Volume 3 Chapter 17 (2/2)
”Then what about the guns I use, the laptop, the apples, did they all exist in this planet? I don't think that's likely.”
”But they did. In a civilization that had fallen a long time ago, a civilization that no one except the planet remembers. In a sense, we can say [Creation] truly is a Child of the Planet. Whereas other Demon Lords indirectly accomplish their role, [Creation] does so directly.”
I didn't fully understand the Creator's words but I had accomplished my goal: I had cleared the clouds of doubt that had plagued my heart ever since.
It felt good. From that point forward, not anymore did I have to be afraid of the shadow of someone I didn't know.
”Thank you very much for answering my question. Knowing that I am who I am and no one else gives me piece of mind.”
”Hmm, that response is not interesting… oh well. Then, let's now get into the real topic.”
Upon saying so, the Creator glance at [Steel] and [Viscosity] in order.
”[Steel], [Viscosity]. This war is not only about winning and losing; it's also about showing your radiance and power as a Child of the Planet. Relying completely on your parent's generation is not an act I would praise. Showing off the strength of the monsters you've borrowed held no meaning and did not entertain me.”
Zagan and Ronove twitched and trembled, perhaps in fear of a severe punishment.
”Nevertheless, I have no intention of faulting you. You are young and are naturally mischievous. If I am to fault somebody though, it will be the older Demon Lords that gave you those monsters. They should have the good sense to not do so and yet they still did. I cannot forgive that. I will be giving them some stern punishment. I look forward to what kind of face they'll make, especially [Darkness] who is at the point where his ambition is burning the most.”
The Creator gave a sinister smile.
We were not the ones that smile was directed at and yet we sweated still.
Basically, the Demon Lords closest to the end of their lifespans are the ones elected to be parents to newly born Demon Lords like us. However, just the Demon Lords in their last year as parents would not be enough to take care of newly born ones; less than 30% of all Demon Lords ever manage to live close to 300 years after all. Due to that, Demon Lords born 3 generations after Marcho's generation, the current oldest generation, or in other words Demon Lords with 30 years left in their lifespan became parents. For these Demon Lords, once the older ones were no more, it was finally their time. To be punished now must hurt.
I can't act like none of these affect me; I have to speak here.
”Creator, I have a request.”
”What is it, [Creation]?”
”As you may be aware, I have under my control a monster that once belonged to the [Time] Demon Lord. However, this monster has been acquired through a fair trade. I hope you do not punish the other party for transferring the right of control over to me.”
It was a fair deal through and through. We both benefitted from our deal so it fell through. I who imposed myself upon his domain could not let this trouble befall him.
”No need to worry. I am aware of that deal. Moreover, I believe it to be impossible for [Time] to do something as stupid as what we are discussing.”
I felt relieved. With this, I have not troubled him.
”[Steel] and [Viscosity], having lost your powers and dungeons, just living will probably be hard for you. In light of that, I give you three choices: you may take shelter here in the Demon Lord Palace; you may also choose to be under the care your respective parents; or be daring and set out on your own, possessing nothing. Now, choose.”
In regards to those choices, Zagan immediately spoke.
”I wish to take shelter in the Demon Lord Palace!”
Well, it was natural.
His parent was going to be punished by the Creator. As the cause of that, I could imagine he was going to be extremely unwelcomed at his parent's dungeon.
On the other hand, being thrown out without any possessions was frightening.
If those were the case, then being under the Creator's protection was the most comfortable choice.
When I looked at [Viscosity]'s direction, he was deep in thought.
And then, after some deliberation, he had come up with a decision.
”I choose to live by my own strength. I have decided to stop depending on others. I am going to think and act for myself so I will not ask for Creator-sama or my parent for assistance.”
Those words were filled with strong conviction.
Although it was only a little, I thought of him in a better way.
”[Steel], [Viscosity], I shall respect your wishes. Now, as for you. [Creation], good work on winning and most of all, on entertaining me. I am going to give you a reward.”
The Creator cut off his words and put on some airs.
Even though he called it a reward, I could not let my guard down and so, I tensed up.
”And that reward is…”
I had received the reward. It certainly had terrific power but it was also hard to use.
But then again, compared to [Rebirth], since the disadvantages were obvious, it seemed I didn't have to be as guarded.
◇
”Oto-san, welcome back!!”
”Master, you're late. I was worried.”
”We're already done with the preparations, master.”
After I received the reward, I was transferred back into the crystal room of my dungeon… of my city of Avalon.
The three girls—Kuina, Rorono, and Aura—came to greet me.
When I looked at the state of the city through the crystal, the city was already back to its usual routine, with farmers and adventurers busily moving about. Just before the Creator transferred the population of the city back, I hurriedly switched floors but not one of them seemed to have noticed.
Watching that scene, it registered to me that all the fighting was over and that regular life had resumed.
”Everyone, sorry to have made you wait.”
”Oto-san, let's hurry and go to Wight's bread factory; everyone's waiting!”
”Together with Aura, we have made a lot of cuisines. We have also prepared plenty of master's favorite: tomato stew.”
”Fufufu, there's also the apple pie made from the First Tree's apples! It will get rid of your fatigue.”
Kuina continuously tugged at my arm.
From now on was the party at the bread factory; a celebration.
The preparations had been done before the [War] but it seemed that while I was meeting with the Creator, they had finished it all up.
”How about it, Stolas? Won't you join us in our party?”
Yes, I wasn't the only transferred here; [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas was also with me.
”I guess I'll impose on you, then. I'm looking forward to the fruit called the apple that you've written in your letters. Also, I want to enjoy your city.”
”Please do. Afterwards, I'll give you something for your help.”
”I'll be looking forward to that as well, then. Also, this had been on my mind for a while but that beautiful elf there, could you perhaps used [Wind] to make her?”
”Yes, she's a monster I was able to make thanks to you. She turned out to be very strong and outstanding. She's also a good kid. So, I'm really grateful to you, Stolas.”
”Could you have perhaps also used [Creation]?”
”I did.”
”Oh. So she's my and Procell's child.”
Stolas's face became ever so slightly red as she whispered so.
”Fuh-What was that? Although you can certainly say it like that, it's a strange way to put it.”
I unintentionally laughed.
As I was like that, Kuina and Rorono each took an arm and strongly pulled it.
”Oto-san, how long are you going to talk!?”
”Master, hurry. Everyone's hungry and the food will get cold.”
As usual, these two were jealous. They were probably thinking their father was going to be taken away. I smiled wryly as I walked away.
”Shall we go, Stolas?”
”Yes, let's”
”I didn't hear it clearly back then but Procell, what was the reward that you got from the Creator?”
”Oh yeah, that… No, let's reserve that talk for another time. For now, let's party.”
The reward from the Creator was indeed useful but careful deliberation was needed on when and how to use it.
I chose to leave it for another time, though. I wanted to focus first on praising all of my monsters who worked hard.
Thus I along with my important monsters relished the satisfaction from having protected our city of Avalon.
Note 1: Ronove referred to Zagan as Muzan which can mean pathetic or pitiful.
Note 2: Memory of the Planet is noted as Akashic Records which very inaccurately means an archive of all things. For those that have read or watched Rave Master, Memory of the Planet uses the same words for Stellar Memories.