The Squirming Conspiracy
Dane, having returned from the Human Realm, immediately set out for the 56th floor on Nahen’s orders. Using a portal in the Demon Realm was simple enough; all it required was a disguised identity.
“Somehow I’ve made it to the 56th floor.”
Nahen had forged a false identity for him as a member of Bennett’s trading company. Thanks to that, Dane reached the 56th floor without delay.
Yet the moment he stepped out of the portal, doubt clouded his face.
“...What is this?”
He had been told a war had broken out, but the 56th floor lay wrapped in perfect peace. Perhaps the outer district around the portal was simply untouched, he thought. Relying on the nimble footwork honed by his thief background, Dane hurried toward the Demon King’s castle.
Even there the atmosphere remained eerily quiet and tranquil. Growing suspicious, he cautiously approached a passing pedestrian.
“Excuse me. May I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“I heard war had broken out on the 56th floor. I came up with considerable unease, but… it doesn’t look like any fighting has happened at all.”
“Ah, that? Lady Gremory never touched the city districts or the civilians.”
“...Pardon?”
Dane tilted his head. How was such a thing possible in war? Even if extreme control could prevent harm to civilians, waging war without so much as disturbing the city streets sounded impossible.
“There was a war, wasn’t there? This doesn’t make sense…”
“Well, it wasn’t much of a war. It’s true their army marched down from the 55th floor, but before any real clash could begin, Ose—the ruler of the 56th floor—was assassinated.”
“Assassinated?”
Before Dane could ask who was responsible, the man continued.
“Rumor says one of Ose’s own subordinates betrayed and killed him.”
“What was the reason?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe they simply disliked his rule?”
“...Thank you for the information.”
Dane decided he would look into the rumor further before reporting back to Nahen. He turned and walked away at a measured pace. The pedestrian watched his retreating figure until it vanished from sight.
Moments later, another man approached the pedestrian.
“Did he bite?”
“Yes. He appears to be a spy for Seere von Devata. I fed him the story exactly as instructed. But something felt off.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t seem to be a demon. I sensed no mana from him.”
“...So they’re using a human as a spy?”
“It’s possible. You already know Devata has been circulating human slaves.”
The pedestrian looked at the man. The black-haired stranger slowly stroked his chin, then spoke simply.
“...We’ve drawn a useful card.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. You did well. Return to your post.”
“Yes, General.”
The soldier from the 55th floor—who had been disguised first as the pedestrian and then as the man—departed. The hidden gaze that had been watching them from a nearby alley vanished as well.
The man who had withdrawn his surveillance slipped quickly out of the alley, muttering under his breath.
“So he noticed I’m human…”
It was Dane. He had only pretended to leave, then doubled back to observe the pedestrian. The explanation had been far too friendly for a random passerby, and the fact that the man already knew the Demon King had been assassinated mere days after the conquest—when Gremory’s side had made no public announcement—confirmed his suspicions. If the news had been released, it would have spread everywhere by now.
As expected, the pedestrian belonged to the 55th floor.
After a brief moment of thought, Dane decided to report the information to Nahen exactly as he had received it. Everything the 55th-floor soldier had said was likely true. The deliberate approach, the detailed explanation… their intention to leak the story to Seere’s faction was obvious.
“I don’t know their reason or goal, but…”
That was not for him to judge. With that conclusion, Dane took one final look around before returning straight to the 69th floor.
From early morning, Nahen and Seere had been out on the training grounds. Nahen had not chosen the location for their lesson; the request had come from Seere herself.
Seere held the Blood Tears blade, while Nahen carried a plain iron sword.
“Teacher.”
“Yes.”
“If I win, will you answer my question?”
“...What sort of question requires a duel?”
At Nahen’s surprised tone, Seere flashed a bright smile.
“It’s a secret!”
With those brief words, she sprang forward. Startled by the abrupt beginning, Nahen exclaimed, “We’re starting already!?”
“Of course!”
Clang!
Despite his momentary shock, Nahen blocked Seere’s strike with effortless composure. Seere exhaled in clear disappointment, then used a touch more force to push him back and open some distance.
“Tch. I was aiming for an opening.”
“There’s no such thing as suddenly starting… You surprised me.”
“Yet you blocked it perfectly!”
The ringing clash of steel against steel filled the training yard. Seere swung her blade with blinding speed, trying to overwhelm him, but Nahen allowed not a single strike to land.
I can’t see any gaps…!
Seere was fighting with everything she had. She was determined to land at least one solid blow. To exaggerate slightly, she was exerting herself as fiercely as she had against Belial.
Yet Nahen, armed with nothing more than a basic iron sword, calmly received or redirected every attack. He never dodged. Aside from a few steps forward or back, he remained almost exactly where he had started.
“Ugh…!”
When no opening appeared, Seere clicked her tongue in irritation and kicked off the ground once more. This time she gripped the hilt with both hands and brought the blade down with all her strength.
Boom!
“Using too much power is also a mistake, Seere.”
“Kuh…!”
She had poured every ounce of her power into that strike, yet Nahen’s arm, which had blocked it head-on, showed not the slightest tremor. It was proof he had barely exerted himself.
