Chapter 543 – Luisfer, Meet Again

– Within Luisfer’s Castle –

Led by the butler, I was brought to the king’s private chambers. It was beautiful and filled with expensive artifacts and furniture, just like one would expected form a king’s room. But… this was a bit surprising.

“Why are we here, and not the audience room where the king usually greets visitors?” I asked. “Last time I was here, that’s where we met, no?”

“Correct,” the butler stated. “However, currently, Lord Luisfer is having a meeting with the Six Demon Generals in that chamber, and thus cannot be used to see you in.”

“Ah, makes sense,” I murmured, rubbing my chin. “Is it regarding the attacks lately?”

“Yes,” the butler said calmly. “The other Demon Generals are berating Lord Luisfer for not sending out his Twelve Devils, but… he has his reasons.”

“If he’s worried about the attackers going for him, that’s out of the question,” I said. “I know what they’re after, and it isn’t Luisfer’s head.”

“Oh…? You seem very confident about that,” the butler said. “Have you, perhaps… captured one of them?”

“Not only that, I left her alive, so she could be a spy for me within their ranks,” I said with a chuckle. “Don’t underestimate me.”

“I see… I will let Lord Luisfer know you are here. He should be with you shortly—the meeting is about to conclude.

*****

– Within the Audience Chamber –

“… Are you truly insistent on not sending out the Twelve Devils to protect this city, King Luisfer?” One of the six Demon Generals asked—Mammon, head of the House of Greed. 

“Yes,” Luisfer replied calmly, sitting on his black throne. “The Twelve Devils, from the very beginning, are my own, personal guards, like mercenaries, if you will. The protection of the city is not up to them, and I have no right to ask them to protect anyone other than myself.”

“The city is in DANGER under your rule!” Another General boomed—Sathanas, head of the House of Wrath. “Nazeroth is the capital of Demon Territory. As its king, should you not help its current situation?”

“Hmph. Since when has the protection of the city been left up to me?” Luisfer challenged. “The Knights of Nazeroth—they are under your rule, are they not? They are the ones responsible for the defense and protection of the city. You were the one who requested to take them under your wing, and now you are blaming me when they are too useless to fend off this threat?”

“Even so…!” Sathanas began, but another Demon General stepped in and waved him off.

“Now, now. Calm down, Sathanas. Our king has a point. Never before have the Twelve Devils been responsible for the protection of the city—that is true, yes, but it is because in the past, Nazeroth has never faced a threat like this. My king, I humbly ask that you send out your Twelve Devils—it is an emergency situation, as you can see from the damage dealt last night. And until those lowlifes accomplish whatever it is they are trying to do here… the invasions will not stop.”

“My stance will not change on this,” Luisfer stated coldly. “If this city falls, it is not my fault, but Sathanas—for he is the one in charge of the defense of this city. The fact that the Knights have turned weak after you took over… that is not my problem.”

“Tch…”

The Demon Generals all fell silent, finally realizing that no amount of convincing was going to work on him. They met gazes with one another, and Sathanas gave a discrete nod, before pulling out a weapon. But in that moment-

SLAM!

The doors burst open rudely, and entered an old butler with white hair and a tall, rigid body. He bowed.

“Milord, an urgent visitor awaits in your private chambers. The meeting time has already went past the designated period, so if you will…”

“Of course, butler,” Luisfer said, standing up, as Sathanas gritted his teeth and pocketed his weapon. “I shall come meet this… visitor, immediately. As for the rest of you…”

“We shall return to our respective houses as well, since the meeting has been adjourned,” Asmodeus, the only female Demon General, stated. “Enjoy the rest of your day, King Luisfer.”

“… Hmph.” With a snort, Luisfer watched as the Six Demon Generals leave the meeting room and his castle, leaving only his butler and himself behind.

“… Thanks there, Phileas,” Luisfer said. “I was bracing myself for a tough fight, against the six of them.”

“There is no need for thanks, milord,” the butler—Phileas—stated. “I was just doing my job, that’s all.”

“I suppose. But that was quite the crafty lie…”

“It was no lie.”

“… The Generals are gone. You can speak freely.”

“I am serious, milord. It was no lie. There is truly a visitor waiting for you in your private chambers.”

“… Who?”

“… You will see once you get there.”

*****

A short while later, the butler returned with King Luisfer in tow. As soon as he saw me, his eyes widened a bit.

“Kid… it’s you.”

“Long time no see, huh?” I chuckled. “Should I call you ‘Your Majesty’, or what?”

“Just Luisfer is fine,” he said refreshingly with a laugh. “After all, you are not speaking to me as the King of Demons, correct? You are here for my identity as one of the Sixteen Founders, no?”

“Well… actually, not quite,” I said. “I am meeting you on account of your identity as one of the Founders, yes, but the information I seek will tie into your identity as King of the Demons.”

“Is that so…? Very well. I still owe you a favor from the deal you made when joining us, after all. Speak freely.”

“Straight to the point, then,” I said, expression turning serious. “I don’t expect you to know this, but… have you seen a woman with long white hair and blue eyes in Demon Territory?”

At this, Luisfer’s eyes widened. “Yes, I know of her. She blew away all my guards and stormed into my audience chamber to speak with me about an ancient Demon folklore tale to see if I knew anything not described in the story. She was so powerful that… well, I had to give in, lest she kill me.”

Wow… my mother’s even stronger than the Demon King? Huh…

“… She’s… someone I know,” I said. “And? What did you tell her?”

“That information is confidential, I’m afraid. Unless you use the favor…”

“I’ll gladly use the favor you owe me,” I said. “Just tell me everything you know about that ancient Demon folklore tale—it speaks about the Forbidden Isle, right?”

“Correct—you are well-versed in Demon folklore, surprisingly. Did you have a guide?”

“Yeah, something like that,” I muttered. “But don’t try to change the topic—time is running out.”

“Of course—my apologies. Regarding the Forbidden Isle… the location of it is long lost to time, according to the stories. But as the direct descendant of the former king, and the kings before that… the secret of that place has been passed down from generation to generation.”

“In other words… you know where exactly it is?” I blinked in surprise.

“Yes. But I will warn you right now—that place is not for the faint-hearted. I know not why you want to go there, but if that woman is the one you are searching for… chances are, it’s already too late.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

“According to my ancestors, to go close to that place without the proper prerequisites for it is akin to suicide. And that woman… although she was very strong, I could not detect the special prerequisite needed.”

“What about me?” I asked. “Can you detect it on me?”

Luisfer frowned at me for a moment, falling into silence, then ultimately gave a nod. 

“Yes. It is faint, but… I can sense it. Although my prediction about that woman may be wrong, as the ability to sense this ‘prerequisites’ has grown weaker and weaker as the generations pass on. In fact, if I ever have a son, I doubt he will be able to sense this.”

“I see… do you have a map of Demon Territory I can borrow?”

“Sure. Phileas,” Luisfer said, turning to the butler, who immediately pulled out a folded map out of nowhere, and placed it on the table. Then, Luisfer pulled out a pen from his breast pocket, and marked the location of the Forbidden Isle for me on the map, as well as circled the place where we currently were to make navigation easier.

“Here you go,” he said. “Be careful though, kid. Even though you meet the basic prerequisites to go near it… it is still a cursed, danger-filled place. I would strongly advise not going, once again, but… ultimately, the choice is up to you. You’re one of us—I don’t want you to die.”

I nodded firmly. “I appreciate the thought, Luisfer. But this is something I must do—thanks.”

Luisfer sighed. “I see.. If that is the case, then I wish you good luck.”