Chapter 562: "Ten Demons Meeting" (1/2)
Even on its Sixth Day, the venue of the Six Kings Festival was as crowded as it was on the first day, if not more so. Even after the sun had set, the crowd hadn’t diminished, and on the road where many Humans, Demons and Gods were passing by, there were people who stood out from the rest.
[……Even so, I wonder what today’s summons is about?]
A woman with long blonde hair of excellent proportions murmured. A sensational dress that had a bold exposed her cleavage, beautiful hair that seems to be shining. Her gait was graceful, and her white porcelain legs, which could be seen through the slit of her dress, inadvertently attracting the gaze of men.
Hearing the words of the woman who is so intensely sexy that let alone men, even women couldn’t help but blush with each light flutter of her eyes, the eyebrows of the brown-skinned girl walking next to her twitched.
[There is no need for you to think about such things. “Shalltear-sama’s” orders take precedence over everything else.]
[Haahhh…… You’re still as loyal as ever eh…… However, I hope you don’t think that all of us are as loyal to Shalltear-sama as you and Pandora-sama. Understand, Moloch?]
[……What are you trying to say, Lilim?]
The brown-skinned girl named Moloch asks back with a somewhat annoyed expression on her face at Lilim’s words. Thereupon, Lilim responded with a thin smile on her face.
[I meant what I said. Not all the leaders are enamored with Shaltear-sama. At least, I don’t have the same loyalty as you do.]
[……………………]
[Fufufu, you don’t have to glare at me that much. Even though I say that, that doesn’t mean I’m thinking of disobeying Shalltear-sama’s commands. My presence here means I’m properly following her commands, don’t you think?]
Lilim, who had a teasing smile on her face…… and Moloch are both Count-level, High-ranking Demons, and leaders of the Phantasmal King Corps, headed by the Phantasmal King No Face…… They are members of a group commonly known as the “Ten Demons”.
Moloch, who is also the leader of the Daemons and has the second name “Sacrifice-Seeking Great Demon”. Lilim, the most powerful Succubus and also known as the “Sneering Nightmare”.
The girls were currently on their way to the venue of the Six Kings Festival after receiving Shaltear’s summons.
[……I’m in Shalltear-sama’s service because of the special treatment. Well, I guess you could say that we have matching interests.]
[……I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you betray Shalltear-sama…… I’ll kill you.]
[Ara? How scary…… Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid like that. In fact, I’d be too scared to do anything like that.]
[…………………]
[I mean, Shalltear-sama herself knows my thoughts, you know? On top of that, she lets me do whatever I want. I have nothing to complain about…… She’s giving me a fair evaluation of my abilities, giving me jobs that fit me. She also allows me the freedom to not pledge absolute loyalty to her…… She’s giving me rewards when I ask, neither too much nor not enough.]
Without stopping from walking, Lilim tells her in a tone as if she were singing.
[I don’t think of Shalltear-sama as the Supreme King as you do…… but I think of her as the best boss I’ve ever had. And I’m also deeply afraid of her power and cold-heartedness. That’s why I’m following her instructions, I’m afraid of her, so I would never betray her…… Look, if it’s the results, my thoughts are the same as you are. I obey and I don’t betray.]
[………………….]
[So, don’t glare at me like that. I’m just making small talk…… I’m bored. But well, I guess there are those who have differences in thinking like us…… My guess is that Catastro, Phenex, and Tiamat would be someone like me. I guess Astaroth and Gluttony would be like you? I’m not sure about Phantom and Pandemonium though.]
[……Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Pandemonium around lately.]
Moloch, who had been silently listening to her, finally spoke when Lilim mentioned the names of the other members of the Ten Demons.
[Hmmm, I don’t know the details either…… I heard that she was a maid at the “Albert Duchy”.]
[……What in the world is she doing?]
[I dunno? I don’t know what she’s thinking either. My guess is that it’s related to that otherworlder kid though.]
[……Miyama Kaito-sama huh?]
[Yes, him. I heard that she was “making the bed and cleaning the room” for that kid. Diligently, every single day.]
