“Well, fine. I’ll believe you, but there’s one thing I don’t get. What the hell do you have to gain from this?”
“Hey, calm down! You can’t talk to her like that! You’ll experience something worse than death if you don’t stop!” Lilith exclaimed. And after Zagan pushed back Lilith, who tugged at his clothes with a pale face, the vampire let out another playful laugh.
“Isn’t it human nature to want to make something fun even more amusing?”
Zagan was astonished and dumbfounded by the fact that a being who was undead could talk about human nature.
“Well then, I shall bid you adieu, my beloved Silver-Eyed King, and... Azazel.”
“What!?” Lilith exclaimed, clearly confused by her choice of words.
“Azazel...” Zagan muttered. Why did she mention that name? He wanted to know more, but unfortunately, the girl turned into a colony of bats and flew off.
She had just mentioned the name of the Thirteenth Sacred Sword Zagan was looking into. Though, he’d also discovered that it was the name of the dark side of the church. And yet, the vampire just used it like the name of a person even though the only member of Azazel in the area was Kuroka, who wasn’t even present. Nothing made any sense.
“...Tch, the hell was she?” Zagan asked as he clicked his tongue in irritation.
“That’s no good! If you get involved with that person... with Lady Alshiera, you’ll get some unreasonable demand forced on you, and if you don’t carry it out to the letter, you’ll go through hell...”
It seemed she was Lilith’s boss... or rather, someone of higher status than her. Though, based on her reaction, it was clearly not something that could be summed up that simply.
But... Lilithiera... Alshiera... On top of their names being similar, even their clothing and hairstyles matched. Zagan didn’t believe a haughty girl like Lilith would copy the looks of someone she detested, so...
“Isn’t she one of your allies?”
“Give me a break! That person just enjoys watching us squirm... Oh, I don’t think she hates us or anything, though...”
What’s with this? I’m being reminded of Gremory and Manuela here... Lilith’s reaction was similar to that of the girls those two teased into submission. That was why Zagan could tell that Lilith was someone unfortunate that Alshiera was interested in. And in that case...
“Was she referring to you when she said Azazel?”
“Huh? She wasn’t... I think. That person always speak in riddles, so it’s better not to worry about. I mean, she even called you the Silver-Eyed King... Wait...” Lilith suddenly trailed off and peered in at Zagan’s face.
“Hold on... Are your eyes maybe... silver?”
Zagan was wondering how she hadn’t noticed already, but then he realized they were at the bottom of the ocean. Colors were all muddled to non-sorcerers down here, so it wouldn’t have been odd if she didn’t notice.
“You have a problem with that?” Zagan asked as he brushed Lilith aside with a grimace. Thinking back, he realized that during his childhood, when he performed highway robbery, his fellow waifs kept their distance from him because they found his eyes creepy. And so, he didn’t like it when others focused on that aspect of him.
“You’re kidding... Why would Lady Alshiera call this kid by that name...? Hey, wait. Zagan... was it? Why are you even here?” Lilith started questioning his motives as she shrank back in shock.
Zagan knew she would refuse to answer his questions if he didn’t respond, so he let out a sigh of resignation and relented.
“You should at least remember the names of the guests you’ve invited. I’m Archdemon Zagan, Marchosias’ successor.”
Upon hearing that, Lilith froze on the spot for a short while, then turned completely pale and collapsed with a thud.
◇
“So after that, you ended up coming here?”
Unable to just leave Lilith as she was after she collapsed, Zagan’s group ended up reluctantly heading over to the temple where the elder’s conference was being held, then proceeded to what appeared to be a waiting room within the temple. Unlike the outside, the room was fully furnished, and more importantly, it was filled with air instead of water. There wasn’t anything like a bed, but the space was large enough to fit a few dozen people and even had sofas from the surface. There were several bright lamps set up around the room, which meant there wasn’t a blue shade cast over everything for once. This was likely done out of consideration for all the other races. Even if they could breathe, those who lived on the surface would feel more at ease when in a place filled with air.
