Ch.48Dragon Clan and Demon Clan (1)

# Dragons and Demons (1)

“I’m so sorry to our guests. I underestimated the opponent.”

The Tower Master of Glachies, Glisha Rentisimo, bowed her head after returning from defeating three of Five’s avatars alone.

Not only had she left while guests were present, but she had also allowed them to be attacked.

Of course, it was Commander Five’s scheme that forced her to leave her post, but falling for it was the problem.

“Regarding this matter, I will provide compensation when you leave the tower later. For now, please rest and heal your wounds. Though it feels awkward to say this after what happened, the tower will be an impenetrable fortress for you.”

“Ah, yes…”

Despite her somewhat strange manner of speaking, Esmeralda nodded obediently.

She just wanted to rest now. Even with the support of Glachies Tower, she had faced two of Commander Five’s avatars alone.

Even now, her skin stung in the breeze. Though she wanted to go rest immediately, she remained because she was worried about her companions’ safety.

“Still, I’d like to see my friends return before I go in.”

“Millia has made such a good friend. Yes indeed.”

“…”

The unexpected appearance of a kind grandmother figure.

Esmeralda felt cognitive dissonance between the Glisha who had just made a high-handed non-apology and this current persona.

‘At least she seems to care about Millia…’

Was it really an issue with her education method that made that child so twisted?

“No need to worry about that. Look, they’re coming now. Everyone is safe.”

“Ah!”

Esmeralda smiled brightly at the silhouettes approaching with the sun at their backs.

“What an impressive spell. So creative.”

“…”

And then she froze.

What she thought was a silhouette was actually a tendril, and the real human figures were a bit further behind.

They were sitting on tentacles that sprouted like sea anemones and writhed like octopus legs. Not only that, but Lug and Eirene were wrapped in those tentacles.

“Our Millia is good at magic too.”

“Did she trap elemental magic in liquid form and give it viscosity? Amazing. There’s a reason the Tower Masters made her their joint disciple.”

“I wonder what it would be like to be bound by that…”

Esmeralda kept her mouth shut. She didn’t want to get involved.

Are all mages nothing but lunatics?

“Isn’t it impressive?”

“What?! Me? Are you asking me?”

“Of course. Our Millia may be timid, but her abilities are outstanding. That artistry and creativity. You noticed it too, right?”

“…”

What.

What am I supposed to notice?

Esmeralda became tongue-tied and couldn’t say anything.

Meanwhile, the gazes of the tower mages gathered on her.

Their eyes seemed to be asking her to hurry up and share her appreciation. Yes, they wanted the vicarious satisfaction of hearing a famous adventurer from a renowned party praise a member of their tower.

“…I think it’s amazing.”

“Which part?”

“Um… the way it wriggles?”

“You’ve got a good eye! That’s right, the amazing thing about this magic is that it can move freely in any direction. Changing the trajectory of magic that normally flies in a straight line is difficult. But by fixing the form like that and giving it viscosity and elasticity, it may be slower than a projectile, but it can move much more freely…”

As the mages continued with their praise-filled explanations, Esmeralda retreated step by step.

‘I’m… retreating? Me, who faced forward even before a Commander?’

Esmeralda recognized that she felt an irresistible terror.

She had never backed away even when facing a Commander, but these approaching tentacles were simply too much to accept.

It was physiologically impossible.

While Esmeralda trembled, Millia, who had been riding on the tentacles, approached.

“Esmeralda, are you okay?”

“Ah, yes… Are you alright? The Commander went after you too, right?”

“Yes, Eirene and I defeated him.”

“What about Lug?”

“Lug is Lug.”

“I see…”

Lug seemed to be the type who did something suspicious whenever she took her eyes off him. She wondered if he had used some hidden power like before, but apparently not.

Esmeralda glared at Lug, who was tied to the tentacles in a strange position.

[Black Magic Lv. 35]

‘At least he’s gotten stronger.’

His Black Magic level had increased by 1.

But his overall estimated ability remained the same, as it was already high compared to his actual skill.

Just as she was thinking that even this guy was capable of growth—

Splat.

Millia’s tentacle touched Esmeralda’s soft cheek.

“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

Esmeralda crawled away in terror, forgetting she was even a hero. The slimy sensation remained on her cheek.

“Hic…! Hic…!”

Not only was she on the verge of tears, but Esmeralda was also hiccupping, looking nothing like someone who should be called a hero.

“Why…? W-why would you…?”

Esmeralda looked up at Millia with a pale face, as if she had been betrayed.

Her expression rivaled the despair felt by the former Garnet—Commander Five—as he died after being backstabbed by his comrades.

