Chapter 151 : Tower Sightseeing
Chapter 151: Tower Sightseeing
While Berje and Gordon were discussing what lay ahead, Vivian decided to slowly look around the tower.
She was a little surprised that the towers had merged, but since it was already irreversible, she thought it best to adapt.
‘Just what kind of place would Berje’s tower be?’
Even in the Demon Realm, the tower of the dragonkin—renowned for their nobility and strength—was something she looked forward to seeing.
After all, it was also the place where she would be staying from now on.
Thus, she went down to the 9th floor.
“...Huh?”
There, an ecosystem so rich that it was hard to believe it was inside a tower had been formed. The spirits flying about made her rub her eyes.
“Huh? Who are you?”
The elves who had been splashing around with the spirits noticed her. At the sight of an unfamiliar demon race, the elves became wary.
“Why are elves here?”
“Who might you be?”
“Me, I am—ugh...a hero?”
The one who stepped forward to represent them was a single knight. A woman like a finely honed blade, and a hero harboring a repulsive interference power.
“In the Demon King’s tower, a hero...?”
A violent cognitive dissonance assaulted her.
“An intruder!”
Though it did not look like that at all, Vivian judged it so. The only time a hero would be inside the Demon King’s tower was when an assault unit or a hero party had invaded.
Vivian raised her nails. The Demon King’s demonic energy surged like a storm.
“Please stop!”
At that moment, Gordon leaped down from the stairs above and blocked her path.
“That one is a retainer of the Demon King!”
“...Do you seriously think that makes sense? She’s a hero. Why would he take a hero in as a retainer!”
“She consumed Armani’s Orb.”
“A hero just sat there and ate Armani’s Orb? You expect me to believe that?”
“You yourself became another Demon King’s retainer to survive. Is it truly impossible for a hero to do the same?”
“...You! A mere adjutant dares to speak to me like—!”
“He said, ‘I will never tolerate conflict.’”
“....”
Biting her lip, Vivian withdrew her demonic energy.
“Let us exchange proper greetings. That person is the 9th Imperial Princess of the Zespine Empire, and currently the Demon King’s retainer, Kaede Zespine. Kaede, this is Vivian Blunt, formerly the Lust Demon King, and now likewise a retainer of the Demon King.”
“...Is it even possible for a Demon King to become another Demon King’s retainer?”
“...And not just any hero, but an imperial princess?”
Their incomprehensible gazes collided.
Before further conflict could arise, Gordon led Vivian down to the lower floors.
“What in the world was that? An imperial princess and a hero, yet she’s Berje’s retainer? Where do you even find a crazy woman like that!”
“It would be troublesome if you were already this surprised. There are far more astonishing things ahead.”
“There’s more than that?”
“I will guide you through everything step by step.”
Thus, they went down to the 8th floor, originally the 3rd floor.
The 3rd floor was a level prepared for Ellena Hilderan and Charlotte.
A floor for her, who had nothing and whose mana was thin.
Kwaaang-
A massive storm erupted on one side of the floor.
“Well done. You’ve become proficient with two Sigils now.”
“It’s all thanks to you!”
“Another human hero, and now an elf too? What is that supposed to be....”
Watching them shout with joy while using magic, Vivian let out a hollow laugh.
“Ellena Hilderan, the 13th Princess of the Kingdom of Hilderan, and likewise a retainer of the Demon King who swallowed Armani’s Orb. The elf is Charlotte, a mage with six Sigils engraved. She is currently teaching Ellena Hilderan.”
“...I’m extremely confused.”
“I understand. I was the same at first.”
“So you’re not now?”
“Anyone adapts given enough time. Since you have become a retainer of the Demon King, you will need to grow accustomed to it as well.”
“....”
The 7th floor, originally the 2nd floor.
“At least this place looks a bit more normal.”
Seeing the monsters swarming about, Vivian felt her heart ease slightly.
For only the first minute.
“Uncomfortable?”
Grrr—
“Endure it.”
