NOVEL WEB Chapter 278
Chapter 278
Lukipugus listened to Nahun talk about the business with an intrigued expression.
“Are you saying you will supply goods on behalf of the Aquila Guild?”
“That’s right.”
“Is there any merit in me doing that? There’s no guarantee that you will bring better products than Aquila Guild.”
“There is.”
“There is?”
Lukipugus looked at Nahun with a questioning expression.
“The Aquila Guild will naturally lose its distribution network.”
“…You will seize the Aquila Guild’s distribution network?”
“No, I will find a new distribution network. What I’m trying to say is different.”
“Then what?”
“I’m saying that the Aquila Guild will naturally lose its distribution network.”
Lukipugus tilted her head slightly. Even though she was called the Great Demoness of Hell, there was something she was unaware of, and that was information about the human realm.
Demons, specifically, had little interest in the human realm, especially in ruling over inferior humans.
On the other hand, Nahun knew. He knew that monsters lived in the human realm.
“Previously, when the Archangel Kamiel descended, there was quite a commotion. So, it’s possible that the human realm could act at any time. If that happens, the Aquila Guild will lose its distribution network.”
“Just to some mere humans?”
“Yes.”
A figure that seemed to embody the unlimited potential of humanity.
“There is a blue tiger living in the current human realm. If that human were concerned, it would be entirely possible.”
“…Hmm, then how do you intend to establish a distribution network? According to your words, that human would also interfere with your network.”
“I’m different from them. I won’t send demons to distribute like the Aquila Guild does.”
“What do you mean… Are you seriously considering using a human?”
“I already have a human I can use.”
Lukipugus let out a hollow laugh. It was curious how Nahun had engaged a human as a servant, but even more curious was the fact that Nahun had involved a mere human as a servant.
“You’ve really changed quite a bit, haven’t you?”
“…I feel like I’m hearing that every time, so it doesn’t have much of an impact.”
Lukipugus wondered if the restrictions had changed a person so much and found it fascinating.
“If you merely provide the portal, I will distribute through the human.”
“I understand what you mean.”
Lukipugus placed her hands over her crossed legs.
“However, I don’t feel there’s much merit for me here. Your claim that the Aquila Guild’s distribution network will disappear comes solely from you without any proof, right?”
“I’m not speaking just nonsense. And if you provide the portal, I intend to offer you merit in return.”
“Oh, like what?”
“Even when trading with other Great Demons in the future, I will prioritize your transactions. Additionally, when dealing with you, I will offer a price that is 20% lower than the current rate.”
“…20% is quite a lot, isn’t it? There would be hardly any margin left, would there?”
It didn’t concern Nahun. Because the profits he would gain from this transaction wouldn’t come through Lukipugus, but rather from the business he would conduct with Phynox.
Even if the transaction with Lukipugus resulted in a loss, it was a manageable loss. The big players in the demon realm who aimed to buy art from the human realm wouldn’t spare any expense.
“It’s fine. Think of it as compensation for providing the portal.”
“That’s not a bad proposal. However, there’s one thing that needs to be clear.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about you establishing a distribution network that doesn’t fall short of the Aquila Guild.”
“That’s something that will take a little time.”
“I will provide you with a temporary portal first. It’ll be set up on the 72nd floor, right? Then you will establish your distribution network through it. The rest of the conversation can be held afterwards.”
“…That’s not bad. But then, you need to send someone.”
While there would be a need to return to Hell again, it wasn’t an immediate concern. It was a bit of work to transport Seere, let alone pass through the first floor.
“Alright, it’s better to get acquainted in advance.”
“Agreed.”
When Lukipugus lightly clapped her hands, the door to the audience room opened cautiously with a click.
“I greet the great ones.”
A small girl lowered her head as she greeted them. The way she held up her skirt and maintained her composure gave off a sense of dignity not typical of a child.
“This child will go.”
“My name is Mote.”
Nahun looked at her for a moment before speaking.
“She’s quite young.”
“Oh my, that’s a funny thing to say. She’s actually the oldest among my subordinates.”
“…What?”
“How can you judge only by appearance?”
