Even as the Six Kings Festival entered its sixth day, the venue showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, the festive atmosphere had grown even more intense. Even as the sun dipped below the horizon, the streets remained packed with humankind, demons, and gods. Moving through the crowd was a group of figures whose presence radiated a singularly bizarre aura.
“Honestly, I wonder what this assembly is even about?”
A woman with long blonde hair and an exceptional figure murmured to herself. She wore a provocative dress that plunged dangerously low, emphasizing her shimmering, beautiful hair. Her gait was the height of elegance; her porcelain-white legs, visible through the high slits of her dress, commanded the attention of every man she passed.
She exuded such a potent sexuality that even a passing glance could leave both men and women flushing. At her words, the brown-skinned girl walking beside her twitched an eyebrow.
“There is no need to concern yourself with such things. Shaltier-sama’s instructions supersede all else.”
“Hah, as grand a display of loyalty as ever... But I wish you wouldn’t assume everyone is as overflowing with devotion to Shaltier-sama as you or Pandora-sama are. Right, Moloch?”
“What are you trying to say, Lilim?”
The brown-skinned girl called Moloch asked back, her expression clouding with irritation. Lilim responded with a thin, knowing smile.
“Exactly what I said. Not all the executives are infatuated with Shaltier-sama. At the very least, I don’t possess the same loyalty you do.”
“...”
“Fufu, please don’t glare at me like that. It’s not as if I’m thinking of defying Shaltier-sama. After all, I’m properly following her instructions right now, aren’t I?”
Lilim spoke with a teasing smirk. Both she and Moloch were Count-class High-ranking Demons and members of the executives of the Phantasm King’s Corps, led by Phantasm King No Face—the group commonly known as the Ten Demons.
Moloch, who served as the organizer for the demon species, held the title "Great Demon Seeking Sacrifices." Lilim, the strongest succubus, was also known as the "Sneering Nightmare."
They were currently making their way through the festival grounds after receiving a summons from Shaltier.
“I serve Shaltier-sama because it allows me to enjoy some delicious benefits. I suppose you could call it a convergence of interests. It’s a business-like relationship.”
“I do not know what your point is, but if you ever betray Shaltier-sama... I will kill you.”
“Oh? How terrifying... You needn't worry; I’m not so foolish. In fact, I couldn’t do such a thing even if I wanted to. The thought alone is too frightening.”
“...”
“Shaltier-sama can see right through my thoughts, you know? And even knowing that, she lets me do as I please. I have no complaints. She evaluates my power fairly and gives me work suited to my talents. She tolerates my freedom to not swear absolute loyalty... and she gives me rewards that are neither too much nor too little whenever I want them.”
Without pausing her stride, Lilim spoke in a tone that was almost like singing.
“I don’t view Shaltier-sama as the supreme king the way you do... but I do think she is the best boss. And I fear her power and her cold-heartedness from the bottom of my soul. That’s why I follow her orders. Because I’m afraid, I’ll never betray her. See? The result is the same as yours. I obey, and I won’t betray.”
“...”
“So, don’t glare at me so much. It was just small talk... I’m bored, you see. But well, I’m saying there are those who think that way. Though it’s just my guess, Catastro, Phenix, and Tiamat are probably the same type as me. Astaroth and Gluttony are likely more like you, I suppose? I can’t quite tell with Phantom and Pandemonium.”
“Speaking of which, I haven't seen Pandemonium lately. What has she been doing?”
At the mention of the other Ten Demons, the previously silent Moloch finally spoke.
“Hmm, I don’t know the details either... but apparently, she’s working as a maid for the Ducal House of Albert.”
“What is that woman doing?”
“Who knows? I don't really understand that girl’s thoughts either. But you know that otherworlder boy, right?”
“Miyama Kaito-sama?”
“Yes, yes. Apparently, she’s been ‘making his bed and cleaning his room.’ Earnestly, every single day...”
“I repeat... What is that woman doing?”
“Who knows?”
As the two walked while engaged in their idle conversation, a girl dressed in cute clothes and hugging a stuffed toy suddenly appeared in their path.
“...Here to pick you up.”
“Oh? If it isn't Gluttony... I appreciate it, but if you were coming anyway, I wish you’d come sooner.”
“I was only asked to pick up the Ten Demons who arrived at the venue. I don’t know about anything else.”
Gluttony, another of the Ten Demons known as the "Predator of Subspace," murmured in a low, quiet voice before moving her finger vertically in front of them.
A line ran through the air, opening like a door.
“Enter... Also, Lilim. If you betray Shaltier-sama, I will be the one to devour you, not Moloch.”
“Ah, yes, yes. You fanatics are truly terrifying, aren't you?”