“And in battle you must always remain calm. Emotions cloud your judgment.”
“...!”
Nahen flicked his sword in a smooth arc. Seere’s blade spun upward, wrenched from her grasp.
“Ah…!”
Clang!
In the same motion, Nahen sent the sword flying. Blood Tears spun three full rotations before embedding itself in the ground.
“I win.”
“...That’s unfair!”
“Hm?”
“Teacher, you don’t show any openings at all! It’s even worse than with Lynn!”
Seere grumbled that it was practically cheating. At his disciple’s adorable complaint, Nahen scratched his cheek.
He was simply moving according to the memories that surfaced and the instincts his body retained. To hear that he was stricter than Lynn…
…Is this what it means to be an Archdemon?
Nahen was well aware that his body was no ordinary vessel. Still, every time he felt it so clearly, he found himself both fascinated and slightly dazed.
Watching Seere continue to pout and mutter, Nahen let out a soft laugh. He sheathed his sword, walked over, and gently pinched her soft cheek.
“It’s all right.”
The yielding flesh beneath his fingers somehow lifted his mood.
“The day you surpass me will surely come. There’s no need to be impatient. You’re only twelve years old. Reaching this level is already remarkable in my eyes.”
“......”
Normally Seere accepted every word from Nahen without question, but this was one thing she could not accept.
“...I want to become strong quickly.”
“I know how you feel. But impatience only brings stress and makes progress harder. So relax a little.”
Nahen’s lips curved upward. He offered advice drawn from experience, speaking as though making a gentle request.
“I don’t want you to become someone bound only by results. That path will wear your heart thin.”
Seere opened her mouth, then closed it again. Inside, she was deeply shaken. She did not show it, afraid Nahen would notice, but—
Why…
His smile looked somehow sad.
Seeing his expression, Seere gave a small nod.
“...Yes.”
“Good. As long as you understand.”
Nahen softened his voice. Seere then spoke.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“I will listen to everything you say. So…”
She looked straight at him. Nahen flinched at the emotion in her eyes. Within those gem-like blue irises that resembled the Demon Realm’s moon, he saw clear apology.
“Please don’t be sad.”
“......”
Nahen could not speak. After a moment of silence he inwardly scolded himself and pressed a hand to his forehead.
What am I doing…
He had let unnecessary emotion show. Looking at Seere simply reminded him of things he had lost in the past. Still, there had been no need to burden this child. As an adult before being her teacher, it was a grave mistake.
He spoke honestly.
“I’m sorry. It isn’t because of you, Seere.”
“...It isn’t?”
“No. You are my joy. Why would I feel sad when I look at you?”
Nahen lightly stroked her hair. Seeing the tension ease from her face, he smiled with satisfaction.
“Am I truly your joy, Teacher?”
“Of course. Nothing makes me happier than watching you grow so splendidly and become stronger.”
“Hehe…”
At the sight of her delighted expression, Nahen chuckled again. Then he spoke playfully.
“Still, we’ll have to save your question for another time. Since I won, after all?”
“Ah…!”
Seere’s mouth fell open, then she slumped in defeat. Nahen laughed lightly and glanced upward. A man had been waiting patiently for their spar to end.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
“Did you summon that human, Teacher? I wondered why he was just standing there.”
“Yes. I sent him on an errand. I’ll only be a moment. Practice on your own until I return.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
Nahen set his sheathed sword on the rack and climbed the stairs. He addressed Dane, who had been waiting.
“You’ve returned with news?”
“Yes, Lord Nahen.”
“What did you find?”
“First… the 56th floor is completely untouched.”
“Untouched?”
How could a floor that had suffered a one-sided invasion remain unscathed? When Nahen tilted his head in confusion, Dane relayed every detail he had gathered without omission.
“...They deliberately leaked the information?”
“Yes. It felt far too suspicious, so I circled back secretly. He was speaking with the general you mentioned from the 55th floor.”
Nahen had provided Dane with basic intelligence on the 55th floor’s forces. Among them was one name in particular…
“Who was it?”
“I couldn’t get a clear look from a distance, but the black hair…”
“Black Storm Vitus.”
“Yes.”
Vitus was one of the generals serving under Gremory von Dieu, Demon King of the 55th floor. Given the scale of her territory, she had several generals, but the three most renowned were known as the Three Star Generals. Since Vitus was one of them, Dane’s information carried high credibility.
In other words, the 55th floor had intentionally fed them this intelligence. Nahen narrowed his eyes, pondering the motive.
“...Are they hoping for an alliance?”
“Pardon?”
“Feeding you the information means they wanted it to reach us. The impression we would take from it is…”
Nahen raised his index and middle fingers, folding them one by one.
“The Demon King of the 55th floor, Gremory, enjoys a favorable reputation among the people of the Demon Realm.”
“Yes.”
“Moreover, the 55th floor is not only militarily powerful but also highly skilled in schemes and manipulation.”
“Indeed…”
“The claim that they killed Ose is almost certainly true. Without the ruler’s death or surrender, winning without touching the city districts is impossible. The assassination was likely prepared from the start. A sudden betrayal by a subordinate is far too convenient.”
