Volume 10 Chapter 17 (2/2)

”Using the enemies' trap to identify them and, at the same time, lessen their numbers… Procell-sama, just how far ahead do you think? I've clearly got a lot to learn from you!”

Right then, the Demi Lilith returned to the crystal room along with the three knights. So, all the enemies are gone, I take it.

I stood up and went to them.

”I thank you, my knights. It is because of the three of you that this plan worked. I am proud of you. …now, will you once again serve me?”

In response to my question, each of the knights bowed.

I proceeded to form a contract with them, and thus became their master once again.

They might be technically machines, but they're unmistakably very important members of Avalon.

”Procell-sama, that device that, as you said, captures events as moving visual images, did you use it here in my dungeon? I mean, if you did, I'd very much like to see your golems in action again!”

”I was not able to. The recording device, you see, is just too big. It would have been a great hassle to bring it here. I might not have made it here in time if tried.”

That was a massive lie.

In fact, I was using the camera in my breast pocket to record what his crystal was displaying. Furthermore, in order to collect combat data, one was installed in each of the knights.

I felt no need or inclination to disclose such things to Belial right now, though. At least, not until I have returned to Avalon and thoroughly analyzed all the footage we have obtained.

The recording of the attack on Avalon should be enough for us to identify the Demon Lords involved. I had a reason to analyze the footage captured in Belial's dungeon though: to see if he made his monsters slip into the enemy army.

If Belial was an enemy, much like the other Demon Lords, he would have wanted at least one of his monsters be attacked by the knights so that he as well could gain enough justification to ignore the rule.

Of course, it was a melee, so his monsters could simply have been caught in the line of fire. But if we see that those monsters deliberately get in the line of fire, the hesitation in branding him a traitor would banish.

”Oh. I expected as much. I mean, such a fantastic magic tool has to be big, right? Still, it's a shame we can't rewatch your gallant golems in action.”

”Yeah, sorry.”

”Don't be, don't be.”

Belial did not push the subject further.

”Anyway, Procell-sama, it seems like all the fighting's over. At least, for now. So, what do you say to a celebration? Well, I say that, but my dungeon is not really the place for one. So, how about we go to your Avalon and celebrate there? I'll cover the cost, of course! Ohh, and before I forget, let me return the Darkness Dragons you lent me.”

”If you insist.”

I said so and smiled wryly.

Belial has done nothing definitively, conclusively wrong today. If the footages of the attack on Avalon or of the battle on his dungeon reveals that his monsters didn't do anything strange, then perhaps I could learn to trust him.

Whichever the case, it was time to go back to Avalon.

And so, I asked Tiro to activate the Transfer array she set up earlier.

”Procell-sama…”

Belial called out my name, so I turned around.

He looked like he was about to say something, but then swallowed the words before they ever come out of his mouth. In the next moment, he was smiling thinly.

”Meat or fish, which do you prefer?”

Noting to myself that this probably wasn't what he wanted to say initially, I replied with meat.

…and then, I set up my last trap for the day.

Demon Lords as well as humans were rightfully fearful of information leakage. Against magic and monster abilities, Demon Lords could protect themselves to an almost perfect degree.

And yet, they were still vulnerable to technological espionage. Well, no one else but me can make them, so it'll be stranger if they're aware of them, and stranger still if they knew how to guard against it.

The trap in question was placing two small listening devices here in Belial's crystal room.

They were small, but each one's power could last up to 3 months.

Once an opportunity or excuse comes up, I would return to this crystal room and pick up these devices.

With that, all of my goals today have been accomplished.

Things were bound to get busy again tomorrow, but for today, we should celebrate Belial's safety as well as our victory.

TL note: Yeah, the author changed the duration of the attack on Avalon from 15min to 30min. It’s such a small thing, I just don’t want to be called out.