novelAcedia's Neglect: Now That's Just Terrible
| ← Ch.43 | Ch.45 → |
The 『Palace of Rending Flames』.
The castle the Great Demon Lord, Kanon Iralaude set as her stronghold was also the most important site in the entire Demon World.
Its scale didn't reach up to Leigie's Castle of Shadows, but its construction boasted of countless spires that reached up through the skies, and it carried about it an sinister air, as if the entirety of its designs had been but an insult to the heavens.
Just as the flames of purgatory, Kanon of Ruin's rage could be felt by all who set foot into her land, and the power that could be felt at its center made one think that a single touch from her would burn even their soul to a crisp. All would hang their heads in awe before the Great Demon King.
But she was a Brocon.
It wasn't in her character, but she was a brocon. Mentioning that was the single taboo that existed within this vast Demon World.
If I were to leak that information, then my own soul would be doomed to burn away to cinders. I'm always cautious as to not let the fact out in my sleep talk.
If a single word were to escape my lips, then the entire area around where I stood would be reduced to nothing but scorched earth. Without understanding anything of what was going on, the countless Demons within a large radius of me would have their lives drawn to a close.
Despite this and that, Kanon Iralaude was a Demon Lord who governed Wrath. Her anger wasn't something anyone could control, herself included. And its output was needlessly high, even enough to burn through Leigie-sama's resistance.
Ira Skills generally have ridiculous output, but there were many cases where it couldn't be controlled. That was the burden that those who continued to pursue Ira to its depths had to bear.
She herself did seem to be mindful of it, but whenever she was by Leigie-sama's side, she would frequently let out those incessant 'niisama's, to a point where one would even begin to wonder if she had any intention of concealing it, so even if I covered my ears, it would reach me.
If you're the Great Demon King, then go get some dignity already. The hell's with niisama? It's not like he's your real brother or anything.
I was posed holding on to the neck of a flying dragon, as a launched complaints at Kanon-sama in my head. I sulked as I looked over the outside world.
While it may be the Palace of Rending Flames, the land here wasn't as hot as the Prison of Flames, or the Crimson Prison. The Great Demon King's Wrath was, when compared to the Demon Lords of history, under frighteningly delicate control. That's why, when aboard a flying dragon, a nicely cool wind lapped against my face, and gave me quite a comfortable feeling. If my goal wasn't to attend the meeting at the entrance to the River Stix, then I might have actually enjoyed it.
By the way, Lize's the one piloting the dragon, so I'm free. I'd like some praise for working so hard.
It's been around a year since I last rode a dragon this far.
Perhaps some apologetic sentiment had arisen in her, as Lize directed some mindful words at me. And that was quite a pain.
"Medea... you really are becoming identical to Leigie..."
Is that supposed to be praise, or is she making fun of me? I hesitated for a moment.
Normally, being equated to a Demon Lord is supposed to be praise. But this time, it's that Leigie-sama we're talking about.
...
"... Thank you."
Still, in the end, I'm but an imitation.
Everything started to not matter anymore, and I gained sloth for half a decent reason. The girl who gained such a sin is third rate, by no doubt. It isn't by much, but I'm in no way a Demon to be compared to Leigie-sama.
If possible, I'd have liked to gain it after becoming a Demon Lord. But if I had just continued to pursue Envy like that, then in the end, I wouldn't have become a Demon Lord anyways.
No matter the case, it was too abnormal. Envying a pillow... it was even more decent back when I was envying Lorna. Even when the result of that didn't elicit the slightest reaction from Leigie-sama.
In that sense, my future is already pitch black. Pairing up the emotions of Envy with Sloth doesn't make anything of use. There's no helping it.
In that case, I should just live on as a pillow. Yep, let's do that. I'll become the ultimate pillow.
Then one day, they'll call out to me. The Pillow Lord.
"... Kuh..."
"Medea!? W-why are you crying!?"
I'm not... crying.
This is just sweat. Tears are something born of blood. Like what I shed long ago.
While I was carrying out that pointless conversation, the Flying Dragon descended onto one of the spires of the palace. It was the dragon post.
Apart from ours, there was over ten other dragons restlessly pacing back and forth.
The Demons dismounting from then were men and women of all ages. Monsters, animals, tentacles, each and every sort of form, but there was a single point that kept them all aligned.
The fact that each and every one of them possessed powers beyond General Level.
No, there's a single Knight Class. I quietly hid in the shadow of the dragon.
Lightly patting the mouth area of the dragon to offer her gratitude, Lize tilted her head as she looked at me.
