NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29
Chapter 29: Demon Lords’ Princes
Here I am, face-to-face with the demon race that destroyed my hometown decades ago. That damn Demon Lord’s Prince—I’m definitely going to kill him! No question about it!!!
I hate the Demon Lord. I hate the Demon Lord’s army. But above all, I despise this guy!!!
That’s you, Emelgias, the 4th Demon Lord’s Prince! The reason I’m stuck in this situation lies with you!!
I can’t forgive you. There’s no way I can forgive you. How many times have I dreamed of going back to that day and strangling you with my own hands…! The revenge for my father, my mother, and everyone in the village—
“Whoa! What a chaotic scene we’ve got here. It’s not so much a storm as an eruption!”
I can feel a touch against my hand.
Somehow, Antendeixis has appeared. —Wait, is this an illusion?
He’s holding my hand, which was reaching for the black obsidian knife on my belt.
“Alexander. Hold back for now. Don’t draw attention.”
His brilliantly vibrant eyes pierce through me. The blood-red vision I’ve had is slowly regaining color.
Antendeixis brushes my cheek and then vanishes with a puff.
In my line of sight, the demon race—Emelgias—is glaring down at me.
“…What’s up?”
“…Excuse me.”
I take a breath and straighten my posture.
“I was surprised by a sudden voice from behind.”
“Ha! Got you scared, huh?”
Emelgias smirks and ruffles my hair.
“You’re all scared now that you’ve been separated from your beloved mommy, huh? Don’t worry, I’m not going to eat you up right away—good boy, good boy!”
You’re the one who killed my beloved mom and dad. Don’t underestimate me. I’ll murder you.
As my rage threatens to boil over, everyone sits down and introductions begin.
“We may not need to introduce ourselves since you’ve done some homework on us, but I’ll do it anyway. I’m Aiogias, the Demon Lord’s firstborn.”
With his hands clasped on the round table, Aiogias smiles. But the light in his eyes is cold, as if to say, “If you didn’t even do this much homework, we have no business here.”
“—And, I am also the man who will become the Demon Lord. Should you show me the appropriate respect, I shall reciprocate.”
Wow, hitting me with that right off the bat? The atmosphere in the room just chilled a bit.
“…You can’t forget about me, though?”
The second Demon Lord’s Prince, Rubyphia, snorts, hiding her displeasure. Her fiery red hair and eyes swirl with magic power, like a dragon whose precious treasure has just been stolen.
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten.”
Aiogias responds nonchalantly.
“—I haven’t forgotten, but on that note…”
A cold smirk.
Aiogias maintains his smile while Rubyphia narrows her eyes.
According to the info, Rubyphia is around 50 years old, Aiogias about 70.
There’s a 20-year age gap, but Rubyphia seems formidable in her demeanor. Her magical power is finely honed, swirling calmly while harboring explosive force within her. She’s like a bubbling lava of a woman.
On the other hand, Aiogias is completely composed. Though young for a demon, he already seems seasoned beyond his years. He carries an air of tranquility, yet exudes a predatory ferocity, ready to ambush prey. A strict perfectionist, physically and mentally honed; that’s the impression I get.
—Then suddenly, Aiogias directs his gaze back at me.
“As you can see, we are currently divided into two factions. This arrangement is a microcosm of that.”
Ah, so it’s Aiogias’ faction and Rubyphia’s faction sitting on either side of the Demon Lord.
Aiogias’ faction is represented by the disgruntled Emelgias, arms crossed, and the 5th Demon Lord’s Prince, Spinethia, who continues eating despite the situation—he’s listening, but with his mouth full.
Rubyphia’s faction features the 3rd Demon Lord’s Prince, Diagias, who’s fussing with a handheld mirror—what’s up with him?—and the 6th Demon Lord’s Prince, Topazia, who’s still sleeping. Seriously, what’s he doing?
