190. Pandemonium (1)
190. Pandemonium (1)
- 1 -
Before my journey to the Demon World, I had selected my companions in advance.
They were led by Kamaya and Nirvana, both soon to become Dungeon Lords in their own right, along with the elites who would serve as my personal guard. Artemis, Maria, and Axe — already proven in both combat ability and loyalty — were among them.
Then there was my pet bird Mary, Serica as our marriage negotiations representative, and my mentor in necromancy and soul arts, Myur Relix.
With this group, I would be able to move through the Demon World without issue.
Before that, however, I needed to decide on the dungeon's operational policy during my absence.
"Eve, hold the center as always, but begin laying the groundwork for the dungeon's reorganization. Sonia, assist her with that."
"Yes, Master."
"Understood, Teacher."
Eve answered, her blue eyes shimmering through her blonde hair. Beside her, I saw the grey-haired Sonia bow her head, her clear eyes filled with reverence.
Dungeon management and preparation for the next reorganization — those two would be their primary tasks.
The reorganization in particular was not urgent, but it was important.
Rumors had begun to spread that the mysterious mansions in the city center were, in fact, dungeon entrances, and it had become difficult to expect further growth through the current small-scale absorption of adventurers.
"The plan I am mainly considering is threefold."
I organized the three proposals in my mind.
'Supply.' 'War.' 'Plague.'
Any one of them would be less humane than what we had been doing.
Personally, I was leaning toward war, but depending on the situation, there might be a need to execute all three.
"But that won't matter for now. Prepare slowly and thoroughly."
"Yes."
We hadn't even fully digested the mana we had absorbed during the last territorial war.
There was no need to rush the dungeon's reorganization.
It would be enough to wait until my army was properly organized, so to speak.
"Shue, I am leaving Kamaya's vacant position in your hands."
"Don't worry..."
Shue answered, a burning intensity visible beneath her usual blank expression.
Her task was to monitor the northern part of the Arilit Duchy — the southwestern region relative to our dungeon.
Though the area had already undergone an initial purge, there was still a chance mages or adventurers were hiding out, having sensed our dungeon's sublimation and abnormalities.
The population density of this continent's landmass was nothing like Earth's, but it was still considerable.
"There have been reports of monster movements in the south, so check that area as well."
"Yeah..."
Though she often seemed vacant, once she set to work, Shue was more tenacious and ruthless than anyone.
A woman like her would not miss even the smallest sign of someone hiding.
"Ran, you will now step away from Elena's affairs and focus your efforts on reorganizing your dungeon."
"I shall make it splendid, Your Majesty."
Ran, her black hair cascading down, placed a hand over her chest and bowed reverently.
Her mission was also of tremendous significance.
To turn this region into a perfect demonic domain, my dungeon alone would not be enough. More strongholds were essential.
"Above all, do not forget to prepare it with the feeling that you are building a fortress."
"Heheh. In some respects, I may understand that better than anyone."
"You likely do. I am counting on you."
The planned dungeon sites for Ran, Serica, and the Four Queens were positioned closer to the borderlands than my dungeon was.
This was an intentional arrangement.
Once my demonic domain began operating at full scale, these dungeons would become the front line of the front, confronting even greater numbers of adventurers and human armies.
For this kind of outward expansion, the information network would become even more critical, so I continued with my next instructions.
"Talhan. Regarding securing control of the information network toward the central parts of Hysen, carry it out autonomously, but prepare to report upon my return. Consult with Seth on urgent matters."
- I will prepare without fail.
The next target was already decided.
Hysen in the north and the Arilit Duchy in the south.
Whether to absorb these two nations completely or turn them into puppet states — either way, my power would grow immensely, and in turn, the continent's chaos would deepen.
"Amelia. Continue your studies diligently. I shall check on your progress when I return. Haley. Tell your husband to prepare to govern his county."
- Yes, Teacher...
- He is already preparing!
"Good."
For that, controlling the humans who would come to live within my demonic domain was also an important task.
