The Secret Summit
The secret meeting between Aaron and Rin had begun. Meanwhile, the other infiltration team members stood guard around the perimeter, ensuring that Andromalius's forces remained unaware of their gathering. In slums like these, it was common for people to be sent on errands or to gather information, so keeping mouths shut was essential. If they could resolve things peacefully, they would have silenced everyone with money, but… they lacked both the time and the funds for such measures.
“Ugh…!!”
Slash!
Blood splattered across the floor. An infiltration team member who had swiftly eliminated a vagrant who stumbled upon the meeting reported, “One eliminated.”
“This side is clear as well.”
“Same here.”
Epsilon had likewise dispatched one and scanned the surroundings. Once the area was roughly secured, the vagrants no longer dared to approach. “Stay alert. We cannot afford to be discovered until the meeting concludes.”
“Understood.”
“Eliminate anyone making suspicious movements.”
“Yes.”
Thanks to their swift actions, the area around the shack had fallen into an eerie silence, as if not even a rat dared pass through. Only the hushed voices of Rin and Aaron echoed faintly.
“Her Majesty Seere intends to swallow the 70th floor.”
“That is correct.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“It is entirely possible.”
“How can you be so certain?”
If you and the forces under your command cooperate with us, it becomes possible. Rin swallowed the rest of her words. The most important thing in negotiations was maintaining an equal footing with the other party. Revealing that fact would immediately hand Aaron Rayders the upper hand. So instead, she offered a different reason.
“First, my own presence is one such reason.”
Rin was not the type to harbor much pride. Speaking such words herself felt deeply embarrassing, yet one of the cards Nahen had instructed her to reveal during the negotiation was herself.
“Quite the confidence.”
“Do you not find it convincing?”
“No, I agree with that assessment.”
Even if Seere, far weaker than Seir, had ascended the throne, Rin’s strength—honed since Seir’s era as a legion commander—had not changed. Aaron knew well the prowess of those once called “Seir’s Four Swords.” Yet that alone did not convince him that conquering the 70th floor was feasible.
“However, Commander El Laza, you alone cannot defeat Andromalius’s forces.”
“An undeniable fact.”
Aaron placed his pipe in his mouth. He had roughly anticipated this. If they could not borrow the strength of his faction, their chances of victory in this war were slim. “How do you intend to resolve that part?”
He deliberately posed the question, expecting Rin to admit they needed his help and thereby gain leverage in the negotiation. Yet…
“I will say only this regarding that matter. We cannot reveal all our cards.”
Rin crossed her legs with an unruffled expression. Her tone suggested she had anticipated his question. “Her Majesty Seere has someone far stronger than the likes of me at her side.”
Aaron nearly dropped his pipe. He slowly lowered the barely caught pipe and stared at Rin as though questioning what he had just heard.
“Just now… what did you say?”
Seir’s Four Swords. The name was not self-proclaimed. It was a title the demonkin had bestowed in awe upon the four legion commanders trusted by Seir, the second-ranked Demon King. The strength of Rin El Laza, who had claimed one of those positions, was renowned enough to require no explanation. For such a Rin to personally declare that someone far stronger than herself existed left Aaron stunned.
“Hah, hahaha! Commander El Laza certainly has a sense of humor.”
“It is no joke, Count Rayders.”
Rin smiled faintly as she spoke to Aaron. “Would I jest in a place like this?”
She had not lied. This, too, was one of the cards Nahen had told her to reveal. Claiming such strength might make her seem arrogant to any listener. Yet even Rin herself believed that the power Nahen had displayed in the training grounds transcended imagination. It was a presumption, but she was certain he was stronger than her.
“…You expect me to believe there is someone stronger than you?”
“If you cannot believe it, then so be it. We will suffer some losses, but we shall handle this matter ourselves. Just know that you, too, Count Rayders, will not escape the consequences.”
Rin made as if to rise from her seat, as though ending the meeting and claiming they could seize the 70th floor with their own strength alone.
Is she merely probing? No, what she just said was clearly…
It was the truth. Her expression, gestures, voice, and gaze—had she lied, some sign would have shown. Aaron was experienced enough to read such tells. The complete absence of any sign meant everything Rin had said was fact.
Aaron placed the pipe back in his mouth with a slightly trembling hand from the shock. Then he stopped Rin as she moved to leave.
“…I will confirm this once more. It is the truth, correct?”
“Would there be any reason to lie in a place like this?”
In the darkness, only the glow of the pipe’s ember shone. Yet somehow, to Aaron, Rin’s eyes seemed to gleam with an unusual light as well.
