One of the War King's five generals... Count-level, high-ranking Demon, Ironblood Bacchus.
What Alice said about how Count and above-level Demons are different from the rest, I could understand from his tremendous magic that it wasn't a lie.
And then, in front of the Ironblooded Bacchus, the strongest maid, Ein-san, appeared in front of him as our reinforcement.
Seeing Ein-san confronting him, Bacchus happily smiled for some reason.
[My, my... Isn't this "the only Duke-level high-ranked Demon that existed in the Demon Realm", Ein-dono... An unbelievable person appeared.]
[Duke-level!? H- However, you say she's the only Duke-level in the Demon Realm... Shouldn't there be multiple Duke-levels in the Demon Realm?]
Hearing the words " the only Duke-level" that Bacchus mentioned, Sieg-san muttered with an expression that says she can't believe it.
Indeed, Lilia-san said that there are only a few Duke-levels, so I thought it was phrased in a way that shows there were more than one.
[No, that's just what the Humans believe for their own convenience. They think that because there are more than one Count-level Demons, there must be more than one Duke-level Demons... In fact, Sieglinde-san was it? Let's see. Do you know the name of even one Duke-level high-ranking Demon?]
[...N- No...]
Alice replies to Sieg-san with a shocked expression on her face.
[Even so, I never expected... that " The Guardian of Heavens" would appear... Kaito-san's connections of friends were really outrageous.]
[The Guardian of Heavens?]
[That's what she was known for... She was as powerful as the Six Kings, yet she only chose to serve her master. The Demon that didn't become Kings... The only Duke-level high-ranked Demon in the Demon Realm, Ein. The reason why there's only one Duke-level high-ranked Demon in the Demon Realm is that she won't move from her place... She was such an existence that there were even some who said if one could be her equal, they would be a new King.]
A being with power comparable to the Six Kings, but didn't choose to become one... Now that she mentioned it, Ein-san had a rivalry with the Supreme God, Chronois-san, and Chronois-san said that it still wasn't settled between them.
That would mean that Ein-san is a strong person whose strength is equal to a Supreme God... A- As I thought, she's quite the outrageous one...
And then, Bacchus looks at Ein-san, smiling like a fierce beast.
I've heard about how smiling is originally an aggressive expression, and when that smile comes from a beast showing you his fangs... That smile of his really looks like an aggressive one.
[This is great! I've been wanting to cross swords with you, who rarely appears in public, at least once. If I could defeat you, I could rightly call myself a Duke-level Demon...]
[Excuse me from all this tedious talk. If you want to fight, just quickly make your move. Unlike you, I'm very busy... I must put an end to this as soon as possible, return back to the castle and prepare the "Special Deluxe Pudding à la Mode with plenty of Fresh Seasonal Fruits —- Garnished in a Seasonal Sauces" that Kuromu-sama has requested.]
You're craving for something sounding so troublesome that just hearing that name gives me heartburn!? What the heck are you doing, Kuro!?
Then, that shopping bag Ein-san holds in her hand is either fresh seasonal fruits huh... The obsession to come all this way from the Demon Realm just to buy it, as expected of the Perfect Maid.
[Well then, I will take your word to it... One of War King's Five Generals, Ironblood Bacchus! Ready for battle!]
[......]
[Gafffuuu!?]
[...Eh.]
What the heck happened just now... I thought Bacchus was just swinging his huge axe and closing in on Ein-san in that instant... but in the next moment, the armor he wore shattered and he flew away into the distance.
In front of the dumbfounded us, Ein-san looked like she lightly swung one of her hands.
[I've wasted quite a lot of my time. Well then, I'll be taking my leave... Kaito-sama, I'll see you again.]
[Ah, y- yes.]
Ein-san's really strong!? One punch!? She just defeated him with one punch!?
She knocked him down so easily that I couldn't even follow the situation at all, but Ein-san didn't seem to mind him anymore, as after bowing with a curtsy, she disappeared.
