A Sweet Encounter Before the Assembly
The location of the Demon Realm Assembly always changes. This is for the sake of fairness; if it were held in only one place, opposition would inevitably arise. There is, however, a rule governing the selection: it must always be hosted on a floor below the 30th. This time the rule was followed without fail, and the layer chosen for the assembly was… the 8th floor, ruled by Barbatos von Ischwar, the mighty Demon King ranked eighth.
“The venue is smiling on us.”
“It really is. To think it would be held in Lord Barbatos’s domain.”
Nahen and Seere had naturally come here to attend the Demon Realm Assembly. The rule allowing only one attendant per Demon King meant Nahen could not bring Ersha.
“Teacher.”
“Hm?”
“It’s been so long since we’ve been alone together like this. Can’t we take a little stroll before the banquet begins?”
Nahen hesitated for a moment. In the past he would have answered with an easy “Sure,” but…
…What is she plotting?
These days that was the first thought that came to mind. Even so, it felt awkward to refuse such a request from his disciple. If he turned her down first…
It would look like I’m conscious of her.
Nahen hated giving that impression. Naturally. Because if he did, Seere would only press her attack even more fiercely.
“All right, let’s do that.”
“Really?”
“It has been quite a while since we last went out just to enjoy ourselves, hasn’t it?”
Apparently she had not expected such a positive answer; Seere’s face lit up with a genuinely delighted smile.
“Then I want something sweet!”
Sweet things. A word that sounded utterly mismatched with a Demon King, yet she had always loved pudding and cake more than anything. The memory of Seere’s innocent side made Nahen chuckle despite himself.
“Teacher?”
“No, it’s nothing. Shall we look for a dessert shop, then?”
“Yes!”
The 8th floor truly lived up to its status as a layer ruled by one of the highest-ranking Demon Kings; it was astonishingly advanced. The moment they moved a little closer to the center, a dazzling street unfolded before them—so magnificent that even the respectable facilities of the 50th floor could not compare.
No wonder they say each floor you pass feels incomparable.
It was impossible to even imagine what the 1st floor—the highest layer of the Demon Realm and the one farthest from the Human Realm—must be like.
Seere, seeing a street of this caliber for the first time, looked around with open curiosity. The sight reminded Nahen so strongly of the curious seven-year-old Seere that he found himself smiling warmly without realizing it.
“Teacher?”
“Yes?”
“If you suddenly stare at me with such passionate eyes, I’ll get embarrassed…”
“When exactly did I look at you with passionate eyes…?”
Seere lightly ignored Nahen’s dumbfounded expression and casually took his hand. He flinched and looked at her, but she spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“May I hold your hand?”
“…And if I say no?”
“I still want to hold it. You used to let me before.”
“……”
This was always the difficult part for Nahen. Seere would bring up things he had permitted in the past and then perform the same actions now with entirely different feelings. Since he had indeed allowed them before, it was hard to suddenly change his attitude.
“…Fine.”
“Hehe.”
“I never gave permission for interlocking fingers.”
“Tch.”
Seere clicked her tongue in disappointment but obediently followed his words. She simply held his hand gently and led him out into the street with a joyful expression.
Perhaps because the Demon Realm Assembly was about to begin, the wide streets were surprisingly quiet with few pedestrians. When many Demon Kings gathered, the residents of the layer usually kept a low profile. After all, there was no telling when they might offend one of the cruel and ferocious monarchs.
“Still, there are more people than last time. Quite a few shops are open too.”
“It must be because their trust in their ruler runs deep.”
Barbatos von Ischwar. It was faith in him that allowed these people to walk the streets. They believed that even if trouble arose, Barbatos would resolve it. That trust kept the lights burning brightly along the avenue.
Seere and Nahen headed for a large dessert shop visible on the street. There, they had an unexpected encounter.
…Hm?
Seere hadn’t noticed at all; she was completely absorbed in the menu. But Nahen saw the person beside them and nearly doubted his eyes.
A woman with beige hair, golden eyes, and yellow-brown horns was staring at the dessert menu with a deeply contemplative expression. She was so absorbed that she was even muttering to herself.
“What should I do… everything looks delicious.”
Why is she here?
She was none other than the very opponent Nahen had marked as his target for today’s assembly—the one he absolutely had to win over.
“Maybe… I should just buy them all?”
Paimon von Vog, leader of the Plebs Faction and the powerful Demon King ranked ninth.
Of all the coincidences in the world. Nahen agonized over how to act.
…Should I pretend I don’t know her?
He had not looked at her since that first glance. Still, with a single look she might have noticed that he had recognized her. Paimon was more than capable of that. As an outstanding strategist and one of the Demon Kings with the sharpest political senses, she would not miss such a thing.
“Seere, have you decided?”
Nahen chose to feign ignorance. At the same time, he deliberately spoke Seere’s name to observe Paimon’s reaction. If she had already noticed them, she would show no particular response.
