Volume 7 Chapter 4 (1/2)

I rode the Darkness Dragon's back and flew away from Avalon.

The ones with me were Kuina and Ruru.

If it was the Kuina and Ruru combo to guard me, I was confident I was going to be safe from most threats, both in the surface world and the other dimension.

As an insurance though, I placed some of my reliable monsters in my [Storage].

”Oto-san, we're not supposed to fight today?”

”Yeah, that's right. It's best to not pick a fight. But if ever the other side does so, I'll be relying on you.”

”We'll do our best!”

Kuina made a fist and declared so.

I was glad for that and all, but I would rather there not be a situation for her to do her best in the first place.

”Patron, I've been wondering this for a while now, but why didn't you call Marcho-sama and her monsters to Avalon? If they were there, Avalon would be much stronger and secure.”

Ruru was enjoying the outside scenery and humming when she that question.

Marcho had returned to her dungeon. The monster she loaned to me had also come back.

From the start, she was busy rebuilding her dungeon and was only slipping out to teach me how to use [Awakening] properly.

”Maybe, but you see, they're busy rebuilding. Moreover, if we invite them for that, I feel that we would not be able to grow more than we have. Avalon's affairs are Avalon's, and the [Beast] dungeon's affairs are the [Beast] dungeon's. I'd like to separate the affairs of the two as much as possible. Though of course, when a crisis arises, we would cooperate with each other.”

Avalon was ultimately my own brand. If I were to bring in a bunch of Marcho's monsters, it wouldn't be Avalon anymore.

”Yeah, I guess. I mean, what would happen if some unknown monster suddenly appears and acts like it owns the place, right?”

”Kuina agrees it's good too!”

I was glad the two agreed, but then again, in order to motivate and stimulate our forces, occasionally swapping monsters between our two dungeons might be interesting.

I was thinking of such when the Darkness Dragon began decelerating.

Time for idle chitchat was over. Our destination was not far away.

The [Black] Demon Lord had chosen our meeting place to be in North Cool, a city of a large country in the north. Apparently, he had chosen this city because it was a place where both our influence didn't reach.

Now, what kind of trick will he try to pull?

◇

About thirty minutes earlier than the appointed time, we reached the designated store. It was the kind of store that could be called a stylish bar. Attentive detail was given even to the lighting of the place, giving it a peculiar atmosphere.

Within was a slender man that wore a jet-black robe.

”Welcome, junior. I'm so glad you came.”

The man then called out in a friendly-sounding voice. Of course, it was the [Black] Demon Lord. For some reason though, he resembled the [Time] Demon Lord.

His narcissism, however, was obvious at first glance, as well as his disdain and contempt of other people.

Just as obvious, though, was the stubbornness in his eyes.

In just one look, I knew he was the type of individual I disliked.

”When you threaten me like that, no matter how much I might hate it, I have no choice but to come, don't I?”

I usually spoke humbly when talking to a senior, but this guy who has been antagonizing me did not deserve such treatment.

Behind him were two knights clad in black armor.

As I currently was, I was able to see those monsters' strength. Both of them were A rank monsters that had been trained and leveled up to the limits.

They were strong, but not absurdly strong. They were not like the girls, Duke, or Enlil who were all way beyond the norm.

If a fight were to ensue, Kuina would most likely be able to trash the two in an instant.

That being said, my instincts were warning me that these two were nothing more than displays and that the real guards were hiding and lurking somewhere. Carelessly starting a fight here could be fatal.

”Sorry for threatening you. Well, it was just that I really wanted to talk to you, Procell, at all cost even. I doubt you would have come if I didn't do something like that. And it seems there are some misunderstandings about me. Let me address some of those first. I think you know, but that threat was just a joke. I had no serious intention of attacking the [Wind] Demon Lord.”

He said so with a brazen smile on his face.

Most likely, he was acting like so in order to irritate me. I can't let myself dance to his tune. I have to calm down.

”That was just a joke?”

”Before that, instead of standing here talking, let's sit. The cocktails of the master here are superb. Especially the [Black Demon Lord] I ordered. It's so good, it could send you to heaven. So, with that, master, two [Black Demon Lords]”

”…Cut the crap. You're my enemy. What's with this overly friendly attitude!?”

I sat down but was not able to hold my irritation in any longer.

”Enemy? What a joke. Procell, I am a comrade who understands you, who walks the same path as you. We are both smart. We are unlike other Demon Lordsfools who enjoy killing humans and each other.”

”Don't lump me with you”

”Haha, it hurts to be hated that much… But first, let me formally introduce myself. I am [Black] Demon Lord Balam. Alright, to gain your trust, I'll tell you about my ability. Originally, as you could imagine, I wouldn't share this to other people, but since it's you, I'll make a special exemption. My ability is [Black]. Basically, I could use any power associated with [Black]. Also, like you, I have an A rank medal. In other words, I am one of the chosen few.”

There were many Demon Lords who regarded having A rank medals as something extra special. It would seem he was one of them.

I had known old Demon Lords who had A rank medals— namely, [Beast], [Time], and [Dragon]—and they all had a sense of majesty and firm resolve to them. I couldn't feel those things from this guy though.

”…I am [Creation] Demon Lord Procell.”

”Should I call you Procchi?”

”Quit screwing around. I'll say it again. For hurting Marcho and trying to kill Stolas, you are my enemy.”

When I said that, the [Black] Demon Lord laughed a little.

He then took sip of the [Black Demon Lord] that the master of the place delivered.

”You misunderstand, Procell. Look, I tried to defeat the [Beast] Demon Lord due to my own personal belief. I didn't do it to antagonize you. Rather, because you arbitrarily intervened, I should be the victim here.”