The steady clatter of heels grew louder. Gavid was seated at his desk scrutinizing documents before he released a deep sigh and adjusted his glasses.
"It really is quite troublesome if you keep coming so suddenly," he said.
Gavid's days were incessantly occupied, for in the vast realm of the Helmuth Empire, most decisions eventually required his sanction.
Moreover, he held the title of Chief of Security for Helmuth’s capital, Pandemonium, and commander of the Black Fog, the Demon King’s guards, among other eminent roles. It was to the degree that his role as the commander of the Black Fog was the least demanding role among those he held.
At that very moment, he was examining reports garnered from thousands of Air Fish hovering over Pandemonium. The capital, Pandemonium, boasted the lowest crime rate by comparison to all the other cities on the continent. It might seem comical that a city ruled by demons attracted the most tourists on the continent and had such peace, but it was mainly due to the tireless efforts of Gavid and the countless demons working under the banner of Babel.
However, endless tasks loomed ahead for Gavid.
By nature, demons flaunted their power and annihilated their kin to enhance their own strength. These inherent tendencies of the demons had been curtailed by numerous laws with the rise of the Helmuth Empire. However, following the recent investiture of the Staff of Incarceration, many complex procedures surrounding the hierarchy battle in Helmuth vanished.
This led to frequent duels and the altering of hierarchies by the hour — which, in turn — led to an exponential surge in the amount of work for Gavid and the workers of Babel. Such significant shifts would undoubtedly take time to stabilize.
Of course, Noir Giabella was indifferent to such changes. Her unannounced visits often paralyzed Babel's operations, but she felt and took no responsibility for it.
If they could not work now, could it not simply be caught up later? The demons working in the Tower of Babel of the Helmuth Empire were the cream of the elite. They drew staggering salaries and were ensured incredible privileges till their eventual demise.
The astronomical annual taxes extracted from Noir Giabella were transformed into the wages of the demons working at Babel. As such, never once having missed the top spot on Helmuth's Taxpayer Honor Roll, Noir considered her abrupt visits minor nuisances.
“The real inconvenience will be the tax bomb I'll face next year,” Noir chuckled while sweeping her hair aside.
Her words, though jokingly spoken, held an undercurrent of truth. In just two days, the year would conclude. This year, Noir had experienced monumental, almost mythical, success — unmatched in Helmuth's three-hundred-year reign as an empire.
The Forest of Dark Shadows she had wrested from Iris in a territorial battle was cleared to make way for Giabella City. Giabella Park occupied much of this land, and the revenue it brought in less than a month from opening easily surpassed the monthly revenue of Noir’s original territory, Dreamea.
The city's dazzling success delighted Noir, but the Helmuth Empire's taxation for high earners was cutthroat. The paradisiacal welfare provided by Helmuth for human migrants was only possible thanks to the exorbitant taxes paid by the likes of Noir.
"Why have you come? To negotiate the tax rates?" Gavid sighed deeply once more while looking up from his paperwork.
As she approached from the elevator, Noir’s appearance… did not match the image of the woman hailed for her mythic success as a CEO in Helmuth. She was wearing a perilously short skirt, a skin-tight suit flaunting her curves, and glasses worn solely for aesthetic purposes.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap….
The echoing sound of boot heels continued to resonate. It was because Noir was taking steps in the same spot.
"Why have you come?" Gavid inquired once more.
She had not arrived to negotiate her taxes. Gavid wished to dismiss her immediately, but he couldn’t send her away so coldly after hearing the term tax bomb.
His visitor was Helmuth's highest taxpayer, the one who swayed the realm's finances. Gavid had to slightly curtail the fury and irritation in his voice in consideration of this fact.
"Above."
Whoosh.
In an instant, Noir, who had been pacing at a distance, stood right before Gavid. She settled her ample form on a desk laden with scrolls and leaned towards him before parting her plump lips.
"May I ascend?" she asked.
"Have you lost your mind?" Gavid shot back.
While a heady aroma enveloped him, Gavid's emotions remained unchanged. Instead, he glared at the scrolls Noir had carelessly sat upon before spitting, "No matter your status as a duke or Helmuth's greatest taxpayer, you have no right or means to summon the Demon King of Incarceration."
"Why act so coldly? We've been friends for ages, haven't we?" Noir responded.
"Since when were we friends?" Gavid shot back scornfully.
"Perhaps from three hundred years ago? Or perhaps from a month ago, when the death of that idiot, Raizakia, was confirmed?" Noir continued with a grin, but Gavid’s expression turned icy.
“Idiot, is it? You’re not wrong," Gavid agreed.
Even as a duke, Demon Dragon Raizkia never made an appearance for centuries. Even when his fortress, the Demon Dragon Castle, was struck down, he never made a public appearance.
