NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 36
Chapter 36
A portal leading from the 68th floor to the 69th floor. A group of hooded figures with masked faces appeared here. They had even cast magic to disrupt detection spells.
It was evident to anyone that they were up to something. They seemed to be waiting for something, intently watching the portal.
“Baruna.”
“Yes, Daejeong.”
The masked individuals were the fourth legion force led by Lin and Baruna from the 72nd floor. Along with the two, there were four elite soldiers from the fourth legion.
“The Emperor has commanded us to handle this quietly.”
“Understood. I won’t use force.”
Lin looked back at the soldiers and said.
“The size of the identified delegation is fifteen. You each take out two quickly, and Baruna and I will handle the remaining seven. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“What if Dekarabia brings O mang seong as a guard?”
O mang seong. It referred to the five most powerful generals under Dekarabia. At that statement, Lin drew her sword. It was not the one she usually wielded but rather a strange sword.
“I’ll handle it. Besides, we won’t be blamed for this.”
“Understood.”
A few hours passed, and finally, the group they were waiting for appeared through the portal. The moment they showed up, the team led by Lin and Baruna sprang into action.
“Ugh…!”
“Kugh!”
The individuals who had just emerged from the portal lost their lives in an instant, before they could even react. The delegation from Dekarabia was taken aback as half of their number suddenly disappeared and looked around in confusion.
“Attack! It’s an ambush!”
“Damn, where are these bastards from?!”
Lin quickly surveyed the guards of the delegation. The O mang seong, which Dekarabia boasted about, was nowhere to be seen. Thinking this made things much easier, she spoke to Baruna and the soldiers.
“Take them all out.”
“Yes.”
The soldiers, including Lin and Baruna, had operated under Seir, the second-ranking Demon King. It was not a challenge for them to eliminate the delegation and their guards from the 68th floor.
“Are there any injuries?”
“One. He was slightly grazed by a sword.”
“Stop the bleeding and clean up the blood. We can’t leave any evidence that we did this.”
“Understood.”
Lin silently observed the bodies of the eliminated delegation before she sheathed the sword she had used into one of their corpses. Baruna and the other soldiers followed suit, leaving their swords near the bodies.
“Let’s go back.”
#
“…What?!”
“The delegation from the 68th floor… is all dead.”
Dantalion had sent his subordinates to greet the delegation that Dekarabia was sending, but those very subordinates returned to report that the delegation was dead.
Dantalion looked utterly perplexed, unable to comprehend how to process this situation. His head was spinning, and he could only chuckle hollowly.
“They’re dead? All of them? Did they all suddenly commit suicide right in front of the portal or something?”
“It appears they were murdered. We must inform Dekarabia of this news at once.”
“Inform him? Are you out of your mind? It’s obvious how that bastard Dekarabia will react…!”
“…We’re unaware of whose trick this is, but we found the swords used by our soldiers scattered around their bodies.”
“…What?”
Dantalion was left speechless. The presence of swords used by the 69th floor’s soldiers at the scene strongly suggested that those soldiers from the 68th floor had been attacked by soldiers from the 69th floor.
Of course, Dekarabia would likely realize that this was someone’s scheme. However, whether it was indeed the 69th floor that attacked or not wouldn’t matter much to him.
Having already borrowed funds from him, Dantalion’s equal alliance had crumbled. Dekarabia would likely use this incident as a pretext to pressure Dantalion further. Ultimately, it was clear that he intended to shift their relationship from an alliance to one of tribute.
“If things continue like this, Dekarabia may come to make demands of us, using this incident as leverage. We must act first to mitigate our losses.”
Before that, some suggested that it might be better to surrender entirely and offer them a compensation proposal. Dantalion was inclined to agree with this opinion.
“Trying to obscure the facts might shatter our alliance.”
“Ugh…!”
Dantalion clenched his fist tightly, trembling with rage. Who could be behind this scheme from the beginning? The answer came forth surprisingly easily.
“Is it Citri’s doing…?!”
“Given the circumstances, the likelihood is highest.”
“…It’s also likely that the rumors regarding the inventory came from her.”
