Best Friend's Plan

In the temple of my own making in the Demon Realm, a space perfected with black marble, I elegantly tilted my golden wine goblet. This temple is my masterpiece, completed over thousands of years. The golden patterns on the walls glimmer faintly under the starlight of the Demon Realm, and the ceiling shines eternally with the stars I personally collected. And this window above all... it was specially crafted to overlook every corner of the human world.

Ricoris... my new tool has finally reunited with that Frostia.

Within the crystal orb, a barren, ice-covered wasteland appeared in sharp clarity. Right beside the zone of death created by Nis, the horrific icy wasteland that Frostia had frozen solid.

"The spectacle those two monsters have wrought... truly magnificent."

I murmured as I savored another sip of wine. Its sweet yet bitterly astringent taste suited my mood perfectly.

A massive silver ice dragon, enveloped in light, transformed into the form of a beautiful woman. And before her, Ricoris rushed forward, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"A truly touching reunion. But..."

But such sentiments hold no importance for me. The issue is when those two—especially Nis—will depart.

Nis... Just thinking of that repulsive serpent still sends chills down my spine. Recalling the fates of fellow evil gods devoured by her... it still raises goosebumps. Of course, I'd never show it on the surface.

I focused my mind, shifting my consciousness to the brooch bestowed upon Ricoris: Serenade Acadene, one of my finest creations. Originally a mere ornament, but thanks to the... considerable magic I infused, it now serves this purpose.

Soon, their conversation came through clearly.

"Shall we head back to Sia Kalt now?"

"Ah! Not yet!"

It was Ricoris's voice. Still that pure, endearing tone.

"Hm?"

"My carriage is on its way here! With my two human companions, Cecilia, Glessia, and Lote aboard!"

A carriage? Companions? Ah, right. I rubbed my temple lightly, recalling. Back when dealing with my followers in Jenes Kingdom, she had a party. A mage and an archer, plus some distinctly quirky bugs. Besides that butterfly I saw in the Demon Realm, there were three more.

Curiously, Ricoris seemed quite fond of those bugs—far more than the humans.

Perhaps because she's originally a flower?

"Just wait a little longer!"

"Very well, we'll wait."

At Frostia's response, I clicked my tongue softly—or rather, let out an elegant sigh on the surface.

"Hurry and leave. I have mountains of work."

Especially preparations for reviving Demon King Carpe.

Carpe... Once my most cherished demon. Intelligent, ambitious, and above all, obedient. A model subordinate...

"But her greed was her undoing, the poor thing."

I murmured, slowly swirling the wine goblet. The red liquid spun like my swirling emotions.

Dissatisfied with one great labyrinth, she reached for a second core... and her body exploded. The blast echoed across the entire continent—proof of her folly.

"But now, she'll become the perfect puppet."

Reviving just her soul will grant her consciousness, yet absolute obedience to my commands. Retaining her former powers under my complete control... the ideal subordinate.

…

Yet days passed with no sign of the carriage.

"Is that carriage even coming?"

I rose from my chair and approached the window. The cold Demon Realm air brushed my fingertips. Through the temple window, I scanned the entire continent.

In Heshet Empire, my followers were still diligently active. In the southeastern minor kingdoms, devotees fervently performed rituals.

"Such diligent lot."

A satisfied smile curved my lips. After a long search, I spotted a lavish carriage engulfed in flames amid the zone of death.

That must be Ricoris's carriage...

"Those flames... Ah, the work of that fire butterfly, no doubt."

Red flames enveloped the entire carriage, yet it wasn't burning. Rather, they formed a protective barrier.

A bug with remarkable abilities.

But inside the flames: a rotund coachman... Hm? Are those supposed to be horses? Nothing but pig-like creatures.

"What a state they're in..."

I narrowed my eyes for a closer look. Had they not moved for a month, just eating? An absurd sight.

"But where are the others?"

Don't tell me...? With a hunch, I turned my gaze to the great labyrinth.

There, Ricoris's companions battled fiercely against monsters and demons.

"Oh ho... They're far stronger than expected."

I tilted the goblet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slowly, impressed. Especially the massive ice hornet and fire butterfly shone brilliantly. The hornet froze foes with its enormous ice stinger, while the butterfly incinerated them with powerful flames.

"With that level of skill, few could stand against them."

But why enter that great labyrinth? The very one where Demon King Carpe sought her second core. Now ruled by that arrogant demon, Ibrolg.

Ibrolg... My grip tightened unconsciously on the goblet. Just thinking of him soured my mood. A demon denying me, deluded into becoming a god himself.

For centuries, he's mocked me as a "false god who only watches."

"The audacity..."

Cold venom laced my voice. But I quickly regained my elegant smile.

Naturally, I found myself rooting for Ricoris's group. Better they triumph over a clear enemy like Ibrolg than complicate things further. And it suits my plans.

Ricoris... What an intriguing existence. Michael's apostle, yet learned the Aesthetics of Murder from Bellona. Pure yet cruel—a perfect paradoxical tool for my designs.

