Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Palace Infiltration (2)
Demon King Marbas.
One of the undisputed villains of Chapter 1, and one of the formidable enemies who had driven the protagonist Abel to the brink of death several times.
'I thought he would be outside the capital, but he's already made his way inside.'
Marbas responded to Rudian's question with indifference.
"There's no particular reason."
Unlike other demons who spoke evasively like snakes, Marbas's manner of speaking was extremely direct.
"I simply came because I was interested in the one who killed Rigos."
"Is that the only reason?"
"And I'm also interested in an organization called Adora that uses someone like you as a mere subordinate."
There was no particular hostility visible in Marbas's eyes.
He had truly come to find Rudian out of pure interest.
"Did you think I would tell you about it just because you're interested?"
"Hah, hardly. I'm not that stupid."
Marbas's eyes slowly scanned Rudian's entire body.
"But the act of confirming with my own eyes someone I'll have to fight someday is necessary. Especially if they're a formidable enemy."
"......"
"Baal, Diablo, Lucifer, Lilith, Leviathan, Mammon, Belphegor.... The seven seats I aimed for in my youth collapsed, and only Baal remained, gathering riffraff to make a fresh start under the name of the seventy-two Demon Kings."
Why is this bastard suddenly bringing this up?
"After that, the hierarchy of the demon race became fixed, and mutual conflict was forbidden. It was truly a succession of boring days."
'This bastard...!'
His eyes are openly asking for a fight.
But contrary to his gaze, perhaps he wasn't completely without manners, as Marbas clicked his tongue slightly and withdrew his murderous intent.
"The moment I saw you just now, I realized it. That you and I will cross swords on the battlefield someday."
"......!"
Demon Kings who had honed their demonic nature to the extreme often had their senses reach into the realm of prophecy, just like gods.
Marbas laughed fiercely and shouted.
"Your neck is mine. I will never yield it to anyone else. Someday I will cut off your neck and hang it in the highest place of my throne!"
"...Crazy bastard."
"Yes, I'm crazy about fighting. It's been a really long time since my blood has boiled like this."
In the original work, the battle maniac attribute was taken by Rigos and Iblis, so he didn't receive much attention, but it turns out this bastard was just as thoroughly insane as those guys.
"Hah... But I can't destroy the agreement with my own hands right now. I must respect Asmodeus's authority. But it doesn't seem like there's much time left for that either."
Marbas left those words and spun around sharply.
"Let's meet again at the award ceremony. Human ceremonies are quite enjoyable too. Enjoyable enough to hesitate about destroying them."
This crazy bastard seems to be enjoying his disguised noble life quite a bit.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to join the military and go on expeditions.
After Marbas disappeared, Rudian stared blankly at his retreating figure.
'I never thought he'd just say that and leave.'
I expected some kind of in-depth conversation, but this was quite anticlimactic.
Diablo quietly warned Rudian.
-Brat, it would be better not to face him head-on if possible.
"It's refreshing to hear you say something like that."
-Even in my era, he was seriously aiming for the Seven Seats. It seems he's steadily raised his level since then. There's no way such a guy would have the strength of only 5th rank, not even directly under Baal.
If Diablo is warning to this extent, it really means he's a dangerous opponent.
But even so, the plan couldn't be delayed.
According to that bastard's words, Rudian was destined to cross swords with him before long.
'I need to hurry a bit.'
That bastard's words about respecting Asmodeus were probably sincere.
But there was plenty of possibility that he would provoke Asmodeus to overturn the situation.
Especially since he had gone and made something like an open declaration of war like this.
"The brief rest... Is now over."
Rudian turned his head while looking at the darkening twilight.
Now, it was time to get back to work.
***
Count Marba Ainsworth's medal ceremony was attended by at least five hundred nobles, creating a sea of people.
"They say the number of pirates eliminated in this expedition alone reached thirty thousand?"
"He sank seven hundred ships of the pirate kingdom and practically received their surrender declaration, so how great must his achievement be?"
