Published at 27th of April 2021 8:41 am

Chapter 281: Takatsuki Makoto arrives at the Demonic Capital

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“Go ahead, enjoy your time. I will come pick you up tomorrow at around noon.” (Nevia)

We were guided to a high class-looking inn, and Queen Nevia left.

The big city of the Demonic Continent, Rease.

The residences of the many demons reached far and wide here.

The biggest trait of this place is that there’s no ramparts.

It goes without saying with the cities of the future, but even Laphroaig had ramparts.

But this city doesn’t have any.

Meaning that they don’t fear attacks from the outside.

The inside of the inn has extravagant furniture, and the demons guiding us were polite.

There’s no one other than us staying here.

Looks like the place has been reserved for us.

I was wary of enemy attacks for a while, but nothing happened at all.

A relaxed mood eventually came.

Just that, it is a waste of time to just wait.

“What should we do tomorrow?” (Makoto)

I look around and ask everyone.

Queen Nevia apparently will be having us meet the Great Demon Lord Iblis.

It is 100% a trap.

“Let’s run! Master Makoto-sama!” (Momo)

The opinion of Momo was a natural one.

We can leave the Demonic Continent now.

“But isn’t this a chance to defeat the Great Demon Lord? We can retreat anytime.” (Johnny)

Johnny-san made sense too.

Our objective is to defeat the Demon Lord.

Our final objective is going through the trouble of meeting us.

Is it really okay to let such a chance just go?

“What in the world is the objective of the enemy? The aim of the Demon Lords was originally to…’kill the Light Hero’ which is me, right?” (Anna)

Anna-san looks at me uneasy.

It is true that right when I came to the past, the demon lord army and the demons were persistently on the prowl for the Light Hero.

In other words, if they are aiming for something, it would be her.

“I don’t think there’s the need to think too deeply about it. It is most likely an invitation.” (Mel)

Contrary to us who were seriously pondering about this, Mel-san had a tone as if saying ‘stop stating the obvious’.

“Invitation? For what?” (Makoto)

When I asked, the White Dragon-san said as if it were obvious.

“The one who defeated the Demon Lord Bifrons that ruled the West Continent…will be asked ‘would you want to become the new Demon Lord of the West Continent?’; that kind of invitation.” (Mel)

“I won’t become a Demon Lord!” (Anna)

“That’s not it, Hero-kun.” (Mel)

“Eh?” (Anna)

Anna-san was fuming, and the White Dragon-san stopped her with her hand.

And then she pointed straight at me.

“Spirit User-kun, you will most likely be invited to become a Demon Lord.” (Mel)

The eyes of the White Dragon-san were looking straight at me.

Me?

“Why? Anna-san was the one who defeated Bifrons.” (Makoto)

“You are the one who contributed to that, Spirit User-kun. Moreover, a user of God Rank Magic. They must want to bring you in their side instead of as an enemy. Also, the Great Demon Lord increasing the Demon Lords isn’t a strange occurrence. The recent one would be the black knight Demon Lord.” (Mel)

I could hear the grinding of teeth from my back.

Black Knight Cain…

An Apostle that follows Noah-sama just like me, and the killer of Anna-san’s master.

Right, he was a new Demon Lord.

“Geez, White Dragon Master! There’s no way Master Makoto-sama would become the new Demon Lor—” (Momo)

“If the Spirit User-kun becomes the new Demon Lord that rules the West Continent, peace will come. The people in Laberintos will also be able to live in safety.” (Mel)

“…T-That’s…” (Momo)

Momo opened her eyes wide and fell silent.

“It might be a good proposal contrary to expectations.” (Johnny)

“Johnny-san?!” (Anna)

Anna-san glared at the handsome long haired elf as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Even if he were to become a Demon Lord, he could aim to lower their guard by becoming an ally and defeat the Great Demon Lord with a sneak attack. How’s that, Makoto-dono?” (Johnny)

“Sneak attack, huh…” (Makoto)

“It is a proper tactic in war, right?” (Johnny)

“You are one bad guy too, aren’t you, Johnny-san.” (Makoto)

I give a wry smile.

That…unexpectedly doesn’t sound too bad.

If not for Anna-san who is glaring at us from the back.

“Ira-sama, what do you think?” (Makoto)

I ask the Goddess-sama who has been silent until now.

The other 3 shouldn’t be able to hear Ira-sama, but they all fell silent.

(I can’t see the Fate Thread that is involved with the Great Demon Lord. My Clairvoyance is blocked by them being an Apostle of a Devil God after all…) (Ira)

So she can’t tell, huh.

This is something I have heard of before.

(But it is as Johnny-chan says. I think it is a chance. Also, in the off-chance something happens, you still have my Divinity in you, so you should be able to manage to run away at the very least.) (Ira)

I see.

The other day I didn’t fully activate the God Rank Spell, Cocytus.

Because I ended it prematurely in an incomplete state, there’s still a bit of Divinity in me.

