Chapter 10

From the street filled with beastly desires, I saved the fox sisters.

Kumin, the older fox, has been gripping my right sleeve, and Aruhi, the younger one, has been holding my left hand ever since, as if they were terribly frightened.

"I was scared, Prokel-sama."

"Prokel-sama, you are indeed kind."

The slime that can infinitely evolve, Shier, was on guard beside them.

If Quina or Rorono and the others were here, they might have puffed their cheeks in jealousy at the fox sisters clinging to me.

We were walking toward the center of the city, surrounded by the monsters of the city of desire.

*But I can't figure out the color of the Demon King.*

Usually, when you see a monster, you can tell the attribute of the Demon King who controls it.

Demon Kings combine two medals to use monsters, but the easiest to obtain is their own medal, which can be created once a month.

Therefore, the frequency of use is high, and common features appear among the monsters.

If the Demon King Malcias uses the *Beast* medal, the monsters tend to be quadrupedal beasts or have characteristics of such beasts, and if the Demon King Stras uses the *Wind* medal, the monsters tend to control the wind or be of the flying type.

Yet, I can't see the attribute of this Demon King.

The monsters surrounding us are demons with membranous wings wearing flashy suits, a lion-type monster of the same kind as the one I just defeated, a crow-type monster watching us from a distance, and a snake monster trying to blend in with the scenery. There are no common points among them.

*Am I of the same kind, or is he creating monsters through a different process?*

There are medals like my *Creation* that make it difficult for the monsters to show characteristics.

"You walk quite a bit. There should be plenty of buildings suitable for a meeting without coming all the way here."

I asked the demon leading the way.

From the fact that all the monsters around us are watching this demon's face, it should be assumed that he is the one commanding them.

The demon, wearing a flashy suit and pince-nez, looks like a dedicated accountant of a large merchant guild.

He is probably a smart monster, as he appears to be.

"It is a place to invite a special person."

What does he mean by "special person"?

The scenery around us had already changed.

From the tasteless attire that staged desire and joy for men and despair and fear for women, it had become rugged and functional.

The function is to eliminate external enemies.

Everything is arranged for easy combat, and there are many traps. If we didn't follow this demon, a lethal trap would have been activated immediately.

The ultimate point is that sturdy monsters are stationed as guards.

Not only are they strong, but they also have an intimidating appearance.

This is to prevent humans from entering.

In other words, there is something that should not be shown to humans ahead, in the core of this city, or rather, the Demon King's dungeon. Yet, the fact that I am being led there means that I am considered someone who can be shown it.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, we are actually quite frightened. You are suppressing your power, but even so, your overwhelming presence suggests a very high-ranking Demon King. That blue-haired girl is probably strong enough to defeat me in one blow."

"That's an overestimation."

"You know it. If Shier gets serious, you'd be minced meat in a puff."

Shier is correct, but I am a type of Demon King with low individual combat power and superior special abilities.

That's why I always wear the protective gear made by Rorono.

"Haha, modesty. Then, my lord is waiting for you here. Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Azazel. Please let me know if you need anything during your stay in our proud Vermideal."

When Azazel snapped his fingers, the ground shook, and a staircase leading underground appeared.

From here on, it's better to think of it as a dungeon rather than a city.

◇

We proceeded underground and were teleported somewhere through a transfer array.

Shier's vigilance increased.

Sensory-wise, we were teleported to a very deep place.

In the worst case, if the opponent tried to harm us, it would be difficult to leave the dungeon, the Demon King would know everything that happens inside the dungeon, and we would be surrounded by enemy monsters, making it a disadvantageous situation.

However, I have two insurance measures in place.

The first is that as soon as we entered the city, I had a B-rank monster with transfer abilities, Abyss Howl, prepare a transfer array.

In the worst case, if Abyss Howl can buy enough time to draw the corresponding transfer array, we can escape.

The second is a trump card, a card to be used at the right moment.

"My lord is waiting for you here. Please come this way."

Azazel bowed, and the door opened.

It was a golden room.

Gold was used somewhere in all the furniture and decorations.

More luxurious and splendid than any room I had seen before.

Yet, it was harmonious and not vulgar.

In the center of the room, a girl was sitting on a sofa.

Golden hair and golden eyes.

The words "Golden King" came to mind. Despite her youthful appearance, the aura she exuded was that of a seasoned Demon King.

"Welcome to my city, Vermideal. Unknown Demon King, I welcome you."

A high-pitched, girlish voice.

...Still, a city, not a dungeon.

It's clear from the moment you enter that it's a city.

The important thing is whether the Demon King himself recognizes it as a dungeon or a city.

This girl said it was a city without hesitation. In other words, she is of the same kind as me.

"Thank you for your welcome. I am Prokel."

I followed his tone, a sign that I consider us equals.

"Hmm, Prokel, huh. You won't tell me what you govern, will you?"

She looked at me with a meaningful expression.

"If you tell me, I'll tell you."

"Alright. Let's reveal ourselves to each other."

A Demon King's name reveals a lot.

Through the *Night Gathering*, I know the names of almost all Demon Kings, so there's no point in hiding it on her side, but on my side, the name is an important card.

"I am the Demon King of *Creation*, Prokel."

I showed this by creating the *Creation* medal, both to prove that the words were true and to convey another intention.

"I am the Demon King of *Desire*, Erygor. Nice to meet you."

Erygor created the *Desire* medal in the same way.

*Desire*.

I see, it makes sense that the monsters don't show distinct characteristics.

And it's a fitting attribute for the ruler of this city.

"Still, I'm surprised. I didn't know there was a Demon King I didn't know. I've been alive for two hundred years and thought there were no Demon Kings I didn't know."

