NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73
Chapter 73
In Nahun’s office, the dignified butler, Cain, had arrived since morning.
“Report from Eri?”
“Yes, it arrived early this morning.”
It was not yet the regular reporting day. Nahun tilted his head and received the correspondence from Cain.
“Is there something urgent?”
“I suspect so. In fact, there have been changes on the 72nd floor recently.”
“What kind of changes?”
“It seems that access control from the human realm has resumed. Therefore, it would be correct to say that no humans are coming to the Demon World at all.”
Nahun’s eyes widened slightly at Cain’s report, and he opened the letter sent by Eri. After reading its contents, Nahun narrowed his brows slightly.
“Is it time for a hero to appear?”
He had expected that the number of humans crossing over to the Demon World would decrease now that the war was over. However, the phenomenon of controlling all humans crossing over from every nation exceeded his expectations.
And the only time such a phenomenon occurred was when there was a being capable of uniting all humans beyond nationality. It was the emergence of a “hero.”
“By the way, Nahun.”
“What is it?”
“Is it true that the Celestial God has descended weaponry?”
Eri’s report mentioned a rumor that an elf archer received a weapon from the Celestial God. It seemed that there had been no confirmation of the facts, but Nahun already knew.
“It must be true.”
“Really?”
“The Celestial God has that kind of personality.”
“What do you mean…?”
The hero, “Seeres Eastwood.” She was the second hero appearing in the game “Ebel Queen Maker,” in which Nahun was possessed, and was known as the Hero of the Bow.
Right after the war between the Bismarck Empire and the Northern Alliance ended, the hero emerged like a savior in a world plunged into chaos. Of course, “savior” was from the perspective of humans, and from the perspective of demons, she was just an extraordinarily powerful slaughterer.
Indeed, the hero was granted a divine weapon and blessing from the Celestial God to eradicate “demons,” allowing them to compete even with the Demon King in human form. They could be called the ultimate weapon for humans against demons.
“This is troublesome.”
It would be one thing if Seere was to confront the hero after rising to a higher level, but right now….
Only Nahun knew this information. He let out a small sigh. He thought that this was something he would have to handle himself.
“I might need to stay on the 72nd floor for a while….”
“Do you know something about the Celestial God?”
If someone asked if he knew anything about the Celestial God, he certainly did. After all, he had faced so much interference from the Celestial God through the game; how could he not know anything?
Not only during the selection of heroes but also when he tried to expand influence into the human realm, the Celestial God would immediately send their subordinates, the angels, to obstruct him… and depending on the route of the story, even provoke a Heavenly Demon War.
Recalling those memories, Nahun briefly explained to Cain.
“That damn woman.”
“Umm….”
“Anyway, the possibility of this story being true is high. If the news spreading from the elf, who is a member of the Ain race, reached the human nation of the Bismarck Empire, then it’s likely true.”
“What about the possibility of it being false propaganda?”
“Elves aren’t that cunning. They’re an unnecessarily honest race.”
“I see.”
Nahun contemplated how to handle this situation. While it would be easy to deal with the hero himself, there was a risk that the Celestial God would notice. The Great Demon had intervened in this matter.
“If that happens, it will inevitably lead to a Heavenly Demon War.”
It was extremely troublesome. If such a war broke out in this situation, Seere would not be able to strengthen her forces. Leviathan had already been identified as a massu that Nahun commanded.
“Hmm….”
He leaned back in his chair, pondering what to do. At that moment, someone knocked on the office door.
“Come in.”
Upon Nahun’s permission, the office door opened, and a man entered.
“What brings you here, Eldein?”
“Oh, Nahun. I came to deliver something.”
Eldein, a servant from the Demon King Castle, approached politely and handed Nahun a letter.
“This letter is from the 55th floor.”
“…55th?”
“Yes. It was delivered by that human you command.”
It seemed that Dein had come. Perhaps there was no return order, so he had just conveyed the letter and left. Nahun told Eldein to go out and opened the letter.
“…….”
“What does it say? By the way, it’s unusual that it wasn’t sent to his Majesty but to you, Nahun.”
“It came for me, indeed. Gremony’s desire isn’t the entire power of Seere….”
Nahun let out a hollow laugh.
“It seems to be about me.”
“Really?”
“Read it.”
Nahun handed the letter to Cain. Cain quickly skimmed through the letter and furrowed his brows.
