Plan of the Close Friend

In my temple within the Demon Realm, a space completed with black marble, I elegantly tilted a goblet of golden wine.

This temple is a masterpiece I’ve perfected over thousands of years.

The golden patterns on the walls shimmer faintly under the starlight of the Demon Realm, and the ceiling holds stars I’ve personally collected, shining eternally.

Among them, this window… was specially crafted to overlook every corner of the Human Realm.

Lycoris…

My new tool has finally reunited with Frostia.

Within the crystal orb, a desolate, icy wasteland came into clear view.

It was the death zone created by Nis, right next to the horrifying ice field Frostia had frozen.

“The sight created by those two monsters… truly magnificent.”

I murmured, savoring another sip of the wine.

The sweet yet slightly bitter taste complemented my current mood quite well.

A massive silver dragon, bathed in light, transformed into the form of a beautiful woman.

And there, Lycoris was rushing toward her with tears of joy.

“A truly moving reunion. But…”

What’s important to me isn’t such sentiment.

It’s when Nis will leave.

Nis…

Even now, thinking of that grotesque snake sends shivers down my spine.

Recalling the fate of the Evil Gods she devoured…

It still sends chills, but I won’t let it show.

Focusing my mind, I shifted my consciousness to the brooch given to Lycoris.

Serenade Acajene, one of my greatest creations.

Originally just an accessory, but with considerable…

Well, with the magic I’ve imbued, it now serves this purpose.

Soon, their conversation became clear.

“Shall we return to Sia Kalt?”

“Oh! Not yet!”

It was Lycoris’s voice.

Still so pure and endearing.

“Hm?”

“My carriage is on its way! Two human companions, Cecilia, Glacia, and Rote are aboard!”

Carriage? Companions?

“Ah, right.”

Rubbing my temple with a finger, I recalled.

When dealing with my followers in the Kingdom of Genes, she had companions.

A mage, an archer, and some insects with distinct personalities.

Besides the butterfly seen in the Demon Realm, there should have been three more.

Interestingly, Lycoris seemed to cherish those insects greatly.

More precious to her than the humans, it seemed.

Perhaps because they were flowers?

“Please wait a little longer!”

“Alright, we’ll wait.”

At Frostia’s response, I clicked my tongue.

Or rather, I let out a refined sigh.

“Leave soon. I have a mountain of tasks.”

Especially the preparations for the revival of the Demon King Carpe.

Carpe…

Once, he was the demon I cherished the most.

Intelligent, ambitious, and above all, he listened well to my words.

A model subordinate…

“But his greed was his downfall, poor soul.”

Murmuring, I slowly swirled the wine in my goblet.

The crimson liquid swirled, reflecting my mood.

Not content with just one Great Labyrinth, he sought a second core…

And ended up exploding, his body torn apart.

The explosion echoed across the continent, a testament to his folly.

“But now, he’ll become my perfect puppet.”

If I revive just his soul, he’ll retain his former abilities but obey my commands absolutely.

Maintaining his power while under my complete control…

What better subordinate could there be?

…

However, days passed without the carriage appearing.

“Will the carriage really come?”

Rising from my chair, I approached the window.

The cold air of the Demon Realm brushed against my fingertips.

I began to scan the entire continent through the temple window.

In the Heshet Empire, my followers were still actively at work, and in the small kingdoms to the southeast, rituals were being passionately conducted.

“How diligent they are.”

A satisfied smile tugged at my lips.

After a while, I spotted a splendid, flame-engulfed carriage in the land of death.

It looked like Lycoris’s carriage…

“That flame… yes, it must be the work of the fire butterfly.”

The crimson flames enveloped the carriage, but it wasn’t burning.

Instead, they seemed to act as a protective barrier.

What an intriguing ability the insect possessed.

And within the flames… a plump witch and…

Hmm?

Were those… horses?

“What a sorry state…”

Narrowing my eyes, I examined them closely.

Had they not moved or eaten for a month?

What a ridiculous sight.

“But where are the others?”

Just in case, I shifted my gaze toward the Great Labyrinth.

There, Lycoris’s companions were engaged in fierce battle with monsters and demons.

