Volume 5 Chapter 5 (2/2)
”My lord, is it my turn soon?”
”Yeah. We're about to meet with the leader of the dragons so let's proceed with caution.”
”I who have the body of the lowest of dragons am feeling a little nervous to meet the one that stood at the top of us dragons.”
Despite saying so, he somehow seemed looking forward to meeting Astaroth.
”Oto-san, there are many strong monsters around here. This place is kinda dangerous.”
Kuina who was silent for some time warned me so. The furs on her tail stood on end, further telling me she was on guard.
In truth, I felt the same.
There were a number of individuals with strong magic power in the vicinity.
Shit. I expected things to be this way but at this rate, even if we try our hardest to escape using Wight's [Berserk], Kuina's [Transform], and the other aces I have up on my sleeve, it will be damn hard. I have to be more than cautious in the upcoming negotiations.
As I thought such, the monster that transported us returned.
”[Creation] Demon Lord Procell-sama, [Wind] Demon Lord Stolas-sama, my lord is ready to receive you now. Please follow me this way.”
We followed after her and was brought to the next room.
Now, I wonder how [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth will react.
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The room that we entered was an endlessly vast desert. Somewhere in the bleak ground was a throne and sitting atop it was the [Dragon] Demon Lord Astaroth.
His appearance was that of a middle-aged man with a dragon's wings and tail.
And around him were four gigantic, kneeling dragons.
When I came near enough, the majesty around him stretched out and reached me in greeting.
”Welcome, [Creation] Demon Lord Procell. I have been meaning to have a leisurely talk with you.”
He smiled lightly and talked to me so.
”I should be the one to say so. It is an honor to have been able to meet you. I am deeply grateful to you for setting aside time to meet with an inexperienced person such as myself.”
Almost unconsciously, I went down on my knees and bowed. My instincts loudly screamed I had to do so.
”Be at ease. You are neither my child nor my subordinate. We are equals here.”
His words contained the opposite of kindness.
It was though I was told that no ounce of leniency shall be given for any mistakes; and that never shall I be allowed to act like a brat just because I was a new Demon Lord.
Being confronted with those facts, even though I felt tense, I also felt excited.
”Before we go to the main topic, I would like to express my gratitude to you. Thanks to the [Dragon] medal I got, I was able to make such a wonderful monster.”
In rhythm to my words, Wight did an elegant bow.
”Ohh, a monster with such tremendous power. Created monsters usually aren't this strong. This surprised me. To return the favor, I'll show you a monster I am truly proud of.”
He then raised a jeweled staff that was set in his throne. Upon doing so, a gigantic shadow descended from the dark sky.
It was a reddish-brown, winged dragon that measured twenty meters long. The four dragons that surrounded Astaroth were terribly strong monsters but even they paled in comparison to the one that just arrived.
”This one here is my trump card. His name is Caesar. As for his race, that will be secret for now.”
Depending on one's level, a Demon Lord could see certain information about a monster.
If even I, who at this point of time had considerable power, couldn't even view this monster's race name, then it surely was a monster with out-of-this-world power.
Wight, in the meantime, was wide-eyed and trembling.
He had obtained, during the fight against the humans, a skill called [Dragon Emperor] which gave him dominion over those of the dragon race. So for him to still feel fear…
”I see, it has [Dragon Emperor] too? And a higher ranking one, at that, it seems.”
”Kah, kah, kah. Splendid. I didn't expect you to see through it at first sight. Caesar, as my trump card, is the cornerstone of my strongest unit. As long as I have Caesar, my dragon unit is unrivaled.”
I thought on the meaning of his words.
What kind of use can [Dragon Emperor] be applied in?
The answer to that came to me immediately.
I see, that will indeed make them unrivaled. Being broken will be an understatement.
Getting on his good side was now even more encouraging.
”So it means that it can draw out the full potential of the [Dragon] medal, right?”
”Correct. You truly are smart, enough so that I want you as my subordinate.”
He and I then laughed together.
With that, the opening act was finished and it was about time to get to the main topic at hand.
Right when I thought so, Astaroth cleared his throat and then faced Stolas.
The look he gave her was completely different from the one he gave me.
”Welcome to you too, Stolas. Have you lost some weight? You can back here from time to time, you know? Are you being bullied by anyone? You can talk to me about anything, okay? You don't have to yourself back.”
The voice he used to speak with Stolas was one full of worry.
A lot of things were suddenly out of place. From a majestic, powerful Demon Lord, he suddenly became a grandfather that was greeting his visiting grandchild.
”I'm doing fine. I'll do just that. But today, let's hear out Procell's story.”
”Hmm, okay, okay. Now then, [Creation] Demon Lord Procell, let us discuss the reason you came here.”
From being the doting grandfather, he switched back to being the majestic and powerful Demon Lord. Even though the change was too fast that it was perplexing, the original tension in the air was somehow also brought back.
”Yes. Right now, my parent, Marchosias-sama who is a friend to you, Astaroth-sama, is being attacked by several Demon Lords. I came here today to ask you to join me in lending her some aid.”
Getting him to help was my reason for coming here. And after seeing Caesar who had [Dragon Emperor], I wanted his help even more.
”About that, I already know of the circumstances that Marchosias is in even before you told me. I hope you didn't really think I had no knowledge of it.”
”Yes, of course, I expected you to know about it.”
First-class Demon Lords all possessed their own network of information. It was weirder not to know of a great incident like this.
”Hmm, then, my answer should be obvious: I have no intention whatsoever to help Marchosias. [Creation] Demon Lord Procell, coming here was a waste of your time.”
Of course I already expected that but my purpose in coming here wasn't to confirm whether or not he would help; it was to persuade him into helping.
I was well aware that one wrong step and I might enrage him and yet, changing of one the strongest Demon Lord's mind still had to be done, regardless of the difficulty, in order to save Marcho.
Now, let the negotiations begin. I've already thought up of my bargaining chips. All that remains now is to act with courage.