Demon King Daimaou: Volume 11 Read online

  “Are we just going to let him go?”

  “This is the first time I’ve ever fought someone who I didn’t even think I could resist...”

  Fujiko and Lily whispered to each other.

  “That’s right. You’ve never seen Akuto fight when he was serious.”

  “Maybe I’ll be less of an ass to Sai Akuto when I meet him next time... But it looks like somebody’s arrived who can help us.” Lily looked up and grinned. As Kei and The One ascended, an opening was forming in the ceiling far above them.

  “Something’s coming from above...?” Fujiko whispered.

  “That’s why I sent the trio that way. If I’d known we were up against a Demon King I could’ve used him better than I did. I’m just glad he made it in time.” Lily grinned.

  The roof began to crumble, as if that was a signal. Someone jumped down through the opening. It was Brave.

  “Him. Shoot him down!” Lily screamed. Either Hiroshi heard her, or the suit detected a Demon King, because Hiroshi headed straight for Kei. Kei tossed The One into the air and prepared to defend himself. The One stopped in mid-air under his own power. Hiroshi charged towards the unmoving Kei. But just when they were about to collide...

  Hiroshi’s body suddenly lost power and began to descend.

  “Huh... Wait...”

  “Oh dear...”

  Lily and Fujiko both were stunned. Hiroshi wasn’t wearing his suit. He was just a boy in casual clothing, falling head-first towards the ground.

  “What is he doing...?”

  Lily stretched out an arm to grab him. Hiroshi knew how to use flying magic, so he was probably just so astonished he forgot to. The problem was what had astonished him.

  “Look...” Fujiko said, poking Lily as she turned around and looked uneasily behind them. A summoning circle had formed, and somebody was coming out of it.

  “Tch. There’s somebody else?” Lily groaned, but it was Hiroshi who reacted first.

  “Then that’s USD...?”

  Indeed. It was USD — Kento — who emerged from the circle.

  “I disabled the suit,” he said, in a voice so calm it was infuriating.

  “So you were waiting the whole time?” Lily said angrily, but Kento’s reaction wasn’t what she expected. He was looking up at Kei, with a mixture of scrutiny and concern.

  “Why did you do this without my permission?” Kento said to him.

  There was a unique atmosphere in between the two. Despite the distance between them, both Lily and Fujiko could feel it.

  “I don’t need your permission, do I?” Kei said, disappointed, as he looked from Lily to Fujiko.

  “I didn’t know if your body could survive the process. That’s why I delayed this.”

  “But I was fine. I was right to try.”

  “That’s not the issue. If we lost you, the plan would become impossible.” His voice was impossibly calm, but the words that came back from Kei were terribly cruel.

  “But it all worked out, didn’t it? Which means from now on, it’s my plan. If you’re here, you’ve realized that it’s already begun, right? So I’m going to follow the plan.”

  His voice seemed filled with irritation. He turned around, grabbed The One, and flew out through the hole Hiroshi had made.

  “Well, that’s a problem...” Kento said as he watched him go. He shrugged, like it wasn’t much of a problem at all.

  “It feels like we just had to watch a lover’s quarrel.” Lily sighed, but her face was filled with anger.

  “We need to get an actual explanation as to what’s going on here,” Fujiko said, looking coldly at Kento.

  “The plan to create a Demon King in the post-birth phase has been around ever since Rubbers stole Akuto Sai’s cells. But for a while, we abandoned it due to a lack of data. This plan was mine.” It was odd how friendly he was being, but Lily decided to ask a question.

  “Then what does it mean, that the plan’s already begun? Is the plan so important it needs the power of a Demon King?”

  “It’s a war,” Kento said.

  “A war?” Fujiko said, suspiciously. War, for the Empire, meant nothing more important than what Akuto had once done. There were no countries on earth strong enough to challenge the empire. Which meant that war was something the Demon King caused. Creating a Demon King to fight a war made no sense. However, Kento continued.

