The Inverted Kingdom
Nahen had decided to leave the Demon Realm and head for Hell. He made his way to a deserted place. Normally, one would have to descend all the way to the first floor to travel from the Demon Realm to Hell, but Nahen had no need for that. He possessed the spell Gate, which could open a path to any place he had visited before. As an Archdemon, he had been to Hell many times.
Nahen drew upon his mana. The vast circuits of an Archdemon could release an enormous amount of mana in an instant, and the moment he summoned it, the conditions for the spell were met.
“Gate.”
『 Līmen 』
Space itself was crushed beneath the overwhelming mana. A passage leading into the void opened before him, and Nahen stepped through. In an instant, the scenery changed. The blue moon that had hung in the sky vanished, replaced by a crimson one. The air was filled with screams soaked in agony, and Nahen’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
Yet after walking a little farther, the terrible screams faded, and silence settled in. The surroundings grew quiet in an instant, leaving only stillness and solitude. Nahen stopped and looked up at the sky.
“…The lord of the Inverted Kingdom.”
It was one of the titles Ersha Scarlet had once given him. In this moment, he understood its meaning with perfect clarity.
There was an inverted kingdom. The land, the buildings, the grass and trees—everything was upside down. One did not need to wonder how they remained suspended in the sky. Thick, massive tree roots stretched downward from the broad ground, anchoring themselves in the clouds. It was a landscape that defied common sense, but then, this was never a place where common sense applied.
“Hah…”
Nahen let out a dry laugh. To think that he was the master of this place. It was hard to believe, yet he had no choice but to accept it. After all…
“Open.”
Nahen knew how to enter. As he channeled mana and spoke the words, a translucent staircase descended from the Inverted Kingdom, as though welcoming its returning master. When Nahen stepped onto the stairs, the world flipped. For a moment he frowned at the dizziness, but it passed quickly. The Inverted Kingdom became an upright one, while the other space now appeared reversed.
As Nahen descended the stairs and set foot on solid ground, someone approached.
“Have you arrived, Your Majesty?”
“You are…”
“I did not expect Your Majesty to remember me.”
“…You know about the seal placed upon me.”
“Indeed. Your Majesty informed me of this matter in advance and entrusted me with the duty of guiding you upon your return.”
His words carried the ring of truth. Nahen glanced around before asking,
“What is my name?”
“I dare not speak it, for the seal forbids it.”
“…You know for certain, then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Might this humble one be permitted to state his own name?”
“You may.”
“I am deeply honored that you would grant such an opportunity to one so insignificant. I am Tubal-Cain, Your Majesty’s loyal servant. When Your Majesty departed, I was commanded to answer any question you might have upon your return. Ask anything you wish.”
Nahen nodded. After looking around once more, he asked,
“Was my kingdom always this quiet? It feels as though no one is here.”
“That is not the case. Because Your Majesty was briefly absent, the residents have merely fallen into a deep slumber. Should Your Majesty command it, they will awaken at once and serve as your faithful hands and feet.”
“No. I will not stay long.”
“I suspected as much. I understand you have yet to accomplish your goal.”
“You know well.”
“We, your subjects, pray that our lord will achieve his purpose.”
Nahen turned to Tubal-Cain.
“I came here to find the beasts that follow me.”
“…You have come for Behemoth and Ziz.”
“Do you know where they are?”
“Your Majesty, they… are not in this kingdom.”
“Why not?”
Tubal-Cain looked at Nahen for a moment, then lowered his head again.
“This is not a matter to discuss here. Please, enter the palace.”
“…Understood.”
Nahen followed Tubal-Cain down the main road. It was silent. The entire kingdom felt as though its people had fallen into an eternal sleep. Tubal-Cain guided him to the palace, and Nahen’s eyes widened in astonishment.
‘So that’s what it was.’
When he had first seen the Inverted Kingdom, one structure had stood out conspicuously. Now he realized it was his own palace. Its scale and height far surpassed even the imperial palace of the Bismarck Empire.
As Nahen stepped inside, the attendants within bowed their heads in loyalty.
“Not everyone here is asleep, I see.”
“We did not know when Your Majesty would return, so the palace has been maintained at all times. A minimal staff was kept awake for this purpose.”
“I see.”
Nahen continued following Tubal-Cain until they stopped before a massive door.
“This is the throne room Your Majesty once used.”
“…It’s large.”
“Large? Compared to Your Majesty’s renown, it is quite small… but since Your Majesty refused to permit any expansion, we had no choice but to be content with this size.”
It seemed that even before Nahen’s possession, the original owner of this body had been an extremely rational individual. Satisfied with that thought, Nahen spoke.
“Open it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Tubal-Cain traced a circle in the air with his finger. The enormous doors of the audience chamber began to open of their own accord.
‘Ancient magic.’
Nahen could tell that Tubal-Cain was an existence of immense age. Moreover, the mana radiating from him far exceeded the power of Dobiel and Demogorgon, whom he had faced before.
‘This monster was my subordinate?’
