DSB 131
by Lilium“When things get dangerous, I’ll step in too. That’s why I came.”
“The more dangerous it is, the less you should intervene. Haven’t I repeatedly told you that Norman is targeting you?”
“That’s because you… alright. Relax your expression.”
That last incident seems to have left traumatized. Even though he saved him back then.
Lebel wanted to stick close by his side, but Yutis was furious and opposed it, so he had no choice.
[That man alone might not be enough, but I’m here. I’ll handle everything so Lord Lebel doesn’t have to step in.]
“I heard you’re doing well.”
[Ahem, it was nothing. There were a few demonic beasts using strange abilities, but they were no match for me.]
“Was Luceris helpful too?”
[That guy worked hard in his own way. Maybe he got the hang of it from using his power, because he ended up being quite useful. Though he still lacks finesse, of course.]
Watching Karon and Lebel talk, Yutis asked softly.
“But what about that Merick fellow?”
“Merick? Why, do you suspect him too?”
Yutis didn’t answer, but his expression was filled with distrust. Just like Father.
“Isn’t he also a demon who knows my wife?”
“Hmm.”
“He could easily share Norman’s line of thinking.”
“Oh, was that your worry? I told you my place is by your side.”
As Yutis’s expression relaxed, Karon’s sank.
“Merick is trustworthy. He’s just busy with the task I gave him. He’s actually been quite helpful. Right?”
Lebel asked Karon. Karon, who had been fighting alongside the North, had hurriedly gathered the demonic beasts and joined the front lines using the information Merick had brought.
[Yes, well… he was helpful to the humans. I saved them from being wiped out by the demonic beasts.]
Karon also disliked Merick. But he couldn’t refute Lebel’s words.
“What task did you assign him?”
“What else? Spy work. War isn’t decided by force alone.”
Yutis wore a confused expression, and Lebel was about to continue with a smile when a strange pattern appeared beneath Lebel.
The pattern emitted an ominous purple glow, and black clawed hands rose from below, seizing Lebel. Lebel and Karon, both demons, instinctively knew it.
This was a demon summoning circle.
[Lord Lebel!]
Karon rushed toward the magic circle in alarm, but it seemed Lebel was the sole target, refusing to allow Karon’s approach. Karon was ultimately flung far away.
Lebel frowned and tried to resist the summoning, but only a crackling sound emanated; the claws did not vanish.
Lebel’s eyes widened slightly.
“…This is a bit unexpected.”
This was no ordinary summoning circle.
There are many ways to summon demons, including methods to summon demons known by name to humans.
It requires the demon’s true name, an offering to be sacrificed to the demon, and a medium.
By that logic, Norman knew Lebel’s true name, but gathering an offering powerful enough to withstand Lebel’s strength within such a short timeframe was impossible. Moreover, Lebel had never left a trace in the Middle Reall, meaning there was no medium.
That was why all previous summons had failed.
And yet, it succeeded now, of all times.
Then, Merick’s words echoed in Lebel’s mind.
‘If he wanted to grow stronger, he could simply absorb human souls directly, yet he had been hoarding them. The same goes for war. Despite having many humans turned into puppets, he sent only a certain number of troops, as if testing the waters. What he’s scheming is also concerning, especially his frequent visits to the imperial palace.’
He had suspected they might be waiting for something, but he hadn’t realized it was preparation for a summoning.
Where else could human resentment gather as well as on a battlefield? Souls are important, but human emotions also greatly influence demon summoning.
When he heard Norman had grown stronger, Lebel thought he was using human souls as nourishment to grow stronger, but it seems he also saved some for summoning.
But no matter how many human souls he gathered, summoning himself would be impossible…
‘Ah, I suppose that level of sacrifice isn’t necessary.’
There was one thing he had overlooked.
Lebel currently possessed less power than he boasted of in the Demon Realm. Therefore, the proportionate sacrifice required would also be significantly reduced. Of course, even so, it would likely still require one or two human cities.
This seemed to be the reason he let the demonic beasts destroy villages and cities, and why he turned humans into puppets.
Then what was the medium? The day he encountered Norman, had he taken something? Yet, he couldn’t guess what it might be.
