The Moon's Progenitor
Devata Castle welcomed its master's long-awaited return.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty!"
"We're glad to see you safe and sound."
"How have you been? Did Secily take good care of you?"
"Yes, I was quite comfortable."
Seere accepted their warm greetings and walked alongside them. Nahen lingered behind for a moment, watching the scene. Secily turned to him.
"Aren't you coming, Lord Nahen?"
"...I thought I'd wait a bit."
"Pardon?"
"I have a feeling a guest will be arriving."
Secily tilted her head, then let out a small sound of realization.
"That person?"
"She seems to be waiting outside. I'll go fetch her."
"Ah, of course."
Nahen left the Demon King Castle once more and headed toward the main gate. As he approached, he spotted a woman waiting outside. Her striking sky-blue hair was familiar to him. Every time he saw it, he was reminded of the lioness of the Bismarck Empire.
"You've arrived."
"Ah... yes, hello."
It was Eliza. The woman who had once reigned as champion under the name Arjuna in the warrior's stratum had finally come.
Nahen thought it had taken longer than expected. He had assumed she would arrive before he returned, but it seemed she had needed more time to deliberate.
"Coming here means you've decided to serve under Her Majesty Seere von Devata, correct?"
"...Yes. That's why I'm here. You said as much before, didn't you?"
"In that case, allow me to formally introduce myself once more."
Nahen had never properly introduced himself to Eliza. He had only mentioned that he belonged to the Devata faction.
Discarding his polite demeanor, he spoke as the superior she would now serve under.
"I am Nahen, the one entrusted with teaching Seere von Devata, the master of Devata Castle."
"...Pardon? You are Her Majesty's teacher?"
"That's right. From now on, I will be your superior, so feel free to speak casually."
"Ah..."
Eliza nodded, her expression showing understanding. So that was why he had been so strong. A man capable of teaching a Demon King would naturally possess such power.
"Your name was..."
"Eliza."
"I see. Since we'll be family from now on, I'll remember it clearly. There won't be any need to ask again."
"Family?"
Nahen opened the gate as he spoke.
"We serve the same lord, after all. You should greet Seere... Her Majesty first."
"Yes. Also, I noticed before that you speak to Her Majesty quite casually. You may continue to do so with me as well."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Have you been looking after her since she was young?"
"Since she was seven."
"That explains why she follows you so well."
Eliza seemed intrigued. Nahen asked her a simple question in return.
"How long have you served Glasya-Labolas?"
"I began serving Her Majesty Glasya-Labolas when I was fourteen. I am twenty-two now, so... eight years."
"That's quite some time. Yet you were assigned to that colosseum?"
"...You must already know that she selects talent based solely on strength. I simply fell short."
She had fallen short in power. Nahen knew Glasya-Labolas's forces gathered only the strongest, but it was surprising that someone of Eliza's caliber had been outmatched.
'Well... it worked out for the best.'
It was unfortunate for her, but fortunate for Nahen and Seere. Thanks to this, they had gained a capable talent for their legion.
"Eliza."
"Yes, please speak."
"You will likely begin as vice-commander."
"...What!?"
"Is that a problem?"
"N-no! It's not that. I just wasn't sure if someone new should be given such a position right away."
It was a reasonable concern. If a newcomer were placed in a high position immediately, discontent would inevitably arise among the existing members. Nahen chuckled at her pragmatic worry.
"A reasonable thought. But it's fine."
"Pardon?"
"First, no one in Devata Castle questions Seere's decisions. Second, any officer in the Devata legions may rise to a leadership position if their abilities are sufficient."
"...Even if I become an officer, you're saying everyone will accept it?"
"If you demonstrate adequate strength, everyone will acknowledge you."
Nahen reassured her with those words. Eliza nodded.
"So I simply need to prove my capabilities."
"We're short on talent. Outstanding individuals are always welcome."
Nahen led Eliza to Seere's office. After a light knock, Seere's voice came from within.
"Come in, Teacher."
She must have heard from Secily beforehand—she had known he was coming.
The moment he opened the door, Nahen paused in mild surprise.
"...Seere?"
"Welcome, Eliza."
"Ah, greetings, Your Majesty."
Seere was not wearing her usual military uniform. Instead, she wore an elegant, old-fashioned black dress. A crown rested on her head, and a cloak draped over her shoulders, giving her an entirely different air.
'She's truly become a proper Demon King.'
As Nahen gazed at her with that thought, Seere smiled brightly.
"Teacher, you're staring quite openly."
"I was simply thinking you've become a proper Demon King."
"Not because I'm pretty?"
That wasn't entirely untrue, but it wasn't a romantic feeling. To Nahen, Seere was still his adorable disciple. He understood that when Seere said "pretty," she meant it in a romantic sense, not an objective one. So he shook his head.
