NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 273
Chapter 273
Upon hearing Lilith’s story, Nahun couldn’t help but frown.
“Who gave you the right?”
“Oh, are you not going to do it?”
“I have no reason to obey Taumiel’s orders.”
Even if Taumiel were the actual leader of Hell, Nahun had no obligation to follow those orders, especially since it came from someone who was stronger than anyone else in Hell.
Lilith lightly laughed at Nahun’s attitude.
“That’s true. But aren’t you forgetting something due to the curse?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m a bit displeased that you are slandering my master, but… his cunning exceeds imagination, doesn’t it?”
“…….”
Lilith lightly reached out and grabbed Nahun’s shoulder. As the sudden touch made Nahun furrow his brows, Lilith let out a light laugh.
“I’ll find a way to get you into that position. I’ll make use of everything. Starting with your beloved kingdom… and that child you cherish so much right now.”
Lilith’s words were the truth. If it was Taumiel, he would surely use any means necessary to incorporate Nahun into his plans, even if it meant touching something precious to Nahun.
“How dare you.”
The atmosphere around Nahun instantly turned grim after hearing Lilith’s words. The Massus, realizing his wrath, began to show their ferocity.
“Who do you intend to touch?”
Feeling a chill run down her spine from Nahun’s cold fury, Lilith quickly spoke up.
“You seem to be mistaken; I’m not saying that I will touch anyone. Ugh… aren’t you directing your anger at the wrong target…?”
Even though she was a high demon and very close to Taumiel, the pressure was hard to bear. While she could endure the aura of a Massu, what she felt emanating from Nahun was something different.
‘There’s definitely a curse on you…’
Such an overwhelming intimidation. Lilith couldn’t help but admire it and felt her face slightly flush.
“Indeed…, you’re amazing.”
“Enough of your nonsense. Tell Taumiel that if he touches what is mine, he won’t find it amusing.”
“Actually, as long as you don’t neglect your duties, that won’t happen.”
“Duties?”
“Forgetfulness of one’s duties due to a curse is quite frightening.”
Lilith chuckled softly, then circled around Nahun. Then she came halfway around and whispered in his ear.
“The master of Nehemot, the high demon of materialism, and the ‘power’ of Hell—your role is strictly to protect Hell and conquer the Heavens. This is neither something Taumiel entrusted to you nor something that was dictated to you later, but a role you have carried since your birth, your divine destiny.”
Lilith continued.
“You can’t deny the role assigned to you. What Taumiel demands is for you to fulfill that role, thus you have no choice but to accept or reject it, nor can you refuse.”
“…Divine destiny? That’s not a fitting term for a high demon.”
“But it is the truth, what can you do?”
Lilith didn’t seem to be lying. Nahun was curious. What would happen if he did not fulfill such a role?
In the original game, the stories about high demons rarely appeared, so Nahun’s knowledge about them was limited.
“What happens if I do not fulfill that role?”
“Oh, I don’t know about that either. There has never been such a high demon. However…”
Lilith remarked.
“There must be a reason we are held in such regard. Just not doing it wouldn’t be the end of things.”
“In that case, there’s even less reason to follow Taumiel’s will.”
Lilith’s statement was a reasonable assumption. But if there was such a being that assigned a divine destiny to a high demon of such stature, who could that possibly be? It was none other than…
“It is presumed that the being who granted the divine destiny has been eradicated, so what issue would arise now from refusing it?”
“……Oh, you.”
Lilith chuckled lightly.
“You’re aware that simply rejecting the assigned role doesn’t end there, don’t you?”
“Are you telling me to fight against the Heavens? Why should I do something that only benefits Taumiel?”
“Uh-uh, that’s incorrect. You’re under a misconception. Do you really think that only Taumiel stands to gain from that fight?”
Nahun looked at Lilith, perplexed by her words. She smiled brightly.
“Finally, you’re looking at me properly?”
“If you hadn’t rambled on with nonsense, I would have been looking at you properly to begin with.”
“Oh, what do you mean?”
“If I look at you, you would have likely said some nonsensical words about being unable to take your eyes off me.”
“Haha… you know me too well ♥”
Nahun sighed. He coldly regarded Lilith and asked.
“So what do I stand to gain from this?”
“You can figure it out if you think about it for a bit. To fight against the Heavens, you can’t stay as you are, right?”
“…….”
“Taumiel will release the curse placed upon you.”
The curse.
Only by releasing the one that binds Nahun’s power could he properly utilize his strength and fulfill his role. Taumiel would naturally remove Nahun’s curse for his own plan.
Since the lifting of the curse would be between the parties involved, Nahun could choose not to have it reapplied in the future if he didn’t want it.
