The Colossus
Nahen followed Gamaliel to the entrance of the Colossus’s citadel. True to its name, even the gateway and outer walls were majestic and enormous. The gates looked wide enough that even Behemoth or Leviathan could pass through at their full size.
“…It’s absolutely massive.”
“Are you talking about my chest?”
“If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll go alone.”
“Sorry~.”
Gamaliel showed a lighter attitude than Nahen had expected. As an Archdemon, her casual demeanor felt strangely out of place to him, yet at the same time, it suited her free-spirited attire perfectly.
Gamaliel led Nahen inside. The demons they encountered inside the citadel hurriedly bowed their heads at the sight of them, and Nahen once again felt the weight of his identity as an Archdemon.
“Is Golab inside?”
“The gates were open, weren’t they? That means Golab is inside.”
Which meant, conversely, that the gates would be closed whenever Golab left his post. ‘As long as he stands guard, this place is safe… Is that the idea?’ It was a clear display of just how much confidence Golab had in his own strength. At the same time, it gave Nahen a glimpse of how overwhelmingly powerful an Archdemon truly was.
“Hey.”
“…What now?”
“How much do you remember about Golab?”
“Only his name.”
Nahen only remembered the names of Archdemons like Golab, Gamaliel, and Thaumiel—along with their general characteristics.
“…And that he’s ridiculously huge.”
“You really only know the basics, huh?”
“You already know my memories are sealed.”
“I do, but I didn’t know exactly how much was sealed away.”
Though he found her questions annoying, Nahen didn’t bother arguing. Gamaliel looked at him and continued.
“Golab is authoritarian and violent. If something displeases him, he crushes it without hesitation, no matter what it is.”
“Sounds like a typical Archdemon.”
“Oh? I’m not like that, though?”
Liar. When Nahen thought about what she had ordered her subordinates to do to the Pope of the Holy Kingdom, her innocent act held zero credibility. Sensing his skeptical gaze, Gamaliel shook her head.
“I’m serious. I don’t just crush everything that annoys me. First I check whether it’s a man or a woman…”
“…I’ve heard enough.”
“Anyway, that’s the kind of Archdemon Golab is. You should be careful around him, you know?”
“Careful?”
“If it were the old you… well, you could have done whatever you wanted. But that’s not the case now, is it?”
“Actually, I did want to ask about that.”
Nahen had no clear sense of his own power. Since his strength was sealed, he couldn’t even gauge the difference between his current power and his original strength. He needed to understand roughly how strong he was.
“How much weaker is the power I feel right now compared to what I originally possessed?”
“Less than half? I can’t be sure. Because all I can sense is your demonic energy. And demonic energy isn’t the only measure of strength, is it? Besides…”
Gamaliel glanced at the small elephant trailing behind Nahen—Behemoth.
“If you were able to pull that one out of its domain, you must be stronger than I thought.”
“Even so, I still need to be careful with Golab?”
“My dear, you really don’t understand.”
“Who are you calling ‘dear’? Say that one more time and I’m going alone.”
“Aww, fine. Don’t put Golab on the same level as that cute little pet of yours.”
“Muuuung!”
Behemoth raised its trunk and cried out in protest, but Gamaliel simply ignored it and spoke to Nahen.
“The Beasts of the Apocalypse you keep with you are certainly formidable monsters, but they’re nothing compared to the Colossus you’re about to meet. Especially since they’re in the same category—he’s on a completely different scale.”
Same category. Nahen thought he understood what she meant. Behemoth and Leviathan were inherently enormous. Their strength and durability came from their sheer size, and so did their destructive power. Of course, as mythical beasts they also possessed immense demonic energy, but that was secondary.
To be considered the same category as those beasts, yet ranked above them…
‘…Just how big is he?’
He had seen the gates earlier, yet he still couldn’t quite picture it.
“In the end, it’s just about being big, isn’t it?”
“Put crudely, yes. But you’ve seen your own beasts. You know it’s not something that can be easily dismissed.”
“…You’re right.”
Size only became meaningless when it was merely large; once it reached an overwhelming scale, that changed. Most attacks from ordinary opponents would be shrugged off by the sheer durability and power born from such colossal mass.
“Of course, if I’m standing right beside you, Golab won’t dare say anything…”
“I see.”
