The Process of Change - 1
Nahen trudged along. Gazing at the utterly burned 69th floor, he spent a long time wondering what on earth had happened. No corpses remained. It resembled ruins that had burned down long ago, to the point where nothing like that could have survived.
“……!”
Then Nahen discovered one item. The bracelet he had given Seere. The Ancient Golden Bracelet. He could not understand why it was here. It even seemed to have fulfilled its purpose. He could no longer sense any power from it as an item.
“…Leviathan.”
When Nahen called out, a small, snow-white whale popped into existence. He then called the names of Behemoth and Ziz in turn. Behemoth and Ziz appeared as well, shrunken just like Leviathan.
“Ppu.”
“Muung.”
“Pii.”
The three beasts were unchanged. The condition of those he had brought from Hell remained exactly as before. If that was the case, there was only one possibility…
‘…Does time flow more slowly in Hell?’
But that could not be right. When he had proposed postponing the Heavenly Demon War by two years to Golab, the archdemon had accepted. If time in Hell moved slower than in the Demon Realm, Golab would never have agreed to a mere two-year delay. Two years in Hell would have meant far longer in the Demon Realm.
Barring that, only one other explanation remained.
“…Was something wrong with me?”
“Ppu.”
As if affirming his words, Leviathan cried out. The beasts seemed to know exactly what phenomenon had befallen Nahen. Far more time must have passed than he had realized. Yet regardless of how much time had elapsed, what explained the 69th floor being completely burned?
“What on earth….”
How had this happened? While he stood lost in thought—
“…Nahen-nim?”
Someone called his name from behind. Nahen spun around and found himself facing a stranger. Yet he felt he knew her. Ash-gray hair and pinkish eyes—only members of the Moon Clan possessed those traits. She had grown splendidly since he last saw her, and now wore the proper uniform of a legion officer. The change made her nearly unrecognizable…
“Veronika?”
“As I thought… it really is you, Nahen-nim.”
Veronika approached slowly and bowed in greeting. After accepting her salute, Nahen asked urgently,
“Why is the 69th floor like this? Why is everything burned and gone?”
“…Nahen-nim, where exactly have you been that you’re asking such a question now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re asking the obvious. Weren’t you perhaps staying somewhere in the Demon Realm?”
“…I wasn’t.”
Veronika was one of the few who knew Nahen’s true nature. Having heard the story in front of Ersha Scarlet, the progenitor of the blood clan, she had a vague understanding of who he was. Nahen therefore spoke plainly.
“I went to Hell.”
“…What on earth were you doing in Hell… Haah, never mind.”
When Nahen confirmed it, Veronika sighed.
“This is the aftermath of the Heavenly Demon War.”
“What? That’s impossible!”
“What do you mean it’s impossible…? What are you saying? Two years ago, the Heavenly Demon War broke out. Most of the lower-ranked Demon Kings and their floors were annihilated. We wanted to protect the 69th floor, but it was impossible.”
“…What are you talking about?”
The Heavenly Demon War had broken out two years ago?
“Not only us—the allied side also had to abandon several floors entirely. In the end, nearly twenty floors across the Demon Realm were burned.”
Nahen’s eyes widened.
“Then where is everyone? Are they safe?”
“The allied Demon Kings and Her Majesty are alive.”
“Seere….”
Nahen felt relief wash over him. When he had seen the bracelet lying here, its power spent, he had feared something terrible had happened to Seere and had not dared to ask. He had been terrified his worst suspicion might prove true. Veronika’s words shattered that fear. Deeply grateful, he let out a breath of relief.
“…Thank goodness.”
“…Is it really something to be thankful for?”
At Veronika’s reply, Nahen swallowed hard.
“Veronika.”
“Yes.”
“How many years has it been since I left…?”
Veronika exhaled deeply before answering quietly.
“Eight years.”
“What?”
“It has been eight years since you left your post, Nahen-nim. A great deal has changed in that time.”
“……Eight years.”
They say ten years can transform even mountains and rivers. Nearly that much time—eight years—had passed. It was safe to assume the Demon Realm he once knew had changed in countless ways.
“…Shall we head to the Demon King’s castle for now?”
“Wait.”
“Pardon?”
“Before that….”
Nahen still had questions that needed answers.
“Tell me everything that happened during those eight years.”
“…….”
Veronika glanced around. Then she spoke.
“We can’t talk here. My legion will arrive soon.”
“Your legion? You….”
“It might sound presumptuous, but… the war helped. Thanks to it, I secured a position. Once the soldiers arrive, we won’t have time for a leisurely conversation.”
“…Then we need to move.”
“Yes. Let’s go, and….”
Veronika continued,
“I’ll explain everything step by step.”
#
Two years after Nahen departed for Hell.
“Gah!!”
Seere von Devata continued cutting down enemies. One side of her bangs had grown slightly longer, just as Nahen preferred. Over the past two years she had already completed the task he had given her. It had been a long while since she finished conquering every floor up to the 61st, in addition to those Gremory had transferred. Yet Nahen still had not returned. Seere told herself that if she focused harder on her duties, he would eventually come back, and pressed on with the conquest. After all, the deadline Nahen had promised was two years—until the Demon Realm General Assembly held this year. Together with Gremory and Sitri, she had already surpassed the hurdle of the 50th floor. Balam, Demon King of the 50th floor, was an average mid-tier ruler. Even Gremory, who understood the strength of such Demon Kings, had warned her to be cautious. But as though the direct descendant of the Martial King considered such worries beneath her, Seere had splendidly brought Balam to his knees. Though she had not killed him as Nahen once intended, she wiped the blood from her chin after rendering him unable to fight.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Commander Lin.”