Nahun became slightly flustered. Even though demons belong to a race that has no fixed lifespan and is close to immortality, their bodies do typically grow normally. But for an old demon to be this small was quite puzzling.
“…Has she fallen ill or something?”
“What nonsense are you talking? There are occasionally just small ones among my subordinates. That’s all.”
“Alright… I understand. I’ll confirm it when I send her to the 25th floor later.”
“When is later, exactly?”
“A month will be enough.”
“Good.”
Lukipugus snapped her fingers. At that moment, as Nahun opened a space and took out his sword, space next to her was torn open, revealing an entrance to a warehouse.
“Take this.”
Lukipugus threw something she took from the warehouse to Nahun. Receiving it, Nahun raised his head slightly to see.
“What is this?”
In his palm were two small orbs.
“That creates a portal. It recognizes the person who uses it, so the portal will only appear when that person approaches and will disappear after passing through.”
“…I see. I appreciate it.”
Nahun treasured it carefully. Seeing Nahun’s action, Lukipugus said:
“Now your questions are over. It’s my turn now.”
“…I feel like whatever I ask will be pretty obvious, but I’ll just say it.”
“Very well.”
“When I clashed with Kamiel, I witnessed a strange sight. It seemed like Kamiel was acting not by her own will but according to someone else’s.”
“…Go on.”
When Lukipugus asked seriously, Nahun shook his head.
“It was temporary. It only happened occasionally at that level.”
“Even if it was temporary, to impose restrictions on an Archangel’s will and manipulate her at will… So, that’s why you asked if Metatron had acquired power.”
Nahun nodded. Lukipugus spoke with a slightly serious expression.
“If that’s true, Taumiel’s plan might be correct.”
“Is the invasion of the heavens correct?”
“Yes. If Metatron has acquired power, it’s better to deal with her before she fully possesses that power.”
“Do you think it would be possible?”
“…I’m not sure about that.”
Lukipugus sighed slightly.
“Even if you participate, I don’t think it’s certain.”
“…You don’t know why Metatron gained divinity?”
“I do know that. The creator who lost their faith has disappeared, but their essence and power have not vanished. Then that will eventually pass onto someone else… right now, Metatron is the entity receiving the greatest devotion across all realms.”
“Are you saying she is the most deserving to be called ‘God’?”
“You’re quick to understand. I can’t say for sure that ■■■ is correct.”
Nahun rested his chin on his hand and then looked at Lukipugus.
“Devotion is something that arises when a sentient being believes in and follows an object, right?”
“Exactly. When it grows, religions are formed.”
“Are Great Demons unable to receive divinity?”
“That seems unlikely. Metatron and we are entities of equal rank, after all…”
Lukipugus looked at Nahun with a slight start.
“…You.”
“Is that impossible? If humans believe that Metatron of the heavens is the Celestial God and that divinity is transferred…”
Nahun declared.
“It wouldn’t be impossible for the Great Demon of Hell to be revered by the demons and have devotion arise.”
“Ha… It’s better to just stop. Do you think Taumiel would allow that to happen?”
“So, there is a possibility.”
“It’s not impossible as you said, but how would you achieve that?”
“Right now, my memories are sealed and I’m unsure, but there must have been an incident where Metatron gained the trust of humans in one fell swoop and was revered as the Celestial God.”
“…Indeed. But that was only possible because the counterpart was human. Against the demons…”
“I’m not suggesting we do the same. There must be a suitable method for dealing with demons.”
Lukipugus narrowed her eyes as she watched Nahun.
“You… are you suggesting that I think of that method?”
“I have no one else to ask. Gagiel has a pro-Taumiel disposition, and you know well that Taumiel must not gain that authority and power, right?”
“…So, you want to play that role?”
“I could do it without any problem. Even if Taumiel opposes me, I could handle it smoothly.”
“That’s true. However, given that your power remains restricted, that would also be impossible… Aren’t all your subordinates still asleep?”
“I’ve awakened them.”
“…What?”
Lukipugus was more surprised than she had been from everything she had heard. Awakening Nahun’s subordinates meant that the once-quiet kingdom was starting to move again.