The ogre that now had four arms wore a miserable expression, and the tiny human scolding that ogre far exceeded anything Vivian could have imagined.
“...What is that?”
“Lavinia Arkan. The princess of the Arkan Kingdom, and under the Demon King’s orders, she is modifying the monsters here into chimeras.”
“...This time it’s the Arkan Kingdom?”
This was insane.
“Gordon.”
At that moment, Lavinia, having noticed Gordon and Vivian, came trotting over.
“Who?”
“Vivian Blunt. The Demon King’s new retainer.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Lavinia waved her hand. Vivian ignored her. She could not fully accept the present reality enough to return such a friendly greeting.
A kidnapped princess waving cheerfully at demons. Was she dreaming right now?
“How is the chimera production going?”
“Yeah.”
“The Demon King’s expectations are high.”
“Mm. I’ll respond to that trust.”
She disappeared once more into the midst of the monster group.
“...Th-that.”
And then Vivian noticed it. The gigantic Titan following behind Lavinia Arkan, and the all-too-familiar shape of a tail swaying from its buttocks.
“That’s mine!”
Though it had grown strangely larger, it was unmistakably hers.
Gordon had no time to stop her.
She spread her wings and raised her nails.
The scars that tore space apart struck directly across the Titan’s back.
────!
A thunderous roar echoed.
The Titan staggered back three steps. Lavinia Arkan had already revealed her killing intent beside Cher.
“Cher, attack. Enemy.”
“Give me back my tail, you brainless Titan bastard!”
“Strong.”
Cher and Lavinia were the same.
No matter how weak a succubus was in combat, Vivian was a Demon King.
At the primordial rage she spewed forth, the monsters let out agonized screams.
“He said he would not tolerate conflict, Vivian.”
“Are your eyes just decorations? That’s my tail. My tail that was cut off!”
“Yes, I know. But there is no reason to blame Lavinia Arkan. It was the Demon King who gave it to her.”
“...What...did you say?”
“I said it was the Demon King who gave her the tail.”
“Berje gave my tail to that dim-witted bitch?”
“Yes.”
“You’re telling me that kind of bullshit right now—!”
“If that were not the case, would it not be even stranger that your tail is here?”
“....”
“I understand your emotions are quite complicated right now, but how about you finish seeing the rest of the tower first and then make your judgment?”
“...Fine. Let’s do that.”
Once things went beyond the limits of what she could judge on her own, Vivian felt herself becoming calm instead.
‘Berje personally gave my tail to that woman?’
What did that mean?
How had Berje obtained her tail in the first place?
She wanted to grab Berje by the collar and shake him right away, but she endured it. Because she sensed something in Gordon’s words.
The fact that her tail was attached to a Titan’s butt felt like only the tip of the iceberg.
‘No way.’
That couldn’t be.
There couldn’t possibly be something more horrifying than this.
And the moment she descended to the 1st floor, her thought was denied.
* * *
“Dwarves....”
They were dwarves.
And that one was Louise Berfht.
“That bitch who cut off my tail!”
“Yes. Louise Berfht has also become the Demon King’s retainer.”
“And those dwarves there....”
Vivian imagined the worst.
No, right?
“Huh? No, right?”
“...It’s probably correct. They are the craftsmen of the Berfht royal workshop. Recently, the Demon King abducted them.”
“...Ahahaha. This is really funny. So because of what Berje did, I took the blame and ended up becoming Berje’s retainer?”
Thud—
“Vivian!”
Vivian collapsed unconscious.
* * *
Vivian dreamed.
She stood upon a golden garden. Every beautiful sparkle belonged to her. But one day, all of it disappeared.
Vivian set out on a journey to find the culprit, and along the way she encountered a magic dragon.
‘I am looking for the culprit who stole my gold.’
‘Someone stole your gold, you say? What a vile bastard. Coveting what belongs to another.’
‘Could you perhaps help me? If you do, I’ll give you half.’
‘Rather than that, I find your tail and horns more appealing.’
‘That is....’
