NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62
Chapter 62
In the depths of Hell, even lower than the first floor of the upside-down tower of the Demon World, Golraph, one of its rulers, was making his way toward a certain location with his enormous body.
Thud!
As soon as he stepped outside his domain, red tendrils began to encircle and cling to Golraph’s body.
“U… take us too…”
“Ugh… help me out…”
These were the touch of souls that had fallen into despair and corruption while being punished in Hell. Despite their interference, Golraph was still able to move sufficiently, but it was unpleasant that such mere vermin were blocking his path.
“You pathetic wretches that have fallen to ghostly forms should not touch this body.”
“Ugh… ugh…”
Golraph swung his arm wide. In an instant, the numerous red souls clinging to him vanished. Golraph narrowed his eyes and spoke.
“It seems there are too many filthy souls coming in, causing trouble for both the Demon World and the human realm lately.”
After shaking off the souls, Golraph took just a few steps, crossing into the territory ruled by the Lord of Lust. As he appeared, the succubi, who had been toying with young souls, trembled and bowed their heads.
“O, great one…!”
Golraph asked one succubus.
“Where is Gamaliel?”
“H, how should I know…?”
When the succubus asked for a reason, Golraph’s gaze narrowed. He slowly raised his fist.
Bang—!!!
He brought it down heavily. The succubus who had just answered was reduced to a bloody mess, her shape unrecognizable. Not only her but Golraph’s enormous fist had also crushed all the succubi around her.
Even so, Golraph did not blink an eye. He had a nonchalant expression, as if crushing an ant elicited no particular feeling. To the unfortunate being who could no longer hear his words, the cruel giant simply said.
“I didn’t ask such a question.”
“What kind of disturbance is this in my territory?”
At that moment, a voice came from above Golraph’s head. He moved his massive neck and looked up, where a woman was suspended in the air.
Dressed in clothing that left little to the imagination, she had a figure that would make any man drool, and her beauty was stunning enough to enrapture anyone who looked upon her. Her deep indigo hair, tinged with violet, had an alluring aura to it, and her gaze that looked down at Golraph was captivating.
She was the great demon known as Gamaliel, the one Golraph had sought out.
The Lord of Lust, Lilith.
Golraph spoke to Lilith.
“I was merely trying to find you.”
“Does that give you the right to kill my subordinates at will?”
“You displayed such an insolent attitude, so I simply educated you.”
“That’s a pathetic excuse. After all, you entered my territory. Wouldn’t it be natural to know I’m here? You couldn’t wait just a little longer.”
Lilith openly reprimanded Golraph. However, Golraph neither got angry nor countered her words. He knew that if he did, he could face dire consequences from those who cherished that lascivious woman.
“You might have gone to Taumiel for a moment.”
“Then I wouldn’t be here, so you could assume I’m not present. Oh my, do you not even understand this much?”
“…I had urgent matters I needed to inquire about.”
“What do you wish to know?”
Lilith tilted her head. Her extraordinarily beautiful features made even that trivial movement seem appealing. Golraph unconsciously swallowed hard but spoke without revealing his feelings.
“Any information regarding the top, have you heard anything?”
The top referred to the highest point in Hell. While one might assume the highest point in Hell would be connected to the first floor of the Demon World, it was not so. It wasn’t merely about the literal meaning of a high peak.
“…I do not know what you’re referring to.”
“You know, Gamaliel.”
Lilith frowned at Golraph’s confident demeanor. He continued speaking to her.
“Speak honestly. It’s only a matter of time before Taumiel finds out.”
“…Why are you so curious about that?”
“Because it is dangerous if he empties the kingdom any further. If the roots collapse, we will also fall.”
Hell was sustained by a colossal tree. This tree, symbolizing evil, had various territories of the great demons extending from its roots.
This massive tree of evil was extremely peculiar; just like the Demon World, which resembled an inverted tower, the tree supporting Hell also grew upside down.
Thus, the roots of the tree became the highest point in Hell. Furthermore, these roots were connected to the roots of another tree. Although it bore a resemblance to the tree of evil, it existed in a completely opposite position.
Therefore, the top was crucial in various aspects, for ensuring the safety of Hell, as well as for controlling the hostile worlds connected to its roots. Consequently, the demon ruling this place had to be formidable.
Thus, the ruler of the ‘Inverted Kingdom’ at the roots of the massive tree of evil, Klifirot, was equal to or bore a power greater than that of Taumiel, the leader of Hell.
However, the current ruler of the kingdom had gone missing and had not returned.
This had caused confusion among the great demons for a while, and they had attempted to prevent the news from spreading externally, waiting for the kingdom’s ruler to return.
“He must return.”
“I know that too.”
Lilith lightly pressed her finger to her forehead, like someone whose head was aching from entangled matters.
“Where on earth did you hear this talk?”
“You knew to some extent that I interfered with the Demon World.”
“H, could it be…Belial?”
“You know him well.”
“But is it alright for you to admit that? What will you do if I tell Taumiel?”
“You? That’s laughable.”
Golraph laughed dismissively. It was such ridiculous talk that even a cruel giant who rarely expressed feelings chuckled at Lilith’s words.
“You’re capable of worse deeds. Do you think you will be safe if you tell Taumiel?”
“….”
“And stop your obsession with him. If you happen to be caught by Taumiel, your life will be in peril.”
Though he said that, Golraph thought a little differently. Could it be that Taumiel wouldn’t know if Lilith had feelings for another man? He had assumed it was merely ignored while being aware. This foolish and lascivious great demon seemed to be blissfully unaware.
