NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25
Chapter 25. The Price of Forbidden Knowledge
The full moon shone brightly, illuminating the land of the Demon Lord Kingdom.
I leaned against the window in my room, gazing at it. From the elevated position of Demon Lord Castle, I could see the town below.
Stone buildings, made of the same marble as the castle, stood neatly in rows. To tell the truth, when the castle was carved out of the mountain, they reused the large amounts of stone that were produced.
The white walls looked striking against the night, with flickering torches and lanterns adding a bit of warmth. I could hear the voices of the people living there carried by the wind.
It’s quite ironic. Though we call ourselves “the Children of Darkness,” neither the demon race nor the night elves can live in complete darkness. We need at least a bit of moonlight, and when necessary, we’ll light a lamp.
Before the castle was completed, there were many wooden shanties, but those were gradually demolished and replaced with stone structures due to the frequency of fires. It seemed that for demons, who originally lived in caves, strict fire management was quite a challenge…
And so, I am Zilbagias, who retreated to my room, claiming “I’m tired,” even though it wasn’t very late at night.
At this hour, it’s equivalent to broad daylight for the demon race. Under normal circumstances, I would have been busy with studies and training.
However, today, I was exhausted. I wanted to be alone.
Five.
Whether that number is too many or too few, I couldn’t tell—but the “power” that flowed into me was immense.
As a hero, committing the taboo of harming innocent kin. For crossing that line, I was granted an overflowing amount of magical power. I felt as if I had multiplied in strength many times over.
In fact, according to Antendeixis, my rank has skyrocketed several times. The magical power surged so rapidly that Antendeixis temporarily decided to hide it.
I would not waste their sacrifice. If I could keep gaining power at this rate, I’d be able to stand up to even the Demon Lord.
But—how many more must be sacrificed to get there?
Thinking about that made my heart tremble.
“—Magnificent!!”
What awaited me after everything was a rare, unreserved applause in the Demon Lord Kingdom.
Even the night elves, beastmen, and members of other tribes showered me with unrestrained applause in that bizarre atmosphere.
“I was wondering what would happen for a moment. It seems I underestimated you,” Count Oalrug said, beaming widely.
“Outstanding! Normally, one stabs a prey incapacitated and gradually gets accustomed to the sensation before moving on to battle! Yet you took on five right from the start! Trained soldiers, even if they were wounded! Unbelievable!!”
Hey, Platy, who was called over, spread her fan and wore an elegant expression.
“This is my son. He’s different.”
“Hmmm, that seems to be the case. And before teaching, he even went as far as to use the ‘Introduction’!”
Unconsciously, I had apparently invoked the magic of “Introduction.”
“Truly a born warrior! It’s as if you’ve known how to fight even before you were born! Exceptional, exceptional!!”
Oalrug declared cheerfully.
“Zilbagias! I can teach you no more! You undeniably inherit the blood of the Olgi tribe!!”
Thus, the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias successfully proved his lineage.
“If you weren’t the Demon Lord’s child, I would have welcomed you into my clan.”
“I’m not giving him up. Even if he’s not the Demon Lord’s child, he’s of the Reiju tribe.”
“Ha ha ha!! Of course!!”
—Finally, I left the training grounds after dismembering the prey and obtaining strong thigh bones. I heard the remaining parts would be tossed to the Undead King to be used as necromancy materials. It seemed cruel for them to serve the Children of Darkness even in death, so I requested their skulls as keepsakes.
After the proper processing, they would be delivered to me…
“…Zilbagias. You did well to take down five soldiers with a single knife. I’m proud of that. But you know you were a bit reckless, right?”
After returning to my room, I received compliments from Platy, along with a little scolding.
“This time it went well, and you did have the strength to do it… But you mustn’t confuse courage with recklessness. You usually don’t show off like that. I’d like to hear your reasoning behind that choice.”
Well, she had looked worried while observing the fight.
But I had prepared an answer.
“I imposed restrictions on myself.”
Implying a contract with a demon.
“I’m sure you noticed, mother, but thanks to that, I gained strength.”
“…Indeed, you’ve become so much stronger that you could surpass an ordinary demon warrior.”
With a snap of her fan, she pondered.
“So by adhering to the restriction of facing five opponents at once, you gained power.”
I nodded silently.
“That demon appears to possess quite a high rank. I have an acquaintance who made a contract with the Demon of Slaughter. It took countless lives of human soldiers for them to finally attain an observable amount of strength… Compared to that, your efficiency is remarkable.”
…Good thing I had Antendeixis temporarily manage some of that power. I can’t imagine what would have happened if I had it all to myself.
“I understand, Zilbagias. I’m relieved that your judgment was based on reasoning rather than mere bravado. …Honestly, you seem far more mature for your age of five than I was at that age…”
She chuckled sweetly as she leaned back in her chair.
“There’s no easy way to become strong. I know that, always being alongside the danger of death… But Zilbagias, if you ever find yourself facing such dangerous choices again—if possible, please consult with me.”
“Understood, mother.”
Having returned from the demon world, I thought Platy had changed a bit.
Perhaps the six months my son was gone had a significant impact on her—
And thus, I arrived at the present.
