Volume 1 Chapter 5.2

Bab 5 – Sirkus Yang Paling Luar Biasa (Bagian 2)

Di tengah suasana gempar di ruang dansa.

“…… Orang dengan peringkat tertinggi di antara kita, adalah diriku sendiri. Itu hanya pantas bagi Raja Setan untuk menjadi hakim dari konflik antara dua Raja Setan. "

Aku bertanya-tanya apakah dia berpikir bahwa dia tidak bisa tetap menjadi penonton lagi, tetapi peringkat 5 Demon Lord Marbas telah melangkah maju.

“Ivar Lodbrok. Saya sementara akan mengambil peran sebagai tuan rumah. Maaf, tapi beratnya pendengaran ini terlalu berat bagi saya untuk ditinggalkan di tangan Anda. "

"Seperti yang Anda inginkan, Yang Mulia."

Vampir tua itu dengan patuh mundur.

"Hm."

Marbas berdiri di tengah aula.

Cara kakinya berdiri kokoh membuatnya terasa seperti pohon raksasa. Stabilitasnya luar biasa. Pria botak dengan postur kekar ini merajut alisnya cukup banyak, seolah-olah dia tidak benar-benar menemukan situasi ini menyenangkan sama sekali.

“Aku peringkat 5. Sebagai Raja Iblis yang bertanggung jawab atas keluhuran, saya akan secara resmi menerima permintaan Paimon. Terdakwa berada di peringkat 71. Tidak ada nama, Raja Iblis Dantalian.

Pengumuman Marbas sangat membebani daerah sekitarnya.

Suaranya yang bermartabat tidak akan membiarkan keberatan. Para Raja Iblis menurunkan pandangan mereka, dan para peri melayang menjadi satu garis dan dengan hati-hati membungkuk.

“Tidak termasuk orang yang terlibat langsung, intervensi dari pihak ketiga sangat dilarang. Dantalian. Yang dituduh pada Malam Walpurgis ini. Ayo maju dan hadapi penuduhmu. ”

Itu hanya pantas untuk mematuhi tuan rumah.

Mengambil beberapa langkah ke depan, aku berdiri tepat di tengah ruang dansa.

“……”

“……”

Paimon dan saya sendiri, kami saling menatap sambil meninggalkan sedikit celah di antara kami.

Seperti bagaimana duel akan dimulai di antara para gladiator di Roma Colosseum.

“Setelah kedua belah pihak menyelesaikan sanggahan mereka, kami akan memutuskan pendapat siapa yang benar berdasarkan suara terbanyak. Pertama, saya akan memberikan hak untuk mempertanyakan Dantalian kepada penuduh, Paimon. "

"Iya nih."

Paimon meraih kedua ujung roknya dan membungkuk.

Rasanya seperti waktu telah berdiri diam di lipatan roknya yang terangkat dengan sopan.

"Terima kasih telah menerima audiensi ini."

Paimon perlahan melotot seperti ini.

“Haruskah kita mengkonfirmasi semua fakta dulu? Dantalian. ”

"Terserah Anda, Yang Mulia."

Aku menganggukkan kepalaku sebagai salam.

Sebenarnya, ini adalah pertama kalinya kami saling berhadapan, namun tidak ada tindakan di antara kami. Permusuhan lebih eksplisit daripada niat baik.

“Kamu, pada bulan ke-8 dan ke-16, pada dini hari jam 4, membunuh Raja Iblis Andromalius di Hermes 'Plaza of Niflheim. Apakah wanita ini benar? "

"Itu betul. Saya akui ini. "

“Dan, Dantalian. Anda, tahu betul bahwa pihak lain adalah Raja Iblis, tetap membunuhnya. Apakah wanita ini salah? "

“Itu juga benar. Ah, tetapi jika saya merespons lebih akurat. "

Aku mengangkat pundakku.

“Aku tidak tahu dia adalah Raja Iblis sejak awal. Ketika saya sedang minum bir di alun-alun, beberapa anak muda memukuli orang tua. Aku bertanya-tanya bajingan macam apa itu. Dan ternyata itu adalah Raja Iblis. Saya sedikit terkejut. "

"…… Dengan kata lain, kamu tidak membunuh Raja Iblis secara tidak sengaja, tetapi kamu telah membunuhnya dengan niat untuk melakukannya."

Aku menggelengkan kepala.

"Aku minta maaf, Yang Mulia Paimon. Tapi ada sedikit kesalahpahaman. "

"Sebuah kesalahpahaman?"

Paimon mengerutkan alisnya.

"Kesalahpahaman macam apa yang bisa terjadi dalam kebenaran yang jelas ini?"

"Aku mengacu pada Andromalius. Bersumpah pada Dewi, Yang Mulia Paimon, aku akan membunuh anjing itu terlepas dari kenyataan bahwa dia adalah Raja Iblis atau bukan. ”

Orang-orang mulai bergerak.

Paimon mengerutkan kening dan memperingatkan saya.

“…… Dantalian. Hari ini adalah Malam Walpurgis, dan Anda saat ini dituduh melakukan pembunuhan. Bagaimana kalau membuat cara bicara Anda sedikit lebih sopan? "

"Ooh. Maaf, tapi saya tidak bisa. Yang Mulia, dengan pikiran senang, saya akan terus menyebut Andromalius sebagai anjing kampung. Percayalah padaku. Hanya pantas untuk bajingan itu mati. "

"Kamu……"

"Jujur saja, ini agak disesalkan. Seharusnya aku memberi hadiah pada si bodoh itu dengan kematian yang lebih menyakitkan. Aku hanya mengakhirinya dengan menusuknya di tenggorokan dengan belati sekali. Dia benar-benar sampah, berkeliaran di gang seperti gelandangan. Jelas betapa lemahnya dia. "

Pengadukan semakin keras.

Aku sengaja melebih-lebihkan kata-kataku dan membuatnya lebih ofensif.

Marbas mengatakan bahwa kami akan memutuskan siapa yang benar dengan suara terbanyak. Sebanyak Paimon adalah Demon Lord ke-9 peringkat, ia memiliki banyak pengikut juga. Jadi jika pertarungan suara yang normal terjadi seperti ini? Sebagai orang yang bahkan tidak memiliki pengikut tunggal, nasib saya pasti kalah.

Jadi, saya harus membuat sekutu.

Raja Iblis yang membenci Paimon.

Raja Iblis yang lebih suka kata-kata kasar daripada kata-kata lembut.

Dan yang paling penting, Demon Lord kelas tinggi memiliki pengikut sebanyak Paimon.

"Barbatos."

Itu sangat.

Saya tidak menanggapi Paimon, tetapi saya memohon kepada Barbatos sebagai gantinya. Sekarang, perhatikan aku baik-baik. Ada pemula di sini yang tentunya harus sesuai dengan preferensi Anda.

Anda ingin mendapatkan suntikan pada Paimon, kan? Anda harus tetap memiliki amarah menumpuk karena kalah dalam argumen itu sebelumnya. Saya akan memenuhi keinginan itu sebagai gantinya Anda. Barbatos. Yang harus Anda lakukan adalah memilih saya selama pemungutan suara mayoritas. Meskipun sementara, itu akan menjadi aliansi yang luar biasa ……

"Ukur kata-katamu, Dantalian!"

Paimon berteriak.

"Andromalius adalah saudara kita!"

"Aku hanya bisa setuju dengan setengah dari pendapat Yang Mulia. Andromalius bukan hanya salah satu kerabat kami. Dia adalah anggota keluarga kami yang tercela. Ah, semuanya! Silahkan! Mari kita lebih jujur. "

Aku dengan cepat berbalik untuk melihat sekeliling.

"Hanya karena anjing itu tidak mau membayar alkoholnya, dia telah menyerang pemilik bar. Pemiliknya adalah kurcaci tua yang sudah begitu tua sehingga punggungnya bengkok. Tapi, itu belum semuanya. Saya telah melakukan penelitian kemudian dan menemukan bahwa jumlah warga yang telah dia bunuh di Niflheim saja adalah 54 orang! "

"Itu adalah……"

“Bahkan ada 12 anak yang termasuk dalam daftar itu. Apakah Anda semua tahu ini? Orang itu telah membunuh anak-anak ini sampai mati hanya karena mereka tidak menundukkan kepala kepadanya. Tetapi jika Anda menambahkan tidak hanya korban tetapi juga yang terluka, maka totalnya akan menjadi 327 korban. Perlu diingat, ini hanya jumlah korban yang diketahui publik. Semua orang. Jika seseorang mengatakan kepada saya bahwa anjing itu telah memperkosa seorang gadis muda dan membuang mayatnya di selokan, saya tidak akan terkejut! Oh, Dewi! Silakan perintahkan setan-setan Neraka untuk menghukum Andromalius untuk selamanya! ”

"Kamu sangat……"

Paimon membuka mulutnya.

“Dengan keberanian apa, di depan wanita ini …… Dantalian. Wanita ini dapat menuduh Anda lagi karena menghina pengadilan. Perbaiki nada bicara Anda segera. "

Ujung-ujung mulutku berkerut.

Mari kita mundur selangkah untuk saat ini.

“…… Maaf, Yang Mulia Paimon. Saya juga ingin meminta maaf kepada semua raja di sini hari ini juga. Saya tidak punya niat untuk mempermalukan semua orang di sini. "

Saya meletakkan telapak tangan saya di dahi saya seolah-olah saya sangat menyesali pernyataan kasar yang baru saja saya buat.

Kemarahan dan kejujuran adalah dua hal yang berbeda. Rampancy adalah tindakan mendorong diri sendiri kepada orang lain dan menjadi gangguan. Di sisi lain, kejujuran adalah tindakan memasak diri sendiri untuk terlihat menarik dan kemudian melayani diri sendiri untuk orang lain. Seolah-olah Anda menyuruh mereka untuk 'menikmati saya'.

Orang menyukai orang yang jujur ​​dan sederhana. Jika saya berperilaku baik sesekali, maka pihak lain tidak akan menganggap saya sebagai gangguan besar. Dengan mata anak anjing yang sedih, aku sekali lagi memandang berkeliling ke arah hadirin.

"Semua orang. Seperti yang Anda lihat, saya tidak lebih dari orang bodoh yang tidak mampu menjaga satu hal pun yang berharga bagi saya di sisiku. Peringkat 71. Aku adalah ikan sawah tanpa nama yang tidak memiliki catatan atau gelar yang terpuji …… Itulah esensi sejatiku. ”

“……”

“Namun, meskipun seperti itu, saya tidak memukuli seorang lelaki tua untuk menghindari membayar tagihan saya. Saya tidak menyerang 327 warga sipil tak berdosa, dan saya tidak membunuh 54 orang di antara mereka. "

Aku menurunkan suaraku sedikit.

