The Truth That Must Be Known - 1
Nahen had arrived at the meeting place first and was waiting. The appointed time had not yet come, but knowing how punctual Dane usually was, it felt like he was running late.
From a distance, Nahen spotted Dane approaching. He started to greet him, only to pause when something seemed off.
“Dane?”
“...Ah, Lord Nahen. Forgive me for being late.”
“It’s fine. The time hasn’t arrived yet anyway… but more to the point, you.”
“Yes?”
“Your face is flushed. Are you unwell?”
At Nahen’s question, Dane visibly flinched. Seeing that reaction, Nahen...
“...Oh ho.”
He spoke as if a realization had dawned on him.
Dane immediately launched into a desperate defense.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, my lord!”
“How would you know what I’m thinking?”
“Aren’t you assuming something happened with Eri?”
“Your insight is excellent.”
“I told you it’s not like that!”
No matter how fiercely Dane denied it, the truth was plain to Nahen. The flush on his face had nothing to do with illness. Clearly, something had happened with Eri.
“Well, what’s good is good. Take this chance and do it properly.”
“I said it’s not like that!”
“Yes, yes. I believe you.”
When Nahen answered so casually, Dane realized he was not believed at all. Finally giving up, he let out a long sigh and delivered the information he had gathered.
“It doesn’t differ much from what I discovered.”
“...You looked into it separately?”
“No. I happened to learn of it while I had business in the Empire for a time. It simply means the intelligence you collected was that accurate.”
Nahen gave Dane’s shoulder a few encouraging pats. Dane bowed his head in gratitude, but could not resist adding one more protest.
“...It really isn’t like that.”
“...I understand.”
The man was surprisingly persistent. Nahen told him, “For the time being, focus on gathering information. Send your reports to the Demon King’s Castle by letter.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to report in person like this?”
“The situation has changed. I need to go somewhere for a while.”
“Where…?”
At Dane’s question, Nahen simply looked at him. The message in that gaze was clear: You don’t need to know. Dane closed his mouth and lowered his head.
“...Understood.”
Nahen summoned his magic power and tore open the space beside him. A passage leading to the forest connected to the Demon Realm portal opened. He stepped forward.
“Dane.”
“Yes.”
“I trust you will do well. And…”
Just before his body fully entered the passage, Nahen added, “Do a good job of winning Eri over, too.”
“What!?”
Before Dane could protest, Nahen vanished into the passage. The torn space restored itself and the portal closed.
Dane stared blankly at the empty spot where Nahen had stood, then rubbed the corners of his eyes with a complicated expression. A deep sigh escaped him, heavy with a tangle of emotions, and he trudged away.
As Nahen had said, if he seized this opportunity, he might finally claim Eri—his longtime friend whom he had cherished in his heart. Yet Dane’s mind was far from at ease.
It was merely a misunderstanding born of their unusual circumstances and the special role he was playing. Wasn’t his excitement clouding his reason? That was what worried him.
“...Huu.”
But on the other hand, part of him felt exactly what Nahen had suggested: the genuine desire to make Eri his own. Eri had not yet fully forgotten Luke, but Dane had moved on from him far more. He had even grown more accustomed to life in the Demon Realm, serving under Nahen, than to his old existence in the human world.
If he took Eri as his lover, she too might forget Luke and focus on him. That would be better. Besides…
Living together is already difficult enough.
Though it was only an act, pretending to be husband and wife meant sharing a cramped space. It would have been easier if they were truly lovers, but the need for constant caution made it exhausting.
If only Eri were plain. But her bright smile, her loving nature, and the brilliant, adorable appearance that perfectly reflected that personality made it nearly unbearable. Her fluffy pink hair and matching eyes had drawn attention since long ago.
For Dane, simply being close to her was a trial—both as a man and as a friend.
“...Let’s just focus on work.”
Deciding to set it aside for now, Dane turned his mind to his duties.
#
Nahen had returned to the Demon Realm. But he had not come to assist with its affairs. Seere was handling things diligently, and he had no intention of interfering.