"Did something happen?"
"... Why is Hiero..."
I stuck out only my face to confirm it. She was definitely reflected on my eyes.
Mixed in with the Demon World's elite, a single Demon of small power.
Beautiful golden hair and blue eyes like a doll's. The hair that grew up to her shoulders was done up in twin tails. After being tossed around so recklessly by Heard, she showed not a trace of fatigue, and at that, I could only let out a sigh of admiration.
As expected of Superbia... Even when surrounded by a flock of Demons much greater than her, her movements didn't show the slightest of lapse. It may have just been the girl's personality, but the hospitality of her face was something I could only feel jealousy towards.
Luckily for me, it didn't seem that Heard Lauder was here.
"... Why are you hiding...?"
Lize's tired words stung my ears.
If that's Hiero's nature, then this is mine. I have much too much trauma. And in a place like this, it will only hinder my function.
"No, I mean, you..."
"I know."
I knew what Lize wanted to say. I knew it enough, that it hurt. When there was a Demon of lower power than me carrying herself so boldly, I can't keep myself hiding in a corner like this.
Regardless of how it came to pass, I am currently Leigie-sama's representative. My behavior will drop Leigie-sama's status.
Even if Leigie-sama himself cared for it less than the nail on his pinky, it was something my own pride wouldn't allow.
... Because despite what I say, it's not like I hate Leigie-sama.
I resolved myself, and held out my chest, as I wandered over to Hiero.
"Hiero... it's been a while."
"... Medea... san?"
Her face distorted for a moment, before returning to a smile. That part of her really resembled Lorna.
After looking over my body once, with a fed up bearing, her tone turned sour.
"... I'm surprised you can just show yourself before my eyes like that. Because I ended up saving you, I was sure I was going to be killed, you know?"
"... That was you reaping what you sowed."
She did go against Heard's will, and save my life, and that might have put her own life in jeopardy.
But that was something brought about by her own discretion. I may not be in a position to say this, having been saved and all, but that definitely wasn't my fault. Anyone would have run away there.
Seeing my expression, Hiero sighed with a mature expression unbefitting her years.
"Well, I did end up surviving, so I guess it doesn't really matter... so what business have you?"
"... Business?"
No, I don't really have anything like that.
Seeing one of my few acquaintances, I just wanted to call out. Unlike Deije, or Heard, I haven't been around all too much.
Taking my attitude in some strange direction, Hiero raised a bright voice.
"Ah, could it be that you wanted to offer some thanks for being saved? Kusu kusu kusu, despite your scarce body, you've got quite a nice sense of duty there."
"..."
She really phrases everything in a way that touches a nerve, this Demon.
Well, I didn't have such intentions, but come to think of it, Hiero was kidnapped by Heard before I knew it, so I didn't have such an opportunity.
Since it was by her own whim, I don't have the obligation to thank her, but the truth of the matter is that I was spared.
I furrowed my brow, and tried asking, for arguments sake.
"... What do you want of me?"
"Ah! So that was true? Um... I saved your life, so I can ask for whatever I want, right?"
She crossed her fingers, and looked up at me in a flirtatious manner.
It was mortifying, but that doesn't change how lovable that gesture was. Even with this personality, she was Lorna's sister, and unlike her, she sure knew how to show that off.
I kept myself wary, as I answered.
"Ask away."
"... Then please trade places with m-"
"Rejected."
"Eh~!? W-what was that!?"
Outrageous. She was more decent when she was still at Leigie-sama's side knowing she wouldn't get anything of it.
I ignored her screams, and reunited with Lize, who was looking over at us with fed up eyes. That was a waste of time. Let's go over to the conference room already.
Still... I see. Trade places, is it?
Even if she didn't show it on her face, the training from Heard did seem to be having an effect on her.
... Her personality hadn't changed, but I wonder just what it was Heard was attempting to drill into her. Power as a Demon?
I gave Hiero, who tried to pursue with teary eyes, a cold reception, as I continued forward.
The Demon Lords of other lands rarely chanced by the Castle of Shadows, so they probably didn't know, but the inside of the Palace of Rending Flames largely resembled Leigie-sama's place.
The floor, and walls, and ceilings were all done in ink black stone, and the strange patterns carved along the passageways bore similar likeness. What differed was that, as the castle's Lord over here governed wrath, the air here was full of a quietly burning aura.
This is the second time I've come here, but it was something I thought the time before as well.
I don't know if Kanon's put a stop to that brocon tendency of hers. If she likes her niisama so much, then she should just call him over. It's because she's like that, that someone like me ends up being forced to come here.
