NOVEL NEXT Chapter 61
Chapter 61
The battle that took place in the Starroad Plains was a complete victory for the combined forces of Seere and Citri.
Two of Belial’s Four Flames were killed, and two were captured. Moreover, Belial himself was defeated and killed in a one-on-one battle with the opposing Demon King.
There was no hope left for the soldiers of the remaining 67th layer. Before they were slaughtered like pathetic creatures, they dropped their weapons and surrendered.
It was truly a perfect victory. Tactics worked as planned, and they won both big and small battles. Although it could not be said that there were no losses at all…
“3,280 friendly casualties and 20,557 injured, with a total of about 70,000 captured. The rest appear to have fallen in battle,” read Baruna’s report.
They gained much in comparison to their losses, and the enemy’s losses were minimal. From the fact that only about 70,000 remained out of Belial’s army originally exceeding 100,000, this battle resulted in over ten times the difference in casualties.
Hearing Baruna’s report, Seere nodded briefly and spoke.
“Well done, Vice Commander Baruna.”
“…It was quite a struggle for Your Majesty as well.”
Baruna said this while glancing at Nahun beside him.
“So please do not hold back on the praise and encouragement for Nahun. Do it on our behalf.”
Nahun chuckled softly. It was interesting that instead of seeking praise or encouragement for himself, Baruna was more concerned about how it would be directed at his lord. It seemed that Baruna had seen a much younger Seere than Nahun had.
“I understand. I will do as the Vice Commander says.”
“Thank you. I will check on the wounded.”
“Alright.”
After Baruna withdrew, Nahun glanced to the side. The still round eyes and chubby skin of the girl showed that she was still a child.
“Seere.”
“Yes, yes!?”
Nahun tilted his head. Why was she so surprised? As he looked at her oddly, Seere fumbled over her words.
“Ah, I was just thinking of something else for a moment!”
Seere seemed embarrassed by her strange response, her face slightly reddening. Nahun smiled, finding her childlike demeanor quite cute.
“Thank you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m thanking you for winning against Belial. You did really well.”
If Seere had lost to Belial, the battle’s dynamics could have been completely different. Tactics that had worked might have been for naught in the face of a Demon King’s strength.
Of course, with Nahun around, Seere wouldn’t have died, but still, the fact that the lord had been defeated would have a significant impact on the morale of the soldiers under him. Had that happened, the battle result would not have been such a perfect victory. Instead, it might have ended with mutual devastating losses or dragged on indefinitely.
Nahun was proud of Seere. He expressed that sentiment openly and spoke to her.
“This victory is mostly thanks to you.”
“I, I didn’t do much….”
“There’s no need to be humble in front of me. It was your effort, and I merely added a spoonful to it.”
Nahun gently reached out and stroked Seere’s head. The soft and warm touch made Seere automatically focus on the sensation, lost in it.
“Now I can truly depend on you. You’ve grown wonderfully.”
“!!”
Seere’s eyes widened. She stared blankly at Nahun, who tilted his head in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
“Am I really someone that can be depended on by you, Teacher?”
“Yes?”
Nahun contemplated Seere’s words for a moment. Had he inadvertently said something flattering? However, he genuinely believed that, so he nodded firmly.
“Of course. Seere, you’re truly my proud and one-of-a-kind student.”
Seere’s expression brightened instantly. The child smiled brightly. Though she sometimes displayed an inappropriate cold expression for her age, at that moment, she was adorably cute. Seere, full of anticipation, asked Nahun.
“So… have I become more grown-up?”
“Uh?”
Nahun hesitated at her question. In his eyes, she still looked just like a child, but he understood her feelings. After all, doesn’t everyone want to grow up quickly when they’re young?
“A little bit?”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Ah… I’m relieved.”
Seere grinned.
“I’m becoming an adult too, then.”
Nahun felt a slight unease at that smile. Unlike Seere’s usual pure smiles, there was something more emotional about this one, somewhat unsettling and sticky.
“…Seere?”
“Yes?”
As soon as Nahun called her name, he was certain it was his misunderstanding. Seere’s bright and pure eyes were just that—bright and pure. Her eyes sparkled like a blue star.
‘It was just my misconception.’
Nahun regained his composure and asked her again.
“By the way, are you feeling alright? You must be quite tired after exhausting all your magic….”
“Yes, I’m tired, but I still haven’t finished cleaning up. So I’m holding on.”
“If you want to rest, it’s fine to take a break. I’ll help.”
“Um….”
Seere seemed to be pondering. Then, as if she’d thought of something good, she spoke again.
“Then, Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“I did a good job this time, so please grant me one wish.”
“A wish?”
Recently, Seere seemed to be making such requests often. It was a bit unexpected, but Nahun looked at it positively. The psychology of reward is a very important factor for motivation. After all, parents often buy their children something they want when they score above a certain point.
Nahun nodded readily.
“Alright, what do you want?”
“It’s not something I want, though.”
“What then?”
Seere stood up. After all, there were only Nahun and Seere in the barracks. Seere felt that it was the right time. Nahun had just said he would grant her wish.
Seere approached Nahun, pointing to the area around his thigh with her finger.
“Please let me sit on your lap.”
“…Huh?”
“You used to do it often, but you haven’t at all lately. I like sitting on your lap, Teacher.”
As Seere pouted in displeasure, Nahun was slightly taken aback. The reason he had stopped such actions was that Seere was growing up. Doing such things with a maturing child would not only seem strange to others but also wouldn’t be good for Seere herself.
