Volume 3 Chapter 16 (2/2)
”I'm not that ungrateful. Besides, I too think of you as a friend.”
Killing a friend for the sake of one's lust for power, that was not how a Demon Lord* should conduct himself.
”We're friends… that sounds good. …but in the end, there was no real meaning in me coming here. Rather than helping you out, I ended up being the only one that benefitted by learning things. I'm a little ashamed.”
”Don't be. It's because I had you as my last line of defense that I was able to boldly go on the offensive. Even I wouldn't have sent out my three trump cards—Kuina, Rorono, and Aura—without any kind of insurance.”
My strategy this time centered on Wight but even if he and the unused absolute defense third room were to be defeated, there was still Stolas as my last line of defense.
Her very presence alone contributed to my strategy.
”I will gratefully accept those words, then. But those disqualify you as a Demon Lord, you know? You should feign ignorance and then talk to me about how you didn't owe me any favors.”
”When you put it that way, you're the same. There's no need for you to talk about how you weren't able to help around; you should emphasize the very fact that you came to help.”
We both looked at each other's faces and laughed. We were friends so we talked about everything with complete honesty and that's more than enough, if you ask me.
”Procell, your Wight… no, your Siegwurm, may I talk to him for a while?”
”I don't mind but why?”
”There's just a little something on my mind.”
Stolas then turned serious and looked at Wight.
Upon my agreement, she headed to where he was.
”How do you do, Stolas-sama?”
”I am not your master; there's no need to humble yourself.”
”But you are my lord's close friend. Any discourtesy towards you will reflect badly on my lord.”
Upon hearing his words, Stolas laughed a little.
”Fufu. You are an interesting one, aren't you? Almost enough for me to want to scout you over to my side.”
Those probably were serious words.
Wight was an extraordinary fellow. From the start, his ingenuity separated him from the rest but now it was even combined with high-ranking combat power.
”Ahem. Hey, do you feel any strangeness in your body? Has anything changed compared from when you were a Wight? It's fine to tell me anything, even trivial things.”
”…That's a tricky question to answer, isn't it? My very race has changed so every single thing about me is new. I always have to keep [Berserk] under control so that's just about all the discomfort I have, if that's what you're asking about.”
”I see… it's great if those are the only changes you have.”
”Stolas, why are you so invested on Wight?”
”It's because you've used [Rebirth] on him. My parent, [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth-sama, warned me about it. He said that it was too strong and too convenient and that there was no way that unreasonable person that loves to perplex and trouble us Demon Lords—that twisted Creator—would give Demon Lords something just to please us. My parent then went on about how there some kind of trap in this reward.”
My own parent, [Beast] Demon Lord Marcho, had said something similar. For two of the three living strongest Demon Lords to warn us so, it could not be ignored.
Thus, I decided to keep an eye on Wight for a time.
”Wight, if you feel something unusual, no matter how little, be sure to let me know.”
”Certainly, my lord.”
Wight obediently agreed.
I might have been a bit rash in using this power on Wight but had I not done so, I would have lost him. Due to that, I was in a position where I must thank the Creator… even if sometime later, something were to happen.
”Stolas, if something were to happen Wight, I will inform you immediately via a letter.”
”Thanks. I guess if after a while nothing happens to him, I'll go and use Rebirth as well… honestly, I really want that power.”
”Yeah, it's so strong.”
Two of Stolas's [Monsters of the Covenant] were B rank monsters. Her desire to use [Rebirth] should be far greater than mine.
As I was thinking the Transfer sure is taking its time…
>
Before I could utter a question or complaint, my mind was assailed by a shock and my consciousness began to fade.
It was a sensation I had grown quite familiar with: the signs of Transfer.
When I next opened my eyes, I found myself seated at a prepared large, round table.
When I looked at my surroundings, [Steel] Demon Lord Zagan, [Viscosity] Demon Lord Ronove, and [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas were there.
And then, a dreadful, threatening, and malicious feeling filled the air. With eyes filled with the intent to kill for deceiving him, [Viscosity] glared at [Steel] and then shouted, expressing in words his intent.
[Steel], however, just glared at Stolas.
As that went on, spotlights then focused at the head of the table.
Pompous music then began to play, along with the blinking of the lights. The whole thing came off cheap and patronizing to me.
And then, he appeared.
His whole body was clad in a robe of black and gold; his hair and beard were long and white; his skin was wrinkled; and his arms, gnarled.
He looked old but still gave off a mysterious, awe-inducing, and frightening impression.
”Well now, this is my first time to show this form. I am the Creator. I am the true parent of all of you. Now, use this place that I have prepared to deepen your closeness with one another.”
Like that, all the Demon Lords that were here but did not really want to be began to talk.