Not only Helmuth but the whole continent wondered about the whereabouts of the Demon Dragon. Then, a month ago, news about Raizakia spread throughout the world.
Eugene Lionheart.
That audacious brat... was said to have slain Raizakia. Raizakia had remained in seclusion for centuries near the Samar Forest, and Eugene had sought him out and killed him.
And it didn’t end just there. Eugene paraded Raizakia’s corpse as a trophy after bringing it back to his family. Moreover, he was planning to use the Demon Dragon’s corpse to strengthen the power of his family.
"He always flaunted himself as the greatest and the worst, but to be hunted by a human in the end…,” Gavid muttered.
Gavid had his suspicions, but he could not be entirely certain.
No matter how much of a fool Raizakia might have been, it was unthinkable for an Ancient Demonic Dragon to be hunted down by a mere human, let alone an entire legion.
Yet, Raizakia was indeed hunted by Eugene Lionheart.
"He is impressive,” commented Gavid.
Gavid had his hypothesis about Raizakia's death. The dragon’s seclusion, lasting centuries, implied he had reasons to hide. Raizakia was obsessively fixated on Sienna Merdein, and both went into hiding around the same time. But while Sienna returned, Raizakia did not….
Raizakia must have been in a weakened state after suffering a mortal wound.
Eugene Lionheart and Sienna Merdein — together, they had hunted Raizakia.
"Without a doubt, Eugene Lionheart is stronger than Vermouth was at that age,” Gavid continued to voice his thoughts.
Even after taking such factors into account, it was still impossible to deny Eugene’s Lionheart’s strength.
He had conquered Raizakia less than a year after the Knight March took place. That meant that in less than a year, Eugene Lionheart managed to surpass Raizakia.
“That’s why,” said Noir.
With a faint smile, Noir descended from the desk. The reason for her visit today was to confront the Demon King of Incarceration. She simply could not understand his actions. They were baffling. What did he know? What did he desire? Why had he intervened on the battlefield to save Hamel?
‘I am curious,’ Noir told herself.
It wasn’t just the Demon King of Incarceration.
‘My Hamel,’ Noir thought of the one person who could drive her curiosity through the roof.
The ominous light emitted by the Moonlight Sword and the light that appeared when the Demon King of Fury was slain — they were distinct. In Noir's view, such powers could never coexist within a single human.
‘You are exceptional. Special,’ Noir realized.
Even Vermouth had not possessed such power. Was that why the Demon King of Incarceration saved Hamel? But why…? Was the Hero not always an adversary to a Demon King?
"To speak frankly, Duke Lindman, I... am attracted to Eugene Lionheart," Noir said, sounding coquettish.
Though she claimed honesty, Noir had no intention of revealing her true feelings. She had no intention of letting him know that Eugene might be the reincarnation of Hamel or that Iris, having become the Demon King of Fury, had perished at Eugene's hands the previous day at the Southern Sea.
‘He’ll come to know eventually. It's only a matter of time before all is known,’ Noir justified her actions mentally.
In particular, the defeat of the Demon King of Fury would be known to the world in a month at most. Eugene’s true identity, too… would be revealed when Gavid and Eugene eventually cross swords with sincerity.
"The Demon King of Incarceration eagerly awaits Eugene Lionheart... the Hero to ascend Babel. You, his Blade, might intend to strike him down the moment he tries,” continued Noir.
"Indeed,” came Gavid’s answer.
"But what should I do? As I said, I'm smitten with Eugene Lionheart. It's purely selfish, but I wish he wouldn't die,” said Noir. Adjusting the glasses perched on her nose, Noir fixed her gaze on Gavid. "What should I do? I do have several ideas. Should I corrupt him? Turn him into a slave of pleasure, so dependent on me that he can't live without? What if I make him cling and rely solely on me?"
"..." Gavis just stared at Noir as she listed out different ideas of toying with Eugene.
"Corrupting a noble and strong Hero sounds delectable, but killing him while he remains pure and strong is also tempting,” Noir continued to contemplate.
"So, you don't intend for Eugene Lionheart to ascend Babel," Gavid remarked.
"Before he climbs Babel, he might come looking for me, don't you think so?" said Noir while beaming. "To kill me, I mean. Why would I shy away or quietly offer him my head if he does? If Eugene comes to kill me, I'll respond to his killing intent with a happy heart. Is that acceptable?”
"I don’t understand your question,” said Gavid, slightly narrowing his eyes. "The Demon King of Incarceration was clear in his words to Eugene Lionheart."
—Climb Babel and point your blade at me.
—I await the day you ascend Babel.