Once the dungeon's growth reached its limit, growth as a demonic domain would have only one direction left: 'establishing a national identity.'
To achieve that, a strict principle was necessary.
It was crucial to thoroughly uphold the policy of protecting my people and absorbing only hostile humans or criminals.
'Harmony between humans and monsters.'
It would not be an easy task.
But as long as I always kept in mind that 'any intelligent being can perceive difference as wrongness at any time', it would not be impossible.
I still had no desire to commit unnecessary slaughter.
"Elena. It seems news will soon come from Hysen. Have you prepared your 'script' well?"
Her role — Elena's role — was crucial for that plan.
Without the merit she was currently building from another direction, our scheme would become somewhat more difficult.
- Of course, Master. Soon, you will have a human hero in the palm of your hand.
"Excellent."
The Ironfield Margraviate in the west was in a state of excessive expansion, having absorbed the Border County of Cheoks.
Greedy royals and nobles would undoubtedly wish to carve it up to suit their own tastes.
If they did not, a small independent country might be born in the west.
In this situation, if Elena could trigger a suitable tragedy and accept their demands, she could indebt both Hysen and Ironfield while simultaneously driving a wedge between the people of the two lands.
Human division would soon become my opportunity.
"'Steel Wings.' That's a cool name."
This was entirely possible thanks to the performance Elena had shown on the front lines.
- I will strive even harder so that I may one day become a secret weapon for you, my Master.
"You are already doing well, so do not overexert yourself."
It was a vow to build a reputation that spanned not just one region but the entire continent.
I smiled in reply and then posed the question I had prepared for her.
"How are things between you and Adelaide these days?"
- My sister... does not seem to know my feelings yet, but I think it will be soon.
Elena's face reddened, visible even through the crystal ball.
Yet I could find no trace of hesitation about violating a taboo in her expression.
There was only a heart reaching straight toward love.
"That is cause for celebration. I must prepare a dowry for you."
- The glory and power you already grant me are more than I deserve.
"I am giving it because I wish to, so do not refuse."
- Thank you.
After nodding to her as she bowed deeply, I turned my gaze back to the others within our ranks.
"Bergrisa. Fortuna. Are you each doing well?"
"Thanks to the Lady's consideration, everything is proceeding smoothly."
"By the Master's grace..."
Bergrisa, the troll shaman who was the daughter of the Dungeon Lord Baron Jarkra, whom I had faced as an enemy.
Fortuna, the daughter of Tigris, the king of spiders who had once invaded the Ironwood Forest to the north. Her original name had been 'Sanme' — the Third.
These two were the talents who would become the pillars of the 'Greenskins' and the 'Arthropod-type Monsters' in my demonic domain, respectively.
A horde of berserkers who attacked the enemy ferociously without regard for their own bodies, and monsters who wielded deadly poisons.
Establishing the central axis for these two groups was also an important task.
"Alright. This should be enough."
I concluded with satisfaction.
The remaining people were Orea, Echidna, and the mercenary group leader Daniel. For them, however, I merely nodded once while meeting their eyes.
They only needed to carry out their assigned duties where they stood, without any need to alter the current policy.
Eve and my other close aides stepped forward before everyone.
"Master. Please, return safely."
As Evangeline bowed and offered a military salute, the others also showed their respects in their own ways.
Without any particular word, I gave a nod and then walked toward the door that Scarlet and Marie had been keeping open.
『Demon Realm Fame — 8,557』
What appeared before my eyes was my fame in the Demon Realm, increasing in real time.
And beneath it, the two main reasons that fame was being maintained were written.
『Demon Realm Fame — 8,562』
『— Master of a Surviving Demonic Domain』
『— Marriage Talks with the Marquis Household of Baritra』
'Fast, aren't they.'
The politics within the noble houses had already begun.
I felt anticipation.
About how they would try to approach me, and what I might be able to gain from this trip to the Demon World.
- 2 -
"Welcome, to the Demon World!"
"Welcome..."
