The gatekeepers of the magnificent castle, and even the officials who seemed to be working there, were all prostrating themselves.
They completely ignored the suspicious figure wrapped in bandages walking behind the Emperor, as if they couldn’t see him.
It was impossible for them not to notice someone so out of place amidst the extravagant decorations of the castle, yet not a single person raised a question.
There was no one to admonish or scold.
I couldn’t help but think that this was abnormal.
Well, if they said it was because they trusted the Emperor, I guess I’d have to accept it.
“Stand there. No, I do not require manners from a commoner. It is enough to respond to my words.”
I was told this as we entered a huge room with a throne at the very back.
I stopped as instructed, while the palanquin continued to advance.
The throne was on a high platform, and the palanquin stopped at the foot of the stairs.
Then, the “Demon Lord” stood up and stepped out into the air from the palanquin.
As if there was an invisible bridge there, he tapped the air with his Royal Scepter, reaching the front of the throne.
With refined and stern movements, he sat down and opened his mouth.
“Your efforts in subjugating the 〖Feral Beast〗 this time were truly commendable… Now, what is your name?”
‘My name is Kouya. Due to certain circumstances, I cannot speak, so please forgive my rudeness in responding with Telepathic Communication 〖Skill〗.’
I recited the lines I had desperately practiced just now, taught to me by the Sage.
I really wanted to tell them about Chaos as soon as possible, but I was advised that talking about the world ending out of the blue would only cause unnecessary confusion.
Similarly, the fact that I’m a slime would be kept hidden until I gained a certain level of trust.
If they got angry at this, it would be game over, but,
“Is that so.”
As expected, the “Demon Lord” didn’t even bat an eye at something like this.
The soldiers lined up in two rows from the middle of the throne’s stairs—the people who had been guarding the palanquin—didn’t seem angry either.
After that, the audience proceeded smoothly, and I was asked what reward I desired.
Feeling relieved that things were going according to plan, I spoke the words I had prepared.
‘Well then, first, could I call my companions? It’s important… Both of them are amazing, so if I call them, they can get to this room in less than ten seconds.’
“Within ten seconds, you say? …Very well, I am intrigued. Show me.”
‘Understood—so, you guys can come now.’
I called out to the Sage and Paula with 〖Telepathy〗.
There was no reply, but instead, the nearby 〖Mana〗 fluctuated. A Marking had also been placed on the clothes I was wearing.
“〖Area Hole〗.”
A hole opened next to me, and the two of them appeared through it.
I could hear the soldiers gasp at the sudden event.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty Nova. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be in your presence. My name is Latia, and I govern a certain city in the west. I hope we can become acquainted.”
The Sage, who bowed gracefully, said this.
Everyone calls him Sage, but it seems his real name is Latia.
“…Was that your magic?”
“No, that was Paula’s 〖Skill〗. She can connect different places.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
Paula nodded stiffly with a strained voice.
Paula, who would be nervous in front of the pinnacle of mages, and me, who wasn’t good at honorifics.
If things progressed to a meeting with the “Demon Lord,” the Sage was supposed to be the one to handle the responses.
The culture and etiquette of the Empire had been researched.
Having been the supreme ruler of an underground country for over a thousand years, even in a closed environment, the Sage had mastered them perfectly and confidently faced the “Demon Lord.”
“…An Artifact, is it? I have not even heard rumors of such a thing.”
“That is understandable. Artifacts are a specialty of our city, created by a single genius. It will be some time before they become known in the capital.”
He skillfully piqued their interest from the self-introduction, broadened the topic, and led the “Demon Lord” to ask about the Artifacts.
By the way, the fact that it was from an underground country or a technology that existed a thousand years ago was omitted because it would complicate the story.
“…And so, by using Artifacts, it is possible to know the situation in distant places, but there is one thing I would like to report to Your Majesty…”
“Oh?”
“Recently, a part of the 〖King Beast〗 that exists in the Great Demon Territory of the East has been defeated. Judging from the geography and the wavelength of the 〖Zone Control〗, there is no doubt that it was the leader of a new type of Demon Beast that threatens the Empire, a Chaos Spawn. And that Demon Beast is now advancing towards this continent.”
