391. The Naming Festival (2)
391. The Naming Festival (2)
- 1 -
December 25th, afternoon.
The capitals of the five nations that formed the Fate (緣) Alliance of Grakheizen.
In every royal palace square, a high Fate (緣) platform had been erected.
The ones who stepped up onto them were the kings of each nation, or their representatives.
Their first words were precisely this.
"Everyone! The Fate (緣) Alliance has triumphed!"
- Waaaaaah!!
- Long live the Fate (緣) Alliance! Long live His Majesty the King!
The cheers that roared from tens of thousands of people blanketed the sky.
The representatives raised both hands to quiet the populace and spoke.
"The peace agreement will continue for the next five years, and as the price of their defeat, they have ceded to our Fate (緣) Alliance the justification for numerous territories that originally existed within Alliance member states. Citizens! Please prepare to warmly welcome the new lands and their people!"
'And,' the representatives paused, then stretched out a hand toward one side of the square.
Their faces were full of joyful laughter.
"Today is the holiday designated by the Fate (緣) Alliance's religion, the 'Sun Church': 'Taemyeongjeol'! Proper rest and enjoyment are essential for composing one's mind!"
There, whole roasted pigs, giant barrels of alcohol, and mountains of bread and fruits were arrayed in abundance.
This mountain of food had been piled up identically not only in the capitals of every nation, but in every village square belonging to the Fate (緣) Alliance.
The representatives fully satisfied the anticipation of the people who were drooling at the sight of the food.
"From this afternoon until noon tomorrow, let no one carry any worries! Please enjoy only the victory, the rest, and the meat and drink!"
- Long live the Sun Church!
- Long live Saintess Esther! We love you, Saintess!
- Glory to Lady Philia!
People clinked glasses, draped arms around each other's shoulders, and sang.
Whether they were disabled veterans who had regained their arms, clergy who had converted to the Sun Church, or nobles whose true forms had become monsters.
The rich foam of dark beer and the savory smell of meat filled the square, and laughter overflowed.
The glory of defeating yesterday's enemy and the hope for tomorrow's peace were blooming on all their faces.
A day for preparing for the coming era, the afternoon of Taemyeongjeol began just like that.
- 2 -
At the same time.
My private hot spring villa, built near the summit of the Eisenlight Mountains.
'It's begun.'
Gazing at the lights beyond the mountain range, I smiled quietly.
The light rising above the nearest city of Orbis.
It was twice as bright as what I had seen last night—bright enough that I could tell some sort of 'event' was happening there.
I turned and headed inside.
Countless people had already gathered there.
A lineup so impressive that anyone from the outside would suspect it was a 'secret party of the powerful.'
'The fact that it's not so different in reality is simply amusing.'
I chuckled softly and rested my gaze on my trusted confidants as they approached.
"Master. I'm here."
"Husband! I have missed you!"
"Welcome, all of you."
Evangeline, Shue, Yuran, Saya. And Esther, who had been by my side since last night.
My mightiest swords and shields.
They naturally took seats in the chairs prepared below the throne.
"Teacher. I've brought a summary of the agreement results."
"I offer my greetings, Teacher."
"Well done. Sonia, Amelia."
Following them, my disciples Sonia and Amelia paid their respects.
I took the hands that had lightly kissed the back of my own and guided them to their seats.
"Rita — !"
As I rose after seating my disciples, a blonde woman rushed into my arms and embraced me.
Serica.
My Promised One and the noble lady of the Baritra Marquis Household, a family under the Wrath Duke faction in the Demon Realm.
"Lady Serica...! To suddenly rush forward like that...."
"Come here too, Yurena. Hugging Rita is so soft and pleasant."
"Ah, um...."
Yurena, the King of Hysen and my half-niece by blood clan relation, hesitated, not knowing what to do.
It was a slightly pitiful sight.
Lately, as she had been acting with the decorum of a monarch, she seemed to have lost the charm she possessed until not long ago.
I reached out and gestured to her.
"It's alright. Come here."
"Th-then, just for a moment...."
At my permission, Yurena also carefully approached and embraced me.
The two of them smiled happily like children.
"I trust you've been well, Master."
"I offer my greetings, Lady Libertas."
Next were Elena, the Commander of the General Knights of Leophere, and Adelaide, her Fate (緣) partner and the Archduchess of Leophere.
Approaching with their hands clasped tightly together, they bowed their heads simultaneously in greeting.
"Hehe. You both look wonderful."
"...Thank you."
At my words, Adelaide blushed and bowed her head once more, and Elena gazed at her with eyes full of boundless affection.
Following them, my other close associates revealed themselves one by one.
"... I have arrived. How noisy."
"Sir Talhan, you are still excessively rigid."
"You are far too relaxed. Do not forget formality."
Talhan, who had come to oversee the intelligence of the Fate (緣) Alliance, and Haley, who had become the successor to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Kiza.
"Master. I greet you after a long time."
"My lord. Wepar has come."
"... I'm here."
Serilia, the diplomatic envoy of the Hillsa Kingdom, and Salvia Wepar, the Marquis of Deceit who had seized control of Leophere's navy against the western continent's Demon Realm.
And Jin Soha, the Empress of the Night, one of the continent's Thirteen Stars of adventurers.
"Hehe. It's quite lively."
"Master...! Hello!"
Myur Relix, who was still in the position of my guest but had never once refused my 'requests,' and Grace Eivano, the cleric who had now become a priest of the Sun Church.
