kscans

Chapter 133 - Interlude: The Seven Demon Lords, Part Three

In a room surrounded by blue flames.

All of the Seven Demon Lords were gathered.

After the incident in the Empire, it was decided they would lay low for a while, and it was thought that no meeting would be held. However, upon hearing that Lates the Thousand Poisons had an interesting report, they had hastily assembled.

After finishing his report, Lates said, "The Pope of the Church, like Yorune, appears to possess a considerable desire for monopoly. I believe we cannot let this opportunity pass."

To this, Daios the Sea General responded, "However, Lord Thousand Poisons, we acted too conspicuously in the last incident. Any further action would make us stand out too much, would it not?"

His concern was natural.

Acting openly was forbidden.

"Daios, let's not be so rigid," said Rumby the Fateweaver in a playful tone. "If it's interesting, we should do it, don't you think?"

To her words, Harynair the Corruptor replied, "I agree with Rumby, but... the target is an old man, right? I'm not really feeling it."

Her response was unenthusiastic.

A succubus is generally only interested in the young.

"Lord Thousand Poisons," Sidoor the Sword Demon said, "Lord Sea General has a point. We must conceal our intervention at all costs. Turning the Empire's princess into a monster was part of that effort, was it not?"

It was a valid point.

Their desire to remain hidden made eliminating Princess Yorune a necessity. Not revealing their existence to the public was an absolute rule. That was all there was to it.

Redorza the Sage chimed in, "I, for one, would like to support the idea. My new experiment has been a success, you see. I was just thinking I wanted some combat data."

"An experiment? You mean the Undead?" Lates asked with a smile. "If you had told me, I would have gladly lent some assistance."

"When I say Undead," Redorza replied with a wicked grin, "it's a bit different from what you are researching. Mine is complete necromancy. The very thing Mestie the Death Controller was doing... only without the risks."

Undead are beings that move despite being dead. That's the definition. But becoming Undead usually involves being cursed or injected with a dangerous substance while alive. The living suffer, and upon death, they become Undead.

But Mestie had been able to move the corpses of the completely dead.

That was truly worthy of being called necromancy. Redorza had been experimenting with it. With Mestie gone, there was no one to stop him, so he could do as he pleased. But there was one problem.

The corpses used as material had to be sturdy. Fortunately, he had acquired some good corpses, which had allowed him to conduct his experiments.

Bamhal the Dragon King spoke. "I understand everyone's opinions. The decision to lay low this time was my proposal. I have no intention of overturning it. However, it would be a waste to leave such a human be. Is there a way we can intervene indirectly, rather than directly?"

At this question, everyone fell silent.

With so little information, no good ideas came to mind.

Amidst the silence, Rumby murmured as if remembering something, "Come to think of it, I think I heard something about a suspicious experiment at the Church..."

Upon hearing this, Lates exclaimed, "What do you mean by that?! I would like to hear the details!"

He started to close in on Rumby with a serious expression.

Seeing this, Rumby cried out, "Hey, wait a minute! Don't come near me with that face! It's gross!"

She was openly disgusted.

It was understandable. A giant, realistic fly face getting close would be nothing but disgusting.

Lates was a bit dejected but quickly composed himself. "Ahem. Now then, about what you were saying."

"Hmmmm," Rumby said, trying to recall. "This is from a human subordinate to whom I've granted my power, but... apparently, the upper echelons of the Church are conducting an experiment under the Pope's orders."

At the time, Rumby had been using humans to trouble the otherworlder. She had only been half-listening to their stories.

Lates considered this. "Hmm. The credibility is low, but it's a piece of information that's difficult to dismiss as a rumor. I'd like to investigate it a bit. May I have your permission?"

"Very well," Bamhal replied to the question. "However, if you find it to be true, you are to report immediately. Acting alone is strictly forbidden."

Lates felt a pang of disappointment. He had been planning to act the moment he found out.

Amidst this, Redorza asked, "Lord Dragon King, when that time comes, I would like to deploy my experimental subjects. Would that be acceptable?"

"Hmm, I suppose so," Bamhal answered after a moment's thought. "It might also serve as an opportunity to create a trigger."

Situations can change with even the smallest things. If the experimental subjects went on a rampage, the Church might hire adventurers. In other words, the otherworlder would get involved. Bamhal felt a small thrill of anticipation.

At that moment, Daios declared his non-participation. "In that case, it seems my turn is not yet. There is no sea on the path from the Empire to the Church."

It was a convincing reason.

Next, Sidoor also declared his non-participation. "I too shall refrain from participating. If minotaurs were to rampage in succession, it might lead people to believe something significant is afoot."

Everyone somewhat agreed with this. Minotaurs were warriors, but humans recognized them as a race that did not actively seek conflict.

Next, Harynair declared her non-participation. "I'll pass, too. The otherworlder might get involved, but if the target is an old man... I'm just not interested. I'll be watching from the sidelines."

No one agreed with this reason. 'Get to work,' they all thought.

Next, Rumby declared her participation. "I think I'll join in. I did provide the information, after all. And depending on the situation, I might use my powers, too."

This was a bit of a surprise. What kind of change of heart would make the moody fairy cooperate just because she provided a bit of information?

After hearing the words of the six, Bamhal concluded, "Then, our actions concerning the Church will wait for Lates's report. Naturally, those who are participating must attend. As for those not participating, whether you attend or not is up to you individually. This meeting is now adjourned."

With those words, a black mist enveloped everything, and nothing remained.