The Archdemon's Scheme - 1
The reason Nahen went to the Holy Kingdom was twofold. First, since he had already dispatched Dane and Eri to the Bismarck Empire—one of the two most powerful forces on the continent alongside the Holy Kingdom—he needed to handle the Holy Kingdom himself. The second reason was simpler: the Holy Kingdom was the place where Nahen could operate with the greatest ease.
Nahen slowly retraced his earlier memories and reached a hand into the empty air. He drew forth his magic power.
"Gate."
⟨ Līmen ⟩
His overwhelming magical energy tore through space. Having forcibly interfered with the fabric of the world to create a path to somewhere else, Nahen stepped forward without hesitation.
“!?”
“It’s been a while.”
The passage led directly into the bedchamber of the Holy Kingdom’s leader, the Pope. Sernius III had been reading a sacred scripture before sleep; he now stared at Nahen with a face frozen in shock.
“You appear to have been well. I’m glad.”
“Y-you are…!”
Sernius III remembered him. How could he possibly forget? Nahen was the one who had rescued him from the devil’s schemes. He was also the one who had detained adventurers from across the human realm—including those from the Holy Kingdom—and refused to send them back.
“Your expression is rather poor.”
“T-that’s…”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t come to harm you. If I had intended to, I would have done so back then, wouldn’t I?”
With a troubled heart, the Pope closed the scripture, rose from the bed, pulled out a chair beside the nightstand, and spoke.
“…Please, sit here for now.”
“Gladly. This conversation is likely to run long.”
Nahen willingly took the seat the Pope offered. Sernius III sat across from him and stole a glance at his guest. Deciding how to treat Nahen was no simple matter. The man was both his savior and a being who captured and hunted humans.
Nahen tapped the table with his index finger in a steady rhythm—tap, tap—before he spoke.
“I hear you sent an expeditionary force recently.”
“…That was an event organized unilaterally by Emperor Claude of the Bismarck Empire.”
“You knew about it, though, didn’t you?”
“I-I had no choice. After the Empire’s victory over the Northern Alliance, its influence grew far too strong. We were in no position to refuse their demands entirely…”
“Even though you knew I was in the Demon Realm?”
The Pope lowered his head slightly.
“I-it was to protect the citizens of the Holy Kingdom.”
“Is that so?”
Nahen gave a derisive laugh. Yet he chose not to press the Pope further and changed the subject.
“Still, you’ve been carrying out what I told you when I restored you. That’s good.”
“O-of course. It is only natural.”
“Yes, an excellent attitude. In that case, I’ll offer a little assistance to someone who’s doing so well.”
“Pardon?”
“For you, who cares so deeply for the Holy Kingdom’s people, I’ve brought some valuable information.”
Nahen placed a single document before the Pope. It was a sheet Dane had carefully fabricated, detailing how strange goods had recently begun circulating among the Bismarck Empire’s merchant guilds.
“W-what is this?”
“Though the Empire is keeping silent and covering it up, peculiar objects appear to be circulating in the Bismarck Empire lately. They’re described as round orbs of moderate size…”
Nahen deliberately let his words trail off. Only when Sernius III began to show signs of impatience did he continue.
“I’m told they are artifacts containing vast amounts of magical power.”
“…Magical artifacts?”
“And it seems they were taken from our Demon Realm.”
“…Pardon?”
The Pope looked visibly shaken. He was no fool; he wasn’t ready to believe Nahen’s story completely. That was fine. Nahen was grateful enough for the interest alone.
“There were guard testimonies about several individuals who recently crossed over from the human realm collecting the magic power scattered throughout the Demon Realm’s atmosphere. I’d like you to investigate.”
Nahen gave a light shrug.
“To be honest, I don’t fully believe the tale myself. There’s no concrete proof, which is why I want it looked into. You must feel the same, yes?”
“So you’re asking me to conduct an investigation…?”
“Isn’t it worth investigating? You and the Holy Kingdom stand to gain a great deal.”
“If it is true that the Bismarck Empire is circulating artifacts infused with magic from the Demon Realm…”
The Bismarck Empire would suffer a severe blow to its reputation, and the Holy Kingdom would be able to brand them heretics. More than half the Empire’s population were believers of the Heavenly God, and the imperial family itself maintained extremely close ties to the church. If objects from the Demon Realm were circulating in such a nation, it could certainly be turned into a major issue. Should that happen, the Holy Kingdom could seize the continental hegemony the Empire had claimed in a single stroke.
