The Demon Lord’s Castle Lowest Floor, Moon Mansion
My father-in-law resolved his past grievances and picked up Bel, who couldn’t move. As I mentioned earlier, Bel needs to rest for a while longer. The Demon Lord’s Castle is also in ruins, on the verge of collapse like this Lowest Floor, but I can probably manage it by repairing it with magic. According to telepathic reports from Efil and Rion, all enemies in the area have been annihilated. All that’s left is Ange, who’s dealing with the Black Golem.
“Yo! Ange, I managed to capture all the units! Don’t you think I’m the MVP this time?”
Just as I thought that, a cheerful telepathic message came in. It seems Ange also had a decisive victory. However, Sera is likely to be the MVP.
“Ange, good work. Are you injured?”
“That’s a foolish question, Kelvin-kun. It was tough following the order to avoid damaging them as much as possible, but I’m safe, as you can see. Since I worked this hard, can I at least have the role of giving Shutra a present?”
“Understood, understood. You can have Shutra’s smile as much as you want, Ange.”
“Yay!”
When things settle down, I’ll have to tune that Black Golem to Shutra’s specifications. Let’s see, its name was SchwartzStile. It had different weapons, so it might be interesting to vary the incorporated functions for each unit. Well, that’s up to Shutra to decide.
“It’s great that you’re happy, but could you patrol to make sure there are no stragglers? There might be other Apostles besides those under Bel’s command.”
“Yes, yes, leave it to Older Sister— Wait, Kelvin! There’s someone over there!”
“…! ”
Immediately after sensing the surrounding presence, Ange’s warning came. Sera, Bel, and my father-in-law, who were present, seemed to have noticed at the same time and all looked up from this Lowest Floor. A huge hole leading to the Demon Lord’s Castle, opened by the battle. Next to it, someone leaned out and opened his mouth in a somewhat carefree manner.
“Oh, good, good. After all, everything should end with a happy ending. Yes, I truly believe that.”
A smooth, man’s voice came from overhead. I had a vague, frustrating impression of a man in dirty clothes, as if I’d seen him somewhere before, but then again, maybe not. He had a long sword sheathed at his waist and looked down at me with the casual air of meeting a relative.
“Hello, Judge.”
“…Survivor, so you were here.”
“Yes, it’s me, Uncle. Just kidding. I heard it was the Judge’s last mission, so I fought my way here, battling the sleepiness that constantly attacks me. Ah, I want to go home and sleep…”
The man stifled a yawn and covered his mouth with one hand.
Right. That man is the Survivor, an Apostle of Elearis who fought Rion and the others in the Gaun. I recall he has the ability to resurrect instantly, whether cut or burned.
“It’s a feeding frenzy today.”
“Your Highness, this is a serious situation, so please try to restrain yourself a little.”
Sadly, even Melfina, who was urging caution, seemed to be reaching her limit, and I noticed her stomach growling from hunger. At this point, we’ve already deviated from seriousness, Melfina. I’ll try my best to hold back, so you do too. For now, let’s just observe.
“By the way, Judge, are you leaving the Apostles? Really?”
“I fulfilled my promise with the Proxy, so yes. Though, my survival was unexpected…”
“Hey, you! What are you saying about my Bel—”
“Papa, be quiet.”
“Understood. Papa will be quiet.”
Father-in-law, this is serious. Read the room.
“You have a scary father, don’t you? The Judge’s son-in-law must have a tough time.”
“I have no intention of making one.”
“Is that so? What a shame… Well, I am personally glad that the Judge survived. We were comrades, though we teamed up for a short period. Regarding your departure from the Apostles, I will speak of it. The mission has been accomplished, and the Proxy will surely forgive you. After this, you should spend your remaining years peacefully. You have the qualifications for that—”
“—Mission? Wait, what mission?”
Sera, who had remained silent, could not help but interject. Mission, mission. In this case, it’s not the mission to protect Bel’s hometown, but in the sense of a God’s Apostle. In other words, it’s the Proxy’s objective. Whatever that may be, it has already been accomplished— Seriously?
“What, you haven’t told her yet? Well, you just now learned. Judge, do you mind if I explain?”
