A Simple Gift
Nahen stepped out of the Demon King's castle on the 68th floor and stood alone on a quiet western plain. He gazed up at the sky as though waiting for something. Moments later, a shadow fell across the ground, followed by a heavy thud as something enormous landed. A cloud of dust billowed outward from the impact.
“Nahen, you called for me.”
Before heading to the Nebula Stone mine, Nahen had summoned a particular guest—the massive gargoyle Argol, who had once been tasked with capturing humans on the 72nd floor.
“I need your strength.”
“What would you have me do?”
“Just follow me for now.”
Argol spread his wings and trailed behind Nahen at a steady pace. Nahen crossed the wasteland and made his way toward the Nebula Stone mine Decarabia had mentioned.
“Nahen, this place is…”
“The Nebula Stone mine. Reminds you of where you used to be, doesn't it?”
“Are you… planning to have me sleep here again?”
Argol wondered if he was meant to stand guard in slumber once more, just as he had on the 70th floor. Nahen turned to look at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“What are you talking about? Why would I put you to sleep?”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
“Gargoyles can distinguish between different ores, can't they?”
“Yes… we can.”
A gargoyle's eyes possessed the ability to locate specific minerals within rocky terrain where various ores and stones were mixed together. The reason was unclear, though it might have been because they themselves were living statues. Nahen intended to make use of that ability.
“Once we're inside the mine, search the rock formations thoroughly.”
“Is there something here?”
“There should be. If you notice anything unusual, report it to me immediately.”
“Understood.”
Nahen and Argol entered the Nebula Stone mine. Unlike the abandoned shaft where Argol had been discovered, this place was still actively being worked. Naturally, miners were still present, and they could not help but stare in shock at the sudden appearance of the gargoyle.
“What the hell is that!?”
“A-a gargoyle? Why is it here…?”
Nahen raised a hand slightly to calm the miners.
“You've all heard the rumors by now, but as of today, the 68th floor has been annexed by the 72nd. I am Nahen, the mentor of Seere von Devata, Demon King of the 72nd floor.”
The miners' faces grew tense at his introduction. One of them stepped forward and asked hesitantly.
“Th-then… the rumors were true?”
“Would you believe me if I showed you Decarabia's head?”
The miner shook his head frantically at Nahen's chilling remark. Nahen glanced at the armband the man wore.
“You're the foreman here, aren't you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stop all work for now and lead the workers outside.”
“Pardon?”
“You can resume once we're finished. So get moving.”
At Nahen's command, the foreman nodded and began guiding the workers out of the mine.
“Alright, everyone, we're taking a short break! Let's head out!”
“Y-yes…”
As the workers filed past, each of them stole at least one glance at Argol. Even among demons, a gargoyle of such size was a rare sight.
“They seem quite fascinated. Looks like they've never seen a gargoyle as large as you.”
“I felt like a monkey trapped in a cage.”
“That's all it takes to rattle you? You're surprisingly sensitive.”
Once Nahen confirmed that all the workers had left and the foreman had been sent out as well, he turned to Argol.
“Argol, what you're looking for from now on is a bracelet.”
“…A bracelet?”
“I don't know what material it's made of, but judging by the color, it's likely gold.”
Argol found the request odd.
“You're saying there's a gold bracelet inside the Nebula Stone mine?”
“Not just lying on the ground. It'll be trapped inside the rock, along with the ore.”
“…So that's why you brought me.”
If the bracelet was embedded in the rock alongside the ore, Argol would surely be able to find it. Still, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked cautiously.
“Nahen, but why would a bracelet be inside the mine…?”
“Who knows? I don't really understand it myself.”
“Excuse me…?”
Argol was puzzled, but decided to let it go. He assumed Nahen simply didn't want to reveal the reason. In truth, Nahen genuinely had no idea—the developers of Evil Queen Maker had simply placed it there, and asking them was impossible.
Even I have to admit it's strange.
A bracelet randomly wedged between gemstones in a mine? No matter how well hidden something was supposed to be, this felt excessive. If the Bloodflow Sword had appeared too early and been discovered late, this was an item hidden so deeply that finding it had taken far too long.
“I'll begin the search.”
“Good. I'm counting on you.”
Argol lumbered through the mine, his massive frame turning this way and that. The cavern was tall enough that even he could walk without his head touching the ceiling. It spoke volumes about how much Nebula Stone Decarabia had extracted from this place.
And yet the reserves are still overflowing.
It reminded him of oil-rich nations in the Middle East. No wonder Decarabia had been able to field such an army and rule an entire floor with nothing but the profits from selling Nebula Stone.
Half of that income will now flow to us.
The thought alone lifted his mood. Nahen let out a low chuckle. Argol flinched at the sudden laughter, but Nahen didn't notice.
After laughing for a while, Nahen spoke as though addressing Argol directly.
“It's about time we started building a proper army.”
“…An army, you say?”
“That's right.”
With the vast income pouring in from Nebula Stone sales, weapons manufacturing, and the slave trade, the time had come to raise a real military force. Currently, Seere von Devata's army consisted of the combined 4th and 5th legions—exactly 21,209 soldiers. That was far too small a number for a Demon King who had conquered three floors. Until now, Nahen had deliberately avoided expanding the army to prevent drawing attention from other floors. But once word spread that Seere had taken the 69th floor, the lower-ranked Demon Kings would naturally begin to grow wary. Some might even declare war first. To prepare for that, they needed to gather troops immediately.
Fortunately, with three full floors and part of the 70th under their control, manpower was plentiful.
We'll have to start accepting some casualties soon.