Looking at Esmeralda’s despairing expression, Millia said with her usual expressionless face:

“Cold things are good for burns.”

“Oh, so that’s what it was. Don’t do that. I might actually kill you.”

“Okay…”

Esmeralda nodded in understanding while still issuing a threat.

The chilling aura she emitted was so intense that she couldn’t even put on her usual act.

Even Millia felt fear at her sincere demeanor.

Esmeralda finally relaxed her shoulders at this familiar sight.

This awkward, timid appearance was indeed Millia.

“Ah, you can leave Eirene like that a bit longer. Wow, those burns look severe.”

“Okay, I understand. Is it okay to do the same for Lug?”

“Of course. I appreciate how much you care for your companions.”

“But Esmeralda too…”

“What did I just say?”

“O-okay… I understand.”

Esmeralda felt that things had ended well for once.

She had magnificently defeated the enemy, and her companions had returned safely.

She had taught a good lesson to that bitch Eirene, and Lug was just normally stupid this time.

Yes, this kind of terrible daily life was actually familiar to her.

“Now all that’s left is Tina. I wonder if she’ll be upset if I don’t go get her myself.”

Esmeralda was able to smile genuinely for the first time in a while, thinking about her friend (a real one) whom she would meet soon.

***

Demon Lord’s Castle.

Demon Army Commanders’ Meeting.

Lilith had attended this monthly event without fail.

Though the matter of Extra Lieutenant Colonel was suspicious, it wasn’t worth skipping the meeting to investigate. After all, investigation was the job of intelligence officers, not hers.

“Hmm, some seats are empty?”

The Demon Lord Belphegor, though usually steeped in sloth, looked over the commanders with a sense of responsibility he reserved for these meetings.

“From the left, 1st Commander First, 2nd Commander Second, then Third and Force… Five is missing. Eleven wasn’t here last time either, so I guess he’s dead too? Oh, he said he was taking a break. Tsk.”

1st Commander First

2nd Commander Second

3rd Commander Third

4th Commander Force

They were particularly skilled individuals among the Demon Army who could even aspire to become the next Demon Lord.

That’s why, unlike other commanders who were simply named with numbers, they were given rankings to signify their qualification to challenge the Demon Lord.

Of course, Belphegor wouldn’t care if the 5th or 6th Commander challenged him, but unfortunately, he only knew words up to “Force” for fourth, so he glossed over the rest.

‘What was it again? I feel like I know it. Fives? No, Fifes? Damn, I don’t know. Anyway, where did that Five woman go?’

She was fundamentally so slothful that she couldn’t even remember what she had said herself.

She had always been lazy, but after becoming the Demon Lord, she had become so numb that she could be described as apathetic.

“Lilith.”

“Yes, Commander Five headed toward Glachies Tower and then we lost contact. She’s probably dead.”

“Oh, really? Guess she’s dead then.”

Such an indifferent reaction to the disappearance of one of the twelve pillars commanding the Demon Army.

“Then let’s assume Commander Five is dead… Lieutenant General Lilith, handle the 5th Corps somehow, whatever.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please wait a moment, Your Majesty!”

“Hm?”

Just as Belphegor was about to dismiss the matter out of laziness, the 12th Commander Twelve raised his hand and shouted as if it was now or never.

“That woman… I mean, Lieutenant General Lilith has been involved in the disappearance of two commanders already! If we don’t investigate this properly…”

“If we don’t, then what?”

“…Your Majesty?”

“It’s the fault of those who were defeated. Since when did the Demon Army care about such things?”

“Um… when Your Majesty ascended to the throne, you said…”

“I did? Really?”

Creating a hostile atmosphere, Belphegor turned to look at Lilith.

“Yes.”

Lilith nodded, confirming Twelve’s words.

Even though it was a situation where she was being falsely accused, military discipline had to be maintained. The recent movements of the dragon race were concerning enough.

It wouldn’t be good to be divided when they should be united.

“Well, from today, let’s pretend that never happened. It’s too troublesome if things are always like this. I can’t work.”

“Understood.”

“However, Your Majesty!”

“However?”

Belphegor glared at Twelve, who kept pressing the issue.

“Since when were you allowed to talk back to me?”

Whoosh!

In an instant, the meeting hall was engulfed in blue flames.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

“Incompetent coward.”

CRASH!

As Belphegor slammed the table in displeasure, the entire meeting hall was surrounded by blue flames.

A strange phenomenon where the spread of flames couldn’t even be observed. It was as if the place itself had changed, completely engulfed in blue fire.

The reason Belphegor was steeped in apathy was simple.

“If you’re weak, you should at least be perceptive.”

It was because he had enough power to not care about anyone else.