Volume 10 Chapter 6 (1/2)

At last, the day to meet [Despair] Demon Lord Belial was here.

I waited for his arrival in my estate. Together with me in the room were Kuina and Ruhe.

”Patron, I'm to detect any lies, right?”

”Yeah. Let me know whenever he tells a lie, no matter how trivial of a lie it is.”

”Ok. I'll make sure to pay attention not just to the emotions in his voice, but also to the beating of his heart and to all the other sounds his body makes. No lie shall escape me!”

Ruhe, being an R'lyeh Diva, was nearly flawless when it came to matters about sound.

We had tried it several times, and each try was a success. Putting aside Kuina and Rorono who were both rather clumsy at lying, Ruhe was able to see through the lies of monsters who excelled at concealing their emotions, like Aura and Duke.

”…You know, I've always wondered: if you have this ability, instead of the flying dragon races, why not play a competitive kind of game like cards?”

In addition to the roulette games and the races, our casino was also offering games similar to blackjack and poker.

Given her ability to see through other's lies 100% of the time, Ruhe should be able to win quite easily.

”Hmm, yeah, but then, that'll be no fun. I want excitement, I want thrills! And games where no one can tell who's going to win really gets my blood flowing. When I win, I get this most wonderful high. And even when I lose and get all depressed, I still crave for it. Winning a game with absolute certainty is no fun at all! And you can't change my mind about that!”

”You really are a hardcore gambler, aren't you?”

Upon hearing what she said, I realized she wasn't playing for the money, but rather for the excitement that gambling brings. If one wasn't willing to risk it all, they wouldn't be able to gain it all, or so they say.

Besides, her win rate in the races wasn't so bad. It was decent, even. The only reason she was broke, aside from her extravagant luxuries, was that she tended to go all in with her bets, meaning she was bound lose all of her earnings at some point or another.

”Fufun, so you finally understand the greatness of Ruhe-chan, the genius that descended into darkness!”

”Your tangent aside, I've always known you were great.”

I said so and then turned my head away from the smug-faced Ruhe.

Well, as long as she wasn't bothering anyone in Avalon, she could do whatever she wanted. She was a monster and thus couldn't starve to death, meaning she could forever be penniless and still be fine.

While we were talking like that, a knock came from the door. Upon receiving my permission, a maid Mythological Fox entered.

”Procell-sama, [Despair] Demon Lord Belial has arrived. …however, a powerful monster is escorting him. Should we let him in like that?”

”Kuina's here, so there's no problem. It'll be weirder if he didn't have someone to accompany him.”

”Yeah ♪ Leave it to Kuina! Anyone who dares to lay a hand on Oto-san would be burned to ashes!”

The last time Belial was here, he was alone.

Rather than for intimidation, I wagered that his escort was more to show the power he could offer.

Either way, with Kuina and Ruhe nearby, we could handle it.

”Understood.”

The Mythological Fox bowed her head and then exited the room.

I wonder what kind of monsters he uses?

◇

The Mythological Fox had guided Belial and his escort monster to the room I was in.

”Procell-sama, it's been a while! I've been so, so, so excited for today, the day we meet again! Though I guess I'm more anxious than excited. I mean, I keep thinking what if I got carried away and said too much, then made you mad. I don't know what I'll do if that happens. Ah, but that is not to say that I doubt the vastness of your heart. It's just, how do I say this, I'm quite the worrywart.”

Suddenly, a flurry of words came my way.

”Well, for now, why don't you sit down?”

”Yes, sir! Ah, hello, hi, Kuina-chan!”

”Hello… hi”

Even Kuina was getting pulled into his pace.

”Oh, that person wasn't present last time, right? Woah, and she's another amazing S rank monster, just like Kuina. And, wow, she's beautiful! To be served by such a beauty, Procell-sama, I am impressed.”

”Fufufu. Finally, a Demon Lord with good eyes. Patron, did you hear that? He called me a beauty, a beauty! If only you were as honest and praise me like that…”

Ruhe's nonsense aside, Belial had already known she was an S rank monster before I introduced her.

The higher a monster's rank, the higher a Demon Lord's level needed to be to see more of the monster's Status page. In other words, for him to be able to know Ruhe was an S rank monster, that meant he was at least the same level as I was.

I had expected it, but this confirmation was a valuable piece of information nonetheless.

”It seems you've brought someone new as well. I'm curious, why bring a monster now when you were perfectly comfortable without one before. Mind telling me?”

I then shifted my gaze to the monster standing behind him.

It was a beautiful female monster who wore a black, seductive dress. She looked like she was in her early twenties. Her skin was snow-white; and her hair was as silver as silk except for one section that was as black as the darkest night. Rather than contrasting each other, her hair's two colors complemented each other well. Her most eye-catching feature though was her jet-black wings.

At that moment, I also took a look at her Status.

Race: Fallen Angel Lucifer

Name: Ubel

Level: 75

Stats

Physical Strength: CEndurance: CAgility: BMagic: A++Luck: A++Special: S

Skills

Angel of Light and Darkness: Allows the use of Light and Dark magic, as well as magic that combined the two. The skill also boosts the output.Those close to Divinity: Boosts (small) all stats of ally angel-type monsters who are in the same dungeon room as the skill user. Meanwhile, all non-angel-type monsters suffer (small) penalties to all their stats.Fall From Heaven: By sacrificing one's angel-related attributes as well as their aptitude for light magic, one will gain tremendous darkness powers. If this skill is used three times, from being a fallen angel, the user will become something else completely.Summon Divine Tools: Allows the summoning and use of the moonlight bow as well as weapons forged by the stars.???: ???

Based on her level, she was most likely an A rank monster that could level up and had leveled up as much as possible. I had no idea if she was one of his [Monsters of the Covenant], but either way, the fact that she had a name meant that she was a special monster.

Her abilities were both easy to use and powerful. She would definitely shine as a commander of an army composed of angel-type monsters.

And then, there was that hidden skill. Maybe it's an ability that's connected to his [Despair] unique skill.

”Why, to give you a glimpse of the strength that I possess, of course! This girl is Ubel the Fallen Angel Lucifer, one of my [Monsters of the Covenant]! Also, we're in love! Hey, Ubel, greet Procell-sama, too. And do it cutely, while you're at it!”

Ubel, the angel who preferred to stand behind Belial rather than sit down, then bowed.

”I am Ubel. I am one of Belial-sama's [Monsters of the Covenant]. I am his lover. And I am his blade. I look forward to the day I enter a battlefield with both you and my master.”

Even her bowing was elegant. Stolas's Rozelitte was also an angel-type monster, but the impression they gave were worlds apart.

”Pleased to meet you. I'm Procell. [Creation] Demon Lord Procell. And this here is the otherworld songstress, Ruhe the R'lyeh Diva. She's the top monster in other-dimension related business here in Avalon.”

”If ever there's the chance, come listen to my songs! You called me beautiful, so I'll make it extra special just for you guys. Moving on, did you say you were lovers!? Tell me more, tell me more!!”

Ruhe, perhaps without thinking first, asked bluntly.

I would have intervened, but to be completely frank, I was quite curious myself.

A Demon Lord and his monster being in a relationship was quite surprising to me.

”Yeah, Ubel and I are indeed in a romantic relationship. More than we are Demon Lord and monster, more than we are master and servant, we are one man and one woman, just two people who fell in love. Why are you so surprised, Procell-sama? Relationships like this aren't so rare, you know?”

”Ah! Belial-sama, please stop. They can see us, they can see usss.”