241st Chapter
The two didn’t really focus on the play. They were preoccupied with the presence of Astharoth von Hoda, who seemed to have made contact with Nabirus. It was only natural, as they had just witnessed the opposing Demon King meeting with another Demon King before the war would break out…
The play ended, but Nahun and Seere felt a mix of emotions that didn’t quite fit. Their attention was still directed towards Astharoth, who had made contact with the Plebis faction’s Demon King.
“Teacher, it’s over.”
“Oh, right. I see.”
They knew they should be leaving soon, but they hesitated to take the first step. It wasn’t until they saw Astharoth and Nabirus leaving that they felt inclined to exit.
“I wonder what they talked about?”
“Who knows….”
Nahun thought he needed to find out what had been said. However, they had not brought anyone to ask, and it wasn’t like they could just go over there. After a moment’s hesitation, Nahun spoke.
“Should we try asking Phynox…?”
“That seems like a good idea. We could just ask in a letter when we return.”
“Yeah. I think that’s the right choice.”
With nothing they could do in the moment, they had no option but to let it go.
‘We’re not going to war right now, anyway….’
Nahun decided to find out when they returned and began to exit the theater with Seere. Just then, Seere grabbed Nahun’s arm.
“Can we see this again?”
“Hmm?”
“I couldn’t really focus, so I don’t even have a clue what the art was about.”
“Hmm….”
Indeed, they were so preoccupied with what was happening over there that they barely remembered what the play was about. Nahun had no choice but to call someone and ask if they could purchase another ticket for the same seat.
“Of course, that’s possible, but it will take a little time before the next show starts. How about stepping out for a bit and coming back?”
“Let’s do that.”
They had about an hour to spare. Nahun exited the theater with Seere and took a stroll down the street. Seeing Seere cling to his arm made him think of a cat.
The expression on Seere’s face, comfortably resting against his arm with a smile, resembled that of a purring cat. Without realizing it, Nahun smiled back, but he came to his senses when he heard Seere pointing to something.
“Teacher, what is that over there?”
“Hmm?”
There were performers engaging in performance art. Nahun watched people stack their bodies like towers, shaking his head in confusion.
“It looks like some sort of performance art. I don’t really get it.”
“What’s performance art?”
“They say it’s about expressing something artistic using one’s body like that….”
Nahun wasn’t particularly interested in art and didn’t resonate much with that kind of appreciation, so he showed a lackluster response. On the other hand, Seere seemed curious, possibly because it was her first time seeing such a thing, revealing a bit of her childhood innocence.
“Hmmm…”
“Is it fascinating?”
“Yes, a little. It must be tough for the person at the very bottom when everyone climbs like that… Is art normally this way? It looks more like torture.”
“Haha.”
It certainly could be seen as torture, especially for the person at the bottom. Nahun and Seere looked around at other spots on the street before returning to the theater.
“Didn’t you see Astharoth or Nabirus outside?”
“No.”
It seemed they hadn’t officially met here; they must have met secretly. Nahun wondered how Phynox would react once she found out about this… He was curious as he returned to the theater.
“Guests.”
At that moment, a staff member approached. This was the same person Nahun had called to make the additional reservation.
“What’s up?”
“Well, there’s someone who really wants to sit with you two. Would that be alright?”
“No, I don’t particularly want that.”
Initially, Nahun had refused since he wanted to focus on the play. But he widened his eyes in surprise at what the staff member said next.
“Please reconsider just this once. That person is… Astharoth von Hoda.”
“……What?”
#
Nahun and Seere sat in the balcony with slight discontent, their expressions filled with curiosity and disbelief. Opposite them was someone who shouldn’t have been there, seated in a chair that didn’t belong.
With silver hair shining like jewels and a single horn protruding from her forehead, Astharoth von Hoda had a mysterious and beautiful appearance, with strikingly blue eyes.
Astharoth glanced at the two and spoke.
“It’s been a while. And…”
Astharoth looked at Seere.
“Nice to meet you. Seere von Debata.”
