episode_0005

Since I became a demon, there is something I have clearly felt.

I didn’t have much to do here.

Sometimes kids come and ask for counseling, or just come to play around occasionally.

Come to think of it, I’m just a bum.

“It’s mealtime, demon.”

“Today, it’s unusual that you came to meet me.”

I’ve heard that he occasionally doesn’t participate in meals at this time because he’s under the influence of drugs.

Before I came here myself, the meal place for them was like an officer’s meeting place.

A skilled man who procured all the money needed for the organization as a big shot in the dark world until receiving donations from other countries.

Ryu was a reliable presence like a hearty beef soup.

“Well, today, Teresia said to save the medicine because it’s running low, so unfortunately, I had to. It can’t be helped, right?”

He can’t quit the medicine.

It’s not just a simple addiction problem; it’s a matter of life and death for him.

Dependent on drugs to such an extent, if even that is cut off, he would be a person who would commit suicide.

“Of course, before the meal, Teresia mentioned the progress on the medication… Oh, of course, it was a joke. You probably don’t hate me religiously… Heresy? Well, not that. Let’s try to focus on it if possible, thinking of it as your son’s prank and move on.”

It would be avoidance, not focus.

I swallowed those words deep inside.

Anyway, he enjoys taking these kinds of jokes seriously.

“If you want, you can move forward and solve whatever you want. So, demon. Good luck.”

As long as he said that, I don’t know how things will proceed in the future, but I have no intention of stopping.

That’s how he put it.

I didn’t really understand the meaning of that, but since we arrived shortly after, there was no time to ask further.

The conference named “Dinner” began.

“Well, first of all, as the demon wishes, the day to conquer the Holy Empire is not far away.”

…As I wish?

I just let you guys do what you wanted without interfering.

“We have been waiting for so long, and the unification of the continent we have been working on is almost complete. Everything is going as your father wishes.”

Abella, what are you talking about?

Why are you giving me such trials for something I wanted.

Of course, unifying the continent is a task that can be easily accomplished with the power we have, so it should be fine.

In my case, it’s the role of the god that these children believe in, so I should respect what they want.

“In this meeting, we will carry out the mission to dispatch to the Tower of Demons. Let’s first decide on one person to escort Teresia.”

There’s nothing for me to do, but I have to go.

“Can I go?”

“…Now that everyone here has gone at least once, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Father to visit once as well.”

I know what dispatching to the Tower of Demons entails.

Other empires and kingdoms are managed by Beatrice, while the hybrids are overseen by Adel and Mari.

So, how does the Tower of Demons fit under the umbrella of the Demonism.

Teresia has a significant influence there.

A genius alchemist, a quirky genius who doesn’t hesitate to conduct human experiments to resolve her interests and satisfy her curiosity.

Her personal dispatch to the Tower of Demons means entering the tower as an assistant for several months, blending in naturally and checking if they are up to something secretly.

For example, during the last continental meeting, Teresia was keeping track of the support for the Tower of Demons sponsored by the Demonism.

“During the last dispatch, I left alone to offer wealth to Father, but this time, it has been decided to send the dispatch together with Father…”

“I, I! I want to go too!”

“Adele, will you give up the Sacred Empire? In Adele’s case, like Ryu, you need to grasp the Sacred Empire’s territory. Considerable force will be necessary in that process.”

“….Tsk.”

So while I’m away at ease, are they planning to incite the Sacred Empire over there?

The scene that made my heart race the most when I watched it on TV was one where a kingdom was destroyed with just one incitement.

I did want to see it at least once.

“And anyway, this time we’re going to the White Horse Tower. It’s the only tower in the Sacred Empire not yet under our control, so there should be a lot of information to gather.”

In the end, they’re just going to gather all the information, right?

Well, since I can now see the incitement scene I wanted to see with my own eyes, it’s not too bad for me.

“So, for a week, after that, Father will go to the White Horse Tower with Therasia, while Ryu and Adele grasp the Sacred Empire’s territory, and the others gather the remaining information.”

And among them, Abel, the Saint, said he would personally carry out the incitement.

If I have the chance later, I’d like to go see it.

“Well, then it’s probably best to deal with other matters. First of all, I want to strengthen regulations regarding heretics. Everyone understands this without needing to be told, right?”

The Cult of Evil, clearly a heretical group, is the largest religion in this world, even though it looks like a heretical sect. Calling them heretics excludes all religions except the Cult of Evil. The fact that they are a reckless group that doesn’t hesitate to commit terrorism, means that strengthening regulations on heretics implies firmly suppressing those who believe in other religions.