Bang!
Dantalion slammed the armrest of his throne. He commanded the ministers gathered in the audience chamber.
“Prepare for war! I will deliver the hammer to that Citri bitch!!”
“Yes!”
The ministers bowed their heads in unison, accepting Dantalion’s command. Albas, the Minister of War of the 69th floor, and Leonard, the commander of Dantalion’s forces, quickly left the audience chamber to mobilize the troops.
“Be thoroughly prepared. Don’t underestimate them. Show them that we are not to be compared with the foolish Andromalius!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
As the ministers busied themselves, Dantalion sat back on his throne. Pressing his throbbing temples, he sighed deeply. It was then that—
“Y-Your Majesty!!”
“What is it now?!”
“Dekarabia’s army has crossed over through the portal!”
“…What?!”
Only then did Dantalion realize exactly what Dekarabia was planning. What he desired was not merely a tribute relationship. He intended to use this incident as a pretext to subjugate the 69th floor to his own, effectively making Dantalion a ruler of the 69th floor in the form of a “vassal state.”
“This traitor…!”
Given that he attacked without even listening to the terms of their alliance, it seemed that Dekarabia had been secretly wishing for this very event to occur. Dantalion ground his teeth in fury.
“Cancel the war with the 70th floor and allocate all troops to prevent Dekarabia’s invasion.”
“Yes!”
#
“…So, it seems that Dekarabia has invaded Dantalion’s territory.”
Epsilon, who returned from his mission to monitor activities on the 69th floor, was reporting the situation in detail to Seere. Seere nodded lightly and glanced sideways.
‘As expected, it has come to this.’
Stepping back, Nahun quietly waited beside Seere. Judging by the look in Seere’s eyes, Nahun offered a simple piece of advice.
“Do you know the meaning of ‘the fisherman’s profit’?”
“What does that mean?”
“It refers to a situation where one gains an advantage without having to exert themselves.”
Seere pondered over Nahun’s words, tilting her head in confusion. Nahun smiled at her.
“This time, I will issue the orders, so remember this for the next time a situation like this arises.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Nahun stepped forward and spoke to Epsilon.
“Epsilon Daejeong.”
“Yes.”
“Deploy the troops. When the 69th and 68th floors collide, we will intervene.”
“Even so, the military scale of the 68th floor does not compare to ours. Is that alright?”
“Avoid a head-on clash.”
At Nahun’s command, Epsilon nodded.
“Should I position myself on the other side and wait?”
“Yes. Take up a position where you can ambush the rear of Dekarabia’s army.”
“Uh?…Then how do we avoid a clash with Dekarabia’s army?”
“I’m not saying to establish a stronghold.”
What Nahun desired of Epsilon was simple. To cross over to the 69th floor and keep a watch on their movements while drawing attention.
“While pursuing Dekarabia’s army’s rear, continue to evade combat. Do you understand what I mean?”
“…You mean to draw their attention.”
“I expect great things from your fifth legion.”
“Understood.”
Epsilon nodded to Nahun’s orders and knelt before Seere.
“I shall obey, Your Majesty.”
“I expect great results.”
After Epsilon left to fulfill his orders, Seere looked at Nahun intently.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you tell them to merely observe and not jump into war?”
“I mentioned the term ‘the fisherman’s profit’ earlier.”
“Yes.”
“It’s to put it into practice. I’m going to call Lin now and command her to evacuate the merchants of the 69th floor to the 70th floor.”
“…You mean the merchants residing in someone else’s territory?”
“Exactly.”
The reason Nahun had removed the delegation from the 68th floor that had arrived at the 69th floor was to incite conflict between the two factions.
With the information Nahun had given to the merchants already causing turbulence in the 69th floor, if conflict escalated with the 68th floor, the situation would be dire.
The reason merchants flocked to the 69th floor was simple. It was safe, and they implemented favorable policies towards them. However, with that safety gone and the recent revelation that the 69th floor had deceived their trading partners, many would lose reason to remain there.
“And I plan to implement favorable policies towards merchants on the 70th floor.”
