Fisherman's Gain
Nahen's office had received a visit from the imposing head butler, Kain, since early morning.
"A report from Eri?"
"Yes, it arrived at dawn today."
It was not yet the scheduled reporting day. Nahen tilted his head and accepted the letter from Kain.
"Something urgent must have come up."
"I suspect so. In fact, there have been changes on the 72nd Floor recently as well."
"What kind of changes?"
"It seems the restrictions on entry from the Human Realm have been reinstated. As a result, there are virtually no humans coming to the Demon Realm anymore."
Nahen widened his eyes slightly at Kain's report before opening the letter Eri had sent. After reading through its contents, he furrowed his brow.
So the Hero has appeared.
He had expected fewer humans crossing into the Demon Realm once the war ended. However, the phenomenon of every nation controlling humans attempting to cross into the Demon Realm far exceeded his expectations. There was only one period when such a phenomenon occurred.
The appearance of the Hero, an existence capable of uniting all humans regardless of nationality.
"By the way, Nahen-nim."
"What is it?"
"Is it true that the Heavenly God bestowed a weapon?"
Eri's report mentioned rumors spreading that an archer from the elf tribe had received a weapon from the Heavenly God. While unconfirmed, Nahen already knew the truth.
"It is true."
"Pardon?"
"The Heavenly God is more than capable of doing such a thing."
"What do you mean…"
The Hero Ceres Eastwood. She was the second Hero and the Hero of the Bow who appeared in Evil Queen Maker, the raising simulation game Nahen had played in his previous life. She emerged like a savior in a world thrown into chaos right after the war between the Bismarck Empire and the Northern Alliance ended. Of course, that "savior" label applied only from the human perspective. From the demons' viewpoint, she was nothing short of a monstrously powerful slaughterer.
In truth, the Heroes received sacred armaments and blessings from the Heavenly God that could annihilate demons, allowing them to stand against Demon Kings despite their human bodies. They were, in every sense, humanity's decisive weapon against the demon race.
This is troublesome.
If Seere had risen to a higher rank before facing the Hero, it might have been different, but now…
Nahen was the only one in possession of this information. He let out a small sigh. This was something he would have to handle himself.
"I suppose I'll stay on the 72nd Floor for a while…"
"Do you know something about the Heavenly God?"
If asked whether he knew anything about the Heavenly God, the answer was obviously yes. After suffering so much interference from the Heavenly God in the game, how could he not? Not only did the Heavenly God select Heroes, but whenever Nahen tried to extend his influence into the Human Realm, the Heavenly God would immediately dispatch angels to obstruct him… and depending on the route, even trigger the Great War between Heaven and Hell.
Recalling those memories, Nahen gave Kain a brief explanation.
"She's a damn bitch."
"Er…"
"Anyway, this story is highly likely to be true. If news of an event involving an elf from another race has spread all the way to the Bismarck Empire, a human nation, then the chances of it being factual are high."
"What about the possibility of false propaganda?"
"Elves aren't cunning enough for that. They're an unnecessarily honest race."
"I see."
Nahen pondered how to deal with this matter. It would be easy if he stepped forward personally to eliminate the Hero, but doing so risked drawing the Heavenly God's attention. An Archdemon had intervened in this affair.
If that happens, the Great War between Heaven and Hell is inevitable.
It was extremely troublesome. If such a war broke out in the current situation, Seere would be unable to expand her power. He considered using Leviathan, but that massive whale was already known as a beast under Nahen's command.
"Hmm…"
While mulling over the best course of action, he leaned back in his chair. Just then, someone knocked on the office door.
"Come in."
At Nahen's permission, the door opened and a man entered.
"What's the matter, Eldin?"
"Ah, Nahen-nim. I came to deliver something."
It was Eldin, a servant of the Demon King Castle. He approached respectfully and handed Nahen a letter.
"A letter from the 55th Floor."
"…The 55th Floor?"
"Yes. It was delivered by the human you employ."
So Dane had come. Since there had been no recall order, he had likely delivered only the letter and returned immediately.
Nahen told Eldin to leave and opened the letter.
"……"
"What does it say? By the way, it's unusual that the letter was sent to you instead of Her Majesty…"
"It's addressed to me. It seems Gremory isn't coveting Seere's entire faction, but…"
Nahen let out a dry laugh.
"Me."
"Pardon?"
"Read it."
Nahen handed the letter to Kain. Kain quickly scanned it and frowned deeply.