“…Understood.”
Rin smiled in satisfaction. “You said that if we raise troops from within, you would be granted an appropriate position and reward.”
“Instead of a rotten rope, try grasping a sturdy new one.”
The negotiation was concluded.
#
Rin returned to the 72nd floor and reported the successful negotiation to Nahen. Nahen was greatly pleased and praised her.
“You did well, Commander Rin.”
“It was thanks to the advice you gave me, Lord Nahen.”
“It worked as expected, it seems.”
He had thought it would not work against the subordinates of a high-ranking Demon King, but against the forces of a lower-ranked one like the 70th, it would suffice. The name Rin El Laza, renowned as one of Seir’s Four Swords, remained a figure of fear to lower-ranked factions. If even she claimed someone stronger existed, the effect would be all the greater.
“Are the troops prepared?”
“Once I send word to Her Majesty Sitri, we can begin immediately.”
“…You are thorough.”
Rin lowered her gaze slightly before looking Nahen straight in the eye. “Lord Nahen.”
“Hm?”
“Why do you claim to be Her Majesty Seere’s teacher?”
Nahen met her gaze in turn. What he saw in her eyes was doubt. Rin found Nahen’s existence suspicious.
“‘Teacher’ is hardly a lowly position for one’s lord.”
“It is not a lowly position by nature, but… compared to your abilities, it seems rather insignificant.”
Someone with such power and strength. Why would such a being serve under Seere von Devata, the lowest-ranked Demon King? The reason made no sense. Unless he intended to kill Seere and take her place, that is. Rin watched Nahen with rare tension.
“It seems I have made you uneasy, Commander. But do not worry. I desire Seere’s proper growth more than anyone.”
“…It makes no sense realistically. Why would someone like you come to the worthless 72nd floor with nothing and choose Her Majesty Seere? I do not understand.”
“A reason…”
To return home after seeing the ending. That had been his original goal, but saying so would only make him seem mad. So Nahen offered another reason instead.
“Wouldn’t it be fun?”
“…Pardon?”
“Raising the weakest, most despised Demon King until she rules the entire demon realm one day. How would that feel to witness?”
In that moment, Rin felt an immense pressure from Nahen’s suddenly changed demeanor. As one of Seir’s Four Swords, she had met countless powerful beings. Yet this level of pressure was something she had never felt before. Nahen’s black eyes gleamed with an icy light.
“It will surely be enjoyable. Don’t you think?”
This was why Nahen had enjoyed the raising simulation game. The catharsis of watching a character always ignored and despised be reborn through the player’s hands and achieve great success was something no other game could provide.
Rin asked in a slightly trembling voice, “…You mean this is all for your own amusement?”
“That would be an understatement. That may have been the trigger, but I have grown fond of this place.”
Nahen smiled warmly. “Seere is adorable, obedient, and diligent. Kain is upright and loyal. Rea is a warm person I can trust with the household. Secily cleans well and is quick-witted. Mark’s cooking is truly the best in the demon realm.”
As Nahen listed the people of the Demon King’s castle one by one and showered them with praise, Rin looked slightly flustered.
“Vice-Commander Baruna may be a bit rebellious, but his skill and loyalty to Seere are beyond doubt. And you, Commander Rin, are beautiful, strong, and loyal. Through this matter, I have also learned you are quite capable.”
“E…Excuse me!?”
“Is that not the truth? I would never underestimate the strength of one called Seir’s Four Swords. I have always considered you our faction’s hidden trump card.”
“T-That is not the issue here.”
“Hm?”
As Nahen tilted his head, Rin pressed a hand to her forehead and dragged it down her face. Shaking her head, she said, “…It is nothing. Please forget it.”
“Very well. In any case, I like the people here on the 72nd floor. They suit me in many ways.”
These were faces Nahen had seen dozens of times while playing Evil Queen Maker. Seeing the game’s characters in person naturally brought him joy; there was no reason not to like them.
“So rest assured. Unless you cast me out, I will never turn my back on you first.”
Unaware of Nahen’s background, Rin felt a slight stirring of emotion. Was my worry unfounded? Sincerity radiated from Nahen’s expression. He truly seemed to have taken a liking to Seere von Devata’s Demon King castle. Rin smiled faintly, inwardly relieved.
“Thank you for answering even my impertinent question with such care.”
“Impertinent? That is incorrect.”
“Pardon?”
“The one you are loyal to is not me, but Seere. Therefore, the word ‘impertinent’ does not apply. If anything, I should call you loyal.”
Nahen smiled. “You asked because you were thinking of Seere, after all.”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
“I will say it again—you did well. Go rest.”