Ose had not been weak, nor had he possessed a personality that bred many enemies, nor had his rule been particularly flawed. The entire narrative had clearly been crafted by the 55th floor. The story of betrayal was not an excuse to conceal the truth—it was a deliberate hint meant to be noticed.
And the intention was obviously…
“To appeal to us.”
“So they’re asking us to form an alliance.”
“The fact that they singled you out makes their aim quite clear. However…”
The purpose behind seeking an alliance remained unclear. A Demon King of the 55th floor could easily find willing partners among many other floors. There were far stronger Demon Kings who would gladly accept. So why choose Seere von Devata…?
Is it because she defeated Belial?
Considering Belial’s strength, that seemed the most plausible reason.
“What will you do?”
“It’s not a bad offer. An ally as powerful as the 55th floor would be a tremendous asset, but…”
Their proficiency in schemes and manipulation left a bad taste in Nahen’s mouth. If they joined hands only to be thoroughly betrayed and lose everything they had built to Gremory…
“...Dane.”
“Yes.”
“Continue monitoring the 55th floor’s movements. This time, avoid all contact with others and move in disguise.”
“Understood.”
Dane bowed, then glanced up hesitantly.
“Lord Nahen.”
“What is it?”
“Eri…”
“Eri will remain in the Human Realm. You already know that.”
“...I do. That wasn’t what I wanted to ask…”
Nahen tilted his head, then understood upon seeing Dane’s anxious expression. He spoke reassuringly.
“If anything happens to Eri, I will inform you at once. So rest easy.”
“...Thank you.”
“You still cherish your friend.”
“Of course.”
Dane lifted his head. His eyes shone with firm resolve.
“She is the last friend I have left.”
“...I see.”
Nahen nodded. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling the friend the pair had lost five years earlier.
Using brainwashed humans as spies had been necessary. The business they had built through that work had secured abundant funds for Seere von Devata’s faction. It had been pure coincidence that a Hero candidate was caught in the net; Nahen had not even known Luke had been taken. A string of coincidences had led to the Hero candidate being sent as a spy and ultimately killed.
Yet the more Nahen learned about Dane and Eri, the more guilt he felt. After all, Luke had moved on his orders. Therefore he genuinely hoped the two of them could live decent lives. Though he had initially taken them in as useful tools, that sentiment had changed.
“Dane.”
“Yes?”
“If you care for her that much, making her your wife and keeping her close is one option.”
“...!?”
When Dane’s face stiffened, Nahen looked at him as though wondering what the problem was.
“I thought it was sound advice. Don’t humans generally spend their lives with one partner?”
“That is true, but Lord Nahen… we are not in that kind of relationship. My feelings for Eri are purely those of friendship. There is no other meaning…”
“I know. I was merely offering realistic counsel. In this vast Demon Realm, only you and Eri live with any real freedom.”
Nahen spoke plainly.
“Just think about it. There’s no need to take it too seriously, so stop making such a grave face.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
“Keep watching the 55th floor until I send word to return. You may go.”
“...Yes.”
Dane bowed and withdrew. Once he was gone, Nahen let out a sigh and scratched his head.
“Perhaps that was meddling I should have kept to myself.”
“...Teacher.”
“Hm?”
At some point Seere had climbed the stairs. He had not noticed her arrival.
“What about your personal training?”
“...I finished it. I came up, but it seemed your conversation wasn’t over, so I waited.”
“I see.”
“Teacher… what does ‘taking a wife’ mean?”
Nahen felt a strange chill. The way Seere was looking at him seemed… different. There was a sticky, clinging emotion in her gaze that he had never seen before. He closed his eyes tightly, then opened them again. The unsettling look had vanished, replaced by the pure eyes of a child.
He cleared his throat and regained his composure.
“Ah, you heard? That was advice I gave Dane.”
“Dane…? That human is taking a wife?”
“Not exactly…”
Nahen gave her a brief explanation. Seere tilted her head.
“Husband and wife refers to a married couple, right? So… marriage.”
“Correct.”
“What changes when that happens?”
“A sense of responsibility is born. The duty to protect one’s family and remain by each other’s side. Dane seemed anxious about leaving Eri behind, so I offered the suggestion.”
“Ah… Then will you have that responsibility too, Teacher?”
“Hm?”
“The sense of responsibility.”
Why is this suddenly about me? Nahen wondered, but since it was Seere asking, he considered the question seriously and nodded.
“I suppose I would. It seems unavoidable.”
“...I see.”
Suddenly Seere bowed deeply, turned on her heel, and hurried away. Nahen stared after her retreating figure in bewilderment.
“What was that about?”
Was she truly entering puberty?
Seere returned straight to her room. She opened her notebook and began writing with fierce concentration. After a while she set the pen down and murmured.
“A couple must protect their home and never leave each other’s side…”
She was repeating Nahen’s words, committing them to memory. At the very top of the notebook was written:
Methods to Not Let Teacher Leave.
Teacher—Forced—External Mana—…
Marry Teacher.