381 Lustia Pandemonia

381.

What color was the sky originally?

It certainly wasn’t that dirty, gloomy, and ominous black. Right now, the sky was a color that made you uneasy just by looking at it.

It wasn’t just the color of the sky that felt out of place. The dark sky was full of cracks, like a broken window, like a spiderweb.

Our hero party is currently standing on the ruins of Faiz. The very place and time where the Demon King was prophesied to descend.

It was clear to anyone that something extraordinary was happening. Around us were priests dispatched by the Holy King, as well as various kinds of people who had gathered to help us: soldiers, adventurers, mages, and so on. Of course, the Demon King only invited us, but maybe they could be of some help.

In that sense, you could say they were people who had gathered with courage, with a firm resolve to contribute to the fight against the Demon King. But they were all staring at the blackened sky in shock.

The cracks in the sky were increasing in number. And finally…

The Demon King’s stronghold, Lustia Pandemonia, revealed itself. Like a whale rising through the surface of the water, the massive black fortress began to emerge, shattering the cracks in the sky.

,It, it really appeared. That’s the fortress where the Demon King lives! A high-dimensional castle!

The one who couldn’t contain his excitement was Eldritch. Like most mages, his desire for new knowledge seemed to outweigh his concern for the world’s crisis.

Of course, I couldn’t look at it that way. It was a magnificent sight, but I wasn’t in the mood to even sigh in admiration. That thing is the enemy, the huge enemy I have to defeat.

Lustia Pandemonia had a peculiar appearance. Well, it’s from another world, so that’s to be expected.

Suspended in the distant sky, its parts were constantly moving. Unidentifiable tubes protruded from here and there, and remnants of steam and magic spewed out from various places. It looked like a fortress, but it also felt somewhat like a living creature.

I was watching its appearance with a tense heart for only a moment when the voice of the Demon King Epsilon began to be heard from the sky.

,Hear me, humans of the mortal realm. My name is Demon King Epsilon.

Is this some kind of magic too? Epsilon’s voice sounded as if he were whispering directly into my ear. Humans of the mortal realm… could this be, is it being heard all over the world?

,I have been watching your world for a long time. Since long before the oldest of you existed. But at some point, this world became too boring. This world, which was once full of raw vitality, has changed. You humans have somehow begun to deny desire. The clergy have started preaching that temperance and mercy are paramount. It’s an absurd hypocrisy and a sin.

At the same time as I heard the voice in my ear, I could see Epsilon’s vivid appearance as if he were right in front of me. Sitting on a large throne, boldly crossing his legs, Epsilon’s appearance was captivating even knowing he was the Demon King. Of course, he looked just like me.

,That is why I have come. To punish your corruption, to return this world to its original, magnificent state. I, Epsilon, am a conqueror and a teacher. But do not worry. I have only come to teach you humans the joy of truly living.

He’s saying whatever he wants. He’s excitedly spouting nonsense in a one-sided delivery. Unlike the murmuring around me, I was staring at the high Lustia Pandemonia without the slightest wavering.

The image of Epsilon that I saw in front of me soon changed to another scene. It was showing me and my companions on the ground.

I’m only wearing the Sacred Armor without a hood. Thinking that it’s being shown all over the world, I feel a little embarrassed.

,Yes, it seems there are those who dare to resist me. The hero Elena, and her companions. Hero party, I shall bestow upon you the honor of being the first in this world to be trampled by me.

At that moment, the symbols of a portal began to be drawn beneath me and my companions’ feet. The black light of the portal quickly swallowed me and my companions.

,Hero Elena. Please, entertain me.

Epsilon’s eerie voice. With that as the last thing I heard, I was transported to a completely different space.

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After the light of the black portal passed, the surrounding scenery had completely changed. It was a dim interior, not the ruined downtown of Faiz that I had been in just a moment ago.

Because I was suddenly transferred to a dark place, my eyes had not yet adjusted to the darkness. I couldn’t see well, but it was probably inside Lustia Pandemonia.

,Everyone, are you okay?