  “There’s a country that will declare war on the empire. No, one that will be reluctantly forced to.”

  “What the hell’s going on? How many surprises are we in store for today?”

  Lily shook her head.

  ○

  “As a member of the Hattori clan, I’d like to think you’re ready for this, but...” It was Yozo Hattori who spoke. He was the leader of the Hattori clan and Junko’s father. And also the high priest in charge of rebuilding the god Suhara. He was speaking in a tatami room in the Hattori’s mansion. Junko and Yuko were sitting in front of him. They were all in their ordinary clothes, but there was a dignity in the air that made it clear that this was no dinnertime conversation, but a meeting of the Hattori, the clan tasked with the nation’s defense.

  “We are,” Junko said.

  “We are prepared to not sully the family name,” Yuko said.

  They were facing a war like none the Empire had seen before. Of course, even at his age, Yozo had never experienced it. He was maintaining a dignified air, but he didn’t know much more than Junko did. It had nothing to do with the god Suhara’s disappearance, but the priests of Suhara were being kept away from the developing situation. The three of them were watching a news broadcast on a mana screen.

  “An undersea nation that split off from the Empire over a 1000 years ago has now named itself the rightful heir to the empire, and has made contact with the government.”

  “The Cabinet is negotiating with them, but they believe there is a possibility that the kingdom took action to harm towards the Empress, who is currently vacationing to the south, and is taking a strong stance.

  “The Empress’s whereabouts remain unknown, and her safety is a matter of national concern. It’s believed likely that the undersea kingdom may have harmed her. Their king insists that he is heir to the throne, which is being taken as casting doubt on the legitimacy of the Empress...”

  The screen showed several ships, which were different from imperial designs. From their cylindrical shape, they almost certainly had undersea capability. These were no doubt the ships that were sent by the undersea kingdom.

  “It’s a fact that word came in from the Liradans in the patrol fleet. And it’s also true that the empress is missing. But all that information was being kept hidden. From us, that is,” Yozo said.

  The Hattori clan also conducted its own intelligence activities as part of its duty protecting the country. Information warfare was a speciality of theirs. But something was wrong this time. Information the cabinet shouldn’t be publicizing, was being publicized.

  “If this information goes public, it means war, right Father?” Yuko asked. Her experience as an idol made her sensitive to this sort of thing. Yozo nodded.

  “Even if the cabinet is manipulating the people, we still need to follow the people’s will.”

  “It’s just like being an idol,” Yuko said, and laughed.

  Yozo scolded her for her attitude, but he was smiling, happy that he’d gotten his point across. Junko didn’t seem to agree.

  “I’m ready for this, but I believe that if the people are wrong, it’s our job to correct them,.”

  “Junko,” Yozo began, a sternness in his voice, “It’s not our job to decide what’s right. If we think about whether something is right or not, we won’t be able to protect anybody. That’s just how it works.”

  “But...”

  “We fight for the people who do not. We kill for the sake of others. That’s why it’s wrong for us to decide who it is right to kill.”

  “I understand that, as a concept, at least. But somebody is contr
olling the information that’s getting out. And we know essentially who that person is.” Junko began to speak more confidently. But Yozo still shook his head.

  “We just have to believe that the people will make the right choice. No matter how many times we’ve been betrayed in the past, it’s all we can do. I know that the people are capable of it.”

  “If only Keena and Akuto came back...” Junko whispered.

  “It’s fine to trust them, but you should work to become someone that they can trust. That’s how you must live your life,” Yozo said. And then, one of the Hattori ninja knelt behind the sliding doors of the room. Yozo sensed his presence and asked what he wanted. An answer came.

  “A report has come in from our naval patrols. Someone is ignoring our warnings and approaching the target.”

  “Who is ‘someone’?” Yozo asked, impatiently. There was a tension in the voice that answered.

  “It’s one man.”

  “What?”

  “Yes. One man appeared above the sea and is approaching the target.

  “Someone would do that?”

