Chapter 12

10/25 "The Demon Lord's City Building" comic first volume is on sale! Please enjoy the lively movements of Quina and Rorono.

I was given time to think.

While thinking, I was suggested to use a guest room, but I politely declined.

... Being in the dungeon is the same as being inside the Demon Lord's stomach.

Everything will be exposed.

Therefore, I left the city of [Desire] and built a simple hut using Shier's ability before holding a strategy meeting.

"... No matter how I think about it, the story is too good."

A single medal and a single dungeon are too much for me to gain.

At that time, I was under a [Pledge] that made it impossible to lie.

There is no lie in the words that I want to obtain an S-rank monster at all costs.

However, that does not mean I am willing to give up anything.

"Shier, what do you think is the hidden agenda?"

In such situations, I would always consult Duke, the strategist of Avalon, or Marco, my mentor.

... If they were here, I would probably think that it is my weakness.

"The most likely reason is to shatter the crystal of [Creation]. Even if you kill the Demon Lord, you won't get [Creation]. You can only obtain the power of [Creation] by first controlling the crystal, then turning it into [Creation] and shattering it. I think that is the Demon Lord's goal."

"Right. That is the most likely scenario."

The rule in this world, [Control].

According to the Demon Lord of [Desire], Erygor, the moment you [Control], the dungeon becomes blank, and the monsters disappear.

In other words, if they target that moment, I will have no choice but to fight with the forces I have on hand.

... Only the ten monsters I have [Stored].

I thought that with this force, I could win an offensive battle.

However, in a defensive battle to protect the crystal, no matter how much I strategize, the lack of numbers is a problem.

In Avalon, we once successfully defended with a small number. That was because of the powerful weapons created by the Elder Dwarf, Rorono. I don't think I can do that with my current forces.

"Lord Demon, it's easy to defend. Make Erygor promise not to attack the new dungeon."

"There is a flaw in that. Erygor's allies might attack. Obtaining the crystal and the dungeon is necessary to return, but setting up the dungeon itself is a risk."

"Mm, it's difficult."

However, the answer is already decided.

As Erygor said, without the Demon Lord's power to back up the S-rank monster, I cannot transfer to the desired world.

The risk I bear is only that [Creation] might be used by other Demon Lords.

Even if the backup is destroyed, the monsters won't be lost; it will just be back to square one.

Protecting the [Crystal] is difficult, but escaping using the power of the [Stored] monsters is not too hard.

Then, I should take the risk and go along with the plan.

"Let's accept their proposal while being cautious. Add conditions to make it harder for them to attack."

"Shier will help think about it too."

Let's think about it for half a day.

◇

I step into the city of [Desire] again.

It is already night.

However, the city is even more dazzling and splendid than during the day.

I left the fox sisters at the temporary base. It is safer there. I have a split body of Shier as a guard, so they won't be easily kidnapped.

"Indeed, this kind of city is best at night."

Carriages were coming and going non-stop.

... However, I have a slight doubt.

I understand the demand for women as a commodity, but do people really come from far away just for that?

High-class brothels are common in cities of a certain size.

Here, you can enjoy cruel tastes that do not treat people as human beings, but that alone is not enough.

There must be a reason why nobles and wealthy merchants come here.

That might be Erygor's weakness.

"I have been waiting for you, Prokel."

The gentleman demon, Azazel, welcomed me.

"Sorry for the trouble."

"No, no, it's a contract between Demon Lords. It's natural to be cautious. Please, this way."

Thus, Shier and I were invited to Erygor's room again.

◇

Erygor had changed clothes.

A nightgown with deep slits, revealing cleavage and thighs, a seductive outfit.

"I changed. How do I look?"

"You look good."

"I'm glad. Hey, Prokel. After this, why don't you play in my city? It will be fun. ... You're cute, so I can take care of you personally if you want."

Erygor leaned in, whispered in my ear, and licked my earlobe.

I shivered.

... I can feel the power of charm.

"Unfortunately, my preference is for more mature women."

"What a shame. My body feels really good. So, have you made a decision?"

"Yeah. I'll hand over the [Creation] medal. In return, I'll take the backup dungeon."

"That's the right choice."

"However, there are additional conditions. I want you to add this to the pledge: The Demon Lord of [Desire], Erygor, and his monsters will not enter the [Creation] dungeon without the permission of the Demon Lord of [Creation], Prokel."

"... Oh, you're suspicious about that. Sure, I understand. [Creation] looks delicious. I've been targeted before, so it's natural to be worried. I'll accept that condition."

The key is that Erygor cannot enter without my permission.

In this case, Erygor cannot attack, and even if Erygor's allies conquer my dungeon, Erygor cannot enter the dungeon and shatter the crystal.

In other words, Erygor cannot obtain the power of [Creation].

Of course, Erygor can give the power of [Creation] to allies and indirectly benefit from it.

However, Demon Lords cannot trust each other that much.

Erygor would dislike giving the power of [Creation] to others. That will be a deterrent.

"Then, let's go. To my backup dungeon. I've engraved the transfer array, so it's a one-step process."