While holding in such complains, I didn't forget to be vigilant.
I'd like to think I won't face an assault before the meeting, but Demons were a race where you couldn't know what could happen next. The law of the jungle. Self-serving. It was a world where you could call something wrong merely because it was weak.
Lize was acting as a guide, but regardless of who she may be, I doubt she was a match for Demon Lord Class.
Those guys are monsters. Much greater than the gap between General and Knight was the disparity between General and Demon Lord. It was likely greater than anything we could imagine.
That was something I could understand from when a legendary Demon Blade couldn't even raise the slightest resistance against Zebul.
Perhaps it was rare for someone like me to be present, as I felt magic probe through my body. Out of curiosity, some eyes followed me as I went by.
After walking a while, the site of this time's meeting came into sight. Even without being told, it was a clear swirl of Mana. Gathered over time, that dark Mana told me, even without thinking too hard about it, that this was the point of death.
Greed, Lust, Wrath, Envy, Pride, Gluttony.
Sloth aside, Demon Lords governing those six attributes clamored around, and that place was probably the most dangerous site in the entirety of the Demon World.
And me, filling in for Leigie Slaughterdolls, of the Slaughterdolls. By adding on my power, that wasn't even enough to patch up the holes, a total of seven sins had been gathered there.
(TL: Yes, both Leigie's title, and last name, are 'Slaughterdolls')
There was nothing good to come of it. Because of our longings, we were a race that conflicted with one another.
The fighting I couldn't think of as coming from an allied force raged up as if to prove just how war-driven the Demon Lords were, and it brought pain to my stomach. Even before entering the room, it felt as if the forces on the other side were considering how exactly to squash a bug. It was detestable, in many ways.
Beside me, Hiero had tagged along for fun, as if she were a cat. She didn't think a single thing upon having reached this point.
"Ah, have we arrived? Then~ I'll be going ahead!"
With a sunflower-esque smile, she put her hand on the door without hesitation, and pushed it open.
Just where does she hide such confidence in that small stature?
"Heard Lauder-sama? I've finished taking care of the Flying Dragon!"
Rank One. The greatest bearer of Pride among the Demon Lords, was the first thing she spoke upon treading into the haunt of evil.
The moment I saw that, I could understand it.
Ah, she's a fox borrowing the dignity of a tiger. What should I do? It feels quite pleasant thinking of it like that.
The moment her mildly-short skirt fluttered as she stepped through those doors, I could see it. That the delicate legs concealed beneath it were quivering a little.
Perhaps Lize saw it as well, as she whispered in an expression mixed with wonderment and respect.
"... She's quite something."
"Right. I can't lose to her either."
"No, you're..."
To interrupt the words Lize wanted to voice, I stepped through the doorway.
I felt the gazes converge on me. The gazes blacker than the depths of the Demon World's darkness. The grounds of Demon Lord and Demon Lord. There wasn't any killing intent, but what was there was malice, and eyes filled with strong desire, which were probably merely a breath of fresh air to those of Demon Lord Class.
... Passions great enough to violate the souls around them.
The Demon Lords here understand it.
That those that reach this place were Demons of the same level as themselves, and threats to their own existences. That fact served to hone their minds, making the place somewhere much more calamitous than the greatest of battlefields.
An elder stanced like a withered tree. A young boy a head shorter than me.
A balloon-like bloated body with pitiful limbs making up the body of a man.
A black haired girl perhaps even younger than Hiero, and a large baldheaded man with armor-like muscles enveloping him.
A metallic inorganic humanoid mass of indistinguishable gender, and a half-transparent woman whose body floated through the air. And so on, and so forth.
As one who worked at the Castle of Shadows, and served as Leigie-sama's guard, they were faces I knew. There was but a handful of names to remember.
But I can only express my admiration at the sheer variety these peculiar Lords have managed to achieve for themselves.
When they're this overflowing with personality, then a simple slim male Demon like Leigie-sama starts to lack a sense of individuality. No, perhaps it's the opposite... I mean, Leigie-sama would probably be fast asleep, even at a place like this...
"..."
Among them, the greatest of stares made my heart contract. I turned my eyes to the figure sitting closest to Kanon-sama.
Heard Lauder. He was probably the newest Demon Lord here, the most Decent of the lot, and the strongest Demon Lord of Pride.
Seeing his form here, his gaze told me that his impression of me was still the absolute worst.
The reason he didn't issue a complaint was because this was a meeting space, or perhaps because I was the representative of Leigie-sama. I think it was probably the latter.
