296. Shadow in Change (2)
296. Shadow in Change (2)
- 1 -
The United Kingdom of Zenota, and within it, the capital of its most powerful constituent kingdom: Nodosdo — Nadastada.
Tension was mounting in its diplomatic conference hall.
Hot air swirled between the marble pillars, and beads of sweat formed on the attendees' foreheads.
"King Aldrick of the Kingdom of Reinrak. Welcome to Zenota."
Consul Paren, who was chairing this diplomatic conference, stood at the center of the hall and raised both hands to greet the visitor.
His voice was courteous, but his eyes could not conceal their wariness.
King Aldrick nodded slightly. A subtle sneer flickered across his lips.
"I thank you for the welcome. However, I wish to proceed directly to the main topic."
For a visitor to a great power that was leading the conference, King Aldrick's attitude was remarkably confident.
The Kingdom of Reinrak was a nation to the west of the Kingdom of Zenota. While it did not meet the conditions of a great power, it possessed a not insignificant territory and had secured a position on the Eastern Continent that could not be ignored, thanks to its direct exchanges with the Kingdom of Bulan, the bridgehead to the Western Continent.
Around them, representatives from Gorda and Cretia sat with uneasy expressions.
They appeared uncomfortable with the tense atmosphere escalating between the two powerful nations.
"As you are all aware."
Once everyone was seated, Paren began to speak.
"We have gathered here today to respond to a common threat. The activities of Agares in the southern region have been rapidly increasing, which is cause for concern."
He pointed at a map. Numerous red dots were marked on the southern jungle.
"These marks indicate points where Agares's subordinates have been sighted over the past two months in the three nations of Zenota, Gorda, and Cretia. They are raiding villages, abducting residents, and in some areas, even establishing permanent outposts."
The sound of King Aldrick's scoff was audible, but Paren deliberately ignored it and continued with a sorrowful face.
"Do the demon beasts of Agares not always spread poison and narcotics across the battlefield, reducing our soldiers' quality of life and necessitating regular replacements? They are still crying out in agony even now."
Paren furrowed his brow as if saddened by the soldiers' tragedy, while Aldrick twisted his brow as if disgusted.
"To respond to this, a unified response from the western nations of the Eastern Continent is necessary, so that each nation may bear the burden of defense proportional to the size of its territory."
"A unified response, you say. That sounds good."
As soon as Paren finished speaking, Aldrick tapped the table and spoke.
"But look at this map. Zenota continues to ignore our territorial demands."
Aldrick rose from his seat and spread out a map.
On the map he had brought, half-crumpled, the disputed region between the two nations was marked in red.
"Should we not resolve this issue first before we can move on to the next step?"
Paren's face hardened.
He could attend this meeting because he was not directly involved in this territorial demand, but just because it was not his land did not mean he could freely approve it.
"King Aldrick. The topic of today's conference is a joint response to the threat of Agares. This is a matter for all mankind. The border issue..."
"To our Kingdom of Reinrak, this issue appears to take precedence."
The air in the conference hall froze at Aldrick's firm attitude.
"The plains of the Ratgar region, currently divided and occupied by your Kingdom of Adantar and the Duchy of Libchi, were historically our territory. They were taken from us a hundred years ago by an unjust treaty."
"That 'unjust treaty' was a formal treaty concluded by both nations. Legally, there is no problem whatsoev—"
"Legally? Is that your nation's stance?"
Aldrick raised his voice. He had absolutely no intention of missing this opportunity.
"Do you call a treaty concluded after mobilizing troops and issuing threats legal?"
Tension filled the conference hall. The atmosphere was as if war could break out at any moment.
The representatives of the two other small nations that shared a border with Agares simply avoided Paren's gaze.
In their hearts, they wished to side with Zenota, but Reinrak also shared an even larger border with them.
"This is a separate issue from the threat of Agares. Are not the activities of that Demon Realm Archduke a threat to us all?"
Amidst the heightened tension, Consul Paren and the diplomats of Zenota proposed trade agreements, attempting to ease the situation.
"We believe a unified response from the western nations is necessary. Together, we can become stronger."
"And we can also strengthen our economic ties."
Consul Paren added.
"Through trade agreements and tariff reductions, we can pursue mutual benefit..."
"We have managed well enough until now; I see no reason why agreements are particularly necessary."
Aldrick cut him off coldly. His eyes continued to stare directly at Paren.
"Unless our borders are restored, we can engage in no discussions whatsoever."
The sediment of a century-long border dispute was not easily dissolved.
The weight of history was far heavier than a diplomatic smile.
Tak!
Aldrick struck the table and rose from his seat, and the Reinrak delegation rose in perfect unison.
In their eyes, the shadow of war was flickering.
"Please wait."
Consul Paren hastily spoke.
"We can offer a compromise. We could even propose joint management of just the Ratgar vicinity..."
