NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 274
Chapter 274
After escaping from Gamaliel, Nahun pondered.
Should he return with only this much information, or should he seek a bit more concrete information?
“The divinity has perished….”
If Metatron inherited that divinity, it could somewhat explain the abnormal reaction that Camiel had shown before. There was no guarantee that this was the reason, but it made sense.
If Metatron ordered Camiel to execute Nahun and the demon race’s assassination, Camiel would have been unable to uphold any contracts.
“I need more information, but I don’t know where to go to find it.”
After a moment of contemplation, Nahun moved his legs and began heading somewhere. Having just escaped Gamaliel, he thought to visit his territory nearby, Nehemot.
After some time, Nahun returned to his Kliroft after a long absence. The upside-down kingdom came into view. The gigantic trees rooted in the clouds were marvelous.
“Open.”
He uttered a short phrase while releasing magic power, and a translucent staircase descended from the upside-down kingdom, seemingly welcoming the return of its master.
As he ascended the stairs, the world flipped. It was a sensation he had felt before, yet a slight dizziness lingered. As Nahun reached the top, a familiar man approached.
“Have you arrived, Your Majesty?”
Welcoming him with the same appearance as before was Nahun’s vassal, Tubalkain. Even after a long time, he still emanated tremendous magic power.
A demon endowed with strength that could match even the end-time mass. Every time Nahun witnessed this, he felt the reality of having become the supreme archdemon of hell.
“Yes.”
“What brings you here today?”
“I came with some questions.”
At Nahun’s words, Tubalkain bowed his head. Not just his head, but he quietly bent his knees and prostrated on the floor.
“I shall answer with utmost sincerity. Please ask.”
“…You may rise.”
“How could I dare rise while receiving your questions? I am fine as I am, so please go ahead.”
It seemed he would not easily compromise his stubbornness. Nahun had no choice but to ask right there.
“Tubalkain, this place is closest to the heavens. Do you know if there have been any changes in the heavens?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. This humble one has not received any recent information concerning the heavens.”
“…Then is there anyone who might know?”
“I believe the great ones would know.”
“Who would be best to ask?”
“The one who knows precise information would be Taumiel, but….”
Tubalkain spoke.
“That person will not provide you with correct information.”
“Then is there no one else to ask?”
“No. There is one person. I am not certain if they have the same level of precise information as Taumiel, but they will surely provide you with information, Your Majesty.”
“I have already visited Gamaliel.”
Nahun initially thought that the one Tubalkain mentioned was Lilith, but it wasn’t. Tubalkain, still bowing his head, asked in a more serious tone.
“…Were you referring to that woman?”
“I only went to ask for information.”
“Your Majesty, please do not approach that woman. She is a harbinger of calamity.”
Nahun was puzzled. Regardless, Lilith was also one of the great archdemons. He was curious why Tubalkain displayed such animosity towards her.
“Please stay away.”
However, it felt like advice intended for his own benefit more than anything. Since Nahun also had no intention of meeting Lilith anymore, he accepted his counsel.
“…Understood. So who can tell me about this?”
“It would be the great one who governs the third Kliroft, Satariel.”
Tubalkain said.
“It is Lukipugus.”
Lukipugus. She, the master of the third Kliroft Satariel, was a wise archdemon comparable to Gagiel, known as the Great Sage of Hell.
“Lukipugus, you say?”
“Yes.”
Nahun contemplated. If she were weak like Lilith, it would be fine, but if the archdemon Lukipugus turned out to be stronger than expected, there was a chance he could be overpowered in his current state.
“Do not worry.”
“Huh?”
“What Your Majesty is concerned about will not happen. Lukipugus is someone with whom you share a friendship.”
“Who have I been friendly with?”
“While not as much as the Demon King, Seir von Debata… you have had some degree of interaction compared to other great ones.”
“Is that so?”
“Moreover… Lukipugus does not get along well with Taumiel. There is no way that she would harm Your Majesty, who can counter and suppress Taumiel in hell.”
The story of their friendship was more reassuring than anything. If so, it might not be a bad idea to go once.
“Understood. I will pay a visit.”
“Indeed.”
“And Tubalkain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Nahun recalled the conversation he had with Lilith. If Taumiel was contemplating an invasion of the heavens, would Metatron not be considering it as well? The opposite was certainly a plausible scenario.
If an invasion began, this Kliroft, Nehemot, directly connected to the heavens, would be the first to be attacked.
“It is time.”
“Your Majesty, that means….”
So Nahun decided to wake them a little earlier.
