Volume 1 Chapter 17 (2/2)

“I-I won’t allow anyone to make fun of my [Monsters of the Covernant]! You, what’s your name?”

“I am the [Creation] Demon Lord Procell.”

“As for me, I am the [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas. I’ll soon make you regret picking a fight with me.”

Our surroundings were noisy.

The small-fry Demon Lords looked at me and began spouting things like go die or you’ll regret this.

On the other hand, the powerful Demon Lords looked at us with great interest.

Well, I guess our fighting force were equal to each other.

Tenko and Elder Dwarf were S rank monsters but they were still at a low level. We were at a disadvantage to the A rank monster born with a static level on the other party when judged solely by their status. But due to our side’s superior special abilities and overwhelming weapons, both sides were almost equal to each other.

However, after 10 or so more levels, our side would most likely overtake them and further down the line, just simply overpower them.

◇

Some time had passed.

During that interval, I had exchanged a few of my imitation medals for the other party’s but was still yet to obtain an original medal.

I have to obtain some with the time left.

If I exchanged [Creation] to the powerful Demon Lords, perhaps then I could obtain some but unless it was a Demon Lordd that could keep a secret and not have any ill intentions towards me, it would only do me more harm than good.

As I was thinking so, my consciousness suddenly drifted away.

When I came to, I was on a stage.

There were nine others with me. And one of them was Stolas whom I got into a quarrel earlier.

All the other Demon Lords’ gaze were focused on the ten of us.

“Children of the stars. These are newly born children to join the ranks. ”

A voice was heard when we were brought here.

“Now then, let us celebrate our new found radiance.”

The Demon Lords raised their cups.

And before I realized it, there was also a cup in my hands.

“Kampai!”

I, almost unconsciously, drank from the cup in my hand.

It was delicious, so very delicious. What was this alcohol and the strange heat it boils up within me? I felt as though a new power had sprouted.

“And now, I shall convey to everyone what I have decided upon. Normally, new Demon Lords are prohibited to construct their own Dungeon until they can stand on their own.”

I had heard something similar.

After a year of studying, I heard we were to move out and make our own Dungeon.

“However, I have decided that that is such a long time spent idling. Therefore, on this occasion, I am giving them the privilege to build their own Dungeon.”

All of the Demon Lords erupted with chatter.

And from among them, Marcho raised her hand.

“[Beast] Demon Lord Marchosias? I permit you to speak.”

“Yes, Creator. I am against this. They are still much too young and don’t yet fully comprehend the world. Their crystals will be broken in the blink of an eye, losing their powers in the process.”

That would definitely happen.

After all, our military might were still far from being satisfactory. Our DP was the same.

The one year time period we were given was supposedly for gaining knowledge, earning DP, and building up our military might.

As were right now, the Dungeon we would build would do nothing but entice humans and the other Demon Lords to attack us.

“You are a kind child, Marchosias. But your worry is a needless one. Up until a year after their independence, I am prohibiting the other Demon Lords in attacking the new Demon Lords’ Dungeons.”

That was a great help.

I might be able to defend myself but that was only against a fellow new Demon Lord.

The problem now, however, were the beings called Heroes but it seemed like unless there was a threat against mankind, they would not bare their fangs against me.

“In addition, should they lose their Dungeon before gaining their independence, I shall give them a new crystal a year after they’ve stood on their own.”

The new Demon Lords became excited.

That was a wonderful fallback.

However, it by no means meant that losing one’s crystal was alright.

After all, the DP one could earn would decrease during the time the Dungeon was down.

And, a gap with the other Demon Lords would be made.

What’s more was what Marcho had said; if the crystal was broken, the Demon Lord would lose all of his powers.

Medal [Discharge], monster creation, and exchanging things for DP, all of these couldn’t be done until a new crystal was given.

Also…… there was a chance wherein all the monsters the Demon Lord had created thus far would all be gone, never to return even after getting hold of a new crystal.

“However, giving you too much and not having any tension left is also troubling. New Demon Lords, fight with each other and obtain the other’s power. Conquer another’s Dungeon and snatch away their powers. In fact, I am requiring you to fight one war before being independent.”

So that’s how things were.

This god seemed like he really wanted us to fight each other.

Either way, since we were going to get a new crystal by the time we were independent, I should not hesitate at breaking another Demon Lord’s crystal and gaining their power.

The others were thinking the same. This had become a gruesome meeting, hadn’t it?

“New Demon Lords, I hope you’ll borrow from the older Demon Lords their knowledge and make a labyrinth of your own. That is all… no, actually, let’s do a show.”

The new Demon Lords let out a voice of surprise.

Something hot was in our hands. In mine was a [Creation] medal. Ignoring the once a month limit, there it was.

“This medal is my gift to you, free of charge. And only to the first ones to volunteer, I offer them the chance to take part in a simplified [War] right here, right now. They will be tasked to build an instant Dungeon and shatter the other’s [Pseudo-crystal]! Win and get the other’s medal; or lose and have your own medal be taken away!”

The new Demon Lords were confused.

If one won, they would be able to get the other Demon Lord’s medal which was huge.

However, this being a show and all, the scope of their own power would be exposed to everybody in this place. And on top of that, they had to hand over their original medal should they lose.

But on the other hand, not participating would allow them to bring home a free medal.

So, was it necessary to take the risk?

I understood these but I would not waver. I had no choice but to fight here.

The question now was whom do I fight? At a certain point in the party, I had collected information regarding what kind of medal the new Demon Lords possessed.

But I didn’t have much time to dwell on it; the chance was only offered to the first ones to volunteer.

From the group, there was someone to make the first move.

It was the [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas.

She was definitely glaring my way, trying to open her mouth.

I see, was this revenge for the embarrassment I did to her?

My little mischievious heart was excited.

“[Creation]”

“[Wind] Demon Lord Stolas, I challenge you to a war!”

“And so, this is our show. [Creation] Demon Lord Procell and [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas, these two shall go to war!”

I interrupted her and declared war myself.

She planned to look cool but having her honor suddenly crushed, Stolas shook and trembled.

I flashed a grin, adding more fuel to the fire.

She flared up right away. It looked like she was an enemy who was easy to deal with.

If I won against her, I would be able to obtain an A rank original medal and I would then be able make another [Monster of the Covenant] candidate.

Now then, time for my first confrontation against a fellow Demon Lord. What kind of battle would unfold, I wonder?