Black Iron Magician

「Then I would like to conclude this year’s meeting. Thank you for your hard work!」

「「「「「「Good work!」」」」」」

Agalia announced the end of the ‘let’s stop fighting each other, if not, we’ll kill you!’ meeting, and the Great Eight Demons began their preparations to return. Meanwhile, there seems to be a Demon King who seems to be extremely tired.

(――In the end, it was a tea party where they just had a stupid chat while eating and drinking…)

Hund wrinkles his brow while making a difficult face. He attended this meeting while bracing himself, thinking that it would be a grand talk that would determine the future of the world. However, it was in vain. The atmosphere of the meeting remained loose until the end, and all they talked about were recent back pain, subordinate’s marriage, and other small talks. Lilyvia, who is at first he thought would be a good rival, didn’t seem to get involved after that. Without finding the meaning of this meeting, Hund sighs deeply.

「Heya there, Newcomer-kun! Good work! Did you get nervous at your first meeting?」

It was the sixth rank Alezel who spoke with such a cheerful voice to Hund who still has indescribable feelings. Hund can’t trust her because of her easygoing attitude, her way of talking that’s unbefitting as a Demon King, and her relentless hand-rubbing at the time she speaks.

「What do you want? The meeting for the small talk is over, right?」

「Ouch, Newcomer-kun is quite harsh. Well, I know what you were hoping for from this meeting. I understand that feeling of surprise at the first meeting~. It was very loose after all.」

「… Honestly, what was the meaning of this meeting? When I broke the agreement at the beginning, there was a comfortable tension. But after that, it was like that until the end. Isn’t it a bit trivial for a meeting where the Great Eight Demons gather?」

「Hihi, well, it’s about eating teacake and talking whatever you want. It’s trivial, of course.」

It’s unknown what she finds funny, but Alezel keeps laughing. She looks beautiful and cute, but the way she laughs is dirtier than you might think. You can feel the gap in a different way from the fourth rank Rimudo. Of course, in a bad way.

「Y’see, it seems that this meeting was originally like what Newcomer-kun hoped to be, where they would fight over a piece of pie.」

「Is it true?」

「It is! Well, you have an old-fashioned way of speaking, just like Rimudo-han. That’s funny!」

「………」

「Oh, don’t be mad. It’s just a cute joke of a maiden. Y’see, they had been enemies for a very long time that they felt bummed out and almost gone bald because of the stress. Ah, the one who said this was old geezer Vakala. It’s funny that he said this even though he’s only bones. Kuhihi…!」

「………」

To summarize the long and tedious story of Alezel, it changed into this loose tea party where they can relax and they don’t need to stay dignified like they usually do in front of their subordinates. The meeting of the Great Eight Demons is just a name, and it seems that the main purpose is to relax and talk with people who have the same troubles. Of course, there were some serious ones that opposed the intentions of the meeting, and they were the previous Demon Kings from the sixth to eighth ranks. According to Alezel, they seemed to had an unfortunate accident and their influence has been destroyed in the last decade.

「So~, there’s no need to be tense like that and just relax, ‘kay? The reason why subordinates are prohibited in this room is so that they can relax. Ah, but, it’s different outside, y‘know? Agalia-han is alone so he’s normally like that, and I’m not that different. But, the other Great Eight Demons become the real things when they are in front of their subordinates, so you should be careful with that.」

It’s probably Alezel’s advice in her own way. She’s laughing, but Hund feels that she’s telling something pretty important.

「… Leaving aside my feelings, there’s something I’ve been wondering about.」

「What? I ain’t gonna tell you my three sizes, ‘kay? I’m flat, as you can see, so it’ll be rude if you ask――」

「The seventh rank Lilyvia had her subordinates behind her, right? Are they okay to join?」

「Uwah, he pushed through without tsukkomi.」

Leaving aside the disappointed Alezel, Hund’s question was plausible. This meeting place is a nameless ruined castle. In the castle, the subordinates brought by each of the Great Eight Demons are told to wait in a separate room. Hund’s subordinates are no exception, and they are not in this room.

「Aah, y’see… well, they are special. It’s gonna be long if I talk about it. You can look it up yourself or ask Lily-chan.」

「Why do I need to explain it?」

「Oh?」

There’s the person in question, Lilyvia, behind Alezel. Her subordinates, Black and Red, are also standing by her side.

「Hmph, it seems that you are not going to tell me.」

「Of course. Before worry about us, you should worry about yourself first. And Alezel, I have something to talk about, so come with me.」

「Y’see, I’m supposed to be in a higher ranking order… Well, whatever. Newcomer-kun, if you have something you want, just let me know. Here’s my business card. Our Quitet will support everything from quill pens to groceries, weapons, and fortresses. Just make sure you have plenty of money.」

With her usual manner, Alezel left while keeping on talking. In the end, it seems that she was talking to him to advertise her company. In contrast, without looking at Hund, Lilyvia walked in front of Alazel in silence and left the room.

「Hmm… I should carefully think about various things.」

Hund was surprised at the unexpected appearance of the Great Eight Demons, but he doesn’t think that those are their real natures. There’s fear when thinking about how they would transform when they stand on the battlefield. However, there’s also joy. He thinks that the true Great Eight Demons are those who defeat strong opponents and rise to the top. Hund will earnestly defeat the heroes with the battle against Lilyvia in his mind.

「Hah, my blood is seething. And the secret of those subordinates, I’ll know about it if I defeat Lilyvia. I’ll have you show the power of the Great Eigh Dem――」

「Hey, Lily-chan! Isn’t it cruel that you leave without greeting mama!? I’ve been waiting for you, you know? Aah, Lily-chaaaan!」

「――ons….」

Violent footsteps passed by together with a loud scream. The noise made by the vampire princess splendidly erased Hund’s words and spoiled the mood.

「…Let’s go home.」