Of course, even if forcibly dragged away, he was confident he could shake them off. Since it was a forced summoning, there might be some secret method, but it wouldn’t be life-threatening.
Biakin wanted a contract with Lebel, so he wouldn’t kill him, and Norman’s goal was to serve him.
Lebel wasn’t worried about what would happen to himself. His concern lay elsewhere.
“Wife!!”
Yutis, who had been frozen, shouted. He tried to grab Lebel, who seemed about to be dragged away at any moment, but the summoning circle, targeted solely at Lebel, wouldn’t allow Yutis’ intrusion.
Yet Yutis forced his way through. The resisting summoning circle scorched his gauntlets and even his forearms, and blood seeped through the burns, but he did not withdraw his hand.
Lebel’s eyebrows twitched.
“Yutis, you’ll get hurt.”
“Is my injury important right now…!”
Why did this have to happen right after I arrived? I couldn’t even help. And I can’t stay by Yutis’s side either. But…
“It’s actually for the best.”
“No…?”
“I’ll go handle it and return. Well, I’ll be back soon. Moving from the Empire to the North is easy enough.”
“I refuse.”
“Alright, trust me… Huh?”
Lebel looked up when he heard the growling voice. Yutis’s face was twisted as if he might cry.
But now wasn’t the time for leisurely conversation. He would soon be transported to the one who created this summoning circle.
Lebel spoke, trying his best to comfort Yutis.
“Don’t get hurt. Wait for me.”
Just as he reached out to grasp Yutis’s hand, which couldn’t come any closer, Lebel felt his body sink downward.
As if the world itself was sinking, his body dropped, and his vision spun. As his sight gradually cleared, what he saw was not the monotonous interior of the tent, but an antique-style room.
Clank.
“Hm?”
Before he could process the situation, a heavy weight on his neck made him reflexively lower his head. He realized a metal collar with a long chain was fastened around his neck.
They dared to put something like this on him. Annoyed, Lebel tried to snap the shackle with a single finger.
“……?”
But it wouldn’t break.
“Even you, Lord Lebel, cannot break it. Please understand this is a precaution taken precisely because we are well aware of your strength.”
A voice, as gentle as possible, spoke in a polite and cautious tone.
Lebel raised his head. Standing there was a human with vivid blond hair, similar to his own but slightly different.
It was a human he had seen somewhere before.
“You may know me, but allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Biakin Alcadi. You may call me by my first name.”
Biakin introduced himself cautiously, unable to hide his joy, as if he had long wished to meet Lebel.
Biakin was someone Lebel had seen only once, before leaving for the north.
A man whose exterior and interior were starkly different. That seemed unchanged even now. He wore a mask of kindness, but behind it lurked tangled desires.
“Lord Lebel, I’m here too!”
Norman was standing beside Biakin. He smiled broadly as he scanned Lebel’s body, worried the shock of being summoned might have caused physical damage.
Lebel coldly swatted away Norman’s hand. Norman’s expression soured, but Lebel paid it no mind.
The Norman he saw after so long was not the one Lebel knew.
He had expected Norman to have obtained another body since the one he used before had been destroyed by Yutis, but this shell felt familiar.
“You killed him and took it.”
It was the body of Hans, who had once been Lebel’s guard knight.
He only remembered Hans always keeping his mouth tightly shut, wearing only a displeased expression, so seeing him smirking now felt unnerving.
Especially since Norman was inside.
“Ah, this man? Yes. I killed him.”
Human lives were nothing but dust to a demon like this. There was no intention to mourn. Lebel hadn’t liked him anyway.
“Wasn’t he the one who was rude to Lord Lebel?”
“You were too.”
“I will make amends!”
Just looking at him was unpleasant. How did he plan to make amends?
Noticing Lebel’s displeased expression, Biakin gave Norman a meaningful glance. Norman briefly glared at Biakin. Seemingly busy, he rattled off a string of regretful words before disappearing.
Norman, now gone, would surely appear before Yutis. He was summoned because he was tearing up the battlefield.
Since I’m trapped here too, Yutis will be even angrier when he sees Norman.
Just as he hoped Yutis wouldn’t lose his composure and blindly charge at Norman, Biakin suddenly spoke up.

0 Comments