“It’s true.”
The letter had been sent directly by Gremony, expressing a desire to recruit Nahun as their talent and asking if he would consider it. If that wasn’t possible, they also expressed a wish to form an alliance, which clearly indicated that their main interest was Nahun.
The reason was obvious. It must have been due to the actions he had shown since joining the 72nd floor. Cain had expected that such a day would come eventually, but he never thought it would come so soon.
Seeing Cain looking at him with concern, Nahun reassured him.
“Of course, I have no intention of accepting.”
“As expected, that is what Nahun would say. Then I’ll send a letter of rejection right away….”
“Wait.”
“Yes?”
Cain tilted his head. If there was no intention to accept, wouldn’t it be better to send the rejection letter immediately? However, Nahun had slightly different thoughts.
“This could be used advantageously.”
Nahun said to Cain.
“Cain, where is Seere right now?”
“She should be finishing her liberal arts class soon and will be in her office.”
“Got it. Hand me the letter.”
“Yes.”
Cain handed over the letter, and Nahun exited the office immediately. Cain watched as Nahun left, still tilting his head.
“What is he planning?”
#
“Your Majesty, that hairpin looks really good on you.”
“Oh, really?”
Seere smiled brightly at Mark’s compliment as he brought in dessert.
“It was given to me by my teacher.”
“Lord Nahun? He has given you a wonderful gift.”
“Yes, I like it too. I like it more because it was given by my teacher.”
“You seem to hold Lord Nahun in high regard.”
“Of course~.”
Seere continued talking with a smile.
“Because he’s my one and only teacher.”
“…I see.”
However, Mark sensed something slightly off. There was a subtle, dark emotion in Seere’s voice when she said “my one and only teacher.” Mark thought to himself.
“Your Majesty… seems to have feelings for Lord Nahun.”
He knew she cared for him, but he never realized it was to this extent. Sometimes Rea would ask him to make delicious desserts, saying, “The Majesty is sulking because of Lord Nahun,” and he found it puzzling….
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes?”
“Are you perhaps in love with Lord Nahun?”
“…L-love? What do you mean?”
“It’s alright. I, Mark, have the heaviest mouth in all the Demon World. I don’t gossip at all.”
“If one has a long nose, they’re called a liar, right? Isn’t the same true for mouths?”
“N-no! Anyway, your happiness comes first to me, Your Majesty. That’s also what Seir wants the most. So I’ll support you no matter what choice you make.”
At Mark’s words, Seere smiled gently. Since he treated her like a close uncle since childhood, she felt more comfortable with him.
“I don’t really know much about love since nobody taught me.”
“Yes?”
“But I firmly wish that my teacher stays by my side. That thought won’t change, no matter what happens. So I will make sure my teacher won’t leave me.”
Seere’s eyes were resolute. Her determination was as strong as someone heading into a battlefield from which they might never return. Mark looked at this Seere and said.
“…That sounds like love, doesn’t it, Your Majesty?”
“Really?”
Seere’s eyes widened.
“Love might seem grand, but in reality, it’s not that complicated. It’s about wanting to see someone all the time, wanting them by your side, being willing to do anything for that person, and being willing to change for them if necessary.”
“…….”
“If you feel like you’d devote everything to that person….”
Mark opened his mouth, showcasing the large maw characteristic of the Amut race.
“That’s what love is.”
“Love is…, like that?”
“Yes, it is.”
Seere blinked. Then, as if lost in thought, her face suddenly turned beet red. Seeing her reaction, Mark burst into laughter.
“Then I will take my leave. If you ever want cake or pudding, just let me know.”
“…Okay.”
“Shall I prepare a wedding cake, then?”
“W-what are you talking about?!”
“Haha, it was just a joke.”
After Mark left, Seere covered her face with her hands.
It was hot. They say the temperature of the hands is lower than that of other parts of the body. The heat she felt on her face was so intense that she felt like her hands might start sweating.
“L-love….”
She at least knew that her feelings were not just simple obsession. She wanted to date her teacher. Having such thoughts meant that this was more than obsession; it was affection—a liking towards her teacher.
However, expressing that with the word “love” made her feel immensely embarrassed. Seere did not realize that this was a feeling experienced by a girl entering puberty when she begins to awaken to the emotion of love.
Just when she started to lose focus on her work, there was a knock on the office door. Then it swung open. There was only one person who could enter the Demon King’s office like that.
