The Grand Assembly's First Decree
Barbatos, leader of the Equites Faction, and Paimon, leader of the Plebs Faction, were famous for their rivalry. Since everyone knew the two Demon Kings did not get along, not only Belzebute but most of the Demon Kings were surprised.
“Lord Barbatos and…”
“Lady Paimon share the same opinion…?”
“What? How is this possible, Lady Paimon?”
In the assembly hall, only Nahen, who had brought Paimon in, and Seere, who had known about it beforehand, remained unsurprised. In truth, Barbatos—who had not been informed of this development—also frowned upon hearing Paimon voice the same opinion as himself.
“Hey, Paimon. What are you scheming?”
“Oh my, ‘scheming’ feels like a rather crude word for this assembly. Anyone listening might think I’m siding with you.”
“There’s no way you’d agree with me.”
At Barbatos’s question, Paimon shrugged.
“I dislike aligning with the Equites Faction as well, but… I fully agree with Lady Seere von Devata’s words.”
“……”
Barbatos glanced at Paimon, then looked forward again. His eyes slid sideways to Nahen standing behind Seere.
‘Your doing?’
That was the look in his eyes. Nahen, reading Barbatos’s gaze, gave a slight nod. Barbatos let out a short laugh and changed his expression completely.
“Well, look at that. For once, you’re doing something I approve of.”
“Is that so? I wasn’t trying to earn your approval.”
“Barbatos, Paimon. Both of you, state the grounds for your opinions.”
Belzebute demanded reasonable justification from the two Demon Kings. Otherwise, he implied, he would assume they had ulterior motives. Nahen judged this to be the critical moment. Even combined, the Equites and Plebs Factions did not exceed a majority. To pass the motion, they needed to sway the Nobiles Faction and the unaffiliated Demon Kings as well—and that depended entirely on how Barbatos and Paimon, the most influential voices in their respective factions, presented their arguments.
“Chairman, we are Demon Kings. Sovereigns who rule the Demon Realm and lords who dominate all demonkind. For us to impose an entry ban simply because we fear mere humans is an insult to every Demon King.”
“That was not my intention when I issued the measure, Barbatos.”
“I know your intention was not that, Barbatos. However, there are clearly many who think as I do. To seal the gates out of fear of facing humans—it is the act of cowards.”
“Did you not hear Seere von Devata’s opinion? She said the humans’ strength grows stronger by the day.”
Suddenly using Seere’s words as an example, Belzebute sought to justify his own measure. Seere had only mentioned it to emphasize the need for information gathering…
‘…He’s twisting it cleverly.’
Belzebute continued.
“This measure is also meant to protect the lowest-ranking Demon Kings. They, too, are Demon Kings who would otherwise be helpless. I believe there is reason to protect them. Are you saying my thinking is wrong?”
“I believe the method of that protection is flawed from the start.”
This time, it was Paimon who spoke. When Belzebute cleverly used Seere’s words to counter Barbatos, Paimon intervened before Belzebute could seize control of the conversation.
‘Perfect timing.’
Nahen thought Paimon’s intervention was excellent. By cutting off Belzebute’s attempt to take the lead, she redirected attention and shifted the atmosphere. Of course, Barbatos looked displeased that Paimon had cut in, but Paimon, who cared nothing for Barbatos’s mood, began to speak her piece.
“What kind of protection do you intend to offer against an enemy you know nothing about? At the very least, we must know our enemy to establish proper defenses, and as members of the Demon Realm, we can then take appropriate measures.”
“You mean we must learn about the humans?”
“Did you not acknowledge it yourself, Chairman? That humans grow stronger with each passing day.”
“…Indeed.”
Belzebute had twisted Seere’s words; now Paimon was twisting them back in her favor. Having seized the initiative, Paimon continued.
“As Lady Seere said, I believe we should abolish the entry ban and gather information on the Human Realm from now on. Moreover, the angels of the Celestial Realm also pass through the Human Realm to reach the Demon Realm, do they not? If so, we can anticipate and respond to the angels’ movements in advance as well.”
