NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74
Chapter 74
The Demon King, Gremony von Due, who had swiftly conquered a total of five floors from the 56th to the 60th, was smiling with satisfaction, seated on the throne of the previous Demon King of the 60th floor.
“Ah hah, really?”
“Yes, a letter has just arrived. It seems like a positive response.”
“Let’s check it quickly. Bring it here.”
Gremony thought it was a good development. They had sent a letter to the 69th floor to feel out whether the other side was willing for an alliance, and they had taken the bait immediately.
With anticipation, Gremony opened the letter. Upon reading its contents, they narrowed their brows slightly.
“You know, Achilles.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The human side says that if we protect the 72nd floor in preparation for their impending invasion, they will agree to an alliance. How should I interpret this?”
“…”
Achilles frowned deeply, his expression turning serious. In an irate tone, he replied.
“It’s arrogant for them to attach conditions to Your Majesty’s proposal for an alliance.”
“But Achilles, you acknowledged that there’s a possibility this man might look up to me from above.”
“…That is true.”
“What should we do then? By the way, an invasion by humans… I’m not sure what that could mean.”
Most Demon Kings had no interest in what humans were doing or how the human world was faring. Just like a person studying ants would not wonder what ants were doing.
“Even if the humans invade, can’t they stop each other on their own?”
“That’s right.”
At that moment, a quiet man who had been standing next to Achilles spoke.
“Your Majesty, may I share my opinion?”
“Go ahead, Vitos.”
He was Vitos, one of the Three Dukes, speaking simply.
“Isn’t it worth testing out?”
“Testing what?”
“Whether we are simply going to use this alliance and throw it away afterward, or if we wish to maintain it.”
“Ah…”
Gremony briefly summarized his words.
“You mean to show trust?”
“That’s right.”
“I intended to express trust by offering them a floor.”
“If both sides accommodate each other, wouldn’t they be very cooperative with us? From what I’ve investigated, it seems they maintain a very close and cooperative relationship with their ally, Citri.”
“Can we have a similar relationship with them?”
“Yes, I believe so. Considering our overall strength, it might even lead to a better relationship.”
“Hmm.”
The Demon King brushed his attractive red hair back. His lips slightly pursed before stretching into a long smile, as if amused.
“I haven’t dealt with humans before.”
“They are not significant beings. After all, humans were able to be stopped by the Army of the feeble Seere von Debata back in the day.”
“Still, seeing it noted as an ‘invasion,’ I can’t help but feel there’s something behind it.”
Gremony commanded Achilles.
“Achilles, take 100,000 soldiers and head down to the 72nd floor to deal with the humans. I will send a letter to the 69th floor.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Never let your guard down. Complacency is the biggest factor that can turn the tables between the strong and the weak; you know this well, right?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. I will thoroughly prepare to ensure your name and honor on the 55th floor are not tarnished and will bring back victory.”
“I trust you.”
Gremony smiled, thinking he would finally be able to meet the rumored king.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
—
“A letter has arrived.”
A letter came from the 55th floor. Nahun, having heard the news, went to Seere’s office. This time, it was a formal letter addressed to Seere.
“It says that 100,000 soldiers, along with Achilles, one of the Three Dukes, will be passing through to the 72nd floor, asking for permission.”
“Grant them permission.”
“100,000 seems like a lot… It’s a number that could potentially overthrow the 72nd floor.”
“It’s fine. That won’t happen. If there’s even a hint that Dantalion might notice, I’ve already told them to abandon the floor and flee.”
Nahun, reassuring Seere, added one more thing.
“And 100,000 might not be enough.”
“Pardon?”
“You’ll see in time. Gremony will…”
Nahun smirked. For some reason, his smile seemed rather malicious compared to usual.
“They will shed tears of blood.”
“Sometimes, I feel like you highly overestimate humans, Teacher.”
“It’s not overestimation. I just think their strengths should be taken seriously.”
“Strengths?”
Seere tilted their head, appearing confused.
“What good is there in those inferior beings?”
This represented the average Demon King’s view of humans. Such views might change once they experienced the disaster known as the Hero…
‘There’s no need for Seere to experience that.’
Even if the time came to face them, it was not now. Nahun chuckled softly and patted Seere’s head. He then revealed his thoughts on humans’ strengths.
“Potential.”
“Pardon?”
It’s a point often described similarly in other games; in Ebel Queen Maker, humans, while lacking in basic specs compared to demons and angels, are portrayed as possessing great potential. Not all humans are like that, but there are those occasionally called “geniuses.”
Eri and Dein were such examples. With adequate support, they had grown to that level in just five years. Frankly, if they had been demons, they would have been placed in a commanding role.
“Their potential cannot be dismissed. The elf archer that has emerged this time should be similar. If you see him, he will undoubtedly present strong characteristics that will make you reassess humans.”
“How do you know that?”
“…Because I’ve seen such humans in the past.”
“Really?”