“Oh… they’re fighting far better than expected.”

Swirling the wine slowly, I admired.

Especially the massive ice wasp and the fire butterfly’s prowess were dazzling.

The wasp was freezing enemies with its huge ice stingers, while the butterfly incinerated them with its flames.

“With such skills, they’re more than a match for ordinary foes.”

But why had they entered the Great Labyrinth?

Of all places, that was the very labyrinth where Demon King Carpe had sought the second core.

Now, it’s ruled by…

Ivolg…

My grip on the goblet tightened involuntarily.

Even the memory of him is detestable.

A demon who denied me and sought to become a god himself.

For hundreds of years, he’s mocked me as a “false god who only observes.”

“How dare he…”

My voice carried a chill.

But I quickly regained my composure, smiling elegantly.

I found myself rooting for Lycoris’s group.

It’s far better for her, with whom I have a complicated relationship, to triumph over Ivolg.

And it serves my plans better.

“Lycoris…”

She’s truly a fascinating being.

Becoming Michel’s apostle while learning the aesthetics of murder from Bellona, possessing both purity and cruelty.

Such contradictions make her the perfect tool for my plans.

Then-

Ding!

A sudden sound rang out, and a semi-transparent selection window appeared before me.

“How… unpleasant.”

Setting the goblet down, I frowned.

This system, a remnant from that copied god of another realm 5,000 years ago…

It always appears unannounced, ruining my mood.

We should have utterly destroyed that fake god back then…

Yet its remnants linger, causing such nuisances.

<『

1. Appoint Glacia as an apostle. (Consumes 3,100,000 divine power)

2. Appoint Ryandel as an apostle. (Consumes 2,500,000 divine power)

3. Appoint Levi as an apostle. (Consumes 2,200,000 divine power)

4. Appoint Rote as an apostle. (Consumes 2,700,000 divine power)

5. Appoint Cecilia as an apostle. (Consumes 1,000,000 divine power)

6. Do nothing.

※ Divine power in possession: 4,704,398』

“…What is this?”

I read the selection window again, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Appointing an apostle?

“Could this be because I merely cheered them on in my heart?”

But what’s even more startling are the names.

Glacia, Ryandel, Levi, Rote, Cecilia…

I had categorized them only as the massive wasp, metal spider, fire butterfly, mage, and archer…

“I can’t tell which is which.”

Leaning back in my chair, I sighed.

This is the biggest issue with this system.

It displays information I don’t even know, as if to mock me.

How intricately that copied god cursed me 5,000 years ago is evident here.

However…

Upon reconsidering, isn’t this an enormous opportunity?

Leaning forward, I looked at the selection window again.

I had expected that after Lycoris became Michel’s apostle, I’d eventually get a chance to appoint my own.

Across Heaven and the Demon Realm, only Michel currently has an apostle.

Such is the rarity of this opportunity.

But for it to come so suddenly, and for Lycoris’s companions no less…

“This… changes everything.”

Stroking my chin, I fell deep in thought.

My original plan was to revive Demon King Carpe and use him to spread chaos in the Human Realm.

Humans’ fear and despair would only strengthen me.

But now, a more subtle approach seems necessary.

If one of them becomes my apostle…

I can draw closer to Lycoris and monitor her more intimately.

It would also help evade the interference of Michel and other gods, and most importantly, allow me to fully grasp Lycoris and her companions’ movements.

Furthermore, through my apostle, I can gradually lure Lycoris to my side.

Rather than forcing her, I’ll tempt her naturally…

Which is my specialty.

“If Lycoris becomes my ally…”

A cunning smile spread across my lips.

“I’ll make her the savior of humanity.”

A perfect plan unfolded in my mind.

I’ll have the monsters I control attack each kingdom, and Lycoris will rise as the one to defeat them.

As I send increasingly powerful foes, her fame will grow…

Until all humans hail Lycoris as their savior.

And then, the final revelation.

Exposing that the savior they trusted, Michel’s apostle, was merely staging a farce with me.

The betrayal and despair they’ll feel…

“Hehehe… just thinking about it is exhilarating.”

Raising the goblet once more, I savored the last sip.