[I know I’m repeating myself…… but seriously, what in the world is she doing?]
[I dunno?]
As the two of them walked along, having a casual conversation, a girl in cute clothes and holding a plushie suddenly appeared in their path.
[……I’m here to pick you up.]
[Ara? If it isn’t Gluttony…… I’m grateful for that, but if you were going to pick us up, I wish you’d come sooner~~]
[……The only thing I was asked to do was to pick up the members of the Ten Demons that arrived at the venue.]
One of the Ten Demons like Lilim and Moloch, Gluttony, “The Subspace Predator”, quietly mumbled before she moved her fingers vertically in front of them.
Thereupon, a line ran across the landscape and it opened like a door.
[Come in…… Also, Lilim. If you betray Shalltear-sama, Moloch wouldn’t even have the time to kill you before I devour you myself.]
[……Ahh~~ yes, yes. You fanatics really are scary~`]
Receiving Gluttony’s quiet intimidation, Lilim didn’t mind her, chuckling as she walked into the crack in space, while Moloch silently followed.
As they entered, the open space closed and disappeared, and at the same time, the figure of Gluttony disappeared from the place.
Lilim and Moloch were led to a simple room with only a round table and eleven chairs around it. All ten Demons, other than Pandora, were already there.
A translucent, faceless being whose robes seem to float in the air…… “The Ghost of Disasters”, Phantom.
A woman with light green hair, dressed in a tuxedo and wearing thick gloves, drinking black tea…… “Perpetual Calamity”, Catastro.
Sitting on her seat, foolishly wearing a “stuffed cow costume” given to her by her master…… “Imaginary Informant”, Astaroth.
A beautiful bird, clad in green flames, sitting on a chair in a disciplined manner…… “Immortal Flame”, Phenix.
A two-horned huge lamia over four meters tall, whose chairly was clearly not the right size for her…… “Lamenting Despair” Tiamat.
A girl wearing a dress with bandages all around her body except for her right eye and mouth, who seemed to be sewing something with a needle and thread…… “Doomsday-Invoking Plague” Pandemonuim.
Adding Pandora, Gluttony, Lilim, and Moloch, that makes it a complete line-up of Phantasmal King Corps’ leaders…… The Ten Demons.
[Arara, you’re all early~~ It doesn’t seem like Pandora-sama and Shalltear-sama……]
Muttering in a light tone of voice, Lilim sat down in an empty seat with graceful movements, and Gluttony sat down as well. Only Moloch, whose face slightly scrunched up by the fact that she would be sitting next to Lilim since it was the only empty seat, before she silently sat down on her seat.
Then, the nine Count-level, high-ranking Demons quietly waited for their lord’s arrival…… isn’t what happened.
[Hey, hey, everyone. I talked to Moloch a little bit about this earlier, but which type of person are you guys? Are you someone loyal to Shalltear-sama like Moloch? Or are you someone with a business-like relationship like mine?]
[………………..]
Lilim, who hates boredom, cheerfully spoke, not caring about Moloch’s gaze, which seems to be deeply annoyed by her.
And the main topic of conversation was…… Perhaps, because it was about Shalltear, the head of the Phantasmal King Corps, that the members of the Ten Demons reacted, with the exception of Pandemonium and Phantom.
[Phantom…… doesn’t really speak even when anyone asks her. As for Gluttony, well, I’ll ask just in case…… but you’re the same as Moloch, right?]
[Shalltear-sama picked me up. I will dedicate my everything for Shalltear-sama’s sake.]
[……Should have known. What about you, Catastro?]
[Fumu, as for me…… I guess I’m the same as Lilim-dono. I know that Shalltear-sama is a great person, but I’m serving her because it’s advantageous.]
In response to Lilim’s question, Catastro wryly smiled as she showed her gloves, which had become tattered before they knew it.
[The cost of materials I needed is nothing to scoff at after all.]
[……You’ve already ruined another one? Isn’t that too early?]
[Good gracious, it really was troubling. Even though I’ve chosen materials that should be resistant to corrosion……]