At the temporary base in the Doktoria Kingdom, everyone confirmed the information they had gathered during their free time.
“Well, I think that’s about it. Information about surrounding countries and the current situation, and even some clues regarding the Gods’ Apostles in Grellverelka. I also searched for Sister Ellen’s whereabouts, but there’s been no progress. It seems she went to the Underworld through the transfer gate that Silvia and the others headed for.”
“They say that the Amatsukisengen transfers people to another location. Hmm, is it safer to leave the search for the Sister to Sylwie?”
“However, this is a direct request that I’ve accepted. I’ll do what I can.”
“That plan is fine. So, about Grellverelka, Sera’s hometown—”
The Grellverelka Empire once ruled over a large part of the Underworld in its prime. However, after the death of its leader, Demon King Gustav, it declined, and now only the capital remains. The people who lived there since ancient times are gone, leaving only the Demon Lord’s Castle and an empty castle town. It’s questionable whether it can still be called a country or territory without a ruler, but it survives to this day without being taken by other nations, so there’s nothing to be done about it. Regarding Grellverelka, the most intriguing thing is the rumor of Demon King Gustav’s ghost.
“The Demon King’s ghost, who defeats any army that tries to invade… Perhaps Serge negotiated with the Demon King after the battle, and it was a ‘devastated on the surface, but alive in secret’ kind of situation?”
“I confirmed it with Gallia multiple times, and Gustav was definitely slain by Hero Serge.”
“As long as the Demon King is alive, a new Demon King cannot be born. That’s what some documents say. Father, I believe the existence of Demon King Zel is the best proof of this.”
Shutra, sitting on Gerard’s lap, added with her head down. Since evolving into a “Sage,” Shutra has been gradually regaining her memories. She has now accepted that her father, former King Zel, became a Demon King and was consumed by madness. Mentally, she is still a child, but this is a great step forward.
“I can vouch for that as well. In any era, there have never been more than two Demon Kings.”
The Goddess’s seal of approval. This makes it definitive.
“Sera, this is a painful truth for you…”
“You don’t have to look like that. As I said before, I’ve already come to terms with it. Melfina, you don’t need to worry. Besides—”
“Besides?”
“—If it’s Father, there’s a high possibility he’ll revive from the depths of hell out of hatred for his daughter’s boyfriend!”
“………”
No, no, that’s too much. I kept the thought to myself. Wait a minute? What if Gustav also possessed a skill like Serge’s “New Journey” that resets upon death? That’s also possible, isn’t it? Hmm, but maybe not. If there were multiple people with such powerful cheat skills, it would only broaden the possibilities, but considering Melfina’s words, it’s probably not the case.
“I’ve briefly mentioned it to Sera, but I’ve been thinking about the true identity of the Demon King’s ghost in my own way.”
Number one: The ghost is the real Gustav. …No, I’m not affirming Sera’s claim. It would be an insult to the Reincarnated Goddess if he could just revive out of hatred for his daughter’s boyfriend. What I mean is something else, something I saw up close very recently.
“Ah, is it the power of the Reviver?”
“Yes, ‘Rebel’s Path,’ Estoria’s Unique Skill. With that, it’s possible to revive Gustav if there are any personal belongings related to him, right? Although Estoria has lost her power now, Solondir and Ragat, who were revived similarly, are still alive. If Estoria had revived Gustav before coming to the surface—”
“There’s a strong possibility, huh.”
“It would be quickest to ask him directly, but I assigned him as Sister Attra’s bodyguard in Delamis…”
There’s no way to contact him now. I should have given Colette the same thing I gave Touya.
“In any case, if the ghost is Gustav, we’ll be fighting immediately. Be mentally prepared for that.”
“Hmm? Isn’t Gustav Sera’s father? Normally, wouldn’t that be a touching reunion, and he’d be welcomed with a good atmosphere? Why the fight?”
“To be precise, it would be a touching reunion followed by a personal onslaught of my anger. Gerard, what would you do if Lyuka introduced you to a boyfriend?”
“I’d eliminate the scoundrel.”
“You answered so quickly, it’s almost refreshing… Well, that’s how it is. You can figure out the rest.”
A parent’s foolishness is not considering their relationship with their daughter and potential grandchildren after their obliteration. In any case, their fists come out before their reason.
Next. Number two: the ghost is someone in disguise. Sera also suggested it might be one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon. Those who miraculously survived the invading army that went to Grellverelka speak of the ghost’s crimson glow swaying on the battlefield. This is likely because they couldn’t correctly identify the opponent. Perhaps they moved too fast, or maybe they used magic that conjures illusions. All they could recognize was the red color, hence the ghost of the Demon King, also known as the Crimson-Bearded Duke. This way, it doesn’t matter who is disguised. Even if their height or gender differs.
“I suspect it’s the Judge, Bell Baal.”
“Isn’t she Sera’s sister?”
“My sister!”
Sera, why are you puffing your chest out a little triumphantly there?
“W-well, I don’t know the reason, but it’s plausible that she’s living in Grellverelka, which is related to her, right? Ange, what do you think?”
“Yeah. Unless it’s a mission, I haven’t been restricted from traveling by the Proxy. I used to live in Pars, so it wouldn’t be strange for the Judge to be on the Underworld side.”
Perhaps Bell is protecting Grellverelka from invaders to protect her homeland, or simply because she doesn’t want others in her territory. Either way, I feel like this will also lead to a fight.
Incidentally, Bell being Sera’s sister is our assumption. However, Sera herself treats it as a confirmed fact, so we’re handling it that way. The portrait I saw from Gallia, and a childhood painting of Sera, looked just like Bell, except for a part. Except for one part. Sera has always had a wonderful physique.
Finally, number three: it’s not actually related to the Demon King, but a genuinely powerful ghost has taken up residence. It’s a city that has been abandoned for a long time. It wouldn’t be strange for the city itself to have become a Dungeon. A Monster strong enough to repel demon armies not only from this country but from various nations would surely be a lively S-Rank individual. I wouldn’t mind this pattern at all.
“Cookoo, no matter which it turns out to be, I’ll still make a killing, won’t I?”
*Lick*
“Older Kel, your desires are leaking out!”
“My true objective is my homecoming, you know. Well, if Bell is there, that would be interesting too!”
“What if Sera’s father is there?”
“I’ve got a lot to report!”
The greeting to my parents, shrouded in tension, flashed through my mind. There’s a battle there, different from combat. Ah, this one I’d prefer to avoid. But I can’t say that.
“I believe you’ll try to eliminate them by any means necessary, so be prepared, Kelvin?”
—Or rather, I can’t say that.
Just as our exchange was turning into casual conversation, we heard a commotion from outside. I sensed the presence. Gallia and a group of subordinates, likely demons, seem to be carrying something. After allowing Gallia’s group to enter our base from the Golem outside, Gallia appeared before us, leaving her subordinates waiting outside.
“Sorry to keep you waiting! I’ve come to present the transfer gate that was excavated the other day!”
…She brought something amazing.