Now, the question is… who to choose?

Looking at the divine power cost…

Glacia is the most expensive, while Cecilia is the cheapest.

One million divine power…

Less than half of the others.

I need to conserve divine power for the plans ahead.

Turning Lycoris into my complete ally will require an enormous amount.

“Let’s go with Cecilia.”

Hmm…

One of the insects Lycoris cherishes…

<『

Cecilia has been appointed as an apostle.

』

In the distance, at the Great Labyrinth, a small flame burned brighter.

The fire butterfly was Cecilia.

“…Excellent choice.”

It was a decision that pleased me greatly.

Small yet powerful, and cherished by Lycoris.

Perfect as my apostle.

Soon, a new selection window appeared.

<『

1. Bestow a brief revelation upon Cecilia and her surroundings. (Consumes 1,000,000 divine power)

2. Do nothing.

※ Divine power in possession: 3,704,398』

“A revelation…”

This is the perfect opportunity.

Rising from my chair, I approached the window.

The cold air of the Demon Realm brushed against my cheek, but my heart burned with hot plans.

First, to win Lycoris’s heart…

Yes, I must become her “friend.”

Exploiting the bond of “friendship” that humans cherish so deeply.

“Lycoris, my dear friend…”

Different from Bellona.

Bellona pursues art purely, making her unsuitable for complex schemes.

She grew close to Lycoris likely because their values aligned by chance.

But I am different.

I can feign emotions as needed.

And my acting is flawless.

I chose option one.

<『

Bestowing the revelation.

』

Infusing my voice with warmth, as if I truly cherished Lycoris.

Like a close friend…

My voice echoed through the Great Labyrinth.

“I am the Evil God Abraxas. I reveal that I am Lycoris’s dear friend. And Cecilia, you have now become my apostle.”

Reactions were visible from afar.

The startled faces of the mage and archer, their mouths agape, and the agitated insects.

Especially Cecilia, my new apostle, shone brighter with joy.

“So pure…”

A satisfied smile formed on my lips.

“How easy to manipulate.”

Emptying the goblet, I placed it elegantly on the table.

Everything would now unfold as planned.

Through my new apostle, I’d observe Lycoris more closely and gradually bring her to my side.

And as for Demon King Carpe…

His unfortunate soul would be revived to serve my new plans.

Lycoris would become the hero of humanity, so she’d need a tragic enemy to vanquish.

“Tremble the world with fear and be defeated by the hero, Carpe.”

Now, with my new apostle, the real game begins.

Shifting my consciousness to the Serenade Acajene brooch, I observed Lycoris’s situation.

She, too, had realized the carriage wasn’t coming.

Now, confused and flustered, wondering how to find it…

How quaint.

<『

My dear friend, let me help you.

』

Concentrating magic into the brooch, I made its violet light pulse rhythmically, like a heartbeat, and directed it toward the land of death.

Soon, Lycoris noticed the brooch.

“It seems Abraxas is guiding us!”

Her pure voice came through the brooch clearly.

But soon, Frostia’s envious tone followed.

“Even Abraxas is taking an interest in my Lycoris…”

“Oh, no! I’m not particularly close with Abraxas!”

Lycoris’s hurried excuse was audible, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

<『

Oh, but we’ll become very close, my dear friend.

』

Deliberately dimming the brooch’s light by half, I pretended it was filled with sorrow.

Lycoris’s confusion was evident.

Then, Nis’s voice came through.

“In that direction… lies the land of death and the Great Labyrinth.”

<『

How perceptive…

』

My smile faded.

Nis’s keen observational skills and sense of direction were as annoying as ever.

One day, she’ll become a dangerous factor in the Human Realm.

“Would they really attempt something so foolish…?”

Lycoris’s murmur was audible.

Flickering the brooch like a star, I signaled affirmation.

“Is that right!?”

Increasing the blinking speed, I conveyed strong confirmation.

“Perfect.”

Now, Lycoris would follow my guidance toward the land of death.

There, she’d reunite with my apostle Cecilia…

And from there, the true game begins.

“Wait for me, my dear friend. Soon, I’ll show you a wonderful gift.”