  “It’s unbelievable, but true. And the reports say that it’s a Demon King.”

  “A Demon King?” Yuko and Junko looked towards the ninja.

  “Yes. However, it’s not Akuto Sai. But its aura and mana level have the same power as a Demon King.”

  Junko looked confused when she heard the ninja’s words.

  —What’s going on here?

  ○

  “An undersea nation?” Lily frowned, but when she saw the news on the mana screen Fujiko displayed, she nodded, satisfied. Lily, Fujiko, Hiroshi, and Kento were still underground. More precisely, Kento had stopped them from leaving.

  “They call themselves the Republic. But they’re a feudal nation, with a king. In that sense, they’re rather unique.” Kento began to explain.

  “So they’re organized similar to the Empire?” Lily asked. Kento nodded.

  “But their values are quite different than ours. They have a magical civilization, but it has its own god, who places no restrictions on the use of magic.”

  That surprised Fujiko.

  “Isn’t that what we Black Mages have always dreamed of?”

  “It would be, yes. But that’s not the issue. No, it’s possible that our differing values may cause an issue in the future. That country’s king is aboard the ships. What he thinks of us is going to affect things going forward.”

  Kento’s explanation seemed rather roundabout, but Lily knew why that was.

  “I see. So the King’s come in response to the Jeweled Branch?”

  “That’s right. It’s the only thing that could’ve brought him up here. And it’s the only thing he could want.”

  “You mean he wants the Branch, or the Empire itself?” Lily said, lost in thought.

  “He’s likely after the Faceless Power that the Jeweled Branch can give him. He’s never made contact with us before, so that can only be why. But that’s all C-MID8 was able to learn when we made contact with him earlier.”

  “So you had made contact with him earlier,” Lily said, glaring at him. Kento ignored her stare.

  “Of course. But at that point, he was friendly, which is why didn’t bother researching further. He wanted to participate in the selection of the next ruler fairly.”

  “What’s the problem with that? Why not let him?” Fujiko asked. Kento shrugged.

  “It’s sad to say, but people who take that attitude are never trusted. The priests of the god Mowpha, who handle relationships with foreign countries, remained consistently on guard.”

  “It would’ve been different if they could’ve just come busting in like Nonimora,” Lily said. Kento’s face took on an odd expression.

  “That’s true. But the fact that Nonimora possessed secrets relating to the Jeweled Branch and the Faceless Power were a major factor. In other words, what this country probably hopes to do is steal something from the Marlay.

  “That would explain things, but what exactly is the Faceless Power?”

  “We’re at the point where we can only make guesses. It has to do with what The One is planning right now, too.”

  “Why would that pretty boy want to be Demon King, anyway? That’s The One’s doing, right?”

  “The One is deceiving all of them.”

  “Then why did you disable the suit?” Lily said as she turned to Hiroshi.

  “Of course, because nothing will come of killing them,” was Kento’s answer. And then he walked over to Hiroshi.

  “But I do want to ask for your help.”

  “My help?” Hiroshi looked upset. Kento ignored him and continued.

  “Correct. You’re the only one who can fight the Demon King. I want you to stop The One’s plot.”

  Hiroshi didn’t answer, but Lily spoke instead.

  “That tells us nothing. What is this plot?”

  “Probably, in the end, the annihilation of humanity,” Kento said, calmly.

  For a moment, everyone fell silent in confusion. Lily finally opened her mouth, but now all the sarcasm was gone.

  “Annihilation, huh? That’s going a bit far, isn’t it?”

  But Kento crossed his arms and shook his head, as if to say it was the truth and there was nothing he could do about it.

  “The One isn’t human. He’s a survivor from a species from another dimension, or, put simpler, an alien.”

  “What.”

  “Oh my...”

  Both Lily and Fujiko seemed like they couldn’t believe it

  “It’s understandable if you don’t believe me. But the Faceless Power probably came from somewhere that we couldn’t detect. The plan was to get the Jeweled Branch that acts as its key, and then get the power itself. And only someone who has the blood of the imperial family can use it.”