Zagan’s group of six, as well as Chastille’s group of Angelic Knights, sat around. Further in the corner were Kuroka, Selphy, and Lilith, who was still quite pale in the face. And, when Chastille spoke, seemingly out of pity for the poor girl, Zagan replied with a sour look.
“...It seems nothing is going my way anymore. Is this form to blame?” Zagan inquired.
“Well, if it is, isn’t this a good opportunity to get some help from Nephy and the others? Normally, you’re too strong, so they never get the chance to assist you,” Chastille replied. Upon getting scolded by Chastille of all people, Zagan grimaced.
“That’s none of your business. The idea that I’ll grow by being saved is silly, and something only the helpless would ever believe,” Zagan reflexively responded in a strong tone, which made Chastille look down with a sad gaze. Zagan was aware that he was irritatingly venting his anger, but he believed it was that vampire Alshiera’s fault for messing with him earlier.
My mind might be getting influenced by my body’s transformation... That was what had happened in Nephy’s case, anyway. Back when Zagan was ten years old, he hated everything in the world, and he made that clear to any observers.
“Lord Archdemon. Lady Chastille was only saying that out of consideration. That is one of her virtues. Please choose your words more wisely,” Richard cut into the conversation, unable to let Zagan’s words fly. He surely had no ill intent either. However, his words still grated Zagan’s nerves. And, as Zagan tried to open his mouth to speak, he was suddenly embraced from behind.
“It’s alright. Master Zagan is simply bad at expressing himself. I assure you, he isn’t making light of Chastille,” Nephy stated. It seemed she was the one who had embraced him. And even while hugging Zagan lovingly, she continued, “But, if we are to choose our words more wisely, then you should as well. Please don’t speak of ‘virtues,’ Sir Angelic Knight. One person’s virtues... can be another’s curse. For example, if someone decided to act and hurt a ‘cursed child’ because ‘there’s a child here who’s been afflicted by her poison...’”
There were those who acted innocent, hurt others, then tried to save them to appear ‘virtuous.’ Such people let their delusions run wild to the point where they tried to impose their wills on others and oppress them. And the most dreadful part was that they truly believed they were doing a good thing. They didn’t doubt that for a second. That was why Zagan hated selfish and irresponsible people who prattled on about their virtues or being virtuous.
“I’ve experienced such things in the past, and I believe Master Zagan has suffered even more, so please don’t speak of virtues in a relaxed manner,” Nephy stated flatly. She had been oppressed in the hidden elven village for sixteen years. She saw such repulsive things there that she had lost her emotions. That was exactly why she could understand Zagan’s pain. And, perhaps because she got through to him, Richard bit down on his lips and bowed his head.
“I was out of line. Please forgive me.”
“...Sorry, I made you say something unpleasant,” Zagan said as he looked over to Nephy with a pained expression on his face.
“Don’t be. I assure you, you’re as wonderful in this form as ever, Master Zagan.”
“Well, it’s certainly true that there are people I can rely on here,” Zagan muttered as he scratched his cheek. It seemed he could no longer remain offended by the idea of
accepting help.
“Please don’t forget that I’m also someone who’s more than willing to assist you,” Chastille proclaimed as she smiled at him in relief.
“Well, I think that goes for most people here...” Nephteros added on. Zagan simply shrugged his shoulders when he heard his sister-in-law’s words. And as he did, Lilith finally recovered and stood up.
“Lilith, are you alright?” Kuroka called out to her in a worried voice.
“I’m fine. There’s no way a Hypnoel would go into shock over something like this!” Lilith replied. Her knees were still trembling with a clatter, but the succubus puffed out her chest even as her face spasmed. Then, she looked over to Zagan and asked, “So, are you really an Archdemon?”
“I may look small right now, but that is what they call me.”
Lilith grimaced as if she wasn’t fully convinced, but nobody else was denying it, so she couldn’t do anything but accept reality. And eventually giving up, she kneeled on the spot.