Aldrick hesitated for a moment. But only for a moment.
He shook his head firmly.
"That alone is insufficient. Unless at least five fortresses and ten villages in the Ratgar region are returned, an alliance is impossible."
As they exited the conference hall, the Reinrak Foreign Minister made eye contact with one of the Zenota scribes.
The scribe's eyes gleamed strangely for a moment, but he thought it was merely the look of a weary diplomat.
Unaware that beyond that scribe, someone was sneering at their foolishness.
- 2 -
There were Shadows who traversed the continent with various faces and identities.
- Screech - !
A hawk that had slipped out of the Norn Empire's palace let out a sharp cry.
Its large black wings beat as they sliced through the air. The dense forest on the outskirts of the capital, Norman, came into view.
Swaaak —
The hawk dove into the forest with lightning speed and snatched up a rat.
As its sharp beak tore into the rat's nape, red blood trickled down, and simultaneously, the hawk's pink eyes gleamed eerily.
- Master. Transmitting information.
Within the hawk's mind, all the information it had witnessed began to be transmitted to its master along the flow of mana.
- The alliance between Norn and Tailrand has proceeded as expected. The other two nations...
As Saya listened to his words being relayed, she duplicated the contents into documents.
"It is as Master predicted. Though it is unexpected that the Holy Kingdom and Rugnisah did not even attend..."
After organizing the words she would convey to her master in her mind, she issued his next order.
The sound of the hawk's wingbeats cut through the silence of the forest, and the Shadow flew eastward.
To uncover the true intentions of the Kingdom of Tailrand, constant movement was necessary.
"The Northern Alliance has now taken on a substantial form."
In Kak, the capital of the Kingdom of Kakia, a guard who had been standing watch at the meeting sat kneeling inside a tent.
The violet seal engraved on his forehead glowed as he imbued mana with information and transmitted it to his master.
Cerebrum Skull.
Originally a necromancer's summon that replaced the brain and spine of those isolated within a dungeon, sowing confusion in the ranks of adventurers.
However, Libertas had actively utilized them as informants, noting that they could mimic humans.
"But as Master said, the Small Kingdom of Uland, Roipreli, and Kakia still appear to be in conflict..."
After transmitting the information, the undead rose from his seat, ignoring the voice of the guard screaming within him.
He intended to continue performing the guard's duties in this position for a while, and leave this country when the time came to escape notice.
"Even at this very moment, they are too busy fighting each other to form an alliance. Royals and nobles alike, all fools."
At the same time, the scribe who had slipped out of Nadastada, Zenota's capital, muttered disrespectful words.
And a moment later.
- It is not incomprehensible, but they are beings utterly lacking in the qualifications of a true adversary. Now go. You have worked hard, human.
All the strange light drained from his eyes.
"...Why did I... Ah, the meeting is over."
With fabricated memories remaining, he confirmed that he had recorded the meeting normally and moved his feet to return to his own work.
However, the documents the scribe carried would be delivered not to the royal palace, but elsewhere, according to 'his own volition.'
- For the era of Master. And for myself, who shall support that era.
All such information was gathering toward a single center. Into the hands of Libertas, the heart of the Grakheisen Union.
Talhan, the one commanding her informants, smiled with a pale face.
- 3 -
As twilight deepened, I was still at the Red Rose with Saya.
The café's lights began to turn on one by one, and the glow illuminated our faces.
Now, regardless of whether others watched or not, the soft lighting settled upon the face of Saya, who was pressed close to my side.
"All three alliances have proceeded as expected."
After hearing her detailed reports from each nation, I smiled with satisfaction.
Having heard that far, I left the Red Rose with her and headed to the restaurant.
Of course, the meals at the royal palace were far more excellent, but eating the head chef's cooking every time felt somehow tiresome.
Life always needs stimulation. Though one must be careful not to become addicted to dopamine.
"Everyone is already here."
When we arrived at the designated restaurant, everyone was already present.
My close aides.
"Master. Please, come in."
Evangeline greeted me as always, with a neat face and a slightly sly smile.
She was still wearing her uniform of jacket and trousers, but she had removed all the splendid decorations and insignia.
Only the single black flower ornament on the right collar remained as it was.
"Sister. Did you rest well today?"
"Master is always working, Yurena."
Esther and Yurena, seated together, had different hair and eye colors but felt completely like sisters.
Though Esther, the Saintess, and Yurena, the Queen, were present here, no commotion could be heard.
That was because this was a private room in the restaurant, after all.
"My Lord. Elena asked me to convey her apologies for being unable to attend."
"It is fine. She must be in the midst of a honeymoon phase with Adelaide."
"Hehe. It is as you say."
When I waved my hand at Ran's words, she smiled gently, clung to my side briefly to guide me to my seat, then sat down one seat away.
Saya, who had been sticking to the other side, glanced around for a moment, then sat down a little distance away from my seat.