Sebelum saya menyadarinya, ruang dansa telah menjadi sunyi.

“…… Itu pada bulan ke 8 dan 16. Tepatnya, empat hari yang lalu. Saya telah mendengar suara seorang lelaki tua menangis di kejauhan. Dan pada saat itu, saya melakukan kontak mata dengan Andromalius. Yang Mulia Paimon. Apakah Anda, mungkin, tahu apa yang dikatakan pria itu pada saat ia menatap saya? "

"…… Untuk menurunkan pandanganmu, adalah apa yang aku dengar dari seorang saksi."

"Agar lebih akurat, itu,‘ Kamu seharusnya seperti apa? Anda tidak akan menurunkan mata Anda? "

Beberapa orang di sekitar saya mengklik lidah mereka.

Aku tersenyum pahit.

“Apa yang terjadi selanjutnya bahkan lebih dari pemandangan. Andromalius datang ke tempatku berada dan menyerang pengawalku. Dengan penuh hormat saya memperingatkan dia untuk berhenti. Namun, Andromalius tidak mendengarkan. Dia kemudian mulai memukul kekasih saya, yang juga pengikut saya, dan menjatuhkannya ke tanah. "

Saya kemudian memohon.

"Yang Mulia Paimon. Apa yang harus saya lakukan dalam situasi seperti itu? Haruskah saya memberhentikan pengawalku dan membiarkan diriku dalam bahaya? Atau akankah lebih baik tinggal diam dan mengawasi kekasihku, sementara dia dipukul dan ditutupi tanah? ”

“……”

Paimon tidak menjawab.

Paimon yang bijaksana dan berbudaya tidak bisa berperilaku berani di sini. Itu karena dia terjebak dalam rasa keadilannya sendiri sehingga mulutnya berhenti. Dia telah melakukan kesalahan pada dirinya sendiri.

Sekarang.

Waktu pelayanan untuk menunjukkan kerendahan hati dan berakting lucu telah berakhir.

Perlahan aku mulai menaikkan suaraku.

“Aku akan mengatakannya sekali lagi, semuanya. Andromalius. Dia adalah anjing kampung yang bahkan tidak berhak untuk disebut sebagai Raja Iblis. Bukankah warga sipil tak berdosa yang dikorbankan yang pantas untuk dihibur? Apakah mereka bukan korban sejati yang pantas mendapatkan kompensasi? ”

Memicu simpati.

“Karena parasit seperti Andromalius, kesan semua Raja Iblis menjadi lebih buruk. Andromalius bukanlah sesuatu seperti saudara kita! Jika itu benar-benar untuk ras kita, semuanya! Kami tidak seharusnya mengikuti format mengorbankan 71 orang untuk 1 orang. Kami seharusnya mengikuti format menyingkirkan 1 orang untuk 71 orang! "

Jadikan dia menjadi musuh publik.

“Jadi, saya ingin bertanya. Yang Mulia Paimon. Apakah Anda masih menganggap Andromalius sebagai kerabat kami? Apakah Anda akan melindungi Andromalius yang seperti larva sampai akhir, sambil membuang sisa ras Anda? ”

Ancaman utama.

Dengan memanfaatkan semua jenis teknik retoris.

Aku menatap lurus ke arah Paimon.

"Yang mulia. Tolong jawab."

"Wanita ini ……"

Paimon menutup bibirnya dengan erat.

Keheningan yang mengerikan menimpa ruang dansa.

Itu dulu.

Tepuk.

Tepuk tangan bisa terdengar dari suatu tempat.

Barbatos bertepuk tangan. Orang-orang menatap Barbatos dengan ekspresi kosong. Melihat itu, Barbatos memiringkan kepalanya dan tersenyum.

"Apa? Kata-katanya benar. "

“……”

“Aku juga, sejujurnya ingin membunuh Andromalius sejak beberapa waktu yang lalu. Tapi bocah seperti cacing itu agak menjauh dari hadapanku. Kerja bagus, pemula. Terima kasih telah melalui kesulitan untuk memusnahkan parasit itu sebagai pengganti kita. "

Barbatos terus bertepuk tangan.

Dan, setelah itu, satu atau dua orang pada satu waktu mulai bergabung dan bertepuk tangan juga. Sampai akhirnya, sebagian besar Raja Iblis memberikan tepuk tangan meriah. Jumlah Raja Iblis yang tidak bertepuk tangan dan hanya memelototiku sampai akhir adalah 10 orang. Mereka kemungkinan besar adalah pengikut Paimon.

♦

[Your devilish performance has captivated the people!]

[Demon Lord Marbas’ affection went up by 1.]

[Demon Lord Barbatos’ affection went up by 2.]

[Demon Lord Zepar’s affection went up by 2.]

♦

Saya minta maaf untuk mengatakan ini, tetapi kalian baru saja diturunkan peringkatnya menjadi minoritas.

Penilaian untuk audiensi murni dilakukan berdasarkan logika mayoritas, dan sayangnya, strategi kelembagaan yang menunjukkan pertimbangan kepada minoritas tidak ada. Itulah batas sistem politik primitif. Jika Anda berpikir itu tidak adil, maka kembangkan demokrasi. Juga, mulailah Revolusi Perancis saat Anda melakukannya. Meskipun rasanya juga ada kemungkinan besar guillotine akan memotong kepala Raja Iblis, oh well. Ada aturan bahwa progresi diikuti oleh pengorbanan minoritas. Anda hanya bisa menerima takdir Anda.

"Diam. Saya mengatakan bahwa intervensi pihak ketiga dilarang. "

Marbas memperingatkan semua orang dengan tegas untuk diam.

"Terutama kamu, Barbatos. Tepukan itu tadi adalah tindakan yang dilakukan untuk mengganggu sidang dengan sengaja. Jangan lakukan itu lagi."

"Maaf tentang itu, pak tua. Saya baru saja dipindahkan. Sudah lama sejak seorang pria yang berguna datang merangkak keluar dari Lord Demon peringkat bawah, mereka biasanya semua sampah. Saya tidak punya niat untuk menghina prestise sidang. "

“Aku tidak peduli dengan niatmu. Saya hanya peduli dengan hasil dari tindakan. Barbatos. Selama kita tidak berada dalam suatu hubungan, apakah Anda tidak berpikir bahwa itu hanya akan membuang-buang waktu untuk mempertimbangkan niat orang lain? "

"Hm? Apakah Anda hanya secara tidak langsung mengaku kepada saya, Anda kakek tua? "

"Jika kamu menutup mulutmu seketika ini, maka aku merasa cinta akan muncul."

"Apa ini? Saya tidak bisa melewatkan kesempatan saya untuk mendapatkan pacar untuk pertama kalinya dalam 500 tahun. "

Barbatos bercanda mengangkat bahu.

Saya bisa mendapatkan pemahaman dasar tentang hubungan seperti apa yang dimiliki keduanya. Barbatos adalah adik perempuan nakal yang tidak bisa disembuhkan, dan Marbas adalah kakak laki-laki yang harus berurusan dengan stres yang terus-menerus dalam menyelesaikan setiap dan setiap kebencian adik perempuannya yang tidak dewasa. Orang yang menerima paling banyak kehilangan dalam hubungan saudara dan saudari ini adalah kakak yang sehat. Saya tahu itu karena saya punya pengalaman berurusan dengan 6 saudara perempuan. Anda memiliki belasungkawa saya, Marbas.

Marbas, seolah-olah sedang bergidik, menggelengkan kepalanya dari kiri ke kanan.

“Aku akan mengakhiri dengar pendapat ini di sini. Seperti yang saya katakan sebelumnya, kami akan memutuskan dengan suara terbanyak tentang pendapat siapa yang benar. Sekarang, dengan mengacungkan tangan …… ”

"Tunggu sebentar."

Pada saat itu, Paimon berbicara dengan tergesa-gesa.

Marbas mengangkat alis.

"Apa itu? Apakah ada hal lain yang ingin Anda katakan? "

"Ya, masih ada beberapa pertanyaan yang belum ditanyakan wanita ini pada Dantalian."

"Paimon ……"

Marbas melepas kacamata berlensa dan menyeka dengan saputangan.

Suara Marbas menjadi lebih lembut, seolah-olah dia sedang berbicara dengan seorang kawan lama.

“Anda dan saya telah menghabiskan 500 tahun terakhir mengenal satu sama lain. 500 tahun adalah periode yang cukup lama, bukan begitu? "

“…… Memang, itu periode yang agak sulit. Marbas. "

"Seperti yang kamu tahu tentang aku, aku juga, tahu tentang kamu. Jujur saya akan mengaku mengapa saya tidak menyembunyikan suasana hati yang pahit sepanjang seluruh sidang ini. Paimon. Saya tahu betul bahwa tidak mungkin Anda dengan tulus ingin melindungi Andromalius. Jika ada, itu akan menjadi kebalikannya. Hanya pantas bagimu untuk membenci orang seperti Andromalius. "

Paimon terdiam.

Marbas, setelah benar-benar membersihkan kacamata berlensa, mengenakannya lagi. Bingkai emas kacamata berlensa-nya secara diam-diam memantulkan cahaya lilin.

"Malam ini adalah Malam Walpurgis, Paimon. Ini Malam Walpurgis. Pada suatu waktu, ini adalah pertemuan yang harus dihadiri oleh semua Raja Iblis, tetapi sekarang telah kehilangan kebajikannya di masa lalu dan kami hampir tidak dapat memiliki mayoritas anggota di sini. Baal, Agares, Vassago, dan Gamigin …… Di saat ini, di mana seluruh benua sedang berjuang dengan wabah yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya, di mana para Raja Iblis yang memiliki peringkat lebih tinggi dari diriku, dan apa yang mereka lakukan? ”

Paimon menunduk.

"Marbas. Lebih dari siapa pun, kaulah yang paling berkomitmen pada jenis iblis. Wanita ini dengan tulus mengungkapkan rasa hormatnya kepada Anda. "

“Kami saling menghormati. Karena itu, Raja Iblis yang tidak menghadiri pertemuan ini — mereka yang berada di seluruh dunia iblis, sementara bersikap acuh tak acuh dan hanya mementingkan kesenangan pribadi mereka sendiri, mari kita menghindari situasi di mana kita ditertawakan oleh para Raja Iblis ini. ”

Marbas berbicara.

"Hanya untuk klaim saja bahwa seseorang telah mencoba melindungi Andromalius selama Malam Walpurgis adalah lebih dari cukup alasan bagi orang untuk mencemooh kita. Oh sayang, aku sudah bisa mendengar tawa mengejek yang datang dari Agares. Saya akan meminta Anda terus terang. Tolong jangan memperburuk keadaan ini lebih jauh. "

Paimon menggigit bibirnya.