Until now, their conquest policy had focused on minimizing losses. But with a solid foundation in place, they could afford to take some damage if it meant securing greater gains.
“Nahen.”
“Did you find it?”
“I believe so. There's something in this area that isn't Nebula Stone.”
“…Step aside.”
Nahen looked toward the spot Argol indicated and extended his hand. Argol's entire body went rigid.
Th-this… overwhelming mana…
Merely sensing Nahen channeling his mana had triggered an instinctive sense of danger in Argol. Of course, Nahen had no intention of harming him. He was simply preparing to use magic to extract the foreign object from between the ores.
“Materia”
⟨ Materia ⟩
Argol's eyes widened as an ancient rune materialized in the air.
“Extractionem”
⟨ Extractionem ⟩
Another rune of a different color appeared and merged with the first. The combined runes transformed into a single spell and activated. Without any pickaxe strikes, something began to slowly emerge from the rock wall—a round object glowing with a golden light.
This was the bracelet Nahen had been searching for. In the game, it had appeared under the name Ancient Golden Bracelet. It was literally an ancient artifact buried in the mine, though neither its original owner nor the reason it had been hidden there was ever explained in Evil Queen Maker. Setting that aside, what mattered was its exceptional performance. The developers wouldn't have gone to such lengths to hide an item unless it was powerful.
The Bloodflow Sword's growth efficiency boost had shown tremendous destructive power here.
By the same logic, this bracelet would surely exhibit extraordinary capabilities in its own way. Since it was an accessory, Nahen expected it to excel in defense.
Nahen smiled with satisfaction and turned to Argol.
“Good work.”
“N-Nahen.”
“What is it?”
“Your mana…”
“Ah.”
Nahen withdrew his mana. He had a habit of unconsciously spreading it outward whenever he cast magic. Once the pressure lifted, Argol exhaled in relief.
Nahen had never really understood how his mana felt to others. After all, he couldn't sense any pressure from his own power. Suddenly curious, he asked.
“Is it that burdensome?”
“Of course it is…”
“How bad?”
“Pardon?”
“Give me an analogy.”
Argol tilted his head at the question, then recalled the things Andromalius used to say. Strong beings tended to flaunt their power. He assumed Nahen's question was of that nature.
“It feels like standing before a natural disaster.”
Unlike Andromalius, who had always wrapped his words in flattery, Argol's description was genuine. The pressure from Nahen's mana truly made him feel powerless, just as all living things were powerless before a natural catastrophe.
“…I see.”
Nahen nodded. He slipped the bracelet into his inner pocket and spoke.
“We're done here. Tell the foreman to resume work, then return to the 72nd floor yourself. I'll be heading to the 69th.”
“Yes, Nahen.”
#
When Nahen returned to the 69th floor, Seere was waiting for him at the entrance of the Demon King's castle.
“Seere.”
“Teacher!”
“Let's go inside~!”
“Sure.”
The Demon King's castle on the 69th floor was bustling. The process of moving from the 72nd floor's castle was in full swing. The reason they were relocating to the 69th floor's castle after conquering the 68th was purely geographical. Most merchants trading with the 72nd floor had their bases on the 69th, and unlike the 68th floor—which could be directly attacked from the 67th—the 69th floor had the 68th (now under their control) directly above it, while the 70th floor belonged to their ally. That made it far safer.
The now-vacant 72nd floor had been entrusted to Dantalion under a contract that guaranteed him limited sovereignty—signed directly with Seere.
Seere glanced at the mark on the back of her hand and looked at Dantalion.
“I expect you to answer my calls promptly from now on.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Don't disappoint me. You were once a Demon King yourself, so I trust you'll manage well.”
“I will live up to your expectations.”
Dantalion bowed his head and withdrew with his subordinates. Once her business was finished, Seere turned to Nahen beside her.
“Teacher, I didn't make any mistakes, did I?”
“No, you did well.”
“Then we really are going to play now, right?”
“Where would you like to go?”
Nahen readily accepted Seere's request. She smiled brightly.
“Somewhere quiet with a nice view! A place with hardly any people!”
“Hmm.”
Nahen pondered for a moment before nodding.
“Then I'll find a suitable spot.”
“Okay!”
“I'll have everything ready by tomorrow, so rest well today.”
“Yes!”
Seere answered with a cheerful smile, and Nahen left the throne room first to make preparations. Left alone, Seere let the smile she had been suppressing bloom fully across her face.
“What should we do together, Teacher? Hehehe…”
She was grinning foolishly, lost in happy thoughts, when the throne room doors suddenly burst open and Nahen returned. Seere hurriedly tried to compose her expression, flustered.
“T-Teacher?”
“I had something to give you, but I forgot.”
“What?”
Nahen pulled an object from his inner pocket. It was a bracelet shaped like a golden ring, shimmering with light. Seere's eyes widened slightly at the sight, and Nahen smiled, thinking she liked it.
“Pretty, isn't it?”
“Yes?…Yes, it sparkles.”
“It's a reward for doing well this time. Hold out your hand.”
“I-Is it really mine?”
“Who else's would it be?”
Seere hesitated before extending her hand. Nahen personally fastened the bracelet around her wrist. Once it was on, he chuckled softly.
“It suits you.”
Seere stared blankly at the bracelet Nahen had given her for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile and bowed her head.
“Thank you, Teacher!”
“You're welcome. Keep wearing it from now on.”
“Yes!”
After Nahen left the throne room once more, Seere gently traced the bracelet he had placed on her. As she half-closed her eyes, a dark, damp emotion settled within them. She lightly touched her lips with her index finger.
“…I really can't let you go, Teacher.”