Chapter 400: The Dripping Night (9) |
Where did she go off to?
I stopped in the hallway and looked around. A maid who had been preemptively waiting in the hall bowed her head and courteously raised her right arm. Her right hand was pointing in a specific direction.
“My thanks.”
I thanked her before following the directed path. There was a different maid standing a fair distance away. Similarly to the last, she also bowed and raised her arm in a certain direction. Like that, I encountered about fifteen maids who were waiting in the hall.
It felt like I was jumping stepping stones as I ran down the hall, following the wordless guidance of the maids.
After turning left, right, and then back to the left, I eventually reached a dead-end. It was a dark area with no lighting fixtures around. The faint moonlight seeped through the window.
“……”
In this secluded place, Paimon was crouched against the wall.
Her face was buried in her knees and her shoulders were trembling slightly. She was crying.
“……Liar…….”
Paimon muttered in a whimpering tone.
“You asked me to trust you……but is this what I receive in return for my trust? You take in the daughters of the archdukes as concubines while this lady falls lower than those concubines as a lover……?”
“Paimon, I will never love them.”
I spoke calmly as I approached Paimon.
“This is nothing more than a political marriage alliance.”
“If I had known that this would happen, I would not have come here with you……!”
Paimon raised her head and glared at me. Her eyes were filled with anger, sadness, and a type of pleading.
“The reason this lady has never brought up marriage was solely for your sake, Dantalian! It is because this lady knows that it would become politically difficult for you if you were tied down by me. It would be troubling for you if you were to become distant with Barabtos, Sitri, and Gamigin! And yet, how could you play with this lady’s emotions like this……!?”
I was aware of this.
Barbatos also goes around saying she’s the main wife, but she has never brought up marriage. The same went for Laura, Sitri, and Gamigin. They knew well that I couldn’t get married.
“No, Dantalian. You cannot do this. I…….”
“This is for the sake of completely abolishing slavery. A necessary sacrifice, if you will.”
I spoke with aspiration. My genuine aspiration.
“Paimon, do you not wish for the abolishment of slavery more than anyone else?”
“You are the most important to me!”
Paimon cried out as her tears flowed out endlessly.
“I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ve come to cherish you more than I do myself!”
“…….”
“No, Dantalian. This is too painful……. It hurts…….”
I got down on my knees. I then removed my gloves and placed them on the floor before reaching out to hug Paimon tightly.
Paimon buried her face in my chest and shed tears endlessly. My clothes quickly soaked with her tears. Only the sound of weeping echoed faintly in the endlessly dark corridor.
I spoke quietly.
“Barbatos informed me that she will kill you.”
“…….”
“She said that, in the end, you will be a threat to my life and that she will kill you for my sake.”
I carefully stroked Paimon’s back.
Ever so gently, like I was handling a fragile glass bottle.
“Barbatos didn’t throw out an opposing vote because of the humans. It was because of you. Barbatos has probably firmly resolved herself to get rid of you.”
“…….”
“But how could I abandon you, Paimon? I am the man who made the resolve to shoulder you entirely. I swore to kill those who you cannot kill and to make the sacrifices that you cannot tolerate.”
I moved my right hand and stroked Paimon’s hair this time. Her beautiful red hair welcomed my hand. It was truly a warm sensation. It made me want to keep stroking her hair like this.
“I am the proxy of your belief.”
“Dantalian…….”
Paimon looked at my face. Her black eyes that had a red hue to them glowed sadly.
I opened my mouth.
“Paimon, please marry me.”
Silence.
It was like time had stopped.
Paimon didn’t seem to understand at first as her expression gradually fell apart.
“Eh……?”
“I apologize for asking in such a situation, but I am being sincere. Although I will be accepting seven concubines, I wish for my genuine partner to be you.”
“Ah, ahh……ahhh…….”
Tears overflowed from Paimon’s eyes.
“D-Dantalian. Dantalian……Dantalian.”
“I will not hide that I also love Barbatos. However, Barbatos has sworn to kill you and I have ended up in a position where I can no longer like the two of you at the same time.”
Therefore, I said as I continued.
“We require the archdukes’ cooperation even more. Barbatos will undoubtedly be enraged by our marriage. However, if we include the full support of the archdukes along with your Mountain Faction and the Neutral Faction that is on my side…….”
“Yes, Dantalian…… Yes…….”
Paimon held my hands tightly.
Despite her flowing tears, there was a faint smile on Paimon’s lips. Even that smile was trembling weakly, but Paimon was clearly happy.
“This lady will devote everything, even if she has to sacrifice everything. Dantalian, I will live solely for your sake. I will love you and you alone forever…….”
And then.
「Paimon’s affection has risen by 16.」
「Paimon’s affection has reached 100.」
「Noble and pure love! The other party considers you completely as their lover. A new title has been bestowed upon them for this outstanding love.」
We shared a long kiss.
