Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 120

120.

“Speaking of which, Marilda produced a lot of seeds earlier this year, you know? I picked out the best ones and planted a few, and they’re already growing quite well.”

“S-She reproduced, you say?”

“That’s right. They all look like Marilda, so adorable. Hehe, the day my garden is filled with Celestial Trees isn’t far off.”

*Don’t fill it with that stuff!*

Once again, his lack of courage blocked his words. Lucarém, seemingly oblivious to his pale face, wore an innocent expression.

“Ah, that’s right. While we’re on the subject, would you like to grow a Deron tree as well? If you’re interested, I can share some bonsai.”

“No, thank you!”

Deron shook his head hastily. If he brought that monster into his house, Deron’s mansion would meet its end that very day.

“Oh, don’t be shy.”

“I’m really alright! Actually, I’m not very good at growing plants. I tend to kill them all the time.”

“Hmm, then I suppose not. I couldn’t bear to see our cute Marilda’s children wither.”

“Yes, you’re absolutely right!”

Watching Lucarém’s disappointed expression, he shuddered once more. He was certain that if Lucarém put his mind to it, he could conquer the Demon Realm with just those plants. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate for the Demon Realm that he had no interest in the throne, Deron couldn’t tell at all.

“So, what brings you here?”

“Pardon?”

“Deron, who gets uncomfortable just getting close to me, wouldn’t have just dropped by on his way, would he? I thought you might have something to say to me.”

“Ah…….”

So he knew he was avoiding him. Feeling as though he’d been stripped bare and his weaknesses exposed, Deron wore an embarrassed expression. Seeing this, Lucarém smiled gently.

“I’ve told you countless times not to be so difficult. It seems Deron still isn’t comfortable with me.”

“……I apologize.”

“Hehe, there’s no need to apologize. That’s part of your charm, Deron.”

Seeing no displeasure on his smiling face, Deron felt a sense of relief. If anyone were to witness this scene, they would question why he was being so deferential to a demon of the same rank.

In the Demon Realm, regardless of age or hidden abilities, only visible hierarchy mattered. If the positions were the same, it didn’t matter if they were treated as peers or spoken down to. If one didn’t like it, they could simply take a higher position. In that regard, his attitude toward Lucarém was quite unusual.

Deron was also aware that his attitude toward him was particularly cautious. In fact, he thought it was strange himself. On the surface, Lucarém had a very affable demeanor. He even deliberately (Deron was convinced that there was intention behind all his words and actions) acted clumsy and treated him kindly. One would think that would be enough to let one’s guard down, but Deron had never once relaxed in his presence. Without even being conscious of it, his body would naturally stiffen.

He couldn’t help but submit to the Demon King, but he wasn’t afraid of him. However, Lucarém, who was smiling kindly before his eyes, was very frightening.

If the Demon God was his everything and his very life, Lucarém’s existence was a massive mountain. A distant mountain range so high that it made one not even dare to have the will to overcome it.

Perhaps the reason he didn’t feel much loyalty to the current Demon King was because of him. Because there was one demon he truly acknowledged from the bottom of his heart, Lucarém.

“Actually… His Majesty the Demon King is looking for Lucarém.”

“Oh, the Demon King is looking for me?”

Caught off guard, Lucarém wore an expression of blatant surprise. It was understandable, as the last time the Demon King had sought Lucarém was thirty years ago.

A demon stronger than the king. Even though he had no desire for the throne and willingly remained a duke, he was a being who could replace the regime at any time. From the Demon King’s perspective, he was bound to be very uncomfortable. Perhaps that was why none of the previous Demon Kings had ever called Lucarém to the main castle.

“An unexpected turn of events. I doubt the Demon King would be interested in the flowers in my garden… What did he want to see me about?”

“…It’s likely because I failed to carry out my orders properly.”

“Are you saying you failed at a mission the Demon King gave you?”

“Yes.”

“Oh dear, it’s not every day that the great Archmage Duke Deron fails. I’m really curious to know what happened.”