"…… Biarkan wanita ini memiliki satu kesempatan lagi."

Dia telah meletakkan tangan kanannya di dadanya dan membungkuk dalam-dalam.

"Tolong, izinkan saya untuk memiliki kesempatan terakhir ini."

Marbas mengelus jenggotnya.

Raja Iblis yang termasuk peringkat ke-9 di antara Raja Iblis telah pergi sejauh menundukkan kepalanya bahkan setelah mendengar pidato Marbas. Mungkin akan sulit bagi Marbas untuk memaksakan pemikirannya lebih jauh di negara bagian ini. Itu masalah menjaga wajah dan mempertahankan formalitas. Akhirnya, Marbas mengangguk.

"Hm."

Kecuali, Anda tidak akan mengatakan hal lain selain itu. Lakukan apa yang Anda inginkan, tetapi jangan mengharapkan bantuan saya sesudahnya. Itu mengandung makna semacam itu.
Paimon membalas anggukan dan menatap lurus ke arahku.

"Dantalian."

Babak pertama telah berakhir.

Dia memiliki tampilan seolah-olah dia mengatakan kepada saya bahwa putaran kedua yang asli akan segera dimulai.

Saya berbicara dengan tenang.

"Yang Mulia Paimon. Ada sesuatu yang ingin saya sampaikan kepada Anda sebelumnya. ”

"Berbicara."

"Aku tidak punya emosi terhadap Yang Mulia Paimon sama sekali."

Paimon menyipitkan alisnya.

"Apa artinya?"

"Bahkan jika Yang Mulia menemukan kesalahan dalam insiden dengan Andromalius, aku mengerti Yang Mulia. Pada akhirnya, aku tidak akan menanggung niat buruk. ”

Terlepas dari segalanya, dia masih seorang yang bijaksana dan berbudaya.

Selain itu, dia telah melengkapi sepasang payudara di dadanya. Saya menyembah alam semesta, menghormati hukum alam, dan memuji payudara yang indah. Paimon, belum terlambat untuk mundur sekarang.

Aku tersenyum lembut.

"Kita bisa bersulang tepat saat ini dan berdamai."

Mundur dari sini.

Jika Anda tidak ingin terkoyak oleh taring dan mengeluarkan darah, ini adalah kesempatan terakhir Anda.

Namun.

“Wanita ini telah meminta audiensi untuk membedakan mana yang benar atau salah. Saya tidak datang ke sini untuk minum anggur dengan Anda. "

Menanggapi saran saya, Paimon telah menunjukkan wajah yang jelas tidak senang. Seolah-olah dia terganggu oleh kenyataan bahwa seseorang yang hanya peringkat 71 bahkan akan mengemukakan hal seperti itu.

Saya mengangguk beberapa kali untuk menunjukkan bahwa saya mengerti.

Kadang-kadang, saya curiga bahwa saya berbicara dalam bahasa asing. Jadi artinya, bahwa saya memiliki sistem bahasa yang sama sekali berbeda dari orang lain. Saya tidak tahu mengapa, tetapi kami akan dapat saling memahami, tetapi itu hanya keberuntungan pada kesempatan astronomi, dan sebenarnya kami berbicara dalam dua bahasa yang sangat berbeda. Misalnya, ketika saya memberi tahu mereka sebuah garis dengan arti 'jika Anda tidak ingin melihat darah lalu mundur sekarang,' dalam bahasa mereka mereka akan mendengarnya sebagai 'tolong pukul saya di muka'.

Saya pikir ini adalah hipotesis yang agak kuat.

Sepanjang hidup saya, saya telah memberikan peringatan seperti ini ratusan kali, tetapi bagaimana orang akan menjelaskan mengapa bahkan tidak satu orang pun yang menghormati peringatan saya? Selalu ada alasan yang bisa dibenarkan mengapa saya menjadi seorang NEET.

Saya adalah bentuk kehidupan cerdas yang dilahirkan sebagai keajaiban oleh peluang astronomi dan harmoni yang telah ditentukan sebelumnya.

"Jangan bicara omong kosong, kakak."

"Kakak tidak lebih dari pengecut berkualitas buruk."

Tentu saja, ada orang lain yang mengajukan hipotesis mereka sendiri.

Seperti seorang profesor tua yang keras kepala dari sebuah akademi yang memanfaatkan wewenangnya untuk menekan teori orisinal, aku pun mendengarkan tanpa sepatah kata pun tentang apa pun yang Paimon katakan.

“…… Wanita ini telah mempekerjakan seorang eksekutif dari Keuncuska Firm sebagai konsultan eksklusifku selama beberapa waktu sekarang. Eksekutif itu, belum lama berselang, telah memberi tahu wanita ini kabar yang agak mengkhawatirkan. ”

Aha.

Jadi ada seorang utusan bolak-balik antara Ivar Lodbrok dan Paimon. Pintar sekali. Sejak dahulu kala, itu hanya tepat untuk perencana yang luar biasa untuk tidak pergi ke mana pun secara pribadi, tetapi untuk menggunakan bawahan. Itulah sebabnya saya menyewa succubus yang menarik dan kompeten baru-baru ini. Sudah jelas, bagaimanapun juga, saya adalah penipu ulung.

"Wanita ini percaya bahwa dia tidak harus memberi tahu semua orang tentang musibah baru-baru ini yang melanda seluruh benua. Kematian Hitam, kutukan mengerikan ini merenggut nyawa manusia dan setan tanpa pandang bulu …… "

Selain itu, itu juga mengisi lemari besi saya dengan berlimpah.

Halo, orang-orang di benua itu. Saya ingin memberikan kata-kata penghiburan kepada orang-orang yang berjuang dengan Kematian Hitam. Jangan khawatir. Dengan pembayaran sederhana hanya 10 koin emas, Anda dapat memperoleh obat untuk penyakit ini, ramuan hitam. Selamatkan hidup Anda dengan uang.

Saya tidak berpikir bahwa ini adalah hal yang jahat untuk dilakukan. Jika ini berjalan sesuai dengan sejarah asli dalam, penemuan obat seharusnya terjadi pada 1507 pada kalender Continental, yang 2 tahun dari sekarang. Orang-orang akan mati tanpa daya selama dua tahun itu.

Saat ini, orang sudah tahu tentang efek ramuan hitam, berkat upaya saya. Kecuali, karena saya memiliki monopoli atasnya, satu-satunya orang yang mampu membelinya adalah minoritas orang; keluarga bangsawan, kaya, dan borjuis. Saya berencana untuk mempertahankan harga pasar saat ini untuk setidaknya satu tahun.

Mayoritas rakyat jelata miskin yang tidak dapat memperoleh uang untuk membeli obatnya akan mati. Dalam bencana global yang parah ini, hanya bangsawan dan orang kaya yang akan bertahan.

Tentu saja, orang akan mencemooh saya.

Seperti bagaimana Paimon membenci saya sekarang.

Tidak apa-apa untuk mengutuk saya dan memanggil saya iblis pemarah uang.

Rencana saya lebih dalam daripada yang bisa mereka bayangkan.

Terlepas dari bagaimana saya, saya masih berencana untuk menjaga tugas sipil saya sebagai pribadi. Dari semua orang di dunia, itu adalah tugas yang hanya bisa saya lakukan.

“…… Bersyukur atas belas kasihan kecil, ada obat untuk penyakit ini. Semua orang. Apakah Anda semua, mungkin, tahu siapa orang pertama yang menemukan bahwa ramuan hitam dapat mengobati penyakit ini? Itu Dantalian di sini. Itulah yang dikatakan eksekutif dari Kantor Keuncuska kepada wanita ini. "

Orang-orang mulai membuat keributan.

Paimon memacu suaranya.

"Bukan itu saja. Dantalian telah membeli 30.000 ramuan hitam sebelum wabah itu bahkan terjadi. Wanita ini tidak dapat memahami bagian ini. "

“……”

“Dantalian. Anda tidak hanya tahu kapan Kematian Hitam akan menyebar, tetapi Anda juga telah melangkah lebih jauh dari itu dan tahu apa obat untuk penyakit itu. Obat untuk penyakit yang telah menyebar untuk pertama kalinya dalam sejarah. "

Paimon mengangkat kipas bulunya dan mengarahkannya ke arahku.

"Bagaimana orang bisa menjelaskan ini? Jawabannya sederhana. Dantalian, kamu adalah pelakunya yang telah menyebarkan Black Death! ”

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Suara gemuruh tajam Paimon mengguncang langit-langit.

Orang-orang membuat keributan yang lebih besar. Ruang dansa, dalam arti yang buruk, mulai berisik. Apakah yang dikatakan Paimon benar? Apakah seseorang menciptakan Black Death secara artifisial ……? Rasanya seperti orang-orang mencari dengan cara ini seolah-olah mereka sedang menegur saya.

"Paimon. Fitnah tidak diizinkan dalam sidang ini. "

Marbas berbicara dengan suara keras.

“Tuduhan bahwa Dantalian adalah biang keladinya menyebarkan wabah. Apakah Anda membuat klaim itu sambil memiliki bukti yang tidak dapat disangkal? "

“Dantalian, mirip dengan wanita ini, memiliki konsultan eksklusif dari Keuncuska Firm. Prosedur membeli herbal dilakukan melalui konsultan itu. Rincian tentang bagaimana Dantalian membeli obatnya, semuanya pasti dapat dipastikan di sini! ”

Keributan di ruang dansa menjadi lebih intens karena jawaban pasti Paimon.

Marbas membuat wajah masam dan mengalihkan pandangannya, dan di tempat itu adalah perwakilan dari Kantor Keuncuska. Vampir Ivar Lodbrok berdiri dengan tongkat di tangannya.

"Vampir. Apakah dugaan pernyataan Paimon itu benar? "

"Ooh, Marbas yang terhormat."

Vampir tua itu menundukkan kepalanya.

“Yang ini, karena pikiran yang ketakutan, mau tidak mau ragu untuk menilai apakah sesuatu itu kebenaran atau tidak. Namun, jika Yang Mulia memerintahkannya, yang ini bisa membawa bukti yang dibutuhkan untuk diskusi ini kapan pun diinginkan. ”

"Apakah kamu mengatakan bahwa kamu dapat menyajikan bukti tepat saat ini?"

"Tolong berikan yang ini pesanan, dan yang ini akan segera hadir."

Gemuruh orang semakin keras.

'Apakah semua itu benar saat itu?', Apakah kecurigaan itu sudah mulai menyebar.