“Then, can’t we defeat the Great Demon Lord?” (Makoto)

(It would be great if you could…but the Great Demon Lord most likely knows that you have Divinity in you, Takatsuki Makoto. I don’t think they are without a plan.) (Ira)

“This is troubling.” (Makoto)

(Indeed.) (Ira)

I could hear a languid ‘fuuh’ sigh.

“In the end, is Ira-sama in favor or against meeting the Great Demon Lord?” (Makoto)

(……)

“Ira-sama?” (Makoto)

(…I do think it is a chance to defeat the Great Demon Lord.) (Ira)

It is a rare vague response.

Is she worried about something?

“Oi, Spirit User-kun, what did the Goddess-sama say?” (Mel)

The White Dragon-san must have run out of patience with me mumbling by myself, she questioned me.

“She said that since we got the chance, it should be fine to meet the Great Demon Lord. If something happens, we can escape even if it means using the Divinity.” (Makoto)

“I see.” (Johnny)

“Uuh…I am scared.” (Momo)

“If it is the words of the Goddess-sama, I will obey.” (Mel)

Johnny-san, Momo, and the White Dragon-san agreed.

“Makoto-san…” (Anna)

And Anna-san, who was making the most serious face here, grabbed my arm.

“What is it, Anna-san?” (Makoto)

“You won’t become a Demon Lord, right, Makoto-san?” (Anna)

“Eh?” (Makoto)

And here I was wondering what she would ask with such a serious mood.

I am sure that if I had a mirror, I would be seeing my dumbfounded face there.

“Of course I won’t.” (Makoto)

Anna-san was relieved from the bottom of her heart at my response.

“Really? What a waste.” (Johnny)

It seems Johnny-san wanted me to become a Demon Lord.

Well, I do agree with the idea of gaining peace for the West Continent without fighting.

But…

“I am a human, so even if I were to become a Demon Lord, there would only be around 100 years of peace at most. When that happens, what will be of the West Continent’s Demon Lord?” (Makoto)

“In the first place, the Immortal King Bifrons has not perished completely. He lost most of his power thanks to the attack of the Light Hero-kun, but I think he will revive after 1,000 years. They must want to make the Spirit User-kun a Demon Lord for the time being till that time comes.” (Mel)

The Immortal King that I thought was defeated by Anna-san, the White Dragon-san says will be resurrecting in the future.

Well, I did see with my own eyes how he resurrected.

I won’t doubt that.

“Then, we will finally be fighting the Great Demon Lord tomorrow. Is that okay?” (Makoto)

I looked at everyone, and they nodded lightly.

“Fumu…then, we have decided the route we will be taking.” (Johnny)

Johnny-san said this, but he placed his katana on his waist and wore his cloak.

“Are you going somewhere?” (Makoto)

“Yeah, this is my first city. I want to look around.” (Johnny)

“A-Are you serious?!” (Momo)

“It is a demon city, you know?!” (Anna)

Momo and Anna-san shout in surprise.

“Makoto-dono, the demons of this city can’t attack us because of the curse of Queen Nevia, right?” (Johnny)

(No doubt!) (Ira)

The voice of the Goddess resonates in my head.

“Yes, Ira-sama says so.” (Makoto)

“Then there’s no problem.” (Johnny)

Saying this, Johnny-san left.

He’s got guts.

Anna-san and Momo don’t seem to have any intentions of going out, they were sitting on the bed or looking outside the window.

(But it is true that waiting around is boring.) (Makoto)

I was thinking about training, but Mel-san spoke to me as if finding it hard to say.

“Hey, Spirit User-kun, do you have some time?” (Mel)

“As you can see, I have time to spare.” (Makoto)

I would just be waiting in the inn till tomorrow noon.

“There’s a place I want you to accompany me to.” (Mel)

“I am fine with that, but where?” (Makoto)

I can’t reject the request of the White Dragon-san that has been helping us uncountable times.

But wonder where.

“I will go too.” (Anna)

“Me too, White Dragon Master!” (Momo)

Anna-san and Momo also requested to go, but the White Dragon-san shook her head to the sides.

“It is a bit of a dangerous…no, it is not dangerous, but I can’t bring you two there… Sorry. I won’t take that long, so I want to borrow the Spirit User-kun for a bit.” (Mel)

“…Understood.” (Anna)

“Eeh~. We are staying at home then?” (Momo)

Anna-san was slightly displeased by this, but Momo was pretty displeased by it.

As for me, it was bothering me quite a lot that she at first was going to say it was dangerous.

Where am I going to be taken to?

We left Anna-san and Momo, and I went out with the White Dragon-san.

◇◇

“We are walking there, huh.” (Makoto)

“It is close to the inn after all.” (Mel)

I thought for sure we would be going by riding on her, but we are heading there on foot.

We leisurely walk the main street of the demon capital.

There were a variety of demons in the street, and it was prosperous.

There were many street stalls, and they were trying to pull customers endlessly.

A really lively city.

