"Good evening, Lord Tannin. Thank you for inviting me tonight."
"Not at all, I should be thanking you. I apologize for the busy year-end period. However, since this is the grand stage decorating the end of the year, I thought we kings should share a drink before crossing blades."
"I feel the same. I was looking forward to this, hearing it was your regular establishment, Lord Tannin. Recently I've been swamped with press conferences and training adjustments, but my entire household practically chased me out, telling me to go refresh myself."
"Heh heh, what fine household members who care for their master."
This Western-style establishment exuded such luxury that someone with common-person sensibilities like me would hesitate even to set foot inside. While spacious, it was meticulously arranged from corner to corner, creating a stylish atmosphere. We occupied this establishment's pride—a VIP private room where one could overlook the waterfalls flowing from Agares and see the neon-lit city through the windows.
What was about to take place was a drinking session between the Emperor and Dragon King for this year's final grand match. A moment paparazzi would definitely want to capture on camera. Therefore, Tannin-san had asked the establishment's staff to impose information restrictions, and the Emperor had also come here while being careful of his surroundings. In other words, tonight would be just the two of them.
The demons probably investigating the Emperor couldn't approach here. After all, his drinking companion was Tannin-san, a Dragon King. Even if recognized as a sensible dragon, no one would think to peep on a dragon looking forward to drinking between kings. After all, he was a dragon—representative of being easygoing. Nobody would want to displease him and get charred willingly.
"There are few places where I can be unburdened as a champion like this, so it's a good breather."
"As the number one ranked champion, you seem to have many hardships."
"Perhaps... However, Lord Tannin."
"Ah, as expected. Being this close, you'd naturally notice."
The man's feet, which had been approaching Tannin-san who'd locked the door and was preparing drinks, suddenly stopped. His gentle smile from moments ago disappeared, his brow furrowing suspiciously. That gaze was directed toward me, observing the situation from behind Tannin-san. While not quite at alert level, it was an atmosphere demanding explanation from Tannin-san. Well, that was natural. The Dragon King who'd invited him to drink alone, just the two kings, had brought an uninvited companion.
I exhaled softly, dispelled my Sacred Gear's ability, and revealed myself from where I'd been waiting behind Tannin-san. When my eyes met those of the man much taller than me, pure surprise reflected in his pupils. Gray hair and eyes like Cleria-san's, the tips seemingly pure white. Wearing a darkly colored mantle resembling kite-brown, his trained physique was generously exposed.
This person was the number one Rating Game champion said to possess Demon Lord-class power. Cleria-san's cousin and the person I'd come to meet—Diehauser Belial-san.
I'd seen his appearance many times on TV and in magazines, but facing him in person made my heart pound with tension. In this underworld, he was a demon boasting popularity equivalent to a Hollywood star in the human world. At the Emperor's wide-eyed state and my tense condition, Tannin-san, who'd been observing from the side, laughed amusedly. At any rate, please don't rush me by smacking my back with your tail. I was seriously scared here...
"A child...? And human at that."
"N-nice to meet you, Diehauser Belial-san. I'm Kanata Kuramoto, affiliated with the Gray Magicians. I apologize for intruding on your drinking occasion like this."
"Emperor, my apologies as well. As an apology, I'll have some of my prized drinks sent to the Belial estate next time."
"Lord Tannin, what is this about...?"
"Nothing much... Tonight's main character isn't me but this one. After all, he had me specially arrange this meeting place to see the Emperor."
Even hearing directly from Tannin-san, Diehauser-san looked incredulous. Well, thinking normally, of course he would. A powerful ultimate-class devil and proud dragon called Blaze Meteor Dragon had gone to such lengths to summon the Emperor, and the reason was a child like me. I really had to thank the guardian group profusely for this. They'd created this path for a human child like me to encounter the Emperor.
That's why I had to pull myself together. I slowly calmed my scared, stiffened body with small deep breaths. I'd worked hard to get here with everyone's help to create this time, for this purpose.
"You said you were from the Gray Magicians. Did you come here for something organization-related?"
"No, that's not it. I came here because I'm Cleria-san's friend."
"Cleria's!? Why is she mentioned here..."
"Cleria-san is currently in an extremely dangerous position. Isolated and helpless, facing powerful enemies, hopelessly so... That's why, wanting to save Cleria-san and the others, wanting help for them... I came to meet you."
The time the Emperor and Tannin-san could converse like this would be two to three hours at most, even being generous. Diehauser-san was busy, with interviews and schedules packed tomorrow too. Detaining him for a long time would make his household and those around him suspicious.
In other words, within that limited time, I had to convey everything to him. What happened in Kuoh Town, Cleria-san's wishes, Yaegaki-san's feelings, the Old Satan Faction's schemes, what Lord Ajuka had entrusted to me.
