582
Chapter 582
Mephistopheles' statement caused strong vibrations in the mirrors where other Demon lords were projected.
KIIIIING!
The voices of the Abyssal rulers, the ‘Ruthless Ruler’ and the ‘Unwavering Strict Ruler’, thunderously echoed.
[Reviving Babel again?!]
[You! What exactly are you planning to do?!]
Babel, the first city of the demon realm created by the Arrogant Savior.
Babel kept expanding its unstable territory until it eventually began collapsing on itself.
After the Arrogant Savior who sustained it was sealed in the physical realm, the speed of collapse accelerated, and demons had to use great power to stabilize a world that seemed ready to crumble at any moment.
As a result, the demon realm was divided into four zones to maintain its current form.
However, the world was still unstable, and demons had to constantly increase their subordinates and fight with other demons to protect their territories.
Mephistopheles looked at the mirror and spoke.
"The reason we must continue to struggle is because this world is unstable. However! With the power of the Arrogant Savior, it's possible to build a stable world like the previous Babel!"
In response, the master of Gehenna, the ‘Master of Unrelenting Passion’ said.
[Even Babel couldn't handle that power and collapsed on its own. Do you think you can stabilize the demon realm just because you have the power of the Arrogant Savior now.]
Mephistopheles shook his head at the ‘Master of Unrelenting Passion's’ words.
"That's because the Arrogant Savior kept bringing fragments of forgotten time that continuously vanished to expand the demon realm's territory."
He spoke with a regretful expression as he recalled the past.
"The Arrogant Savior was truly arrogant, just as his name suggests. He wanted to save all civilizations that were disappearing into extinction. Among them were worthless things that weren't even worth saving."
Mephistopheles' pupils flickered purple.
"The new Babel won't be as complacent as what the Arrogant Savior created. It will become a more stable world than now."
The other Demon lords fell silent after hearing Mephistopheles' words.
Creating a demon realm that wasn't as unstable as the current one was an appealing proposal for the Demon lords.
The problem was that this proposal came from Mephistopheles, the Demon Commander.
Then the ruler of Abaddon, the ‘Administrator of the Depths‘, opened his mouth.
[Demon Commander, so what is your plan? Do you intend to capture that human who inherited the Arrogant Savior's power, tear their soul to shreds, and use that power to create Babel.]
Mephistopheles shook his head at those words.
"The Arrogant Savior's authority doesn't work that way."
He paused briefly before speaking again.
"I intend to promote the successor as a Demon lord of the demon realm."
Mephistopheles' words caused the mirrors to vibrate greatly again.
[A human as a Demon lord?]
[You're mad! This cannot be accepted!]
Despite the violent reactions, Mephistopheles smiled and said.
"I'm not saying we should accept it immediately. We can make a decision after holding a Demon lord meeting and meeting him in person. If we think he doesn't have the caliber of a Demon lord..."
Mephistopheles' pupils were tinged with chilling murderous intent.
This aura was transmitted to the other rulers through the mirror.
Then the ‘Master of Unrelenting Passion‘ spoke first.
[In that case, I agree. I will judge him at the Demon lord meeting.]
The ‘Ruthless Ruler‘ and the ‘Unwavering Governor of Strictness‘ also expressed their agreement.
If he didn't have the caliber of a Demon lord when they met him, they planned to tear apart and devour his soul themselves.
Finally, the ‘Administrator of the Depths‘ spoke.
[This time, let's accept the Demon Commander's proposal.]
The discussion ended with the decision to hold a Demon lord meeting, and soon the wavering shadows in the mirrors disappeared.
In the room where he remained alone, Mephistopheles held a wine glass and crossed his arms, wearing a strange smile.
'A new Demon lord of the demon realm.'
His pupils flickered with mysterious colors whose exact hue was indiscernible.
* * *
Zeke prepared to go out with Mephistopheles to attend the Demon lord meeting.
To handle the unstable realm of demons, the Demon lords remained in the depths they created, maintaining this world with their power.
When such Demon lords left their posts, the stability of their territories could be shaken, so thorough advance preparation was necessary.
After finishing preparations, Zeke sat in an elaborate carriage pulled by six massive dimensional beasts resembling dragons.
Then he looked at Mephistopheles sitting across from him with a very uncomfortable gaze.
He was possessed in an automaton taking the form of a noble lady with purple hair, rather than his original form.
Mephistopheles felt Zeke's gaze and gave an alluring smile.
"Your gaze is burning."
Zeke looked at Mephistopheles and said,
"From the automatons you've created... I can see you're a dangerous being in many ways."
In response to Zeke's criticism, Mephistopheles waved their fan and said,
"Don't misunderstand. I simply have an innate love for beautiful things. After all, Constellations don't even have gender to begin with."
Mephistopheles took out a mirror and smiled with satisfaction while looking at the face of the automaton they were using as a vessel.
"What do you think? This doll is one of my favorites among those I've created. It's based on a woman known for her legendary beauty from a previously vanished civilization."
Mephistopheles leaned toward Zeke and said,
"Well? Isn't this beauty captivating enough to capture your heart?"
Though the appearance was beautiful enough to enchant any ordinary human male at first sight, it had no effect on Zeke.
He pushed away the leaning Mephistopheles with annoyance and said,
"Get away from me, you're disgusting."
Mephistopheles laughed even more pleasantly at Zeke's words.
"You become more fascinating the more I observe you. Well, I suppose that's how you were able to transcend beyond a transcendent being and attain divinity."