Since we had enjoyed a date together up until now, it seemed she was being considerate of the other comrades.
"Ha... It's been a while since I've seen your face, Ritaa..."
"Serica. You've worked hard."
"Hehe... It was just work decorating my own house, after all."
Serica, who had returned after finishing the work of setting up a dungeon to the east of Orbis Duchy, was sitting on my left.
I stroked the sunset-tinted blonde hair of my betrothed, who leaned against me.
"It feels awkward being called a countess. By demon realm standards, I'd have probably received a barony at best. Still, being a countess like you does feel good."
"You're something else."
The name of her new dungeon, now also a city of the Orbis Duchy, was Hortus.
Her official title in her duchy was also Countess Hortus.
"Accept it. It will be convenient in many ways."
"Yeah. I'm already feeling it. They're not exactly threatening or controlling me, but humans move according to my will."
However, that didn't mean humans had taken on any special meaning for her.
The fact that she could manage a territory was only possible thanks to me.
"Still, don't consume them or treat them carelessly as you please. I hope you'll manage the territory responsibly."
"Yeah. It's something Rita gave me, so of course. I'll keep it safe."
I stroked the head of Serica, who smiled at me with gentle affection, then turned my gaze across the table.
"Shue."
"Mmhm..."
Over there, regardless of what others thought, Shue, who had decided to just eat her meat, answered with a muffled voice, a steak still in her mouth.
"Finish eating before you speak."
"Mmm..."
When Evangeline scolded her for breaching etiquette, Shue made a sound of agreement, but she still chewed her meat slowly, looking at me.
"You have worked hard."
"...It was nothing..."
When I spoke, looking up at her with my hand resting on Shue's waist, her gaze finally turned away.
There was no blush on her cheeks, but the movement of her white, fluffy tail quickened, and her ears twitched gently, betraying her pleasure.
At that moment, a shadow fell over the table.
A thin man in an antique suit, and a woman in a mage's robe, stood beside the table.
"Master. I apologize for being late."
"Your disciple Sonia. We have just arrived."
Talhan and Sonia bowed and each found their seats.
"Talhan. There must be a reason for your lateness."
"Zenota's situation was more complicated than expected."
When I asked, Talhan floated a document across the table toward me.
His silver hair gleamed in the evening sunlight.
"Though it is an old nation as a United Kingdom, upon closer inspection, there were cracks here and there."
As I looked at the document delivered by his mana, he began to briefly report the details.
"I investigated various things, wondering if it would be good to tear this country apart."
"Very well. I will confirm and reply later."
"Yes."
After briefly skimming the document, I nodded and stored it within my shadow.
Now was mealtime. There was no need to speak long on work.
"Sonia. You have worked hard all this time."
"...I'd like to be humble and say it was nothing, but that was not the case..."
Sonia glared at me timidly.
She had been busy handling affairs from all directions, managing the dungeon for a long time in my stead, so it must have been exhausting indeed.
She was essentially human, and even if they were controlled, the demon beasts were still demon beasts.
"Sit here."
"Ah... Thank you, Shue unni."
Shue moved one seat over, and I stroked the head of Sonia, who sat down in that spot.
"Did anyone trouble you emotionally?"
"No. Everyone treats me with courtesy. It's just that the burden on me is so great... I apologize."
"This isn't something you should apologize for. You did well."
After patting her back, I pushed the meal toward her.
And then I looked around at the people nearby again.
"Now almost everyone is here. Once a few more links are filled in, the preparations for the Eclipse will be complete."
They each inclined their heads in courtesy and answered with silence.
I lifted a glass of wine in my hand.
"When that time comes, no one will be able to touch us."
A smile at my lips, I clinked my glass against the raised glasses of others.
"Those who come to my dungeon will be swept away by human armies."
The deep red of the wine held the light within the glass. I slowly savored the red liquid in my mouth.
The liquid, the color of blood, carried the scent I liked.
"Those who come to my territory will be stricken with terror at the sight of the demon beast army."
The air around the table grew heavy at the certainty in my voice.
I met the eyes of each of my subordinates, which shone as they looked at me.
"When that time comes, there will be none who can deny that I am one worthy of the Demon King's throne."
From a count of the Demon Realm, past a marquis, to becoming an archduke, and until becoming the Demon King's successor.
And until becoming the Demon King.
I would not stop.
Cannot stop. Because stopping means only death.
What resonated within my heart was not fear.
The path I had already trod was stained with blood and darkness, and the path I would walk henceforth would be no different.
However, if the punishment for the evil deeds I had committed should approach, I intended to accept it willingly.
But now was not the time to think of that.
"In the glorious time to come, at that moment, I want you all by my side, without fail."
Because right now, at my side, these people were here.
""Yes.""
To those who answered in a single voice, I showed a languid smile full of satisfaction.
They were, indeed, the sovereigns of my empire.