"So it's true."
It was a letter sent directly by Gremory. She wished to recruit Nahen as her talent and asked if he would consider it. If that was impossible, she at least wanted an alliance. Anyone could see that her target was clearly Nahen. The reason was obvious—his actions since joining the 72nd Floor.
Kain had expected this day to come eventually, but he had not anticipated it arriving so soon. When Kain looked at Nahen with concern, Nahen spoke reassuringly.
"Of course, I have no intention of accepting."
"As expected of you, Nahen-nim. Then I shall immediately prepare a letter of refusal…"
"Wait."
"Pardon?"
Kain tilted his head. If Nahen had no intention of accepting, why not send the refusal right away? But Nahen was thinking differently.
This… might be useful.
Nahen said to Kain, "Kain, where is Seere right now?"
"Her lessons should be ending soon. She will likely be in her office."
"Understood. Give me the letter."
"Yes."
After Kain handed over the letter, Nahen left the office at once. Staring at the empty space Nahen had left behind, Kain continued to tilt his head.
"What is he planning to do?"
#
"Your Majesty, that hairpin suits you wonderfully."
"Ah, really?"
Upon hearing Mark's compliment as he brought dessert, Seere smiled brightly.
"Teacher gave it to me."
"Nahen-nim did? He gave you a wonderful gift."
"Yes, I like it too. I like it even more because Teacher gave it to me."
"Your Majesty follows Nahen-nim very well."
"Of course~"
Seere continued speaking with a gentle smile.
"Because he's my very own teacher."
"…I see."
However, Mark felt a slight chill. There was a faintly sinister emotion hidden in Seere's voice when she said "my very own" teacher. Mark thought to himself.
Her Majesty… seems to harbor romantic feelings for Nahen-nim.
He had thought she followed him closely, but he had not expected it to be to this extent. He had occasionally found it strange when Rea asked him to make delicious desserts because "Her Majesty was sulking because of Nahen-nim," but…
"Your Majesty."
"Yes?"
"Do you perhaps admire Nahen-nim?"
"…Ad-admire? Me, what?"
"It's all right. This Mark has the heaviest mouth in the entire Demon Realm. My snout is quite long, after all."
"Isn't a long nose the sign of a liar? Wouldn't the same apply to a mouth?"
"Ah, no! In any case, your happiness is always my top priority. That was also what Lord Seir wished for the most. Therefore, I will support whatever choice Your Majesty makes."
At Mark's words, Seere smiled softly. Because Mark had treated her like a close uncle since childhood, she could feel a more comfortable affection toward him.
"I don't really understand love because no one has taught me about it."
"Pardon?"
"But my desire for Teacher to stay by my side is firm. It will never change, no matter what happens. So I intend to make sure Teacher can stay beside me, to ensure he never leaves me behind."
Seere's eyes were resolute. Her will was as unwavering as that of someone heading to a battlefield from which they would never return. Looking at her, Mark said,
"…Isn't that love, Your Majesty?"
"Huh?"
Seere's eyes widened into circles.
"Love may seem grand, but in truth, it isn't anything so remarkable. It's wanting to keep seeing someone, wanting to stay by their side, being willing to do anything for them, and being able to change yourself as much as needed for their sake."
"……"
"If you find yourself thinking you could devote everything to that person…"
Mark grinned widely with his characteristically large lizardman mouth.
"That is love."
"Love is… something like that?"
"Yes, it is."
Seere blinked. Then, as if deep in thought, her face suddenly flushed bright red. Seeing her reaction, Mark laughed heartily.
"Well then, I shall take my leave. If you ever feel like having cake or pudding, please let me know."
"…Okay."
"Shall I prepare a wedding cake as well?"
"Wh-what are you saying?!"
"Haha, it was a joke."
After Mark left, Seere covered her face with both hands. It was hot. She had heard that the temperature of one's hands was lower than other parts of the body. The heat from her face was so intense that her palms felt as though they might sweat.
"L…love…"
She had already known that her feelings were not mere obsession. She wanted to date Teacher. Since she had such thoughts, this must be more than obsession—it was affection, the feeling of liking Teacher. But expressing it with the word "love" made her feel incredibly embarrassed.
Seere did not know. This was the feeling a girl entering puberty experiences when she first awakens to the emotion of love.
Just as she was beginning to lose focus on her work, a knock sounded at the office door. Then it swung open. There was only one person who could enter the Demon King Seere's office so casually.