“The perimeter has been secured.”
When Lin reported with a bow, Seere pointed her sword at Balam beneath her foot.
“Lock this one up as well.”
“Understood.”
“…By the way, Commander.”
“Yes.”
“Teacher still… hasn’t sent any word, has he?”
“…If news arrives, it will most likely reach Your Majesty first.”
“…Right.”
Seere pulled her sword from Balam’s thigh.
“Graaah!!”
“Treat him so he survives.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Lin and the soldiers escorted Balam away, Seere stared blankly at the ceiling, sword still in hand. She felt lonely. Though many people cherished her—including Lin—she could not shake the damnable sense of isolation.
“…Teacher.”
She missed the hand that used to stroke her hair. Even during the five years he had always been at her side, she had hated even brief separations… two years without seeing him was far worse. That longing showed itself in battle. Lately, most of Seere’s fights looked like she was venting her frustration on the enemy. Enemy soldiers fell like autumn leaves before the Demon King’s wrath, and the conquest advanced with astonishing success.
“Haah.”
“Your Majesty.”
Someone other than Lin approached. It was Eldin, a servant of the Demon King’s castle, not a legion member.
“Eldin, what is it?”
“Well… you need to come quickly.”
“Why?”
“Miss Eri has arrived.”
“…That human? And she’s alone?”
“Alone… it’s a bit ambiguous to say that.”
“Did Dane come with her?”
When Seere tilted her head, Eldin shook his.
“No. Mr. Dane did not come.”
“Then what do you mean she isn’t alone? Stop playing word games, Eldin.”
“It isn’t a game. Miss Eri came carrying a child.”
Seere’s eyes widened. Eldin offered no further explanation, as though his report required none.
“…Really?”
#
During the two years Nahen had been gone, Dane and Eri continued monitoring the civil war within the Bismarck Empire from the human realm. The conflict had dragged on longer than expected. At first, Princess Charlotte had seemed to be pressuring Emperor Leonardo’s forces, and it looked as though the war would end swiftly. Then the Holy Kingdom moved its army. As if they had been waiting for that exact moment, they struck Bismarck’s left flank. Charlotte failed to completely eliminate the Emperor and the northern army; she had to abandon them one step short of victory. The Emperor and the north recovered. Charlotte responded quickly to the invasion, but her soldiers were already exhausted from the civil war. Even after granting them what rest she could, the Holy Kingdom’s forces proved too strong for her incompletely reorganized army. She lost most of the Empire’s western territories. Realizing she could not drive the invaders out, she abandoned the lost lands and ordered the remaining fortresses sealed for a siege. From the Holy Kingdom’s perspective, continuing the offensive would only bring losses, so the war settled into a stalemate. The Empire remained locked in civil war, and the once-glorious Bismarck Empire continued its slow decline.
“Dane.”
“Hm?”
“You didn’t give me a morning kiss.”
“…Right.”
Here, in the border city of Lutenium in the Piast Kingdom, they lived. Dane and his lovely wife Eri—who had encouraged the Holy Kingdom to advance its invasion schedule—played their roles. Of course, only part of it was acting; most of it had long since become genuine. Unable to resist her aegyo, Dane kissed her cheek. Eri smiled bashfully.
“Yeah. I think I can do my best today too.”
“I’m the one going out.”
“That’s why I cheered you on so much last night, right? My back still hurts….”
“…Ahem.”
It was not a lie. Dane’s libido was surprisingly vigorous. Even he had not realized how strong it was until he became lovers with Eri.
“Where did you say you were going today?”
“I’m thinking of crossing into the Holy Kingdom for a bit. I should check the situation there as well.”
“Nahen-nim… still no word?”
“Yeah. At least Her Majesty Seere accepts our reports.”
Where on earth had he gone? Nahen had vanished without a trace after entrusting them with their tasks. Dane had investigated on his own, but his trail ended after visiting the 70th-floor forge. Eri, now far more practiced at chopping vegetables, suddenly stopped and turned to him.
“Dane… you won’t leave me, right?”
Dane understood the source of her anxiety. It had begun seven years ago with Luke, who had lost his life to humans. Now even Nahen, whom she trusted and followed, had disappeared without a word. Her fear had doubled. Dane reassured her.
“Of course you’re asking the obvious. And Nahen-nim said he had somewhere to go. He’ll be back soon.”
“…Yeah. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. Anyway, I’m never leaving you.”
Dane grinned playfully.
“Unless you dump me first.”
“I won’t do that, you know?”
“Hmm, really? Then that’s a relief.”
“Did you actually think I might dump you?”
“Not really… I just thought it means I can stay with you.”
“…Eut.”
Eri lowered her head, embarrassed. Dane chuckled softly at the sight. It was a peaceful daily life. He did not know how long it would last, but he savored every moment. After finishing the breakfast Eri had prepared with considerable skill, Dane put on his shoes. Eri hurried over.
“Come back safely.”
“Yeah.”
After their usual brief exchange, they naturally shared a kiss. Eri’s face still flushed faintly pink, but she no longer startled.
“I’ll be back.”
“Be careful~.”
Eri saw him off as usual, and Dane set out on his journey as usual. Everything was the same as always. And the breaking of daily life often arrives without any warning at all.