Chapter 166
“What’s that? It’s scary. Do something!”
“What do you want me to do?”
“You can hear me like a ghost. Didn’t you see the expression just now?”
After ensuring my true self’s safety with Lucius, I immediately started getting tormented by Mammon.
“That thing looks like it’s going to break the world if something goes wrong with you. It’s like it’s poised to destroy the world with the Holy Sword.”
“I’m sorry to say, but I’d appreciate if you didn’t talk like that.”
For me, who had everything ruined because of a crazy girl trying to destroy the world with the Holy Wind Sword, that was triggering my trauma.
“Then hurry up and come up with a countermeasure!”
“Countermeasure? What kind of countermeasure? Lucius cherishes and respects his master that much, so why do I need to come up with a countermeasure?”
“Didn’t you see the dead look in his eyes?”
“That’s just his way of caring for me. It’s his protective instinct to prevent anyone from getting too close. Why don’t you understand that? Also, why are you suddenly speaking informally?”
“…I was so shocked that informal speech slipped out. Ugh.”
Mammon pressed his hand to his throat.
He seemed to be thoroughly tense; the concept of the Magic King Endymion crumbled in an instant as he became flustered.
“So Lucius scared you that much?”
“Don’t even get me started. You might not feel it, but if someone aimed a sword at you, he looked ready to cut their throat immediately.”
“That’s the right attitude. He’s a hero trained to kill assassins aimed at his fallen master. He’s doing his part.”
Lucius was created specifically for that purpose.
It’s only natural for him to show an overreaction regarding my safety.
As a hero, how much advantage is he gaining just by listening to me right now?
He’s gained three women, obtained a Holy Sword, and in the future, he could enjoy both honor and power.
From the perspective of the Anari Principality, he’s a hero who saved the nation and could potentially become a powerful figure in the principality; meanwhile, other nations will be offering him tremendous wealth and status to recruit him.
“If I die, his life might spiral downhill again. The golden road could quickly revert back to the days of digging in the dirt and hunting rabbits in the countryside. That’s why he’s working so hard to protect me.”
“…Huh. I understand. I know your intuition is quite bizarre, but still, let’s take precaution. Others are feeling creeped out too. And there’s the biggest issue.”
“The biggest issue?”
“The Demon King’s Army is currently making its way toward the Empire.”
“…Huh?”
The Demon King’s Army?
“Wait a minute. Does that mean Satan has appeared?”
“No. It’s not Satan, but his subordinates that are currently moving. It seems they’re trying to escape beyond the Hero’s effective range while expanding their territory into Empire lands.”
“…This is bad.”
It’s the worst case scenario.
“The Empire is sure to be in chaos, right?”
“That’s right. They’re probably causing all sorts of mayhem right now. The Demon King’s Army is on the move toward the Empire because of the hero. So, take responsibility.”
“What kind of unreasonable accusation is that… oh wait. It’s the Arpe Empire.”
“The stronger individuals tend to threaten the weak to avoid losses.”
“I suppose the relationship between the Empire and the Principality is practically over. Ugh, I only wanted to catch the Demon King, and now I’m dragged into a political conflict.”
I detest complicated matters, and just when I thought I’d come to some peace, the situation doesn’t allow me to sit still.
“…I’ll leave research on voice amplification magic with my clone. I’ll conduct that research, and I’ll head back to my body to manage Lucius’ condition as you suggested.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. It’s a bit much to keep lying around. Ideally, I’d like to faint for about a week—”
“Then everyone dies. The hero might go, ‘When will my master wake up…? I’ll kill the Empire that made my master faint!’ and wipe out the Demon King’s Army before heading straight for the Empire.”
“As if even Lucius…”
Could he?
I don’t know.
One thing’s for certain is that he’s not the type to run away without a care at his master’s death.
At the very least, he has a sense of loyalty strong enough to ensure vengeance for his master’s death; he’s not someone who would simply ignore things and hide away with his women to enjoy a happy harem life.
I didn’t raise such a disloyal guy.
“Still, since Lucius seems to have steeled his heart a bit, I think it’s time for a surprise for my disciple. Mammon, where’s the location of the Empire now that the Demon King’s Army has appeared?”
“Next to Count Scouter’s Territory, in Sandbag Baron Territory.”
“Is that so? Then send Lucius straight there. If he’s going to hide behind his subordinates without directly stepping forward, he might as well wipe them all out until none are left.”
Satan is a man who won’t risk anything without certainty.
