Chapter 250

Chapter 250

Nahun wore an expression he hadn’t shown before. The serious furrow of his brow, the deep crease in his forehead, and the trembling look in his eyes were features he had never displayed.

Despite how strange he must have looked, no one found it odd. It was a situation that warranted such demeanor.

While Seere led the assault on the 23rd floor, Nahun stayed behind on the 25th floor to establish proper distribution channels for his artistic endeavors.

This was where Nahun and Seere’s thoughts aligned, as the strategy for conquering the 23rd floor and the business planning could not be postponed. Thus, it was just a short while ago that Nahun, trusting Seere and fully entrusting the critical task of conquering the 23rd floor to her, rushed over to arrive there.

“Seere!”

The news that had compelled him to run was none other than Seere’s injury. Although she hadn’t received any external injuries in her battle with Astharoth, she had exhausted her magic during the fierce fight…

“…Nahun.”

“What about Seere?”

“She is currently asleep, Your Excellency.”

Just as Nahun had been unable to wake after the War of the Heavenly Demons, Seere lay with her eyes closed. After momentarily losing himself in thought upon seeing Seere’s condition, Nahun ran his hand over his forehead. A frigid voice emanated from him, freezing the space around them in an instant.

“…What on earth happened?”

In response to Nahun’s question, Celestia, who was nearby, replied.

“It seems that she expended too much magic in the battle against Astharoth von Hoda. The opposition summoned dragons, you see…”

“She fought alone against a Demon King who could summon dragons? Until she was out of magic?”

“That was Her Majesty’s intention. And realistically, there was no one available who could assist Her Majesty.”

“Are you saying that as if it’s something to boast about?”

At Nahun’s reprimand, Celestia slightly lowered her head.

“I do not think so… I am merely stating the facts. I am simply conveying that Astharoth von Hoda’s power was such that no one aside from Her Majesty could withstand it.”

Hearing her words, Nahun took a moment to calm his heightened emotions.

Indeed. The gap between the demon race and the Demon King was vast, and aside from a few particularly strong individuals, there was no way to emerge victorious against a Demon King. In the Debata forces, only a few stood out capable of such feats.

Nahun was well aware that Astharoth was a formidable Demon King for his rank. Given that situation, it would be fair to say there was only one person who could assist Seere.

“What about Commander Lin?”

“He was fighting on the front lines at the time, alongside the Fifth Division. The front line held out for quite a long time… and Commander Lin has also sustained serious injuries.”

Moreover, the forces at the 23rd floor undoubtedly had the advantage in numbers. Each division had done its best from their respective positions for this victory. In retrospect, it seemed appropriate that Seere faced off against Astharoth alone.

With that thought surfacing and his rationality returning, Nahun sighed and said, “I misspoke. I apologize.”

“It is nothing.”

The Debata forces had faithfully fulfilled their roles. However, Nahun still had someone to reprimand.

“Come here.”

“……Muuu.”

It was Behemoth, who had failed to execute his orders properly. He had done even less than Leviathan, who had at least followed him without a command.

“What were you doing that took you so long?”

“……Muuu?”

“Pretending not to understand?”

As Nahun’s voice turned menacing, Behemoth flattened his ears and lay on the ground, shaking his long nose as if to express regret.

“Muuu…”

However, there was a reason for Behemoth’s delay. He had encountered Jeruel along the way, causing a delay that kept him from arriving on time. Behemoth felt a bit wronged for being unable to explain the circumstances, but it was clear that his master, Nahun, was angry, so he humbly apologized.

Seeing Behemoth’s apology, Nahun let out a deep sigh and turned to Celestia.

“Is there any issue with the circuits?”

“Luckily, it seems there is not.”

“…Is that so.”

Nahun glanced at Celestia. Only then did he notice that she too was not in perfect condition. While Seere faced off against Astharoth, she had also engaged fiercely with the forces on the 23rd floor.

She was bandaged in various places and looked physically drained. Yet, she didn’t show it on her face in front of Nahun. Nahun, feeling guilty for bringing someone in such a state, scolded himself internally.

“It would be best for the commander to rest as well.”

“I am fine.”

“No, you’re not. I will remain next to Seere, so go and rest. This is an order. I’ll receive reports from someone else.”

Since Seere had effectively lost the ability to exercise her authority, it was Nahun who was now exercising that authority. Celestia, unable to refuse his command, nodded slightly in compliance.

“Understood.”

As Celestia departed, she instructed the medical personnel on a few matters before leaving. Nahun sighed and addressed the medical team.