  “Then shouldn’t they just have gone after Nonimora?” Lily asked, and then she realized.

  “...No, that’s right. She’s protecting it.” Kento nodded.

  “That’s why instead of talking to the Marlay, they waited for the Republic to make contact with us. That was my plan, at the beginning.”

  “Plan?”

  “My plan for us to get the Faceless Power. As long as things were resolved peacefully, Akuto wouldn’t intervene. As long as it was the people’s decision, you see. In other words, if we came to terms with the Republic and were able to reach an agreement. But we were ready for war as well. The Republic’s system of government has the potential to shake the empire to its very foundation.”

  “I see. So the King’s come in response to the Jeweled Branch? And The One is trying to start that war, then.”

  “Correct. He was thinking that if he could kidnap their king, the number of casualties would be small.”

  “It’s an evil plan, but an effective one,” Lily said, with bared teeth.

  “So right now they’re censoring any infromation on the truth, while the Demon King and Republic ships are facing off, huh?” Fujiko looked exasperated.

  “Correct. That’s why I want you to stop the new Demon King. That’s the surest way to save the Empire.” Kento offered a hand to Hiroshi. Hiroshi looked up at Kento, before averting a single eye like a pouting child.

  “Knowing you, you’ve already got a plan for if I refuse, right?”

  Kento’s eyes narrowed, as if to say, “You get it.”

  “Of course. But I’m counting on your conscience to choose the right path.”

  “Conscience? Bullshit. You just think you can use me to do whatever you want.” Hiroshi shook his head. He turned his back to Kento.

  “That’s part of it, yes. But the fact remains that you don’t have a choice.” Kento said, but Hiroshi didn’t turn around.

  “I’m out. I’m not doing what you want me to.” Lily followed after him as he began to leave.

  “Well, I abuse him too. So his tantrum’s partially my fault. But I don’t think I want to get involved, either. I want to fight you, but your at
titude is killing the mood.” Fujiko sighed and left, as well.

  “After hearing what you said, I have my own thing that I want to do. You seem to have a lot of hidden plans and secrets. You should know that it’s only women who become more attractive by hiding things and lying about how they feel,” Hiroshi entered the teleportation circle, leaving behind Kento, who seemed not at all shocked. Lily stepped in it too, but turned around at the last second.

  “Oh, right. You have one thing wrong.”

  “What’s that?” Kento asked. Lily grinned.

  “He’s been a real hero for a while now,” Lily said, as she and Fujiko disappeared into the circle, and at last Kento was alone.

  ○

  —Maybe I am just being a child. Hiroshi thought to himself as he sat down on a bench. With the help of Yoshie and the Trio, he’d been able to escape, but the words Rubbers said to him were still stuck in his heart.

  —It’s true that I don’t have any kind of ideals, so what he’s saying is true. That’s why I just do whatever the President tells me to.

  “What’s wrong? You look out of it.” The sudden voice startled Hiroshi out of his reverie.

  “H-Hi!”

  It was Yuko. She was laughing.

  “Hahaha. What are you doing, silly?”

  She was wearing a hat and glasses, and looked different than usual. Nobody in the park recognized her.

  “I was just thinking,” Hiroshi said as he sat down on a bench. Yuko took his hand and started to walk.

  “Well, think later. Yuko the idol personally made you a lunch!”

  The two of them looked for a spot to eat in the park. Normally the mana screens in the park showed peaceful scenes, but today they were showing news programs with chryons. The standoff with the Republic ships was continuing. The news was saying that a clash was unavoidable.

  Hiroshi and Yuko both knew the truth, and were praying that nothing happened, but the public was leaning towards demanding the Republic ship’s destruction. Both hawks and doves agreed that the battle would be easy, and would only be a small conflict. Of course, that would mean work for Yuko too. This would probably be her last break for a long time. And she’d chosen to spend it with Hiroshi.