Embers (7)

Belphegor entered the vast chamber. Upon his arrival, he found the key members of Manggot already gathered, awaiting his presence.

Their eyes turned towards Belphegor as if on cue, and he, without much reaction, took his seat at the grand round table.

"Let the meeting commence," Belphegor declared, Hagley standing silently behind him.

"Reporting," began the woman seated opposite Belphegor. "The descent is expected to be completed within a week. The followers are all in good condition, and the combatants have all followed the shadows as previously assigned."

"A week... How leisurely our God is," the demon remarked sarcastically. With no clear hierarchy established, there was no one present who could challenge Belphegor's words.

"What of the movements within the Imperial Palace?"

"No particularly suspicious activity has been reported."

"Hmm," Belphegor's gaze briefly fell downwards. "Osprey must have seen through us. This lack of movement is unsettling."

"Perhaps they are conducting their operations discreetly to avoid causing unrest among the Imperial citizens."

"Naive. Still so soft. As expected, the Empire underestimates Manggot."

A smirk played upon Belphegor's lips.

"Indus has become a rather good precedent. Thanks to their swift downfall, the Empire now underestimates our strength as well. Revenge and fury will be appropriately painted."

This time, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Have you confirmed the Emperor's status?"

Another question. However, the woman who had been promptly reporting paused for a moment.

"That is... he hasn't been seen recently."

"Does that mean the debilitation I placed is taking effect?"

"Until just a few days ago, he was showing himself to the nobles, albeit in a weakened state, to demonstrate his well-being. However, recently, he seems to have suddenly hidden within the Imperial Palace and has not been seen."

At that report, Belphegor's expression turned grim.

A muscular, well-built man beside him spoke up.

"Isn't it possible that Lord Belphegor's debilitation is working so well that he can't even come out?"

"No. My curse neither worsens nor improves. I cast a curse just strong enough to keep track of the Emperor's condition at all times. If he showed himself yesterday, the day before, and the day before that, he should show himself today as well. The fact that he hasn't means there's a variable at play."

"Could they be trying to cure the debilitation?"

"That's a possibility."

Belphegor crossed his arms and fell into thought for a moment.

'The Dragon Heart, said to be dormant within the Imperial Palace. That's the only way to overcome my curse.'

But that Dragon Heart was supposed to be used for the demon summoning. The fact that Satan ultimately did not descend means that the gate opened to the other world was closed, which in turn means the Dragon Heart was destroyed.

The biggest reason Belphegor and Manggot decided to act this time was because they were certain the Dragon Heart had been destroyed.

'Satan, that bastard, how did he handle things?'

Sigh, Belphegor's sigh deepened.

"For now, closely observe the Emperor's movements. Invest a little more manpower and time in that direction. It's alright even if we get caught. They're the ones who will be a step behind anyway."

"Yes," the reporting woman nodded.

After she sat down, the man next to her stood up as if waiting his turn.

"We have confirmed that a few Zodiacs have mobilized their knights. Whether they received a request or are taking defensive measures for the barrier is unclear. They may have predicted our movements."

"They have predicted correctly. Osprey must have informed them. But even so, it will be a passive defense. Osprey alone cannot move the Empire. Unless he has become an Archmage."

Osprey is on the verge of becoming an Archmage.

However, as Belphegor predicts, Osprey has deliberately stopped just short of that. Becoming an Archmage means reaching the hand of God. Additionally, it also means the hand of the devil can reach him.

In other words, Osprey is essentially at a crossroads. To persuade the Empire, he must become an Archmage, but at that moment, he will be in a position where persuasion is impossible.

"What are Osprey's movements?"

"As usual. He is still working at the educational institution. He seems busy cleaning up the mess created by the disappearance magic he cast."

"...Educational institution, was it Constel?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Osprey is the most mage-like mage among the Zodiacs.

'If there were a parameter called 'wisdom,' Osprey would surpass everyone else.'

Everyone was initially puzzled by the fact that such a person established Constel, but now everyone understands its significance.

The system where talents produced by Constel become pros and stop monsters and eliminate enemies of humanity. Surprisingly, it is making a significant contribution to protecting humanity today.

"Cohen."

"Yes."

The man seated closer to Belphegor responded.

"Keep an eye on Constel. If you see any signs of them doing anything other than their usual school duties, report immediately."

"...Are you saying we should monitor the students?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"N-no, not at all."

Cohen quickly shook his head as Belphegor questioned him back.

"We have gathered here to take advantage of the Empire's complacency and burn them down. The place where we are most likely to be complacent is Constel. It's a crazy place where the talents who will become the pillars of humanity in the future are gathered in a narrow building. It's the future national power."