“And as long as you don’t return to the Demon World, you’ll be free from the curse. Honestly, you have no reason to stay in the Demon World anymore, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Of course, your friend Seir von Debata’s child has grown up nicely and has become a proper Demon King, right? Within the internal atmosphere of the Demon World, it seems to be widely speculated that soon they’ll be among the top ranks.”
As Lilith said, Seere had indeed grown into a formidable Demon King. Currently ranked in the twenties, it was only a matter of time before they would reach the top ranks.
Normally, as Lilith mentioned, since Seere had grown excellently, it might have been possible for Nahun to finish his role as a teacher and return to his original position.
The goal of assisting Seere in rising to the number one position could also be addressed by dispatching subordinates. Nahun could prevent the involvement of other high demons in Hell to avoid ending up like Seir von Debata.
“It’s okay to leave it alone now.”
However.
“…That does not benefit me at all.”
“What?”
“I have no intention of leaving the Demon World yet.”
Nahun had long since developed reasons not to leave the Demon World. There was something more precious there than witnessing an ending or regaining his original power.
Lilith gazed blankly at Nahun’s eyes for a moment. Unfortunately, she realized the emotions reflected in his eyes. She couldn’t help but understand. It was the feeling she once had for Nahun.
Lilith murmured.
“You.”
“…….”
“Could it be that Demon King… that young girl….”
“Choose your words carefully.”
Nahun said.
“She is my woman.”
Lilith let out a hollow laugh. How could that stoic man say such things? Even more so, he was captivated by a Demon King of a lesser status, not even a high demon like herself.
“……How can you be like this?”
“Am I not allowed to feel this way?”
“How can this be? Even if I treat you kindly, you’ve never given me a kind glance…! Just what kind of slap in the face is this to be captivated by a mere Demon King!?”
“I cannot understand what you are saying.”
Nahun said.
“Is it truly love that you, Taumiel’s servant, seek from me?”
“…What?”
“Your actions are simply lowly temptations spewed forth to fulfill your desires, typical of a good man’s lust.”
“Y-You…!”
“And you’ve been subtly belittling that child since earlier.”
Nahun still held Lilith’s hand resting on his shoulder. With a firm grip, he pulled her hand away.
“I told you to be careful with your words. You’re not someone who can insult a woman like her.”
“…Ha, haha!! You’ve really lost your mind, haven’t you? Just what did you do to make a man once suspected of being impotent….”
Lilith let out a hollow laugh before looking coldly at Nahun.
“What on earth is this? Is this a preference you’ve always had? A preference for younger ones?”
“You seem to be mistaken. My body and heart have already matured. A long-lived species does not grow slowly due to a long lifespan. Hence, she cannot be treated like a child…”
“Age aside, she’s still a child, what more needs to be said!? Ha, I see. Men only seek younger women, and now I’m seen as aged, is that it?”
“I never said such a thing….”
“Even Taumiel disregarded me in front of his subordinates; now you’re disrespecting me too.”
Lilith snatched her hand away. Although Nahun had loosened his grip, it was still considerable strength. It seemed she had heard something quite difficult to overlook.
‘Is the relationship between Taumiel and Gamaliel deteriorating?’
That was crucial information. However, Lilith was too lost in her thoughts to realize that she had leaked important information.
“…I won’t let this go.”
“What did you say?”
“Get out of my territory right now. Never step foot near Gamaliel again.”
“…….”
It was a somewhat rude command, but she had no choice but to heed it. After all, she was the master of the ninth Kliroft, Gamaliel. An order from a master within that Kliroft was absolute.
Nahun turned away, having no choice but to leave. Just as he was about to depart, he remembered something and spoke.
“I should mention one thing.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“If you touch my woman by any means…”
His golden eyes glared at Lilith. It wasn’t that he expressed hostility, nor did he reveal enough emotion to emit intimidation, but still… Lilith flinched.
Those eyes were directed at Lilith.
“I will bring this Hell down, even if I lose my life.”
It was the gaze of a predator that viewed her as mere prey.
It felt like catching a glimpse of Nahun before the curse had been placed. Looking at everything with indifference, yet displaying interest in the hunt once combat began. Those eyes were still the same.
Lilith stared blankly at Nahun’s back as he left.
“…What if he remains this dignified until the very end?”
Lilith lightly touched her lips with her fingertip.
“He truly makes it impossible to give up.”
A sinister glint washed over Lilith’s eyes. Even if it meant her own destruction, it seemed like it would only ease her fury to eliminate that arrogant girl who had occupied Nahun’s side without permission.
“■■■… You don’t know something. Perhaps it’s because of a lack of experience. You think you’ve sufficiently warned me, but…”
Lilith bit down on her long nails.
“A woman in love can do anything, even if it is a mad act.”