“…Yes, nice to meet you, Astharoth von Hoda.”
It was a simple greeting, but there was a clear tone of hostility in Seere’s voice. Despite sensing that, Astharoth didn’t seem particularly bothered.
Then she turned to Nahun.
“I didn’t expect to find you on the ninth floor; it’s quite the coincidence.”
“…I also didn’t expect Your Majesty to be here.”
“Ha ha.”
Astharoth suddenly burst into laughter and then spoke to Nahun.
“Why the formality? When you were pressuring me so sharply, you suddenly become polite.”
“The situation is different now, isn’t it?”
“It seems you should stop acting different; it doesn’t suit you.”
As Astharoth acted unusually friendly, Seere looked at Nahun with a questioning gaze about what was going on. However, Nahun felt a bit wronged by this treatment.
‘We’re not exactly on friendly terms.’
At that time, Astharoth had committed a wrong, and Nahun had pressured her about it unilaterally. There was no reason for them to be on friendly terms. Yet, Nahun felt slightly flustered by Astharoth’s friendly demeanor.
“…So, why did you seek us out?”
“Ah, you suit that tone well. The reason I came is simple—I wanted to see what you two were spying on.”
“You were aware of it.”
It seemed she had sensed it. Since she had not once glanced in their direction, he thought she wouldn’t know, but it seemed she was pretending not to. What about Nabirus…?
“Nabirus wouldn’t know.”
Just as Nahun was thinking that, Astharoth preemptively reassured him. Nahun looked at her with a slightly astonished expression.
“Can you read thoughts?”
“Not at all. It would be fortunate if I had such an ability, but unfortunately, I don’t possess that power.”
“…What did you talk about with Nabirus?”
When Nahun asked, Astharoth smiled lightly and said.
“Straight to the point, huh? If so, can I ask you one thing before I share my story?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Why are you and Seere von Debata here?”
“…Do I owe you any obligation to tell you that?”
“If you’re curious about my story, there has to be a give-and-take.”
When Astharoth asked this, Seere looked at Nahun with an annoyed expression.
“Teacher, we don’t need to know, so let’s just send her back.”
“…….”
Nahun also contemplated that, but he was very concerned about Astharoth’s contact with Nabirus at this time. He felt the need to hear what they had discussed, prompting him to respond.
“I only met Phynox von Bog. She should know about our acquaintance.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Astharoth’s reaction was one of having anticipated that. Nahun’s brow slightly furrowed at her response.
“Did you ask that knowing?”
“I simply needed confirmation. You could have possibly come with other intentions.”
“Other intentions?”
“For instance… you might have secretly followed me to investigate as I’m about to go to war.”
At that statement, both Nahun and Seere had no choice but to frown. While they were conducting mock training in preparation for war, that was a military secret. They had never leaked it to the outside. Yet, Astharoth knew…
“Did you plant a spy?”
“A spy? That would be too risky. I just have informants who move without being detected.”
Astharoth looked at Nahun.
“You should have one as well.”
Nahun didn’t feel the need to respond. However, it surprised him that Astharoth knew about Nahun’s associates. Even though Dein and Iris hadn’t been particularly active, Astharoth seemed to already have a grasp of everything, indicating her exceptional intelligence.
‘Just like when she knew about my duel with Barbatos….’
She was definitely extraordinary. A Demon King who would not have any issues even if her rank were higher. As Nahun regarded her with slightly wary eyes, Astharoth smirked and said.
“Since I’ve heard your story, I’ll share mine as well.”
“…Alright.”
“I intend to become a member of the Plebis faction.”
“…!?”
Astharoth von Hoda was a neutral Demon King, not affiliated with either faction. She wasn’t a member of the Nobilis faction.
“That’s why I contacted Nabirus. There’s no reason for them to refuse a Demon King like me joining their faction, so I’ll be making a decision and announcement soon.”
As she said, Astharoth was a Demon King who lacked nothing in terms of skill, rank, or influence. Since the Equites faction had fallen, this was a perfect opportunity for the Plebis faction to solidify its position by gaining her membership.