“That’s none of your concern. How presumptuous.”
“I’ll have to care.”
“Do you like me or something? Why are you meddling in my affairs?”
“I wish you would stop talking nonsense. If our balance is broken, it gives the heavens an opportunity.”
Golraph looked at Lilith with a cruel glint in his eyes.
“Now hurry up and pass on the information, Gamaliel. I’ll persuade him to come here.”
“…Persuade? You’re speaking nonsense. Golraph, don’t you know him at all?”
Lilith wore a sardonic smile. Golraph looked at her, questioning what she meant. Lilith spoke of a truth only she, who was obsessed with him, would know.
“That man won’t be swayed by persuasion, you fool.”
“…Then what are you proposing? You mean to remain silent about the information?”
At Golraph’s question, Lilith pondered for a moment. Then, she asked Golraph.
“Is it possible for you to bring him back?”
“I’ll have to try.”
“Alright, I would like it if he returned, so I’ll let you know. However, I don’t know much either.”
“That’s fine. Just tell me what you do know.”
“I had dealings in the human realm.”
Golraph’s eyes widened slightly.
“That means….”
“Yes, there are only two places in the Demon World that can easily interfere with the human realm.”
“I see.”
Golraph nodded. Combining the information she provided with what he knew led to a conclusion.
“Understood. I will go bring him.”
Bringing him back was something that had to be done. For the sake of the immense war that was about to erupt.
#
As class ended, Seere suddenly brought up a topic.
“Teacher, I want to change my hairstyle.”
“Huh?”
Nahun’s eyes widened. While anyone could want to change hairstyles at any time, being asked suddenly caught her off guard.
“Why the sudden change?”
“Um…”
She thought that perhaps the teacher would pay more attention to her with this statement. Unable to answer honestly, Seere instead made a different excuse.
“I’m a little tired of it.”
“Hmm.”
Originally, Seere had twin braids. She was quite young then, and beholden to her prettiness and cuteness from a young age, it suited her perfectly.
As she grew up a little, Seere changed her hairstyle when she turned ten to her current half-tied straight hair. Nahun suspected that it had to do with Rea’s influence.
That current hairstyle suited her very well. Half-tied hair was naturally a pretty enough hairstyle, and it complemented Seere’s maturing yet youthful look even more.
So when she said she wanted to change her hairstyle, it felt a bit regretful, but Nahun decided to help her think it through.
“Alright, Seere, I think you would look good with any hairstyle.”
“Ah… really?”
“Of course.”
Seeing Seere slightly flustered, Nahun thought that she was just embarrassed from receiving sudden praise. As Seere pondered for a moment, she looked at Nahun and spoke.
“Then, could you recommend one, Teacher?”
“Huh? It’s not about my preference, you should choose the hairstyle you want.”
“I think it would be better if you recommended it.”
At Seere’s words, Nahun began to ponder. However, she didn’t really know much about women’s hairstyles. She knew a few basic styles, but not in detail…
Ultimately, with nothing specific coming to mind, Nahun spoke honestly.
“I’m not sure. I don’t know much about that.”
“Then…”
Seere slightly pulled her chair closer. Even seeing Seere come a bit closer, Nahun remained indifferent. Seere felt a hint of dissatisfaction at this but knew there was something more important. Concealing her feelings, she spoke softly.
“I’ll ask you one by one, so please answer me?”
Nahun sensed that if she didn’t answer, Seere would surely sulk. She recalled the time when Seere had stomped out, ignoring what she had said. It wasn’t a pleasant memory, so Nahun nodded.
“Okay….”
To see the ending, Seere’s favorability couldn’t drop. It was unavoidable.
Seere smiled satisfactorily and began to ask Nahun one by one.
“Teacher, do you prefer long hair or short hair?”
“I tend to prefer long hair.”
“Speaking of which, you have slightly long hair too, Teacher.”
“Indeed.”
“Then do you prefer it tied up or loose?”
“I think both are fine….”
When Nahun gave a vague answer, Seere narrowed her eyes.
‘……’
Feeling that gaze, Nahun quickly began to contemplate and came up with one answer.
“I suppose loose is a little better.”
“And how about bangs?”
“Bangs are better to have.”
“Long ones?”
Nahun pondered for a moment upon hearing Seere’s question. When a girl grows her bangs long, that usually means she pushes them to the side. Nahun preferred having bangs, so he had to put it another way.
“Shorter ones are better. Personally, I like when bangs are asymmetrical.”
This was Nahun’s personal preference. He had liked Seere’s illustration from the ‘Swordmaster’ route, one of the routes from Ebel Queen Maker.
In that ending illustration from the Swordmaster route, Seere had a style with one side of her bangs longer, which was what he had recalled when he spoke.
“You’re really serious about bangs, Teacher.”
“…Huh?”
“That was the longest answer.”
Seere said this and smiled charmingly. Nahun couldn’t help but laugh in response. And he honestly admitted.
“Well, I do have some thoughts on it.”
“Heh….”
It was his preference. Teacher preferred bangs that slightly covered one eye. Nahun didn’t think he had said anything too significant, but for Seere, it was different.
‘For the first time, I learned what Teacher likes.’
It was a very meaningful discovery about Nahun. Seere beamed with joy. Moreover, she harbored thoughts that the teacher could not even fathom.
‘From now on, I need to get it right….’
One by one.
One by one.
In line with Teacher’s tastes.