Then—

"This obnoxious thing again..."

I frowned, setting the goblet down slightly. This system, born from that otherworldly god 5,000 years ago... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It always appears unannounced, ruining my mood. We should have utterly destroyed that god of replication back then... To think remnants linger like this.

"What?"

I read the translucent selection window again carefully. Was my vision deceiving me? Apostle selection?

"I merely cheered them on in my mind, and this appears?"

But the names baffled me more: Glessia, Liandel, Levy, Lote, Cecilia... I'd only distinguished them as giant hornet, metal spider, fire butterfly, mage, archer...

"No clue which is which..."

I leaned back, sighing. This system's flaw: displaying info I don't know. Proof of that replication god's intricate curse.

But... wait. This is a tremendous opportunity.

I leaned forward, eyes on the window.

Since learning Ricoris became Michael's apostle, I'd anticipated my own chance. Among Heaven and Demon Realm gods, only Michael has one now. Such rarity...

But so suddenly, and not my followers, but Ricoris's companions...

"This... requires rewriting my plans entirely."

I stroked my chin, deep in thought. Original plan: Revive Demon King Carpe, unleash chaos on humanity via him. Human fear and despair fuel ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my power.

But now, a subtler approach. If one becomes my apostle... It deepens ties with Ricoris, evades good gods' scrutiny, monitors her closely. Gradually sway her through the apostle.

Seduce naturally, not force—my specialty.

"If Ricoris sides with me..."

A sly smile crept across my lips.

"I'll make her humanity's savior."

A perfect plan crystallized. Send my controlled monsters to kingdoms; let Ricoris slay them. Escalate threats to boost her fame... until all hail her as savior.

Then reveal: Michael's apostle staged it all with me. Their betrayal and despair...

"Huhu... Thrilling just imagining it."

I lifted the goblet, savoring the last sip.

Now, whom to choose? Costs: Glessia highest, Cecilia lowest. One million Demonic Power—half the others. Must conserve for turning Ricoris fully.

"Cecilia it is."

Hopefully one of those bugs Ricoris cherishes, not human...

In the distant great labyrinth, a small flame blazed brighter. The fire butterfly was Cecilia.

"...Excellent."

A perfect choice: small, powerful, cherished by Ricoris. Ideal apostle.

A new window appeared.

"An oracle..."

The perfect opportunity. I rose and approached the window. Demon Realm's chill grazed my cheek, but my mind burned with plans.

To win Ricoris's heart... Yes, become her 'friend.' Exploit that human obsession with 'friendship.'

"Ricoris, my dear friend..."

Different from Bellona, who pursues pure art unfit for schemes. She bonded with Ricoris by lucky shared values. But I... I can feign emotions flawlessly.

I chose 1.

Infuse warmth into my voice. As if a true friend cherishing Ricoris...

That's the art of acting.

My voice echoed through the great labyrinth.

Small reactions from afar: the mage and archer's shocked faces and gaping mouths, the bugs' frantic movements. Especially Cecilia, my new apostle, blazed brighter in joy.

"Such a pure soul."

A satisfied smile spread. "Easier to handle the innocent ones."

I emptied the goblet and set it gracefully on the table.

Now, all flows as planned. Observe Ricoris closely via my new apostle, gradually draw her in. And Demon King Carpe... Revive that pitiful soul for my new scheme.

Ricoris will be humanity's hero; she needs a tragic villain to defeat.

"Plunge the world into terror, only to be slain by the hero, Carpe."

Time to begin a more entertaining game through my new apostle.

I shifted consciousness to the Serenade Acadene brooch, checking Ricoris. She'd noticed the missing carriage, looking adorably flustered.

Then I'll help you, my dear friend.

I infused mana, making it emit a soft purple ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠glow. Pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat, directing light toward the zone of death.

Soon, Ricoris spotted it.

"It seems Abraksas is telling us!"

Her pure voice rang clear through the brooch. But then Frostia's jealous tone followed.

"Even Abraksas taking interest in my Ricoris..."

"N-No! I'm not really close to Abraksas!"

Ricoris's hasty denial made me chuckle softly.

Oh dear... We'll be the closest of friends, my cute little friend.

I dimmed the brooch's light to half, feigning sorrow. Ricoris panicked visibly.

Then Nis's voice: "That direction... toward the zone of death and the great labyrinth."

Sharp as ever... My smile faded. Her observation and geography sense irked me anew. A danger if we meet in the human world.

"They wouldn't be stupid enough to enter the labyrinth, right...?"

Ricoris's mutter prompted me to make the brooch twinkle like a star—on, off, affirming.

"It is!?"

I accelerated the blinks for strong affirmation.

"Perfect."

Now Ricoris will follow my guidance to the zone of death. Reunite with apostle Cecilia... and the real game begins.

"Wait for me, my best friend. Soon, I'll show you a truly astonishing gift."