However, what bothered me was…

“Everyone is Charmed.” (Makoto)

“Yeah, the residents don’t seem to be bothered by this though.” (Mel)

Is this all the doing of the Moon Queen?

If that’s the case, that’s quite the feat.

“There’s a lot of people.” (Mel)

The White Dragon-san mutters.

“Yeah, there are.” (Makoto)

“There’s way too many people in comparison to the buildings. Does everyone live in this city?” (Mel)

It is true that there’s also a lot of houses, but it is far more crowded than that.

“They might have come to make an earning here.” (Makoto)

“Right. Also…there’s a lot of ghosts and undead.” (Mel)

“True.” (Makoto)

From the passing demons, there’s a lot of undead like ghosts that have transparent bodies, zombies, and skeletons.

Also, they are not armed, so even when they walk closeby, it doesn’t bother me that much.

On our way they tried to pull us into the stores, but we didn’t get distracted anywhere and continued on.

We walked for a while, and the White Dragon-san stopped in front of a gigantic residence.

Isn’t this bigger than the Highland Castle?

I can imagine an influential person is living here.

The gate was as gigantic as the residence.

At the very least, it is a size that a human wouldn’t even be able to open.

However, the reason for the gigantic size of that gate was clear.

“Welcome.”

Seeing the White Dragon-san, the gatekeeper dragon opened the gate.

The owner of this residence might be a dragon.

If that’s the case, it would make sense why the residence and the gate are gigantic.

“Let’s go, Spirit User-kun.” (Mel)

“Okay…” (Makoto)

A rude gaze was directed at me by the gatekeeper dragon.

“Uhm…White Dragon-san, can you please tell me your objective for having us come here already…?” (Makoto)

“We have come to meet Astaroth.” (Mel)

“…”

When I saw the gatekeeper dragon, I had a bad feeling.

“Uhm…why meet the strongest Demon Lord?” (Makoto)

“They told me to come meet them later. You heard that too, right, Spirit User-kun?” (Mel)

“I did, but…why even me?” (Makoto)

“I am lending you all my help because I lost to you in Laberintos. Ancient Dragons obey the stronger one. The fastest way to explain this would be for you to be there as well.” (Mel)

“We are talking about a Demon Lord here, you know? Will it end with a talk?” (Makoto)

“They are an acquaintance of mine. Also, they shouldn’t be able to attack us with the curse of Queen Nevia.” (Mel)

Mel-san is an Ancient Dragon, so of course she would be acquainted with the Ancient Dragon King.

I know that, but…

“Isn’t there a chance the effects of the curse doesn’t work on Astaroth who has inherited the blood of a Dragon God?” (Makoto)

“I am impressed you know that.” (Mel)

“Ira-sama told me.” (Makoto)

“Don’t worry. I am sure it will be okay. Now, let’s go. I couldn’t bring myself to come here alone, you see.” (Mel)

In other words, she was scared, so she wanted me to come with her.

“…I see.” (Makoto)

I honestly want to leave.

But this is not an atmosphere where I can leave.

A big door, that even a giant would easily be able to cross, opened.

The White Dragon-san advanced rapidly.

I hesitantly followed behind her.

*Zuun…*

A heavy sound rang as the door behind us closed.

Now we can’t run away.

“What’s the matter, Spirit User-kun?” (Mel)

“I am scared here.” (Makoto)

“Fuh! So there’s things that scare even you, huh.” (Mel)

The White Dragon-san laughed as if she were looking at something amusing.

What do you think I am?

We have come so far already, so no choice but to tread on.

Clear Mind Skill 99%…

I steel myself and go up the stairs.

I cross the door, and there is a hall-like gigantic room.

And right in front of us is…

A throne.

There was a man dressed in black clothing sitting there.

Isn’t he over 3 meters tall?

It is not as big as a giant, but his body is impossibly big for a human.

Sharp eyes were looking down at us.

“That’s…” (Makoto)

“The Ancient Dragon King.” (Mel)

The White Dragon-san answered my mutter.

His appearance is different, but the miasma coming out from him was certainly that of the Demon Lord that had overpowered us.

He must be taking a humanoid form like the White Dragon-san.

On the way to the throne there’s a carpet that’s red like blood, and we were slowly advancing on top of that.

There’s big warriors lined up on both sides.

I could see faint scale-like patterns on their skin.

They must be dragons too.

We approached the Ancient Dragon King till we were about a few meters from him.

Silence ruled the place for a while.

(Say something, White Dragon-san!) (Makoto)

I glanced at her profile, but she was unexpectedly nervous and her face was stiffened.

The one who spoke was the Ancient Dragon King.

“Glad to see you came, my daughter, Helemerck.” (Astaroth)

“…It has been a while, Father.” (Mel)

The White Dragon-san responded reluctantly.

I heard about this from Ira-sama beforehand, so I knew about their relationship.

Even so, it still made me think…

The Holy Dragon-sama, Helemerck-san…I am impressed she even became the party member of Savior Abel.

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