The Doktoria Kingdom – Temporary Base
A giant, rectangular object wrapped in a large cloth. It was transported in a fallen state, so some might have mistaken it for an enormous cutting board covered with fabric. There weren’t just one, but two of these. Transporting such an item through the town would be too conspicuous, so we had them brought inside the premises immediately. We hastily formed a wall using the “Cliffside Black Castle Wall” to serve as a blindfold. There was no time for a break.
“Um, what is this…?”
“As I mentioned earlier, these are two pairs of Transfer Gates as a tribute. My apologies for making you wait, it took some time to persuade the old man.”
“No, that’s not what I want to ask…”
“Please don’t be modest. Think of them as a congratulatory gift from me. I cannot fully predict what Gustav-sama will say, but I want to share my joy! Perhaps it sounds cliché to say this, but I wish to celebrate Sera-sama’s new beginning! Hahaha!”
“Wait, is it really okay to just give away Transfer Gates like that? The subordinate demons who brought them seem a bit clueless about the situation… I suspect the old man Gallia mentioned is the most bewildered. If he didn’t know about Sera’s existence, it would just seem like an extremely bizarre act. …Could it be that they just forced their way here? His Majesty certainly has a lot of drive.”
“You don’t need to be so hesitant. Our country already has one pair of Transfer Gates. Besides, these were discovered by chance, and they are new… or at least, we don’t know if they’ve been used before, but in any case, there’s no need for unnecessary worry. The companion of Sera-sama is a humble person.”
“Well, I always thought I was quite honest about my desires…”
“I see. So, I was humble.”
“Your Highness, please rest assured. You are my kind down to the bone marrow.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult? Ah, this is getting sidetracked again.”
“King Gallia, I have a question. Can Transfer Gates be moved?”
Oh, Shutra asked a good question. All the Transfer Gates we’ve seen so far were pre-installed. They were in heavily guarded places like castles or underground. Tsubaki-sama had explained before that they utilized a lost technology. Well, given their size, even if they were portable, their practical usability seemed low.
“Normally, Transfer Gates cannot be moved from where they are discovered. This is because Transfer Gates are a culmination of ancient knowledge, presented as a black box, and forcibly moving them can disrupt their function. With the current technology on the surface, deciphering their internal mechanisms is simply impossible. The fact that you transported these Transfer Gates means they are not installed in a specific location, right? The setting of their base for axis fixation, their magic deployment methods, and various other factors— The fact that King Gallia proudly brought them here implies that demon technology makes this possible, doesn’t it? I would be grateful if you could explain this to me, please?”
“…Huh?”
…Let me be clear, Shutra isn’t trying to provoke Gallia. It’s purely her thirst for knowledge that’s driving her. Melfina is looking at them with the same sparkly eyes one would have for a feast. And Gallia, the person being asked the question, is—
“Whispers… (O-oh, isn’t a Transfer Gate something that activates just by placing it on the ground? Fixating the axis? And other procedures? The Transfer Gate in the castle activates simply by flowing magic into it… I’ve only used it within my territory, though…)”
“Whispers… (With all due respect, Your Majesty, we have never used a Transfer Gate before.)”
“Whispers… (Nuu, I should have brought the old man!?) ”
It’s all rather disappointing. Operating a Transfer Gate requires an immense amount of magic power, but as a high-ranking demon, they seem to have cleared those conditions. Should I compare it to using an electronic appliance without reading the manual, just by fiddling with it? Shutra, flushed with anticipation, is forcing Gallia into a corner.
“Kelvin, why don’t we accept them? Transfer Gates aren’t something that can be easily excavated, and they’d be convenient to have.”
“Well, that’s true, but… I’ve never set up a Transfer Gate for a new installation before.”
It’s completely outside my jurisdiction. That’s it! Melfina would— Ah, it seems unlikely. She’s looking away. A Goddess should know about such things, right? Is it blocked by the Golem’s “Divine Restraint”? If so, accepting them would just turn them into useless items. Even Shutra, who seems to know the most about Transfer Gates, has declared that she can’t decipher them.
“…Should I call for backup?”
***
I secretly “borrowed” the Transfer Gates from Gallia at the Doktoria Castle (and also obtained the official permit for their use), and then headed to a certain location. I was a bit worried if the application for opening a gate from Hell would be approved, but the permission was surprisingly granted without much trouble. Then, without taking much time, I returned to the Underworld, bringing a certain person with me.
“Now, I’ve brought a specialist in Transfer Gates, our teacher.”
“I am Colette Delamilus, who has been invited by Kelvin-sama. It is my first time meeting you, King of Doktoria.”
“Ah, thank you. It’s a pleasure…”
Yes, the teacher I called was Colette. Seeing her in her pure Saint mode feels incredibly dissonant, but she is known for her Shrine Maiden’s Secret Arts, which are surprisingly proficient even with Transfer Gates. It was Colette who forcibly activated the Transfer Gate in Trisen before. I speculated that perhaps she could even set one up…! It’s amazing that Transfer Gates can be used normally even from the Underworld. There are likely conditions for their use, but for us, this means we won’t have to ascend and descend volcanoes just to use them.
“I have heard from Kelvin-sama. The Underworld is a dream land, come visit once, it’s fun! …Indeed, I understand now. This truly is a dream land, no! It’s paradise!”
“…How much of a hellscape is the surface world, then?”
See, as Melfina watched from the side, Colette’s excitement began to build, and Gallia immediately misunderstood the surface world. For you, anywhere is paradise as long as Melfina is there. No, that wasn’t the intended lure to Hell. But it’s fine.
“Ah, that’s right. Ange and Dahak have been officially recognized with epithets at the Adventurer Guild for their recent exploits.”
Oh, Ange and Dahak finally got epithets. Considering their abilities, it’s about time, but Ange was mostly active in shady dealings, and Dahak’s achievements came after he took human form.
“R-really? I actually know about Dahak’s, but this is the first I’m hearing about mine. Was it decided recently?”
“That’s correct. Oh, Dahak-sama is absent.”
“Ah, he went on a journey to hone his manliness. I’ll relay the message in his stead.”
It would be sad to just skip Dahak’s epithet here.
“Ange-sama is “The Cat-Headed Killer,” and Dahak-sama is “The Vegetable Emperor.” Congratulations!”
“C-Cat-Headed Killer? Well, I suppose… And “Vegetable” means, umm, the thing about vegetables? Dahak might be happy about that.”
“Wow, Kelvin! Just as I hoped, the epithet for me includes “Cat”! It’s all thanks to this cat-eared hood with a night-shadow! Thank you, Efil-chan!”
“Yes, it’s all according to our plan. It’s very cute.”
You had that intention with the black hooded cat ears!? And you’re okay with that!? In a way, it’s a perfectly fitting epithet, but…
“…It-it’s cute, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s cute.”
“Right? Right?”
If Ange is okay with it, then it’s fine. Regardless of the epithet, the black hooded cat ears are indeed adorable.
And now, I’m starting to wonder if it was a good idea to bring a Delamis Shrine Maiden to Hell. Although their generations are different, the Shrine Maidens of Delamis can be considered enemies of the Demon King. Is it alright to have them meet a former subordinate of Demon King Gustav? She doesn’t seem to know his name, though.
“…Excuse me, but what is your relationship with Kelvin-sama?”
“My lover, no, my consort.”
“GUGAGGHA!?”
“T-the King is spitting blood!?”
Ah, right. I should be the one accumulating the hate.