Having calculated that far, Sernius III’s eyes gleamed with a new light. Nahen saw the change and smiled with satisfaction inside. On the surface, he kept his expression neutral and continued.
“Once the investigation is complete, inform me as well.”
“…Since you provided the information, that is only proper. I will send a separate letter to the Demon Realm.”
“I’d appreciate that. Think of it as granting one request from your benefactor.”
“Yes. I will look into it.”
Nahen rose from his seat. Just as he was about to turn away, he paused and added,
“Ah, one more thing.”
“…Yes?”
“Among the survivors of the expeditionary force that followed the Hero, quite a few belong to your Holy Kingdom. If you want them returned, speak now. I’ll make a deal.”
The Pope fell silent for a moment. Officially, the entire force that had accompanied the Hero was reported to have been wiped out. All communication had been severed, and no one had returned from the Demon Realm, so that conclusion had been universally accepted.
Yet Nahen’s words now revealed that he held every survivor captive. It was obvious he would demand payment in exchange for their release. The Pope had no idea how high the price would be this time.
Having reached his decision, Sernius III answered curtly.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“…I see.”
Nahen muttered “Tough bastard” under his breath as he stepped into the passage he had opened. The moment he vanished completely, the torn rift in space sealed itself once more.
Sernius III picked up a small bell and rang it. A priest soon entered the papal bedchamber.
“Yes, Your Holiness.”
“Dispatch someone to the Bismarck Empire at once. Send an agent specialized in infiltration and information gathering.”
“…What information are they to obtain?”
“Find out what the Empire’s major merchant guilds have recently begun distributing.”
The priest gave a concise reply, bowed, and withdrew.
“It really has been a long time since the two of us worked together like this!”
Eri, now in the Bismarck Empire, seemed delighted to be with Dane again after so long. Her only remaining friend had always been dependable, but he had grown even steadier and more reliable since then.
“Right. You remember our roles, yes?”
“…Mm.”
“If you’ve forgotten, I’ll go over them again.”
“J-just once is fine.”
When Eri spoke apologetically, Dane reassured her that it was all right and continued in his usual calm manner.
“I’ll gather information on the merchant groups. You’ll handle the actual negotiations and deals. You’re better at being warm with people.”
“Ah, that’s right. Yes, I remember.”
“You don’t need to act too innocent. If you seem overly naïve, they may not trust you enough to agree to a deal.”
“Hmm…”
Eri appeared to be thinking something over. Dane looked at her questioningly. Sensing his gaze, she spoke.
“I’m not sure it will be that simple.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dane.”
Eri smiled gently. Then she told him something that might sting but reflected what she had come to realize while living in the Demon Realm and operating in the human world.
“Humans are blinded by immediate profit far more easily than you might expect.”
“……”
Dane clenched his jaw. Eri’s smile was not bright—it was painfully dark. Wearing an expression closer to self-mockery than joy, she added one more line.
“We were the same, once.”
“…Let’s stop there.”
“I’m sorry. I went too far. Anyway, it will work. Lord Nahen must have given us this knowing it would.”
Eri looked down at the orb in her hand.
“The only thing that worries me is…”
“What is it?”
As a rogue, Dane could sense nothing beyond the presence of magical power inside the orb. But Eri was different.
“There’s something else inside the orb.”
“…Isn’t it just the magic power?”
“Besides the magic power… it feels like there’s something more.”
Eri looked slightly anxious. Dane’s brow furrowed.
“Eri.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t doubt it.”
It was the first time Dane had spoken to her this way. He gazed at her with serious eyes.
“We decided we would do anything. If it is Lord Nahen’s command.”
“…Yes.”
“You haven’t forgotten who killed Luke, have you?”
“I remember.”
“Then there’s no need for guilt. Whatever Lord Nahen does in the human realm is none of our concern.”
Eri nodded. She shared Dane’s thoughts. It was simply that spending so much time among humans lately had softened her heart a little.
“…You’re right. There’s no reason for us to doubt or question what Lord Nahen is doing.”
“Good.”
Dane gave her shoulder a light, comforting pat before withdrawing his hand. Eri looked up at him and offered a small, genuine smile.
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Now that she had collected herself, it was time to carry out their duty.