She's probably going back now to make that something Pudding à la Mode she mentioned earlier... She's seriously one of the top-class monsters I've ever known.
[S- She's really outrageous, isn't she... That's the power of the Duke-level... I'm glad she's an ally.]
[Yes, I agree...]
It seems that I'm not the only one surprised, as Alice and Sieg-san's eyes grew round and stared at the direction where Ein-san had disappeared.
" "
Anyway, that should be the end of the story but... at that moment, I heard Anima's sharp voice.
[Master! Those b*stards disappeared!]
[Eh?]
When I turned around after hearing Anima's words, I saw that the bodies of Eta, Theta and Sigma that were supposed to have passed out there just now, had disappeared.
It wasn't like Bacchus had taken them or anything like that. Bacchus was busy being beaten by Ein-san, and I didn't think there are others here either...
As if to affirm our predictions, the landscape in front of us sways just like a static screen.
And then, someone wearing a jet black robe with chains here and there, and whose face can't be seen, appeared out of nowhere.
[... Miyama Kaito.]
[ ! ? ]
[...Splendid work.]
With a high-pitched voice that sounds as if it's coming through a voice changer, the robed figure hurls out words of praise.
As I stiffened seeing that robed person's appearance that is too uncanny, Sieg-san muttered in a trembling voice.
[...P- Phantasmal King-sama.]
[Wha!?]
The Phantasmal King!? T- This person is... One of the Six Kings and the one Lillywood-san told me to be careful to... Phantasmal King, No Face.
In front of the surprised us, the Phantasmal King, without seeming to be concerned about our reactions, continued to speak.
[You are blessed with people who seek to protect you. You could say it's also a kind of power... However, that is not enough.]
[...What in the world are you...]
[You passed the first task, but I already expected this result... You should be able to do this much. However, what about the next one? You have defeated the War King's envoys... but now, the War King himself will appear before you.]
[ ! ? ]
What the heck is this person talking about? The way she's talking, it's as if she's the one who pulled the strings as to why I got attacked this time...
As we were pressured by the atmosphere before her uncanny voice, the Phantasmal King slowly turned her back to us.
[...Even the War King would still have his own duties that he needs to do. I will bring back the War King's subordinates... Well then, Miyama Kaito, in your next trial... I bid you good luck.]
[W- Wait! What in the world are you talking about!?]
[...Fumu, let's see. You did pass your first trial. In that case, you will need your prize... Well then, I will answer a single question for you.]
Hearing me call out to her in confusion, the Phantasmal King looked back at me and told me that she would answer one question.
Feeling suffocated by the way she speaks, as if she was trying something out, I thought about it and asked one question.
[...What was the purpose of doing that?]
[...It's a test.]
[A test?]
[Yes, I'm giving you tests so that I won't make any miscalculations... Whether the power you gained, and the will dwelling within your heart is genuine or not...]
[...Why me?]
[...I've answered your question. If you want to know more, you need more progress. If you do, I will appear before you again.]
Saying those words, the Phantasmal King disappeared like smoke, leaving only her parting words.
[...I have high hopes for you, Miyama Kaito. I hope you'll be worthy enough for me to entrust my blade to you...]
The uncanny voice disappears with the wind, leaving only silence around us.
The mysterious being that suddenly appeared, disappeared, leaving behind those words filled with mystery.
The Phantasmal King, No Face... The unfathomable threat she brings, I have felt it firsthand...
Dear Mom, Dad——- Just when I thought that the threat of their attacks has ended, apparently, the thread of the whole situation before is being pulled by a single being. The King of Empty Illusions, No Face—— is an uncanny being.
//==========
Translation:
Phantasmal King: "As expected of my favorite human, it's amazing how you're blessed with connections! However, I'm sure the War King will come to you next time, so watch out, okay~~! I like you so much, so you should be even better than what you are now! After you have become even cooler, let's meet again, okay~~! At that time, I'll be the one who'll lend my strength to you. Good luck, I'm cheering for you~~!"
Arehh? Isn't she a good guy...