ALL NOVEL chapter 8
Chapter 8: The Seven Demon Emperors
The Demon World.
A room shrouded in darkness, with no light penetrating it. The room was filled with thick miasma.
For ordinary humans, entering this space would mean instant death, but for the four demons, it seemed rather comfortable.
A demon with glasses and a gentle smile, Selek.
A demon with a well-trained body and ominous horns, wearing a confident smile, Gran.
A slender demon with tired-looking eyes, as if sleep-deprived, Vaits.
A demon with a distinctly contoured body, black wings sprouting from her back, and wearing a black dress with significant exposure around the chest and legs, Luminous.
“That concludes the report.”
Selek closed his notebook with a snap after finishing the report.
“Hey Selek… is that really true?”
A voice of doubt arose at the incredibly unrealistic report.
—
“Yes, it’s true. Do you doubt my clairvoyance?”
“But that’s too far-fetched…”
“Is it? I don’t think so. Defeating one or two high-ranking demons doesn’t set any standard.”
“Ha… Only those of us at the level of the ‘Seven Demon Emperors’ could do that…”
The highest combat power of the demons, the ‘Seven Demon Emperors’.
A collective term for the seven ‘Demon Emperors’ who are even stronger than the high-ranking demons among the demons.
It is said that their power can destroy a country without a trace by themselves.
“However, we ‘Seven Demon Emperors’ are just in name. Currently, only four of the seven remain.”
“We haven’t changed our numbers since we were defeated by the first generation of magical girls.”
“Fuhaha! It can’t be helped! Demons at our level don’t appear so easily!”
“Ahem… Everyone, let’s get back to the topic… The mysterious man who suddenly appeared and started helping the magical girls… Omega.”
Selec adjusted his glasses and switched the topic.
“Is that man a demon? I heard he was shrouded in miasma.”
“We don’t know. He wears a black robe and a mask.”
“If he’s a demon, I don’t see any benefit in opposing us. Could he be a human?”
“Isn’t that unlikely? Because that Omega guy is a man, right?”
“Even if it’s a magical girl, there’s no way a human man could have such tremendous power.”
“Yes, I agree. For now, let’s put his identity on hold. The important thing is Omega’s purpose.”
Is Omega helping the magical girls out of pure goodwill, or does he have a purpose and is using the magical girls for it?
If it’s the latter, we might be able to cooperate on the condition that he doesn’t kill the magical girls, but if Omega’s goal is the annihilation of demons or overlaps with the demons’ goals, we have no choice but to choose the path of opposition.
“Isn’t his goal our annihilation?”
“I think so too.”
“I think he’s just using the magical girls.”
“Shouldn’t we eliminate the source of our anxiety? If all of us ‘Seven Demon Emperors’ go at him, it should be easy.”
“That’s a shallow thought. As long as we can’t see the bottom of Omega’s strength, we should investigate first.”
“What? Then what will you do if he bares his fangs at us—”
As the discussion intensified, the door to the room opened with a heavy sound.
Click—click, someone was walking in.
‘Noisy.’
A voice that seemed to echo from the depths of hell said.
—
The figure sat down on the throne at the far end of the room.
As soon as the Demon Emperors saw the person who had entered the room, they all stopped talking, stood up, and knelt before the throne.
“I apologize for causing any offense.”
“It’s fine… More importantly, were you discussing the Omega mentioned in the report earlier?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“From the moment they attacked us, they became our enemy. Their motives are irrelevant.”
“Yes!”
The Demon Emperors, who had been disorganized until a moment ago, responded in unison.
“Selec, start the preparations. I have high expectations for you.”
“Understood… Demon God, Venuszfia-sama.”
Selec bowed deeply.
◇
“Souta, it’s been a while.”
“Hm? Rena, it’s been a while.”
As usual, I came to the rooftop during lunch break to soak in the lingering feelings from the other day, and Rena appeared after a long time.
She hadn’t been coming to school recently, probably dealing with the aftermath of that incident.
“I’m relieved to see you’re safe.”
“Well, I am confident in my ability to escape.”
“Heh, as always. Here, I have some extra lunch today.”
“Oh, thanks.”
I took the lunchbox from Rena and opened the lid.
Today’s lunch was also a beautifully arranged Japanese meal, and it looked incredibly delicious.
“Sorry about this.”
“It’s fine, it’s just leftovers.”
“Thank you so much, I’ll dig in.”
Yeah, it’s really good.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper meal.
“Indeed, this girl’s cooking is truly delicious…”
(Can you even taste it?)
“I can share your sense of taste and smell. I turn it off when the food is bad.”
—
(……)
I really have become one with this guy…
“…Hey, Souta.”
“What is it?”
“Have you ever had someone you like—”
“No.”
“…I asked the wrong person, sorry.”
It’s really troubling for me to be asked that.
I’ve never liked anyone in my past life. Well, if I had to say, a magical girl was my first love.
“…You know, I think I might have someone I like recently.”
“Hey, it’s definitely a mistake to appoint me as your love advisor.”
“Just be quiet and listen. That person rushed to save me when I was in despair and troubled.”
“Heh…”
There’s quite a kind person out there… If it were me, I’d just watch from afar and enjoy the scene.
“But that person feels so far away… like they’re in a place I could never reach. I’m not good enough for him.”
“…Isn’t it unnecessary to belittle yourself like that? Rena, you’re beautiful, kind, and cool. I like those things about you.”
“What!?”
When I honestly complimented her, she froze with her mouth open.
Huh? Is she not used to being complimented?
“L-l-like!?”
“I mean it. I like those things about you, Rena.”
“Hmm, I see… But I’m sorry. The person I like is much more attractive than you.”
I was somehow rejected without even trying…
“I see, that’s unfortunate.”
“Hehe, you got rejected.”
“It’s not like I confessed.”
“But I like you too, maybe second to him… Yes, you’re inferior to him, though.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I’m curious about the guy Luna likes so much…
I thought about that while continuing to eat my lunch.
—