Even if he gathered a hundred thousand demon soldiers, if all of them get wiped out in a month by a single hero, he’ll likely lay low somewhere until he can gather that hundred thousand power back.
“At that time, we can just visit the Sky Island.”
Gathering another hundred thousand demons for the Demon King’s Army to start moving?
I’ll sweep Satan’s forces away with my Spirit Device.
“For now, I’ve planted the wind in Lucius, so he should be able to go without much burden. If I poke him once more, he might soar on the Hero’s rocket and win against the Demon King’s Army immediately.”
“…He intends to move through the army, without using the Hero’s rocket, if possible.”
“What? Why?”
“Due to political issues…”
“Tch. The Empire has likely caught on.”
Despite having strong power, even wanting to use it against the public enemy of humanity, political issues get tangled.
How has humanity not developed at all in 500 years?
“The Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess erased all records of how humans lived 500 years ago. Humans learn lessons through history, and now that history has been completely wiped away… sigh.”
“What history?”
“The humans I managed didn’t behave this way.”
“…You manage humans?”
Mammon turned slightly towards me.
“Could you elaborate on that story a bit more?”
“…Thinking back, I’ve never told that story in the Demon World. Fine. I’ll tell you, but first, tell me about your intention to move Lucius into the army.”
“…I intend to have him move with the Anari Principality’s army. We plan to smash any traces of the Demon King’s Army within the Anari Principality before the Empire opens its doors.”
“Um…”
So, doesn’t that effectively mean the hero is moving as if he is part of the Anari Principality?
“It’s strange of you to want to solidify your position as the Magic King with our party in this situation.”
“I’m not just digging a hole and offering up techniques; is this much unreasonable?”
“You’re not wrong.”
Though it came to mind, considering our other plans, it’s not entirely a bad thing.
“Alright. But make it thorough. If Lucius goes and wipes out the remaining Demon King’s Army in the Principality, contact me through magic. Let me know I’ve woken up. Okay?”
“…You’re really skilled at handling people.”
“I’ve done it numerous times. The best way to handle humans is to praise them when they do well. There’s a saying among humans: ‘Praise can even make whales dance.'”
“Whales…”
Mammon gave me a scrutinizing look up and down and then smirked.
“Yeah, getting hit by a whale would wake you up.”
“Why? Do you want to praise me too?”
“…You?”
“Even if it’s a different field, I’d say you’re probably the first demon to completely devote yourself to mastering one area.”
I’ve seen many demons in the Demon World, but there’s no one else like the oddball Mammon.
“Remember this. You are the closest being to finding ‘the way to save the Demon World’ among all the demons I’ve seen.”
“…What did you say?”
“I can’t say more than this. It’s not that I don’t want to, but ‘physically, I can’t.’”
It would have been nice if I could speak freely.
“…Well, knowing you, you might understand quite well. By the way… how far can the Hero’s rocket shoot?”
“Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”
“I’m just curious. I wonder how high it can be elevated. Can it be raised straight up?”
“…If adjusted, I think it can go up to 70 degrees.”
“Try going for 90 degrees. Maybe when you have some time later?”
“90 degrees…?”
Mammon frowned, but I felt I had done all I could.
“I mean, shooting at 90 degrees would be self-destructive.”
“Depending on the wind, it could fly somewhere unexpected, right?”
“That’s quite the ridiculous nonsense you’re spouting.”
“…….”
I feel somewhat unfair.
“…Fine. I’ll leave the expedition with Lucius to you. I’ll have other party members join him, so keep an eye on them too. Oh, they can’t ride unicorns, so don’t tease them unnecessarily.”
“…There are elves and a Saintess, you know?”
“Oh. Who do you think made it that way?”
“…You?”
“Me? Are you out of your mind?”
I kicked Mammon in the rear as I stood up.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing…!”
“Do you think I would associate with those little brats? That’s nonsense. I have no interest in that at all.”
“…Are you a eunuch?”
“Crazy talk. It’s not that I’m a eunuch; it’s just that they’re women outside my interest.”
“Who’s the woman you are interested in then?”
“Well, for now…”
The most important one.
“Someone I can have a deep conversation with about magic?”
What would it take to create a Firebolt spell stronger than Meteor?
She should be capable of practically realizing that.
“Was there such a person?”
“There was.”
Just one person.
“The only woman in this world whom I recognize to be stronger than me in flame magic, the Great Demon Lord Belphegor respects.”