Orang-orang di sini mungkin berpikir seperti itu. Paimon dan Ivar adalah keduanya individu dengan jumlah otoritas yang sangat besar. Tentunya, keduanya tidak akan bersikeras bersikeras bahwa wabah itu menyebar secara artifisial tanpa alasan. Mereka memiliki beberapa jenis bukti …… Dan sebagai hasilnya, orang-orang berbalik memelototiku. Pandangan mereka dipenuhi dengan keraguan.

Pada saat itulah, tawa dapat didengar.

Pada awalnya, saya tidak tahu siapa yang tertawa. Itu aneh. Saya masih membagi konsentrasi saya untuk fokus pada 65 anggota di ballroom ini. Saya tidak dapat melihat bahkan satu orang pun yang tertawa, namun tawa itu semakin keras, dan untuk beberapa alasan mata yang menatap saya menjadi lebih lebar.

Saat itulah saya menyadari bahwa tawa itu keluar dari mulut saya sendiri. Saya bisa menjaminnya, tapi ini bukan tindakan. Saya tidak bisa berhenti tertawa.
Saya berbicara dengan suara yang masih dipenuhi tawa.

“Paling-paling, saya telah mengalami kemalasan saya dan melakukan yang terbaik. Saya bisa saja tidak merawat sesuatu seperti wabah dan membiarkannya sendirian. Itu sebabnya saya lelah. Ditentukan bahwa imbalan atas niat baik selalu dendam. Serius, baik dunia itu atau dunia ini, cara duniawi selalu sama …… ”

"…… Apa yang kamu bicarakan, Dantalian?"

"Aku minta maaf, Yang Mulia Paimon. Dan juga saudara-saudaraku yang terkasih. Saya telah menyaksikan sebagian dari alam semesta, jadi saya sangat tersentuh untuk sesaat. Di mana pun, orang tidak berubah. Keputusan saya untuk mengurung diri di gua adalah pilihan yang tepat. ”

Plato salah.

Orang-orang mampu menggali lebih jauh ke dalam gua.

Itu berarti bahwa itu bukan jalan satu arah untuk menghindari orang.
(TL note: Allegory of the Cave)

Menempatkan senyum di bibirku, aku menoleh ke Marbas.

“Oh, Marbas yang terhormat. Saya, tentu saja, ingin menyatakan bahwa saya tidak bersalah. Karena itu, bisakah Anda tidak mengizinkan saya untuk melakukan percakapan pribadi singkat dengan kepala Kantor Keuncuska sebentar? "

"Pembicaraan pribadi?"

“Tidak perlu khawatir. Saya mungkin telah mengatakan percakapan pribadi, tetapi itu tidak lebih dari bertukar kalimat. Mengapa kepala eksekutif Kantor Keuncuska akan mencurigai saya, saya memiliki asumsi umum tentang apa yang mungkin terjadi. Saya hanya ingin melihat apakah saya bisa menyelesaikan kesalahpahaman ini. Tidak akan memakan banyak waktu. "

Marbas mengangguk.

“Jika hanya itu, maka tidak ada masalah. Saya akan mengizinkannya. "

"Saya mengucapkan terima kasih dengan tulus."

Aku memberi isyarat agar Ivar Lodbrok mendekatiku.

Ivar Lodbrok, dengan kepala menunduk, membuat langkah tergesa-gesa ke arahku. Vampir dengan kemampuan akting yang luar biasa dan penyamaran yang sangat bagus segera meminta maaf begitu dia dekat.

“Maaf, Yang Mulia. Adalah aturan perusahaan kami untuk secara jelas membuat jenis informasi publik tertentu, jika salah satu klien kami memintanya. Tidak peduli kesimpulan apa yang datang dari Malam Walpurgis ini, yang satu ini bersumpah bahwa Keuncuska Firm akan membantu Yang Mulia Dantalian sampai akhir. ”

"Itu memang kata-kata yang meyakinkan."

Aku terkekeh.

Di sisi lain, ekspresi Ivar Lodbrok sangat keras. Tertawa sedikit. Seorang Raja Iblis seperti saya sedang tertawa. Jika Anda berbagi kesenangan Anda maka itu akan berlipat ganda. Akan sopan untuk mengikuti kejenakaan pihak ini.

Nah, sejak awal, apakah sudah vampir yang telah kehilangan semua konsep tentang sopan santun? Itu baik-baik saja. Saya khususnya tidak suka mengajar orang lain. Saya akan dengan sabar dan sungguh-sungguh mengajari Anda secara pribadi.

"Sayang sekali pertemuan pertama kami dalam situasi seperti ini."

"Yang ini berpikiran sama, Yang Mulia. Jika itu berarti untuk mendapatkan kembali kehormatan Yang Mulia, maka yang ini, Ivar Lodbrok, akan menyeret tubuh tua ini dan melakukan apa pun untuk membantu Yang Mulia. "

"Tubuh tua. Hm, tubuh tua, kan? ”

Aku menyeringai.

"Maaf, kepala. Tapi saya tidak menganggap Anda sudah tua. "

"Maaf?"

"Kamu masih terlihat seperti kamu penuh dengan masa mudaku."

"Itu …… yang ini menghargai kata-kata baik Yang Mulia."

Ivar Lodbrok membuat ekspresi bingung. Seolah bertanya-tanya mengapa saya tiba-tiba memuji mereka dalam situasi seperti ini. Tampaknya vampir kita yang sebenarnya di sini agak cerdik. Paling tidak, itu adalah tipe siswa yang tidak disukai tutor. Tipe siswa yang mengambil 1 jam hanya untuk memahami satu persamaan matematika. Jika saya, saya akan menerima tidak kurang dari 100.000 won per jam untuk mengajar siswa seperti ini. Tetapi untuk kesempatan ini, saya pikir saya akan membuatnya gratis.

"Tidak tidak. Maksudku, aku benar-benar cemburu pada masa mudamu. ”

“……?”

Apakah dia masih tidak mengerti?

Saya adalah seorang guru dengan banyak kesabaran. Jika saya dengan tenang menjelaskan masing-masing dan setiap bagian, maka saya yakin bahwa saya dapat membuat bahkan siswa yang gagal mendapatkan penemuan moral yang hebat dan menjadi mahir dalam satu mata pelajaran. Saya tidak mudah membuang harapan saya untuk orang-orang.

Jadi, saya membungkuk.

Saya memindahkan mulut saya ke dekat telinga Ivar Lodbrok.

Mengisi setiap kata saya dengan niat baik dari hati saya—

Aku berbisik pelan.

♦

"Saya ingin tahu seberapa baik tubuh sejati Anda lakukan."

“…………”

♦

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Diam.

Bisukan kejutan.

Ditransmisikan dengan jelas bahwa orang lain itu telah jatuh ke dalam kesusahan tanpa kata-kata.

Saya sangat menikmati ketenangan seperti ini. Akhirnya, murid saya yang miskin memahami hukum alam berkat saya. Sebagai guru yang melakukan yang terbaik untuk mengajar muridnya, saya hanya bisa bangga.

Bahkan nama undang-undang ini sangat jelas.

Hukum rimba.

Menyadari siapa pemburu dan siapa mangsa.

Untuk membuat mereka menyesal betapa tidak bertanggung jawabnya mereka karena telah memetik surai singa.

Setiap kali saya membuat orang bodoh, mereka yang percaya bahwa mereka adalah orang-orang yang berkuasa, menyadari bahwa mereka tidak lebih dari daging babat di atas panggangan, rasanya seperti saya berkontribusi pada sifat segala sesuatu dalam setitik debu di semesta dan karenanya membuatku merasa senang. Tidak masalah untuk mengatakan bahwa ini adalah salah satu dari sedikit kesenangan dalam hidup saya.

"Bagaimana itu……"

Suara Ivar Lodbrok bergetar.

"Bagaimana Anda tahu……?"

“Your blonde hair is quite beautiful.”

Another loveable silence fell before us.

Ivar Lodbrok.

There was no way that I wouldn’t know about this old gentlemen’s identity.

was a game played in the perspective of the human hero. That was why the hero was not able to have a close relationship with the demons. You went around slaying all kinds of demons anyways, so who would want such a thing?

Regardless, there was a unique vampire heroine who would surrender to the hero. She would overcome the racial gap between each other and fall in love with the hero. There was even a special route made specifically for her in the game.

The heroine’s name, Ivar Lodbrok.

That was so.

The true identity of this old gentleman with a wicked appearance was a heroine whose growth had forever stopped, leaving her with the appearance of a young girl.

That was why I was surprised when I first saw this old man, since their appearance from head to toe was completely different with their in-game character.

—That’s Ivar Lodbrok?”

—Yes. That man is the wealthiest person in the demon world, the owner of Keuncuska Firm, and a true vampire, Ivar Lodbrok.

I was able to mostly grasp what the hidden circumstances were.

According to the scenarios revealed in , Ivar Lodbrok’s story was like so: In the past she was incredibly loyal to a certain Demon Lord, but she was abruptly betrayed by the very Demon Lord she was serving and faced a near death situation. Afterwards, Ivar Lodbrok swore that she will never be used by a Demon Lord again and in order to fulfil that goal, she had begun to live her life while moving her conscience around her dolls, while cursing and scorning every Demon Lord.

Ivar Lodbrok betrayed the Demon Lord Allied Forces at a decisive moment, and was one of the main reasons as to why the hero’s forces were able to obtain victory. It was an exemplary case showing that it wasn’t too late for a noble person to achieve revenge even if it took 100 years.

As a person who had played through all of Ivar Lodbrok’s scenarios and her specific route— I, of course, knew of her real appearance, and also knew very well the fact that her real body was hidden under the snowy fields of the kingdom of Moscow.

It was a secret that Ivar had whispered to only the hero.

Since the hero wasn’t to appear until the year 1515 on the Continental calendar, in this current time, it was a tragedy that no one was supposed to know of.

Except for me.

“I am not concerned about something like your old body. I’m merely worried for the girl whose body is buried underneath a cold snowy field that is being ravaged by blizzards……”

“……”

“Aah, I truly am worried. I fear that wolves may appear abruptly and tear off her pitiful limbs. And who knows when villanous mountain thieves would appear and violate her body as they please. Begitulah. For example, if I were to give a small signal.”

I snapped my fingers.

“There’s a possibility that a certain magic signal would be sent and a calamity would fall upon that girl’s frail body. Like a small cry would cause a massive avalanche. Chief, do not worry so much. It is fine to not look at me with such fearful eyes! I am simply pointing out the possibilities.”

Ivar Lodbrok’s body was trembling immensely.

It should be fine to stop treating him with this unamusing half-respect.

I changed my sarcastic tone to a clearly threatening tone.

“Oh pitiful vampire. Did you rage at the thought that Lapis Lazuli had betrayed you? ‘Let’s trample over this child who had dared to show her fangs to me’. Did you make that sort of decision? Aah, Lodbrok. You poor friend.”