Zeke let Mephistopheles's words go in one ear and out the other as he looked out the window.
The six demon beasts pulling the carriage were running through the cracks between dimensions.
Countless lights streaked past the carriage like flowing stars.
Zeke looked at this and asked Mephistopheles,
"Where are we going now? Weren't we heading to the meeting hall?"
Mephistopheles shook their head at his words and said,
"Even with possession vessels, having all the Demon lord gather in one place would disrupt the balance of the demon realm. It's better to create a temporary domain in the dimensional gap and gather there before dispersing."
It seemed they had devised their own safe way of gathering after ruling the demon realm for so long.
As they conversed, the carriage could be felt entering some domain after passing through the dimensional gaps that flowed like starlight.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Then a powerful vibration shook the entire carriage.
When Zeke looked outside again, he saw a world that was nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see.
'A unique domain? No... it's closer to a temporary domain created by fixing a fragment of broken time.'
He thought that such a world must have existed somewhere in the phenomenal world at some point.
The dimensional beast flapped its wings with all its might and flew toward the middle of the ocean.
A single island could be seen rising from the vast sea.
An ancient castle sat alone at the very center of that island.
The dimensional beast pulled the carriage toward it.
RUMBLE!
BOOM!
Soon the carriage landed in front of the castle.
As Zeke and Mephistopheles got out of the carriage, someone approached them.
"Welcome, my lord."
A demon wearing a suit and monocle bowed respectfully toward Mephistopheles.
Zeke could sense powerful energy from the elderly demon who had bowed his head.
'This level would qualify as a top-tier demon.'
Mephistopheles lightly acknowledged the greeting and said to Zeke,
"Zeke Draker, let me introduce you. This is Head Butler Shamos who manages the Demon lord' meeting hall. He used to be an aide of the Arrogant Savior, so you could say he has a connection with you."
At those words, Shamos raised his head and looked at Zeke.
Then his eyes changed.
He seemed to notice that Zeke had absorbed the Arrogant Savior's soul.
With a strange glint in his eyes, Shamos wore an expression of incomprehension at how a human could have absorbed the soul of a great Demon lord.
Seeing him like this, Mephistopheles spread his fan with a SWOOSH and said,
"Now, now, Head Butler. I'm sure you have many questions, but let's focus on the guidance first. If we're any later, the other Demon lord will cause quite an uproar."
Though Shamos seemed to have complicated feelings, he didn't show it particularly and bowed his head respectfully again as he guided them into the castle.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
The Demon lord' meeting hall created in the temporary domain had quite a number of employees stationed throughout, including Shamos.
As Zeke observed these employees, he realized that each and every one of them was at least an upper-tier demon.
'Could they all be Aide’s and followers of the Arrogant Savior?'
As if his thoughts were correct, the castle employees wore surprised expressions when they saw Zeke.
They had sensed the Arrogant Savior's energy flowing from him.
Seeing this, Mephistopheles smiled and said,
"You're quite popular, Zeke Draker."
Zeke slightly furrowed his brow as he looked at the playfully smiling Mephistopheles, thinking it was difficult to distinguish how much of this great demon was sincere and how much was teasing.
Meanwhile, guided by Shamos, the two arrived at the castle's great hall.
And when the doors opened, an amazing sight unfolded.
"KHAAAAAH!"
"CHAAAAAH!"
A muscular red demon and a muscular blue demon were arm wrestling on top of the great hall's table.
Behind them sat a sensual woman with horns on her head, eyes closed, and across from her sat an undead being whose face was wrapped in blue flames.
'The Ruthless Ruler, The Unwavering Strict Ruler, The Master of Unrelenting Passion, and The Administrator of the Depths.'
The Demon lord who ruled the demon realm were gathered in one place.
The Demon lord Mephistopheles waved at them.
"Hey, you all still have faces that make me want to kill you!"
Mephistopheles started with a fittingly demonic greeting.
The Ruthless Ruler and The Unwavering Strict Ruler who were arm wrestling frowned at Mephistopheles.
"Demon lord! What's with that weak appearance?!"
"It's truly unbearably disgusting!"
The two great demons who fought fiercely over the Abyss region had many similarities despite clashing the most.
Mephistopheles ignored the two great demons' words and sat in the empty head seat.
Then with an alluring smile, he said,
"Come now, you must all be busy, so let's get to the main point."
He snapped his fingers.
Then a platform and lighting appeared where Zeke was standing, creating a stage for him.
Mephistopheles said with a laugh,
"Today's protagonist! The human who inherited the Arrogant Savior's soul, none other than Zeke Draker! WOOOO!"
Mephistopheles clapped and cheered alone.
The Ruthless Ruler, with his muscular red body and horns standing straight up, wore an interested expression.
"Hmm, so you're that Zeke Draker. I heard about you from Gusion, no, The Judge of Endless Struggle. Said you were quite an interesting fellow."
At those words, The Unwavering Strict Ruler next to him snorted and shouted at Zeke,
"Human! How can a mere human become a Demon lord of the demon realm?! I absolutely cannot accept this! Didn't we agree to decide after meeting ? Now that I've seen you, I can accept it even less!"
Zeke looked at the two boisterous great demons.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
"Ruthless Ruler Baal, Unwavering Strict Ruler Agares."
CRACKLE!
Just speaking the true names of the great demons caused a backlash of causality.
But Zeke paid no mind to this and spoke again,
"Come forth. I'll face you directly."