"No."
"That's a shame. More importantly, Eliza—coming here like this means you've decided to work under me, correct?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Eliza placed one hand over her left chest and knelt on one knee.
"As long as you have need of me, I swear my loyalty to Your Majesty Seere von Devata."
"I gladly welcome you. Have you spoken with Teacher?"
"Yes. I heard a little about the Devata faction."
"You will work as vice-commander for now. Depending on the abilities you show afterward, you may rise to legion commander. Conversely, your rank could also drop."
"If you believe in me, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."
Seere gestured to Secily, who presented Eliza with a black legion uniform.
'Black?'
Come to think of it, Veronika had been wearing a black uniform as well. Originally, the Devata legion's uniforms had been white. That tradition dated back to Seir von Devata's time, modeled after the color of their lord's hair.
"Eliza, from now on, you will serve as vice-commander of the Second Legion."
"Hm? The Second Legion?"
"Ah, Teacher wouldn't know yet."
Over the past eight years, Seere had restructured the legions. She had decided to reestablish the First, Second, and Third Legions, which had remained unformed. However, as they had been left vacant, she intended to staff them only with those whose abilities were proven, just like the Fourth Legion. Currently, only the Second Legion had been formed; the First and Third had yet to be organized.
"The commander of the Second Legion is Veronika."
"...Ah."
So she had taken the commander position after all—not by replacing someone who died, but...
'...She must have proven her worth in battle.'
As Nahen expected, Seere explained that Veronika's appointment was due to her achievements.
"When the angels invaded the 50th floor, she displayed remarkable skill. The other officers recommended her for the position."
"But you still hadn't found a vice-commander?"
"I hadn't found anyone I liked. Now that we have one, Veronika will be pleased as well."
Considering the average workload of a legion commander, Nahen suspected she might even cheer out loud in joy.
"I look forward to working with you, Vice-Commander Eliza."
Eliza stared blankly at the insignia and nameplate she had been given, then slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze had changed.
"I will devote everything to Your Majesty."
"That's a wonderful resolve. I'll be counting on you."
#
Seere asked Secily to guide Eliza, and the two left the office. Once they were gone, Nahen spoke to Seere.
"By the way, I was surprised."
"About what?"
"I didn't think you would appoint Veronika."
"What do you mean? You brought Veronika here so I would use her, didn't you?"
"That's true, but..."
Recalling Seere's reaction when he first brought Veronika, he had assumed she wouldn't be appointed.
"Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't appoint her out of jealousy..."
"...Surely I wouldn't think that."
"Hmmm..."
"I truly didn't think that."
How sharp her intuition was. Nahen sometimes found this side of Seere frightening. She narrowed her eyes at him, then let out a small sigh.
"Of course, there's another reason as well."
"Hm?"
"I've been thinking it's about time to absorb the entire vampire faction."
"They agreed?"
"You told me to gather the 'blood' to awaken the Progenitor."
In that moment, Nahen remembered something he had forgotten. He had neglected to search for an item on the 24th floor. Moon's Blood. The crystallized blood of Ersha Scarlet, the Progenitor of the Blood Clan, needed to awaken her.
He had known the largest Moon's Blood was on the 24th floor and had planned to search for it secretly, but...
'What a foolish mistake...'
Distracted by recruiting Eliza, he had forgotten to look for it. Nahen pressed a hand to his forehead. Seere tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing. So, have you gathered enough Moon's Blood?"
He would have to go search later, he thought as he asked. Seere shrugged.
"I don't know exactly how much is needed. But I've collected all of it from the floors I've conquered."
"Then..."
Seere had conquered up to the 46th floor. Before Nahen left, she had reached the 66th. Even subtracting the floors conquered by Gremory and Sitri, she had conquered over fifteen floors. From the 66th to the 46th floor, there were exactly thirteen Moon's Bloods. That amount...
"...Hm, that should be enough to awaken her."
It wouldn't restore her to full activity, but it should be sufficient for Ersha Scarlet to awaken and live normally.
'If only I hadn't forgotten the Moon's Blood on the 24th floor...'
She might have been able to live a normal life. Nahen lightly smacked his own head in regret.
"Did you forget to do something?"
"...It's nothing. There's no rush..."
"Yes... So you're saying it's enough to awaken the Progenitor?"
"Yes. Will you give me the Moon's Blood? I'll go meet her myself. I'll convince her to join the Devata faction, not just as an ally."
"...Hmm."
Yet Seere seemed hesitant. Nahen tilted his head at her expression, and she asked him a question.
"The Progenitor of the Blood Clan... was a woman, wasn't she? Ersha Scarlet, I believe."
The Progenitor of the Blood Clan, who had lived through history alongside the primordial Demon Kings, was well-known. It wasn't strange for Seere to know her name, but...