Saya tertawa.

“You had firmly guessed wrong. You were mistaken. Lapis Lazuli did not hunt me. Of course, she is a very admirable child, but is she capable of planning this kind of magnificent comedy……?”

I hunted her.

I kindly whispered in Ivar Lodbrok’s ear.

“From the beginning to the end, it was all your foolish misunderstanding. Lapis Lazuli had sworn her loyalty to you. But since she is a clever child, she knew full well that if she were to return to the firm, then under false accusation she would be purged. If the true miserable person was not that girl, then I didn’t know who was. Because of a single bastard bat, who lived their life thinking that they were a genius, she has fallen to being an exile.”

Ivar Lodbrok’s trembling became more violent.

I softly placed my hand on the other party’s shoulder.

“Thanks to you for making the wrong assumption, I was able to go through less trouble. Lapis Lazuli is a splendid child. I give you my thanks.”

“What does…… what does your highness want from this one……?”

"Oh. I simply want a slight bit of kindness.”

I gripped Ivar Lodbrok’s shoulder tightly.

“I truly did not release something like this Black Death. All you have to do is testify the truth. That is all.”

Do not present proof that would help make Paimon’s statement more persuasive.

It was a threat containing that meaning.

“Well……of course, you will also move around occasionally as my puppet. A price follows defeat, after all. Kepala. I am an honest person. I will not place hypocritical words between us, like telling you nice things such as reassuring you that there will be no more misfortune from now on, and that it was fine to relax. Do you not think that hypocrisy is a discourtesy to others?”

“……”

“Many things will change.”

From the inside of your bones.

“I will give you many proposals that you cannot refuse, and you, in reality, will not be able to turn any of them down. You may occasionally have a sense of shame that you didn’t feel like a person, but like a beast trapped in a pig pen.”

Climbing up your spine.

“Occasionally you will display a rebellious spirit and resist against me. Shall I tell you how I will respond beforehand? Ah, I will not kill you. Sangat. I won’t even hit you. You can have my word. What I will do……”

To your skull.

“Is pluck the hair from your real body.”

Everything will be subjected to me.

“I will not take a lot. Every time you resist, I will only pluck a single strand of hair. Pluck, like that. Just playfully. That is all. Bagaimana itu? Were you able to feel how generous of a person I was?”

“……”

“While appreciating your beautiful face. Pluck, pluck, pluck, pluck…… pluck.”

With a ‘hoo’ I blew into his ear.

Ivar Lodbrok shuddered like an aspen leaf.

This was why I couldn’t stop my enjoyment of threatening others.

“Hmm. I’m already looking forward to the day that you rebel against me. I can’t wait. But, I will endure it. I will gladly endure it. I have great patience, after all. You can feel relieved in that regard.”

Ivar Lodbrok clenched his teeth.

“This one…… will swear loyalty to no one.”

“Even better.”

I patted Ivar Lodbrok’s shoulder lightly.

“Use this opportunity to learn.”

“……”

“People have to keep learning even if they’re old, you know. If one becomes lazy with their education then before they know it they’d have turned into a failure. A person must care and treasure their own body. Don’t you think so as well?”

Ivar Lodbrok could not respond.

If it was this much, then I believed that my sincerity was able to overcome the language barrier placed between us. Communication was this difficult. For me to have to resort to threats in order to make other people respect me, was that not tragic? When Oedipus had stabbed his own eyes, he was probably not as sad as I was now.

I straightened my back.

Then, I turned to look at the judge, Marbas.

“Oh, honorable Marbas. Our conversation is over. There will be no objections from myself if you are to continue the procedures of the hearing.”

"Baik. Paimon, you can now prove the authenticity of your accusation.”

The hearing resumed.

Paimon, with a confident voice, called for Ivar Lodbrok.

"Saya mengerti. Lodbrok, please show the evidence.”

“……”

“Lodbrok?”

A frightening silence continued.

Ivar Lodbrok had not lifted his head since awhile back. Paimon had called his name several times, but he remained unresponsive. Because of the unexpected silence, a panicked complexion had appeared on Paimon’s face. As the silence continued, her perplexed state had slowly spread to the people around her, until eventually, the entire ballroom was enshrouded by a peculiar silence.

At last, Ivar Lodbrok opened his mouth.

“…… her highness Paimon’s statement, is a lie.”

Itu tenang.

It was incredibly quiet.

The hall was not calm because everyone had understood Ivar Lodbrok’s comment. It was the complete opposite. It was because not a single person had understood what Ivar Lodbrok had said, so there was no response.

“What did you say—”

Therefore, the first words to come out were not of understanding but was a question instead.

“Just now, what did you say?”

“This one. Had said that this one cannot submit the evidence that her highness Paimon had requested.” (TL note: He’s pausing for a second.)

“What are you trying to say…… have you gone mad, Lodbrok!”

Paimon let out a roar.

The silence that had fallen on top of the ballroom quickly shattered. Like a rising tide suddenly turning into a tsunami on a calm beach, Paimon’s limitless rage came pouring out. The pride she had on her face had already long ago been washed away by the tides.

“You had told this lady! That Dantalian was the culprit to abet the plague, and that that girl named Lapis Lazuli was the one to have spread the Black Death! Are you trying to ridicule this lady with that petty tongue!?”

“……My apologies. This one is unable to understand what your highness Paimon is talking about. Has it not been 10 years since we had last met each other in person like this?”

How beautiful.

With a smooth smile, I watched their quarrel.

There was something about witnessing people continuously shift the responsibility to one another that moved me deeply. Ah, I really shouldn’t live with other people. Ah, shutting myself away and spending the rest of my days in the corner of my room was truly the right way to live. It reminded me of these sort of life lessons.

You’re watching this too, are you not, Lapis Lazuli. I had promised you that I would show you the greatest circus performance in the world. On one side was the rank 9 high noble Demon Lord, and on the other side was the richest person in the demon world. And yet, the point that these two had reached was childishly tossing the responsibility to one another.

For you, who lived your life being treated unfairly because you were an outcast, I considered this to be the greatest stage performance just for you. Enjoy it at your leisure. Since I had specially directed and managed this performance for free. Despite how I looked, if I splurged for my subordinates, then I was a superior that did so extravagantly. It was fine to be moved.

“That is obvious since you had made contact with me using your subordinate!”

“This one is incapable of knowing what Torukel had told your highness Paimon. Regardless, there is one thing that this one does know. Evidence that his highness Dantalian had any personal involvement with the spreading of the disease is currently not in this one’s possession.”

“This, inferior and cowardly bat……!”

Paimon’s pretty face had contorted. As much as she was a beauty that appeared as if she was a piece of art, her enraged image was more terrifying.

“So be it then. You shall repay blood with blood! That is your Keuncuska Firm’s maxim, is it not! This lady shall very much keep that vow……!”

A blood-like aura began to seep out from Paimon’s body.

The concentration of magical energy was so thick that it was possible to see the shape and color of her aura. The fluctuation of the energy looked as if dozens of red tongues were waving intensely.

Paimon was not simply a Demon Lord, she was someone who had also gained the title of archmage.

Among the Demon Lords that consisted of 71 people, it was a feat that was only achieved by 4 individuals, and she was part of that 4.

“I shall act on behalf of vengeance!”

Paimon had shouted her dictum.

A dictum, in this world, was something that was passed down throughout history in each area of influential power. These were sacred vows that dictated that one would utilize everything, even one’s own life, in order to keep one’s pledge. Paimon was seriously intending to kill Ivar Lodbrok.

It was then that Marbas had stomped his right foot down.

Gedebuk

The entire ballroom had shaken.

People stumbled as if they had been caught up in a small earthquake.

Marbas, with a menacingly cold air around him, glared at Paimon.

“—Cease your offensive actions immediately.”

Paimon made a pained expression.

“But, Marbas!”

“I said to stop this instant. You should be vigilant of forcing me to recite my dictum as well, Paimon. You are the person who requested for a last chance. Just to make myself clear, to me, one’s last chance means their ultimatum.”

“Euh……!”

Paimon clenched her teeth strongly.

Her magical energy did not die down, but it had started to rise more intensively.

“Just now, the chief executive from Keuncuska had toyed with this lady! Despite the fact that that chief had ordered his subordinate, Torukel, to show evidence to this lady, he was now trying to back down! This lady shall immediately execute that betrayer!”

“No matter who it is!”

Marbas roared out.

“Even if Baal were to come here, you cannot shed blood during the Walpurgis Night! You will preserve absolute neutrality while you are here! Unless you wish to turn myself and all the Demon Lords of the neutral faction, including 30,000 elite troops, into your enemy, then go ahead and try shedding blood here, Paimon! I will vow that on that day, the mountain faction, which you lead will be annihilated, and the land of the Demon Lords who are part of your faction will be cursed for 300 years, preventing even a single blade of grass from growing!”

An angry voice like a thunderstorm swept over the ballroom.

The candles which were floating in mid-air shook violently. Light and darkness fell upon people while being mixed up chaotically, the pillars of the building let off dust as it trembled.

People shrunk back. They were being overwhelmed by Marbas’ force.

Among the over 30 Demon Lords present here, the amount of people who were able to keep their backs straight were very few. At best, Barbatos was the only one to be nonchalantly sipping wine.

“Geezer—. If needed, us plains faction will provide you assistance whenever you want as well. Honestly, don’t you feel a bit apprehensive to go to war with only the neutral faction on your side? You and I could make a nice alliance.”

“Shut your mouth, Barbatos. I am not in the mood to jest.”

“I was just expressing my goodwill.”

Barbatos snickered.

Different to her, Paimon’s expression could only be explained as nothing but horrendous. From her lips, heated breaths were coming out like a cocktail of rage and self-control.

“Torukel……!”

Paimon chewed on her own words.

“He’s the messenger that passed on the orders from Ivar Lodbrok! He is standing by outside the venue right now. I shall summon him this instant and prove that Ivar Lodbrok has ridiculed this lady!”

A brief moment of chilling silence drifted through the venue.

Marbas took off his monocle and stared hard at Paimon.

“Are you certain?”

“This lady is only making accusation following truth.”

“…… You are taking my final faith.”

Marbas raised his chin up.

“Send in the witness known as Torukel!”

The faeries, having received the order, busily made their way out of the ballroom.

Aah.

I was submerged in sadness.

Think more calmly, Paimon. Whoever this Torukel was, he was still nothing more than a messenger. You can’t hope to get a proper testimony from that kind of person.