“I exist as the Blade of His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration. As long as he said he would wait for the Hero in Babel, as his Blade, I must also wait for the Hero in Babel. But that is my problem. Duke Noir Giabella, it is not yours to concern,” explained Gavid.
Yet, Noir only grinned in response.
Gavid could say such things in his ignorance, but Noir wasn’t seeking Gavid’s words. Rather, she wished to discern the true intentions of the Demon King of Incarceration. Certainly, the Demon King of Incarceration sought something from Eugene. For those desires to be realized, Eugene, or Hamel, had to ascend Babel.
But what if Noir were to prevent this ascent? What would the Demon King of Incarceration do?
She wasn’t seeking his permission.
"Does Duke Lindman know nothing?" Noir asked. She slowly raised his head skyward.
Just moments before, she had been on the 90th floor of Babel, in the office of Gavid Lindman. Yet, somehow, without even realizing it, she had ascended beyond the 90th floor.
A throne, ensnared by chains, loomed in front of her.
"Compared to you," answered the Demon King of Incarceration.
True to Noir's expectations, the Demon King's expression bore no hint of emotion.
"Is it discomforting that I know so much?" Noir quipped with a smile.
But the Demon King just stared deep into Noir's eyes before finally shaking his head.
"You know nothing,” he responded.
"Oh? Is that so?" Noir retorted.
Noir knew of Eugene being the reincarnation of Hamel, of being the one to bring down the Demon Dragon Castle, of slaying the Demon King of Fury, and of the divine power that enabled him to achieve that feat. She knew of the light that shone when the Moonlight Sword went berserk, the light that was eerily similar to the power of Destruction.
"Certainly," she continued.
She knew of the darkness in Ciel Lionheart's eyes.
Those eyes held the power of two authorities. She knew of Vermouth of Despair, who once wielded the weapon of the Demon Kings and the potent bloodline passed down over three hundred years, the essence of the Lionheart clan.
Noir had witnessed it all. But certainty eluded her. Only two beings could truly know these truths.
‘Vermouth of Despair and the Demon King of Incarceration,’ Noir repeated those names in her heart.
And the latter stood right before her.
"To hear the truth, what price must I pay?" Noir asked while kneeling before the Demon King.
The chains connected to the Demon King of Incarceration creaked. Resting his chin on his hand, the Demon King offered a slight smile.
"Freedom,” was his answer.
"Freedom…?" Noir echoed.
“Just as the word suggests. If you wish to hear the truth, you must offer your freedom in exchange,” explained the Demon King of Incarceration.
"Why…? I believe I've already dedicated my freedom and loyalty to you. Do I still have more freedom left to give?" queried Noir.
“Your very presence here, your attempts to discern my intentions — all are possible because you are free,” the Demon King of Incarceration countered.
Indeed, no one knew this better than Noir herself.
After the war's end, Noir expanded her influence as fervently as ever. She corrupted the heroes of the war and seized their power. She restrained and tempted the demons who emerged from the depths. She dispatched the Night Demons beyond the border of Helmuth to gather vast amounts of life-force.
Still, with all her tenacious and relentless efforts to grow in power, the Demon King of Incarceration never once confronted Noir. Unless her hefty annual taxes could be considered a check...?
Noir briefly gazed at the Demon King of Incarceration, then nodded slightly.
"If I am now free... would it be permissible for me to touch Hamel?" she asked.
"He," the Demon King of Incarceration began, pausing with a sly chuckle. "He refers to himself as Eugene Lionheart."
"How splendid," Noir chuckled. "But for me, the name 'Hamel' bears deeper ties. And isn't it more special for me to call him 'Hamel'? Everyone else will call him Eugene."
“It's your choice how you address him,” responded the Demon King of Incarceration.
"Right, freedom. So... I can do as I please?" Noir questioned again, wanting a clear answer from the Demon King of Incarceration. The Demon King of Incarceration had desires concerning Hamel, desires that could only be fulfilled if Hamel ascended the Tower of Babel.
"If you wish it," the Demon King of Incarceration said without a change in emotion.
His smile remained, but to Noir, this mirth seemed more unexpected. The usual sense of ennui Noir felt from him was faint.
"I anticipate his ascent to Babel," the Demon King of Incarceration continued. "But, just because he challenges Babel doesn't mean I won't present any trials to him... the Hero. If he wishes to ascend, I will, as always, test the Hero in my capacity as the Demon King."
"….." Noir didn’t interrupt the Demon King’s explanation.
"You, too, will be part of this trial, Queen of the Night Demons, Duke Noir Giabella. Not just you, either. Like it did centuries ago, this building will return to its former state of the Demon King's castle, and this city will revert to the Demon King's dominion,” declared the Demon King of Incarceration.
