Black Iron Magician

「You don’t have to be so nervous, you know? Come on, let’s have a chat~」

The third rank of the Great Eight Demons, the 『Vampire Princess』 Maria Irygal, suddenly appeared and turned the place into a whirlpool of chaos.

(Level 9, or 10…? No, that’s wrong. She’s on a completely different level. It’s impossible. She’s not someone we can defeat now, even with strategies and guts.)

The overwhelming difference in ability was like something that I once felt from the white wolf. What I felt from Maria was more than that, no, I simply despaired that I could even measure the degree of the difference in ability. Even if the three of us were in the best condition and cooperated perfectly, we would never be able to defeat here. I completely gave up on searching for a way to win and shifted my thinking to how to survive this with Nell and Alezel.

「…… Deris, can I leave the talking to you? I don’t think I will be able to handle it.」

「Leave it to me. Also, please do your best to keep Nell in check. She’s likely to fight instinctively after all.」

「Okay. I’d rather keep Nell in check than talk to that thing.」

Alezel retreated and headed to stop Nell, who was in the midst of agitation due to fear and pressure. Maria, watching our exchange, showed no sign of moving from the top of the Darka. Instead, she looked a bit disappointed.

「Ah~, did I scare you? I don’t have any hostility toward you~」

「No hostility, huh…?」

Maria’s voice at that time clearly contained hostility. I was so confused, thinking that it was probably a joke for the Great Eight Demons and I should laugh. At that time, Darka, who had been silent, finally opened his mouth.

「M-Maria-dono…. What is the meaning of this bloodlust…?」

「Oh, you finally talked to me. This bloodlust is for you guys, of course. You were saying whatever you want some time ago, right? Such as insulting me being an idol and being too carefree. Stress is strictly forbidden for a maiden’s soft skin, so I flew out of my house to destroy the cause of it ♪. Also, you were talking a lot about Vakala and the Great Eight Demons’ policies, right? ――Right?」

「Hiii…!?」

Darka was afraid of the air around Maria, which was so different than when she was in the meeting. However, the most surprising thing was the fact that Maria came from her house. The country rudely by Maria is located on the continent of Dai, which is on a different continent from this place. It’s a distance where you normally couldn’t eavesdrop and fly over just because someone is saying bad things about you.

However, that was good news for us. After all, Maria didn’t come to fight us, but to punish Darka and the others. Maria is known for being a moody person, so we couldn’t let our guard down. However, the information was more than enough to give us a glimmer of hope.

「Vakala has poor hearing because he’s an old man, but I’m a young maiden, you know? I completely heard what you guys said. Also, you guys had a bad attitude at the previous meeting, so I guess it’s about time for Love and Peace.」

「L-Love and Peace!?」

「Yes, for the sake of world peace ♪. I flew here, thinking that I should dispose of you guys myself, but I was surprised when I arrived~. You over there, did you defeat these three?」

The conversation turned to us. It seems that the pressure was really directed at Darka and the others, and there was no bloodlust toward us in Maria’s words.

「That’s right. We defeated them one-on-one. Well, you said you heard their conversation, so I’m sure you know about it too….」

「That’s right~. But I’m happy that you answered honestly! Anyway… hmm~?」

「…… What?」

Maria jumped down from the chair (Darka) and stared at my face. Then, she looked at Alezel and Nell behind me. Even though there was no pressure or bloodlust, I didn’t feel like living when stared at by a mysterious monster.

「Yep, I’ve decided! I’ve made up my mind!」

「W-What?」

「You guys should become the new Great Eight Demons to replace these three, from the sixth to the eighth rank. If you are that strong at such a young age, you have great potential! You have the achievement of defeating the predecessors, so I’m sure Vakala and the others will welcome you~」

「…… Ha?」

I was dumbfounded by Maria’s sudden proposal. I knew that the sixth to the eighth rank were not on good terms with the other Great Eight Demons. I had investigated beforehand that the others won’t retaliate even if we defeated these three. However, Maria’s statement took me by surprise. Who would have thought that she would not only forgive us for defeating some members of the Great Eight Demons, but also recruit us as the new members? However, we have been living in a human society. Becoming a Demon King means that we have to sever ties with that society. I couldn’t just nod my head and accept it.

「By the way, do we have the right to refuse?」

「It’s not that you can’t refuse it, but it would make my image look bad, right? I wouldn’t recommend it.」

「………」

Maria happily showed a devilish smile.

「…… By the way, is becoming the Great Eight Demons profitable?」

「Alezel!?」

「I-I’m not serious, okay? I-It’s just out of curiosity!」

「It’s profitable, of course~. A Demons King is still a King, you know? Moreover, the Great Eight Demons are Demon Kings among Demon Kings, you know? It depends on the place, but money will circulate if you have your own territory. I can buy many expensive dresses like this, and I have a country and subordinates. You will be popular and rich!」

「I-I will be rich…!?」

「Hey, Alezel…?」

「Okay! I’m going to be the Great Eight Demons! Yes, I’m gonna be one!」

「Okay~, first come, first served ♪. You’re in the sixth rank!」

「Alezeeeeel!?」

What a betrayal. Alezel forgot to restrain Nell and joined Maria’s side. Perhaps she was taken aback by this, Nell completely lost her hostility toward Maria. No, maybe I should say that she simply changed her target to Alezel.

「Deris, does it mean that Alezel is an enemy? Can I burn her?」

「You can’t. Wait, please wait. I’m still doing my best to sort the information…. Hey, Alezel! Don’t say stupid things like becoming the Great Eight Demons! What about you as an elf and as an adventurer!?」

「I’m dead as an adventurer! Can you make it like that?」

「Are you serious…?」

「Well~, I mean, I was originally disowned from my village, right? I was planning to earn money steadily and cunningly as an adventurer, and eventually buy up the entire village, but it seems that it’s the quickest way to do it. From now on, I am the New Alezel! Starting from the elf village, I’m gonna collect all the money in the world!」

「Yep, I think it’s a good ambition~. Let’s start by conquering the territory of Aralkar to raise funds. As the nominator, I will support you in various ways~」

「Really!? Maria-han, I believed in you! I believed in you from the beginning!」

「「………」」

It was the birth of the Great Eight Demons Alezel, and the start of the Elf Resort, the first territory under Alezel’s control.