Whether he’d actually stay silent was another matter. Nahen thought differently. He suspected Gamaliel was more likely to side with Golab and turn against him.
“Gamaliel.”
“Hmph, I told you there’s another name I only allow two people to use. Why do you keep calling me Gamaliel?”
“What are you talking about?”
“There’s one more name you remember, isn’t there?”
Nahen narrowed his eyes. Just as she said, another name had indeed surfaced in his mind. It probably wasn’t the title of the Archdemon who ruled a Qliphah, but her original, true name—the very word that symbolized lust.
“…Lilith.”
“Mmm. You called?”
“This is far enough. You can go back now.”
Nahen felt he had received sufficient guidance. Moreover, if Lilith overheard the conversation he was about to have with Golab, she would almost certainly rebel as well. He wanted to remove any potential sources of trouble in advance.
“What? Why?”
“The discussion I’m going to have with Golab isn’t something I want others eavesdropping on.”
“…Hmmm?”
But Gamaliel—no, Lilith—tilted her head slowly, then broke into a sly grin.
“Is this because of the Heavenly Demon War?”
“…!”
She already knew. Nahen frowned deeply as he stared at her. Lilith chuckled softly.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know. I heard everything about Golab sending his subordinates to the Demon Realm where you were. It seems they all failed, though.”
“…And yet you allowed it.”
At that moment, Lilith felt a chill run through her entire body. The golden eyes staring at her were completely different from before. They had already labeled her an enemy.
“So you share the same opinion.”
“…Kyaha, how scary. But you know, that’s not a very good choice.”
“What?”
“Showing your killing intent like that…”
A tremendous footstep rang out. It was even louder than the stomp Behemoth had made on the scorching earth. With every subsequent step, the entire citadel shook violently.
Lilith smiled brightly.
“Even a dull-witted giant like him would notice, don’t you think?”
Another footstep boomed, and then a thunderous voice echoed down from high above.
“Gamaliel. You dare trespass into my domain…”
Golab, who had been about to reprimand Lilith for invading his territory, suddenly fell silent. He had realized the presence he felt moments ago did not belong to her.
“……Hah.”
Golab’s dry laugh rang out, and all the lights inside the citadel flared up at once, as if welcoming an honored guest. The surroundings brightened, and only then could Nahen finally see his face.
“When I sent my subordinates, you didn’t even consider coming. Yet here you are, walking in on your own two feet.”
The living Colossus stood before him.
#
Golab. The Archdemon who ruled the fifth Qliphah, a being so immense he was called the Colossus. Even after witnessing the overwhelming size of Behemoth in the scorching lands, Nahen still found Golab’s scale staggering.
Golab lowered his head. Nahen quietly watched the giant move, and Golab spoke to him.
“…Well, it’s possible your mind has changed. No matter the process, a good result is what matters, isn’t it?”
Golab extended a massive hand.
“Welcome.”
Nahen stared silently at the hand, then slowly raised his head to meet Golab’s eyes.
“…Golab.”
“Hm?”
“I’m sorry, but I have no such intention.”
At Nahen’s declaration, Golab’s eyes narrowed. But Nahen paid it no mind and continued.
“I didn’t come here to cooperate with you. I came to receive a firm answer.”
“A firm answer?”
“Yes. Your word that you will no longer interfere with me or the Demon Realm.”
Nahen took a step closer to Golab. Instinctively, Golab took a step back. It wasn’t that he feared the currently sealed Nahen.
“…!”
It was because he knew the Nahen of the past. Because he had felt that power in his very bones. The movement was purely instinctive. Golab frowned at the fact that he had retreated.
“Have you come to threaten me?”
“I’d prefer to settle this with words. But if you don’t want that…”
The golden eyes gleamed. At that gaze, Golab felt the terror once carved into him resurface, and he faltered.
“Then I’ll have to give you what you want.”
“…I know your power is sealed.”
“And what of it?”
Golab looked behind Nahen. Though they currently looked small and adorable, two Beasts of the Apocalypse stood there—beasts that, if even one were fully unleashed, could turn half of his domain into ruins.
‘So that’s what he’s relying on.’