"It's not surprising. I'm not a Demon King of this world. I've traveled through worlds. It was an accident, and I don't know how to return."

"Really? So, why did you come to my city? Not just for a visit, right?"

"Just a visit. I also thought it would be a good idea to greet the Demon King here."

"Hmm, I see. A Demon King from a different world, interesting. Very intriguing."

She put her hand to her chin, thought deeply, and then spoke.

"I have a lot of questions, but first, let me repay a debt. I'm sorry. What happened in the city of love and desire, Vermideal, was my fault. I told everyone to listen to those with money and power, but attacking a guest who follows the rules is unacceptable. ...Of course, since we are Demon Kings, I don't intend to let it go with just words. If a Demon King's subordinate attacks another Demon King, it usually leads to *War*."

Erygor shrugged.

It seems she is apologizing for having her subordinates attack me at the behest of a noble who lost to me.

Additionally, she provided information.

When she says *War*, she subtly changes the nuance and pronunciation.

When referring to the game *War* between Demon Kings, they do this.

From her words, I understand that there is *War* here as well.

And I realize that my backup plan is feasible.

"If you really want to apologize, I want you to give me those girls. Women bought in this city can only be used here and cannot be taken away, but I want you to make an exception. I like them and want them to be mine."

"That's quite modest, as compensation for attacking a Demon King."

"It's not modest. They are that valuable to me."

"Hmm, what if I say no?"

"Then I'll have you repay me in another way."

When I said this, Azazel laughed out loud.

"Hahaha, you're a gambler. Or maybe you're underestimating me a lot. You want *War*, don't you? If we do, you can go back."

I was surprised. She had seen through my intentions.

"At first, when you showed me the medal, it wasn't just to prove that your name was genuine, but also to confirm whether the Demon Kings on this side have medals, right? Then, when I said *War*, two common points overlapped, and you became convinced that you and I, even in a different world, are creatures of the same rules. That's why you want *War*. You thought that if we summon our dungeons to a white room and fight, even if you can't return, you could reunite with the monsters you left in your original world, right? No, that's not it."

"That's not it. I just really want those sisters. I'm not going to back down."

I don't deny that my intentions were seen through, but it's not entirely accurate.

If she gives me Kumin and Aruhi, that's enough.

I don't intend to provoke *War* by nitpicking. I want to find a way to return through peaceful negotiations.

But if she refuses, I plan to bring it to *War*, forcefully take the two, and meet the people of Avalon.

Even if we are sent back to where we were at the end of *War*, meeting everyone will open a way out.

"Sure, I'll believe you. But did you think about this? You're in my territory. You can be killed here without *War*. It's a shame you can't break the crystal, though."

Third common point. If the crystal is broken, the Demon King loses power, and it's a shame, which means there is a benefit to breaking it.

"Then, let me ask you. Did you think about this? You came here because you have enough combat power to gain an advantage by entering the depths of the dungeon."

I activated *Storage* and summoned a monster.

Among the monsters in Avalon, it is one of the strongest in pure strength. The biggest troublemaker in Avalon. A monster so wild that it cannot be used within Avalon.

Before the interdimensional space of *Storage* fully opened, I forcefully grabbed the dimensional rift and broke through.

A monster that can do this is rare, even among S-rank monsters.

...A few days before the Demon King of *Dragons* died, I received the *Dragon* medal from him.

I used this medal to create a monster suitable for a handler, using *Dragon*, *Beast*, and *Creation* transformed into *Time*.

The result was a trump card in Avalon, second only to the Celestial Fox.

Its name is the Temporal Beast Dragon Chronos, a silver dragon with the limbs and mane of a golden lion.

"Hahahaha, what is that? Amazing, what is that, it's cheating, how did you create such a monster!"

Erygor laughed, instantly seeing through its power.

The monsters guarding her quivered in fear.

...I summoned it to intimidate, but I'm struggling to control it.

After all, it might break free and go wild if I let my guard down, even with a Demon King's command. I use all my concentration to give orders.

Chronos is *Madness* enhanced, losing its sanity in exchange for a one-rank boost in all abilities.

Of course, I made sure to get a skill that cancels out the drawbacks of *Madness* through *Creation*.

Yet, it deliberately goes mad and rampages because it finds it more enjoyable.

However, it has a minimum level of loyalty and avoids hurting me, but it doesn't care about anything else and tries to destroy everything in sight, regardless of friend or foe.

...Without this, we wouldn't have won the battle against the three strongest pillars.

"Erygor, don't you think we're evenly matched? It's difficult to reach the deepest part of the crystal from the entrance with a small, elite group. We would be exhausted by the time we got there. But if you guide us this far, we can reach and shatter your crystal. You know, this isn't my only trump card."

"Shier is also here. Puhuhuhu, if you're not afraid of this trembling body, come at me!"

The blue-haired girl transformed into a slime. ...I don't understand the point of this at all.

"Indeed. I was wrong. Guiding you here was not a good move. ...If the monsters you're leading are this powerful, the monsters in your base must be even more numerous. I'm too scared to challenge you to *War*. Let's stop the dangerous talk. Here, take them. It's not worth fighting over two females. From now on, let's exchange information. I want to know about the Demon Kings on your side."

"Thank you."

"Let me warn you. I'll be greedy. I know how much you want to return and how much you desire information from this side. Rest assured, I won't overcharge you to the point where the negotiations fall through."

Surprisingly, it seems we can reach a peaceful resolution. I thought there was a high chance of a fight to the death, so this is unexpected.

However, I can't let my guard down.

This Erygor is smart.

Even though she says this, it's clear that she doesn't think she will lose if it comes to a fight. Or it might be a bluff to prevent me from attacking easily.

...I can't relax yet.

But it looks like I'll have a fun negotiation for the first time in a while.