Chapter 29
The highest chamber of the Demon King’s castle.
Dark blue velvet curtains embroidered with gold thread swayed over the window, so narrow and long it seemed almost neurotic. Unlike the rest of the Demon King’s Castle, this plain, undecorated space held nothing but a colossal throne.
A small boy sat upon the throne draped in jet-black.
The one who had held the name of Demon King longer than any since the Demon Realm came into existence. The name of the most arrogant being beneath the heavens was Lucifer.
Despite that august reputation, Asmod, who stood before him with formal courtesy, was already more than a little irritated.
“……Shouldn’t I be going by now.”
Asmod, frowning, glared up at Lucifer upon the throne. He had deliberately left Theticia behind to intimidate her, but more time had passed than he had anticipated.
Lucifer gave a light snort and shook his head.
“Asmod. I have but little time left to remain in this seat. Before that ends, should we not rejoice together that you have at last become a true demon?”
At the words of Lucifer, who spoke with the voice of an old man through the face of a child, Asmod furrowed his brow. It seemed Lucifer had no intention of letting him leave until his demands were met.
“I do not wish to. What meaning is there in adding a celebration in the midst of this war?”
“It is not merely a celebration, is it? At last, you’ve torn off your virginity tag.”
Lucifer’s grinning voice carried heavy notes of mockery. The more he taunted, the more Asmod’s face twisted with displeasure.
The coming-of-age of demons was never a thing to be spoken of so lightly. It was a traditional rite to honor the first taking of mana, and the rebirth as a full-fledged demon.
But for Asmod, who had already passed the time, far too long, had not the slightest thought of holding such an outdated ritual.
“I am not telling you to hold a celebration in vain. If you are to ascend the throne of the Demon King, it is best you begin conducting rites properly from now on.”
“I have no interest in the Demon King’s throne. Mammon is already mad with desire for it, and yet you would press such a burden on me.”
“Yes, because of that very attitude. You have no selfish desire. A seat such as this is best thrust into the hands of one who does not wish for it. Let Mammon claim the throne and he’d bleed the lower demons dry.”
Lucifer’s mischievous face quickly shifted into that of an elder of the Demon Realm.
“……Even if you do not become Demon King, you must still secure your position if you’re to keep Mammon in check. There is no more need for you to remain branded as a half-baked Archduke.”
At the weight of his voice, Asmod’s brow eased.
Though he had begun with teasing words, Asmod well knew that all Lucifer said was spoken from concern.
Unlike his father, who had cut him off and cast him into the world, Lucifer had supported Asmod until now, despite his long failure to seal a proper contract. To him, he was no different from a godfather.
Lucifer’s strength waned with each passing day, in step with the worsening famine of mana. Those who knew nothing whispered it was but one of arrogant Lucifer’s perverse tastes, but even his seemingly youthful face was the mark of mana being drained away.
“I know well how tirelessly you strive to fulfill the duty your father left you. Why not think of the coming-of-age ceremony as part of that duty?”
At Lucifer’s coaxing words, Asmod reluctantly nodded.
“…Understood. I will make preparations.”
“Good, now I feel a bit more at ease. The coming-of-age rite will be held once preparations are ready, and make sure you also prepare your human properly.”
Lucifer, smiling brightly like a child, let his words trail off.
“……But must you truly brand that human as a pet human?”
At the reproachful tone, Asmod’s eyes narrowed once more.
“Why should I not.”
“Because it is exactly what your father did, how could I not be concerned.”
Lucifer let out a long, weary sigh.
It must have been a hundred years ago. Asmod’s father too had wished to take a human as his companion and had turned the entire Demon Realm upside down. Having had his heart stolen by that human, he abruptly tore off a part of himself, and the being thus created was none other than Asmod.
A half-baked Asmodeus who knew nothing but duty and obligation.
He never thought of wielding the immense mana his father had left him, yet he clung relentlessly to the duty of guarding his domain.
Lucifer had once thought, If it is Asmod, then perhaps he could inherit the Demon King’s throne.
And yet that very Asmod had brought in a human, just like his father.
“You won’t be bewitched by a human and leave behind an offspring torn from you, like your father did, will you?”
“Do not say such things. It is nothing more than a mana pouch.”
At Asmod’s knife-like reply, Lucifer gave a doubtful snort. And yet… he couldn’t help but notice how often Asmod’s gaze strayed toward the door.
“Why only one. You could take in many, use them, and discard them. Why insist on keeping that human?”
“She is the only human who has endured my mana. For the sake of efficiency, I wish to keep her close. Please grant your permission.”
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