'Why is she asking if it's a woman?'
How far did this child intend to take her jealousy? It seemed she simply disliked the idea of Nahen meeting a woman at all.
"Yes, she is a woman. What does that matter?"
"You never know. You've lived a long time, Teacher, so you might get along well with a woman who's also lived a long time..."
"...I have no such thoughts."
"Besides, I heard from Veronika that she's incredibly beautiful. She said even you were entranced..."
"Finding someone beautiful and feeling attracted to them are two different things, Seere."
Of course, he had felt that Ersha Scarlet's beauty was like a work of art, but that didn't mean he felt romantic interest. Moreover, there was a fundamental reason he needed to awaken her.
"And I need a secretary as well."
"...What?"
"I was planning to awaken Ersha Scarlet and use her as my advisor."
"......"
There were several reasons for this decision, but the greatest was the wisdom that came from experience. Though Nahen had possessed an Archdemon's body, he had only lived about twenty years in reality and ten years here—barely over thirty years in total. He did not possess the wisdom of an Archdemon who had lived for hundreds or thousands of years. Having Ersha Scarlet, who possessed such wisdom, by his side would undoubtedly be a great help in the future.
Seere furrowed her brows slightly.
"You want to keep her by your side specifically? Use Kain instead."
"Kain is the head butler. He's busy. I can't keep him by my side at all times."
"I'll fire him from being head butler."
"Seere... Kain would be sad."
He couldn't understand why this child was sometimes so unreasonable. Was this influence inherited from Seir, who had been called the Demon King of War? Nahen sighed.
"If you don't trust me that much, I'll make a promise."
"...What kind of promise?"
"If I ever take Ersha Scarlet as my own, I'll let you do whatever you want—grill me, roast me, whatever. So trust me."
"Really?"
"Yes..."
Nahen gave his firm answer and thought to himself.
'Thank goodness I have an Archdemon's body...'
Ever since possessing the Archdemon's body, his desires toward the opposite sex had drastically diminished. That was why, despite being surrounded by such beauties, the man who had once been an ordinary, vigorous twenty-year-old in reality had never made a move. Perhaps because he had lived an transcendent lifespan as an Archdemon, his romantic desires were extremely low—almost nonexistent. If that weren't the case, he couldn't imagine how much Seere would have been jealous.
With that thought, Nahen spoke.
"So I'll be going. The General Assembly isn't far off, so it's best to go and return quickly."
"...Take Secily with you."
"Hm?"
"You'll need an attendant, won't you?"
"If I take Dane..."
Nahen started to suggest taking Dane, then stopped as he remembered something. That child who had greeted him so earnestly, saying he was five years old.
"You're going to take the father of a child?"
"...Right, there's that."
Luca was still young, and by Seere's orders, Dane and Eri were being given as much convenience as possible. Nahen agreed with her opinion.
'Well, he'll have to work again after the assembly anyway.'
Once the ban on entering the human realm was lifted, Dane would have to return there. Until then, it was better to accommodate him.
"So if I take Secily... what about you?"
"I'll have Rea."
"All right, I understand."
Secily was truly suited to be an attendant. She excelled at various tasks, possessed good judgment and wisdom, and was even strong in combat.
"So I can go?"
"Yes, please go ahead."
"Thank you."
When Nahen expressed his gratitude, Seere smiled.
"Teacher. Three days should be enough, right?"
"Hm? Yes."
"If you don't return by three days from now, I'll really lock you up~?"
"...I-I'll definitely be back."
Seeing Seere's serious and ominous gaze, Nahen resolved to return no matter what within three days.
#
The restriction on entering the human realm. It meant nothing to Nahen. He didn't need to use the portal on the 72nd floor. When crossing from the Demon Realm to the human realm, there was no risk of being trapped in the flow of time. Nahen opened a gate and arrived directly in front of the Blood Clan's castle.
Before approaching the entrance, Nahen first checked the thirteen red orbs he had brought in his pocket. None were missing.
"I'm looking forward to this."
"...Lord Nahen, you shouldn't say such things in front of Her Majesty."
When he spoke as if anticipating his reunion with Ersha Scarlet, Secily offered that advice. Nahen broke into a cold sweat.
"Of course I won't."
"You're really not interested in her romantically, are you?"
"I don't understand why everyone keeps misunderstanding. I was simply happy at the thought of borrowing her wisdom."
"...Is that so. But please refrain from words or actions that others might misunderstand, Lord Nahen."
"...I'll be careful."
Nahen finally understood why Seere had assigned Secily as his attendant.
'Secily was in on it too...'
Thinking about it, Secily, who cared deeply for Seere, would naturally help her. In fact, she would actively assist. Realizing this now was useless. He couldn't send Secily back now that he had brought her.
Nahen sighed inwardly and approached the Blood Clan's castle.