Paimon continued to cry for a while longer after that. She sat on the floor, crying like a child. It seemed like all the strength in her body had left her. It was only after about 20 minutes that she managed to regain her composure.
“Now then.”
I spoke as I put my gloves back on.
“Too much time has passed. The archdukes will worry if we do not return soon. We must now go and bring them firmly to our side. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Dantalian.”
Paimon smiled brightly as she wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. It was dark due to the lack of light, but that made her smile even more beautiful.
Ο * * * Ο
When we returned to the banquet hall together, the archdukes exchanged a knowing smile.
A man chasing after a woman who had run off, and now returning together happily—they understood the implications of this situation.
“You two look wonderful together.”
The Serpent Archduke was quick to compliment us. Paimon gave a shy smile.
“My apologies for excusing myself in the middle of the banquet, Archduke.”
“No need for apologies. Now, please grant us the honor of pouring a glass for the both of you.”
The archdukes took turns bringing wine bottles and poured us drinks. We sat at the seats of honor and exchanged glasses with the archdukes. Referentially, Paimon and I were wearing artifact rings on our right index fingers that automatically checked for poison, so there was no risk of us being poisoned.
“Your Highness.”
The Utpala Archduke spoke as he poured our last cups.
“I have prepared a humble gift for the both of you. If it is not inconvenient, may I unveil the gift here?”
“Fufu, what a charming plan.”
Paimon covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. The other archdukes were also watching our conversation with expectant eyes. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
“Very well. We will gladly receive your gift.”
“You have my humble gratitude.”
The Utpala Archduke turned around and clapped.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, two servants brought in a large carriage. It wasn’t an ordinary carriage; it was made of pure golden material. Moreover, the carriage was adorned with an overwhelming number of bouquets.
“On a joyous day like today, would poets not lament the absence of flowers?”
The Utpala Archduke smiled as he gestured to the carriage with his arm.
“As a token to commemorate this occasion, I present this carriage and flowers to both of you.”
A hush fell over the assembly.
“…….”
“…….”
The smile on Paimon’s lips faded and the other archdukes mirrored the change.
The carriage was filled to the brim with crimson-red flowers.
Enlightenment flowers.
Flowers that are meant for the deceased. Also known as the Hell Flowers, and more explicitly referred to as “Dead Man’s Flowers”. This was due to the blood-red petals evoking the thought of blood. In stark contrast to roses, they were considered an ominous omen. They weren’t flowers you would give to someone else, even in jest.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Paimon asked coldly.
The Utpala Archduke continued to smile.
“Her Highness Barbatos ordered me to deliver these in her stead.”
“……!”
Before Paimon could get out of her chair, soldiers holding swords entered through the entrance. In an instant, around fifty soldiers had surrounded me and Paimon in a semi-circle.
It wasn’t only soldiers. The maids that were serving us also pulled out daggers. Daisy and Ivar took a step forward to protect us.
On the other hand, the archdukes slowly walked behind the soldiers.
All fifteen archdukes.
The Serpent Archduke was included in this.
“Such foolishness!”
Paimon trembled with anger. She pointed at the soldiers and gave an order.
“Dispose of those traitors immediately!”
“Apologies, but they are all assassins with the mark of slavery on their hearts. They will unfortunately not heed Your Highness’ commands.”
The Utpala Archduke spoke nonchalantly.
“Of course, we archdukes do not have this mark, so we will obey your commands to a degree, but if Your Highness gives us any sort of forceful command, these assassins will immediately attack you. They had been given this order beforehand.”
Daisy unsheathed her sword behind me. It was Baal’s greatsword. She emitted an almost palpable amount of killing intent as she glared at the assassins.
“Father.”
“Wait.”
I rose from my seat.
Everyone’s gaze naturally focused on me.
Naturally, everyone’s attention focused on me. The archdukes looked at me with fearful glances, guarded glances, angry glances, and expressionless gazes, each carrying a spectrum of emotions. I directed my gaze at one of them.
“Archduke Utpala.”
The stout man flinched. He tried his best to maintain an air of nonchalance, but he couldn’t completely conceal his fear of me.
“Did Barbatos truly convey this secret order to you?”
“……That is correct. Our mission is to apprehend Your Highness Dantalian and Your Highness Paimon. A couple of hours from now, Her Highness Barbatos will urgently convene a Walpurgis Night. And there, she will declare the slave system as an irrevocable system.”
I shook my head.
“Even if Barbatos casts a vote for that, the other Demon Lords will cast dissenting votes.”
“No, that will not be the case. If unanimity is not achieved, we plan to cut off Your Highness Dantalian’s finger and deliver it to the Habsburg Palace.”
“In that case, you will only incur Barbatos’ wrath. Do you not know that Barbatos is my lover?”
“It was that very lover who made this plan.”
Paimon gnashed her teeth next to me. She had probably pieced the situation together.
The Utpala Archduke gulped before he continued.
