A Changed Relationship
“Master, you really should be looking this way.”
“I refuse.”
At Nahen’s blade-sharp rejection, Seere von Devata pushed her lips out in a pout. She still had her arm looped tightly through his.
…How can he stay so composed?
The plush, yielding softness kept pressing into his arm, yet Nahen remained as motionless as a stone statue. Seere took genuine pride in her generous figure. After all, she had meticulously sculpted every curve to match her beloved Master’s ideal preferences. It was only natural. She had even chosen today’s outfit with the deliberate intent of showing it off to him.
It was the sort of body that would draw any man’s eyes at least once, whether he willed it or not. It should have stirred something in him, yet Nahen betrayed nothing on the surface. Just as Seere narrowed her eyes in clear displeasure, Nahen spoke.
“…For now, let’s talk about what needs to be discussed.”
“Pardon?”
“I received a rough overview from Veronika, but there are several details I’d like to hear directly from you.”
“What details?”
“The first and most obvious is the Heavenly Demon War. I was told you burned twenty heavenly layers before returning. Did you drive them out?”
“…No.”
The negative answer slipped from Seere’s lips. Hearing the worst possible response, Nahen let out a heavy sigh.
“…I see.”
It meant they had withdrawn of their own accord. The heavenly forces, dispatched with the clear intention of waging full-scale war, had only scorched twenty layers before retreating voluntarily. That could only mean they intended to regroup and return once their preparations were complete. And since the angels had personally set fire to the Demon Realm, Hell’s intervention was now inevitable. Once that happened, Heaven would only bolster its forces even further….
This is going to become a nuisance.
As Nahen pondered his next move, Seere continued.
“Even so, we successfully repelled the intruders who reached the 50th Floor.”
“…Yes, I suppose that’s why this place remains intact.”
Nahen naturally placed a hand on her head and gave her hair a gentle, affectionate stroke.
“You did well. It must have been exhausting.”
Seere stared blankly at his hand for a moment, then narrowed her eyes.
“…Master.”
“Yes?”
“The way you keep doing this… you truly intend to push me away, don’t you?”
“…Ah.”
Nahen realized too late that he had unconsciously fallen back into his old habit of praising her with a head pat. He had forgotten how such gestures would appear to the now-mature Seere.
With a slightly awkward expression, he began to withdraw his hand—only for a new thought to stop him. Wouldn’t deliberately acting differently be even more telling? In the end, it would mean playing right into her intentions. Understanding this, Nahen resumed stroking her hair with natural ease.
“Master?”
“What’s the problem? Can’t I praise my own disciple?”
When Nahen chuckled, Seere stared at him blankly for a moment. Then this clever disciple instantly saw through his ploy.
“…Aha. So that’s how you’re going to play it?”
“What are you talking about?”
Seere let out a soft laugh. Should she graciously accept his attempt to play innocent, or counterattack? After a brief internal debate, she chose the latter.
“Hehe~♪ Yes, it feels wonderful to be patted by Master after so long.”
“Does it now?”
“Ah, Master. By the way…”
Seere raised a hand and pointed at the top of her own head. Then she deliberately reminded him of a fact he already knew all too well.
“You mustn’t touch my ‘horns,’ remember?”
“Of course I…”
“Even an accidental touch would cause all sorts of problems. I couldn’t possibly show you an embarrassing sight like I did before, could I?”
“…!”
At her loaded remark, Nahen flinched and yanked his hand away. He realized his mistake a moment too late, but the damage was already done.
“…You became conscious of it just now, didn’t you?”
“N-no. I was merely startled by your strange comment.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Seere finally released his arm. She rose from her seat and gazed down at him.
“I’ll take it that way, then.”
She offered a relaxed, confident smile. Nahen found himself at a loss for words. Seere made a polite excuse about needing to handle some work and left the office.
Left alone on the sofa, Nahen dragged a hand down his face and muttered.
“Just who raised that child to be like this….”
Nahen still failed to recognize his own role in the matter.
Nahen also wanted to hear news from the Human Realm. Not long after Seere left, Dane entered the office.
“It is good to see you in good health, Lord Nahen.”
“Yes, and you look well too. I’m glad. It seems you finally worked up the courage.”
“…Thanks to you.”
When Dane spoke with a hint of embarrassment, Nahen gave a light laugh.
“Are you happy?”
“…I am very happy.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m pleased for you.”
Dane smiled faintly. He could sense that Nahen’s congratulations were sincere.
“Did you hold a wedding ceremony?”
“Her Majesty gave her blessing, and the head maid prepared everything. I believe we created memories we will never forget.”
“It must have been wonderful.”
“Yes.”
Dane continued, “I can now fully accept that this is where I belong.”
“…I see. That’s good.”
“There is one thing I would like to ask you, Lord Nahen.”
“What is it?”
Dane had carried a question in his heart ever since the night six years ago when Adelbert Grantz had pursued them. Originally, the answer might have changed how he behaved going forward, but not anymore. Since he would be staying here with Eri regardless, he could ask with an easy mind.
“Please do not misunderstand. I simply wish to confirm something.”
“Why are you hesitating so much? What do you want to ask?”
“…Mental manipulation.”
The two short words that left Dane’s mouth were enough to visibly unsettle Nahen.
“When you asked Luke to handle that matter, did you actually manipulate his mind?”
“…Where did you hear that?”