"...Both of you. While you each have things to say, first take your seats. This will be a long discussion."
"Yes... that's right."
"...Understood."
Though I'd practiced what to say, there were so many things I wanted to say that words seemed ready to overflow. But to me speaking rapidly and him trying to press closer, Tannin-san offered calm words from the side to settle us down. Providing subtle support—truly a reliable dragon.
Calm down, calm down... No need to rush. Even where I fell short, Tannin-san would properly support me like this. So I just needed to be myself and charge in with everything.
"...You probably can't believe this sudden story from someone you've just met. So I brought a letter for you from Cleria-san. This letter contains details about what's happening to her now, what's about to happen."
"Let me confirm it. ...Indeed, this is Cleria's handwriting and the Belial House seal."
"Also, after reading that, I'd like you to read this letter too. It's addressed to you from Lord Ajuka Beelzebub."
"Lord Beelzebub's seal!? Even a Demon Lord is involved in this matter..."
Each of us three sat in ornately decorated luxurious chairs, facing each other across the table. At the letters from Cleria-san and Lord Ajuka I'd handed over, shock and impatience appeared in the Emperor's expression. The existence of letters bearing the Belial House and Demon Lord seals, and furthermore the fact of this secret meeting arranged through a Dragon King. He must have understood this indicated both high credibility and urgency, with not a moment to lose. His composure as Emperor vanished as he single-mindedly began reading the letter engraved with the Belial House crest.
Cleria-san's letter recounted events since meeting Yaegaki-san. Meeting Masaomi Yaegaki, a church-affiliated person, while managing Kuoh Town. Falling in love with him, and their mutual feelings. However, being discovered by the Bael House managing the territory and church-affiliated people, being reproached and persuaded to separate. Then, information about the purge by demons and the church that I, who'd become her friend, had brought. And about the King Pieces and the Old Satan Faction's schemes. Everything until now was contained in her letter.
Moreover, it didn't just convey facts but included Cleria-san's heartfelt feelings. So her loving thoughts that hadn't reached the demons or Shidou-san and the others would reach Diehauser-san's heart. Her letter, carefully crafted one piece at a time, containing everything she possessed. As Diehauser-san read through the letter's contents, his eyes cast downward, his teeth clenching painfully. Only the quiet sound of rustling paper continued for a while.
Then, how much time had passed? His hands reading the letter had stopped at some point, and silence dominated this space. The values that had existed within Diehauser-san until now—he'd just learned here of events that would overturn them fundamentally.
As Cleria-san's cousin, as a member of the Belial House, as the Rating Game champion, as one demon living in the underworld—various thoughts must be intersecting within him. Both Tannin-san and I simply waited quietly for that moment.
"...Kanata Kuramoto, was it?"
"Ah, yes."
"Cleria met a church warrior named Yaegaki-san, fell into forbidden love, ...and using that as the surface reason, they're about to be purged by demons' hands."
He must have read everything written in the letter, including the underworld Old Satan Faction's schemes. His voice resonated as if suppressing emotions, yet his clenched fists trembled. His face was slightly downcast, so I couldn't see his expression.
"From your perspective, even so, Cleria... what kind of face did she have?"
"...Just one thing, tell me. I heard a rumor. ...That Yaegaki-san and Cleria's souls met in Heaven. ...Cleria... what kind of face did she have?"
Two questions, present and future, seemed to overlap as I heard them. Diehauser-san's question, slightly similar to the original, evoked déjà vu within me. Because it was too similar to the final words conveyed by him who'd abandoned his position, betrayed the underworld, exposed the King Pieces' secret to the underworld, and would bear sin as a rebel for revenge.
The words the original Emperor had finally spoken to him while kneeling before Hyoudou Issei, confessing his actions, resurfaced in my mind. From beginning to end, he'd simply wished for Cleria-san's happiness. The image of him shedding a single tear when Issei answered that she'd had a gentle face.
True... the situation somewhat resembled that time. But there was a crucial difference from the original. That's why I could answer him without hesitation. I could convey these feelings I held straight to Diehauser-san.
"...She has a gentle face."
I wouldn't use past tense.
"Cleria-san is always working hard, and even when that goes in circles and she fails, she doesn't get discouraged. Even now she's trying to lead everyone with a smile. She loves you, Diehauser-san, takes pride in you, and talks happily about Rating Games. Her evangelizing power was so strong I became a fan too. Also, when she's with Yaegaki-san, she creates a space just for the two of them so much that even her household members are exasperated, getting exasperated every time."
"...I see."
"When I first met her too, she was incredibly kind and helped me. Naturally became my friend. Even though she should be suffering, even betrayed by demons, even about to be killed, still Cleria-san... even now is an amazing person who can smile gently, trying to deliver smiles to those around her. My—friend I'm proud of."
"I see... so that's how it is..."