After such a grand spectacle, no one doubted I was tired.
I shifted my bed to the window and lay down to gaze at the night sky.
Softly—
A figure with brown skin appeared beside me.
“…What is it?”
“I thought it would be lonely to sleep alone.”
Antendeixis, who lay right next to me, began to stroke my head.
Unwanted concern. A waste of magical power…
“However, I’m actually not outside.”
Huh? Indeed, it felt like she was reading my mind as usual?
“I’m subtly altering your senses—cough cough. It’s like an illusion only you can see and perceive. Just the voice alone would seem rather bland, no?”
I felt she said something ominous, but… well, it figures. It was something a succubus would do.
“Indeed. The mechanism is the same.”
…She’s not getting angry. I half-expected her to shout, “To equate me, a Demon God, with those succubi—!”
“Heh heh. Do you wish to rile me up? It seems you’re in the mood for a little teasing. Very well, I shall embrace your cute little tantrum.”
With arms wide open, Antendeixis—this illusion—radiated an allure incongruous with her youthful appearance.
What she’s doing is exactly like what a succubus would do. What’s brought this on?
It’s unsettling, how un-demon-like she’s acting.
“My, my, shall we retreat here? Male emotions are difficult to grasp after all.”
Antendeixis pulled back her bewitchingly fake smile, pouting her lips.
“…Oh, this isn’t anything serious. I just don’t want you to break.”
She murmured as she leaned closer.
An illusion. I could feel her breath.
“I am with you. That’s why I understand. Your soul, once full of holes and scars, is now tearing apart, weeping blood tears.”
And she gently cradled my head.
“I have never seen such a pitiful soul.”
…Not even a demon has seen something that pitiful. What an honor.
“Do you understand why taboos are taboos?”
…Aren’t they just things you should not do?
“That’s not all. If one can easily commit them, they cannot be called taboos. The essence is sin. To be troubled and tormented, hesitating and overwhelmed, then crossing that line—that is the taboo.”
Her vividly colored eyes gazed at me with pity.
“If you seek power, then you will have to continue suffering. Otherwise, it will no longer be a taboo.”
So, the source of power is the kind of suffering that makes one feel like they could cough up blood…
“Indeed. However, should you continue enduring such pain—your heart will crumble. And if you break, my contract won’t be fulfilled.”
…Ah, now I get it.
You’re trying to keep me comforted a little longer since you’d be inconvenienced if I fell apart, you demon!
“Heh heh. That’s right. You’ve seen through me perfectly.”
Antendeixis wore a mischievous smile.
Now it all makes sense. The sudden kindness was unsettling. Since this is the case, I might as well relax fully.
I feel like… I’m in the mood for that.
“Yes, there’s no need for concern. Shall I give you a lap pillow then?”
This is an illusion, right? It’s amazing. It genuinely feels real. So smooth.
“How ticklish. Such soft maiden skin. Enjoy to your heart’s content.”
She’s not really a maiden… well, fine.
…Come to think of it, this might be my first lap pillow experience…?
“You seemed quite lonely in your previous life without any charm.”
Shut it.
That sort of thing… circumstances didn’t allow for it.
Antendeixis didn’t respond.
She simply continued to tease my hair and gently stroke my head.
It’s strange, but doing this made me sleepy. Whether by a demon’s fingers or an illusion, it still felt pleasant.
“You need rest. Your soul needs a break.”
So she said.
…No worries. I’m not the kind of soul that would fold here.
I’ll last as long as possible, just to entertain you… demon…
As I began to doze off, I thought I saw Antendeixis smile.
It was too innocent for a demon of vice—
Or maybe… this too is an illusion…
………….
†††
An illusion visible only to the Contractor.
Now that he has fallen asleep, there’s no need to maintain it.
But the demon continued to do so.
Gazing at the night sky, still cradling his head.
That hand continued to stroke the Contractor’s head.
Teasing the silver hair, gently combing it.
Even occasionally, the sinister horns that symbolized the demon race are approached with affection.
“…You are—”
The demon whispered.
“You are likely my last Contractor.”
A demon that has grown too powerful.
At this palace, they were on the verge of becoming a mere concept.
Had it not been for this Contractor—breaking the chains of countless restrictions, establishing an equal contract with a demon, managing to draw them into the present world.
Even now, by remaining in this world, the demon was expending power.
But even more was flowing in.
While not as exceptional as a Contractor—still, somewhere in the world, taboos were continuously being violated.
The Main Body of the demon continued to swell within the palace.
Thus, this is the end. Whether the contract is fulfilled or whether this Contractor breaks.
There would never be another soul who could contract with them.
Perhaps no one would ever reach the palace again.
If that happens—then they…
“…………”
Stopping her hand, the demon peered into the Contractor’s face.
Even in sleep, his expression was grim. It was not because of a nightmare. He didn’t need that; he was always in pain.
Relieving that pain was something even the demon’s powers could not accomplish.
There was nothing she could do, nothing she could change.
So, leaning in closer, the demon gently kissed the Contractor’s forehead.
Even knowing it meant nothing.
Once again, the demon looked up at the endless night sky of the world, continuing to stroke his head.
With affection.
With love.