Faced with Gluttony’s quiet intimidation, Lilim gave a wry smile without appearing the least bit rattled and stepped into the rift. Moloch followed her in silence.
Once the two had entered, the open space closed and vanished, and Gluttony’s figure disappeared along with it.
Lilim and Moloch were led to a simple room containing only a round table and ten chairs. Every member of the Ten Demons, with the exception of Pandora, was already assembled.
A translucent entity with no face, appearing as if a robe were merely floating in mid-air... the "Specter of Calamity," Phantom.
A woman with pale green hair dressed in a tailcoat, drinking black tea while wearing thick gloves... the "Eternal Calamity," Catastro.
Sitting there while honestly wearing the "cow kigurumi" granted to him by his master was... the "Reporter of Falsehoods," Astaroth.
A beautiful bird shrouded in green flames, sitting politely on a chair... the "Immortal Flame," Phenix.
A massive lamia with two horns standing over four meters tall, clearly mismatched with the size of her chair... the "Lamenting Despair," Tiamat.
And a girl with everything but her right eye and mouth wrapped tightly in bandages, wearing a dress and performing needlework with a needle and thread... the "Destruction-Invoking Plague," Pandemonium.
With the addition of Pandora, Gluttony, Lilim, and Moloch, the executives of the Phantasm King’s Corps—the Ten Demons—were all present.
“My, my, everyone is early. It seems Pandora-sama and Shaltier-sama aren't here yet, though...”
Muttering in a light tone, Lilim sat in an empty seat with elegant movements. Gluttony took her seat as well. Moloch’s face contorted slightly at the fact that, due to the remaining vacancies, her seat was next to Lilim’s, but she sat down in silence nonetheless.
Thus, the nine assembled Count-class High-ranking Demons waited for their master’s arrival... or so it should have been.
“Hey, hey, everyone. I was talking with Moloch a bit earlier, but which type are all of you? Do you feel like you’ve sworn loyalty to Shaltier-sama like Moloch? Or is it a business-like relationship like mine?”
“...”
Lilim, who detested boredom, spoke in a bright tone, ignoring Moloch’s look of utter annoyance. Perhaps because the topic concerned their master—Shaltier, the head of the Phantasm King’s Corps—the Ten Demons in the room reacted, with the exceptions of Pandemonium and Phantom.
“Phantom... wouldn't speak even if I asked. Gluttony, well, I’ll ask just in case, but... you’re the same as Moloch, right?”
“Shaltier-sama took me in. All of my power is for Shaltier-sama’s sake.”
“I thought so. What about you, Catastro?”
“Hmm, I suppose I am... more like Lilim-dono. I think she is a great person, but I serve because it is beneficial for me as well.”
Catastro, who had answered Lilim’s question, gave a wry smile while showing off her gloves, which had become tattered before she knew it.
“Material costs are no joke, after all.”
“You’ve already ruined another pair? Isn't that too fast?”
“Goodness, it is a predicament. I choose materials resistant to rot, and yet...”
Catastro was born with a power that caused anything she touched to rot. That power was so potent that even custom-made gloves made of rot-resistant materials would become useless in a matter of hours. Consequently, Catastro’s daily expenses were quite significant, and it seemed that serving Shaltier for the excellent salary was one aspect of her motivation.
“Next is Astaroth, but well, I don't even need to ask you.”
“Naturally, I have sworn absolute loyalty to Shaltier-sama. She is the great master who discovered my strength and raised me.”
“I don't care about that, but you look like an idiot in that outfit...”
Astaroth swore absolute loyalty to Shaltier just like Moloch and Gluttony. That was already obvious from the fact that he habitually wore the kigurumi he had received from Shaltier.
“Then, how about you, Phenix?”
“That is a difficult question. I suppose the reason I serve Shaltier-sama is... fear?”
“Heh, even for someone immortal like you, Shaltier-sama is terrifying?”
“Immortal... such a thing is of no use against that person. If I were sealed, that would be the end of it. In that sense... I suppose it is a feeling of reverence?”
The reason Phenix served Shaltier was reverence... and in a way, that could be considered a form of loyalty.
Lilim nodded once before turning her gaze toward Tiamat, who was taking up a large amount of space to her left. Perhaps sensing her intent, Tiamat spoke.
“As for me, yes. I suppose I am the same as Lilim and the others. There is too much tragedy in the world. And it will never truly disappear... but Shaltier-sama can minimize that tragedy. Therefore, I follow her.”
“Hmm... as usual, then.”
“Ah! The pity of my own powerlessness... the frustration of being unable to sweep away the sorrows of this world! Ah, tragedies never fade. How sad it is!”
“Stop that! Don’t start releasing ultrasonic waves in a place like this!”
