loyal to you and work harder for you.”
“Uh… that’s true, but we have no money.”
“Money can be earned.”
“How?”
Nahun replied simply.
“That’s something to consider from now on.”
“…What? I thought you had a plan.”
“I just found out that the castle has no money.”
Nahun laughed lightly, and Seere contemplated drawing closer to him, only to realize belatedly that she was still angry and quickly turned her head away.
‘Just a bit more, and I’ll be able to soothe her.’
#
In Seere’s resting room, while Nahun had his own separate room, he wouldn’t face any restrictions from the guards since he was Seere’s only aide.
As he entered her room, Nahun approached Seere, who was taking off her cloak, ready to take it from her.
“Shall I hang it here?”
“…Yes.”
While Nahun hung her cloak on the coat rack, Seere quietly moved her feet. She quietly surveyed the room, then ran her hand over the neatly made bed with clean blankets. Finally, she lightly sat on the edge.
The soft sensation gently stimulated her entire backside. Seere rested both hands on the cushy blanket and leaned back. She raised her head slightly to look ahead.
In her line of sight was Nahun, carefully hanging her cloak to avoid wrinkling. Watching him quietly, Seere finally parted her lips slightly.
“…Who do you think this belongs to?”
“Huh? What did you say?”
Since she spoke softly, Nahun didn’t hear Seere’s mumble. Seere looked at him with a slight pouting expression and, seeing Nahun somewhat flustered by her gaze, said.
“Teacher.”
“Huh?”
“I belong to the teacher.”
With Seere’s enigmatic statement, Nahun stared blankly at her for a moment.
“Then who does the teacher belong to?”
“…Yours?”
“That’s right. The teacher belongs to Seere von Debata.”
Seere nodded slightly in her seat. It was a silent instruction that she wouldn’t move, and he was the one who should come. Nahun approached her without any particular questions regarding this instruction.
As Nahun drew closer until he could reach out, Seere suddenly extended her right hand. With that hand, she forcefully pulled on Nahun’s tie while simultaneously lifting her bottom.
“Ugh, the tie…!?”
As Nahun was pulled by the tie, his head naturally lowered, while Seere, lifting her bottom, raised her head. Consequently, her lips met Nahun’s.
After a light kiss, Seere detached her head first. Gripping Nahun’s tie tightly, she looked him straight in the eye and declared.
“So please have a realization.”
Although she glared, it was less of an aggressive glare and more cute. Perhaps feeling shy about her own words, her face was quite flushed.
“Don’t flirt with other girls… I mean, do that only with me.”
It was a cute yet assertive declaration. Nahun stared at her wide-eyed, and Seere, feeling embarrassed under his gaze, turned red.
“I’ve never flirted….”
“There! You don’t realize it, but sometimes it feels like it. With that, you have nine tails…!”
“…Hmm.”
Nahun pondered for a moment and then noticed Seere’s pretty ears. He reached out, gently caressing Seere’s auricle.
“Ha!?”
“So it means just for you…”
“W-wait a minute, teacher….”
Nahun deliberately did not resist Seere’s grip on the tie. As a result, the balance broke, causing Nahun’s body to lunge forward, pushing Seere back onto the bed.
He firmly held her empty hands, intertwining their fingers. Then, looking at her with a clueless expression, he spoke.
“Is this how you want it? But this seems to be nothing different from usual.”
“That’s not it…! Hah… don’t touch my ears, it’s ticklish!”
“Sure.”
Nahun removed the hand tickling Seere’s ear. With her face flushed, Seere glared at Nahun with sharp eyes.
“Wasn’t it this?”
“Not this kind, but you know… the verbal stuff!”
“That’s not flirting; that’s a political move. You know that.”
With an understanding look, Nahun pressed his lips lightly against his intertwined fingers. However, Seere pouted her lips, dissatisfied with that. Logically, she understood that all of Nahun’s actions were politically motivated.
But still…
“I just want you to focus on me when we’re together.”
Nahun blinked slightly. It wasn’t something particularly surprising, but he was flustered. Seere’s expression while saying it was just too cute and beautiful for him to handle. The slight shyness of her expression, the bright red cheeks, and the adorable position of being laid out below him all combined to create a heartwarming scene…
Peck.
Unintentionally, Nahun leaned down and lightly kissed Seere’s lips. As her eyes widened in surprise, he smiled and said.
“Okay, I’ll do that. I was wrong.”
“Y-you suddenly surprised me.”
“You did too.”
Nahun leaned down again. Smack, smack, smack—the sound of shy pecks echoed as Nahun kissed Seere’s forehead, cheeks, neck, and shoulders.
Seere, her face flushed from his affection offensive, believed she wouldn’t be able to contain herself any longer and pushed Nahun away.
“That’s enough…!”
“Why? I was just expressing my love as you wanted…!”
“I-I was wrong, so please stop!!”
Seere looked at Nahun with a pouting glare, as if not to be spoiled. Nahun chuckled and lightly ruffled her hair.
“Got it. There will be a banquet tonight, so let’s pick out your clothes first.”
“Yes…”
This time, Nahun’s sincere victory melted Seere’s sulky heart.
#
The tallest structure on the sixth floor is Malepare’s Demon King Castle. While Malepare himself had a flair for ostentation, this was the result borne from the loyalty of his subordinates. It was a construction built on the support of his followers who insisted that their lord should be at the highest point.
As expected from that intent, the room at the very top was Malepare’s personal chamber. Being the host of the assembly, he remained in his own castle. At that moment, amid the lodgings assigned to him, someone who was supposed to stay there came to visit Malepare.
“Malepare.”
“…What is it? Why do you come looking for me?”
Malepare thought it was really strange. This Demon King had no particular reason to seek him out.
“What brings you here?”
They weren’t particularly friendly, nor were they outright hostile. Even Malepare had no desire to oppose him.
Not just Malepare, but no one in the Demon World would want to oppose this man. It was simply inevitable.
“Belzebut.”
The man who visited Malepare stood at the pinnacle of the Demon World.
