The Trial Tower
While the tower’s height was considerable, its exterior suggested a spacious interior, and indeed, a vast space opened up before Kelvin’s eyes. What he stepped into could be described, in a word, as a swamp. Patches of ground that seemed just stable enough to stand on were scattered about, but most of it was dark, murky mud of seemingly unfathomable depth. The stinging sensation in the air suggested it was due to the swamp’s toxins. Given its reputation as a trial of potent poison, it might possess properties similar to the Unlimited Poison Sand.
“…There’s no one here.”
His brief flicker of hope that other trials might be manageable was short-lived. No matter how long Kelvin waited, there was no sign of the trial’s master. Kelvin, who had already clad himself in the Sacred Heavenly Garment with White Magic to prepare for the poison, began to look increasingly suspicious.
(This is strange. Normally, this is where the master of the room would appear with a flourish. There’s a spiral staircase in the back, but should I go up already? The large door at the top of the stairs is open too… Wait, wait, this is a trial set by Demon King Gustav, who loves his daughters too much and would die for them. It’s weird to have such an obvious room and just pass through without anything happening. If there’s a problem, perhaps it’s how I entered? That butler just now said Gustav knew about me. That means he knows why I came here today. Even just a greeting would carry a heavy meaning. A first meeting, in Japan, one would be properly dressed formally and manners –)
He explored possibilities with parallel thought. The truth was that Rion had already incapacitated the master of this trial, Reinhard, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon, elsewhere. However, Kelvin chose to close the room’s door and re-enter.
“Excuse me. My name is Kelvin Celsius. Is anyone here?”
He adjusted his appearance and knocked on the door. His change in demeanor was like that of someone attending an interview, but he was perfectly serious.
“…”
Naturally, no one appeared. Nevertheless, Kelvin waited there for several minutes.
* “Older Kel, I have a report. I’ve captured Reinhard, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon, who was like a big snake. He seems to be the demon who was Kuro-chan’s boss. I guess it’s highly likely that the other Four Heavenly Kings have also revived? Also, I confiscated an item that looks like a sketchbook, though I don’t know if it will be spoils of war. I’ll put it in Kuroto’s storage.”
* “Oh, right. Well done, Rion. Continue to act as a flanking unit. I’ll leave the judgment to you.”
* “Yes, understood. Then!”
At this point, Rion provided a telepathic report that revealed the truth. Even Kelvin, it seemed, understood that it wasn’t a matter of attire or manners, and began to construct the following equation in his mind.
Four Heavenly Kings -> Snake -> Poisonous Snake King -> Master of the potent poison trial -> Currently restrained by Rion.
“…I’ll proceed to the next trial.”
Shifting one’s mindset is very important. This was just the very beginning. The trials would surely continue. He muttered to himself, as if reinforcing it, and crossed the swamp, then ascended the stairs.
“The trial of brute strength. This time it’ll be okay, right…?”
He read the inscription and pushed open the heavy, groaning main door. The interior glimpsed through the gap in the door was a rugged mountainous region with exposed rock faces, seemingly covered by a barrier that weakened magic –
* “– A report for you, sir. Shutra and Colette have successfully incapacitated Vegalzelld, the enemy commander and one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon. He was a formidable enemy with brute strength and super-regeneration. Shutra’s guard was almost completely destroyed, but this is a great victory! He’s currently unconscious, eyes rolled back, but we can revive and interrogate him.”
* “…Ah, well done. I’ve found a replacement for the broken guard, so ask Ange about it later.”
* “Yes, I understand. We will now proceed with mopping up the remaining enemies, so I’ll be back later.”
After ending the telepathic communication, Kelvin released his hand from the door and paused to consider.
Four Heavenly Kings with brute strength and super-regeneration -> Extremely strong -> Master of the brute strength trial -> Currently unconscious due to Mel and others.
“I knew it, I sort of knew it. On to the next one, next!”
Shifting one’s mindset is very important. Kelvin, ignoring the mountainous scenery, quickly ascended the stairs and reached the main door of the next floor.
“A trial of Gluttony? I have a bad feeling about this…”
Gluttony, Gluttony – From the word, his thoughts drifted to his fight with Victor, which had been the catalyst for his meeting with Sera. However, he had passed on his will to Kelvin and departed from this world. While the other Four Heavenly Kings of Demon had been revived by Estoria’s resurrection magic, his battle with Victor had been a relatively recent event. It was uncertain whether the Apostles of God had had the time to revive Victor. If Riod, the former Guild Master, had made a good play, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but who knew.
“Hey, that’s three losses. Hey…”
The result seemed to be a complete defeat. The third floor, where no one was present, had a different atmosphere from the previous ones, giving more the impression of a kitchen than an outdoor area. However, true to its demonic nature, it was eerily decorated with piles of monsters and what looked like human bones stacked by the side, large pots simmering with unknown liquids like those a witch might use filling the room, and a blood-stained cleaver stuck into a table. It was so fitting that one might doubt it wasn’t just for show.
“If I pass through here, the only ones left are that butler and Gustav… I haven’t done anything that felt like a trial, but is this okay? Father Gustav—”
—*BOOM!*
A tremendous impact struck from above the room, shaking the Trial Tower.
“…It’s not okay, is it.”
It seemed it wasn’t okay. The impact felt like it had a separate cause.
“Next is that butler, huh. It’s wonderful that we’ve confirmed there’s an opponent, isn’t it?”
Kelvin, who was grumbling, noticed a small magic circle on a section of the kitchen floor. Hidden as if by ingredients one would rather not look at directly, the magic circle seemed to emit a stronger light with each step Kelvin took closer to it.
“A trap? —No, whoa!?”
Suddenly, the magic circle began to glow intensely. But it wasn’t just the magic circle that began to light up. Kelvin’s hands, and the Gauntlet of Gluttony he was wearing, also began to shimmer oddly. The gathered light soon formed a single crystal and moved towards the magic circle. Fortunately, the Gauntlet of Gluttony itself remained unchanged and stayed on his hands.
“…What is the meaning of this? I certainly, no, more importantly, this place is—”
“Maybe a clumsy sister’s miracle happened? You know, like it was set to a timer or something.”
“You…!”
“It’s been a while, Victor.”
Emerging from the magic circle was Victor, a High-ranking Demon and one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon, whom he thought he had defeated. His black, gleaming armor, large mouth, and insect-like yet human appearance were the same as ever, but in truth, he looked different from before. He was more monstrous and sturdier than before. Whether it was due to fighting alongside Kelvin for a long time, or because Kelvin’s ‘Experience Sharing’ had also adapted to the Gauntlet of Gluttony, it was unclear.
“Shall I explain the preceding events first?”
“No, that’s not necessary. The fact that I am in this place tells me what I must do. It was also the most important order from Gustav-sama. *Kufu*. How fated. It seems you have become someone important to Sera-sama.”
“You understand quickly. Or rather, is it okay to be satisfied with that?”
“It is fine. Grasping the current situation can be done later. Shifting one’s mindset is very important, you know?”
A black-shelled demon mole. Reborn and reanimated, Victor bared his fangs.