“Then, newly crowned and esteemed Archdemon, allow me to ask you this as the succubus Lilithiera who represents the elders. Why did you not meet the elders despite being here?”
“There’s no need to be so polite. I’ve never bothered with courtesy, so I don’t expect it from anyone else,” Zagan said. Some of those present were making a ‘Huh, really?’ face, but that didn’t really matter.
“Then... I’ll take you up on that offer, but I still want an answer. Are you the same as Lord Marchosias? Or not?” Lilith looked somewhat troubled by his words, but she still stood back up as she asked that question.
Marchosias...? Zagan raised his brow when he heard that. His name didn’t seem to come up because Zagan had inherited his sigil. Did that Archdemon do something in these lands?
“The answer to that is clear. I’m different from Marchosias. To be honest, I’ve never even met him, so I know nothing of what he did to you.”
Zagan had inherited his Sigil of the Archdemon from Marchosias, but he certainly didn’t want anyone to blame him for his actions.
“It looks like you’re misunderstanding something here. Lord Marchosias was a great person. He was the one who sheltered us races who were on the path to extinction,” Lilith explained as she stared at him with a blank look on her face.
“Sheltered...? An Archdemon helped? Are you sure you’re talking about an Archdemon, the most heinous of sorcerers?” Zagan asked. That was a valid question. Most races were on the verge of extinction because of sorcerers, so the worse of the lot helping them was unheard of.
Why was Marchosias’ name following him around when Zagan was running about trying to find a way to dispel his curse? Nothing in his legacy had to do with dispelling curses...
“Are you different? I haven’t heard the full details yet, but didn’t you save Kuroka and Selphy?” Lilith inquired as she cocked her head to the side. It seemed she was informed of some details by her friends.
Ugh, why did they mention that... Zagan averted his gaze from Lilith out of embarrassment.
“I was just concerned about Kuroka because she’s a relative of one of my subordinates, and Selphy just happened to meet Nephy. Do I look like some softhearted fool who would save total strangers?” Zagan said haughtily, but Selphy sprang to her feet in an instant and raised her hand.
“Objection! Mister Zagan saved me when it looked like I was about to get eaten by a monster! On top of that, he got, like, really hurt and didn’t even say a thing!”
“I also have an objection. He saved me from slavers before even knowing I was related to Lord Raphael. There was nothing in it for him at the time.”
Both Selphy and Kuroka objected, and eventually, even Chastille and Nephteros joined the bandwagon.
“Then, I’ll also object. Leaving an Angelic Knight of the church like me alive should have been nothing but a hindrance, yet Zagan has saved me several times over.”
“Me too... Um, where do I even start? I can’t even list it all...”
I’m begging you guys to keep quiet! Zagan wanted to yell at them all, but his voice had been killed by the shame. And, as he covered his face, Foll couldn’t help it anymore and spoke in his stead.
“Zagan is shy. Don’t say anymore,” Foll interjected to make that statement. His daughter’s response was needlessly painful, and it only managed to make Lilith laugh.
“Well, it certainly does look like you’re different from Lord Marchosias. This is the first time I’ve seen someone who’s the exact opposite of Selphy.”
“You’re, like, totally right. It’s like I’m looking at you, Lilith.”
“Erk...” Lilith groaned. Her thoughtless comment was mercilessly thrown right back at her, which made Lilith pin down her flat chest as she writhed in agony. Sensing nothing would progress at this rate, Zagan mustered his willpower and lifted his face, at which point he noticed something.
Lilith is... trembling? Lilith’s fists, which were down at her sides, were trembling slightly. She was likely terrified now that she knew Zagan was an Archdemon. Looks be damned, there was no way she wasn’t scared. And yet, she still wished to speak. That fact filled Zagan with interest.
“...Hmm. You’re free to think whatever you like, but what is it you want of me?” Zagan inquired.
“It’s about our pact with Lord Marchosias... I’d like you to succeed it,” Lilith answered after she got her breathing in order.