Seere showed great interest, appearing amazed. Though he seemed genuinely interested, Nahun understood the reality of it well.
‘It’s like being amazed that ants can lift objects several dozen or hundred times their weight.’
That was about the extent of the Demon King’s sentiments towards humans. For Seere, it seemed they were somewhat more interested, likely due to having witnessed Eri and Dein directly.
“What if Gremony’s army loses? Do we just hand over the 72nd floor?”
“That’s also a method, isn’t it? Giving up the 72nd floor and putting the defense burden on the 71st floor… Citri’s floor wouldn’t be a bad idea. But you wouldn’t want to do that.”
“No.”
The 72nd floor was where Seere had grown over the past five years after meeting Nahun. It was hard to accept that they would hand over the Demon Castle to humans, allowing their cherished places to be trampled.
“When that time comes, we will step in.”
“Huh? Didn’t you say we have to do it without harm?”
“Even if Gremony’s army loses, do you really think there won’t be any impact on the human side?”
“Ah.”
“I believe the likelihood of humans winning is high, but it won’t come without considerable damage. The strength of a genuine mid-tier Demon King and their executives is not to be underestimated.”
“That’s true.”
“Besides, sending out the top Duke, Achilles… I believe it could deliver a significant blow.”
Nahun chuckled.
“Both to Gremony and the humans.”
—
A week had passed since the rumor of the elf, known as the “Archer Hero,” who had been bestowed with divine weapons by the Celestial Being, spread in the human world. Great changes were occurring in the human realm.
Led by the Bismarck Empire, which had triumphed in the war against the Northern Alliance and seized control of the continent, the “First Demon World Subjugation Army” was formed. This was largely due to the decision of the current imperial emperor, Claude von Bismarck.
Having previously experienced a loss of pride at the hands of demons, and with adventurers from the Empire consistently going missing in the Demon World, whenever they demanded the return of those lost, the Demon World neither returned them nor fully compensated them for their losses.
As a result, Claude was filled with a fierce hatred for the Demon World, and upon hearing the news of the elf, who had been granted divine weapons, he invited her to the Empire and organized a subjugation army.
“Welcome, Lady Ceres Eastwood.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome, Emperor Bismarck.”
Claude received this seemingly innocent soul, who appeared unaware of anything.
Hailing from the Eastwood Clan of elves dwelling in the eastern forests, she had extremely pale skin and shorter ears than most elves.
Ceres Eastwood.
She was the first “Hero” to be endowed with the Celestial Bow. Upon standing in the grand hall, a priest of the Celestial Church, who had been dispatched as an envoy from the Holy Kingdom in advance, stepped forward.
“Ceres Eastwood. The Celestial Being has bestowed upon you a grave mission and purpose. You are appointed as the Celestial Hero, and in accordance with the Celestial Being’s will, you must eradicate the evil lurking beneath this land…”
The priest then asked her.
“Are you prepared to follow the great will of the Celestial Being?”
Ceres lifted her gaze slightly. Her blue eyes met those of the priest and then looked into Emperor Claude’s.
“I am fully prepared.”
Ceres grasped the huge and magnificent bow she had on her back.
“If the Celestial Being guides me, and the people support me… I will overcome any evil.”
The dignitaries, generals, and envoys from various countries gathered in the grand hall applauded her bold declaration. Emperor Claude smiled with satisfaction, cherishing the thought of finally getting revenge on the Demon World that had wounded his pride.
The representative who had recruited this subjugation army, Emperor Claude von Bismarck, cleared his throat and spoke.
“The Celestial Being has bestowed upon us, humanity, Ceres Eastwood. What does this signify? It signifies but one thing!”
Claude continued his speech, his voice growing stronger.
“The downfall of evil! The annihilation of evil! We shall eradicate those filthy and vile beings that threaten humanity!”
With a loud bang, Claude illustrated his words by striking the throne with exaggerated motion as he stood.
“Go forth, Hero. Outside are valiant warriors who await the Celestial Being’s will alongside you!”
340,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, over 20,000 specialty troops, and more than a hundred officially appointed knights. A large multinational force was gathered, all centered around one: Ceres Eastwood, the Hero bestowed with a bow by the Celestial Being. The human realm had been investing significant resources to retrieve those captured by the Demon World, and the birth of a Hero was something they welcomed with open arms.
Although the recruitment of the subjugation army was led by the Bismarck Empire, they did not bear all the burdens alone. Various nations sent their forces under the banner of coalition, and the Empire itself recruited from the defeated Northern Alliance and its vassal states. Thus, most of those sent by the Empire were the knights serving as commanders.
If this operation succeeded, the Bismarck Empire would gain fame and accomplishments without making a significant investment. This situation allowed the Empire, which had risen to the forefront of continental power through its military victories, to firmly cement its position.
“For the Celestial Being, and for all humanity, seize victory!”
Claude vigorously declared, imagining his nation as a hegemonic power.
“It’s time to set out!”
The first Hero’s expedition had begun.