"I apologize. I misspoke."

As Cohen bowed deeply, Belphegor cast his gaze behind him.

"Hagley."

"Yes."

"You are well aware of the ones to watch out for at Constel, right?"

"I receive regular reports."

"Tsk, such pointless humility. Don't beat around the bush and answer directly. Who are the individuals of interest at Constel? These guys here need to get their heads straight again."

At Belphegor's words, Hagley sighed inwardly.

From Belphegor's perspective, they might be subordinates, but to Hagley, they were superiors of immense stature, second only to Belphegor himself.

The fact that Hagley is the core of Manggot means that he takes on most of the work as a middle manager here.

For Hagley, who values friendship and coordination, this kind of situation is quite burdensome.

"...First and foremost, there is Aster Evans, whom everyone knows."

At Hagley's words, the individuals seated at the round table nodded as if it were obvious.

"Introduction alone is not enough."

However, Belphegor did not let it pass.

"Gauge that guy's strength and tell me how he compares to these guys here."

"..."

"If you try to downplay his strength out of consideration, I'll put you to sleep forever."

Hagley's mouth went dry.

If he had known it would come to this, he wouldn't have brought up Aster in the first place.

"...In a one-on-one battle..."

"In a battle?"

"Aster Evans can currently take on everyone present at this round table. I believe the odds would be roughly even."

At those words, everyone at the round table widened their eyes. Not a Zodiac, not a pro, not even an adult, but a mere student capable of such combat prowess?

"Did you hear that? It's not a place for you guys to look down on."

"......Even so, isn't that too exaggerated? If you say that, what's the difference between him and a Zodiac?"

When someone else spoke with a dissatisfied voice, Belphegor pointed at Hagley with a chin gesture, as if there was no need to answer.

Then Hagley said.

"There is no difference."

"What?"

"Aster Evans is currently on par with the Zodiacs."

This time, everyone's mouth fell open.

Hagley continued speaking.

"And Elodie de Ines Rishae. She is also on par with Zodiac."

"Hey, Hagley. Is the name Zodiac funny? Does anyone become on par just by saying so?"

"It's just these two. These two are exceptional cases even in the past history of Constel."

Hmph, the man snorted as if he didn't like Hagley's words.

Even after that, Hagley's introduction of Constel's characters continued in a row. Most of them were names known to those sitting at the round table. Constel was a place of interest for the entire continent, so it was natural for every detail to be heard throughout the empire.

However, according to Hagley, they were still insufficient to fight against the characters at the round table. At his words, their faces relaxed a bit.

And finally.

"......Frondier de Roach."

Hagley's expression crumpled as if he had chewed shit while speaking.

Belphegor looked at him with a leisurely gaze.

"Why did you stop talking? Compare them with those here and tell us how they are."

"......I'm not sure."

"What?"

"He's definitely one of the strongest in Constel. However, he rarely fights in public, and even when he does, it's either in a dreadful foreign land or for a short period of time. The sporadic information we receive is so full of lies and exaggerations that it's hard to tell what's true. The only consistent information is that he uses a 'weapon-launching attack style in the air' and is 'a type who is good at cunning tactics'."

At these words, Belphegor's head tilted more than ever before.

It wasn't because of Hagley's vague statement. Of course, that was part of it, but what Belphegor was concerned about was something else.

"......How did Frondier break the curse of weakness?"

Belphegor, whose body was tilting as if he might lose balance and fall, was half-watched by Hagley. He had actually fallen like that before. He just fell asleep.

Before Belphegor cursed the Emperor with weakness, he had already cursed Frondier.

Since then, Manggot has been coaxing Frondier to learn ancient languages. He received a report that the process of sending a woman to fluently speak the ancient language was going well.

"Hagley, what's the name of the woman sent to Frondier?"

"...She is called Jei. I have now forbidden her from going to Frondier. I have also cut off the shadow."

"Why?"

"Jei is the most skilled assassin among the ten hells. She is a necessary personnel when carrying out operations."

Upon hearing this, Belphegor nodded his head.

"If she's with Frondier, she would know more about Frondier than anyone else, what does that woman say?"

"It's not much different from the reports. If anything, it feels like he's been underestimated. Reports of his lazy face all day, sleepy eyes, and leisurely speech keep coming in."

Hmm. Belphegor strokes his chin.

So, does that mean the weakness is still functioning? Is he managing to live while tied to the weakness? It makes sense when put that way.

"Call this woman named Jei."

There is a need to be more certain.

If he is an unknown character, that means he is the most important person.