However, contrary to Nahun’s considerations, Seere showed her disappointment. Nahun waved his hand slightly.
“No, Seere… it’s not that I don’t want to sit you down. You know that, right?”
“If it’s the gaze of others that matters, isn’t it fine now since no one is around?”
“Huh…?”
Nahun tilted his head.
“I thought it wouldn’t be good for you….”
“I like sitting on your lap!”
“Well, that….”
Nahun showed a troubled expression. Upon seeing that expression, Seere’s mood dampened slightly. As her feelings were evident on her face, turning into a sulky expression, Nahun was startled.
“…Is that really your wish?”
“Yes.”
Nahun was still troubled, but he tried to understand as best as he could. How much must this child have missed sitting on his lap to voice such a wish? Despite appearing mature, she was still only twelve years old. In reality, she was only in the fifth grade of elementary school.
She was at an age where she could indulge in such childish whims and still liked being cared for by someone who looked after her. After a moment of consideration, Nahun finally nodded.
“Alright, come here.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
Seere smiled brightly and approached Nahun. Then she turned around and gently sat down on Nahun’s lap. She leaned her head and back slightly against him.
“Hehe~.”
Was it the sheer joy of being in that position? Seere was smiling broadly. Nahun gazed at her back for a moment. In the past, when he held her on his lap, she only reached up to his chest, but now she had grown to the point where she obscured half of his view.
Her snow-white hair still had no blemishes, like snow falling from the sky, and her baby-like white skin remained unchanged. It felt as if the small Seere had suddenly grown taller.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Can you stroke my hair…?”
Her actions still revealed her childlike nature. She liked having her hair gently stroked, would sleep while hugging a doll, and still loved eating desserts like pudding and cake.
Perhaps it was not so much Seere who had changed, but rather Nahun himself. Nahun closed his eyes briefly and opened them again, wearing a gentle smile.
‘Am I thinking too seriously about this child?’
Nahun nodded and raised his hand. As he gently stroked her soft hair, Seere seemed to feel good and made a small sound, much like a cat purring.
“Seere.”
“Yes?”
“You must maintain your dignity in front of others. But in a situation like this, just the two of us….”
Nahun lightly patted Seere’s head with his palm.
“You can be childish anytime. I’m your one and only teacher.”
“One and only….”
Seere seemed to ponder Nahun’s words. Then she turned to him and replied with a bright smile.
“Yes, Teacher!”
#
Having left Belial, Abaddon continued downward. He passed through the lower layers of the Demon World and even reached the first floor, but he did not stop there.
Deeper than the first level of the Demon World.
A place where the screams and wails of tortured souls echoed year-round.
It was hell.
Upon arriving in hell, Abaddon quickly sought out a certain castle. It was an immense castle that could hardly be described merely as “huge.” It was so large that its spires could be seen from anywhere in hell.
Once inside the castle, Abaddon passed by roses with five petals, blooming upside-down from the ceilings. Finally, he reached the largest room within the sprawling castle.
“Abaddon.”
“Yes, Master.”
In that room sat a huge man. Not only was his stature enormous, but the throne upon which he sat was also gigantic. It seemed appropriate to call him a “Giant God” rather than just a giant.
He was Golraph, Abaddon’s master and one of the ten great demon lords ruling hell, symbolizing cruelty and referred to as the “Tyrant.”
“Why have you returned?”
“Belial was defeated.”
“…Defeated? Wasn’t he on the 67th layer?”
“That was the case, but something interesting happened. Do you remember Seir von Debata?”
“I do.”
The Giant God rested his elbows on the throne’s arms and propped up his chin.
“Why is that name suddenly coming up?”
“His bloodline, Seere von Debata, was killed in an invasion.”
“…Surprising. I thought someone of his caliber wouldn’t fall to a low-ranking demon king. Is it really ‘Debata’?”
“And there’s one more reason.”
“What is it?”
As Golraph inquired, Abaddon lowered his head and spoke.
“It seems the Great One was also present there.”
“What? Who….”
“The master of the ‘Inverted Kingdom.'”
Golraph lowered the hand resting on his chin. Then he grasped the throne’s armrests with both hands and shot up, yelling.
“Why is that guy there!!”
“I don’t know either, but I found traces of Leviathan, the Mass of End from the 67th layer. The monster that follows him… isn’t it just one individual?”
“That assertion must be true. You’ll have to risk your life for that.”
“Without a doubt.”
“What are the chances that Gamaliel knows about this?”
“…I’m not sure. But if it’s related to that person, wouldn’t it be wise to assume Gamaliel already knows?”
The Giant God took a deep breath and exhaled. With just that gust of wind, a strong breeze swept through the audience hall. Finally calming his heart, Golraph spoke.
“…Right. You’re right. I need to meet with Gamaliel and discuss this.”
“I’ll go as an envoy.”
“Done. Will Gamaliel spare a man like that? If he wishes to show me one that’s been drained of all energy, turning him to a mummy, then let it be.”
Abaddon bowed his head in gratitude for his master’s consideration. Golraph stomped down from the podium. Every step he took made the castle tremble. The eyes of the always cruel Golraph, however, were now filled with perplexity.
“What on earth is that guy doing in the kingdom…?”
Golraph exited the audience hall and moved his enormous body towards the most depraved and obscene place in hell.