Dungeon Defense (WN)

The meeting came to a close. In the end, it became a discussion about how inferior the human race is.

It’s pathetic. Overestimating your enemy may also lead to your defeat, but it’s a lot better than underestimating them. The rookie Demon Lords were diligently creating ways for our defeat. They have an excuse for their actions, though. It’s only natural to raise our morale before we engage in combat, after all.

“I will end the meeting here.”

Zepar’s exhaustion was as clear as day. That’s right. I’m not the only one who had drawn bad cards. It’s not surprising that you would lose your will to fight when half the people who came as your subordinates are like that. If these rookie Demon Lords were our foe’s vanguard, then they had accomplished a successful skirmish. Aren’t they great officers? They managed to lower our morale before the battle has even begun, after all.

I held back a sigh as I was about to take my leave, but Zepar called out to me.

“Dantalian. I would like for you to stay.”

“Huh? Understood.”

I sat back down before I could even get up from my chair fully. I wonder what’s the matter. The other Demon Lords left and the tent soon became chilly. Zepar, his adjutant, me, and Laura, the 4 of us were the only ones that remained. Zepar gazed at me seriously.

“The leader of the 6th legion informed me that you are trustworthy. She told me that although she is not certain about your proficiency in tactics, your resourcefulness is something which she is confident in.”

I smiled bitterly. Barbatos, huh? She’s sometimes like a tomboy little sister, other times she’s like a sensuous brat, and other times she’s like a reliable older sister. They all shared the same sentiment that you couldn’t lower your guard around her. She’s quite the troubling Demon Lord.

“I am only a schemer.”

“I was also present when you brought down Miss Paimon during the previous Walpurgis Night. I would like to mention that watching a Rank 71 force Miss Paimon into a corner is quite a memorable scene to witness.”

Is that a compliment? This old man’s expression didn’t change at all. He isn’t innately emotionless like Lapis. His impassiveness came from his dignity and maturity solidifying over the years. This sort of person usually struggles to express themselves. Honestly, it should be fine to take this as a compliment.

No, should I be a bit modest here……? From what I can tell, he doesn’t consider Barbatos as simply the leader of the faction he’s in, but someone whom he personally respects. There’s a high chance that complimenting Zepar here would only sound like flattery. Let’s make use of the other party’s respect.

“Thank you very much. However, I did not come out victorious from the hearing with my strength alone. If it were not for Commander Barbatos’s assistance, I would have been at the mercy of Miss Paimon.”

“Mm.”

Zepar nodded. He sounded satisfied. It feels like it should be okay to take it a step further.

“I learned through the hearing that the commander is different from the rumors circulating around her and is actually a dignified person. I wonder if her usage of crude words is intentional to make the other factions lower their guards……. She possesses both acting prowess and insight. Even now, she has the justification to subjugate the human world as the leader of the Plains Faction. There is most likely no one who deserves to be called a monarch as much as her.”

“I agree.”

I heart a certain sound effect for the first time in a long while.

「Demon Lord Zepar’s affection has risen by 5!」

A sense of accomplishment spread throughout my chest. I grasped what the other party wanted and utilized it to my advantage. It was an easy victory, but it was still pleasing. I had this thought before, but I think my true talent is in garnering affection. I have yet to fail in my attempts to farm affection points.

Zepar spoke.

“I trust in our commander and I trust in those that our commander trusts. Thus, I could not help but test you in my own way since you will be acting under my command. Dantalian, I am the one who had encouraged your ostracization.”

“I see.”

I was calm. Zepar furrowed his brows instead.

“You do not seem surprised?”

“If I may offer my opinion, Your Excellency Zepar is aware of our mission as the vanguard. Discord between allies is something you must be wary of the most. Nonetheless, a week has passed since we began our march and yet Your Excellency did not get even remotely involved in the war of nerves that was happening between Demon Lords. I believed that Your Excellency had another goal besides properly establishing military command.”

“Hm, you are correct.”

「Demon Lord Zepar’s affection has risen by 2!」

Zepar gazed at me deeply.

“More than a tactician, you are most likely a strategist, no, a schemer. And yet, the commander assigned you to the vanguard. In this skirmish where a tactical victory is more important than anything else. Do you understand what this means?”

“…….”

I never thought about it. I figured she simply wanted me to distinguish myself in action.

It should be fine for me to not get involved in military operations for at least 2 months. I should be able to spend my time leisurely. This is a disadvantageous position for a Rank 71 to devise schemes freely, so I have no other choice but to make a name for myself through meritorious services in war……. Was there a reason beyond this?

Zepar spoke nonchalantly while I was in deep thought.

“I wish to talk about Rank 58 Amii.”

I don’t know why he’s suddenly bringing up Amii, but I listened quietly. He’s most likely going to answer my curiosity now.

“He originally did not belong to any faction, but he voluntarily joined the Plains Faction around the time the Crescent Alliance was formed. He basically does not have a position in our faction since he has only joined recently. Therefore, Commander Barbatos was most likely being considerate by giving him the opportunity to distinguish himself in the vanguard and strengthen his position.”

“Ah. So that is why he was speaking so radically.”

I was wondering why there were 3 rookies assigned to a vital position like the vanguard, but there was this kind of back story to it, huh? Certainly, Barbatos and I have different positions. What’s important to me is the overall situation of the Crescent Alliance; however, Barbatos also has to worry about her faction members as the leader of the Plains Faction. I get it.

Regardless, 3 people is still too much. This is the vanguard that will determine the outcome of the 8th Crescent Alliance’s first battle. Are you saying that you’re okay with these shabby members, Barbatos?