“…Are you making that choice to avoid conflict with us?”
“Indeed.”
“Are you joining a faction to avoid a war with the lower class? The Astharoth von Hoda?”
“Didn’t you say something similar before?”
Astharoth remarked.
“You advised that opposing you wouldn’t be a wise choice, didn’t you?”
“…….”
Nahun had indeed said that. He hadn’t thought she would still keep that in mind. He felt a bit uneasy about it.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t you choose the Nobilis faction? If we were in the same faction, we wouldn’t have crossed paths….”
“Oh? Are you suggesting we should be purged together?”
“…!”
Astharoth’s blue eyes sparkled ominously. Nahun found himself a bit conscious of her, but not in the rational sense; it was the sheer greatness of the Demon King Astharoth von Hoda that made him feel this way.
“If you truly intended to live quietly as a member of the Nobilis faction, you would not continue to meet Phynox from the moment you joined their faction.”
Astharoth stated.
“Not to mention that you continue to meet the head of the Plebis faction….”
Astharoth’s insight was frightening. She must have come to that speculation relatively recently. Originally, meeting Nabirus was likely just for reinforcements. To confront Seere, who was part of the Nobilis faction, she must have believed she needed support from a faction friendly with her.
Additionally, it hadn’t been long since she witnessed Seere and Nahun together on the ninth floor. Assuming the relationship between Seere and Phynox led her to choose the Plebis faction made little sense.
Yet Astharoth, after observing the situation, had suddenly shifted her thoughts and nearly arrived at the truth.
Seere seemed to sense this too, exhibiting a considerable degree of tension. Meanwhile, Astharoth continued to wear a confident smile.
…However, Nahun could not help but scoff.
“So, it’s the Plebis faction. You can control us, and with our connection to Phynox, the likelihood of an attack is low… is that what you’re thinking?”
“Something like that.”
“That’s a huge misconception.”
Astharoth looked at Nahun with slightly perplexed eyes. Her insights were remarkable. The logical conclusions based on the information provided yielded nearly perfect deductions, but there was a decisive flaw.
“Astharoth, your thinking cannot be correct because you don’t know the crucial details.”
“…What do you mean?”
They were unaware.
“We have never been hostile to the Plebis faction.”
What Phynox hoped and desired would prove to be the case. For her ambitions, Phynox could very well stand idly by while a Demon King from the same faction was devoured by Seere for her growth.
“…Are you saying you’ll attack the faction while maintaining a relationship with Phynox?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“You don’t understand how much Phynox treasures her own faction.”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“…What?”
Nahun didn’t elaborate further. However, Astharoth might have felt it. That what he was saying was entirely true.
“……So, Phynox would give up on her own faction to maintain a relationship with you?”
“It would be best to reconsider what you talked about with Nabirus.”
“…Ha ha, you’re quite something.”
Astharoth chuckled.
“You’re a dangerous man.”
“…Wait, what are you carelessly coveting?!”
At that moment, Seere, who had been quietly listening, shouted angrily. Nahun looked at her with a puzzled expression, but Astharoth showed no signs of surprise.
“To covet? I believe there’s been a misunderstanding. It was meant in a very literal sense.”
“…That’s ridiculous.”
As Seere growled, Astharoth shook her head.
“While it is true I find you intriguing as a talent, as a potential partner, I can’t say for sure since I don’t know you well.”
“The very fact that you find my teacher intriguing is a misunderstanding!”
“Oh, that’s true, isn’t it?”
As Astharoth smiled and laughed, Seere looked considerably irritated, narrowing her brows sharply.
“I’ll just head back. I think we’ve confirmed everything we needed to.”
Astharoth spoke to Nahun as she began to depart.
“Then have a good time. Ensure the disturbances step aside.”
Astharoth left before the play began, but once again, Nahun and Seere found themselves unable to focus on the play.
‘If the Plebis faction intervenes as reinforcements, the war will likely become much harder.’
Nahun thought this as he gazed at the stage.
“…It seems we need something to ruin the stage.”
