379. The Audience
379. The Audience
- 1 -
Clunk!
The massive doors of the audience chamber swung open.
Cold air brushed my cheek.
Unlike the surface world, which was warm year-round in most regions, the Demon Realm's climate varied by region and season.
Just like the place I used to live—Earth.
But the chill I felt now had nothing to do with temperature.
It was the cold born of the absolute being's overwhelming presence.
'Dark.'
At first, I could see nothing.
But soon, two things came into view.
A red carpet spread out before my feet, and a single distant ray of light, as if marking my destination.
The light fell upon the floor, and there sat a throne.
And upon that throne...
'The Demon King.'
Someone was there, leaning lazily against the backrest and looking this way.
Despite being indoors, despite sitting on the throne, the figure was fully clad in divine armor.
Tap. Tap.
As I walked forward, the surroundings gradually began to reveal themselves.
Black light reflected off all manner of magic stones in the room, slowly unveiling the Demon King's audience chamber. Yet because the light source itself was darkness, the full scene remained obscured.
All I could see was the path stretching to the end of the red carpet, and the faint silhouettes of beings standing on either side—their names and faces unknown.
'It's clearly some kind of magic, but...'
I studied my surroundings carefully, trying to discern the principles at work.
But only one thing became clear.
An extremely advanced design had been applied here.
Even for someone with outstanding talent, the magic was simply too complex to be grasped by the eyes of one who had studied for barely a year and a half.
Given a little more time, I might be able to understand the underlying principle... but this was the King's presence.
There was no time left to delay.
Tap. Tap.
I continued walking at a measured pace.
Neither hurried nor hesitant.
During that walk, the murmuring around me sharpened into clear shouts.
"Insolent wretch! You dare keep your back straight before the King! Kneel, child. The being before you is your absolute ruler!"
"Pathetically soft-hearted. You cannot sever your attachments."
"How greedy. A creature that will not stop until it devours everything!"
"You commit evil to punish evil? Your hypocrisy and false villainy are so revolting I shudder!"
Whispers from beings whose forms and presence alike were invisible.
Instinctively, I confirmed they were 'real.' But instead of lowering my head, I straightened my back further and put more strength into my steps.
'One who would wear the crown must bear its weight.'
It had always been that way.
No matter what anyone said, I simply walked my own path. No one could interfere.
So it had been until now. And so it would be in the future.
And finally, I arrived beneath the high throne where the absolute being of this world sat.
—
Suddenly, all sound vanished.
Without looking around, I gazed straight up at the throne.
Still, his figure was not visible.
The black light shining from behind and the backlight's shadow concealed his face.
A consideration to protect the spirit and soul of those granted an audience.
I tried to see through that veil, but all I could make out was a languid arc at the corner of his lips.
Only after a short moment did I kneel and bow my head.
"I behold the one and only black sun of all the world. Archduke of Paradox, Hecate. I have arrived."
- So you heard the voice, Hecate.
A deep, reverberating voice shook the entire space.
It was less a sound heard by the ears and more a voice transmitted directly to one's very being.
I hesitated for a brief moment before answering.
"Yes, I heard it. Your Majesty the Absolute One."
- How much did you hear?
"I heard the voices of countless beings."
A short silence passed.
But soon, laughter came from atop the throne.
Low and deep, yet somehow amused laughter.
- Karmic fate (緣). So you have climbed to that level.
I could not be certain what the Demon King was guessing at.
I could only guess it was not in a negative sense.
- Raise your head, Hecate.
When I lifted my head, the Demon King let out another chuckle and beckoned me closer with a nod.
As I approached, the Demon King straightened from his half-reclining posture.
- Show me your 'title.'
A voice imbued with the power to compel obedience before one even realized it.
Without resisting, I drew out the qualification of the 'Archduke of Binding' from within.
Rustle...
Accompanied by the sound of chains clashing and sliding against one another, Paimon's 'title' emerged from my body.
Even amidst the Demon King's darkness, a small darkness possessing its own presence floated into the air.
"Here it is."
As I lifted both hands to offer it, the Demon King made a gentle gesture.
A gesture so simple it contained neither strength nor mana.
Yet that gesture easily scattered my control.
The agglomerated mass of mana slowly approached the Demon King; it seemed to move of its own accord.
Because no force could be felt at all.
- ... It is unmistakable.
A sense of discomfort emanated from the Demon King.
Not anger, nor disappointment... something closer to weariness.
- Foolish creature. If you had awakened, you should have simply thought to return.
He spoke as if he knew Paimon well.
Considering Paimon was recognized as an Archduke of the Demon Realm, it would not be strange for them to have crossed paths many times.
"Your Majesty?"
- Enough.
The Demon King waved his hand dismissively, then moved to return Paimon's mass of mana to me.
- Do with it as you please. If you wish, you may use the title of 'Duke' after the formal investiture ceremony.
It was an indifferent attitude, as if bestowing a toy.
From that attitude, I sensed a transcendence over the world and a profound sense of futility.
And I became certain.
That his remaining days, and his will to live, were numbered.
- At the very least, I will designate a successor before dying. So keep silent.
I did not let it show, but the Demon King spoke as if he had seen right through me.
Before the absolute being, deception was useless.
"... Yes, Your Majesty."
After bowing my head, I soon made a request.
"Your Majesty. May I transfer this ducal title to my elder sister?"
- Hoh. To Stella, you say.
The Demon King did not shift his posture further, but his expression changed to one of interest for the first time.
- What do you want in return?
"I have not yet acquired the strength and qualifications befitting the rank of Grand Duke. The position of Grand Duke is too heavy a crown for me."
But Bellastella was different.
She possessed both the strength and the authority, and moreover, she had enough margin to even bestow a ducal title upon one who desired it.