Thinking that what was coming had finally arrived, Deron unconsciously clenched his fist. Lucarém was endlessly laid-back in other areas, but he was more thorough than anyone when it came to matters of the main castle. In particular, if it was revealed that he had ignored the Demon King’s orders and acted arbitrarily, causing things to go wrong, his personality would never allow him to simply let it pass. He would be lucky if he wasn’t thrown to the Celestial Tree as food right then and there. His tongue, stiff with tension, felt sore. He moved his Adam’s apple, but his mouth, already parched, was only dry.

“Some time ago, the Demon King ordered me to keep an eye on a human boy. But while I was tracking his whereabouts, I discovered an unexpected presence.”

“An unexpected presence?”

“It was the Water Spirit King.”

*Spark!*

At that moment, a bright blue light flashed through Lucarém’s eyes, which had been listening idly. He had become interested in the incident. Deron continued, feeling his shoulders tense up involuntarily.

“It turned out that the boy was his contractor. The Spirit King was disguised as a human and traveling with him.”

“Interesting. Isn’t the Water Spirit King being summoned by a human a first in history?”

“Yes, that’s what I understand as well. Moreover, that’s not all. Around the same time, another being of unknown identity joined them.”

“Unknown identity?”

“The aura I sensed was close to that of a dragon, but it was too strong for that. I once saw the Dragon Lord a long time ago, but this being’s power far surpassed his level. In my opinion, it’s difficult to guess his identity.”

“Hmm, I see. An existence stronger than the Dragon Lord… But how does knowing their identities relate to the mission failure? The Demon King didn’t order you to take the boy’s life, did he? He just told you to watch him, didn’t he?”

At Lucarém’s question, Deron wore a troubled expression for a moment.

“Actually… the original order from His Majesty was to report secretly as soon as I found the boy. But I decided to watch the situation further, just in case…”

“And you were gloriously caught, is that what you’re saying?”

“……I have no excuse.”

Lucarém never gets angry. He only tortures and cuts off the breath of others with a smiling face. Deron bit his lip, wondering what kind of terrible price would follow. But for some change of heart, Lucarém wore a gentle expression instead.

“There’s no need to be so disheartened about that. Deron, you must have done your best. It’s just that luck wasn’t on your side this time, wasn’t it?”

“Pardon? Then you’re not going to punish me?”

“Oh, dear, oh, dear. It seems my reputation among the lower demons is quite bad. Punishing a fellow duke? I don’t have that authority. Besides, why would I do anything about something the Demon King has overlooked?”

“Lu, Luca.”

Feeling like he was about to burst into tears, Deron contorted his face. Lucarém, smiling gently, patted his shoulder affectionately.

“You must be tired from the arduous mission, Deron. Go back to your mansion and rest. I should go see His Majesty the Demon King. It wouldn’t be polite to keep him waiting too long.”

“A-Are you sure you’ll be alright, Luca? It’s about the Spirit King, no less. I have a bad feeling about the Demon King looking for you for something like this. Who knows what unreasonable demands he’ll make…”

“Even so, that’s the destiny of those who serve him. It’s not something Deron needs to worry about. I’ll take care of everything.”

Deron watched Lucarém’s retreating figure with an uneasy gaze. The fact that the Demon King disliked him was so well-known that it had spread throughout the entire Demon Realm. In the first place, the reason he was idly tending to plants in the garden despite being one of the Four Great Dukes was because of the Demon King’s order, which was akin to a reprimand to stay quiet in a conspicuous place.

Even watching him made him feel so anxious, but Lucarém himself didn’t seem to have any thoughts at all. He even seemed to be enjoying himself, humming a tune. He was still someone whose thoughts he couldn’t fathom.

* * *

“Duke Lucarém Darkville, I have come at the King’s summons.”

Demon King Karyudrian stared at the man prostrating before him with cold eyes. Roughly tied, disheveled hair that didn’t seem properly groomed, languid eyes that smiled loosely. Every visible part was full of flaws, yet it was difficult to find any openings. That was one of the reasons why he always felt bad when he saw him.

“It’s been a while, Dark Knight Lucarém. Was it ten years ago that I last sought you out?”

“It has been exactly thirty-six years, Your Majesty.”

Karyudrian’s face briefly contorted at the reply, which was given with a gentle smile.

“Has it already been that long? I have been too indifferent to you all this time.”

“Your words are too kind.”

“Well, that’s not a particularly important part, so let’s just skip over it. Do you know why I have sought you out?”