Both Barbatos’s and Paimon’s arguments held merit. There were prideful individuals who thought like Barbatos, and Demon Kings who, like Paimon, believed the Human Realm could not be ignored.
“May I speak as well?”
At that moment, another Demon King rang the bell. It was Glasyalabolas. Though ranked twenty-fourth, her cruelty and ferocity made even the highest-ranking Demon Kings wary—she was a madwoman. Belzebute decided to hear what she had to say.
“I, too, agree with Seere von Devata’s claim.”
“There must be a valid reason, Glasyalabolas.”
“Do not worry. I have a valid reason. You speak as though I always act without reason.”
At Glasyalabolas’s words, Belzebute and the other Demon Kings alike looked at her with expressions that clearly said, ‘You always do.’ Yet she paid no heed and continued calmly.
“I agree that we must obtain information on the Human Realm.”
“And your reason?”
“I share the reasons already mentioned, but I also have personal motives.”
Belzebute looked at her, silently asking what those motives were. Glasyalabolas smiled lightly. She could clearly see that the lofty, great Demon King was quite flustered, and the sight pleased her. She felt grateful to the Devata faction for providing such entertainment.
“Do the lowly humans even need a world of their own? I believe it would be acceptable to place the Human Realm under the rule of us Demon Kings. To that end… the information war Lady Seere von Devata advocates is essential.”
She was suggesting the conquest of the Human Realm. Several Demon Kings looked tempted. These were the ones who wished to expand their territories but lacked the courage to challenge higher realms. Then one Demon King spoke.
“…Glasyalabolas, that statement is dangerous.”
It was not Belzebute’s warning. It was Marbas von Gart, the fifth-ranked Demon King, who had been listening.
“You speak of attacking the Human Realm while fully aware of how the Celestial Realm would respond.”
“Oh ho, Marbas. You’ve stepped down as leader of the Nobiles Faction, and now you’re spouting nonsense. Are we Demon Kings supposed to ruin our affairs out of fear of the Celestial Realm? Then why fight the Celestial-Demon War at all? Why not just hand over our lands to those terrifying angels?”
“Glasyalabolas, that is enough. Any further and it becomes an insult to Marbas.”
When Belzebute intervened to mediate, she shrugged and nodded, a gesture that said she did not understand but would accept it. Marbas, for his part, sighed as if there was no point arguing with the madwoman and let it pass without further comment.
“For now, I understand your opinion, Glasyalabolas.”
Belzebute already realized he could not simply dismiss this motion. Following the leaders of the Equites and Plebs Factions, even an eccentric Demon King like Glasyalabolas had voiced support—and the one who had proposed the motion was the most prominent rising star in the Demon Realm. This was no longer a situation he could ignore. From Belzebute’s perspective, he had been completely cornered.
“Are there any other opinions to present?”
Belzebute had hoped for opposing voices, but no one dared openly contradict an opinion supported by two top-ranking Demon Kings working in concert. Agreas, Vassago, and Samigina showed little interest, and Marbas—the one who had at least offered opposition—was buried beneath Glasyalabolas’s madness. Though Belzebute was not pleased by those rebelling against his measure, he could not ignore them either. Reluctantly, he struck the gavel.
“The first agenda of the assembly has been decided. We will now hold a vote on this motion. Those in favor shall write ‘approve’ on their ballot; otherwise, write ‘oppose.’”
Seere smiled faintly and glanced up at Nahen. Nahen leaned down and whispered to her.
“Well done, Seere.”
“…Hehe.”
The cool expression she had worn moments ago melted away, replaced by a bright, beaming smile. Sitri, watching from the side, blinked and said,
“What fun story are you two sharing without me?”
Nahen looked at her and thought that Demon Kings never changed. Even after eight years, Sitri was still just as foolish.
“…Just fill out your ballot, Your Majesty Sitri.”
“What, is it a secret?”
“It is not. Stop saying strange things and write.”
“Tch, fine.”
