The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 56: The Demon King of Pride (7)

Lucifer stared at me with his deep eyes.

“According to Asmodeus’s information, Robert should be the chancellor of Solomon’s demon realm. And you’re the Demon King at its pinnacle. Yet, how come you weren’t killed by Robert?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Hmm, I see. Come to think of it, you probably don’t know about that guy’s past. It would be strange if you did…”

Lucifer said nonchalantly, resting his hand on his chin.

Robert’s past…

Indeed, it was information I wanted to know as well. Despite spending 6666 years together, there was still much I didn’t know about Robert.

“But what does that past have to do with me being alive?”

“It’s highly relevant. That guy… all those who followed Robert died by his hand.”

“…You mean Robert himself?”

“Yes, there hasn’t been a single exception until now, except for you. When Robert was expe-”

Puhwak!

At that moment, blood gushed out from Lucifer’s mouth.

Lucifer clutched his bloodied lips.

“…Oh my, I made a mistake.”

A strange phenomenon, like his tongue being cut off, just as with Psych. It seemed some kind of restriction had been activated.

…But what’s that supposed to mean? Robert didn’t try to kill me; he even stopped me from committing suicide.

Using [Lezie’s Insight], it seems that statement itself is true, but…

“Is it because I possess strong power?”

“No, power is irrelevant. In fact, many of those killed by Robert were stronger than him.”

“Stronger than me?”

“…You’re an interesting one. But it wouldn’t be appropriate to call you prideful.”

A chilling smile appeared where Lucifer had wiped away the fresh blood.

“Anyway, power doesn’t matter. And since you’re human, there must have been a time when Robert was stronger than you. Surely you weren’t that strong from the beginning.”

He was right. In the early days of being a Demon King, I would have been crushed by a single gesture from Robert. It’s amazing how I survived back then.

I looked at Lucifer with disbelieving eyes.

“But why are you telling me this? No matter what you say, it won’t change my relationship with Robert. And this story won’t affect the outcome of our current situation.”

“Well…”

Lucifer scratched his chin as if he didn’t know the answer to my question either.

“There’s simple curiosity about how you’re still alive, but for now, let’s just say my tongue was too loose.”

It really seemed like curiosity, but I used [Lezie’s Insight] to try and discern his true intentions.

At that moment, Lucifer’s eyes turned cold.

“What an unpleasant gaze.”

Patzut-!

With a blue spark flying from my eyes, the ability activation was canceled. I tried using it again, but the ability seemed to bounce off as if blocked by something.

…Hmm, this is a first. I guess he’s not one of the Seven Deadly Sins for nothing.

Lucifer continued talking as if nullifying my ability was no big deal.

“Well, you know nothing about Robert. He’s more wicked and evil than any being in this world. Even I would be taken aback by him.”

I can acknowledge that to some extent.

Unlike a simple Solomon demon, I could never tell what he was thinking. That’s why he was even more annoying.

But you know…

“Robert will, someday, stab you in the back at a crucial moment. He’s always done so, and he’ll continue to do so.”

My eyebrows twitched reflexively, and I clenched my fist.

“And at that moment, you’ll remember my words-”

Twoong!

In an instant, I lunged forward and swung my sword.

Just as the tip of my blade was about to slash Lucifer’s wide-open eyes, he stepped back.

“…Truly an astonishing speed.”

Dense Magi flowed from my body as I glared at the muttering bastard.

“Don’t insult Robert in front of me.”

Even if his words were true, even if he knew about Robert’s past that I didn’t.

I’ve been with Robert for 6666 years. Through that, I’ve judged him to be trustworthy, even if I want to beat him up sometimes.

‘…Tch.’

His face is still annoying when I think about it, but I’m still grateful to that guy.

Because Robert prevented my death, I’m here now. If Robert hadn’t acted that way back then, I wouldn’t have been able to taste human emotions again.

“You seem to have become quite close.”

So no matter what Lucifer says, I’m grateful to Robert.

“Demon King of Solomon, I’ve long wanted to meet you. To satisfy my curiosity about why Robert didn’t kill you.”

I don’t know Robert’s past. But I know Robert’s present.

As a result, I choose to trust Robert. Because we can never fully understand others’ intentions, we must rely on our own judgment all the more.

And now, I had the strength to take responsibility for that judgment.

“Lucifer, Demon King of Pride.”

Moreover, based on that judgment, I will punish the bastard before me.