Sure enough, Paimon slowly turned her head and looked at Seere and Nahen. Seeing her reaction, Nahen was slightly taken aback. It meant she truly had not realized they had entered.
Whether ignoring Paimon’s gaze or simply unaware of it, Seere kept her eyes fixed on the menu and said,
“Everything looks so good that I don’t know what to choose.”
“…They have pudding here too.”
“But then I can’t have cake.”
“Eat both.”
“You said I was getting fat…”
Seere puffed out her cheeks a little. She had apparently taken the comment to heart. Nahen answered with a slightly awkward expression.
“I was joking. You can’t even tell.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. You’re still slim.”
“Heh, am I?”
Seere ordered what she liked best from both the pudding and cake selections. Then she whispered quietly to Nahen.
“The person next to us keeps staring at us.”
“Haven’t you seen her at the Demon Realm Assembly before?”
“Huh?”
Seere thought hard for a moment, then spoke as if the face had finally come to her.
“Ah, I think I have. What was her name again…”
“How can you not remember…?”
Had this child’s memory always been this poor? While Nahen was thinking that, Seere continued.
“I’m busy enough remembering my own people.”
“You don’t remember every soldier’s face, do you…”
“I do, actually?”
Nahen’s eyes widened slightly. Seere went on.
“You told me to be careful of that human, Teacher. That means he’s quite skilled, right? So I looked into what exactly he did that made you warn me about him. I learned a few things.”
“…You learned from him?”
“Yes. That’s why I memorized all the soldiers’ faces too. That way I can spot a spy immediately if one appears.”
For a Demon King—who normally viewed humans as inferior—to say she had learned something from one was astonishing. Nahen was honestly impressed. It was certainly a good idea, but he had assumed Seere, being a Demon King, would find it impossible. Without thinking, he raised his voice and stroked her hair.
“Well done!”
“Hehe.”
Because Nahen had spoken loudly, not only the clerk preparing the desserts but also Paimon—who had been watching them—looked at him with puzzled eyes.
“…Um, right. Seere. Shall we get the desserts to go?”
“No? I want to eat them here.”
“Just take them and…”
“Would you like to eat with me, then?”
Paimon, who had been quietly observing, cut into Nahen’s words. Even though Seere’s rank was lower than her own, she greeted her with proper courtesy.
“Hello, Lady Seere von Devata. I am Paimon von Vog. We’ve only seen each other’s faces once before; this is our first private meeting.”
“Ah, hello, Lady Paimon von Vog.”
Since the other party had used her full name, Seere also addressed her formally and answered with respect.
Paimon smiled brightly and spoke to Seere.
“I happen to like desserts very much as well.”
“Oh, I see.”
“So, would you like to eat together? If I order different items, we could share—wouldn’t that be nice?”
To Seere, Paimon’s suggestion was quite tempting. There were many flavors she wanted to try, but the portions made it impossible to order everything. Nahen, however, considered it a poor choice. It was better not to give away any more information than necessary to someone whose weakness they needed to exploit. Until now, avoiding any conversation at all had been the best option.
He would have to leave it to Seere’s decision, but he secretly hoped she would refuse. Seere answered simply.
“No. Thank you for the offer, but we’ll eat by ourselves.”
“…Pardon?”
“I…”
Seere smiled sweetly. She glanced at Nahen, then took his hand again—this time deliberately interlocking their fingers—and spoke in a voice clearly meant for Paimon to hear.
“We’re on a date right now~♪”
“……”
Nahen looked at her as if to ask what on earth she was saying, but he did not contradict her. Claiming it was a date was an excellent excuse that left no room for others to intrude.
Paimon looked slightly flustered, but she must have realized there was no way to insert herself now. To hide her momentary embarrassment, she opened the fan in her hand and covered her mouth.
“My, is that so? I’m sorry for not noticing. I nearly interrupted you without meaning to.”
“Thank you for the offer. Let’s eat together next time.”
“Yes, then…”
Paimon took her ordered desserts and left. Once she had completely departed, Nahen let out a sigh of relief.
“Well done, Seere.”
“Hmm, you’re not angry?”
“I don’t particularly like it, but I know there wasn’t a better excuse.”
“As expected of Teacher. Such a rational judgment.”
Seere smiled brightly.
“By the way. That means you’re acknowledging that this is a date, right?”
“What? How did the conversation suddenly…”
“It’s a date, it’s a date~♪”
Carrying the desserts the clerk had brought out, Seere headed toward a table on the terrace with light steps. Nahen watched her excited back for a moment, then shook his head and followed after her.
After leaving the dessert shop, Paimon narrowed her eyes. She glanced at the happily smiling Seere and murmured.
“Seir’s successor… has joined the Equites Faction this time, hasn’t she?”
Surprisingly, Paimon already knew that Seere had made contact with the Equites Faction. Somehow, she had even planted her own spy inside that fiercely loyal group.
“I don’t know what scheme she’s plotting by joining that side, but…”
Her golden eyes gleamed with a chilling light.
“It won’t be easy.”