“Seere.”
It was Nahun. Seere startledly lowered her hands and greeted him.
“Welcome, Teacher.”
“Well, uh?”
Nahun approached Seere as he noticed something. Seere watched nervously as he placed his hand on her forehead.
“Are you running a fever? Your face is red.”
“Hm! I-I think it’s just hot.”
“Hot? Then why not open a window?”
Nahun said this and pulled back the office curtains before slightly opening the window. In an effort to change the subject, Seere quickly asked him a question.
“So, what brings you here, Teacher?”
“Oh, about this. Give it a read.”
Nahun handed Seere the letter from the 55th floor. She took it and glanced over it, frowning heavily.
“It’s about war.”
“Yes?”
“How dare they….”
“Oh, no. Hold on, just listen.”
Nahun calmed Seere down, who seemed ready to engage in war at any moment. Once she settled down, he shared his thoughts.
“They want an alliance, right? The target seems to be me.”
“Yes… that is quite audacious.”
“So, we can make use of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“You pretend to entertain what they want. Instead, we place our conditions.”
“You want to pretend to entertain them?”
Nahun nodded and explained.
“Eri reported that an elf who received divine weaponry from the Celestial God has appeared in the human realm.”
“…The Celestial God?”
“They’re likely planning to manage the chaos in the human realm and shift focus to the Demon World as humanity’s enemy.”
“Yes.”
“What would happen if humans came to conquer the Demon World led by the elf who received the weapon, as intended by the Celestial God?”
“Arrogant humans. They would need to be killed.”
“The problem is, the damage we would suffer in that process wouldn’t be trivial either. That’s why I suggest we use this alliance proposal.”
“…!”
Seere’s expression changed as she finally grasped Nahun’s intentions. With wide eyes, she muttered her speculation.
“Are you planning to request that they eradicate those humans on the 55th floor while simultaneously weakening their forces?”
“That’s right. Then they won’t have the power to pressure us. Therefore, we won’t need to comply completely with their proposal; we can alter it to align with our demands.”
“But, Teacher. Isn’t that too much to ask? Weak humans couldn’t possibly inflict damage on the power of the 55th floor….”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“Really?”
Though Seere did not know, the hero’s power could be classified as a “special power,” making it immensely strong. No matter how formidable the armies of the 55th floor or Gremony were….
“They won’t be able to cope easily.”
They might even suffer significant damage. That would be beneficial. Although there was a downside of weakening the force they were about to form an alliance with, it would ensure they could maintain an equal relationship in that alliance. Seere’s forces might even gain the upper hand.
“However, it means we will need to accept the alliance anyway.”
“Unless we match the conditions well, the alliance wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?”
Seere seemed to express some discontent. When Nahun gave her a puzzled look, Seere spoke sulkily.
“If the alliance is established, doesn’t that mean you might actually have to help the 55th floor?”
“Well, we won’t know how that goes. If we pursue it by helping like how Seitr managed instead of strictly adhering to our demands….”
“I don’t want that….”
“What?”
Nahun was unaware that one of the most threatening figures to Seere was Seitr. After hearing from Nahun, she wished to get along well with Seitr, but Seitr had what Seere lacked.
It was “maturity.” It wasn’t just about beauty but also about having a voluptuous figure that could evoke desire in men. Although Nahun had not shown any particular reaction so far, one could never tell. Men are often known to be unable to resist temptation.
But if another friendly female Demon King like Seitr emerged? That was something Seere absolutely did not want.
“I want a normal ally relationship. One like with Seitr is more than enough.”
“Hmmm….”
Nahun thought there was some validity in Seere’s words. Unlike Seitr, he had no certainty that Gremony would remain a partner until the end. They were in an alliance whose relationship could change at any moment.
Exhibiting one’s abilities to such an unreliable alliance and doing these things might not be favorable, indeed.
“Then let’s try to align our words as best as we can. You don’t have a problem with the alliance itself, do you?”
“Yes, that much….”
“In that case, I’ll send a letter. That should be fine, right?”
Nod, nod.
Seeing Seere occasionally displaying her childhood habit of nodding her head, Nahun smiled warmly. He then said to Seere.
“I once taught you the saying ‘fishing in troubled waters.'”
“Yes.”
Nahun folded the letter and smiled confidently.
“I think we can realize that saying.”