For the crime of insulting my chancellor. And for the crime of imprisoning my alchemist.

“I’ll cast you down to hell right now.”

This is divine punishment befitting those crimes.

Lucifer grinned at the killing intent emanating from my sword.

“How amusing. The thought that you alone can stop me is even detestable.”

“Beelzebub said the same thing before dying by my hand.”

“True, you are undoubtedly strong. Even if my powers weren’t restricted, your strength would probably be unmatched.”

Lucifer spread his arms wide.

“Moreover, it seems Psych has taken your side, and you’ve also taken the fruit of knowledge, so it looks like I have no way to regain my power immediately.”

“You know that, yet you still talk big.”

“That’s why! You can never defeat me.”

It’s a contradictory statement, just as I heard from Psych. The fact that I can never defeat Lucifer because I’m strong.

I wanted to find out what that meant this time, but [Lezie’s Insight] was still blocked.

More precisely, it seemed like a forbidden area that no one should peek into had been laid around that guy.

“Come forth, my legions.”

Sssssss-!

Lucifer thrust a dark red greatsword into the ground. Vicious Magi spread from that crack.

As if in response, countless beings began to converge here.

“Now then, let’s begin the real battle for each other’s territory in earnest.”

Lucifer’s legions suddenly surrounded the area. Not just on the streets, but demons were swarming like flocks of crows on top of buildings as well.

Kyaaak──!

Looking at me standing in the eye of the storm, the demons bared their fangs.

I let out a deep sigh at those arrogant bastards.

…And here I thought it was something. To think it would be a meaningless show of force.

“How ridiculous.”

“…Ridiculous, you say?”

“It’s detestable that you think you can defeat me with just this much.”

I raised the hand not holding my sword.

Then, I muttered softly.

“Construct form.”

Grooooowl──

The Magi that had been quietly settled gathered on my palm at my command. It took on a flexible form like during the magic presentation.

…Magic is originally about infusing magic power and then constructing a form to match it.

But that day, I broke that mold.

‘Construct the form, then infuse it with Magi.’

Through this, a beautiful equation that can become any answer is completed.

Kuguuuuuu──!

I substituted vast numbers into that equation. The result value soaring in an instant.

Soon, the form that had been writhing in my palm flowed down and spread across the ground. Except for where I was standing, everything around turned pitch black.

Where the demons had set foot, darkness flourished like a bottomless cliff.

“……!”

A scene as if a colorful painting had been painted entirely black.

I smiled at Lucifer, who spread his wings sensing the danger.

“Thanks for herding them all to one place.”

Thanks to you, I was spared the trouble of hunting down the demons myself.

I clenched my fist just like that.

“Gluttony.”

Craaack───!

Enormous maws sprang out from the darkness spread on the surface. Like alligators in a swamp, the erupting maws completely devoured the demons that had invaded the area.

The dark red color disappeared, leaving only a landscape dotted with black.

Sssssssss──

Seeing this, I called back the shadows that had spread everywhere, and the city slowly began to regain its original colors.

But there was no trace of demonic color left there.

‘…As expected, this magic is suitable for use against demons.’

That magic just now consumed more than half of my Magi.

At first glance, it seems like a risky magic. But when used against demons, it wasn’t risky at all.

This magic devours not only demons but also ‘Magi’.

In other words, I can use [Absorption] just by reversing the magic, without having to move unnecessarily.

As proof of that.

[Magi increased by 71.]

[Magi increased by 11.]

[Magi increased by 46.]

……

Countless notifications were popping up in my field of vision.

The more I fought against demons, the stronger I became.

The Magi coming in through [Absorption] not only increased the total amount but also became immediately usable Magi.

That’s why I had no chance of getting tired during battle.

“It’s finally a bit quiet now.”

In the heavy silence that settled over the battlefield, I spoke softly.

“Come to think of it, you definitely said I would stop you alone, didn’t you?”

But my attack wasn’t over yet.

“However, I never said I would face you alone.”

With Beelzebub, I jumped in alone to protect that territory. But this London is not territory I will gain.

Moreover, London is already in a miserably destroyed state.

So there was no reason whatsoever for me to fight Lucifer alone now.

“Why should I bestow such mercy upon you?”

“……”

“If you’re an insect, then face the consequences befitting an insect.”

I concentrated Magi at my fingertips.

Conveniently, I could use [Magic Path].

Zzzzzzzt─!

I tore the space beside me just like that. A black rift where space twisted and swirled.