I crossed the gate to the Demon World amidst the welcoming greetings of two succubi, one red and one blue.
And so, the first impression I had of the Demon World was somewhat different from what I had expected.
If a Dungeon Lord was an accumulation of mana and a dungeon was a structure created from that mana, then the Demon World was a city densely packed with such mana structures.
But it was no medieval sight; it was a sophisticated landscape reminiscent of early modern Europe.
"Thank you both. For making time."
Before properly touring the city, I lowered my gaze to look at the two succubi.
Scarlet and Marie had closed the gate and were standing at attention behind me. With a bright expression, Scarlet responded to my greeting.
"It is but a small matter! For Lady Libertas, I could make a hundred years if needed!"
"Talking nonsense again."
"I mean it... shouldn't you finally start to understand by now..."
After exchanging what had become something of a ritual between us, I extended my hand to her.
She knelt on one knee and, with a quiet demeanor unbefitting a succubus, pressed her lips to the back of my hand.
It was a gesture imbued with sincere respect.
'Come to think of it, her appearance is like that too.'
It wasn't just her attitude.
The revealing attire typical of a succubus was nowhere to be found; now, she was neatly dressed in formal noble wear.
I had heard rumors that while she still dressed as she used to in normal times, she always tidied herself up like this whenever summoned to my presence.
Thinking that this change was because of me stirred a strange feeling.
She was a woman who showed a side of herself so different from her first impression.
"I am always grateful for it. If you truly wish it, you may join my dungeon."
"Really?"
At my offer, Scarlet's face lit up with joy.
At the same time, I did not miss the way Marie's expression behind her darkened.
"Of course."
I smiled as I read the subtle emotional currents flowing between the two.
The offer was sincere, and whatever happened between them, I had no intention of retracting my words.
"...I sincerely thank you for your consideration. However..."
But Scarlet's answer was, surprisingly, a refusal.
"I think there may still be other ways I can help Lady Libertas from the outside."
"You please me."
"Because Lady Libertas is someone truly worth serving."
Even as she spoke her refusal, Scarlet's eyes were filled with regret.
I offered her the words I had prepared beforehand, as a form of consolation.
I had already anticipated the refusal.
"Then I must grow faster, it seems. Enough to accept you without worrying about anyone else's opinion."
"Who would dare say Lady Libertas lacks the qualifications! But truly, I am grateful for your words."
Having bowed her head, Scarlet headed toward the gate to return to the trading company.
I gestured toward Marie.
"Yeess... Lady...?"
Marie had a tone and attitude even more languid than Shue's, but in front of me, she was strangely tense, yet trying hard to appear proper.
It seemed the stern scolding I had given her before was still having its effect.
"It will still be a long while before she joins me."
"Do you mean...?"
To the blue woman who looked at me with puzzled eyes, I smiled and explained.
"I have no hobby of stealing someone else's love. So, shouldn't you be doing a better job yourself?"
"..."
"Your position is one from which you can do far more than what you've been enjoying. Come to me if you need advice. We can discuss important matters far more comfortably than within the company."
"...Thank you."
Marie, who had been looking at me with complicated eyes, bowed her head once and then followed after Scarlet.
What I said to Scarlet, and what I said to Marie, were both sincere.
Though, if Scarlet continued to follow me faithfully, I would be able to use the position of Mammon's illegitimate child, Marie, more effectively. That was also sincere.
I hadn't spoken a single lie.
"Rita truly is a bad woman."
Serica, having instantly grasped the intent behind my actions, passed judgment.
The sharp coolness tinged within her lively expression was proof of how much she had matured as a noble.
I answered nonchalantly.
"You're just realizing this now?"
"I like that Rita."
"I am fond of Serica too."
"Hehe. Let's go! I'll guide you to the capital of the Demon World!"
Following Serica, who had interlaced her fingers with mine and was taking the lead, I took my first steps into the Demon World.
Ahead of us, the black crystals adorning the buildings of the Demon World gleamed, lighting the way.