In addition, a multitude of subordinates including the troll shaman Bergrisa, and the sisters Maria and Artemis Olas, subordinates who wielded the power of the sun and moon, gathered together.
Coincidentally, except for the eunuch Talhan, everyone present was female.
[...Though I deeply respect my master and wish to serve her closely, there are simply too many women here. I would rather you provide a separate place for me.]
[I will guard the dungeon!]
I recalled the words of Daniel and Axe.
'They didn't need to feel so burdened by it.'
But I couldn't force them.
In the end, I opened a separate party for the male members inside Hylash, not here.
Since I had opened my palace, the Narcissus Palace, they would surely be having a satisfying time.
I rose from my seat and began to walk among the people. To personally fill the cups of my people.
Beside me, two maids followed, carrying various kinds of liquor on trays.
"Ash. What will you have?"
"Something low in proof would be good. I have work tomorrow morning, after all."
"Alright."
As I poured a fragrant fruit wine into her glass, she looked tremendously honored.
"Shue?"
"I'm fine with anything... as long as it's from you, Master."
"Then, let's go with this."
For Shue, I poured a clear distilled spirit from Kiza.
It was something with such high proof it could catch fire, but for her, it would probably need to be at least this strong before she'd even feel a hint of it.
"Sonia. Take this."
"Thank you, Teacher."
For Sonia, who didn't know alcohol well, I poured a sweet cocktail low in proof.
It was a drink nicknamed the 'Love Drink.' I looked forward to seeing her embarrassed when she later learned its meaning.
"Serica, take yours too."
"I'm not too fond of alcohol...."
"It's fine. It's a cocktail mixed with my blood."
"...!"
Serica's eyes sparkled as she looked down at her glass.
Apparently, a drink mixed with a loved one's blood gave vampires a taste of supreme bliss.
"As for Yurena... it can't be helped. Have juice today."
"... Yes, sister."
Yurena's expression, which had been full of anticipation, dimmed slightly.
Still, I couldn't give alcohol to a minor.
Instead, I stroked her hair and whispered.
"The day you become an adult, I'll drink with you, with the finest alcohol in the world."
"Promise!"
Exchanging a smiling glance with her brightening expression, I proceeded to the head seat.
"Now, everyone, raise your glasses."
As I spoke, everyone lifted their glasses in unison.
Fermented drinks, distilled spirits, cocktails—though the contents differed, the material of every glass was the same black glass.
The top was transparent, fading to dark crimson toward the bottom, with the handle completely stained black—a glass like the sunset just before nightfall.
I too raised that glass and opened my mouth.
"Today, the second phase of the Grand Plan has been completed. As you all know, the Holy Kingdom's prestige has plummeted."
The first phase was consolidating control within the Fate (緣) Alliance's domain and establishing a real-time surveillance system.
The second phase was toppling the prestige of the Holy Kingdom, thereby hindering the continent's faith toward the Goddess.
The goal of the next phase, the third phase, was to stabilize the Sun faith and the social fusion of humans and demons, conceiving a 'new faith' on this continent for the Demon King.
A faith that values one's own will, rather than the 'anti-humanitarian faith' practiced by fanatics steeped in evil and corruption.
'And...'
The fact that the second phase of this plan had been achieved suggested yet another thing.
After emptying my first glass, I rested my gaze upon my close associates.
"Ran. Please show them."
"Yes, husband."
Yuran rose from her seat and unfurled an elegant, ink-black parchment.
Black mana flowed from it and soon transformed into the form of an old man with a gentle expression.
Mammon, the Duke of Greed.
He opened his mouth with a solemn expression.
「This reply is sent after His Majesty received and reviewed Archduke of Paradox Libertas's missive. Everyone, show due respect.」
""We behold the Black Sun.""
Those who knew the customs of the Demon Realm bowed their heads, and the rest followed their lead.
Mammon, beyond the magic, continued.
「'The success in reducing the Goddess's influence on the continent is a tremendous merit for the Archduke of Paradox. If this report is true, your achievements are more than enough to claim the position of Crown Princess of the Demon Realm.'」
"No way...?"
"That means...."
A murmur passed among the subordinates.
It was the voices of those who hadn't known that the Dungeon Lord was soon to be the successor to the Demon King.
「'However, as it is eerily unspoken of compared to the gravity of the matter, its veracity must be investigated.'」
Serica came over and placed her hand on top of mine.
She smiled softly, her eyes full of support.
I too answered her with a smile.
「'For this, I shall dispatch two Archdukes to him. The Archduke of Paradox, as a prospective holder of the Archduke title, shall welcome his seniors and prepare to receive my summons.'」
Having spoken that far, Mammon's form shattered like glass and vanished.
Every gaze in the hall focused on me.
A brief silence followed.
'Crown Princess of the Demon Realm'.
Because all of them knew the weight that phrase carried.
It was Elena who broke that silence.
"Those words, then...."
"It hasn't been finalized yet. But...."
I emptied my glass in one gulp.
"Is there truly anyone else fitting for that position besides me?"
And lifting my empty glass, I raised the corners of my mouth.
"Now, everyone. Today is a day of celebration. Refill your glasses."
The sound of everyone's glasses clinking together rang out clearly.
"To glory!"
"For the one who shall become the master of all things!"
Voices mixed with the joy of victory and anticipation for the future filled the villa.
I felt my heart pounding.
The throne of the Demon King.
The final staircase leading toward it had at last appeared before my eyes.
I was certain.
That the seat I had only ever seen inside the game would soon be within my grasp.