“As usual, you’re unusually chatty today.”
“I’m happy to have a conversation after so long. My only colleague who listens is the Guardian, but she doesn’t give me a chance to speak.”
“The Guardian is also chatty.”
“So, what is the mission?”
“Ah, yes, yes. That’s right. To be blunt, we have finished preparing for the resurrection of our Master. This black book, did you see it just now?”
“That is…!”
As the man, calling himself the Survivor, held it up in his hand, there was the Grimoire, said to have been used when Bel underwent Demon King Transformation.
“Its appearance seems to change depending on the target person, but this is like a seed of a Demon King. The seed sprouted, bore fruit, and bloomed. When the Demon King scatters like a flower, its special magic is returned to a new seed. Then the seed returns to the soil, and after tens or hundreds of years— Well, the Goddess would know more about this part?”
“…”
“Mel?”
“I’m sorry. I cannot speak…”
Is it due to the limitations of her artificial body? If so, the story the Survivor is revealing now seems to be quite problematic. It feels like it touches upon the very principles of this world.
“Well, you can think of the Proxy using this energy. And. Although the scabbard escaped, the Master’s Holy Lance Eclipse has also returned to its rightful place. Demon King Zel seems to have accumulated better quality magic power than calculated, and the Judge, who was supposed to serve as a reserve tank, is no longer needed! …Or so it should have been.”
“Hey, reserve tank…”
“It means exactly that. A reserve Demon King in case the power for replenishing the Master’s resurrection was insufficient. However, the seed of the Demon King was incomplete, so it seems he couldn’t fully become a Demon King.”
“Bel?”
“…That’s right. I tried to maintain Grellverelka by weighing that.”
Bel nodded, confirming it. Ah, I see. The Proxy’s objective wasn’t to make Bel a Demon King and have us defeated, but to have us defeat Bel, who had become a Demon King. And the energy born from Bel becoming a Demon King… I was set up.
“I only found out recently myself, and it’s terrible to make such a young girl do such a thing… Even if it’s to resurrect him in a complete state. That’s why I agree with you leaving the Apostles.”
For some reason, the Survivor man stammered and trembled. Perhaps he felt the same as my father-in-law, who remained silent and trembled with anger, obeying Bel’s instruction to “be quiet”?
“I agree. However… I am also sad. Very sad! Assassins, Revivers, and even Judges. Why, why… Why are beautiful women and girls leaving the Apostles! Especially the enchanting Older Sister of the Reviver! We haven’t known each other for long!”
“…”
…Oh no, he’s completely ruined the seriousness of the situation.
“If even the Judge leaves, the only girls remaining will be the Proxy and the Guardian… my junior is about the same age as me, and something about her is suspicious… Shouldn’t I have a little more luck?! Hey, God!”
“I’m sorry, please tell that God. It’s outside my jurisdiction.”
“Mel, you don’t have to answer so seriously.”
What a fuss… Despite the serious nature of the conversation, it’s become a playful atmosphere because of the Survivor.
“Is that so? That’s unfortunate… Well, live happily in your hometown for the rest of your life, or rather, your demonic life. I’ll handle things with the Apostles smoothly, so don’t worry. Oh, and take the gift you received from the Proxy. I’ll somehow cover it up, saying I’m forgetful.”
“…Survivor. You didn’t do that on purpose, did you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll miss you, but I pray we never meet again. Oh, speaking of which, I’m an atheist. I’ve been tricked! Hahaha—”
The Survivor put the Grimoire back into his pocket and stood up, laughing. Perhaps realizing this would be their last farewell, or perhaps as a thoughtful gesture to make a funny story out of a bitter conversation, the man plastered the biggest smile he could muster on his face.
The conversation, which served as a source of information, was over, and the Survivor was about to dissipate into the air. It was time for me to make my move. Talking for such a long time gave me ample time to make various preparations.
“Opening!”
“Guh!?”
Gerard, who received this telepathic message, could slash him from behind and kick him down to the Lowest Floor. Chivalry? Gerard’s chivalry is to cherish his grandchildren and never take off his armor. Besides, there’s no way we’d let the enemy escape so easily.