And now, right opposite the Demon Lord, in the middle of both factions, is the 7th Demon Lord’s Prince, Zilbagias—
But still…
“…What? If you have something to say, just say it.”
Rubyphia crosses her arms, glaring with her ample chest emphasized.
“No, I just think everyone has such unique personalities…”
The Demon Lord, Aiogias, and Rubyphia all grimace at the same time. Looking at them like this, they really do seem like family; their expressions are strikingly similar…
“…Zilbagias. You should think carefully about your own position. It’s obvious which side is the sane one.”
Shaking off the mood, Aiogias smiles.
“Leaving aside that wretched green-haired brat, it takes some guts to declare ‘normal’ in front of the 5th Demon Lord’s Prince who has turned into a food warrior.”
Rubyphia growls, but all I see are a vain pretty boy preening his hair and a girl fast asleep…
Well, there might be various connections with their families or subordinates, but—
As for factions, my opinion aligns with Platy.
“Factions are none of my concern.”
I respond curtly, as if to say, ‘Do as you please.’
“It’s not a matter of whether you concern yourself or not.”
Aiogias narrows his eyes.
“I’m telling you to show your colors. There’s no room for the luxury of neutrality.”
Rubyphia seems to agree with that, silently staring me down.
Hey, now, the two of you shouldn’t look at a 5-year-old like that.
Wait, maybe the problem is bringing a 5-year-old into this situation?
…Now that I think about it, it’s pretty insane to have these grown-ups, over 50 and 70 years old, discussing factions in front of a 5-year-old. It’s hilarious.
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. Just wondering if you both are that desperate to welcome a 5-year-old?”
At my words, Aiogias and Rubyphia exchange glances.
“Come to think of it…”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
The Demon Lord, who had been keeping a stern face, twitched at the corner of his mouth and turned away. Hey, don’t start laughing!
“Five years old, huh? …Yeah, that was the case.”
Aiogias looks at me with a bewildered expression.
“I’d forgotten because of your appearance and behavior. You’re practically a baby.”
Rubyphia also relaxes her shoulders, looking exasperated.
“I’m not that desperate to rely on a 5-year-old… not yet, anyway.”
“Remarkably, I agree. …For now, at least.”
Leaning back comfortably, Aiogias gives a slight smile.
“But—let me say this again, consult with those close to you and consider your position before you come of age. There are no sweet deals in riding on the winning horse. The day will come when a decisive outcome must be established.”
“Life or death—those are the two choices. I’ll let you off this time, but if you’re a weakling, you have no place here. If you’re afraid of pain and fear, don’t show your face again. Go live as a normal demon.”
…Actually, you guys seem quite close, don’t you? You’re in sync.
And while it seems they’re free and indifferent, all the princes present have clearly defined their own standing.
They are showing their resolve.
“—Neutrality isn’t allowed. I fully understand.”
I answer quietly.
It’s about distinguishing between ally and enemy, black and white.
So—my answer is simple. Everyone here is my enemy.
I won’t say it out loud right now to keep the peace, but my mind is made up, and my interests align with Platy.
Life or death? You guys seem to understand well enough.
If you’re all going to become my enemies—then the outcome that awaits is—
A dark something spreads within my chest.
…Whether that reached them or not, Rubyphia licked her lips, and Aiogias deepened his smile.
“…Shall we eat soon? I’m starving.”
Then the wretched green-haired brat grumbles.
“I’ve got girls waiting for me too. I need to get back for the rest of it.”
With a snap of his mirror, Diagias casually stretches. What on earth is he planning?
“Hurry up, I want to munch down on the main dish!”
Are you seriously still going to eat, Spinethia?
“Goo…”
Topazia is still peacefully snoring.
…Everyone is supposed to be my enemy, but I feel oddly relaxed.
“The round table only has good food going for it.” …Oh wait, or is it that you prefer mommy’s milk instead?
Snickering, that brat teases me.
So lame. I ignore him.
You’re the one I will definitely kill one day, you and your parents too.