I understand that you respect every race including humans. To you, this Black Death would be a nightmare among nightmares. You most likely partook in this gathering while being resolute in finding the culprit to have cause such a tragedy. But the person that you thought to be your comrade, Ivar Lodbrok, had unexpectedly betrayed you. That’s why it was reasonable for you to be up to your head with anger. Despite that, you had to look ahead. Rage was always a shortcut to ruin.

Shortly after, an aged goblin entered the ballroom.

Paimon pointed at the goblin.

"Iya nih. That person is Torukel!”

She started her questioning with a voice still carrying anger.

“Torukel. You’ll be our witness. You, under the orders of Ivar Lodbrok, had acted the role of messenger. Is that correct?”

“……”

Torukel slowly looked around the room.

The goblin was supporting his body with a cane. There may have been many wrinkles on his forehead, but his eyes shone with intellect. I got the strong impression that he was not old, but he had simply lived for a long period of time.

The goblin looked at Ivar Lodbrok for a short moment and nodded. No words were exchanged between them.

Torukel carefully opened his lips.

“……It is an honor to be allowed in the presence of all these lords of demons. Keruk. This one, without a doubt, is an executive from the Keuncuska Firm, and am also of close relations with Ivar Lodbrok.”

As soon as Torukel readily revealed his own identity, Paimon’s face shone with delight. She most likely thought that she had seized victory. Like a machine gun, she started her questioning quickly.

“This lady shall get straight to the point, Torukel. You had told this lady that Dantalian had aided the spreading of the plague and that using some unknown means, he had a hand in the creation of the Black Death. Is this lady correct?”

"Iya nih. Of course, your highness.”

The audience started to stir once more.

Ivar Lodbrok shut his eyes tightly as if he was distressed. On the other hand, Paimon, with a triumphant air, smiled widely. It was the figure of an individual who had overcome ridicule and painstakingly materialized justice.

Namun.

“What her highness has said is correct. I had most certainly claimed that Dantalian was the criminal behind the Black Death. However, that was a downright lie. It was slander without any evidence.”

“What……?”

It didn’t even take 10 seconds for the shock to solidify Paimon’s smile.

Torukel spoke flatly.

“This one had desired for the black herbs that were in the possession of his highness Dantalian. Of course, it would be impossible for this one, alone, to extort the personal effects of his highness Dantalian. However, this one was in the possession of two great sponsors. Her highness Paimon and the chief of executives, Ivar Lodbrok. Perhaps if this one were to use these two individual’s names, then it would be possible to get through the impasse. That was what I had thought.”

“Torukel…… just, what are you saying……”

Paimon opened her mouth.

It was a face of utter disbelief.

Torukel, using his cane to support himself, bowed deeply.

"Permintaan maaf saya. This one knew full well of your highness’ care for all the people on the continent. This one had used your highness’ merciful heart in order to incite hatred towards his highness Dantalian. His highness Dantalian was merely rank 71st anyway. This one had judged that once the hearing was open that it would end on the majority vote.”

“……”

“As it so had happened, his highness Dantalian had murdered his highness Andromalius and this one had seen that as a golden opportunity. To threaten his highness Dantalian with the atrocious crime of murdering a Demon Lord. Using that chance, this one had planned to snatch away all of the black herbs. But his highness Dantalian had surpassed this one’s expectations and was able to prove his innocence. How vexing……”

Torukel glanced at me slightly.

I gazed back at him with absolutely no emotions on my face.

Unintentionally, with a ‘tsk’, I ended up clicking my tongue. I could grasp what that aged merchant was basically trying to do. He was intending to foil this great circus performance.

The judge, Marbas, sharply inquired Torukel.

“Small goblin. You have admitted yourself that you had ridiculed Paimon in order to fulfill your own selfish desires. Do you understand your crimes?”

“Yes, your highness. This one knows when to admit defeat. This one had tried to gain great profit by using her highness Paimon and the chief executive of the Keuncuska Firm. And I had failed. That is all.”

The goblin shook his head.

“If there was something wrong that her highness Paimon had done, then it was having trusted this wicked and old goblin. Thus, since all faults completely lies on this one— although from a humble birth.”

Quickly.

Before anyone could do anything.

Torukel took a small blade out from his clothes—

“This one shall apologize with this insignificant life.”

—and stabbed his own throat.

Ο

▯Keuncuska Executive, Miser Goblin, Torukel
Empire Calendar: Year 1505, Month 8, Day 20
Niflheim, Governor’s Palace
We had failed.

I knew this as soon as I had entered the ballroom.

Even if I didn’t want to, when her highness Paimon, who was supposed to be expressing kindness towards me, was staring at me with a terribly contorted face, I had no choice but to come to terms with it.

…… I was prepared.

Merchants must always respect equal exchange.

Even if Demon Lord Dantalian was merely rank 71st, and even if Lapis Lazuli was merely an outcast half-breed, they too were lives that did whatever it took to stay alive.

A life for a life.

You had to put your own life on the line if you were to go after another.

Keruk.

It was a simple equation.

…… I dreamed for a world that was not controlled by hierarchy.

For merely being born as a Demon Lord you stood at the pinnacle of society. For being born between a demon and a human, you were treated like trash. That was the current state of the demon world. I wanted to change this……

Although some minute details were different, Ivar Lodbrok carried the same desire as myself. In this shabby world, Ivar and I were tied by camaraderie.

If one wished to change the world, then one needed money. That was why we had raised the Keuncuska Firm this far. Over the past hundreds of years, we had overcome an uncountable amount of hardship and adversity, and had barely reached the position of the greatest firm in the demon world……

Aaah.

I really did want to see it.

A bit more equal society.

I simply wanted to live in a place with less prejudice.

……I wanted to see a more beautiful world.

“Kuruk!”

I could feel the cold metal piercing my throat.

As one would expect, I could vividly feel the warm blood that was dripping down the blade.

Strength left my knees quickly. My body fell over slowly, and little by little it approached death. I could feel all this clearly.

Ivar. Take care of the rest.

I was unable to see the world change, but if it’s you, then you should be able to live till the very end. You are frighteningly cunning and intelligent after all.

Except, I worry that there may be no one who could understand your madness. Do not stay in solitude. One day you will find someone who will stay by your side once again……

And finally, I turned to look at Dantalian.

There was no special reason to this. My line of sight had simply moved to Dantalian coincidentally when I had fallen down. However, after looking at the face of the rank 71st Demon Lord, I opened my eyes wide.

“……!”

He was expressionless.

There was no bounds to how expressionless he was.

Despite having obtained a surprising victory tonight, there was not a single sign of Dantalian being delighted or overjoyed. It didn’t even seem like he was surprised by my suicide. As if it was obvious—he was staring down at me with eyes that appeared as if they understood completely why I had chosen to kill myself.

Was that it…… was that what it was……!

Seeing that expression, I immediately understood. Demon Lord Dantalian was not plain prey. Lapis Lazuli betraying our firm, and the murder of Andromalius, they were all schemes plotted by that man. It was not possible to know exactly what the plots were, but those eyes. Those eyes of a killer, surpassing logic, were more than enough to convince me. Dantalian was the puppeteer!

Aah, Ivar Lodbrok.

From beginning to end we were mistaken.

We had dived on top of a chessboard with no idea who our opponent was. Because of this, it was no wonder that we had lost so gruesomely. Have you realized, Ivar? Were you aware of the fact that that man was the true danger……

I wanted to open my mouth and warn Ivar. To please be careful of Dantalian.

But to my dismay, I did not have even a margin of energy left to move my lips. Rapidly. Life from my body dispersed silently. The vision in front of me faded to black.

I may have dreamed a beautiful dream, but I was unable to live a beautiful life. I have committed a fair amount of evil deeds. No doubt the Gods will drop me to Hell……

Ooh, merciful Proserpina.

Please show pity for this poor soul.

And then, I was enshrouded by eternal silence……

Ο

▯ Raja Iblis Terkecil, Peringkat 71, Dantalian
Empire Calendar: Year 1505, Month 8, Day 20
Niflheim, Governor’s Palace
The dagger easily pierced the neck of the old goblin.

The blade had impaled through his thin neck and stuck out from the other side.

The goblin’s small body collapsed to the floor with a thud.

A stillness fell over the room.

Red blood was flowing in the ballroom.

“Ah……?”

Paimon was.

“Ah……aah……?”

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Paimon was merely staring down at the goblin’s corpse.

That goblin was a merchant that Paimon had trusted without an ounce of doubt. It was clear that for a long time, a very long time, these two had known each other.

I wonder if her knees had given out, but Paimon had sunk to the floor. The blood flowing out from the goblin’s neck formed a puddle and the end of Paimon’s skirt became drenched with that blood.

“Aah……ah, aaah……”

Like a broken record, she let out short moans repetitively.

It was a conclusion that she couldn’t have possibly predicted to have happened 30 minutes ago. Paimon may have only been moaning, but I distinctively understood the emotions that were grasping onto her heart.

That was why I had warned her.

To not cross the Rubicon River and reconcile with a glass of wine instead. But, without being able to realize anything, Paimon had raised a poisoned chalice. This was probably what a tragedy was.

I muttered in a voice that only I could hear.

“Spoiled the mood……”

You have really caused quite the chaos, you goblin bastard.

Originally, I was planning to direct a comedy. Ivar Lodbrok and Paimon were to blame each other. They would behave disgracefully and keep tossing the responsibility to the other person until the conference was over.

In the end, one side would eventually have their honor damaged and fall. That was the scenario I had written. People would have sent unreserved applause to the circus performance of a lion and a tiger fighting each other. However, this old goblin was a variable that I could not have possibly expected……

Torukel had bore all the mistakes of Ivar Lodbrok and Paimon on his own, and had brought them down with him. Paimon’s misunderstanding was because of Torukel’s trickery, and Ivar Lodbrok’s excuse was because of Torukel’s cajolement.

The two as victims. The one as the assailant. Except, no words could come from a corpse. The day that the truth was finally revealed will never come to be.

I sincerely give you my respect for that resolution of yours, goblin.

Ivar Lodbrok and Paimon had gone against me with a clumsy mindset. They did not risk their lives. But you were different. You came at me with all you had. Unlike those two, you did not forget about proper etiquette.

That was splendid.

I must admit. People like you were more than qualified to interfere with my comfortable life.

“—We shall proceed with the show of hands for the hearing.”

Marbas spoke.

The only witness had killed himself and Paimon had lost her will. He must have judged that there was no point in continuing the hearing any further.

“The first issue is the murder case. The case where rank 72nd, Nameless Demon Lord Andromalius was murdered by rank 71st, Nameless Demon Lord Dantalian. The accuser has demanded 100,000 libra as compensation for the murder of Andromalius from Dantalian, and for Dantalian himself to be locked away in the Frozen Prison for 15 years.”

Marbas looked around the venue.