“I encountered Adelbert Grantz. Six years ago, he chased us.”
Nahen had already known. Veronika had reported how Dane and Eri had returned. Still, he had asked to gauge Dane’s current mindset. If the man harbored thoughts of revenge, Nahen intended to deal with him personally. After all, he had been the one to spare them and raise them as long-term assets. If they became obstacles, it was his responsibility to remove them. However, Dane’s current reaction suggested that would not be necessary.
“You already know everything, yet you still ask.”
“You deceived us.”
“…Yes, I deceived you. I didn’t tell only lies, but I didn’t tell the complete truth either. Do you wish to take revenge?”
“Me? Ha, I wouldn’t even consider it. Besides, I have no reason to act on Luke’s behalf now that I have Eri and our child.”
The ties of the past were simply that—ties of the past. Dane now had far more important bonds.
Nahen asked, “Then why bring it up?”
“I simply wanted to confirm it.”
Dane smiled lightly.
“Whether I am still a subordinate you can trust.”
Nahen regarded him for a moment, then responded with a similarly light chuckle.
“Testing the one you serve is not a commendable act, Dane.”
“My apologies.”
With that, neither of them mentioned the matter again. After a brief silence, Nahen spoke first.
“The reason I called you is simple. I want to know the current state of the Human Realm. Have you not visited since returning to the Demon Realm?”
“I have, but I was unable to go during the past two years.”
“Then the information you possess is at least two years old.”
“Correct.”
In that case, there was no need for a detailed report. Anything he heard would be outdated. Nahen asked simply.
“Based on the situation two years ago, what happened to Charlotte von Bismarck?”
“Six years ago, she ended the civil war and ascended the throne as Empress. Not only did she reclaim all the territories lost during the conflict, she expanded them further. Two years ago, the Bismarck Empire had once again seized hegemony over the continent.”
Nahen nodded at Dane’s words. Internally, he offered an honest sigh of admiration.
She truly is an extraordinary talent.
In just two years she had repaired the damage he had so carefully engineered, and four years later she had built an empire even larger than the one of the previous generation.
While everyone was distracted by the Heavenly Demon War, how much more power has she gathered…?
He had gone to such lengths to hinder her, yet because he failed to cut her down while she was weakened, things had come to this. Just like the Charlotte and her empire from Evil Queen Maker, they would become one of the Demon Realm’s greatest threats.
“This is going to be troublesome.”
After thinking for a moment, Nahen asked Dane, “Can you not travel to the Human Realm at present?”
“No. Because humans invaded the Demon Realm alongside a Hero during the Heavenly Demon War… travel from the Demon Realm to the Human Realm is currently forbidden across the entire realm.”
That likely meant the slave trade operated by the Devata forces had also been suspended. It was not without impact, but since the weapons business had grown far larger than the slave trade after its initial phase, it would be manageable. Nahen believed that over the past eight years, as Seere conquered the floors, she had created her own sources of revenue. He continued.
“Who decided that?”
“From what I understand… the Demon King of the 1st Floor made the decision.”
“There was no Assembly of Demon Kings?”
Given the gravity of the situation, it would not have been strange for the Assembly to be convened.
“The Assembly is scheduled to be held soon.”
“So it is happening.”
“I heard Her Majesty also plans to attend. Will you be going as well, Lord Nahen?”
“Of course I must attend. The Assembly allows each participant to bring one adjutant.”
He had originally planned to attend the Assembly that should have been held six years ago upon his return from Hell. Since he had missed that one, he absolutely had to attend this time.
…The Assembly of Demon Kings is the best opportunity to observe our future enemies up close.
He could not afford to miss it. Not if he wanted to pave a smooth path for Seere’s future.
After finishing a day’s work, Seere walked down the corridor with light steps. The Demon King who had always looked gloomy whenever Nahen left was now beaming with a bright smile. Anyone could tell at a glance.
Today, their Demon King was in an exceptionally good mood.
Seere strolled along until she stopped in front of a particularly large door. She began making her own little preparations—clearing her throat, adjusting her hair this way and that, and straightening her clothes. It was as if she wanted to look even a little more appealing to the person inside.
After completing every check, Seere gave her bangs one final adjustment and approached the door. She knocked lightly, then flung it open.
“Master~.”
“…Seere.”
Perhaps because of her changed attitude, the usually unflappable Master looked slightly tense. How adorable. The small cracks in the otherwise perfectly composed man she had always admired were incredibly charming.
When Seere approached with a smile, Nahen’s wariness only increased.
“Have you finished your duties?”
“Yes. I came to rest a little before dinner.”
“…I still have work left, so I’ll have to eat alone.”
The way he tried to preempt her almost made it seem as if he feared she might devour him. Seere laughed softly to herself at the sight.
That won’t happen.
It wouldn’t. She had no intention of rushing. Just as she had waited eight long years, she could wait a little longer. She would seduce him slowly. She would fill his thoughts with her, create situations where he could not help but be conscious of her. Slowly. And surely.
She would imprint the woman named Seere von Devata into his mind.
I won’t do anything foolish like rushing and ruining everything.
A fisherman only lifts the rod once the fish is firmly hooked on the bait. And to hook a big fish like her Master…
There is still a lot of preparation left, Master.
Completely unaware of the thoughts swirling in her mind, Nahen once again found himself thoroughly wrapped around her finger.