“The two of you have been taken hostage. The vote must pass if the hostages are to be released. This is how Her Highness Barabtos will persuade the other Demon Lords.”
“How idiotic.”
I chuckled.
“In reality, you will be raising a flag of rebellion against the entire Demon Lord Army. Do you think Marbas and Gamigin will leave you be?”
“That is true if we release our hostage. This humble one will immediately be executed. Therefore, even if we release Her Highness Paimon, we intend to keep Your Highness Dantalian as a hostage until the very end.”
“…….”
Daisy’s murderous intent became more intense. If I hadn’t ordered her to wait beforehand, she probably would’ve gone out to slaughter the assassins.
I slowly examined the banquet hall. The soldiers and maids were holding their weapons expressionlessly. The archdukes were hiding behind them and watching the situation unfold.
Due to the table being flipped, the food was now scattered messily on the ground. Cups were broken and the wine had been spilled. It was a complete mess.
“Utpala Archduke, in a choice between Barbatos and me, it seems you have chosen Barbatos.”
“That is correct, Your Highness.”
“Are you sure that was a wise decision?”
The Utpala Archduke laughed.
“Absolutely. Your Highness, your authority originally came from Her Highness Barbatos’ goodwill. If the Plains Faction no longer supports you, you will be no different from a bird that’s lost its wings. Is there anyone we could have chosen aside from Her Highness Barbatos?”
The other archdukes laughed along with him. The Utpala Archduke looked around and exchanged glances with the other archdukes. Those who met eyes with him laughed louder.
The sound of laughter filled the hall.
I raised my right hand.
At that moment, the soldiers swung their swords.
“—Aaagh!”
“Uah! Guaaahhh!”
The laughter vanished and was replaced with screams.
Soldiers killed soldiers and maids killed maids. Blades were slit across throats. Blood shot out from the throats of twenty people at the same time. The assassins who had completely lowered their guards to their comrades weren’t able to resist as they were killed.
A red swamp spread across the floor of the hall.
“W-What is……the meaning of this……?”
Several of the archdukes couldn’t believe what they had witnessed as they stood like broken robots. However, fortunately, or unfortunately, they didn’t have to endure this shock for long.
Seven archdukes pulled out daggers and stabbed their blades into the necks of the other archdukes who were still oblivious.
“Guh!”
“Khuaagh!”
They each took one person.
Among the fifteen archdukes, seven of them now had holes in their necks that were spewing out blood. They gasped for breath as they tried to hold on to the respective person who had stabbed them. It was like they were begging for their lives.
However, the seven archdukes swung their daggers again. This time, it was to finish the job. They stabbed their weapons into wherever they respectively desired, be it the neck, chest, stomach, or eye socket. The stabbed archdukes couldn’t even let out a proper sound before they died.
“…….”
Excluding the dagger-wielding archdukes, the Utpala Archduke was the last archduke remaining.
He appeared to be at a loss for words as he stood there trembling. His knees, shoulders, and jaws shook with immense fear.
I picked up a cup from the table.
“Utpala Archduke, allow me to ask you this one more time.”
“Uhh, uha, uaaahhh…….”
“Do you truly believe it was wise of you to choose Barbatos over me?”
The Utpala Archduke threw himself to the ground.
“S-Spare me, Your Highness! This, this humble one was a fool! Please spare my life! This humble one will present everything he owns to you! Money, slaves, anything! So please……bestow upon me your magnanimity!”
I glanced at the Serpent Archduke.
The Serpent Archduke nodded, before putting strength into his hand to stab down into the Utpala Archduke’s back.
A wretched scream rang out.
The other archdukes approached like a pack of wolves to stab at the Utpala Archduke’s body. The Utpala Archduke let out a terrible scream every time a dagger stabbed into his flesh. However, the screams rapidly grew weaker before they eventually disappeared completely after about 30 seconds.
Silence.
Paimon stared at me blankly.
Daisy let out a small sigh as if she found something to be pathetic.
The archdukes looked at me while covered in blood.
And I raised my glass up in the air.
“For all of demonkind.”
The assassins disguised as maids handed the archdukes glasses of their own. The seven archdukes followed suit as they raised their cups.
“For Dantalian.”
***
Author’s Afterword
Referentially, these seven archdukes share something in common that was mentioned before >_<);;
TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. Yes, the author used that emoticon. I’m not putting emotes in their mouth.
Ugh, this should’ve been out like a day or two ago, but I was unfortunately busy. My dad ended up in the emergency room on Friday due to a fever, which is very dangerous in his current state. It was after a chemotherapy session and his doctor warned that he HAS to come to the hospital if he gets a fever. Usually, my uncle or aunt would be there as his guardian, but they’ve been doing it constantly so they wanted to rest a day or two. In the end, I had to go and take care of him. I think he’s okay now, but I can’t say for sure.
In any case, I’m exhausted. I’ll see you guys in the next chapter.