“Yes.”
Rin bowed and left the office. Thinking of the sincere smile Nahen had shown, she found herself smiling without realizing it.
“Her Majesty is fortunate in her relationships.”
#
“What did you say!?”
In the main hall of the 70th floor’s ruler, Andromalius, all the prominent figures of the 70th floor had gathered—except for Aaron Rayders and his subordinates. The reason for such a gathering was none other than…
“The 71st-ranked Demon King, Sitri, has sent a declaration of war to His Majesty Andromalius and the 70th floor!”
It was because of the declaration of war from the 71st floor. Andromalius slammed the armrest of his throne in fury. “Sitri, that wench seems to have lost her mind!”
“You must be cautious, Your Majesty.”
“Why should I fear that wench!?”
“Even if Sitri’s power is sealed, her cunning remains. Do not forget that she was once part of the high-ranking Demon Kings.”
“Ugh…!”
Andromalius was a Demon King who knew how to heed the counsel of loyal retainers. Despite his strong-willed nature, this was one of the few virtues that kept his forces from abandoning him.
“She sent a declaration of war because she has some scheme?”
“Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to suddenly start a war.”
“True. Then what do you think the reason is?”
“There is one possibility.”
A man stepped forward. Though not on the level of Aaron Rayders, he was one of the central figures among Andromalius’s forces. Andromalius trusted him deeply as well. “Count Vermilion, what is that reason?”
Eugene Vermilion. That was his name. Despite his youth, he was a capable man who had built considerable influence. Andromalius had given him full support to keep Aaron Rayders’s growing power in check and to cultivate a new loyal subordinate. Eugene bowed his head and answered.
“Recently, there have been rumors that the 71st and 72nd floors have formed an alliance.”
“What!?”
The hall erupted in murmurs. Since the alliance between Sitri and Seere had not been officially announced, few in other layers knew of it.
“Spies have confirmed that Sitri frequently descends to the 72nd floor.”
“She dares to declare war on me relying on the 72nd floor?”
“You must not dismiss this, Your Majesty. Though the 72nd floor’s forces are not large, it possesses Seir’s Four Swords.”
“Hmm…!”
The sole surviving member of Seir’s Four Swords, Rin El Laza. Even Andromalius could not easily ignore her existence. Eugene continued.
“And recently, there was news that the 72nd floor has taken in a royal tutor, was there not?”
“Yes, I received that report.”
“There are rumors that this person is no ordinary individual—in every aspect.”
“Could that not be mere rumor? Why would someone so outstanding become the royal tutor of the 72nd floor?”
“But Your Majesty, I hear that this very person was responsible for forging the alliance between the 71st and 72nd floors.”
At Eugene’s words, not only the retainers but even Andromalius widened their eyes in surprise.
“He drew in that Sitri?”
“Does that mean the alliance was not initiated by the 71st floor!?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty. Therefore, this war must be handled with certainty.”
Eugene advised Andromalius, “Let us commence with an all-out war from the start. Fortunately, we possess overwhelming military strength. If we force an all-out confrontation, neither Sitri nor Seir’s Four Swords will have a way to respond.”
“Eugene, your opinion is correct! I shall show that insolent wench Sitri the difference in our power!”
Andromalius spoke thus and looked around, searching for a particular man. When he could not find him, he asked his aide, “Where has Count Aaron Rayders gone?”
“He did not attend, Your Majesty.”
“What?”
Though Aaron’s relationship with Andromalius had recently soured, he was undeniably the most influential figure on the 70th floor. For such a man to miss an important meeting greatly unsettled the retainers.
“Come to think of it, Count Rayders’s forces are absent as well!”
“Where could they have gone at a time like this?”
Andromalius felt an instinctive unease. Not only Aaron Rayders himself but all the forces under him had vacated their seats. What that implied…
“Bring Aaron Rayders here at once!”
“Understood, Your Majesty!”
Just then, a soldier came running frantically into Andromalius’s main hall.
“G-Great disaster!!”
“How dare you! Can you not see His Majesty is speaking with his retainers!?”
“I apologize! But this is a matter that must be reported!”
Andromalius raised a hand to stop the aide who was scolding the soldier. “What is it?”
“T-That is… Aaron Rayders and his forces have raised the banner of rebellion!”
Andromalius, along with everyone present, froze with hardened expressions. For them to rebel at this exact moment—right after Sitri’s declaration of war arrived—was something even a child could understand the meaning of.
Andromalius shot up from his throne in fury. “Aaron Rayders, you traitor!!”