It signified that chaos could arise in the currently quiet Hell.
“What will happen if Taumiel finds out?”
“It doesn’t matter if she does. Do you think Taumiel would try to sever ties with me while she is currently planning such schemes?”
When Nahun had received information from Lilith regarding Taumiel’s plans, he had already determined that awakening the sleeping residents of the kingdom would be alright.
Thanks to that, Nahun was…
“I’m sure they understood.”
Now not only had he restored the matters of the End’s Massu, but he had also fully regained his power.
“Taumiel cannot stop me. If she wants to hinder me, she will have to give up the very invasion of the heavens that she is currently scheming. However… do you think Taumiel has the character to give up?”
“…I understand now. But do you know about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Before you came here, two of Taumiel’s subordinates escaped from Hell.”
“…What?”
“Taumiel’s elite subordinates, the infamous Retee and Styx.”
Lukipugus spoke.
“I don’t know where they went, but don’t you think the timing is a little strange?”
“….”
Nahun narrowed his brows slightly.
‘Could it be…?’
It didn’t seem that it was a decision made by Taumiel alone. There was no reason for her to suddenly mobilize her subordinates and send them to the demon realm.
However.
‘…Gamaliel.’
If it was Gamaliel, who was an apostle of Taumiel, then there would be a reason. While Nahun was visiting Nehemot and coming to Satariel, if Gamaliel had convinced Taumiel to move…
“Damn it…”
“It seems like I should have said it earlier. Hurry and go.”
Lukipugus gestured for Nahun to leave.
“You must be deep in thought about what you just said.”
“…Understood. Thank you.”
Nahun hurriedly left the place, and Lukipugus picked up a now-cold teacup. Mote asked her.
“Master.”
“What is it?”
“If the kingdom has awakened, isn’t it too dangerous to realize the conversation you just had between the two of you? If not, that individual might become the master of the entire world….”
“Mote, do you think I haven’t thought of that?”
“! …I’m sorry. I truly lost track of the topic.”
“I think it’s alright.”
With a clatter, she set the teacup down. Lukipugus smiled slightly and said,
“Rather than the Hell ruled by Taumiel now, I think the Hell ruled by that man might be a little more hellish.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. The current Hell is… too peaceful, isn’t it?”
“……!”
Mote couldn’t bring herself to look at Lukipugus’s face, but she felt a sense of foreboding. As she felt, Lukipugus’s amethyst-like eyes were shimmering with an ominous light.
“While Taumiel is more demon-like than anyone else, her overwhelming thirst for power leads to too much control. Even if Taumiel herself acts on her whims, her subordinates must maintain order. But that man is the opposite.”
Lukipugus chuckled lowly.
“If he were to gain divinity, it would be the true beginning of chaos. It would be the very birth of the Demon God.”
—
*
Retee was doubting her eyes. Why was Styx the one who ended up on the losing side instead of Seere von Debata? And even though Styx had fallen, why was Seere von Debata still intact?
‘…Should I consider her to be stronger than expected?’
Retee glanced at Styx. The mission was already tangled. Styx had to deal with the Demon King while receiving orders from her master not to die….
‘In this case….’
She had to eliminate at least the objective. If she returned unable to eliminate the target while losing only Styx’s life, her master would surely be furious.
“…There’s no help for it.”
Retee bit her lips hard. Deliberately drawing blood on her lips, she lightly touched the blade of her katana and tachi.
“Forget.”
The red blood flowed long along the silver blades.
“Forget it.”
Though the amount of blood seeping from her lips was small, somehow the quantity of blood on the blade increased, dripping steadily along the sword.
“That is a blessing.”
Seere squinted her eyes slightly. Each time Retee whispered a phrase, the magic power felt increasingly stronger.
“……”
However, she did not charge. Instead, she decided it was better to show her full power rather than rush recklessly into danger.
“Accept the blessing of oblivion.”
The magic power ignited. With the magic power, the tachi and katana that Retee held in both hands merged into a single new sword.
「 Oblivion 」
A great sword with a sharp grayish-blue blade that resembled the color of Retee’s hair appeared. Seere observed it and judged inwardly.