The thought crossed his mind, but when he considered Leviathan at his side, it no longer seemed so surprising.
Tubal-Cain clasped his hands together respectfully and bowed his head.
“Your Majesty, please ascend the throne.”
“…Very well.”
Nahen sat upon the throne, which was as vast as the hall itself. Unaccustomed to the seat, he frowned slightly, prompting Tubal-Cain to react with alarm.
“Your Majesty! Are you unwell?”
“Ah, no. More importantly, finish what you were saying earlier.”
“Understood.”
Tubal-Cain continued.
“First, the seal placed upon Your Majesty was self-imposed. The reason lies elsewhere.”
“What is it?”
“In exchange for temporarily leaving the kingdom and descending to the Demon Realm, Your Majesty offered a bargaining chip to the ruler of Hell. You sealed away a portion of your own power. Along with that, seals were placed upon your name and memories as well.”
So that was how an Archdemon could freely descend to and live in the Demon Realm. It had been the result of negotiations between the ruler of Hell—Tiamat—and Nahen. To fulfill his close friend Seere’s final request, Nahen had descended to the Demon Realm to raise and care for his daughter. To remain there, he had accepted the sealing of his memories and power in exchange for Tiamat’s permission. That was why Nahen had descended to the Demon Realm with part of his memories and strength sealed away, and it was at that point that Evil Queen Maker had begun—the moment Nahen possessed this body.
“…I see.”
With the answer in hand, Nahen nodded. Yet one question remained.
“But what does that have to do with Behemoth and Ziz not being here?”
“Behemoth and Ziz have returned to their respective territories.”
“What?”
“They are beasts. The so-called Beasts of the Apocalypse—immensely powerful existences. They followed Your Majesty because they admired your overwhelming strength. However, when they learned that Your Majesty’s power had been partially sealed and that you had departed for the Demon Realm, the two beasts appeared disappointed.”
“…Then why has Leviathan remained by my side? According to you, Leviathan should have left as well.”
“Leviathan has been raised by Your Majesty since it was very young.”
In other words, Leviathan regarded Nahen as a parent, whereas Behemoth and Ziz did not. Even so, the thought that they would abandon him simply because his power was sealed left a bitter taste.
“Is there no way to bring them back?”
“There is.”
“What is it?”
“It is quite simple, Your Majesty.”
Tubal-Cain bowed briefly, then stepped back and approached a weapon rack at the side of the throne room. Nahen stared in disbelief at what he saw.
“That is…”
The blade was black, and at its center, a dark-red eye blinked and glanced about. It was the very image of a classic demonic sword, the kind seen in countless works of media.
“This is the sword Your Majesty once wielded.”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
“Use it to subdue Behemoth and Ziz directly. Show them the difference in power.”
Nahen’s eyes widened.
“You want me to go capture them myself?”
“That is the only way. There is one other method, but it is one Your Majesty would never permit.”
“…You mean abandoning the Demon Realm and returning here.”
“Precisely.”
“Haa.”
In the end, if he wanted to keep the two powerful beasts by his side, he would have to prove himself. Nahen pondered for a moment, then chuckled.
“Fine. It’s not a bad idea.”
This was a world based on a game. A boss event like this… was welcome.
“…Will you truly go?”
“I have to.”
“The power of Behemoth and Ziz surpasses imagination. Especially now that they have returned to their domains, their strength within those territories is twice what it normally is. In your current sealed state, Your Majesty, it could be dangerous.”
Tubal-Cain bowed deeply.
“Please reconsider.”
“…It’s fine. I need their power anyway.”
Nahen believed that to negotiate with the other Archdemons on equal footing, he required the presence of the three beasts.
“……I see.”
Tubal-Cain spoke respectfully.
“I pray for your success, Your Majesty.”
“Right.”
Nahen took the sword Tubal-Cain offered. A familiar sensation washed over him. It truly felt as though this had always been his weapon.
“Tubal-Cain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You’ve worked hard all this time. Just a little longer.”
When Nahen smiled and offered encouragement, Tubal-Cain’s eyes widened slightly. Then, with a gentle smile of his own, he bowed his head respectfully.
“I shall strive not to bring shame upon Your Majesty.”
“Where are Behemoth and Ziz’s territories?”
“Behemoth resides in the Great Wastes between the seventh and eighth Qliphoth. Ziz dwells in the Sky of Mist between the fourth and fifth Qliphoth.”
“Understood.”
As Nahen rose from the throne, black mist suddenly swirled beside him, and a small white whale appeared with a pop.
“Puu.”
“Leviathan, what’s wrong?”
“Puuu.”
Leviathan waved its fins and swam toward Tubal-Cain, nodding its head as if in greeting. Tubal-Cain smiled kindly at the sight.
“It seems Leviathan serves Your Majesty well.”
“…It’s been a great help.”
“I shall remain here until Your Majesty returns. May you accomplish your purpose and come back safely.”
Nahen nodded at Tubal-Cain’s words. Then, slinging the sword over his shoulder, he gave a brief farewell.
“I’m off.”
“Safe travels, Your Majesty.”