The carriage crossed a stone bridge over the Red River and entered the city. The view from the window was not so different from the city on the surface. Many of them are smiling as they shop.
“It’s peaceful.”
“Yes. People live relatively peacefully in this royal capital.”
“Are you saying that there are places that is not like this?”
“Unfortunately, even though we are all demons, that doesn’t mean we all get along.”
Humans and demons don’t seem to be much different when it comes to that area. Suddenly, I saw a large amount of food being sold in what seemed to be a market we are passing by.
“I’d like to go buy some ingredients from the Demon Realm.”
“I will show you around the city properly after an audience with Her Majesty the Queen, so please bear with me for now.”
Well, I guess it can’t be helped. It’s quite bothersome, but I’ll put up with it.
“By the way, does your queen know what we came here for?”
“Of course. It’s to obtain the proof and becoming the next God of Destruction.”
“What do you think about that?”
“This is just my personal opinion, but I think I can accept any kind of God as long as I continue to live my current life. Well, I suppose I can say this because I have never met the Lord in person.”
Arim was born and raised here. The God of Destruction had long been sealed away by the time he came of age, thus to this day, he has remained so without the loyalty of a subordinate. The number of those who experienced the battle with the gods has dwindled, and the power of the God of Destruction has only been passed down to them like a legend. That is how much of an awful time they have spent here.
“The blood of the Demon Clan is slowly and surely fading, and we no longer have much power from when the demons fight against the gods.”
When I looked out the window, I saw a family that looked like a human.
Are they descendants of those who once made it this far?
“Did you take in the adventurers who made it to the bottom level?”
“Yes. If you trace the bloodline of us vampires back to Her Majesty, it naturally becomes thicker. That’s why when adventurers show up, we treat them with great hospitality, make them have families here and make sure they don’t leave.”
“Is it okay for you to tell me such things?”
“It’s a well-known fact. We tell that to everyone who comes here.”
It is said that humans who come here are given special rights. They can receive a large amount of support from the government. They are also free to choose as many partners as they like as long as they are not married. They can also return to the surface whenever they want.
However, there are two conditions attached if they want to go back to the surface. First is that they shouldn’t tell anyone anything about the bottom floor. Secondly, they need to bring a new person with them every time they come back.
This is why Moore had told us beforehand not to talk about the bottom floor huh.
“But, why shouldn’t you tell anyone?”
“Fufufu, it would inspire the spirit of adventure that way, right? Moreover, if they know beforehand that there are demons and demon kings at the end of the dungeon, no one will come.”
In other words, by deliberately keeping it a secret, they are luring adventurers to go to the bottom floor. Plus, even if they did tell, no one would believe that there is an underground world here.
While we were talking, the carriage came to the black royal castle in the center of the city. After passing through the sturdy, luxurious gate, we arrived at the main entrance which is decorated with a solemn statue of a demon.
A knight who had been guarding there opened the door. Arim and Moore stepped out first.
“What a grand presence worthy of a Demon King’s residence huh.”
It is a castle with an atmosphere of facing a final boss. It’s intimidating just being here. In addition, there was a strange feeling from the top of the castle. There is something incomprehensible there for sure.
“Ugh-, my shoulders get stiff from sitting for a long time.”
“I agree. My chest feels heavy right away too.”
“Why would you tell such a lie? Putting on an unnecessary front will only lead to self-loathing later on.”
“Please stop it Freya-san. Liz-san is doing her best even in that way to fight back.”
My comrades also got out of the other carriage. They are whiny and noisy wherever they go. But strangely enough, that makes me feel at ease.
“Well then, I will escort the Savior to Her Majesty.”
Arim bowed and lead the way.
◇◇◇
Inside the castle, the floors and walls were all black. The air is cool and smells like burning incense. Yet, it evokes a solemn and tense atmosphere. It’s like coming to a big museum.
Occasionally, I saw paintings and statues that looked like works of art, but they were all difficult to understand and look like they were made at random. It’s like the first time you see a Picasso painting.
“This must have been painted by a very skilled painter. I can feel the emotion in the painting.”
“Pero-sama seems to have a good eye. This painting is called, ‘Ah, my flesh’. It’s the last masterpiece that a rare genius painted.”
The painting was painted with black oil paint on a white background. To an untrained eye, it will be impossible to connect the picture and the title together. But my son seems to understand. Arim also talked about the beauty of the painting with a smile. Well, Art is hard.
After that, I parted ways with Erna and the others. I was led to a large room that looked like an audience room. Sitting on the throne was a woman. She had long, glossy raven-colored hair that reflects light. A bewitching and beautiful appearance and such crimson eyes that awe and fascinate the viewer. She is wearing an armor that is lavishly decorated with gold and she had a black clothing with an unusually small amount of fabric making her figure all the more eye-catching. Having expected her to look like Eva, I was completely let down, I guess. The queen was a mature woman that exudes intense sex appeal.
“Her Majesty, I have brought the savior.”
“Understood. You may now step back.”
“Yes.”
Arim bows to the queen and leaves the room. The queen then turned her gaze to Moore, who was on one knee while bowing his head.
“Well done. I’m glad you have accomplished it and came back. This time, I will fulfill your wish.”