"Moreover, except for the portion of war spoils that had to be offered to the imperial family, he distributed everything to his subordinates without keeping any, so his character can be considered perfect too!"
Count Marba had inherited his title from the previous Count Ainsworth in his late twenties and devoted himself to the military instead of the knighthood, earning the military's fervent support.
Moreover, with martial prowess surpassing most knights, unparalleled leadership, and the popularity of not being greedy for war spoils...
By continuously achieving matching military exploits, Count Marba had truly become the empire's shining supernova and the number one son-in-law candidate coveted by the capital's nobles.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Rudian watched from a corner as Marba received applause from the nobles and was awarded a medal by the Emperor.
'How many around him would notice his true nature?'
The numerous officers standing behind him were watching with pride as the medal was pinned to Marba's right chest.
'Even if that bastard truly cares for his subordinates, it's nothing more than deception created to enjoy his amusement.'
If that bastard isn't taken down before it's too late, they will experience a great betrayal where their entire lives are denied in the future.
'It's about time to move.'
He could see Sonya making small gestures from far away.
Before moving, Rudian observed the Emperor intently.
'From what I can see, there doesn't seem to be any particular prohibition or restraint on him, but what do you think?'
Adi and Diablo answered Rudian's question.
-There's nothing abnormal except that his energy has greatly weakened.
-Not even a fragment of magic can be seen.
'As expected, the problem was with the 1st Prince.'
Rudian looked around at the royal family sitting near the Emperor.
The 2nd Prince, who had risen as a strong candidate for the next crown prince by drawing in Delphione, the 3rd Prince who still seemed dissatisfied with everything in the world, and the 4th Prince and 1st Princess with dark expressions.
Below them were the 2nd Princess and 5th Prince, who were too young to even sense political issues and remained innocent.
Rudian looked at the empty seat of the 1st Prince, who was the only one not participating in this occasion, then slowly left his seat.
***
"You're here?"
At the place Rudian arrived, Sonya dressed in a gorgeous red dress, her son Gray, and the eunuch that Sonya had guaranteed to recruit beforehand were waiting.
"A secret passage in a place like this.... It's quite fascinating."
The eunuch, who appeared to be in his early fifties, spoke in his characteristically thin voice.
"This is a place that no one knows about except His Majesty the Emperor and our Imperial Guard. Not even the princes and princesses, or the retired Grand Duke."
"If you invited us to such a meaningful place, it seems your situation isn't very good either."
"...That's correct. After the 1st Prince stopped coming out of his quarters, the Inner Palace Court suddenly rose to power and began driving us eunuchs out and taking over affairs within the imperial palace."
The eunuch's expression was full of anger and dissatisfaction accumulated over the past time.
"Didn't the Emperor say anything about your diminished standing?"
"His Majesty only listens to the words of the head maid who came in a few months ago. She is practically the behind-the-scenes power holder of this imperial palace."
'Probably a familiar or demon that Asmodeus planted.'
There's no way the possibility of that would be less than 100%.
"What's the situation with the 1st Prince?"
At Rudian's question, the eunuch shook his head back and forth.
"All the eunuchs who served His Highness the Prince were driven out. Those positions were filled with maids and strange women of unknown identity."
"You don't know what happened after that?"
"I don't know. What's certain is that the other princes, except for the 2nd Prince, are also under surveillance by the Inner Palace Court. If we don't take action, this imperial palace will be occupied by forces of unknown identity!"
With the Emperor remaining silent and their own standing gradually narrowing, it was natural for anxiety to grow even more than dissatisfaction.
They had already requested help from the Hellas Ducal House, which was the 1st Prince's in-laws.
But as could be seen from Sonya's case, that request for help was apparently unilaterally rejected.
In the midst of this, when the Bellatrix Ducal House extended a hand, they had no choice but to grab that lifeline, whether it was sound or rotten.
"Soon, when the banquet properly begins, the palace security will be temporarily strengthened. But conversely, places other than the guests' destinations will have relatively loose security, so we'll take advantage of that time to guide you to His Majesty the Emperor."