“A Chaos Spawn, you say. There have been reports of sightings, mainly in the East, but there has been no news that the source is a Demon Beast. Why can you be so certain, living in the West?”
“Because we actually went to investigate the site.”
The Sage glanced at Paula.
“The investigation team that went to the site confirmed the appearance of a huge Demon Beast that covered the horizon. That plant-type Demon Beast was scattering seeds from its body, which were invading and causing the Demon Beasts they attached to to go berserk. From these characteristics, we have determined that the Great Demon Beast, tentatively named Chaos, is the king of the Chaos Spawn.”
It seems like he’s not going to talk about communicating with a god because it sounds suspicious.
It’s also timely that a dangerous person called the leader of the Demon Beast Cult was just captured.
After hearing the Sage’s words, the “Demon Lord” narrowed one eye suspiciously and asked a question.
“If you have transfer magic, you could travel to the Great Demon Territory without much effort. But how did you conduct the investigation? In the land of death where 〖Feral Beasts〗 and 〖Calamity Beasts〗 roam, even if nobles and lords formed a group, they would not last long.”
“That is thanks to Kouya’s efforts. He protected Paula and brought back a lot of information.”
“He seems to have the strength to repel 〖Feral Beasts〗, but is he that capable?”
“Yes. After all, he is a part of the 〖King Beast〗.”
The Sage revealed this as if it were nothing.
After a moment of silence, the “Demon Lord” asked back.
“A 〖King Beast〗… you say?”
“Yes, he is a Slime 〖King Beast〗. During the investigation, he even fought Chaos once, but he was unable to defeat it, and that is why we have come to seek Your Majesty’s help.”
The Sage smoothly glossed over the fact that his true form was a slime and cut to the main point.
But he couldn’t get away with it, and was asked again.
“Kouya, are you a slime?”
‘Yes, I am.’
I removed the bandages. By releasing the 〖Mimicry〗, my glowing amber body was revealed.
This was the moment of truth.
It was a critical point whether we could cooperate with the “Demon Lord” or not… well, let’s see.
“…I see. A Demon Beast that understands language is like something out of a fairy tale. To think that such a being actually existed.”
But, contrary to our tension, the “Demon Lord” gave a nonchalant response.
His tone was still somewhat apathetic, as before.
“…Yes, he is a rare existence unlike any other. As a 〖King Beast〗, he also possesses immense combat power. However, even with that power, he was unable to stop Chaos. In order to save many of the Empire’s citizens, please cooperate in the subjugation of Chaos.”
“Very well, if that is your wish. If you use transfer, you can arrive in an instant, right? My official duties are just about finished, so let us go now.”
“Please wait, Your Majesty. Our preparations are not yet complete. Please, let the execution be in half a day…”
“Unnecessary. I will subjugate this Chaos alone.”
The “Demon Lord” said in a tone that brooked no argument.
“…Please reconsider, Chaos surpasses even the 〖King Beast〗—”
“—Are you saying that this “Demon Lord” will be defeated?”
If there was weight to a voice, that one sentence would be heavier than a gold ingot.
It was such a weighty voice.
I was made to feel the presence of his overwhelming aura more than ever.
“I am not saying that, but the fact is that even this Kouya had to give up on subjugating it. After all, there is a chance that something might happen if he goes alone…”
“From the start, it is presumptuous to think that you are on par with me, just because your rank is similar.”
The Sage’s words were rejected without any room for discussion.
She still had her poker face, but I think she was panicking inside.
“I do not care what you are plotting. Nor do I care about the circumstances, the true intentions, or the true nature of that 〖King Beast〗. But, the existence of this Chaos is a fact. I will accomplish its subjugation, for the sake of my Empire.”
“There is a misunderstanding. Everything is for Your Majesty’s sake—”
“—I said that it is unnecessary… However, very well. If you insist, then observe and engrave it into your very bones. The great power of the pinnacle of magic. Prepare yourself, Kouya.”
“(Huh?)”
Immediately after saying that unilaterally.
The floor at my feet shot up towards the ceiling with great force.