“Bring in a relatively unscathed division commander. They should be in a condition that doesn’t inhibit movement, preferably those with minor injuries.”

“Yes.”

After the medical personnel briefly left, Nahun turned his gaze back to Seere. She seemed to sleep soundly, showing no signs of distress. She was merely exhausted, having spent all her magic and needing to rest for a while.

“……”

However, Nahun did not see this as fortunate at all. The fact that this child experienced magic exhaustion meant a dire situation where she had to exhaust all the external magic stored in her hair and her usable magic. This implied her opposition was a formidable foe, but it also meant that Seere might not be here at this moment.

Nahun regretted it. If he had been by her side, this wouldn’t have happened.

“I didn’t expect… something like this.”

From the moment he considered placing Seere in the number one position, he had anticipated that such situations could arise. He had assumed there could be worse injuries than this.

The rulers of the demon world were not easy opponents, and waging war against them wouldn’t be simple either. He thought he had mentally prepared himself for this.

“……Perhaps I wasn’t prepared at all.”

Yet, seeing Seere collapsed like this, he didn’t feel that way at all. It wasn’t okay. He felt anxious. When he had received news of her condition, he thought his heart would drop.

Perhaps it was due to the changed relationship, but it seemed like there was more to it than that. Even if they hadn’t confirmed each other’s feelings…

“Damn it.”

The anxiety came rushing at him even stronger than expected. It was a relief that Seere had won, but thinking of the potential situation had she lost was terrifying.

It should be a teacher’s role to support her, trusting her and encouraging her, while being anxious but not obstructing her.

Desires boiled within him. He just wanted to keep this child by his side. He wanted to prevent her from venturing out into danger. Was it a protective instinct… or a vulgar desire for ownership? He didn’t know.

Nahun slowly reached out and gently stroked Seere’s cheek. Then, he took her limp hand in his and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m still… so naive.”

—

The medical personnel returned, accompanied by Veronica, the commander who had received the least injuries among the divisions. She provided Nahun with a detailed report on the entire situation.

“…Surrender?”

“Yes. Immediately after Astharoth von Hoda fell, General Krampus, who was leading the troops, declared an unconditional surrender. However… what’s peculiar is that most of those who surrendered expressed a desire to join Your Majesty’s ranks.”

Nahun tilted his head in puzzlement at Veronica’s words.

“Is that even possible?”

“I found it strange as well, but later heard that it was Astharoth von Hoda’s last command. It was from General Mastes who surrendered.”

“…What’s the possibility that they’re pretending to surrender as part of an internal rebellion?”

“It’s not entirely impossible, but they didn’t seem to have the intent to do so.”

Veronica’s story made Nahun nod thoughtfully. If he felt uneasy about it, he could verify it himself.

“…Was there any danger?”

“Yes? Ah… I was somewhat safe this time because I was in the rear with the Eighth Division. However, the Third to Seventh Divisions on the front lines… seemed to have suffered some damage.”

Veronica paused for a moment before continuing.

“If we accept Astharoth’s followers, we can recover the losses incurred, but if we don’t, it might take quite some time to restore our strength.”

“…Understood. Take note of that.”

Veronica bowed her head and withdrew. Left alone next to Seere once again, Nahun sighed lightly and summoned the Massu.

“Leviathan.”

As soon as he called, a swirl of black mist appeared, and a small, pure white whale popped out.

“Puu.”

“You should have helped if you followed. Why did you only watch without helping?”

“…Puu!”

Leviathan splashed its tail happily, pointing towards Seere, as if saying that she had wanted to finish it herself.

“…Are you saying Seere wanted to end it by her own strength?”

“Puu.”

As Leviathan affirmed this, Nahun reached out to it. For a moment, Leviathan was startled and lowered its head, but Nahun did not harm it.

“Puu?”

He instead petted it, offering an affectionate touch that seemed to praise it.

“Right, if this child wanted it that way, then that’s correct. It won’t be a problem if you stay close to her from now on.”

“Puu.”

Leviathan stared at Nahun for a moment and then began slapping its tail against the bed in delight. Nahun spoke to calm Leviathan down.

“Don’t disturb her while she sleeps.”

“Puu.”

Looking at Leviathan, Nahun felt relieved. If Leviathan stayed by Seere’s side voluntarily, even without him, her safety would be ensured.

“…You’ve had a hard time.”

Nahun’s statement applied not only to Leviathan but also conveyed what he wanted to say to the unable-to-rise Seere. Gently, he patted her hair, which had turned completely white, no longer revealing any of her red locks, and then stood up.

He then called the medical personnel waiting outside back in.