Golab let out a sigh. Even if they clashed now, he didn’t think he would lose. But the damage that would result was far too great no matter how he calculated it. And once the seal was lifted, Nahen could retaliate at any time.
“…You’re misunderstanding something.”
“What is it?”
“The Heavenly Demon War will happen whether I move or not. Warning me won’t change the fact that it’s an unavoidable fate.”
“Don’t state the obvious.”
“…You know it will happen, yet you still act this way? If you know the Heavenly Demon War is coming, shouldn’t you just cooperate with me and crush Heaven?”
“Golab, the reason you must not move has nothing to do with whether the Heavenly Demon War breaks out or not.”
Nahen spoke simply.
“What matters is that it happens late.”
“…I’m only asking because it seems absurd, but this isn’t because of that Demon King you’re looking after, is it?”
“What other reason could there be?”
“Ha…”
Golab exhaled in disbelief. That Demon King was already causing problems by unnecessarily binding him to the Demon Realm. And now Nahen had come to threaten an Archdemon like himself over one such Demon King? Even among Archdemons, this crossed far too many lines. If the reason had been reasonable, Golab might have accepted it, but this was simply unacceptable.
“…Then prove it.”
“Prove what?”
“Prove why I should listen to you over one measly Demon King.”
At that moment, Golab’s fist shot forward with unbelievable speed.
BOOOOOOM───!!!
“Golab, you—!”
Gamaliel, who had been listening, shouted in fury, but Golab didn’t even glance at her.
“Huh?”
More accurately, he couldn’t turn his gaze. Both Golab and Gamaliel widened their eyes in shock. Their eyes were fixed on Nahen, who had blocked Golab’s fist with his sword.
“How… your power should be sealed.”
‘It’s certainly heavier than Behemoth.’
But that was all. Having easily blocked Golab’s punch just as he had with Behemoth, Nahen asked him,
“Is that proof enough? If it’s still not sufficient…”
“Muuung.”
“Puuu.”
The two beasts crawled forward, letting out rather undignified cries. Nahen glanced at the wriggling creatures, cleared his throat, and said,
“…Ahem. We can continue if you’d like.”
“…No.”
Golab withdrew his hand.
“I misjudged. I apologize.”
“I don’t accept.”
Golab asked Nahen,
“…As you’re aware, preventing the Heavenly Demon War is impossible. If you want it delayed, how long do you wish to postpone it?”
“At least two years. The longer, the better.”
“The angels won’t sit idly by.”
“I’ll take care of the pigeons and sow chaos myself, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Kaha, pigeons.”
Golab seemed quite pleased with the term “pigeons” for the angels and laughed heartily.
“Very well. I’ll wait up to two years as you wish.”
“…Is anything beyond that impossible?”
“I’m sorry, but even Thaumiel wouldn’t allow anything more. Beyond that point, it’s no longer within my jurisdiction.”
Just as angels instinctively wished to annihilate the Demon Realm and Hell, demons instinctively desired to destroy Heaven and the human world. That desire was strongest among the Archdemons, and Thaumiel—their de facto leader—sought to make that desire a reality. Nahen fully understood Golab’s position.
“I see.”
His business here was finished. The meeting with the Colossus had been brief, but Nahen had obtained what he wanted. He had blocked Hell’s interference for the time being and gained a rough estimate of his own strength.
Nahen gave a simple nod in farewell and turned to leave.
“You intend to leave just like that?”
“My duties are not yet finished.”
And whether he could return once those duties were complete…
‘…I don’t know.’
He would only find out when the time came. Still, rather than speaking coldly to someone who could be considered an old comrade of this body, he chose kinder words.
“If my duties are finished, I suppose I can return.”
#
After Nahen set off once more, Golab turned to Gamaliel, who had remained behind.
“He didn’t cling or beg. Unexpected.”
“He’d hate it if I did. Besides…”
Gamaliel smiled faintly.
“It’ll be more fun to leave him like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“After talking with him earlier… I realized something.”
Gamaliel’s eyes grew cold.
“He doesn’t even properly know how his close friend died.”
“…!”
“If he actually knew, he would have been hostile the moment he met me.”
Golab stared at her in shock. Gamaliel looked back at him with amusement, then laughed as she wondered what kind of future would unfold if the current situation continued.
“This is going to be fun.”