And that woman of tall stature sitting at the head of the table was the perpetrator of it all.
The one who ruled over a large portion of this extensive Demon World, leader of the strongest force, the 『Great Demon King's Army』.
The master of that, as well, as well as the incarnations of Wrath, said to bring ruin to all creation with her flames of purgatory.
The Lord of Ruin.
Kanon Iralaude.
Unthinkable of the violent emotions that formed the base of her Sin, the lights of wisdom and intellect dwelled in her eyes.
But she was a brocon.
"Ah, Medea Luxeliaheart. Leigie-niisa... Leigie of Sloth's representative. Take a seat."
"... Yes."
I'm not even going to retort anymore. It's not like any of this is relevant to me. Just do whatever you want.
To shake off the awkward air, I took my place at the foot of the table.
Even if it may be round table, the seating was based on rank. Leigie of Sloth was the Lowest possible rank, so his seat was the furthest one from Heard Lauder. That was my sole spot of luck. Let's get this over with already so I can run away.
My not-too-short life experience was calling out to me. I'm... screwed.
In the place I could only think of as a bed of spikes, I lowered myself into a luxurious black chair, and without uttering a word, I looked over the others present.
More than half the seats were filled, but including the empty seats, there was a smaller amount of places at the table than I had expected.
That means that's just how many Demon Lords had fallen. While I myself don't want to take them on alone, regardless of what Lord they be, Demons die when they are killed.
Compared to my suspicious behavior, Lize was carrying herself as grandly as always. She straightened up her spine, and displayed not a hint of unrest.
In a small voice, I offered a complaint.
"Lize."
"... What?"
"... From what I can see, I'm the only representative here..."
Everyone's a Demon Lord.
Each and every one of the figures surrounding the round table were of the class that ruled over this world. The ones by their sides are likely their inspectors. Even if they may be of the Great Demon King's personal order, comparing their powers to the Lords put them in quite an unfavorable standing. And there was one lower than all of them... Me.
The one with the lowest power over all was Hiero, but that wasn't even any consolation. Together, we'd still be taken out in a single punch. One punch.
"... Of course. The Demon Lords will generally take up attendance, you know. They have to show off their might and all..."
"..."
I've been fooled.
No, I'd known I'd been fooled for quite some time. I'm not in heat anymore, yet, the beating of my heart has become overly violent.
I grimaced, and forced myself to play calm.
And finally, at that time, I noticed it.
There was something at the center of the table.
A shadow like a black sphere. Its size was around that of a soccer ball, and even when there wasn't any wind, it was rolling around. Towards me.
My application of 『Sky Right Hand』 and the mass growing limbs happened at around the same time.
I instinctively swung my arm at it. The mass greatly contracted its legs, and like a spring, it came flying at me with lightning speed.
Its wide-open mouth, with blade-like fangs lined up closed in to a few centimeters in front of my face, before I succeeded in deflecting it.
I somehow stifled the scream that surfaced. No, I didn't even have time to scream.
What was that!?
Before I could seek held from Lize, she raised a scream in my place.
"Who was it!? Who summoned a『Preta』!?"
The Preta I deflected changed targets. It bounced off at the metal-bodied Demon Lord of unknown origin sitting in front of me.
Regardless of its small body, the speed it unleashed wasn't something a General Class like me could follow with my eyes. But the changing scene went far from my realm of understanding.
I barely saw the movement of iron-like arms. With a short sound, the thing called Preta burst open like a tomato. Pale blue blood scattered, and fell onto the girl to my side.
The next instant, the girl with an outward appearance similar to mine's arm changed shape to a steel pole.
The room shook greatly. By the time I noticed it, the metal Demon Lord's body had been buried into the wall. The girl's face remained expressionless.
At the stream of circumstance leaving me behind, I could do not but let off a cold sweat amd blink my eyes.
He was hit. She hit him. At a speed I couldn't see. Expressionlessly.
"... Hey, stop it."
As if obstructed by Kanon-sama's words, countless orbs began to fall from the ceiling.
Wai... these are all that thing from before...
After bouncing once, they all split to show off their giant mouths.
I saw countless of those knife-like fangs lined up one after the other.
Each of them grew their own limbs. Looking closely, their arms were much more robust than mine. Based on their previous conduct, their explosive power was far from perfect, though.
I don't have enough lives for this one.
I tried to brush them all away with Sky Hand, and Kanon-sama shout blew it all away.
"I told you to stop!!"
Along with the cry, a raging fire passed in front of my body. After the flame had left, not a single one of the numerous Pretas remained.
