All it took was thinking about how envious his father’s strength made him for Emergias’s power to swell. And once his confinement began, his envy could extend to the other residents of the castle and their freedom to wander the halls at will. Slowly but surely, his power would grow. All while the rest of the kingdom was completely oblivious.
And once I take Zilbagias’s power, I’ll be stronger than that asshole Aiogias too.
He would have more raw magical power than Aiogias. If he continued to grow from there, becoming the next Demon King would be within reach. Once freed from his house arrest, Emergias would be able to produce incredible results on the battlefield. For him, reaching the rank of archduke would be a breeze.
The only danger was if—during the house arrest—his father were to die and the succession wars were to begin. But looking at how lively his father was now, Emergias found it difficult to believe he’d keel over in a mere forty years.
“You will then become the ssstrongest Demon King, but your power will ssstill grow,” Jiiria said. “Your immense power will become a sssource of envy among all other demons. That will provide me with sssustenance as well. Can you imagine it? Those looks of envy, of jealousy, from every demon in the kingdom?”
All of them would envy him. His putrid oldest brother, that firestorm of an older sister, his other older brother who pretended to not have a care in the world with all of his affectations...and of course, his repulsive brat of a younger brother. When Emergias became Demon King, he would show his siblings mercy as he allowed them all to live. The efficient approach would be to spare them, take their power, and let them drown in their powerlessness and despair. And above all, it would feel great.
Everyone he envied would turn around and start envying him. The very thought of it made him shudder in anticipation. He had to force himself to stop thinking about it. The prospect was too joyous for him.
That dream he desired was not the current reality he lived. His cravings had not yet been satisfied. It wasn’t time for the jealousy he held to be set aside just yet. For now, he had to put the future he sought out of mind. At least until victory was truly within his grasp.
“Oh, what a ssserious boy you are. That is why I have taken sssuch a liking to you.”
Emergias could feel Jiiria wrapping herself around him.
“Together, I shall also become ssstronger. Aren’t we the perfect match?”
“We really are,” he admitted. He couldn’t have asked for a better partner.
Jiiria chuckled happily.
And then, he saw it.
“Fort Aurora...!” As they approached, he saw figures in the entranceway. “As expected. They’ve already noticed us.” Emergias licked his lips, like a snake sizing up its prey.
He could feel their eyes on him, looking at him.
Seventh Demon Prince Zilbagias Rage met Emergias’s gaze with a crimson glare of his own.
†††
Layla had been the first to notice something was flying straight toward us. Shortly after she caught sight of it, I felt a powerful magic approaching. Just as I stepped outside, seven dragons were landing in front of the fortress. And slipping out of the saddle of the lead dragon was a green-haired demon—Emergias Izanis.
Over his snakeskin Bon Dage outfit was a set of bone armor, and in his hands was a dwarven-made spear. Bruises reminiscent of snake scales marred his face, and his pupils were vertical slits. He looked like a monster, closer to a fiend than a demon. And his power was enormous. He was stronger than me now, wasn’t he?
“The nature of his power has altered considerably. It appears he took more of his devil’s authority than he could handle,” Ante analyzed calmly. “This change has made him something more akin to a devil. I must admit, I’m impressed seeing a mortal able to maintain their personality in such a state.”
I had heard about Emergias’s visit to the Abyss and how he had been unwell since his return. After he had missed the previous meal with the Demon King and the rest of the heirs, I had assumed he was just too embarrassed to show his face. But now it was clear he hadn’t been sick at all. He easily had the magic of an archduke. I couldn’t even be sure who was stronger between him and Aiogias.
“I would say Aiogias is superior by a smidgen.”
Ante...how would I stack up if you gave me all the power you’ve been holding back?
“If I returned all of it to you, you would be Aiogias’s equal.”
So my true strength was on par with seaweed head’s? Well, I knew my power hadn’t grown much since I’d returned from the battlefield. And damn, he was decked out in war gear. Sure, I had my Bon Dage outfit and Adamas, but my dragon scale armor was sorely missed.
“Something seems to have you quite bothered, Emergias.” Regardless, the only thing to do was talk to him. “How can I help you?” Though it was obvious he was up to no good.
“Show me the results of your research,” Emergias said, his voice as coarse as always but a little bit higher than usual.
“Huh?” I blurted out.
He wanted my research into Necromancy? My countermeasures against Enma? Why? Wait, how did he even know what I was researching? Had the Demon King told him? Why would he do that? Even if he knew, I couldn’t figure out why he’d be interested.
“Of course, I have no intention of stealing it from you. If you cooperate, I’m willing to keep you as a retainer.”
What was this guy’s deal? I didn’t even know where to begin. This was not how you went about negotiating. To be fair, it was obvious he couldn’t care less about negotiating. There was a distinct malice in his gaze, as though he was eagerly awaiting the very moment I lashed out. When you also took into account the nervous Izanis soldiers behind him, and the dragons watching from a distance... Yeah, he was clearly looking for a fight.
If the green toilet stain had been anything like the last time I saw him, I would have laughed in his face, slammed the door, and paid him no mind. But now, the magic he wielded was like a massive serpent... No. It was like a dragon coiled before me. Simply brushing him off was no longer an option.
“So, what will it be? Will you cut your life short, or will you live long as my subordinate?” He chuckled, as if drunk on his own words.
It felt somehow familiar. Like that feeling of omnipotence I had when I gained a lot of magic at once. Had that feeling consumed him? Did that mean he had grown to this level recently? So it was a sudden, explosive growth?
“Does father know you’re here?” I tabled that thought for the time being, deciding instead to bring up the Demon King to try and feel things out.
“Oh, I’m sure he would be quite angry to learn about this little visit,” Emergias answered smoothly, suppressing a laugh. “But he isn’t here. While punishment may await me for attacking you, I can’t imagine it will amount to much more than a few decades of house arrest.”
So he didn’t even fear the punishment?
“Of course, a more severe punishment would be given if I were to kill you... But honestly, I’d rather avoid things getting that far. You would be doing me a great service by not offering too much of a resistance.”