"Please do."
No matter how things turn out from now on, the Emperor's support must be secured as a prerequisite.
If that isn't settled first, even if the job is completed well, it will have a major negative impact on the cleanup and moving to the next stage.
"...This way."
Before long, gorgeous music echoed throughout the palace and the banquet began.
The Emperor dismissed the ceremony and returned, while the remaining princes began spending busy time greeting nobles together with Count Marba.
By the way, Yev was left at the banquet hall.
Even when told to come along, she was so absorbed in the food that she wouldn't move.
Just in case, Rudian entrusted Yev's safety to Elvin, who participated as the Kepler family representative, so it should be fine... Right?
"Usually, if His Majesty doesn't have a schedule, he spends time in the Spring Palace."
Following the eunuch's guidance, Rudian and Sonya penetrated into the interior of the Spring Palace through a very narrow secret passage.
"Wait."
It was good that they had entered the Spring Palace through the secret passage....
At the point where the Emperor's bedroom was right in front of them, Rudian felt a faint but familiar energy from ahead.
"It seems it won't be easy to enter."
Two women wandering around near the Emperor's bedroom.
Rudian immediately recognized that their identity was not human.
'Succubi.'
Succubi had less magic power than other demons, but in return, they didn't show any particular signs even when disguised as humans.
'I didn't want to fight, but I guess it can't be helped?'
Not only those two, but with such creatures scattered throughout the surrounding area, it was practically impossible to meet the Emperor while avoiding everyone's attention.
"Even if we pass through the passage safely, we'll have to encounter them at least once."
The number felt in the surroundings was about twenty, but thanks to the secret passage, if we just eliminate those two ahead, it's a straight line to where the Emperor resides.
-Wait a moment, brat.
It was just as Rudian was about to rush out to cut the throat of the maid disguised as a succubus.
-Kukuk, why take the difficult path when there's an easy one?
'What? You have a good method?'
-Kukukuk!
Diablo made a meaningful laugh and then said this to Rudian.
-Succubi are the lowest beings, close to magic beasts by grade. There's no need to make a fuss when dealing with such things.
'Just get to the point.'
-Damn bastard, wouldn't it be simple if you used the Word of Domination?
'Word of Domination?'
-Why do you think demons and Demon Kings can use magic beasts that live only on instinct as members of their legions? Of course it's possible because there are ways to make them submit.
'...Oh?'
Rudian felt deep interest in Diablo's words.
-Of course, those things are already subordinated to Asmodeus, so it would normally be impossible, but I am different. Hehe....
According to Diablo, it was possible because his rank was much higher than Asmodeus'.
After gently stroking Diablo, who was boasting about his greatness, Rudian drew some of Diablo's magic power and chanted the Word of Domination.
Black magic energy changed into a pattern symbolizing Diablo in the air, then penetrated the heads of the succubi before they could even recognize it.
"......!"
The succubi hit by the Word of Domination trembled all over for a while, then suddenly stopped and looked directly toward where Rudian was.
"Wh-what! Have we been discovered?"
The eunuch was greatly alarmed when the maids suddenly approached in this direction.
But when they suddenly knelt on one knee in front of Rudian, he was even more shocked and fell over.
"We greet our great master."
"Is the Emperor inside?"
"Yes, he has been in his place for several hours without coming out."
"Good, guide us."
Seeing that the Word of Domination worked well, Rudian breathed a sigh of relief and followed them.
Sonya was sending somewhat suspicious glances from the side, but since she already knew that Rudian was a magic sword user, she didn't suspect anything further.
Guided by the succubi, Rudian and Sonya entered the Emperor's bedroom.
"......"
The Emperor looked at the intruders who had rudely entered his bedroom without any notice.
He showed no particular signs of anger, contrary to expectations.
He showed a slight hint of surprise, but that emotion quickly disappeared into his pupils.
Thus, the Emperor and Rudian's eyes met.