Even without giving them any prior notice, they should know what this means.

The wait wasn’t long.

A silent presence approached and knelt behind me.

“2nd Legion Commander Shayen. I have just arrived at my lord’s summons.”

Led by Shayen.

“4th Legion Commander Quel. I am always waiting for the Demon King’s call.”

Quel.

“I am Secretary General Hyude. Though I am humble, I will assist the Demon King to the best of my ability.”

And even Hyude.

With my back to those reliable companions, I looked at Lucifer floating in the sky.

Lucifer’s eyes were filled with bewilderment. I sneered at him, now left alone.

“Well then, who’s alone now?”

===

**

===

This is the fraudulent nature of [Magic Path]. The ability to call them anytime, anywhere.

Of course, to use this ability, one must have strong memories of the target, but the Solomon demons who have been together for 6666 years were not bound by such restrictions.

“That’s enough, stand up.”

“Yes.”

This should have reduced the variables.

I thought Lucifer wouldn’t be so confident just because of the numerical difference. Unlike the other Seven Deadly Sins, he had accurately grasped my power.

“Kuh… Hahaha!!”

Lucifer, who had been staring blankly at us for a while, grabbed his forehead.

“To think it would be to this extent…. You truly are strong, Demon King of Solomon. I think I understand to some degree why Robert hasn’t killed you yet.”

As Lucifer lowered the hand covering his face, a bizarre expression was revealed.

It was a different expression from before, as if he had revealed a hidden facade.

Shayen tilted her head at this.

“Your Majesty, I don’t like the look on that guy’s face. Shall I kill him right away?”

“I agree, Your Majesty.”

It was the first moment Shayen and Quel’s hearts were in sync.

“Both of you, please focus. I’m glad you two seem to have finally made up, but the being before us is clearly one of the Seven Deadly Sins.”

“Who said I made up with this brat, Hyude? Just thinking about how I was caught by this guy while searching for the doppelganger…”

“Huh, Shayen, please speak considering what you’ve been doing all this time.”

These guys have no sense of tension. No tension at all.

Well, I suppose they couldn’t have felt such emotions when they were in the Solomon demon realm.

“You seem quite relaxed, Solomon demons.”

Only when they heard the wicked voice did they gaze at Lucifer with sharp eyes.

Lucifer flapped his two wings once and looked down at us.

“Demon King of Solomon, do you know this?”

“Know what?”

I, who had been briefly lax, also focused.

“Pride begets mistakes, and mistakes beget caution. Do you know what that caution begets?”

As I remained silent, Lucifer continued, baring his cold blue teeth.

“Caution begets pride once again. When you’re excessively cautious, you delude yourself into thinking you’ve prepared for everything. Just like you are now.”

Angered by this rudeness, the Solomon demons took their stances.

I, too, had no intention of exchanging any more words.

“I thank you for your caution.”

The moment Lucifer’s words ended, I was already charging forward, kicking off the ground.

Even as the distance closed rapidly, Lucifer calmly smiled.

“It’s already too late.”

My sword drew a clean trajectory.

“Perfect replication.”

Clang──!

An intense sound of rupture echoed widely.

It wasn’t Lucifer blocking with his crimson greatsword. He hadn’t even shown any movement when I swung my sword.

“……”

My pupils trembled for a moment as I witnessed the identity before me.

An indifferent gaze visible beyond the brilliantly shining blade. A black cloak draped over the shoulders. And the noble uniform within it.

“…So this is what it meant.”

It was me. A doppelganger with not a single difference.

Now I understand why Psych tried to prevent me from meeting Lucifer.

The me that wasn’t me grinned.

“Die, me.”

Due to a moment of confusion, my sword lost its balance, and the fake’s sword drove into that gap.

Indeed, it was my characteristic skill and tenacity.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With the balance once broken, I retreated. The fake pressed on.

The swordsmanship was elegant yet grand, the movements flexible yet firm, and the face endlessly composed.

As if proclaiming itself the real one, the fake swung its sword.

“…How impudent.”

“That would be you.”

Even the way of speaking is the same.

As I parried the fake’s sword, the Solomon demons leapt at the fake.

I thought they would hesitate seeing an exact copy of me, but they seemed rather angered by the unpleasantness of me being imitated.

But their cold anger did not reach my doppelganger.

Clang! Boom! Slash!

Because their doppelgangers rushed at them.

(To be continued in the next part)