Volume 5 Chapter 8 (1/2)
After checking on the progress of our ordnance development, led by Rorono, and our potion production, led by Aura, I left Avalon together with Kuina and Wight. Just as before, they were the strongest two I could bring in case of emergencies.
Our destination was the [Time] Demon Lord's dungeon. His strength was going to be absolutely necessary in helping Marcho and for that reason, I took a gamble. I had sent him a letter whose purpose was to provoke him. Due to that, I had received a reply that only stated: come immediately.
I had already set up a Transfer array that led to his dungeon during my previous visit so heading over there wouldn't take much time by using the crow monster that had delivered letters to and fro.
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”We've been expecting you. [Creation] Demon Lord Procell-sama, Dantalian-sama is waiting for you.”
The moment we arrived in a room within [Time]'s dungeon, a male monster with crow wings growing out of his back lowered his head and said so.
My guess was that it was the next rank variant of the crow monster that was given to me.
Kuina had her guards up toward this monster and for Kuina to do so, it meant that this monster was unmistakably strong.
For such a monster to be posted near the Transfer array, it seemed like [Time] was greatly anticipating my arrival. It seems he's dismayed that I hit his sore spot.
With things going as it was, I predicted that the negotiations would go smoothly. However, I knew I still couldn't let my guard down. Since I did provoke one of the three strongest Demon Lords, even if he thought I'm prepared to receive any punishment for attacking a new Demon Lord, I really couldn't complain.
It was a situation where even my life was at risk so I knew I must brace myself.
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The monster with the crow wings guided me into an audience area prepared for the [Time] Demon Lord's throne room.
This was my second time in this place.
Marcho, [Dragon], and [Time] all had these really impressive rooms. Perhaps it's the Demon Lord look?
Avalon didn't have such a place nor did it really need one since only a few ever go to my crystal room and the city above the ground was where most activities happened.
But then again, if it is really part of the whole Demon Lord look, I guess it's better to prepare one once this ordeal is finished.
When I neared the throne, my freedom to think about such things vanished in an instant.
The [Time] Demon Lord, the master of this room, had his back resting on his throne, his face somewhat hidden but not enough to mask his quiet anger.
Standing beside him was a lone girl who was in the first half of her teens.
Her appearance greatly resembled Kuina's except this girl had white hair and ears and tails that belonged to a wolf rather than a fox. Also, her tail was a size smaller than Kuina's.
She might look like Kuina but the expression on her face and the atmosphere around her were cold and calm. If Kuina was fire, this girl was ice.
With my current power, I wasn't able to see the status of a high-ranking monster but with the amount of her magic power and with her presence, I had doubt that she was a being that exceeded A rank. She's an S rank monster that's probably made using my [Creation] medal.
”So, [Creation] Demon Lord Procell, you dared send to me, the [Time] Demon Lord, such a ludicrous letter, have you? I wonder, are you prepared to die?”
Concealing his anger, the [Time] Demon Lord calmly asked so.
He was calm and yet the intimidation I felt was tremendous enough to shake my soul. Still, drawing away was not an option. Thinking that, I put on as resolute as a face I could and spoke.
”Ludicrous? I only stated the truth. And I'll verbally state so here again. Do you intend to be quiet and be just a spectator while the woman that you love is in danger!? That sort of incompetence is why Marcho has rejected you. I am giving you this chance at redemption so help me, [Time] Demon Lord Dantalian.”
I spoke out loud the contents of the letter I had sent him. He was in love with Marcho and he probably thought I was too so I decided to challenge him using the sense of rivalry that he felt. Will he let his rival keep looking down on him?
I thought he was going to lash out but his reaction was actually quite the opposite. He took a deep breath and exhaled it grandly. Rather than lashing out, he placed his right hand on his face and revealed a light smile.
”Don't talk to my master like that!”
The wolf-eared girl that looked like Kuina angrily shouted so. The furs on her white fluffy tail stood on end as she looked down on me with a cold yet furious expression on her face.
A cold wind then blew as though it was gathering around her.
Kuina sensed something and went closer to the girl to sniff at the air until she was right in front of the wolf-girl.
”Oto-san, this girls smells just like Kuina does!”
Kuina's innocent voice diffused the tension in the air.
After she declared so, perhaps because of her curiosity about that girl, Kuina got closer still and alternated between sniffing and staring at the girl.
”Stop, stop it!”
The wolf-eared girl swung her hand as she protested but…
”Calm down. Celestial Wolf, do not embarrass me. And, [Creation] Demon Lord Procell, keep your subordinate under control.”
”Uuuu, alright, Father.”
[Time] reprimanded the girl that looked like Kuina, or rather, the Celestial Wolf. I was a little surprised that it called him Father. A rather good preference, I thought.
”Kuina, get back here. Don't be rude to the [Time] Demon Lord's monster.”
”Alright, Oto-san. But, that girl, she's definitely Kuina's little sister!”
I resisted giving a wry smile for that remark of hers. It amused me that Kuina intuitively recognized the true nature of the Celestial Wolf which was a monster born out of my [Creation] and undoubtedly Marcho's [Beast] medal.
Up until this point, the medals used were same as the ones I used for Kuina. The last medal, the point they differed, was surely [Time]. Although Kuina called the girl her little sister, it was a being that was almost like Kuina.
That said, I was sure that the existence of the Celestial Wolf was more due to his wish of having a daughter that was made using his and Marcho's medals rather than an aim to make the strongest monster possible.
”Now, [Creation] Demon Procell, let's return to our conversation, shall we? I believe you were in the middle of provoking me. I have seen through your plans. You're first going to provoke me and make lose my composure by inciting my sense of rivalry, followed by making me understand something. Enough with the act already; tell me your real objective.”
I see, so the reason why he became strangely calm after hearing me was because he has indeed seen through everything already.
As expected of a veteran Demon Lord, it was a simple thing to see through my acting, such as it was.
But if so, I realized that there wasn't much of a problem and thus decided to proceed as planned.
”If things go on as they are now, Marchosias-sama will be defeated. In order to help her-”
”Hmm. You might not be aware of this but we, the three strongest Demon Lords-”
”Have a non-interference agreement, correct? And you have sworn so to the Creator, making it absolute.”
It was only for a moment but he definitely was surprised.
”So that stubborn old man has told you, huh? Not that it matters. If you know about that agreement, you should also know that there is nothing I can do for you.”
”I know and that's why my request to you is not to defeat the enemies that are attacking Marcho's dungeon.”
The moment the [Dragon] Demon Lord explained to me about their agreement, I had given up on fighting alongside them.
”Ohh. Then, what is it that you request of me?”
”My request is for you to protect my dungeon, my Avalon, until the fighting ends. That's all. If you protect Avalon for me, I can give my all in helping Marchosias-sama.”
I chose to not worry about the consequences of this in the future and requested it of him.
The plan I had thought up was that while the [Dragon] Demon Lord dealt with the one pulling the strings thus causing the enemies' offense to slow down, the [Time] Demon Lord was to guarantee the safety of my dungeon.
All that was left for me was to focus all my power into defeating the ones directly assaulting Marcho's dungeon.
Plus, this way, both Demon Lords didn't have to violate their non-interference agreement.
”Wait, are you planning to attack the many Demon Lords attacking Marchosias by your own?”
”Yes. I can do it on my own.”
”With conceit like yours, I'm astonished you've made it this far.”
He said so as he smiled slightly.