‘If you don’t like it, then forget it.’
‘I’ll give them to you.’
Vivian, holding back tears, tore off her horns and tail. The magic dragon, looking satisfied, found traces of the thief and handed them to Vivian.
Vivian once again followed the trail.
She crossed mountains and forded rivers. And at last, she came face to face with the thief.
‘...Magic Dragon?’
‘You’ve come well, succubus.’
‘...Don’t tell me?’
‘That’s right. I’m the one who stole your gold.’
‘You said that those who covet what belongs to others are vile!’
‘That’s right. I’m a vile bastard.’
The magic dragon burst into wild laughter.
‘If you step into another’s territory, you have to pay the price, don’t you?’
‘I already paid!’
‘That was then, this is now.’
‘That makes no sense....’
‘If you want to live, become my slave. I was in need of a succubus slave anyway.’
‘Th-this is a scam!’
‘The one who gets scammed is the idiot!’
Vivian turned around and tried to flee. A breath poured from the magic dragon’s mouth.
‘Kyaaaa....’
“...Aaaaargh!”
With a scream, Vivian woke up.
Cold sweat streamed down, soaking her clothes and blankets completely.
“Huff, huff....”
She recalled the final scene just before her reason slipped away. Louise Berfht and the dwarves.
It felt like a single-stage play.
It felt as though the world had prepared an elaborate scam just to deceive her.
But even if it was a scam, it was not a play.
“You’re awake.”
The moment she opened her eyes, Vivian ground her teeth at the sight of Berje’s face.
“You...! You...!”
“It’s not ‘you,’ it’s Demon King. Have you forgotten? You are my retainer.”
“This is a scam!”
“What is?”
“The abduction of the dwarves—that was you, wasn’t it!”
“It was. So what about it?”
“You framed me!”
“Strictly speaking, the dwarves misunderstood on their own. Because you were running around hand in hand with pirates. You brought it upon yourself.”
“You call that something you can say...!”
“Then should I have told them that I was actually the culprit?”
“...You vicious bastard.”
“Calling a Demon King vicious. Thank you for the compliment.”
“You...!”
Vivian felt an urge to tear apart Berje’s sly face. But she could not.
Why? Because Vivian was Berje’s retainer.
Because she had entered into a soul contract and placed upon herself shackles that could never betray.
“If I’d known this would happen, I would have rather died than become a retainer!”
“Then you really would have died.”
“Shut up!”
“If you wish.”
“....”
Her nose had been ringed. There was no turning back now. Knowing that, Berje was probably saying everything so openly.
She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.
“...Fine. Let’s say that was a misunderstanding.”
“So be it.”
“But what about that Titan?”
“If you mean the Titan, Cher?”
“Whether it’s Cher or Chess, I don’t care. Why is that damn lump of muscle walking around with my tail attached!”
“Compared to other Titans, calling Cher a lump of muscle is somewhat inaccurate.”
“That makes it even more horrifying! That thing’s as big as a mountain, but it looks closer to a vampire!”
“That’s all thanks to your tail.”
“Shut up! Stop humiliating me!”
“When you think about it, it’s quite simple.”
“Simple?”
“Who was it that cut off your tail?”
“Louise Berfht, that damned dwarf bitch.”
“And where is that dwarf bitch now?”
“In this tower....”
Ah. Vivian let out an exclamation.
Of course, if one examined it closely, there were many holes. From why Louise still had it when so much time had passed since the tail was cut off, to how she could have attached it to a Titan in such a short time even if she had been abducted.
But Vivian’s mind was already too exhausted to dig into such details.
From the moment the towers merged until now, everything had been pure chaos.
“Fine, I get it. Then give my tail back.”
“That’s impossible. It has already become one with the Titan.”
“Then cut it off and give it to me!”
“Don’t get so hung up on such trivial matters. A tail grows back, doesn’t it?”
“That takes a hundred years!”
“A hundred years isn’t such a long time for the demon race.”
“That only applies to magic dragons like you!”