“Wake the kingdom.”
He resolved to awaken them.
#
At the very bottom of hell.
In the massive palace within the first Kliroft, Taumiel.
Lilith boldly stepped into this place where the ruler of Hell resided, though her master did not invite her, no one stopped her.
“Hey.”
At Lilith’s call, a loyal subordinate of Taumiel, Retee, greeted her with disheveled grey hair.
“You look exceptionally beautiful today, Gamaliel.”
“Taumiel is inside.”
“He is.”
Retee’s response made Lilith smirk.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Not at all. The master is currently resting, so perhaps you should go in.”
“Alright, I see.”
Retee bowed until Lilith headed toward the main hall and only straightened up after her figure vanished.
“That woman seems to be plotting something. She must have come to borrow the master’s power.”
“…Will the master accept it?”
Though there was no one beside Retee, a peculiar voice echoed. She tilted her head slightly and glanced at her own shadow.
“Who knows? What do you think, Styx?”
“…If it is the master, she will probably listen to that woman at least a little.”
The shape of a human face emerged from Retee’s shadow. Her blackened face resembled Retee, but the golden hair that emerged when the black shadow was washed away was entirely different.
“And that matter will eventually fall upon us. I feel unpleasant about having to act according to that woman’s whims.”
“I think it will be entertaining.”
“You find enjoyment in that woman’s antics.”
“Isn’t it fun?”
Retee chuckled.
“To think that someone would only be regarded as ‘antics’ for desperately charming a man who doesn’t even properly see her.”
“…It’s not easy to categorize as one of the great ones in that sense.”
“But one should be cautious with their words. Regardless of what anyone says, she is also one of the great ones ruling a Kliroft.”
“Perhaps you should think that way first, Retee.”
“You’re particularly sharp-tongued today, Styx.”
“I am a bit irritated.”
“The order is not hers but is still our master’s order, right? We are obligated to follow that.”
“I know.”
Styx muttered.
“I just hope we won’t be tasked with anything strange.”
At that moment, Lilith, who had bypassed Retee and freely entered the main hall, confidently looked at Taumiel seated upon the throne.
“What a surprise, I wasn’t invited.”
“Do you need an invitation to come?”
“Not necessarily. Come in.”
While Taumiel welcomed her from the throne, he did not seem ready to display the demeanor expected of an equal archdemon. Lilith approached Taumiel with familiarity.
Taumiel glanced at her and commented.
“It doesn’t seem like you came because you were lonely.”
“You know well.”
Lilith lightly placed her hand on Taumiel’s shoulder and leaned in, making eye contact.
“Do you want something?”
“As your beloved, I want to ask for something.”
“If it’s not something unreasonable, I will consider it.”
“It would be a proposal that’s not bad for you too.”
Her claim that it wouldn’t be a bad proposal for him seemed to pique Taumiel’s interest, and he silently waited for her to continue.
“I want to kill a certain girl.”
“…Who is it?”
“The Demon King.”
At the mention of the Demon King, Taumiel’s eyebrows twitched.
“I hope you’re not talking about Seere von Debata.”
“Why? Is that a no-no?”
“…Is it not obvious? The heavens are about to be invaded, and what good comes from upsetting that character? I must have been mistaken when I had even a slight expectation that it might actually be a decent proposal.”
“Um, that’s not it, Taumiel.”
Lilith shook her head. Taumiel looked at her in bewilderment.
“If something happens to that girl, he would be extremely furious, right?”
“That’s a given.”
“So, wouldn’t it be nice if the timing coincided when he invades the heavens?”
“…Are you saying to induce his anger and provoke the invasion of the heavens?”
“Exactly!”
Taumiel snickered. Lilith, confused about why he was laughing, tilted her head, but Taumiel soon nodded.
“Yes, attempting that as you suggested wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Really?”
“I’ve said that, haven’t I? Do I need my power to handle Seere von Debata?”
“No, can’t I just borrow a subordinate? My subordinates are a bit unreliable~.”
“Your wish is granted.”
“Thank you! Is it okay to send that girl? The one who barged in last time.”
“Are you referring to Retee? I have nothing in particular set aside for her, so it’s not an issue.”
“I truly appreciate it. Love you, darling~.”
As Lilith lightly kissed him and stepped away, Taumiel wore a satisfied smile. She excitedly announced as she exited the main hall.
“I’ll bring back good news~!”
“I understand.”
After Lilith left, a woman approached Taumiel, who was left smiling alone. With chestnut-colored hair and a beautifully radiant appearance, her armor resembled heavy mitts.