“Hmm... I don’t really get it. Marchosias wasn’t an Archdemon who indulged in meaningless slaughter, but I’m certain he wasn’t a philanthropist either, so why did he end up protecting races like yours?”
It seemed like the answer to his question would be rather long, so Zagan snapped his fingers and used sorcery to pull in one of the chairs around them. Lilith was the only one who was standing. She stared at the chair unexpectedly for a moment, but plunked down into the seat.
“Let’s see... It’s a rather long explanation. Is that alright?”
“I don’t mind,” Zagan firmly stated. And as if on cue, Lilith straightened herself out, then began speaking.
“First I think I should talk about the Silver-Eyed King. According to legends, about a thousand years ago, the world was on the verge of destruction due to a battle with a Grotesque God. And the one who saved us from that was the Silver-Eyed King. He used a tremendous amount of mana and ancient arms to slay the Grotesque God.”
After saying that, Lilith suddenly pulled out something that looked like a small shield.
No... is that a mirror? It snugly fit in both her hands, and though it was made of metal, it was polished to such a fine degree that it reflected one’s face perfectly. Mirrors were often used as tools in sorcery as well. Nowadays, it was common to use a film of tin or mercury on a glass sheet, but in the past they used polished metals or gems. Compared to glass, these were far more sturdy, and even now they remained useful.
“The Holy Treasures passed down in my house of Hypnoel, Kuroka’s house of Adelhide, and Selphy’s house of Neptunia, were the arms wielded by the Silver-Eyed King. It is said that our three great lines are his direct descendants.”
“Hmm. Well, it’s quite common for legacies to be passed down through one’s bloodline...” Zagan mumbled. And on that topic, it was also natural for one’s family to split into branches over a thousand year span.
Based on how spread out their races are, the Silver-Eyed King took in members of multiple races, huh? If it was something that involved their ancestors, then they couldn’t just laugh off Alshiera’s profound words.
“Lord Marchosias was a sworn friend of the Silver-Eyed King who fought by his side. That was why he protected Liucaon, the country of his descendants. It is said that we succubi and sirens have only managed to survive because we have the protection of an Archdemon,” Lilith explained as she traced her finger along the surface of the mirror. Her focus seemed to be on Kuroka, who was sitting behind her. When Kuroka’s people were attacked, Marchosias was still alive. In all likelihood, the sorcerers
who attacked them received retribution. They were surely long dead, but nevertheless, the attack itself couldn’t be prevented. It may have been that Marchosias was growing weak at the time.
Sworn friend... was that also the time Wise Dragon Orobas and Marchosias became sworn friends? Zagan thought as he shifted his gaze over to Foll. That was likely why they stood side by side in battle half a year ago. However, the problem was what exactly it was they fought against.
“As for records from a thousand years ago, there are few documents left even on the continent. In that case, some sort of incident that surpassed the differences between sorcerers, the church, and our races likely occurred,” Zagan muttered to himself in an attempt to put his thoughts in order.
For example... the invasion of the Demon Lord... It felt like several threads were finally coming together.
“I don’t know how it was passed down on the continent, but it’s said that it was a tremendous battle that destroyed many countries and races. The Silver-Eyed King took the races who dwindled in that fight to Liucaon, and protected them with his Holy Treasures,” Lilith expanded on her earlier words, then looked over to Selphy and said, “The continent has yet to tread into Liucaon because the sirens use their Holy Treasure to manipulate the ocean currents.”
“Huh? Our Holy Treasure’s, like, something that amazing?” Selphy, who was supposedly a princess, seemed surprised. It was almost like that was the first time she’d ever heard that fact.
“I see... Then isn’t there no need for an Archdemon’s protection?” Zagan commented with a nod.
“We are not so arrogant as to believe we can protect our country and all its people with just three Holy Treasures. If that was possible, Kuroka’s people would not have perished...” Lilith replied, then looked straight into Zagan’s eyes and stated, “We require a stronger power to ensure our survival. It’s been said that you passed judgment on two other Archdemons, so we’re willing to do anything to ensure your protection.”
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride: Volume 6 Page 15