#
The Demon Kings cast their votes according to their own values and thoughts. Of course, there were also those who simply supported the leader of their faction without deeper consideration. Nahen quietly observed their decisions. The Demon Kings he had brought in numbered six from the Equites Faction, thirteen from the Plebs Faction, one from Glasyalabolas, and three more including Seere herself and her allies—totaling twenty-three certain votes in favor. Since everyone knew the Plebs Faction followed Paimon faithfully, their decision would not change.
‘The problem is……’
Even so, twenty-three was still short of a majority. Because the Devata forces had slain several Demon Kings during the conquest of the layers, the total number of Demon Kings had decreased from seventy-two to sixty-nine. Yet twenty-three was far from half of that number. How many would dare oppose the decision of Belzebute von Deus, the pinnacle of the Demon Realm?
Nahen believed Seere, Barbatos, Paimon, and even the unexpected Glasyalabolas had presented sufficiently tempting merits. There were no further advantages left to offer. They had played every card they had. All that remained was to hope the other Demon Kings would respond as anticipated.
The time for voting passed. When the scratching of pens on ballots in the hall subsided, Nahen swept his gaze across the room. Everything had unfolded exactly as he had intended. Just like in Evil Queen Maker, he had orchestrated the situation perfectly. Yet there remained an element of uncertainty—because this voting event in the Demon Realm Grand Assembly was, even in the original game, what players called a “luck-based factor.”
In the original game, the player could, just as Nahen had done, propose cooperation to other Demon Kings such as those of the Equites and Plebs Factions and form alliances. However, at this stage, neutral parties like the Nobiles Faction could not be targeted for recruitment. In other words, just as Nahen had done now, the player could only secure guaranteed allies up to Sitri by including the maximum number from the Equites and Plebs Factions; the rest were determined by probability.
Thus, Nahen had done everything within his power. He had not managed to bring in the Patrician Faction, but that had been impossible from the start since the motion itself ran counter to their interests. In addition to the maximum recruitable members from the game, he had also secured Gremory and Glasyalabolas, so the situation was even better than the original. From here on, however, all he could do was pray, just as in the game—hoping that Seere’s, Barbatos’s, Paimon’s, and Glasyalabolas’s words had swayed the other Demon Kings.
“I will announce the results.”
Belzebute spoke, apparently having finished counting. Nahen watched him in silence.
“…Thirty-eight in favor, thirty-one against.”
“!”
“Since a majority has approved, this motion is passed.”
Fifteen additional Demon Kings beyond the twenty-three had responded favorably. Nahen felt relieved, yet at the same time he once again sensed the extent of Belzebute’s influence. Honestly, even though they had presented merits that should have tempted any Demon King, thirty-one had still voted against out of nothing more than fear of opposing Belzebute’s measure.
Belzebute wore a slightly displeased expression, but a decision was a decision. He struck the gavel and declared,
“This concludes the resolution on the first agenda. Effective immediately, the restrictions on entry to the Human Realm are abolished.”
Seere, hearing the result, turned to Nahen with a radiant smile.
“Teacher, we did it!”
“Yes. You worked hard.”
“Hehe, then since I did well, you’ll give me a reward, right?”
“Of course. Later, I’ll give you one…”
Nahen had been about to say he would naturally give her one when he suddenly froze. Seere was already wearing the unmistakable smile of a victor.
“You promised.”
Nahen broke into a cold sweat. As he desperately tried to think of a way to retract his words, something occurred to him.
“Then, since we never set a penalty beforehand, I’ll give you the reward of not having to perform it.”
“…Huh?”
“A reward is given at the giver’s discretion, isn’t it?”
“Th-that’s not fair!”
“You were going to have to carry out the penalty anyway… Don’t tell me you were planning to skip it?”
“Ugh…”
Seere looked at Nahen with a frustrated expression, as though she had finally seized an opportunity only to lose it. Nahen, meanwhile, looked as though he had narrowly escaped death. Watching the two of them, Sitri and Gremory each reacted in their own way.
‘…What are they doing? How frustrating.’
‘Their relationship seems rather amusing, doesn’t it?’