“That, too, must be the providence of sorrow.”
“No! You're absolutely wrong!”
Lilim kicked Tiamat to shut her up, as the highly emotional lamia would generate destructive ultrasonic waves over a wide area whenever she wailed. The fact that she was still lamenting even afterward showed she was truly dedicated to her role.
“Now then, all that’s left is Pandemonium, but... are you listening to the conversation?”
“I’m listening. Though I have no intention of joining in.”
“Rather, what have you been doing for a while now?”
“It’s going to get a little chilly soon, so I’m making a lap blanket.”
Except for the mute Phantom, Pandemonium was the only one not participating in the conversation at all, continuing her needlework without even looking up. Of course, she was making that lap blanket for Kaito, and for her, it was a task to be prioritized above all else.
“Um, by the way, Pandemonium? Can you knit things like... mufflers?”
“I can.”
“Well, next time, um, could you teach me a little?”
“Sure.”
For some reason, changing from her previous bright demeanor to a somewhat awkward tone, Lilim made her request. Pandemonium replied that she didn't mind and continued her work. Seeing Lilim act that way, Moloch tilted her head.
“What brought this on? Needlework is as ill-suited to you as anything could possibly be.”
“Shut up, it doesn't matter, does it...?”
“Come to think of it, Lilim. I heard that you have been refraining from your usual flamboyant play with men lately.”
“Astaroth... could you please not say unnecessary things?”
Lilim responded with a hint of irritation, as if there were something she didn't want known, drawing the gazes of the other Ten Demons—except for Phantom and Pandemonium.
“You, refraining from playing with men? I find that hard to believe...”
“It’s fine now, isn't it? This conversation ends here...”
“Kukuku, it is not for any grand reason. It is because she does not want to be hated again by her ‘beloved daughter,’ with whom she finally repaired her relationship a few years ago.”
“Astaroth!”
Astaroth ruthlessly followed up as Lilim tried to change the subject in a panic. It seemed he was slightly annoyed at being called an idiot earlier.
“Ah, come to think of it, you did have a single daughter. Didn't she once tell you, ‘You are the most hideous existence in this world,’ and loathe you...?”
“Guh, that’s an old story...”
“Her depression at that time was laughable... but in the end, she simply loves her daughter to death. She seemed quite happy lately because her daughter has been relying on her for advice on makeup and dresses.”
“Astaroth, I am definitely going to kill you later.”
Indeed, although playing with men could be called her instinct and she had seduced countless men in the past... Lilim had given birth to a child only once in her life. However, as it was Lilim’s first time having a child, she hadn't known how to interact with her daughter... and as a result, her daughter had come to loathe her.
But a few years ago, due to various factors and thanks to a certain member of the Six Kings, she had finally been able to repair her relationship with her daughter, who had matured mentally. Since then, Lilim had become completely devoted to her. She was quite clumsy at showing affection, so things didn't always go well... but recently, they had reached the point where they had a good enough relationship that her daughter called her “Mother.”
Lilim, who didn't want to be hated again by her beloved daughter, had been refraining from playing with men for the past few years. That being said, since seducing men was an instinct for her as a succubus, it hadn't dropped to zero.
Seeing Lilim blush with rare embarrassment while glaring at Astaroth, Moloch let out a faint smile.
“I see, so the muffler is a present for your beloved daughter... Interesting. I would like to meet this daughter of yours myself.”
“I absolutely will not allow it! If Chris-chan were to interact with a gathering of weirdos and lunatics like the Ten Demons, it would be a terrible influence! I’m even hiding the fact that I’m one of the Ten Demons... Fortunately, I used a fake name when I gave birth to her, so she hasn't found out. Listen, Chris-chan is an angel! I won’t let her meet a group of people with broken heads like you for anything!”
“You’re the one to talk... Well, setting that aside, an angel? No, I have only heard rumors, but wasn't she famous for being quite cunning?”
“Hmm? Isn't it cuter that way? She’s a girl, so she ought to have a scheme or two up her sleeve.”
“I-I see...”
Moloch nodded somewhat bewilderedly at Lilim’s blunt declaration and stopped speaking. She felt that if she asked any more, the conversation would never end.
Then, as if timed perfectly, the door at the back of the room opened... and their master appeared.
“My, my, everyone seems to be getting along quite well. Well then, let us end the pleasant small talk here... and begin the meeting, shall we?”
As Shaltier appeared accompanied by Pandora, all of the Ten Demons stood up from their chairs and bowed their heads. Though their reasons for following were varied, there was no change in the fact that Shaltier was their king.
And slowly, the true intent behind the gathering of the Ten Demons began to be spoken from Shaltier’s lips.