Volume 5 Chapter 1 (2/2)

”What about that other thing I asked you?”

”I have done it but I do not comprehend it fully. Those people are strange. The ones I have used my [Enhanced Resurrection] on still retain their experiences, knowledge, and memories but as for their emotions and personalities, their dark side are mostly what's left. Be that as it may, there'll generally be lingering traces of their self. These heroes however, I can only think of them as being blank slates from the start.”

”Blank slates? Even though they're humans who have risen up to be hero-class soldiers?”

”Yes. As my lord has ordered I have tried to extract information out of them but so far, all I've found out is that: they've lived in a white room; something they referred to as Papa will regularly perform some unknown kind of magic; some kind of medicine is given to them; and that each time they're commanded to, they destroy something. Aside from those, they have no other memories so those are all the information I have managed to gain.”

I then connected what Wight had said with what the information that these heroes were cultured as leaked by the other city's lord.

”No, that's enough. That information alone has value. Continue the extraction of information on the other soldiers though.”

”As you will.”

Wight then gave a deep, respectful bow.

After that, I had ascertained the hero-class undead units' abilities.

As was expected, they were superb. There were some who possessed master level sword skills, some who were bow specialists, and some who could use all sorts of offensive magic and healing magic.

Their strength was far from Kuina's and the others' but the range of tactics we could do with them was vast indeed.

If used skillfully, they might just become the greatest part of my fighting force.

◇

After I had confirmed with Wight the newest addition to our fighting force, I returned home.

The work needed for the administration of the city was as plentiful as ever. And so, I had decided that I was going to hire one exceptional human to help with the work. My wish was that I would soon be free of most of the administrative tasks for the city.

Kuina and the others were on standby in their rooms, something unusual for an afternoon.

Perhaps it was an effect of the celebration party yesterday but the city and most of its facilities were in a state of stupor.

As I thought so, I sipped some black tea. But then, I felt a swell of magic power within my residence.

Is this [Transfer] magic?

It seemed to me as though somebody had used the Transfer array within my home from either the array at a nearby city or at Marcho's dungeon.

The one that used the array rushed over to my direction. I recognized who she was.

Her blood was dripping to the ground. I didn't see any wound on her front so I deducted her injuries must have been on her back.

Kuina and the others also felt the presence of her magic power.

”Succubus, why did you come here? Why do you have those wounds?”

Yes, it was the Succubus that was in Marcho's dungeon.

It made more sense if the Transfer array she used was the one installed in Marcho's dungeon. There were disadvantages to installing Transfer arrays. One such disadvantage was that other monsters besides my own could use them. However, I didn't have to be on guard against Marcho's monsters.

She looked like she was about to fall down so I came to support her.

”Procell-sama, Marchosias-sama's dungeon is under the attack of several Demon Lords. On top of it being a complete surprise attack, it is conducted by many strong Demon Lords. It's a considerably dire situation. By Marchosias-sama's order, I have come to your dungeon.”

”I understand the situation. I will come to support her immediately. So be at ease and get some rest. I shall arrange for you to be treated.”

Marcho's in a pinch? As I was before, I wouldn't have been able to do anything but as I am now, I can provide plenty of assistance to her.

”No, that's exactly not it!”

The Succubus desperately grabbed me by the neck. She then brought her face close to mine and squeezed out a voice.

”Marchosias-sama has sent me to tell you to not come to her aid, no matter what! You're the most talented Demon Lord there is and in the future, you just might become the strongest Demon Lord ever! But right now, you're just a pup!”

”I understand that but still, I can be of help.”

Hearing that, the Succubus visibly flared up in anger.

”You understand nothing! Think about what it means to come to Marchosias-sama's help! The rule preventing the old Demon Lords from attacking the new ones is based on the condition that a new Demon Lord doesn't attack an old one first. If you go back her up, the Demon Lords attacking her will be free to crush you. They'll be more than happy to be able to crush a potentially powerful rival.”

It then finally dawned on me what Marcho's intention was in sending Succubus and it wasn't because she wanted my help.

She knew that if she was attacked and I were to learn that she was outnumbered, I would come to her aid but then she also knew that that would only give the old Demon Lords an excuse to attack me.

And so, this warning was given. A warning at the cost of sending the Succubus who could be very useful in her fight against the other Demon Lords.

She did so much to help me who had angered her just a few days prior.

I couldn't help but make a fist.

The light of the Transfer array then vanished. It must have been some kind of trick done by Marcho's side to prevent her enemies from using it.

”Kuina, Rorono, Aura, I am a fool. A foolish Demon Lord. And I am about to do an extraordinarily foolish thing. Please forgive me. I won't even listen to your opinions. I have already made up my mind: I'm going to help Marcho.”

I declared so with force.

This was my decision as a Demon Lord and mine alone.

”Yay ♪! That's our Oto-san!”

”Mhm. [Beast] Demon Lord Marchosias is master's mother. We can't let her die.”

”Old Demon Lords or whatever, we can beat it!”

As expected of my [Monsters of the Covenant]. So reassuring.

”Wait, do you plan on trampling over Marchosias-sama's wishes!?”

”No child knows how much his parents care for him, or so they say. I have already left her nest, I am free to do whatever I want. Moreover…”

I searched my brain for the best possible help. I knew that alone, I was not going to be of much help to her. I knew I had to talk to our mutual acquaintances.

My first step was to ask Stolas to set up a meeting with the [Dragon] Demon Lord who was close friends with Marcho. I was fairly certain he would cooperate.

Next was to have an audience with the [Time] Demon Lord. He was in love with Marcho so I was sure he would help as well.

”Succubus, if I left her to fight on her own, we might be separated by her death and I'm not willing to risk that. And even if we part forever, I still wish to see her on her last moments.”

It was then time to act to help Marcho. I was sure that this event wasn't aimed at just Marcho. There must be some kind of trap, I was sure.

Even so, for my own sake, I decided I would act with pride. No matter what trap, we will face it with our strength.

Translator's notes:

The name of the religion used here is different from the one mentioned before. I did a search and found that this new name and the Rigdolg name has been used one each. Meanwhile, Rigdold was used for every future chapter (that I know of). And so, whichever it is, I'm going to use Rigdold from now on.

Also, the 3rd volume of the light novel is available now! It has a newly written chapter featuring Stolas! Please buy it and support Tsukiyo Rui-sensei.