Demon Realm’s capital, the fortress.
*Hmmm~ Hehehe~*
A voice hummed a tune from atop the massive throne. It was the sound of someone with unfathomable composure.
There was but one person who could sit atop the throne of the fortress. The owner of the humming was the Demon Lord Valetta.
Suddenly, a demon rushed into the space.
With tall horns symbolizing a high-ranking demon, it was Argo, Valetta’s secretary.
“Demon Lord!”
“Hmm?”
Valetta, humming with eyes closed, finally opened them, revealing a gaze filled with chaos.
“What’s the matter?”
“I have something urgent to discuss!”
“Calm down. No need to rush.”
The expressions of Demon Lord and Argo were perfectly contrasting.
Argo, who was extremely anxious, had to reflect on himself unknowingly.
Seeing Valetta’s calm demeanor made him question if the current situation was really anything serious.
“Demon Lord.”
After taking a breath, Argo spoke.
“There are so many things I cannot understand.”
“Well, you can just ask calmly, can’t you?”
“Yes, then.”
Argo politely bowed his head and continued.
“First of all, I do not understand why you accepted a human as the goddess’s son-in-law, and it seems that the continent’s Emperor has directly manifested in the Demon Realm, yet you take no action. Please teach me.”
“Aha ha!”
Valetta chuckled lightly.
“Why, are you worried that I did something reckless?”
“I shouldn’t evaluate the Demon Lord’s actions like that. It’s just that my intelligence is lacking… The situation is urgent. I truly want to understand.”
“It seems I’ve done something recklessly incomprehensible. That’s how I interpret it.”
Argo’s expression became awkward, but fortunately, Valetta was still humming without a hint of displeasure.
“Argo.”
“Yes, Demon Lord.”
“You handle sudden situations quite well.”
Valetta continued while leaning on his chin.
“When something happens, you block it this way, and when the next thing happens, you block it that way… Truly capable. That’s why you’ve remained my secretary for over a hundred years.”
“Yes.”
“But that means…”
Valetta’s eyes slid over to Argo, which looked like the black eyes twinkling with a hint of yellow.
Like the moon floating in the continent’s night sky.
“…it means you don’t know how to provoke an incident. It’s good to handle what happens well, but if that continues, it only means you’re being swept along.”
“Then, starting from this goddess’s marriage to the Emperor’s appearance on the continent… Everything is something you thoroughly planned and caused, is that what you’re saying?”
“Of course.”
Valetta’s tone was firm.
“There are many races on the continent beyond just the human Empire. Elves in the Great Forest, beastmen in the south… One must always know how to stir up the biggest pot.”
Valetta’s voice held a hint of amusement, as if enjoying the conversation.
“Since there’s something happening between the Demon Realm and the Empire, the Emperor personally stepping into the Demon Realm… What kind of thoughts will arise in every corner of the continent upon receiving this information?”
“Hmm, something unusual is happening? Or is happening? Something like that, I believe.”
“Correct. Correct. That statement is correct.”
Valetta nodded.
“Then let’s discuss the subsequent events. When signs of unusual happenings boil, what will the various places across the continent put into action?”
“They will tighten defenses and precautions, won’t they?”
“Incorrect.”
Valetta shook his head.
“The instinct to clearly know the unknown is stronger than anything. There will be moves to ascertain exactly what has happened.”
“Then…”
“However, that’s not what’s important.”
Valetta’s eyes sparkled.
“In other words, until they accurately find out what happened, they won’t do anything. More precisely, they won’t be able to do anything.”
“Ah…?”
Surprise spread over Argo’s face.
“Then what should the Demon Realm do now?”
“…I’m sorry. My knowledge isn’t broad enough.”
Argo bowed his head, looking apologetic.
“You pour out all kinds of information. Confuse them.”
“…”
“Numerous pieces of information, skillfully mixed between truth and falsehood, will be spread across the continent. So that no races can unite, let them suspect each other!”
Argo quietly knelt on one knee.
As he felt the magic rising as Valetta spoke, it meant that he truly poured his sincerity into this conversation.
“When information is so jumbled up, the true truth becomes irrelevant. Everyone will fight according to their own beliefs and interests. Then…”
Valetta spread his arms wide.
“…war. It will definitely be war.”
War.