“I’ll just see her face briefly and leave.”
A simple greeting, then he would head to Hell and complete what needed to be done. There was Golab’s matter as well, but Nahen had another reason for wanting to visit Hell now.
If Ersha Scarlet’s story is true…
Besides Leviathan, two other mythical beasts were said to follow him. He needed to confirm in Hell why they had not yet revealed themselves. He would resolve Golab’s issue at the same time.
When Nahen returned to the Demon King’s Castle, Secily—who had been cleaning the corridor—perked her fluffy ears and greeted him cheerfully.
“Oh, Lord Nahen. You’re back early?”
“No, I must leave again soon. I only came to see Seere’s face for a moment. Where is she?”
“Her Majesty is currently out on the conquest campaign.”
“...Ah, has it already begun?”
“She has finished conquering the 66th Floor… and from what I understand, the conquest of the 65th Floor will begin shortly.”
Nahen’s eyes widened slightly. She had already completed the 66th Floor and was moving on to the 65th? It was far faster than he had anticipated.
“Is she not overexerting herself?”
“It doesn’t appear so. The head butler is temporarily managing affairs, and he expressed no such concerns.”
That meant Seere and her legions were performing far better than Nahen had expected. Satisfied, he smiled.
“I see.”
“Her Majesty may not have departed yet. Perhaps you should head to the 66th Floor?”
“I’ll do that.”
Nahen nodded and turned away. If he went to the 66th Floor as Secily suggested, he might still catch Seere before she left.
“Keep up the good work, Secily.”
“Yes, Lord Nahen.”
Secily bowed politely. Watching Nahen hurry off toward Seere, she smiled with quiet fondness.
“Her Majesty worries too much. As if someone like that would ever leave her side.”
With that thought, Secily resumed cleaning the corridor.
Nahen left the Demon King’s Castle and headed straight for the 66th Floor. Since the entire area up to the 66th Floor now belonged to Seere, he could travel comfortably.
After passing through several portals, he arrived at the 66th Floor and looked around. A small sigh escaped him.
“As expected.”
The ferocious nature of a Demon King existed in Seere as well. Even if her temperament was milder than that of other Demon Kings, she was not merciful enough to spare those who followed rival forces.
The surroundings were littered with corpses. Countless demon soldiers lay dead in rows. The one mercy was that Seere, following Nahen’s teachings, had largely refrained from harming civilians.
Nahen walked steadily toward the Demon King’s Castle on the 66th Floor.
As he approached, soldiers still guarding the gates—apparently the army had not yet departed—reacted immediately.
“!”
“It’s the Royal Preceptor!”
They recognized him at once. It would have been strange if they had not; he was the benefactor of the Devata forces. The soldiers offered crisp, loyal salutes. Nahen returned a simple nod.
“Is Seere inside?”
“Yes. She should be in the audience chamber. The departure was scheduled for tomorrow, so your timing is perfect.”
“I see.”
Nahen entered through the gates the soldiers opened and made his way to the audience chamber.
While walking down the corridor, he encountered a familiar face.
“Oh, Uncle.”
“Veronika.”
Veronika, now properly dressed in a legion commander’s uniform, stared at him in surprise. Nahen thought the uniform suited her well.
“Where have you been?”
“Didn’t you hear I was going to the human realm for a while?”
“Ah, so you’re finished?”
“I’ve taken care of nearly everything there. And I told you not to call me uncle.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. Lord Nahen…”
Nahen chuckled and gently ruffled her hair.
“Work hard.”
“Yes, yes!”
“Good. And try not to get hurt.”
After that last word of concern, Nahen continued past her. Veronika watched his back for a moment before resuming her walk down the corridor, documents for Celestia in hand.
Having met Veronika, Nahen soon reached the audience chamber. The soldiers guarding the door offered heavy salutes as he approached.
“Is Seere inside?”
“Yes, I’ll open the door right—”
Before the soldiers could even touch the handle, the door swung open from within.
“Teacher~~~!!!”
A girl with flowing platinum hair came running out. She threw herself into Nahen’s arms.
