Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 240
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Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Episode 240
53. Not Just Anyone Can Be a Villain (3)
The reason the demon race wants to descend upon Rondel is simple.
It is to expand their sphere of activity.
In other words, one could say conquest is the goal.
But Arc Scarlet has one additional purpose beyond that.
It was to participate in the plan of the Earth's Demon King, Lord Exceed (Grand Duke Lucas's reincarnation), with whom she had built a united front.
Lord Exceed judges the goddess's plan as a kind of rampage, and came up with a clever scheme to protect their own world.
That scheme was not to idly let the empty seat of that world's master left vacant when the creator Kaius died be seized by the goddess Sepia, but to create a being that would inherit the creator's divine power on its own and claim the throne.
However, Lord Exceed's plan was not to become a single god like Kaius or Sepia, but for Earth's 'Heavenly Tribe' and 'demon race' to join forces, divide the creator's divine power among themselves, and be reborn as a 'divine race.'
And Arc Scarlet, the Demon King of another world, also hitched onto this plan, aiming to become Rondel's sole divine being and be reborn as a superior transcendent existence.
'To achieve this goal, I need to restore my contact network with Lord Exceed without as much interference as possible but of all times....'
The creator goddess Sepia does not directly kill the children she bore in the world she created.
Because of that, even when the Demon King descends upon Rondel and throws the world into chaos, she does not act directly, and merely resorts to using dragons or issuing oracles to the church.
Whether she truly cannot kill, or simply chooses not to, is unclear but if this rule is exploited well, one could become a divine being and mold Rondel to one's own liking.
However, this grand plan went awry from the very start.
"You're a demon?"
"Th-That can't be. I'm just an ordinary vampire you'd see anywhere."
"An ordinary vampire? You look pretty strong for one."
"I suppose it's because I'm a Named."
"Oh-ho, a Named vampire? What's your name?"
"Scarlet."
"Wasn't that Crimson Demon King woman also a vampire? And she even has the same name?"
After the successful descent.
She thought all that remained was to cooperate with Lord Exceed, but due to the sabotage of other Demon Kings, various restrictions were placed on her abilities, and upon descending, she was captured by a dim-witted dragon and everything became thoroughly tangled.
"My stats can hardly be compared to a Demon King's...."
"That's true. A Demon King can't possibly be this easy. I've heard the Crimson Demon King is especially strong."
"Hah, haha."
Countless vampires live in Rondel.
But unlike the Dark Elves, who share similar tendencies, they are treated entirely as monsters and hide across the continent.
Those lowly half-breed vampires cannot even be compared to the pure-blooded vampires of the demonic realm.
This meant Arc Scarlet was in such dire straits that she had no choice but to mimic a half-breed vampire.
"If you were just a vampire, I'd kill you and be done with it.... But you seem quite peculiar, you know?"
-Gulp.
Though he was a holy dragon, Brangish whose demeanor suited the word 'childish' better than 'young' had her life hanging on his every word.
Arc Scarlet threw away her pride and everything else to curry favor with Brangish.
"Hehe, would a great being such as yourself need to bother with someone like me? I'll just continue cowering in a corner of Rondel as before, so please, have mercy on me."
It was a choice for the future.
If she endured this humiliation now, she could repay it a hundredfold, a thousandfold later.
"Ah, should I give you to that guy as a gift? He seems to care more about usefulness than attributes, given how he keeps that demon worshipper around."
Who was 'that guy' referring to?
Arc Scarlet felt some relief that the dragon wouldn't harm her for now, but inwardly, she had to vent her pent-up rage.
And so Arc Scarlet became bound by an invisible leash, dragged along by Brangish.
* * *
"Aw, this big brother here is actually a nice guy once you get to know him."
I said that to the man kneeling before me.
In response, the man lifted his face so horribly disfigured that his original features could no longer be recognized and answered.
"I-I submit."
What would be the point of hiding anything?
The man before me was the Holy Son himself, and he had nearly died multiple times from my violence.
No, to be precise, he had actually died multiple times.
Because I used 9th-circle Resurrection again and again.
Thanks to that, the hostility he once showed me had vanished without a trace, and his utterly arrogant disposition had transformed into humility.
No matter how full of conviction and stubbornness a person may be, there's no match for a beating.
You can't solve everything with violence, but some problems can only be solved with violence.
I considered the Holy Son and his kind to be exactly that.
"Originally, I planned to frame your family's domain and wipe it out into a neighboring territory, then take your beloved younger sister hostage and make her a lady-in-waiting at the ducal palace. I show no mercy to those I've marked as enemies."
At my words, the Holy Son flinched and bowed his head repeatedly.
[Relationship: Fear / Submission]
[Status: Cowed / Tense]
But looking at his state now, it seemed there was no need to go that far anymore.
After all, the fault lay squarely with the Holy Son before me, not with his family.
"There's no need for a hostage after all, is there?"
"Y-Yes. I-I understand."
I smiled with satisfaction at the Holy Son's complete submission, then asked my cousin Kang Min-hee, who was frozen stiff and cowering in one corner.
"What should we do?"
"W-What about?"
"Should we punish this kidnapper more? Or end it here?"
"Th-That's enough."
The violence inflicted on the Holy Son who had crossed the river of death several times and returned was so severe that even she, a special forces veteran, found it hard to watch with open eyes.
Perhaps because they had learned that in Rondel, a punch could turn a person into ground meat, Kang Min-hee and her squad members actually sympathized with the Holy Son, saying he had been punished enough.