“Shouldn’t that require Citri’s approval?”
“Citri would have no reason to reject it. Why would she refuse an influx of merchants to her territory? Would Citri turn down a pile of money rolling in?”
“That makes sense.”
“If that happens, merchants would leave the 69th floor and flock to the 70th floor with its safety and favorable policies. Consequently, Dantalion’s power, having lost the support of the merchant faction, would crumble like a sandcastle.”
Nahun smiled with confidence. Whenever he wore a smile full of assurance, there had never been a failure in his endeavors. Seere was well aware of this fact. However, she felt that there was room for a bit more ambition.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Why not just conquer the 69th floor instead of rescuing the merchants with the fourth legion?”
“Well, I see that as quite risky. To do that, we would have to drive out all of Dekarabia’s army…”
“Then I’ll give it a try.”
Nahun narrowed his eyes sharply.
“No.”
As Nahun flatly rejected her idea, Seere puffed her cheeks slightly. She placed her hand on her chest and said.
“I’m capable of fighting now. I’ve trained a lot and attended classes diligently. I’ve learned a lot of magic from you, Teacher.”
“I’m glad to see your enthusiasm in wanting to lead an army as a ruler, but it’s just not the right time for you yet.”
“When will that be, then?”
“…When you’ve grown a bit more.”
“I’ve grown a lot already!”
Seere wasn’t wrong. Among the demon race, which grew significantly faster than humans, Seere was among the faster-growing ones. Her height had now reached around 160 cm, and she possessed a fair degree of feminine maturity.
Other people would find it hard to see her as a child, aside from the slight childlike still present in her appearance. However, to Nahun, she still looked like a twelve-year-old girl.
“Be patient. I’ll take the lead in conquering the 68th and 69th floors.”
“……”
Seere’s expression fell into a gloomy silence. Nahun did not fail to understand her feelings. Objectively speaking, Seere had improved tremendously, and any words would not suffice to describe her growth.
Still, Nahun believed that it was too early to send this child into battle. He had no confidence. Could Seere go to the battlefield and return safely without injury?
‘What if Seere were to get seriously hurt?’
If Seere were to die from injuries, everything Nahun had done until now would be in vain. Someday, the day would come when she could take the field, but he felt deep down that it was not yet.
Feeling slightly guilty for not granting Seere’s wishes due to his anxieties, Nahun spoke to her.
“In exchange, I promise to grant you one wish later on, so please don’t feel too hurt.”
“…A wish?”
“Well… pudding would be nice, or cake, or anything you like. Just remember not to make any unreasonable demands.”
“As long as it’s not an unreasonable demand, it’s fine?”
“Yes.”
Seere, who had been slightly disappointed, brightened up again at Nahun’s words. She said to him.
“Then, after this is over, I want to go out and play.”
“Go out to play?”
“Yes. Wherever is fine.”
Though Seere had gone out with Nahun often, they had never done so with the purpose of simply having fun. Reflecting on his memories of going on picnics with his parents when he was young, Nahun admitted to himself that he had been too unfeeling.
“You’re right, come to think of it, I’ve never taken you out for fun. A trip now and then wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Wow!”
Seere beamed with joy like a child. Seeing her bright smile made Nahun smile gently as well.
#
I decided to go out to play with Teacher.
What shall we do? I’m already so excited that I can’t sleep.
Filled with anticipation, Seere tightly hugged her white doll. Though she didn’t always carry it around anymore, she still loved stuffed animals and treasured this white doll the most.
Next to it, there was the whale doll that Nahun had gifted her first, which she also cherished. Just looking at that white whale doll reminded her of Nahun and often made her smile unknowingly.
A grateful Teacher who always stays by my side.
My precious teacher.
‘My very own teacher.’
Just the thought of going out to play with Teacher left Seere unable to contain her excitement. Hugging her white doll, she gazed at the whale doll.
“If I want to go out with Teacher, this matter has to be resolved quickly, right?”
To do that…
“…Yes, I suppose I have no choice but to work hard.”
Even if it means being a bad child who doesn’t listen.