His downcast face slowly rose. Diehauser-san directed his gaze as if looking up at the sky, exhaling deeply—deeply once. His ash-colored hair fell downward by gravity, and silence continued for a while again. Closed gray eyes. But when they next opened, I felt strong conviction befitting a man truly called Emperor.
"...Thank you, Kanata. For becoming Cleria's friend."
"Huh... Y-yes! I was happy to become friends with Cleria-san too. Of course, with Yaegaki-san and all the household members as well."
"Yes, indeed. Good grief, my cousin whom I thought was still quite young until recently has transformed into such a passionate woman. As her older brother, I feel a bit lonely."
"Diehauser-san."
"As expected of the man Cleria chose. But as her family, I must voice at least one complaint about this matter."
Eyes gently narrowed and lips curved in an arc. His expression was like an older brother exasperated by but gently watching over a tomboy sister. His words and emotions were filled with that much affection. I understood that Cleria-san's feelings had properly reached Diehauser-san.
At Diehauser-san accepting Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san who'd committed demonic taboo, I too became happy and naturally smiled. I felt the tension in my shoulders release, involuntarily leaning back against the chair. But really, thank goodness. Even thinking the possibility was high, I couldn't know the result without actually talking. Phew, I was so nervous.
"Heh, first stage cleared, you could say."
"Yes, Tannin-san. I'm glad Cleria-san's feelings reached Diehauser-san."
"Indeed. By the way, that thing of yours really is..."
"Huh?"
"Just talking to myself, don't worry. Now, stop spacing out and straighten your posture. This is where the main topic begins."
Spurred on by Tannin-san, I hurriedly returned to proper posture and consciously straightened my back. That's right, from here on. I'd only conveyed the current situation to Diehauser-san—we'd barely reached the starting line. I had to brace myself again.
Now, while I could immediately produce the materials to give Diehauser-san, what would naturally concern him first was the Demon Lord's letter. Only the Emperor could open it to see the contents. So I didn't know what was written inside. Perhaps it was a new breakthrough strategy, or hints might be written there. Rather than examining the materials, that should take priority.
"Diehauser-san, about the Demon Lord's letter—it seems to have a mechanism so only you can open it. I don't know the contents either, so shall we check that first?"
"Hmm, I see. Indeed, this seems to be a formula only I can solve."
Perhaps the Emperor agreed with my opinion, as he put Cleria-san's letter in his pocket and reached for the Demon Lord's letter next. After examining Lord Ajuka's letter thoroughly, the Emperor gently traced his finger over the seal. Then the magical power that had been covering the letter instantly dissipated. The Worthless power possessed by Belial House demons—that must have erased Lord Ajuka's magic.
"As expected of one who governs all formulas and equations. It recognized only Belial House magical power, and was set so the seal couldn't be broken unless by someone of my level of ability. Essentially, only I could have opened this."
"I see. Even in the Belial House, the Emperor is the only Demon Lord-class power user. Impressive security for just one letter."
"Wow, so that's how it was."
At their impressed voices, I nodded repeatedly in amazement. Even looking at it, I couldn't understand the formula at all, but if it only reacted to Belial House magical power, that made sense. Lord Mephisto had told me it was better not to interfere with the formation except through proper methods, so it would probably be tough even with my Sacred Gear. My abilities wouldn't reach it either.
Lord Ajuka was an amazing person who could manipulate all phenomena with equations and formulas. He'd probably converted Belial House magical power into a unique equation and used it as a key. Moreover, he could even set the level so only users of appropriate ability could open it. Being able to do magical power DNA identification—that certainly might be good for security.
"Wait, but doesn't that mean if we used something like the Boosted Gear on Cleria-san to boost and transfer abilities, she might have been able to open it like Diehauser-san?"
"........."
Silence suddenly descended for some reason.
"...Um, why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, well... I just thought, indeed that's true."
"Kanata Kuramoto... Don't tell Ajuka Beelzebub what you just said, absolutely not."
While I was confused, the dragon and Emperor exchanged wordless eye contact. When did you two become so friendly? This was your first time properly conversing today, right? I felt a bit lonely, so please don't leave me out!
My wish went unfulfilled as Diehauser-san smoothly extracted the letter from the envelope as if nothing had happened, and Tannin-san started drinking with a completely monotone "the night view is beautiful." What had I even done? No longer understanding, I decided to quench my throat with the soft drink prepared for me too. I was getting a bit hungry.
Still, wasn't it just my imagination that recently, like with my partner, everyone's treatment of me was getting rough? They properly protected and relied on me, but sometimes got rough, or... If it meant growing familiarity that would be fine, but it was a bit unreasonable.
I busied myself reaching for the lavish cuisine delivered to the table by magic circle transfer until Diehauser-san finished reading Lord Ajuka's letter.
***
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