That destruction that happened before I could even be given the chance to feel feverish was truly worthy of her name, Kanon of Ruin.
The metal body of the Lord in the wall leisurely rose.
He barely had any wounds. But only his right arm had vanished as if it had been shaved away.
No. It wasn't shaved off.
I saw through it.
... This is 『Usurping』.
"Schitol, return it already."
"... Fu."
The young girl Demon Lord known as Schitol snorted at the Great Demon King's words.
And at around the same time, her body was sent flying.
The metallic Demon Lord hit her. Though all I could see was the result of her being hit into the air.
Despite his slow-looking build, that was quite some acceleration.
Schitol's head pierced into the ceiling, and dangled for a while. Fresh blood dripped down to stain the black table.
I want to go home.
Just by being here, I can gradually feel my power of Sloth whittling away.
And of course there would be casualties if it's like this...
The young girl's body lost to gravity, and fell from the ceiling.
I could see her expression.
There was nothing but despair in the pitch black exes visible beyond the red trickling of blood.
The expression alone was a symbol of the hell of desire, great enough to fold any normal Demon's heart. That which made clear the gap between me and a Demon Lord was, if put into words, perhaps a 'difference in character. '
Right as she landed, she lowered her raised arms at the metal Demon Lord's body. From her footing, I couldn't imagine that she had taken any considerable damage.
That attack without and hesitation, as if her malice had been creeping up on him with the passage of time was much too vivid.
And yet, the metal bodied Demon Lord blocked it.
The fleeting sound of a barrier shattering due to pure physical might rang out, and the ground made of highly-durable stone caved in.
"Oy, Schitol. I told you to return it."
"The one to return it to will be gone soon enough."
Schitol returned a level voice.
That wasn't even an answer.
But of course, I didn't put that to words. If it won't directly bring any trouble to me, then you guys can do whatever it is you want.
Well, this display of power is a trouble to my mind, but...
His left arm disappeared, and as that happened, Schitol's left arm changed to one of metal.
With both of her arms made of iron bars taller than her own height, the girl's form was nothing but bizarre.
As that new existence shook her body, Heard, who had been quite up to now, let out a gloomy voice.
"Can't we finish this up faster? I'm busy."
There was the sound of something bursting. Having lost its head, Schitol's body slowly collapsed onto the ground.
"... No mercy..."
With unappealing sentiment, I whispered. No matter how you look at it, that was too abrupt.
Heard Lauder lowered his fist. The Prideful Kaised hadn't even moved from where he was. He just pressed his elbow into the table, and looked at Schitol with an uninterested look on his face.
As if that seat was his own throne.
It was as if the distance between himself and the girl had been meaningless from the start.
The extent of speed he displayed was enough to silence the room. Within that, I who was probably second from the bottom in power let out a sigh.
Still, it's finally going to start, is it... it hasn't even commenced, and yet there's already been way too much bloodshed...
I whispered in my heart, as I listlessly looked over at Schitol, and at that moment, her eyes met with mine.
"... Fu."
The head that was supposed to be gone had regrown itself. That wasn't the speed of regeneration. I was sure I was looking at her most of the time, but I had never even seen the moment she started to heal.
Still collapsed over, as if nothing had happened, Schitol bent her lips into a smile.
What's with this Demon Lord!? This is way too absurd, is it not?
First, let's see what Rank she...
When those thoughts were going through my head, my eyes were completely taken by darkness.
＊＊＊＊＊
"What happened?"
"... I died before the conference even started..."
With weary emotions, I rubbed my head into Leigie-sama's back.
Thank god. That I sent an illusion.
Thank god. That I can still use 『Phantom Aliquot Dance』.
Thank god. That I didn't take Lize's words too seriously, and actually go out myself.
Even if they may be Demon Lords, that was just too cruel. No mystery why there'd be casualties there. Those are tried and true monsters, ain't they?
Great Demon King Kanon, Heard Lauder, and Lilith Luxeliaheart are all starting to look sane to me. Leigie-sama's harmlessness was enough to make him seem lovable. That must have been the haunt of the greatest of beasts.
I wonder what they were planning to speak of in such a space, and wait, I wonder if Lize is alright. I had quite a few things to consider, but surprisingly, the greatest thing on my mind was the stoic front of a single young lass.
Is Hiero okay...
If she died, would Lorna be sad?
Furrowing my brow, I looked to the maid trying to pull me away, thought of such pointless things, and once more, I embraced Leigie-sama with all my might.
| ← Ch. 43 | Ch. 45 → |