“Thank you very much. My thousand-year of hard work will finally pay off.”
“Alright, alright. Then….…”
Her gaze catches mine. For some reason, the queen went silent as she observed me. Perhaps she is looking at my status with some kind of analysis skill.
If so, I’ll also take a peek.
| [Analysis result: Eva Kreis: One of the Four Demon Kings who bind the vampire clan. A loyal subordinate of the God of Destruction. Eternal Queen of the Kingdom of Bloodfall. Rarity: SSG, Overall Ability: SSG] |
| [Status] Name: Eva Kreis Race: Crown Vampire Magic Attributes: Wind, Darkness, Evil Magic: ― Skills: Eyes of Truth, Spatial Teleportation, Blood Manipulation, Soul Interference Evolution: ― |
She has less skill than I thought. Instead, it somehow conveys that she is very powerful. In addition, the rarity and ability are the same, both are SSG. G is probably the G in GOD. If that’s the case, she should be superior to the first-class angel I fought.
“You seem to be acquainted with my clone. And in addition, there is Eugrapia working behind the scenes. I guess what I was worried about has finally happened outside.”
The queen mumbles as she looked past me and stared blankly. Since the conversation isn’t progressing, I decide to start the conversation myself.
“I’m Shinichi Tanaka. I’m sure you already know, but I’m here to receive the proof of the God of Destruction.”
“I know that. However, I have one question for you. Why do you seek the proof of my Lord? Is it because the world is in crisis? Or is it because you want to save your son? Or is it to save Earth, which is your home?”
I answered her question right away.
“It’s for my own sake. Right now, I need power to make everything you have said come true.”
“I see. That’s a very arrogant and satisfying answer.”
The queen rose from her throne and walks over to me. Then, she looked at me intently with her big eyes.
“As expected of someone recognized by my Lord.”
“W-what are you talking about….?”
She grabbed my arm and looked at the bangle I was wearing.
“The robe and this bangle contain the will of the God of Destruction, and it is designed so that only the true owner can wear it at the same time.”
“So these belong to the God of Destruction?”
“Yes, before he was sealed away, he threw three tools to the surface to help him escape from this prison.”
Three? If so, is there another tool?
The queen continues.
“The fact that the two of them have gathered in one place means that the Lord has recognized you as the next God of Destruction. At last, his wish has finally come true.”
“W-wait. Sorry, I can’t keep up with the story because you’re jumping too far ahead. Please explain it properly.”
“He had long desired a successor. He always said that he wanted to be freed from the role of the God of Destruction. However, no one showed up who met the requirements.”
She sits back on the throne again and crosses her legs.
“Of course that was expected. The God of Destruction is an entity shunned by other gods. He is the ultimate judge who judges gods who have committed crimes and destroys foolish intelligent life. Therefore, a spirit of solitude and compassion that does not favor either the Gods or non-God is essential. But is there really someone like that? God is kind to his own race. And when it comes to humans, they are simply handed down to the gods. That person was already exhausted you see.”
So, to sum it up, the God of Destruction wanted to give his proof to someone else. But there was no one who deserved it. And that’s when I arrived bearing two of the three tools that can only be worn simultaneously by the God of Destruction himself, or someone with the qualities to be his successor. The conclusion I could draw was that the moment I put on the bangle, I was destined to become the God of Destruction.
“A-Anyway, if that’s the case, then it’s easy. I want to be the God of Destruction.”
“I would also love for you to fulfill my Lord’s wish.”
“It’s just…… “, the queen added and her expression turning solemn. “The other Demon Kings will be against it. They will not allow the Lord to cease to be the God of Destruction.”
“What would happen if I meet up with the another Demon Kings?”
“You will be used as the key to free the Lord and will be killed afterwards for sure.”
It seems that in order to break the seal that sealed the God of Destruction, there are other conditions besides being human. Otherwise, they would have released him a long time ago. All in all, I seem to meet that condition. That’s why both Eugrapia and Naoki sent me out. Even the queen speak like that.
“However, the Lord’s seal is not in my territory, and either way, we will have to persuade the other Demon Kings.”
“So that means that I have no choice but to meet them, knowing such risk huh.”
The queen nods silently. We’ve finally come this far, and there’s no way I’m going to dismiss it now.
“I understand. Please make arrangements for me to meet up with the other Demon Kings.”
“Understood. You can take it easy in our kingdom until then.”
After the audience with the Queen, I and Moore leave the room.
“She’s more like a Demon God than a Demon King huh.”
“Did you see her status? She is someone in the realm of the gods that we can’t tread. Moreover, the queen is someone at the top of the list. Her very existence is on a very different level.”
I found out when I met her in person. It’s true that she’s different. This is just an analogy, but let’s say if Eugrapia and Naoki are humans, then they are dragons.
In fact, my hand has not stopped shaking since earlier. It was as if my instincts, even my soul, were in fear.
I suddenly stopped in the middle of the cross-sectional aisle.
“By the way, Moore, can you tell me who are you?”
“…………Hmm”
He also stopped, turns around and strokes his beard. He seemed to understand the meaning of my question.
“Well, I also thought it was time to tell you.”
He mutters and nods his head.
He then said, “I have something I want to show you” and then he led me to a certain room.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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