"Then, let's go. I want to get the dungeon as soon as possible. This is the price."

"Indeed, I received it. Hmm, this is [Creation]. It's genuine."

The Demon Lord can tell the power of the medal just by looking at it.

"With this, I can reach it. Haha, finally, my dream comes true."

With a full smile, Erygor laughed in a dim voice.

"Prokel, I'll give you a bonus."

Erygor suddenly hugged me and kissed me.

A mature kiss, tongues entwined.

My brain went numb, and a shock ran down my spine, making my legs weak.

"Done. Hey, if you want, you can say you want to hug me now."

Looking down, I saw moist eyes and a cleavage.

White, smooth, and very tempting.

"I don't need it. Erygor is not my type."

"Of course, you're a grandma specialist. You're weird, but whatever. Let's go."

Erygor did not try to seduce me any further.

The name Demon Lord of [Desire] is not for nothing.

If I stayed, I might be seduced by that Demon Lord, who controls lust.

◇

The dungeon I was led to was empty.

Unnaturally so.

I had heard that it would become blank the moment I [Control], but it seems to have been left as is.

"What a waste. You could earn DP if you operated it."

"True. But I'm busy with my city. I could entrust it to someone, but ... to be honest, I don't trust anyone. So, it's enough as a backup and a safe house."

"Leaving it is fine, but if the dungeon is empty, the crystal can be shattered easily."

"Oh, that's fine. I placed the dungeon in a place that can't be entered except through my transfer array. It's at the bottom of the sea, two thousand meters deep, and hundreds of kilometers from the nearest continent. It won't be found."

"If it's only for a backup and a safe house, it's the best defense in a sense."

Somewhere in the vast sea, two thousand meters deep.

Finding such a place is impossible, and even if found, reaching it is extremely difficult.

"... But, even if I get a dungeon in such a place, it won't do much. No, wait. I don't think the original owner would willingly set up a place like this. Can the location be changed after [Control]?"

"That's right."

The Demon Lord cannot do anything without calling humans to the dungeon.

A dungeon at the bottom of the sea is well-protected, but no one can be called, and they will surely starve to death.

I walked straight through the empty dungeon, and in just fifteen minutes, I reached the crystal room.

"Let's [Control] it. It's simple. Touch the crystal, open the [Book of the Demon Lord], and pour all your magic and will into it. Make it yours."

Indeed, it is simple.

The problem is whether I can do it. A rule that did not exist in our world.

Is it just that I didn't know about it, or is it impossible?

I won't know until I try.

I touched the crystal and took out the [Book of the Demon Lord].

"[Control]"

I said the words and imagined dyeing it my color.

The [Book of the Demon Lord] opened page by page. Then, glowing letters began to appear on a blank page near the end.

I had been curious about the blank pages in the [Book of the Demon Lord], but I didn't expect them to be filled this way.

The letters stopped.

There are still blanks.

That might be evidence of unknown Demon Lord rules.

The crystal glowed brighter and turned completely my color.

I can feel it now. This is mine.

"Congratulations. Now you have the crystal here too."

"Thanks."

First, I'll create a dungeon, no, a city.

And I need to build up my power.

In any case, since I handed over the [Creation] medal, it will take more than a month to create another S-rank [Transfer] monster.

... Then, I noticed something.

The [Book of the Demon Lord] I hadn't used in a while showed a Demon Lord ability I don't have as an option.

It is the ability of the Demon Lord of [Migration], the Demon Lord who brought me here.

It must be Quina and the others. To make sure I can return, they shattered the [Crystal] of the Demon Lord of [Migration] and made it possible for me to use the ability.

They are trying to bring me back in their own way.

I am very grateful and happy.

With the [Migration] medal and [Creation], I can definitely create the necessary monster to return.

All I need to do is call many humans to the dungeon, feed on their emotions to regain my power, and back up the created monster.

While thinking about this, a voice echoed in my mind.

"[Control] confirmed. The current [Desire] dungeon will change to the [Creation] dungeon. [Creation] Demon Lord, do you want to initialize? Please respond within one minute. If there is no response, the current state will be maintained."

"Erygor, you're being asked if you want to initialize."

"Oh, that. After [Control], you can choose to return to the crystal or just have the monsters and dungeon rooms disappear. Initializing means returning to the crystal."

"Then, I have no choice but to initialize."

To change the location of the dungeon, I need to return to the crystal.

The dungeon cannot be moved unless it is in crystal form.

"I will initialize."

"Initialization will begin. Warning, use the [Crystal] to create a dungeon within 48 hours. If not, the crystal will disappear."

... 48 hours.

Choosing the optimal location to set up the dungeon within that time is quite difficult.

Most of the success in attracting people depends on the location.

The ground began to shake.

"Prokel, let's run. The dungeon will probably disappear in about five minutes."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes, it is. We'll be thrown into the sea two thousand meters deep and crushed by the water pressure."

I don't even want to imagine it.

We ran toward the transfer array.

Finally, I can see the path to return.

For now, Erygor does not seem to be planning to attack.

If everything goes smoothly, I can return soon.

... However, that is impossible.

Certainly, several difficulties will come my way.

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