Zepar examined my expression before smiling slightly. His wrinkles naturally created dimples. It was a smile that only well-aged men could pull off. If I were a woman who had a preference in dandy men, then my heart would have probably skipped a beat.

“I see you have yet to grasp the commander’s intentions.”

“Pardon?”

“She has bestowed upon you an opportunity to create subordinates.”

Subordinates? What is he talking about?

Once I looked at him cluelessly, Zepar continued.

“This is what the commander is suggesting to you: how long do you intend to help from only the shadows? Create your own group before the true battle begins. ……Truly, it seems like Her Excellency the Commander trusts you greatly, Dantalian.”

“……!”

I opened my eyes wide. Is that so!? Is that what she wanted!?

Barbatos didn’t send me to the vanguard just so I could distinguish myself in battle. She wants me to bring the 3 recent members of the Plains Faction with weak positions under my command.

What would have happened if these three weren’t sent to the vanguard and were instead split into different units? They would have probably sought out higher-ranking Demon Lords to protect them and submit themselves to. Barbatos doesn’t reign the Plains Faction like an empress. There are several Demon Lords under Barbatos who have their own smaller factions. These 3 rookies would have instantly merged into those sub-factions.

However, she had intentionally lumped these three together at the vanguard. Even if General Zepar is included in the vanguard, it still only consists of 6 Demon Lords. 3 out of 6 are in similar situations…… obviously they would stick together. (TL Note: I changed Zepar’s title from Commander to General because it was confusing. The title used for Zepar and Barbatos can both be translated to ‘Commander’, so I did that until now, but it’s been bothering me. I’ll make the adjustments in previous chapters.)

General Zepar has no intention of making a faction of his own and is satisfied being Barbatos’ vassal. The other Demon Lord isn’t exactly a high rank either. At the very least, the vanguard doesn’t have anyone else in it that would try to reach out and bring the 3 rookies under their wing.

Therefore, getting into a group and receiving protection isn’t a goal for these three Demon Lords now. They can’t pursue this goal even if they wanted to. Distinguishing themselves as much as possible and strengthening their positions is unquestionably their greatest and most likely only goal. What else can they do?

Thus, there are 3 Demon Lords that have no positions within the Plains Faction which already has a fully established composition of power.

This is the best possible opportunity for anyone trying to establish their own group. No, Barbatos created this opportunity! She disguised it under a rational pretext of ‘giving the newcomers an opportunity to distinguish themselves’.

‘Are you telling me to take these three in? Are you telling me to create a group so that I can stand next to you and not only in the shadows……!?’

I shuddered.

Barbatos’ attention to detail exceeded my expectations greatly. A corner of my mind might have been underestimating her. I might have subconsciously thought of her as a girl who was taken by my stratagem after getting drunk on wine…… How foolish of me!

‘Damn it. I became careless because I had completed a rough sketch of the war.’

I honestly admitted my blunder here. I believed that it wouldn’t be too late to pursue a group of my own after the war was over. However, in Barbatos’ eyes, I looked like I would end up in a precarious situation if I didn’t create a group as soon as possible. It wasn’t the person directly involved but another party that noticed the urgency of the situation.

The rookie Demon Lords were at least doing their best to build up their own positions. If they’re nothing more than idiots, then what am I? An idiot that goes beyond idiots, a stupid idiot. I only mocked their foolishness and never considered why these foolish individuals were assigned to the vanguard in the first place.

“Your eyes have changed.”

Zepar commented. I bowed, genuinely this time.

“Thank you very much. If it were not for Your Excellency, then I would have most likely remained as a fool until the end of the war. I will definitely repay this favor by performing meritorious deeds.”

“Think nothing of it. The commander has instructed me to show you tactics. Use this chance to watch how battles are carried out against humans.”

So even Zepar is a private tutor that was dispatched for my sake……? My sense of awareness is rather weak compared to Barbatos. I thought the vanguard was the prelude, but Barbatos considers it as the beginning of war itself.

I felt frustrated. I suddenly recalled the words that Zepar emphasized during the meeting.

‘Any blunders committed by us will not be the blunder of a single group, but the entirety of the 6th legion, no, the entirety of the Crescent Alliance. Right here, at this moment, we are representing all of the Crescent Alliance! The vanguard of the 6th legion must work together and move as one. I will not forgive individual actions.’

I thought this was a warning towards the rookie Demon Lords. It was the opposite. More than anyone else, I was the one who should have engraved those words into his bones. A sense of shame spread throughout my entire body. What was I thinking? Was I acting superior to them by saying ‘I’m not like them’ when I’m only level 21? What a piece of trash.

It’s as Zepar said, our vanguard will represent the entirety of the Crescent Alliance. Looking down on your own allies will not be allowed. Not only did I naturally have to distinguish myself in the vanguard, but I have to win over the three Demon Lords. I absolutely can’t get careless.

Thus, I put as much of my strong will into my military rites this time as I saluted Zepar.

“I will study Your Excellency’s military commands without fail.”

“Mm. You may go now.”

I thought to myself as I left the tent.

That’s right. This is Barbatos’ surprise gift to me. I can’t call myself a proper adult if I can’t even receive a gift properly. What more is there to say when it’s also a gift from a girl?

All right. I’ll grow as you’re hoping me to, Barbatos. I’ll definitely surprise you later……. Not only will that be my surprise gift to you, but it will also be the best way to repay you.

***

TL note: Thanks for reading the chapter. It was pretty nice being able to rant like that. I don’t know if it’s a good thing to know that there are arrogant translators like the one I had the misfortune to encounter, all around the world. It’s pretty scary to think about. In any case, my final semester has started so my pace may slow down a slight bit. I only need passing grades for this final semester, so I probably won’t stress over things too much. We’ll see how things go.

See you guys in the next release.