The one displaying such childish enthusiasm was the ruler of these soldiers, the conqueror of the 66th Floor, Nahen’s sole disciple, and a Demon King. Yet before Nahen, she was simply an adorable girl.
Watching Seere rub her cheek against him with pure delight, Nahen smiled like a proud father.
“Yes, it seems you’ve been well.”
“I missed you, Teacher.”
Nahen gently stroked her head.
“Let’s go inside first. There are things I need to tell you.”
“Okay~!”
Seere beamed and followed Nahen into the audience chamber. The soldiers who witnessed the scene were left stunned. After all, Seere had displayed a maturity far beyond her years and the full cruelty of a Demon King during the conquest. The contrast was jarring.
“...Lord Nahen really is something else.”
“No kidding…”
That was the shared sentiment of the two soldiers as they watched Nahen treat their fearsome monarch like a child.
#
Nahen sat upon the throne. It was rather awkward for him, but Seere had whined that she wanted to sit on his lap, leaving him no choice.
Seere settled onto his knee and hummed contentedly.
“Hmm~♪”
“...Seere, there’s something we need to discuss.”
“Yes?”
“I only came to say hello. I have somewhere I must go.”
At Nahen’s words, Seere froze. He sensed something strange. Though he could not see her face, the aura around her had grown dark and heavy.
“...Where?”
“I have some business to attend to.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“That… I’m not certain. I don’t know how long it will take. Which is why, Seere, I’d like you to receive Dane’s reports in my place. I need someone who can understand the situation in the human realm…”
As Nahen spoke, Seere suddenly sprang to her feet. He blinked at her. She whirled around and stared directly at him.
“Where are you going this time!?”
“...Seere?”
“I’ve been working so hard waiting for you to come back, and now you’re leaving again!? Stay with me!”
Seere’s face was clouded with distress. But Nahen found it difficult to understand. They had only been apart for about a week.
“Seere, it hasn’t been that long. And this is something I truly must do. It’s for your future as well…”
“I don’t want you to!”
Seere’s stubbornness had surfaced—the kind only a child could display at such a moment. Nahen looked troubled, but her resolve showed no sign of breaking.
“If you leave again, I won’t just sit quietly.”
“...Seere. I have to go. This is absolutely necessary—not only for you, but for our entire Devata faction. Besides, the matters in the human realm are not yet fully resolved. Think of it as waiting just a little longer, all right?”
At Nahen’s persuasion, Seere fell silent. He thought she had understood, but that was a mistake.
For the first time, Seere raised her voice at him.
“You won’t even tell me what it is, and you just expect me to wait patiently!!!”
Nahen’s eyes widened. Seere was panting, tears shimmering in her eyes.
He, who had not understood why she was reacting so strongly after only a week apart, took a moment to cool his thoughts. When he tried to see things from her perspective, it finally made sense.
…That’s right. She’s still a child.
Children naturally hated being separated from their parents even for a moment. Nahen was not her parent, but he was the teacher who had cared for and instructed the young Seere for five—soon to be six—years. To her, he was like a parent. If even a week apart had been difficult, the thought of being left for an unknown length of time had triggered this outburst.
Her blue eyes trembled. Large, jewel-like tears began to fall.
Looking at the child’s face, Nahen felt a pang of pity. He rose from the throne, gently embraced her, and stroked the back of her head.
“Seere, don’t cry.”
“...Hic… sniff…”
“It seems my explanation was insufficient.”
It could not have been otherwise. Nahen had never clearly revealed his true identity to anyone. He had shown his power, but he had never spoken of his origins with his own mouth.
“Come, sit down.”
He offered her the throne, but Seere only sniffled and refused to move. After a moment’s thought, Nahen sat back down and patted his knee.
“Here.”
Only then did Seere move. She settled lightly onto his lap, shoulders still trembling. Nahen patted her back soothingly, then delivered the shocking news.
“I must go to Hell for a while.”
“......?”
Seere’s eyes widened, her tears momentarily forgotten. She turned her head to look at him. Nahen spoke quietly.
“There is something I must do there.”