A Silent Disciple and the Warlord's Suspicion
Nahen was in a difficult position. Troubled, and deeply flustered.
Right before him stood Seere. It had been quite some time. Several days, in fact. After the incident, the two of them had kept their distance, yet here they were, traveling together to a meeting arranged by Jepar.
On the surface, there was nothing particularly awkward about the situation, no obvious reason to feel flustered. But Nahen could not help himself. This was the first time he had faced the girl since that night, and an uncomfortable tension gripped him.
Did I speak too coldly to her?
Seere was unusually quiet. She did not appear to be plotting anything, either. Normally, she would be pressed close to him by now, casting those subtle, affectionate glances. She would try to slip her hand into his or link arms with him. Of course she never crossed the final line, but lately she had taken every opportunity to show off her matured figure and appeal to him.
Yet today she was silent. She did nothing at all.
Finding it exceedingly strange, Nahen glanced back at Secily, who followed a few steps behind. The kitsune maid only tilted her head in confusion. She seemed just as clueless, offering none of the answers he sought.
“Teacher.”
Seere’s voice broke the silence.
Nahen answered, his tone betraying his unease. “Uh… yes. What is it?”
“We’re going to meet Lady Lerajie, correct?”
Such a simple question, yet his flustered reaction might as well have been a public announcement that he was still conscious of their last encounter. Nahen cleared his throat, trying to steady both his voice and his emotions.
“Ahem. Yes, that’s right. Jepar told me he had arranged the meeting.”
“When did you meet Sir Jepar?”
After what happened with you, I went straight to him. That was too awkward to say aloud, so Nahen gave a vague answer. “A few evenings ago. We happened to cross paths while I was out.”
“I see.”
Nahen’s eyes widened slightly. That’s it?
The conversation simply ended. He had expected Seere to press for details—where exactly had he been going that evening, how had they met, and so on. Instead, she let the matter pass in silence.
Nahen reflected on his recent behavior. …Was it effective after all?
Seere’s attitude had certainly changed. The current quietness felt awkward precisely because it was so different from her usual self, yet it also made her far easier for him to deal with.
“Then did you spar with Sir Jepar?”
“Hm? Ah, yes. He asked first, so I could hardly refuse.”
“How was it?”
How was it? Nahen recalled the events of that evening. Before he could stop himself, the words slipped out.
“He was at a usable level……”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, I mean—Jepar’s skill, of course. He was certainly strong.”
In truth, Jepar had not landed a single blow on him that evening. The look of pure interest on the lame Demon King’s face had quickly transformed into awe, and it had not taken long. Of course, Nahen had not beaten him into submission. He was in no position to show such disrespect to a Demon King whose strength was still needed.
“Was he strong even compared to you, Teacher?”
“Yes.”
Jepar was undeniably powerful. Their clash had made that clear. His ability was more than enough to justify his role as vanguard in the Heavenly Demon War. But that was all. When measured against the true pinnacle that Nahen and Seere sought, he still fell short.
That was why Nahen had judged him as a “useful Demon King.” The standard was not Seere’s budding alliance. It was the full-scale Heavenly Demon War that served as the true benchmark.
When the Heavenly Demon War begins, Jepar will meet the same fate as in the original…
In Evil Queen Maker, Jepar had stepped forward as vanguard in the first Heavenly Demon War and died in battle. He was a mighty Demon King, but the opponent he faced had simply been too cruel.
He’ll need to learn a great deal before then.
“Pardon?”
“Seere, how many times have you sparred with Jepar so far?”
“Three times. Sir Jepar is quite busy, it seems.”
“Did you learn anything?”
“Yes. It has been a valuable experience in many ways.”
When he asked what exactly she had learned, Seere gave a short, vague reply, as though reluctant to elaborate. Watching her, Nahen thought,
She hasn’t completely gotten over being upset yet.
It could not be helped. This was a burden only Nahen himself could bear.
“Secily, has Lady Lerajie still not arrived?”
“No, my lord. She is expected in thirty minutes.”
“Good.”
It was better that they wait first. Since they were trying to draw a higher-ranked Demon King into their fold, a slightly humble attitude was necessary.
Nahen and Seere reached the meeting place ahead of schedule. Jepar had prepared a private lounge for the occasion. When they entered, Lerajie had not yet arrived, but Jepar was already there, holding the room.
“Welcome, both of you.”
“Thank you for arranging this meeting, Sir Jepar.”
“A promise is a promise. Lerajie should be here shortly, so please make yourselves comfortable until then.”
“Of course.”