“It’s not ‘you,’ it’s Demon King.”
“...Why did I ever agree to become your retainer?”
“Regret is always too late, no matter how quickly you have it.”
Vivian ground her teeth.
“...Fine. I’m furious, but let’s say I understand up to that point.”
“You’re understanding a lot today. But is there more?”
“Why are princesses and elves loyal to you? There’s even a hero among them.”
“They call themselves the Four Heavenly Kings among themselves. The Spirit Sorceress of Darkness, the Dark Knight, the Commander of the Legion of Death, and the Giant of Hell, apparently.”
“That’s not what I asked— the Dark Knight is that crazy hero bitch, the Commander of the Legion of Death is that empty-headed bitch who snatched my tail, but there weren’t a Giant of Hell or a Spirit Sorceress of Darkness.”
“I think Louise Berfht will become the Giant of Hell. They’ve already reached an agreement among themselves.”
“...You said ‘giant’? She’s a midget.”
“Let’s overlook the trivial details.”
“And the Spirit Sorceress of Darkness? Don’t tell me it’s that mage who was learning magic with the elf? She wasn’t a spirit sorceress.”
“The Spirit Sorceress of Darkness was released a while ago. She returned to her own kingdom.”
“Released a while ago? There’s only been one princess released from your tower—.”
No way?
Vivian’s eyes widened.
“That ‘no way’ is correct.”
“Ernan Hilderan serves you too? That princess who can summon high-grade spirits at her age and is all but guaranteed to seize control of the Kingdom of Hilderan?”
“Yes.”
Vivian staggered.
“Are you alright?”
“Do I look alright?”
“It doesn’t look like it. However, you no longer have any choices.”
She had already entered into the retainer’s contract, her soul bound, and the tower had been absorbed and vanished.
With the tower gone, even being released from retainer status would cause problems.
“...Yeah, that’s why I’m even more pissed. It feels like I’ve been dancing in the palm of your hand from start to finish.”
“It’s not a feeling, it’s a fact.”
“Shut up! Just shut up!”
She took a moment to breathe deeply.
No matter how much she complained and vented, everything was already irreversible. Berje knew that too, which was why he was saying everything so openly.
It was infuriating, but there was nothing to be done. And the sheer skill with which he had acquired Ernan Hilderan as a card made her admire him despite herself.
Even top-class incubi would find it difficult to seduce an abducted princess.
“So is that all? There isn’t more, right?”
“There’s one more.”
“...Again?”
“Hillan Cargill. The hero who interfered with you.”
“That hero who killed two Demon Kings?”
“He’s also my retainer.”
Insane.
“You fucking bastard! In the end, you were the one who got my tail cut off, too!”
“I didn’t cut it myself. It’s true that I sent Hillan to stop you, though.”
“...Ghk.”
Her blood pressure surged, and she fainted once more.
After a long while, she opened her eyes, and Berje was still there.
“...Have you calmed down a bit now?”
“Please don’t talk to me. It just makes me angrier.”
Vivian closed her eyes again and sank into thought.
After fainting once more, her mind was strangely calm. She coolly reviewed the situation.
What Berje had accomplished. And the situation she herself was in now.
What if princesses had become the Demon King’s pawns?
What if heroes were the same?
What if that hero had actually been sent by Berje, completely derailing Vivian’s plans?
What if she had taken the blame for Berje’s actions and become a retainer, and her tower had disappeared?
What mattered was—
That becoming a retainer and losing her tower were already irreversible.
And in her eyes, the Demon King called Berje Deias—
More than any other Demon King—
Was the one closest to conquering that damned dimension called Arein.
It was irritating, but it was the truth.
“...You’re not going to release me from being a retainer, are you?”
“With the tower already gone, if you want to.”
That was closer to mockery than mercy or compassion. From the start, there had never been any real choice.
“...It’s a great honour to serve such a magnificent con artist.”
“Very well. You’re insolent, but I’ll grant you that much leniency.”
Thus, a Demon King and one who had once been a Demon King found common cause.