"Seere."
It was Nahen.
Seere flinched in surprise and lowered her hands to greet him.
"Ah, welcome, Teacher."
"Yes… hm?"
Nahen noticed something and approached Seere. Seere watched his actions with bated breath as Nahen placed his hand on her forehead.
"Do you have a fever? Your face is red."
"Ahem! It must be because it's hot."
"Hot? Then you should have opened the window."
Nahen said this, drew back the office curtains, and opened the window slightly. Seere quickly changed the subject by asking him a question.
"So, what brings you here, Teacher?"
"Ah, this. Read it once."
Nahen handed her the letter from the 55th Floor. Seere accepted it and scanned it before frowning deeply.
"It's war."
"Huh?"
"How dare they target Teacher…"
"Ah, no. Wait, listen."
Nahen calmed Seere, who seemed ready to go to war at any moment for some reason. Once she had settled down, he shared his thoughts.
"They want an alliance, right? And it seems their target is me."
"Yes… that's right. How presumptuous."
"…So we can make use of that."
"What do you mean?"
"We'll pretend to grant what they want. In exchange, we'll set conditions."
"Pretend to grant it?"
Nahen nodded as he spoke.
"A report came from Eri. An elf who received an armament from the Heavenly God has appeared in the Human Realm."
"…The Heavenly God?"
"They probably intend to resolve the chaos in the Human Realm by turning the Demon Realm into humanity's enemy and diverting attention there."
"I see."
"If, as the Heavenly God intends, humans led by that elf who received the weapon come to conquer the Demon Realm, what would happen?"
"How presumptuous of those humans. We should kill them all."
"The problem is that we would suffer considerable damage in the process. That's why we should use this alliance proposal."
"…!"
Seere's expression showed that she had finally understood Nahen's intention. With wide eyes, she muttered her guess.
"You want to request that the 55th Floor eliminate those humans in our stead while simultaneously weakening their forces?"
"Yes. That way, they won't have the power to pressure us. Therefore, we won't need to accept their proposal as is—we can modify it to our demands."
"But Teacher, isn't that unreasonable? How could weak humans possibly deal damage to the forces of the 55th Floor…"
"That will be fine."
"Pardon?"
Seere did not know, but the Hero's power was on a level that had to be classified as "special forces"—extraordinarily strong. No matter how powerful Gremory's army on the 55th Floor was…
"They won't be able to handle it easily."
They might even suffer tremendous damage. That would be good. While there was the downside of weakening a potential ally, it would allow them to maintain an equal relationship in the alliance. Perhaps Seere's faction could even gain the upper hand.
"But in any case, it means we still need to accept the alliance."
"If we negotiate the conditions well, there is no harm in forming an alliance."
Seere looked somewhat dissatisfied. When Nahen gave her a slightly puzzled look, she spoke petulantly.
"If the alliance is formed, you might really have to help the 55th Floor, Teacher."
"Well, we don't know how that will turn out yet. If we don't follow their demands exactly and instead help in the same way we assist Lady Sitri…"
"I don't like that either…"
"Huh?"
Nahen did not know, but one of the greatest threats to Seere was precisely Sitri. Although Seere had been trying to get along with her after hearing about her from Nahen, Sitri possessed something Seere lacked: mature allure. It was not merely beauty—the problem was her voluptuous figure that could arouse a man's desire. Nahen had shown no particular reaction so far, but one never knew. He had heard that men were often unable to resist temptation. And now another female Demon King close to Nahen would appear, just like Sitri? Seere absolutely did not want that.
"I want to keep it as a normal alliance. One relationship like Lady Sitri's is enough."
"Hmm…"
Nahen thought there was merit to Seere's words. Unlike Sitri, he had no certainty that Gremory would remain a partner until the end like in the original story. It was an alliance whose relationship could sour at any time. Showing his abilities to such an ally… was certainly not ideal.
"Then let's try to negotiate in that direction as much as possible. You're fine with the alliance itself, right?"
"Yes. That much is…"
"Then I'll send the letter. Is that all right?"
Seere nodded repeatedly. Seeing the head-tilting habit from her childhood occasionally resurface, Nahen smiled contentedly. Then he said to her,
"I taught you the saying 'fisherman's gain' before, didn't I?"
"Yes."
Nahen folded the letter and smiled confidently.
"We can make that saying a reality now."