"How magnificent," Noir remarked with sincerity. "Continuing the war from three hundred years ago is not just my wish but the desire of all demons who've lived since that era. Demon King of Incarceration, you might have granted peace to the world, but we, the demons… don't desire such concessions. Why should we yield to peace?"
"Because a promise was made,” answered the Demon King of Incarceration.
"That promise... many demons couldn't accept it. Well, fine, let's not dwell on matters from three hundred years ago. If I may dare to interpret your wishes, Demon King of Incarceration, you seek the Hero who's overcome trials?" asked Noir.
"Without doing so, he's not worthy to challenge me,” responded the Demon King.
"If he's unworthy, then he's unnecessary. So... what happens then? Do we wait until a new worthy Hero emerges?" queried Noir.
"Do you want the answer?" the Demon King shot back.
"No, Demon King of Incarceration. I don't wish to surrender my freedom." With a bright smile, Noir rose. "Demon King of Incarceration," she began, "When Hamel challenges Babel, you said that you would test him and that I would be included in that trial. Will I be free at that moment?"
"Demons find delight in battle and yearn for wars," the Demon King of Incarceration replied, the echoes of his voice filling the vast hall. "Is it not the same for you?"
"I desire my own war," Noir Giabella declared with a mischievous grin. "Not to test Hamel for you, but to fight him driven by my own ambition and will. I yearn for Hamel to come to me with a pure intent to strike me down."
"Then, I shall grant you the answer you seek," the Demon King’s eyes narrowed. "Noir Giabella, I shall impose no sanctions if you seek to end Eugene. Whether you march to slay Eugene or he comes to strike you down, I shall not intervene."
“Ahahaha.” Genuine laughter escaped Noir at this response. It was, after all, the very answer she had sincerely hoped for.
Noir Giabella did not wish for interference from the Demon King. Whether she destroyed Hamel or whether she was broken by him, when the two existences collided, she wanted to be the sole possessor of Hamel at that moment.
'In that moment, Hamel will be solely mine,' Noir thought with delight.
Even Hamel’s allies, like Sienna Merdein and Kristina Rogeris, wouldn't be able to disturb that destined encounter.
No matter how fierce their assault, Noir's gaze would remain locked onto Hamel, and undoubtedly, his focus would be solely on her. The passion of that moment promised to be the greatest ecstasy she had ever felt in her long, eventful life.
"I've received the answer I sought," Noir stated gracefully. She gave a light bow before turning to leave.
"Why have you not ascended to the title of Demon King yourself?" The voice of the Demon King of Incarceration echoed as she took a few steps. "Noir Giabella, with your power and fervor, you could claim the title this very moment."
With a teasing chuckle, she turned to face the Demon King, "To think you'd hold me in such high regard. But how can I become a Demon King when I don't even know the way?"
"To be called a Demon King, one must become deserving of the title," the Demon King of Incarceration responded immediately. "You've already dominated countless humans, mocked and belittled them, and amassed power befitting a Demon King. The moment the people of your city begin to address you not as the 'Queen of the Night Demons’ but as the 'Demon King,' you could claim the title instantly."
"I thought as much," Noir acknowledged. She knew her powers had already surpassed that belonging to the Demon King of Carnage, Cruelty, and Fury from three hundred years ago.
Yet, Noir remained a mere demon. In the first place, she had never seen herself as a Demon King, nor had she ever aspired to be one.
Especially now, she held no recognition of herself as such. In the moment she fully recognized her power, all beings entranced by her would hail her as the Demon King, and she would cease to be the ‘Queen of the Night Demons’ and instead be crowned the 'Demon King.'
"Being a Demon King would make me less unique," Noir mused, laughing softly as she shook her head. "The title holds such commonality now. Already three, no, four Demon Kings have met their end at Hamel's hands. Even if I were to become one, I could never be the Demon King Hamel despises and wants dead the most."
Only the Demon Kings of Incarceration and Destruction remained.
"But, if I remain the Queen of the Night Demons, I can be Hamel's most unique Night Demon," she reasoned. "I could become the demon he finds most special, the one he loathes the most, and the one he desires to kill above all others. To me, that holds far more allure and significance than the title of a Demon King."
There had been other reasons she had been reluctant even before she became aware of Hamel's reincarnation.
She had believed that if she became a Demon King, she would have to face off against the Demon King of Incarceration. For Noir, who was aware of the power wielded by the Demon King of Incarceration, the thought of fighting him as an equal held no charm.
But upon learning of Hamel's rebirth, her reasons shifted. Noir now had absolutely no desire to be a Demon King. She wanted to remain a demon and the Queen of the Night Demons. She longed to be a unique object of Hamel's hatred and desire to destroy.
"…You’re always the same," a voice remarked.
After Noir Giabella vanished from the chamber, the Demon King of Incarceration chuckled and nodded.