Only Seere sat down. As this was officially a meeting between Demon Kings, Nahen—nominally her subordinate—stood behind her. Yet something felt off.
Why are there four seats?
He had understood that only Lerajie would be attending, yet four chairs had been prepared. With Seere and Jepar already seated, two remained empty.
Before he could ask, Jepar provided the answer.
“You seem curious about the extra seat.”
“Ah, yes. I was under the impression that only Her Highness Lerajie would be joining us today.”
“Originally that was the plan, but another person decided to attend. Hence the extra chairs.”
Another person. There were not many Demon Kings to whom the proud Jepar would speak with such respect. Someone who could join a meeting with Lerajie and still warrant honorifics from Jepar…
Both Nahen and Seere realized the identity of their unexpected guest at the same moment.
And then the lounge door opened.
“Haha! You’re all here early! How wonderful!”
“Stop laughing and sit down already, Brother.”
Two Demon Kings entered, carrying an extraordinary aura. The silver-haired man in particular radiated an overwhelming presence unlike anything Seere had ever felt.
He’s as massive as Jepar.
Outwardly he seemed cheerful and easygoing, yet he was not someone one could treat lightly. With a hearty laugh, he strode toward Seere.
“So you are Seere von Devata! It is truly a pleasure to meet you!”
“…Yes. The pleasure is mine as well.”
Despite her surprise, Seere handled the moment gracefully. She rose naturally from her seat, took his large hand in both of hers, and greeted him warmly.
Nahen was caught off guard as well. He had not expected the Demon King to seize the initiative so boldly. Still, he quickly decided this was a fortunate development.
Barbatos, the war maniac. The genuine supreme Demon King ranked eighth had come in person. Nahen had planned to meet him after securing Lerajie’s support anyway.
It’s sooner than expected, but…
If they could resolve everything at once, it was not a bad thing.
Seere exchanged greetings with Barbatos, then with Lerajie. Once she had finished, Nahen bowed respectfully.
“I am Nahen, teacher to Her Highness Seere von Devata.”
“Ah, so you’re the one…”
“The man Jepar spoke of!”
“?”
Jepar had spoken of him. Nahen shot the armored Demon King a quick glance. Jepar smoothly looked away and greeted the newcomers with perfect composure.
“Brother, welcome. You as well, Lerajie.”
“It has been a while, Jepar. Have you been well?”
“Of course. Very well indeed.”
Jepar had slithered out of the awkward moment like an eel, but Nahen remained slightly bothered. Just what had Jepar said about him to bring a figure of this caliber here in person?
“Now then, everyone, please sit.”
Barbatos took the head seat. Lerajie sat in the remaining chair, and Jepar and Seere returned to their places. Once all four Demon Kings were seated, maids approached and poured exquisite wine into their glasses.
Raising his glass, Barbatos spoke.
“To think I would live to see the heir of Seir von Devata—that peerless Martial King—grown so beautifully. How quickly time passes.”
“Indeed. To be honest, I never imagined this conversation would come so soon.”
“Nor did I ever dream I would have the honor of speaking with such esteemed figures. I am truly grateful.”
Seere’s polite demeanor seemed to please both Barbatos and Lerajie. They extended their glasses, and the four clinked them together with a soft ring.
After draining their glasses, the Demon Kings moved on to the real purpose of the meeting.
“I heard from my brother Jepar that the Devata faction has been planning something rather interesting.”
“It is not quite so grand as that. We are simply meeting with various Demon Kings to prepare an agenda for the Demon Realm General Assembly.”
“If that is not interesting, then what is? I would like to hear the details.”
It seemed Jepar had spoken favorably of them. Both Barbatos and Lerajie showed clear interest from the start. Seere studied them for a moment, then quietly began to explain.
After hearing the full story, the two high-ranking Demon Kings reacted with evident intrigue.
“I don’t know about the rest, but defying Beelzebuth’s measures? That is quite interesting indeed.”
“I’m rather curious to see how Beelzebuth will respond.”
Barbatos stroked his chin in thought, then turned to Seere.
“Seere von Devata, there is one thing I would like to ask at this point.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Is this agenda your own idea?”
“Pardon?”
Barbatos’s gaze had shifted toward Seere, yet it was not truly fixed on her. It passed over her shoulder and settled on Nahen standing behind her.
“Or is it the idea of the person standing behind you?”
Nahen raised one eyebrow slightly.
…Oh?
The look in Barbatos’s eyes was pure suspicion. It seemed the warlord viewed him as some shadowy mastermind using Seere as a puppet to advance his own schemes.
With a piercing stare, Barbatos continued.
“I am truly curious whose idea this truly is.”