After restoring the Holy Son's appearance and his tattered clothes to perfect condition, I looked at Ibril.
"May I ask you to handle the aftermath?"
I was currently blocking the priests' approach with magic.
Outside, it was utter chaos right now.
Only the Saintess and the Holy Son could settle this, so I had to ask her.
Yet Ibril was grinning brightly at my violent display, as if something delighted her.
"Leave it to me. I will block every matter that could become a problem."
I smiled at the Saintess in thanks, then warned the Holy Son.
"It would be best not to leak what happened here."
My tone toward him had returned to normal as well.
A warning that was little more than a threat.
The Holy Son nodded frantically.
"Of course."
"And from now on, anything related to me must be reviewed by Lady Ibril beforehand. If Lady Ibril says not to do it, then just don't do it."
If the Holy Son suddenly went mad and blurted things out, a difficult situation would inevitably arise.
But I wasn't greatly worried about the worst-case scenario, because I judged that Ibril who could be called the other half of the church was on my side and fully capable of calming the situation.
The problem was merely an annoyance.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
"Are you alright!?"
I dispelled the magic that had been blocking people's approach.
Immediately, Holy Knights and priests surged in like a wave.
"Then I'll be going now."
Paying no mind to the fervent priests, I offered my respects to the Saintess.
In response, Ibril spoke with a look that suggested she had something in mind.
"I will come to visit you in the near future."
"The Saintess Ibril's visit is always welcome."
Then I gathered the captured Kang Min-hee and her squad members and returned to the duchy as we were.
"You've been through a lot."
"I-I'm just sorry for causing trouble for Your Highness the King."
Kang Min-hee, who had been acting familiar after revealing our cousin relationship, went completely rigid and saluted me.
I was baffled by the salute, and she apologized and hurried off to her room as if fleeing.
I shrugged and headed to the party hall, where the event was still in progress.
"Your Highness the King!"
Just before I reached the party hall, Gregory and Count Elfried who had joined the Rondel Peace Organization's advisory staff came running, apparently having heard of my arrival.
Both of their faces were full of worry.
"The issue with the church is resolved, so don't worry."
At that, the two of them visibly relaxed.
"Actually, Lady Brangish has come to visit."
But it seemed that wasn't the only reason for their concern.
The appearance of a dragon was bound to put everyone on edge.
"Lady Brangish?"
If you're going to come, just come quietly alone why show up now when countless nations' eyes are fixed on the establishment of an international organization?
And at Gregory's next words, I had to furrow my brow.
"He said it was a gift for Your Highness the King, and brought a captured vampire."
"Huh?"
What kind of gift is that?
I tilted my head in confusion.
The word "vampire" somehow felt ominous.
I had to retrace my steps following the two, and a moment later, in the reception room, I could see Brangish in conversation with the Emperors of the Bringham Empire and the Rainhatz Empire.
"Lady Brangish?"
I didn't know why he was talking with the Emperors, but when I absentmindedly noticed a red-haired woman standing behind him, I froze in place.
[Arc Scarlet / Crimson Demon King]
Race: Pureblood Vampire Lord
Age: 7,520
The information Myriad Mirror displayed was unbelievable.
"Oh, you're here? Adrian, I happened to bring you a gift I heard today's a day for celebration. Thanks to that, my gift will become a meaningful keepsake."
"A gift...?"
I asked, hoping against hope, looking at Brangish who wore an innocent smile, and his following answer was absolutely absurd.
He grabbed Arc Scarlet's arm and shoved her in front of me.
"I happened to catch a Named vampire that looks useful. Seems like she'd be good as a guard or to toss around for various tasks."
For the first time, Brangish looked like a madman to me.
Even assassination should have some limits.
"I apologize to Their Majesties the two Emperors, but I wish to speak closely with Lady Brangish. Just for a moment... "
Even if they were Emperors with whom I shared a close cooperative relationship, it was hard to just ask them to leave.
Especially since I'd just come from beating up the Holy Son.
However, the two Emperors tactfully and coolly accepted my request.
"Understood. Besides, Lady Brangish seemed bored talking to politicians like us anyway."
"Then Lady Brangish, please visit the Imperial Palace anytime. We will welcome you with the utmost hospitality."
"Yeah, maybe."
And so, once the two Emperors left the reception room and I'd sent out Gregory and Count Elfried as well, I had to confront Brangish in protest.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"What's wrong? To someone who brought you a gift."
Apparently, Brangish didn't know who the red-haired woman was.
At that, I glanced at Arc Scarlet and sent a telepathic message to Brangish.
[It's Arc Scarlet! The Crimson Demon King!]
"Come on, what nonsense joke is that."
But the oblivious Brangish let out a scoff and patted Arc Scarlet on the back with a thump thump.
Thanks to that, my face went pale and I swallowed air.
"Ah, haha. Hello."
But what happened next was completely different from what I expected.
Arc Scarlet let out an awkward laugh and greeted me with a servile expression.
Brangish, still failing to grasp the situation, pushed Arc Scarlet toward me as if shoving her over.
"I'll help you set up a master-servant contract. Dealing with a vampire is safer that way, after all."
"A master-servant contract?"
"Yeah, from what I can tell, she's Grand Master level with special abilities equivalent to 8th Circle perfect for putting to work."
A master-servant contract with a Demon King, of all things.
At Brangish's words, I had to examine Arc Scarlet's expression with my face still drained of blood and amusingly enough, the Demon King's complexion also went white as a sheet at the mention of a master-servant contract.
Thanks to that, I was able to voice my confusion and belatedly realize something was off.