“I will check on the prisoners for a moment. Meanwhile, confirm if there are any abnormalities.”

“Yes, understood.”

“That one can just stay close by. Leviathan, refrain from unnecessary vigilance.”

“Puu.”

While Nahun would have liked to remain by Seere’s side, someone had to organize the 23rd floor now that the war was over. At this moment, Nahun was the only one who could fulfill that role. Ersha was currently proceeding with business plans on the 25th floor in Nahun’s absence, while Seere was still asleep.

“If you want to rest a bit more after waking up…”

Nahun intended to finish all that he could while she slept.

“I guess I have to move accordingly.”

—

The first place Nahun headed was naturally where the surrendered Astharoth’s forces were being held. In reality, saying they were captured only meant that they were unable to move from the stronghold they had used in this war.

It couldn’t be helped. There were too many to imprison, and managing all those prisoners was impossible. In fact, if he simply released them, they might end up harboring futile thoughts, yet they had behaved as though they truly had no such intentions.

“Here we are, Nahun.”

The one guiding him was Eliza, the vice commander of the Second Division. She had adapted well to her role and had become a solid force in the Debata army.

“Is it them?”

“Yes. On the left is General Krampus, and on the right is General Mastes.”

Before Nahun stood the two generals of Astharoth. Aside from the already fallen Glem, they were individuals quite close to Astharoth.

“I am Nahun, the mentor and aide to Her Majesty Seere von Debata.”

Nahun introduced himself briefly to them. General Krampus and Mastes bowed their heads in response.

“It is an honor to meet the mentor of the great one.”

“You wish to come under this banner.”

“…We believe that Her Majesty Seere von Debata can fulfill the dreams that our previous lord could not achieve.”

Nahun spoke.

“I have already heard all your elaborate tales. Whether it is Astharoth’s last will or your wishes… it is of no importance to me. I have but one question for you.”

“Ask away.”

“Can you and your soldiers serve Seere von Debata with the same mindset and posture as you served Astharoth von Hoda?”

Nahun’s eyebrows narrowed. He had an attitude that would harbor distrust if they did not provide a satisfactory answer. Sensing this, Krampus slowly lowered his head.

—

Thud!

He then buried his head in the ground, followed by Mastes doing the same, pressing his forehead to the ground.

Eliza looked quite surprised by the actions of the two generals, but Nahun remained calm as he waited for their next words.

“I, Krampus, and my subordinates swear to serve Her Majesty Seere von Debata with all that we have.”

“I, Mastes, will also dedicate my life.”

“…Is that a response to the last will?”

“……Indeed.”

Eliza exchanged a worried glance with Nahun. Krampus’s answer was akin to admitting that following Seere von Debata was for the sake of obeying the orders of the deceased Astharoth von Hoda.

However, Nahun appeared to find satisfaction in their response, smiling faintly.

“I appreciate your honesty. I understand your loyalty.”

Nahun regarded Krampus and Mastes. Though he could feel their sincerity in their voices, he couldn’t grasp their true intentions since he wasn’t a mind-reader. Nonetheless, he knew he could trust them.

“If it is not a feeble deceit, and you are following Astharoth’s commands, then… I will believe in your loyalty. Once Her Majesty awakens, I will ensure to speak favorably of your treatment.”

“…We are grateful for your deep trust.”

“…Thank you.”

Nahun stood up from his seat and commanded Eliza.

“Do not allow them to leave this place for a while. Until Seere makes the final decision, it cannot be helped. However, there is no need to restrain them. Allow them to act freely within the stronghold.”

“Yes.”

Nahun glanced around at the barracks inside the stronghold.

‘Astharoth von Hoda…’

Even when commanded to serve an enemy, there were loyal subordinates who followed him. The fact that he had gathered this many loyal followers indicates how remarkable Astharoth was as a leader.

Moreover, with his own exceptional strength, Seere had to expend all her magic to compete against Astharoth, who could easily contend with those ranked in the top twenty. One could say she had even grown stronger than in the original tale.

Nahun muttered, letting out a hint of disappointment.

“…It would have been better if he had no ambitions.”

If he could have become an ally like Citri or Gremony, he would have become an unexpectedly strong ally to Seere. However, Astharoth was not that kind of person. She had her ambitions, which made her an enemy of Seere…

Thus her subordinates, who shared the same dream, had reached for new hope. They wished for Seere to fulfill the dreams they could not achieve.

“I will be grateful for those you have left behind.”

With that, Nahun cast his gaze to one corner of the stronghold, where a small grave adorned with someone’s cloak was hidden.

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