The mansion was sprawling, but it radiated a bizarre, unsettling aura. While it possessed a certain Western architectural grandeur, the building was entirely draped in dark, somber tones.
A gargoyle-like statue perched atop a stone pillar beside the gate, exerting a distinct, heavy Intimidation. Passing through the entrance and into the courtyard, the first thing that caught my eye was the massive fountain at the center.
Atop the fountain stood a grotesque statue modeled after a devil, and for some reason, the water flowing from it was a murky, reddish-black—disturbingly reminiscent of blood. The trees scattered throughout the garden were all withered—undoubtedly by design—lending the entire grounds a deathly, eerie atmosphere.
Yeah, okay... Is this a devil's manor? It looked exactly like the kind of place where an RPG boss would undoubtedly be lying in wait. Could I really believe it? According to Pandora-san, even this was considered "thoroughly sanitized."
Apparently, the garden was usually decorated with various skewered items... I didn't ask what exactly was being skewered because I was terrified of the answer.
What made it even more surreal was that this mansion was located right in the middle of a town in the Arclesia Empire. Apparently, this arrangement was related to Moloch-san’s role as the General Manager of Information for the Arclesia Empire, but I couldn't help but wonder what the neighbors thought of this place.
Lost in thought, I made my way across the creepy courtyard to the massive front doors. Right on cue, they swung open.
"—!?"
"It seems our escort has arrived."
A muscular creature standing about three meters tall with the head of a bull appeared—a literal Minotaur. For some reason, it was stuffed into a suit that looked several sizes too small, as if the fabric were ready to burst at the seams.
Strictly based on the attire, it looked like a butler, but every other aspect of its being screamed "elite warrior."
"Welcome. We have been expecting you."
Surprisingly, it spoke quite fluently... and its voice was incredibly high-pitched. Was it a woman?
Still reeling from the shock, I followed the Minotaur (Provisional) inside. The exterior had been imposing, but the interior was on a whole other level. Sinister paintings that felt like they were cursing me just by looking at them were hung along the corridors, alongside artifacts that looked like they belonged in a dark ritual.
"...It seems she followed her instructions and displayed the relatively normal pieces of art from her collection."
Hearing Pandora-san mutter that, I could only manage a strained, indescribable look. If this was "relatively normal," was the usual state just a full-blown Horror House?
After walking for a while, we reached a set of lavishly decorated double doors. The Minotaur (Provisional) stopped, turned toward us, and gave a deep bow.
"Please, enter. My master awaits you within."
It seemed our guide's job was done. Pandora-san gave a single nod and pushed the doors open. I followed her inside.
The room was spacious and dim, with very few windows to let in light. Standing in the center was the person I assumed to be Moloch-san.
She was a woman about 160 centimeters tall, dressed in revealing ethnic clothing that suggested someone from a hot, arid climate.
Complex patterns—either tattoos or some form of magic—were etched into her brown skin, immediately drawing the eye. Her hair was gray, and a pair of large, goat-like horns sprouted from her head. I could also see a thin, black tail behind her.
Everything about her appearance screamed "devil," and she possessed a unique, imposing gravity.
When Moloch-san saw us, she bowed with refined, elegant movements. Once Pandora-san and I drew closer, she looked up with amber eyes and spoke.
"I have been waiting for you, Kaito Miyama-sama. I have looked forward to the day we could meet. I hold one of the seats among the Ten Demons, the Phantasm King's Subordinates. My code name is Moloch... though my real name is Satania Darklord. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"Ah, yes. I’m Kaito Miyama. The pleasure is mine. Um... how should I address you?"
"You may call me whatever you wish. However, I use my real name outside of my duties as a member of the Ten Demons to avoid revealing my identity... so I would be honored if you called me Nia."
"In that case, I'll call you Nia-san."
After exchanging brief greetings with Nia-san—the woman formerly known as Moloch—I decided to ask about something that had been on my mind.
"...You mentioned a code name. Do you all have those sorts of temporary names?"
"Yes. We, the Ten Demons, were each granted a code name by Shaltier-sama. However, those of us who did not have a name to begin with simply adopted our code name as our true name."
"Now that you mention it, every member of the Ten Demons Miyama-sama has met so far—including myself—were people whose code names were their real names. I neglected to explain that part earlier. My apologies."
Nia-san and Pandora-san answered my question. I see, code names. The Phantasm King's Subordinates had a strong Stealth Force aspect to them, so it wasn't surprising that they used aliases.
That meant there were other members of the Ten Demons who had separate real names. I’d have to be careful to check with each of them on how they wanted to be addressed.
???: "Wait, there’s someone here just naturally pretending her real name never existed..."
Serious-senpai: "In Pandora’s case, she’s probably completely forgotten she ever had a real name in the first place."