“Those who think Dantalian is guilty raise your right hand, the people who think he is innocent raise your left hand, and the people who are abstaining do not move your hands. The two people who are directly involved, and myself who has taken the role as the mediator, will not have the rights to vote.”

People promptly moved their arms after Marbas had finished explaining.

Among the 29 Demon Lords, the ones to have voted guilty were 9 people.

The people to have voted innocent was 19.

Marbas nodded.

“I declare that Dantalian is innocent in regards to the first matter.”

Excluding Paimon’s followers, nearly every Demon Lord had voted innocent. In truth, it was an overwhelming victory. And yet, the aftertaste was still bitter. It was because of that old goblin’s noble sacrifice. I didn’t feel as excited as I was before……

“The second issue is about the Black Death. The accuser had claimed that Dantalian was the true culprit to have spread the plague. Those of you who think this is true, raise your left hand, those who think it is false, your right hand.”

The people to have voted guilty were the same 9 individuals.

The people to have voted innocent was 15 individuals.

“Since it has surpassed the majority, I declare that Dantalian is innocent in regards to the second matter. Thus, on the name of rank 5th, the Demon Lord in charge of nobleness, I, Marbas, guarantee that you, Dantalian, are free from all charges. Those of you who have any objections to this verdict must keep in mind that you’ll be challenging my honor.”

Applause erupted from one of the Demon Lords. It was Barbatos this time as well. She was even whistling as she celebrated the verdict.

"Ha ha ha! Serves you right, whore! Ever since you started raising your nose thinking you were all high and mighty, I was looking forward to seeing that nose of yours get crushed! Seeing as it has come to this, why not spend some ‘time(屍姦)’ with that goblin! You two will probably be a perfect match in bed!” (TL note: ‘time’ is a play on words here. It can be read as “shi-gan” in Korean, which means the passage of time, but here it is using a Chinese word that is pronounced the same but with a different meaning. It basically means ‘necrophilia’.)

……Although the direction of the celebration was horrendously vulgar.

Right now Paimon, with unfocused eyes, was staring down vacantly at Torukel’s corpse. To be able to openly laugh at a woman in that state, those weren’t normal nerves, but was immense brutality instead. It was impressive in another meaning. I gained the certainty that if I wanted to maintain a peaceful life, then it would be a good idea to not get involved with Barbatos.

Her chest was also flat.

Her chest was as flat as the Siberian fields—

It was important so I emphasized it twice.

If you were a logical person with refinement then it was obvious to prefer matureness over immatureness, abundance over lacking. Lolita complex is a mental illness, everyone. I hope you are able to go to your nearest mental hospital and get a suicide check-up.

“Now, we shall discuss Paimon’s punishment. Dantalian. Despite your innocence, Paimon had tried to accuse you. One must pay the price for failure. Suggest what you think would be the most fitting level of punishment.”

“A penalty, huh……”

I looked down at the floor.

In the past, court controversy had a meaning similar to that of a duel. Putting their honor on the line, both sides fought over what was guilty and innocent. If the accuser were to lose, then they would receive the very sentencing that they had declared for the other party. It meant that if you wanted to curse another, then you had to dig your own grave first. It was a tough legacy from the medieval period.

In this situation, Paimon would have to pay the 100,000 gold fine and be confined for 15 years in prison. Once again, I understood what kind of harsh resolve Paimon was carrying while stepping forward in the hearing. Was that so. It may not have been as much as the goblin, but Paimon had as well, in her own way, prepared to take responsibility……

Then, all of a sudden a choice box appeared before me.

Ο

[1. Forgive Paimon.]

[2. Reprimand Paimon.]

Ο

Seeing this choice box appear, it meant that this was a crucial decision.

Similar to having chosen to murder Andromalius, this was something that would greatly change the direction of the world.

Marbas pressed me with a low voice.

“Dantalian.”

“……”

I glanced at the goblin’s corpse.

Torukel. You did not leave a will. But what you wanted to say was conveyed clearly. No matter what, to not let Ivar Lodbrok or Paimon be troubled. Those were most likely the dying words that you could not spill out from your own mouth. The part of life that was so-called sorrow.

As a means to express my condolence to you, those dying words of yours, I shall respect it.

“It is fine.”

"Permisi?"

“I said it is fine, honorable Marbas.”

I raised my head and faced Marbas.

I had a weak smile on my lips. It was in order to display a tired expression. Well, it had also been a long time since I had last used my brain this much, so I was actually a bit tired.

“Even if I was under false accusation and slandered, her highness Paimon was also in the sorry position of having been swept up in a plot, was she not? As it has already been proven to everyone here, the true culprit behind all these incidents was that goblin on the floor over there. He was a peerless villain. However, since he is dead, there is no reason to make someone else take responsibility.”

“In other words…… are you saying that you will not demand any punishment?”

“Yes, your honor. As the person directly involved in the hearing, and as the person to have survived the court of law by obtaining victory, with my just rights I shall request of this. Rank 71st, Nameless Demon Lord Dantalian hereby requests, for her highness Paimon to not be punished in any way because of this incident.”

I grinned.

“In the first place, this is the sacred Walpurgis Night. This is not a location for such vulgar words like punishment or penalty to be tossed around.”

The people around me made a commotion. They probably didn’t imagine that the very person to be accused would come out so pleasantly. They all had the same expression of surprise. On the contrary, once I had watched the goblin kill himself, I couldn’t have been more calm.

I did not want to become a person who went around talking about ‘acknowledgement’ and ‘respect’ all the time. I had thought to acknowledge Torukel the goblin. I had decided to respect his will. Then I must show it by actions.

To forgive Paimon here was, with no doubt, a politically dangerous decision. In the political world, just by the mere fact that you were enemies one could continue to take hostile actions. Today, disregarding the truth, the relationship between Paimon and I had clearly become ‘enemies’. To change this relationship into a different form will probably take a considerable amount of tiresome work. It may even be impossible.

That was what respect was.

To protect the other party’s words even if it meant that you’d have to endure harm.

I was confident that I would not feel anguish even if I were to go through hardship for respecting another.

If I used my second half little sister’s judgement as a basis, then I was in the possession of a devilish brain.

If I used my own judgement as a basis, then I was model student who knew etiquette.

“Honorable Marbas. The only thing that this one wants tonight is a single warm glass of honey wine.”

Ο

[1. Forgive Paimon.]

[2. Reprimand Paimon.]

Ο

As soon as I had finished talking, the choice box melted away.

Soon, the choice box was replaced by new lines.

Each individual letter was dismantled and put together to form new words. It gave the subtle pleasure like watching lego bricks being assembled on their own.

Ο

[A kind and merciful decision!]

[The continent is impressed by your magnanimity.]

[Fame increased substantially.]

Ο

The sentences glowed brightly in mid-air.

The words broke apart into sparkling particles. Then shortly after, after drifting through the air like a bunch of petals, they silently vanished off to somewhere.

“……”

Marbas was staring at me. His blue eyes would make one think of a serene ocean. I did not avoid Marbas and calmly met his gaze.

“To think of duty over resentment. In words, it sounds easy, but words have the tendency of becoming harder to adhere if they are shorter, and becoming easier to keep if they are longer. It is not something that anyone can do. Additionally, the amount of people to turn down the opportunity to lawfully vent one’s spite is a precious few.”

Marbas patted my shoulder. His trust was transmitted through his hand.

“You are remarkable, Dantalian. As the host of this Walpurgis Night, I’d like to give you my thanks. I look forward to the day that you are able to be rid of your Nameless Demon Lord status and become a monarch possessing a grand title.”

Ο

[Demon Lord Marbas’ affection went up by 9.]

Ο

Instead of responding with words, I lowered my head.

Marbas had said that he did not trust long talks earlier. So to go beyond short words and respond with silence was appropriate to go along with Marbas’ beliefs. Marbas seemed to have understood my intent. He nodded and patted my shoulder once more.

“……However, even if there is to be no official punishment, it would be irrational to not have even one word of apology. Paimon.”

Marbas turned around to look at Paimon. She was still sitting in a daze at the side of the goblin’s body. She was like a doll that had all her strings cut. Marbas spoke to her with a pained face.

“Apologize to Dantalian here.”

Paimon flinched.

“……Apol, igize……?”

"Iya nih. That is the responsibility that you must carry.”

“Lied…… Torukel…… lie, d”

Paimon moved her body to get up, but failed. There was no strength in her knees, so she had simply slipped back down. Paimon lifted her head barely to look at me.

“Did Torukel…… betray, this lady?”

Aku mengangguk.

“That is so. Your highness.”

“Innocent……?”

"Iya nih. I did not create the Black Death. I did not purposely spread it either. That was all a hoax created by that merchant, Torukel.”

Paimon slowly lowered her head. Ada saat hening. I had no methods to know what she was thinking. Shortly after, with trembling shoulders, she muttered in a very small voice.

“……I……ry……”

At first, we couldn’t understand what she had said. Like a broken radio, her words would come out then stop and then rewind to start again. This repeated. The sound of crying was mixed in like static. However, Paimon repeated the same words over and over again, until eventually we could hear her loud and clear.

“I’m…… so, rry……”

They were words of apology.

A pool of blood had formed on the ground which Paimon had fallen to. Something was falling there. They were Paimon’s tears. Each time a tear collided against the crimson puddle, like a pebble falling into a lake, gentle waves in the shape of rings would spread out.

“I’m sorry……”

“……”

“I’m sorry…… I’m sorry……”

A peculiar silence swept over the ballroom.

Paimon’s voice was most certainly small, but it felt like her words could be heard by everyone here.

It must have been hard to keep watching. A female Demon Lord, who I assumed was one of Paimon’s followers, rushed out and started to support the frail woman. Paimon was weakly dragged outside by the female Demon Lord. A group of around 15 people followed that female Demon Lord out of the ballroom. No one tried to stop them.

“There were many complications, but.”

Wanting to change the topic, Marbas spoke.

“It does not change the fact that today is still the Walpurgis Night. Although there are still some agendas remaining, we can push that to tomorrow. I shall be taking up Barbatos’ suggestion and offer a place to drink to everyone here.”

With a ‘clap‘, Marbas brought his hands together.

At once, faeries came in and began to serve all kinds of food and beverages. Elves wearing maid uniforms and tailcoats entered the room carrying chairs and tables. The ballroom had instantly changed into a banquet hall. I also had the honor of being poured a glass of honey wine from Marbas directly.

People of power were rare. People of power with common sense were even more rare, to the point that they should be announced as a near extinct species and rated EX on the charts. I, with the desire to preserve nature’s rare species, accepted the glass politely.

Ο

For the rest of the day, there was no occasion of Paimon showing her face again.