From those two characters, Argo felt Valetta’s sincerity. Indeed, no one else in this entire world loved war more than Valetta.
“Of course, this won’t happen soon.”
“Then…”
“It’s merely a spark for a grand fire, but once the conditions are met, that spark will certainly become a fire. That’s what’s important. Very important.”
“…”
Argo silently nodded, then suddenly thought of something.
“Demon Lord, what about the ice ghost’s disposal? Should we just let them return to the continent?”
He still had great concern. His loyalty to the Demon Lord and the Demon Realm was incredibly high.
“He has confirmed everything from the cities and structures of the Demon Realm to the composition of the demon entities and the current state of the Demon Lord… It must be valuable information for the continent.”
“Oh dear, what should I do about my secretary?”
Valetta chuckled as if looking at a child.
“Argo.”
“Yes, Demon Lord.”
“Delivering that information is key. Has the Demon Realm already been fully completed? Will there be no further elements for development?”
“That is not the case.”
“Correct, then they must periodically seek out Demon Realm information. It’s essential for keeping watch.”
“Ah.”
“However…”
It was then that Valetta’s lips formed a smile.
“Humans are not a race that merely knows gratitude. If the ice ghost periodically brings information about the Demon Realm, there will certainly be someone who suspects him as a spy.”
“…”
“The reason humans are trifling is that they are jealous of and doubt each other. If the Emperor, who considers the ice ghost such a valuable asset, ends up being rejected on the continent? Wouldn’t that be rather good?”
“If the ice ghost remains faithful only to his mission?”
“Useless. Even if the ice ghost is excellent, the other humans are not. Once it’s known that he is married to the goddess, their suspicion will grow even more.”
Valetta gently waved his hand.
“So, just leave the ice ghost alone in the Demon Realm. I can enjoy that as well.”
Argo’s face stiffened.
It wasn’t because he disagreed with the Demon Lord’s words but because he was engulfed in a deep fear.
Deep down, he had thought it was all just casual enjoyment.
Willingly accepting the goddess’s request to marry the ice ghost, sending the ice ghost back when the Emperor came… He had thought it was too indifferent.
But.
Hearing it now felt different. Just as smoke doesn’t come from an unlit fireplace, everything has a reason behind it.
Valetta had even completed all his calculations beforehand.
“Don’t tell me….”
Argo parted his trembling lips.
“In the distant past, when you brought the goddess as part of the covenant, could it be that you thought of this from that time…?”
“Exactly.”
Valetta replied with a light smile.
“Completely destroying the continent is more difficult and less fun than I thought. So what would be entertaining yet effective? Disturbing them.”
“…”
“Let them suffer in different places, let them fight amongst themselves without our involvement… Only then will the Demon Realm truly become the strongest world and take a leap forward.”
Argo’s face filled with admiration.
“With the limited insight I had, after hearing the Demon Lord’s words, there is nothing I can do but admire. Thank you truly for this teaching.”
“Oh, but…”
Just then, Valetta suddenly recalled something.
“The ice ghost, the ice ghost… That fellow…”
Valetta rubbed his chin, his peculiar gaze brimming with interest.
“…is a truly rare spirit. Even after so long, it was a pleasure to see. How could such a being be born and raised as a human on the continent?”
Argo often found himself flustered during moments like this.
Having served the Demon Lord for a very long time, it was almost unheard of for Valetta to show such great interest in a single individual. No, it could be said that it was practically nonexistent.
But his attitude toward the ice ghost was different.
“It seems like it would be truly beautiful if made into a demon…. I must seriously consider holding onto it when its value rises later.”
“It doesn’t seem like a man who could be held onto.”
“True. If the goddess’s temptation isn’t enough, should I consider appointing him as my husband?”
A brief silence.
Then Valetta burst into laughter.
*Hahaha─! Just kidding─!*
Only then did Argo let out a sigh of relief. Though Valetta’s words didn’t seem entirely like a joke.
Valetta tilted his head again.
“No? No, now that I think about it, I must go see him soon. Whenever I visit the ice ghost, something entertaining always happens. There’s no time to be bored.”
Argo quietly thought to himself.
‘From now on, the entire world will be unusual…’
It felt like witnessing the wheels of a cart that had been stopped slowly begin to roll faster.
Now, truly, the entire world was unusual.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
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Empty chapter, needs to be redone