“Duke Deron informed me briefly. I heard that there is a Spirit King who is interfering with Your Majesty’s plans.”

“And yet you didn’t manage to run away.”

“I do not understand the meaning of your words, Your Majesty. How could I, a mere duke, dare to defy the summons of the King?”

It was a fluent answer that could not be faulted. However, a sneer formed on Karyudrian’s lips as he listened to it.

“You’re still as good at flattering with your tongue, Lucarém. Anyone would think you care about me a great deal.”

“As a member of the Demon Realm, it is only natural for me to care about His Majesty the Demon King.”

“But you are also an existence who can ignore me as much as you want if you set your mind to it. Don’t you think so, Agent of the Demon God?”

Lucarém was silent at the blatant sarcasm. A look of contempt flashed in Karyudrian’s gaze as he watched him.

Agent of the Demon God.

The one who conveys the will of the Demon God to the Demon King on his behalf.

Lucarém’s other position, which was hardly known to the demons of the entire Demon Realm, even the other dukes. It was also the reason why his power was stronger than the Demon King’s and why his lifespan was endlessly long.

All the previous Demon Kings had managed the Demon Realm according to his advice. Karyudrian also spent all day with Lucarém almost every day. It was a matter of the distant past, though.

The Demon King chuckled and leaned back deeply into his chair.

“I will praise you for coming quietly without running away. In fact, it would have been troublesome if you hadn’t come. You are the only demon I can trust to entrust the work to. Deron and Serphis are not very trustworthy, and Zak is very busy.”

“Now that you mention it, it was breeding season recently. Duke Zak is responsible for managing the eggs, so this must be his busiest time.”

“You are quick to understand, as expected.”

Lucarém also responded with a strange smile to the insincere praise. The formal Q&A was over, so it was time to get to the main point.

“What would you have me do?”

The moment he finished the question, something was thrown in front of his knees with a thud. It was a portrait of a boy with a clear smile on his face.

“This is…….”

“Isana Lanne Swart. The name of the boy under the protection of the Spirit King.”

“Ah, this boy is the human who contracted with the Water Spirit King.”

“Kill him.”

Lucarém’s eyes narrowed at the order that followed without a gap. Not because he hadn’t guessed it, but because he found the situation interesting.

Generally, a Spirit King was not an opponent that a mere demon could compete with. The same was true even if the Demon King himself stepped forward. They might be the same in that they controlled a world, but if the Demon King’s power was under the control of the Demon God, they were beings akin to gods with independent power.

If an ordinary demon received such an order, it would not be strange to take it as a sign to go and die. But Lucarém, the ‘Agent of the Demon God,’ was different. At least he could avoid a direct confrontation with the Spirit King and kill only the boy. Lucarém was well aware of that fact as well.

It was just that what he was concerned about was a slightly different part. The Demon King had never sent Lucarém out of the Demon Realm before. He was concerned about what he would do in a place where his gaze could not reach. The same reason why his mansion was in the middle of the Demon Realm’s entertainment district.

If it were the usual Demon King, he would not have used Lucarém as a card, even if it meant failing the task. The same was true even if the goal was to kill him. If the Demon King had decided to eliminate him, he would have stepped forward himself or at least dealt with him before his eyes. He would have to see him die with his own eyes to feel at ease.

But just leave the Demon Realm?

A deep curve was drawn on Lucarém’s lips.

“What’s wrong? Are you not confident?”

“No. How could I be when Your Majesty trusts and entrusts me with this task? I will do my best.”

“Of course, you should. You must work hard. For you to help me will ultimately be the path to fulfilling the will of the Demon God.”

“Those words…….”

“Why, is there a problem with my words?”

“……It’s nothing. Is that all you have to order?”

“Yes.”

Answering arrogantly, Karyudrian smiled with satisfaction.

The will of the Demon God.

The Demon God was the one who established the Demon King, so his words were not wrong if one thought of the general meaning. However, the problem was that Demon King Karyudrian was not the type to say such clichéd words.

Was there a will of the Demon God that I did not know?

The red eyes, soaked in madness, had long been skilled at concealing the truth. After gazing straight at Karyudrian for a moment, Lucarém lowered his head in the prostrate position.

“I receive the Demon King’s order.”