To ensure they never rise again.

“The moment they even slightly emerge, we will definitely crush them. We’ll even extend the crackdown to include heretics’ relatives, not just the heretics themselves.”

“Hmm, quite a good idea….”

“If you don’t believe in the Cult, that’s fine.”

I don’t know why this matter is being approached favorably, but how could they handle things in a place where only such people are gathered from the start?

Ah.

The more I think about it, the more fearful I become.

“And the next issue is… well, this time it’s the Kingdom of Decarson and the Empire of Astria. There’s a report that heretics are being harbored in the Kingdom of Decarson, and news that the Archbishop of the Sacred Empire is staying in the Empire of Astria… This will be quite an important mission.”

After pondering for a moment, he spoke.

“Adele, Caesar, Veronica. I will send the three of you. To meet the schedule, you should prepare and return within two weeks.”

“Shouldn’t the assassin come along?”

“It’s a shame, but Father also expressed curiosity about the atmosphere of the towers, so I think it would be good for him to see it firsthand this time. You can come together next time.”

It’s not like that; she just said she wants to go because she’s bored.

I also need to meet Caesar in person.

As an assassin, there were always so many tasks to do that once I went on a mission, I rarely returned for several months.

“Well, let’s end this meeting here and discuss the unfinished business from last time.”

Abel brought up a topic that hadn’t been concluded.

“First, Mari, it’s good to have reverence for Father, but I hope you won’t casually reveal other things to the outside world.”

“Hmm~ I’ll try that first.”

Putting aside her playful smile, he started the conversation properly.

“I plan to erect statues of Father in each country. To prevent anyone from climbing up, his authority will be known worldwide….”

“Just to clarify, I agreed. Last time and now.”

“…”

Cecilia didn’t say anything deliberately, but the atmosphere was one of unanimous agreement from the rest.

After all, the Cult of Evil earns over 1.7 billion gold coins a year.

Money is being earned as much as an empire, but it doesn’t go out as much as a kingdom, so money overflows.

“And the first step is to destroy the Sacred Empire. Now, let’s finish today’s dinner with this.”

It’s strange to have meetings like this every evening.

How can there be completely different meeting contents every day?

Isn’t this totally Gotham City?

“Oh, by the way. Father needs to submit documents to the tower starting today, so it’s better to follow Teresia.”

“…I see, thank you always.”

Abella, a saint who makes strange plans and carries out unreasonable tasks.

Please, take a break now, please.

“No, everything is according to father’s will.”

If it were up to me, the cult would have become a faithful and good group serving every day… Oh, that’s not it?

Anyway.

I tore up the scroll I had received from Teresia before.

As a result, my perspective changed and I arrived at her laboratory.

“Teacher, you’re here already. Did you enjoy dinner today?”

“You never participate in dinner anyway.”

“Well, my job is always determined by the tower’s dispatch, so instead of going, researching seems better than useless praises and quickly decided irrelevant topics about the teacher.”

Saying so, she took out a document from the locker.

You seem to understand the meeting named dinner very well.

Perfect.

“I plan to make two basic identification cards stolen from Baekmata Tower for you and me, teacher. The reason Abel sent the teacher directly here is… probably to think about how to make the teacher’s appearance.”

Every time you are dispatched to the tower, you must change your appearance to avoid being caught.

Alright, the time has come to fulfill my dream.

“So, first among humans…”

“Oh, teacher. Unfortunately, since our goal this time is infiltration, I plan to match it with the most ordinary face possible.”

She interrupted me casually as if she already knew what I was going to say.

Feeling awkward, I scratched my head and said.

“Then, is it possible to have a face so ordinary that it blends in with the atmosphere, almost unnoticeable?”

“And feel free to use a potion to reduce your presence, if the teacher wishes…”

I don’t want to go that far.

Then I’ll just end up being no different from my school days.

“Well, then. When do we leave?”

“Now that the teacher is here, let’s leave right away.”

She smiled and flicked her finger.

The scroll on the desk tore itself apart, emitting a powerful light.

“The basis of alchemy is magic, so feel free to experience it, teacher.”

Of course, as I was possessed by the spirit of a god, I could perform miracles beyond cause and effect, but I embodied this feeling.

Floating in the air, feeling my consciousness gradually fading… Huh?

This feels exactly like when I transformed into the body of an evil spirit.

Feeling that hazy sensation, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed.

“Well, first… we need to manipulate the mind.”

As she flicked her finger, the entire tower mixed with her mana and soon settled down gently.

“We start as novice wizards who have been at Baekmata Tower for a month.”

And thus, the tower dispatch began.