Right next to me was a silhouette that I presumed to be Blade. The small one next to him must be Riel.

,Yes, I’m fine, Hero-nim.

,It’s quite dark. Are we going to have to fight in this darkness? I’m fine because of the Black Armor mk 3’s buffs, but…

Certainly, this is about the level of being inside a cave. But I had the means to secure light. If it’s urgent, I can use my Thunder or Selina’s Flame.

But that was an unnecessary worry. Suddenly, a bright light shone as if someone had turned on the lights. After confirming my companions’ faces, I looked around.

The interior of Lustia Pandemonia, which looked alien and alive from the outside, was relatively ordinary. At least, it wasn’t a scene of fleshy walls and tentacles running rampant.

The place we were in seemed to be a place corresponding to the entrance. Although there were no doors anywhere. I could see stairs leading upwards for a long distance.

Just then, someone walked out from the shadows of the stairs and said.

,Welcome, Hero-nim and party.

Is it an enemy? If it’s an entity in the Demon King’s castle, it can only be an enemy. I drew the Jin Abyss Sword and prepared for battle.

The one who appeared from behind the stairs was a mustachioed devil. He had the typical appearance of a devil with goat-like horns, and he was wearing a suit-like outfit. He greeted us with an exaggerated voice and gestures, like in a play.

,My name is Slave-rate. I am a loyal servant of Epsilon-nim. Hero Elena-nim and her companions. I have been ordered to guide you through this Lustia Pandemonia.

,Guide? I’m sorry, Slime Knight, but I came here to fight. To defeat the Demon King Epsilon.

,Hehe, it’s been a long time since we’ve had guests who say such interesting things. I think I know why Epsilon-nim invited you. Toys have to have a rebellious flavor.

He’s talking nonsense. But I could tell instinctively. This guy is no ordinary foe either. At the very least, he seemed to be a Demon General-class or higher.

,If you’re guiding, does that mean you’ll take us to where Epsilon is?

,This is Lustia Pandemonia, made with truly miraculous skill that cannot be compared to human architecture. I would like to show you every nook and cranny, but… well, if you wish, I will do so. After all, if you want to meet Epsilon-nim in this vast place, you will have no choice but to follow me closely.

That’s a plausible story. Even from the outside, this Lustia Pandemonia was incredibly large. Wandering around aimlessly would be no different from exploring a complex dungeon.

But it might be a trap. I couldn’t help but suspect that it was a trick to lure us into a trap under the guise of guiding us. After all, devils are beings who don’t hesitate to do despicable things.

But it’s not like there are only two choices, to receive guidance or not, like in a game. We could find other ways. For example…

,Haaaat!

,E, eeehk?

As I poured power into the Jin Abyss Sword, multi-colored light began to emanate from the sword’s blade. Slave-whatever-his-name-was had a very flustered look on his face at the sight.

,I’ll kill you and use you as a warning to Epsilon. Prepare yourself, Slave-rate!

,W, w, wait! J, just a moment!

,Haaaaaaat!

Putting quite a bit of sincerity into it, I swung my sword at him. His movements as he hurriedly leaped backward were quite nimble. I shouted to Riel.

,Riel!

,Yes, Holy Light!

A bright ball of light was charged in Riel’s hand, who had already spread four red wings of light behind her back. The High Priestess’s Holy Light. It was the worst possible match for a devil.

,Ugh, eugh, ahhhhh!

With a painful groan, Slave-whatever-his-name-was rolled around on the floor. But it didn’t seem to be a critical hit compared to how much he was hurting. Judging by how actively he can move.

Slave-whatever-his-name-was, who stood up abruptly, had a rather hideous appearance. His neat suit was torn, revealing the skin on his chest. His eyes were bloodshot, making him look even more devilish.

Maybe his previous appearance was just a pretense. Slave-whatever-his-name-was grabbed his necktie and tore it off, saying.

,You should have just accepted the guidance quietly… I’ll kill you all here!

Yeah, this is better for me. Less of a headache too.