‘…It’s ominous.’
It was not a good feeling. Compared to Mephistopheles, Astharoth von Hoda—her greatest adversaries faced previously—and the Styx she had just overthrown…
‘…It cannot be compared.’
Seere took a deep breath. It seemed that Retee intended to take her down in one blow, and that ominous sword was gathering both her magic power and the external magic power that responded to her very own.
In that moment, all of Seere’s red hair lost its color at once. She released all the gathered external magic power and simultaneously channeled all her available magic power into the Blood Route sword.
Kugugugu…!
The magical energy of the two created a storm around them. Even the barrier that Retee had cast to block Seere’s minions couldn’t hold, and cracks began to appear.
“Seir von Debata.”
“……”
“I’ll admit that you possess strength worthy of being the descendant of that name.”
Retee’s gaze sharpened.
“But this history concludes today.”
“Boowu!”
Just as the Leviathan sensed danger and attempted to intervene, Seere put her hand forward slightly to stop her. As Leviathan looked at Seere in confusion, she smiled at her.
“Yes, I’m curious about the outcome.”
Seere declared.
“If you have that much power, you must certainly be one of the strongest among demons.”
Seere von Debata was close to being a martial class Demon King. While her disposition leaned towards the martial type, she was also very rational. Yet, even so, she couldn’t hide the boiling combativeness within her when faced with a stronger opponent.
The desire to save the fallen Rea and Cecili combined with her own combativeness made Seere push her strength beyond her limits.
“I will experience the power of Hell within this body.”
Retee and Seere both completed their preparations almost simultaneously. As the two glared at one another, it was hard to prioritize between them, and they charged at the same time.
「 Demolition 」
Retee thrust her great sword forward. At the same time, Seere…
“Twilight Blade.”
『 Sērus Manus 』
She raised the Blood Route sword high before bringing it down.
Boommmmmmm────────────!
As soon as the two strengths collided, the barrier finally could no longer withstand and collapsed. As soon as the barrier fell, Seere’s legion, which had been desperately trying to break through from outside, rushed in immediately.
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty!! Where…!”
However, they could not advance further. The impact created by the clash of the two powers was so overwhelming that they simply couldn’t approach.
Even Lin was caught, unable to move because of the magical winds. The clash between Seere and Retee created an incredible amount of backlash.
“Cough…! Your Majesty…!!”
They could not see even a step ahead. All that the legion could do was to stomp anxiously while waiting for things to calm down.
At that moment.
The magical winds abruptly quieted, and the swirling red magic around them dissipated as if being sucked in.
“…!”
“Your, Your Majesty…!”
It wasn’t that they were being sucked in. It was merely that the magical power had diminished to the point where it could no longer be utilized. As Lin saw that, she drew her sword and charged forward, but the situation didn’t change.
“You young Demon King. That was indeed dangerous.”
“…Cough. Ugh….”
The Blood Route sword had struck Retee on the shoulder, cutting halfway through.
However, it could go no further. She couldn’t exert her strength. Retee’s great sword, ‘Oblivion,’ was stabbing through Seere’s chest.
Though the blade was slightly misaligned towards the right, it pierced through her lung and directly through to her back. While Seere didn’t let go of her sword even in that situation, Retee felt that she was enduring and pushed the blade in further.
“Die here, Seere von Debata.”
At that moment, as she was pushing the blade further in…
『 Fulgor 』
Kwahhhh!!!!
A bolt of lightning struck from the heavens. It was a mass of red magic in the exact shape of lightning. Retee hurriedly retracted her sword and stepped back, yet she couldn’t completely escape the impact and rolled on the ground.
“Cough… What the hell….”
Retee hastily looked up to understand the situation. And when that gaze reached the sky, she froze right there.
“…I have one question.”
Replaced by the bolt of lightning that had just struck, a man with a pitch-black great sword in hand appeared.
“Taumiel.”
It was a face Retee obviously knew.
It was a face not to be missed by anyone associated with Hell.
“Gamaliel.”
The expression of the Hell’s God of War twisted with rage as she asked her.
“Whose orders are behind this?”