With a look of confusion, she spoke.
“Master, why did you grant such a foolish request?”
“Isn’t it interesting?”
Taumiel chuckled softly.
“It seems like she will act in a rather amusing way, and I am curious what results it may lead to.”
“What if she truly angers that entity?”
“That won’t happen.”
“Excuse me?”
Taumiel tapped the armrest of the throne with his index finger.
“It is unlikely to unfold as Lilith expects.”
“…But you said it was fine to send Retee.”
Among Taumiel’s subordinates, Retee was quite exceptional. Her strength might overshadow many demons, and she might not fall behind even archdemons.
Considering the one present before Taumiel and another general, Retee was stronger than anyone under Taumiel’s command. Furthermore…
“Sending Retee means also sending Styx with her, right? Yet you still imply failure may occur?”
“That could indeed happen.”
Taumiel narrowed his eyes slightly. The face of the only Demon King who had directly threatened Belzebut’s position emerged in his mind.
“Akeron, go and inform Retee. She does not need to fight with a death wish. There is no need to waste her resources for something important coming up.”
“…Understood, Master.”
Akeron followed the master’s command for the time being, but he did not understand Taumiel’s order. He could not grasp why Taumiel thought Retee would be in danger.
“Just a mere Demon King.”
With such confusion, Akeron headed to the Blue Wolf Hall where Retee resided.
#
While Nahun was in hell, Seere was busy preparing for Marbas’s invitation each day. She needed to manage her workload in advance and was busy when she heard Reya’s words and tilted her head.
“Huh? What should we do?”
“Lynn, the captain, gave me a hint. Let’s check it out.”
“What do you want to check?”
As Seere was unable to hear properly while looking over documents, she asked again. Reya boldly answered.
“Wether you’ve conceived or not.”
“…Huh?”
A somewhat foolish sound slipped from Seere’s mouth. Reya then explained.
“According to my records, the period you spent with Nahun was during your fertile window… in other words, the time you could conceive. You had relations then, right?”
“…Uh, um….”
Seere was incredibly embarrassed but had no choice but to answer honestly. She had already realized that Reya’s words were not nonsense.
“Nahun mentioned your body smelled sweet.”
“…Uh….”
Hearing that a few days had passed reminded her of her teacher, making her feel so humiliated that she’d want to hide in a mouse hole. Seeing Seere’s ears turn bright red, Reya couldn’t help but laugh lightly.
“Why are you embarrassed? You’re in a romantic relationship, so that’s perfectly natural.”
“Can you please stop talking about this….”
“Demon Kings don’t usually conceive easily, but it could happen.”
Seere had to endure her embarrassment. After all, Reya’s words were for her sake. And….
‘…Well, he was very affectionate during that break.’
During their time off, Nahun had poured tremendous affection onto her, so it wasn’t entirely out of the realm of possibility. Seere nodded at Reya’s suggestion, and Reya said she would prepare right away.
“…I guess we’ll have to skip training today.”
Just as she thought she should tell Lynn, black fog suddenly swirled, and Leviathan popped up.
“Levi?”
“Pwoo….”
Leviathan let out a low murmur, seeming displeased. Seeing Leviathan’s strange reaction, Seere asked.
“Is something wrong?”
“Pwoo.”
There was nothing in the office. However, Leviathan stayed close to Seere, growling softly. Suddenly, heavy rain began to pour outside the window.
“…Rain?”
Kuwagwagwang!!
Not only rain but also lightning struck. The sudden change in weather. Occasionally, intense downpours occurred, but something felt different this time. Seere felt something uncanny.
At that moment of feeling strange, lightning struck again. The light of the lightning illuminated the elongated shadow of a woman on the ground.
“…I hadn’t heard anything about someone like that being nearby.”
A woman with flowing cerulean hair stood on the spire of the castle, one hand wielding a blade, the other a scythe. Her posure on that sharp point was almost like a trick.
And from the shadow created by the light of the lightning, another woman emerged, revealing herself as she lifted the shadow away.
“It seems we’ve gotten into a hassle. I didn’t expect her to….”
Leviathan’s growl intensified. Now, even Seere was watching. Though she couldn’t see who was on the tower, she could see the woman who emerged from the shadow on the ground.
“…To leave the end-time mass unattended.”
Seere immediately sensed an ominous feeling. It was no wonder; those who appeared before Seere were…
“Ultimately, our goal is that Demon King. Let’s ignore her and handle our business.”
“Yes.”
They were Retee and Styx, members of the five dark rivers associated with Taumiel.