Ο

▯ Raja Iblis Terkecil, Peringkat 71, Dantalian
Empire Calendar: Year 1505, Month 8, Day 21
Niflheim, Governor’s Palace
The banquet did not end even past midnight.

I had never imagined that Demon Lords would be such heavy drinkers. Barbatos was especially amazing. She picked up an entire jug of alcohol and chugged it down in one go.

People cheered and applauded. It was insane. Also, Barbatos seemed to have taken a liking to me cause she kept forcing me to drink. If I tried to refuse slightly then she’d say, “Aaang? Are you trying to resist drinking the alcohol that I’m bestowing to you?” and got heated up. Was this not a barbaric person, or what?

Not being able to socialize with her any longer, I secretly withdrew to the hallway. Truthfully, I wanted to escape out the front gate, but there was the chance that I’d get caught by Barbatos.

Her outer appearance was that of a little girl but where was that tremendous amount of alcohol being consumed to? I couldn’t understand. In my opinion, I thought that scientist needed to go through her stomach as soon as possible. I was certain that a miniature black hole was in there…… The problem was that the science in this world was not advanced. As a result, it was impossible to find out. It was an unsolvable mystery……

My mind felt blank. I must have gotten drunk. I was walking through an empty hallway, and yet, everything in front of me felt like it was pulsating. Sial. It was because that kid, born on the plains of Siberia, said “I’ll show you my hidden treasure.” and forced me to drink a concoction of 6 different alcohols. What did she mean by “Think of this as an honor. Not just anyone can taste this.”? Go drink yourself to death……

I could hear quiet footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw that Lapis Lazuli was standing there. I courteously opened my arms.

“Ooh, Lala! My Lala! Your eyes are like azure and your voice is like a hymn sung in harmony!”

Ehem.

In actuality, I had spread my arms out in a bit of an exaggerated manner.

Apa? I’m drunk. It was beyond my control.

“…… Your highness moved too rashly.”

"Apa? I’m so great that you’ve fallen for me?”

“This one said that your highness has moved too rashly.”

“To the point that you want to smooch me? Itu keren! If you knew how hard I worked to gain your affection, then you’d feel so sorry for me that you’d willingly offer me your lips.”

“Your highness.”

I shut my mouth.

Lapis Lazuli’s gaze pierced right through me.

“Your highness is reckless, irresponsible, and rash.”

“…… Are you not deeply moved by my victory?”

"Iya nih."

“That’s a bit of a shock.”

It was as shocking as the time I had received a confession from a boy in the same class as me during elementary school.

“Paimon is not only the rank 9th Demon Lord, but she is also the leader of the mountain faction that is known as the greatest faction in the Demon Lord Allied Forces. She is in command of many loyal followers and has a close relationship to people in power on the human side. In simpler terms, your highness has turned one of the most important figures of the Demon World into an enemy.”

"Tunggu. Wait a second, Lala.”

I waved my hands fiercely.

“……I am not reckless, I am not irresponsible, and I am not rash. These are words I’m hearing for the first time in my life. That’s incredibly insulting.”

"Apakah begitu? What kind of plan is it that your highness had to turn the richest man and the leader of the greatest faction in the demon world, into enemies?”

“That…… that is……”

Tidak ada gunanya.

My mind was still intoxicated by alcohol so I couldn’t think straight. It wasn’t an unsophisticated scenario where I could simply talk about it while being drunk. This was like the most elaborate machinery in the world.

“That is, it’s tremendously……”

“Tremendously?”

“Amazing…… and frighteningly great…… that kind of plan!”

“Your highness possesses quite the impressive persuasive ability. This one was so moved that this one had become at a loss for words.”

“My eyes and ears could be failing me at the same time, but your tongue sure is moving a lot for being at a loss for words.”

“It is a relief that your highness has enough rationality to notice that.”

"Ooh!"

Like a dreadful actor, I shouted up at the ceiling.

“I’m sorry, Lala! That’s right! I have gone completely mad! After being accused by Paimon and seeing that old bat laughing at me from the side, all my self-control ended up exploding! That’s why I showed them a lesson! I can not even begin to grasp how I could possibly repent for my tremendous mistake to our succubus lady!”

I turned my body around and bowed. It was the location completely opposite of where Lapis Lazuli was. Of course, there was no one there. Thanks to the moonlight coming in from the window, I could just barely make out the shape of the floor.

No, since I could see a bit there wasn’t absolutely no one there. A gray cat was perched on the window sill and licking its paw. I bowed deeper to the cat.

“I apologize, Paimon! I apologize, followers of Paimon and to the supporters of Ivar Lodbrok! I have refuted and crushed these people who you all so love very much! They accused me for a crime that I did not commit, they raised their nose high just because they had an authority as big as a finger nail in this large universe of ours, and they were individuals that didn’t know how to respect others, but everyone must have loved these two dearly anyway. Ooh, the Goddesses will rain their rage down upon me! Oh, Erbus, oh, Nemesis, the most terrifying Goddesses! If, perhaps, you are all up there in the sky—if you are doing nothing and looking down at me from your seats—”

I looked upwards like a prophet who was receiving commandments directly from God. My body moved seriously and my voice rang splendidly. I looked as if I was receiving the award for the best leading actor of the year.

“I may be too educated and overflowing with refinement to properly believe in Goddesses, so I can not say with certainty that you all do exist up in the sky, but, if by some astronomical chance, you all are really up there—Goddesses! Do not forgive this piece of trash Dantalian who has ridiculed the leader of the greatest faction and the richest person in the demon world and smite me!”

“……”

“However, if I were to speak subjectively—albeit, I do think that this subjective opinion of mine is objectively the truth and have no doubt about it, in any case, as much as I need to be a bit modest while in front of the Goddesses, I shall speak subjectively out of pure courtesy— If you agree with my personal opinion that Paimon and Ivar Lodbrok are both terribly unlucky and are both rotten pork tripe that are on the boundary of becoming unrecyclable— then you damned Goddesses! Please do nothing, do absolutely nothing, and allow me to live my life as I please! Since I am 1000 times more competent than some Goddesses that sit around and piss all day!”

……

Diam.

The gray cat was surprised and looking this way with wide opened eyes. The cat must have forgotten that it was grooming its own fur since its front paw had frozen in mid-air. It wasn’t strange. It had the honor of being a witness to my powerful and grandeur confession of faith, after all. It was like someone was resting at the backside of a mountain and then suddenly Moses came walking down from the mountain top. I could understand the feelings of a cat. That was how much understanding I was overflowing with.

“Hoo, uhoo……”

I settled my breathing.

Now the intoxication was dissipating.

I turned around and faced Lapis Lazuli. She was staring at me with her same as usual expressionless face. I lifted my index finger and pointed up towards the ceiling.

“Look at that. Nothing happened.”

“……”

“Thinking logically, we can derive three conclusions from this. First, the Goddesses has generously forgiven my reckless, irresponsible, and rash antics. Oh, Lala, you are indeed a very distinguished girl, and there is a chance that you’re more distinguished than I am— Of course, that is a topic of much debate— but clearly you are not as distinguished as the Goddesses. Thus, second, since the Goddesses have forgiven me, you must forgive me as well. That is what having a modest attitude means, after all. And finally, third, the Goddesses has admitted that Paimon and Ivar Lodbrok are similar to that of rotten pork tripe. Thus, the act of threatening them is theologically, juristically, and ethically not a problem. Now then. If you have anything to say against my absolutely perfect logic, then go ahead.”

A moment of stillness returned to the hallway.

We stared each other for a while.

Lapis Lazuli then opened her mouth.

“Is your highness done talking?”

“Mhm.”

“Does this one need to point out that your highness has used the beginning rhetorical technique of ‘using a false premise’?”

"Nggak."

“Is there a reason this one needs to remind your highness how politically dangerous it is to intensely declare in a public place of one’s militant atheism?”

“There are none.”

“How does your highness think this one should react to the lord who’s logically, politically and theologically guilty?”

“I do not think anything of it.”

“This one had thought so.”

“Lala. I truly am unable to explain it properly because I am still intoxicated, but I assure you that I have already planned out a perfect scheme that’ll put you at a lost for words. I’ll explain it to you after a short rest, and then even you will admire it. So for now, let us return to our room, lay on the bed, and discuss the rest……”

“This one knows.”

"Hah?"

“This one believes that your highness is devising a thorough plan.”

I blinked.

“That is, uh, what do I say……rather unexpected.”

“This one knows that your highness’ true nature is like that of a predator, a spider to be exact. Before taking one step, your highness looks forward 10 steps, and if there is no certainty of a perfect hunt, then your highness waits patiently. People may think your highness is a good-for-nothing deadbeat when they see your highness not move and they will laugh in ridicule for it, but in truth, your highness is simply waiting for your prey to get caught in the web for you.”

“……Thank you for the compliment?”

My head felt blank so I wasn’t very certain, but I think this was the first time Lapis Lazuli had ever praised me like this. Not knowing how to react in that moment, I creased my brows.

“Then why did you ill-treat me?”

“Since your highness’ mentality is so twisted, this one had judged that your highness required a vassal that would constantly be by your side and scold your highness.”

“Lala. I am a full grown adult. I do not have any reason whatsoever to get a new mother figure now and hear nagging……”

Itu dulu.

Perlahan.

Lapis Lazuli had casually grabbed my necktie.

In my short moment of confusion, Lapis Lazuli pulled.

I did not know exactly what kind of physical principle was hidden within this action, but the result was simple and obvious.

Lapis Lazuli had stolen my lips.

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“……”

“……”

I could feel something soft on my lips.

I wonder if about 10 seconds had passed. We steadily drifted apart.

When two people split apart, it would feel unnatural even if they were to share hundreds of idle talk, but in this moment of silence, it felt perfectly natural to drift away. Once the kiss was over and we had regained our distance, I felt that that distance felt incredibly natural.

Lapis Lazuli whispered.

“I also do not intend to act as your highness’ mother.”

“……Lala.”

I spoke carefully.

“I admit that over the period of time I have said many salacious lines like kissing. However, that was purely to enjoy watching your embarrassed reaction, and thus had no deeper meaning. If, by chance, I had planted a misunderstanding due to that, then I shall sincerely apologize here and……”

“I know that as well. Your highness.”

Lapis Lazuli cut me off.

And once again, she pulled my necktie downwards.

“That’s why, please shut up.”

We buried ourselves under the dark hallway.

After the second kiss, who moved first, whose palm grasped the other’s body first, and who was the first to push the other into the darkest corner of the hallway, we could not tell. It had become meaningless to discuss the order.

The only thing I could remember vividly were her silently glowing blue eyes.

Ο

Ο

Ο

Ο

Ο

Ο

Meoow.

A gray cat meowed.

The cat bathed in the moonlight and stretched out tiredly.

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