Instead, it was merely the lack of cohesion characteristic of a newly rising faction that held her back.
With this single action, Bellastella's power would grow more stable, and my position under her protection would also be strengthened.
And only then would she be better able to endure the vacancy left when the Demon King was gone.
And the Demon King would have guessed this, too.
- You are greedy.
The Demon King whispered as if he knew everything.
Immediately afterward, the scoff he let out was tinged with some bitterness.
- ... Well, I don't intend to tell you to follow me into death. That should be fine, then.
He leaned back against the throne again and inclined his chin.
- It will be as you desire.
Paimon's mass of mana moved to the Demon King's side, then gradually shrank and easily transformed into a 'gem.'
He had condensed the near-formless 'qualification' to the extreme and converted it into a kind of magic stone for convenient storage.
Without even touching it, at that.
In that moment when the absolute being's power was exerted,
from that glimpse, I gained a small hint.
"One more thing. I have another request."
- Indeed, the reward for bringing such a thing was insufficient. Speak.
"I wish to behold Your Majesty's dragon visage."
Once again, the Demon King remained silent.
He stared at me for a long while before nodding.
- Very well.
The black light that had been shrouding the room began to gradually fade.
The Demon King's skin began to catch the light, starting from his chin.
The appearance of the Demon King finally revealed was...
- 2 -
The garden's chill further accentuated a beauty different from that of the Demon King's castle.
About an hour after Stella was summoned by the Demon King and entered the audience chamber, I joined her in this place after she emerged.
We spent time walking through the garden without much conversation.
"Aren't you cold? Let's go inside."
Stella draped a cloak over my shoulders as she spoke.
The cold air of the Demon Realm brushed my cheek, but her warm touch offset the chill.
The drawing room inside the palace was still cozy.
The flames blazing in the fireplace warmly heated the entire room, and the tea and refreshments brought by the maids had been neatly arranged on the table.
At the same time, every object in this space was placed slightly lower than the height Bellastella's hands could reach.
I hid the smile that naturally escaped me behind my teacup.
Inside this room touched by her hands, I was always the most precious being.
I was not unaware of what that meant.
"What kind of conversation did you have?"
When I asked after setting down my teacup, Stella hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"His Majesty... said he would grant me the title of the Duke of Binding."
"And then?"
"Truly... may I really accept it?"
Stella's voice was relatively calm.
But as she set down her teacup, the faint clink of the tea set could be heard at the end of the gesture.
As if betraying her anxiety, her fear that the bond with me might be broken.
"There is no one as suited for that position as you, sister."
I smiled and took her hand.
A somewhat cool hand. Which made me want to hold it all the more.
"But Rita... this is something you earned."
"I requested His Majesty to transfer it to you."
"What? Why... why would you do such a thing?"
I laughed inwardly as I watched her surprised expression.
Truly, this person did not know how precious a being she was to me.
Stella's voice was filled with surprise and deep gratitude.
That was enough.
"Because it is more necessary for you than for me as I am now."
"Libertas..."
"Just accept it. And..."
I leaned sideways and rested against her.
As the distance between us narrowed, I could hear Stella's breathing.
"Something necessary is going to happen. When that time comes, steel your heart and endure."
"What... do you mean by that?"
I stroked the back of her hand with my fingertips and shook my head.
"I cannot tell you right now."
It was a matter concerning the Demon King's death.
Speaking of his life and death was tantamount to treason, and it would do no good for either the speaker or the listener.
It was not yet time.
"But if it's you, sister... I know you will handle it well."
Knock knock.
At that moment, a careful knock sounded from outside the door.
The hand that had been about to settle on my shoulder was slowly withdrawn.
In that sluggish movement, a clear sense of regret was palpable.
"Come in."
The maid who opened the door and entered bowed politely.
"Your Highness. Envoys sent by the Duke of Wrath and the Duke of Pride have conveyed their wish to invite both of you to a party."
"Wait a moment."
Stella looked at me.
"You go alone, sister. I must return to the surface."
"Is there something happening up there?"
A flicker of worry crossed Stella's face.
"You don't need to worry. It's simply that I cannot leave my post—not that the work is overly arduous."
I spoke while looking up at her, my arms wrapped around her waist.
Stella still wore a worried expression, but she did not ask further.
"Then... what should I say at the party?"
"Do as you judge best, sister. There is no need to mention me."
"Will it really be all right? If they ask about you..."
"It is not yet time for me to face them directly. You can just cover for me appropriately."
I paused and looked into her eyes.
"I trust you, sister."
Stella closed her mouth for a moment.
As if that single phrase was all she had needed.
Soon, a new light of resolve settled in her eyes.
She stroked my head and gently lifted the corners of her lips.
"Alright... I understand. If that is what you wish."
"Thank you."
A moment later, I rose from my seat.
I could not stay any longer.
There were things waiting for me on the surface, and above all...
I had to clear away the enemies.
"Then I'll be off."
"Be careful. And..."
Stella took my hand and caressed it, just as I had done earlier.
"The next time we meet... let's meet with better news."
"We will."
A little embarrassed, I kissed her on the cheek.
Seeing her eyes go wide, I smiled playfully, and she smiled along with me.
And so, that day's audience and brief date came to an end.
When we met again next time, we would both be different.
We would be stronger, and we would be bearing more weight upon our shoulders.
But that was not so bad. Not if it was for the future we ultimately wanted.
"Let's go, Eve."
"Yes, Master."
Leaving Corona Tenebris behind, I prepared to return to the surface.
The cold wind of the Demon Realm followed at my back, but now it was familiar.
As I neared the gate leading to the surface, I sensed a gradually thickening smell of blood.
It was the stench of something rotting.
The deaths of countless ordinary people to come—ones I wished to prevent.
The smell wafting from the deaths of common folk.