Volume 12 Chapter 2 Demon King's Audience
As we cleared the outer walls of the Demon King's castle, the former Demon sl*ves were laughing uproariously.
"Oh! Is this... our master, I mean, our ex-master?"
"You're free now, so I'm your ex-masters, of course. What are you guys doing?"
"We're taking revenge on the Demon King's army, and we're doing it together! We're really giving it our all!"
The demon pointed with his chin, and in front of me, countless demons who seemed to be part of the Demon King's army were piled up, restrained.
Right after that, a protective magic wave was released from one of the 4 protective towers surrounding the Demon King's castle. The demon laughed, saying, "Oh, the last one has finally arrived!"
"The last one?"
"Yeah. We thought it would be fun to release the tower while we're at it, and surprise our former master. Hehe..."
"Hahaha, you guys are crazy! You're really going all out!"
"This is our way of repaying our debt, and we're having a blast doing it. It's more fun this way!"
In reality, it was a lot of fun, and the former sl*ve demon kicked the stomach of a fallen Demon King soldier while saying so.
"Ugh... stop... please..."
"No way, you bastards! When we were thrown into prison, didn't we say the same thing? And you guys didn't listen? Gyahahahahaha!"
The former sl*ve demon continued to kick the Demon King soldier repeatedly.
Revenge. That's what they call this cruel behavior. It's just another day for the demons. I patted the shoulder of the former sl*ve demon.
"So, can we enter the Demon King's castle now?"
"Whoa! F-finally... yeah! I think it's about time we got in. This way, please!"
We received the guidance and headed towards the main gate of Demon King Castle.
There was a transparent, thin barrier that existed like glass.
When I touched it, I thought. It wasn't just a barrier. It was an Anti-Destruction Concept Barrier. It didn't even let me think about breaking it, with its mental contamination effect that made me forget about destruction.
I could sense that the remaining aura-like thing was disappearing from the barrier. Everything. The protection of all the protection towers was being released, and the barrier was disappearing.
I put a bit of force into it.
And with that, the barrier protecting Demon King Castle was completely destroyed. The barrier shattered and disappeared from the edges.
I thought. Finally. Finally. We finally reached the inner sanctum of Nilfheim, Demon King Hel.
"Alright, let's go in."
I placed my hand on the castle wall. The heavy gate, which was like the last stronghold, was pushed open with my physical strength and gravity magic.
A cold wind that was even colder than the outside air blew out from inside the castle.
"Whoa, it's cold!"
We'd been in Nilfheim for a long time, so we thought we'd gotten used to a certain level of cold. But even for us, the inside of Demon King Castle was extremely cold.
There was only one exception.
"...Beautiful."
Ice, with an entranced expression, stepped into Demon King Castle.
When I looked, the inside of Demon King Castle was indeed magnificent.
The space was decorated with glass, mirrors, and crystals, with a predominantly white and silver color scheme. A crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling of the grand hall.
It was like an ice castle. Thinking that, I shrank my body from the cold and invaded deeper.
There was no reaction to our intrusion. Was the structure not designed to anticipate intruders, or did they think it was futile to do anything to someone who could break through the protective tower?
We proceeded deeper.
We all climbed the grand staircase in front of us and followed the path to the innermost door. I glanced back, exchanged looks with everyone, and then opened the door.
The creak of an old door.
What lay beyond was like an audience chamber.
The room, with its silver design, seemed to be made of ice, giving a strong illusion. It was extremely spacious, filled with furnishings, and bathed in light from many windows.
It resembled an audience chamber. In the center, a carpet was laid, and at the far end, a woman sat on a throne.
"Demon King Hel, is it?"
Calling out, I stepped forward. Everyone followed me, trailing behind.
"We came here to eliminate you after hearing that you would bring about Ragnarok and destroy the world."
We closed the distance, moving along the long carpet and getting close enough to fight if necessary.
Hel was sitting on the throne, looking down. Her size was that of a normal human, with white hair reminiscent of ice.
What was distinctive was her lower half.
She wore a long skirt, but her slightly exposed bare legs were a pale blue. Despite the cold room, there was a faint odor of decay at this distance.
Half-living, half-dead Queen of Hell. Her upper body was alive, while her lower body was dead. This was the appearance of Hel as described in mythology. And now, in front of us, the Demon King Hel.
As I stared, Hel finally lifted her face.
We were taken aback.
Hel's face was shockingly similar to Ice's. Almost everyone instinctively looked at Ice.
Only Ice remained calm. Ice alone seemed to understand this situation, staring intently at Hel.
Demon King Hel spoke.
"Ah... I've been waiting for this day, this very day, for so long."
She said, tears streaming down her face. We were the ones unable to grasp the situation. We didn't understand why Hel was crying or why she had been waiting.
Or perhaps――
Maybe she was pretending not to understand.
"Hel, you're being too dramatic! But I feel the same way. I'm glad to see you again. It's been a while, Hel."
Four people stepped forward from among us.
Renril, Mung, Sur.
And Rollo.
The four of them, with Rollo in the lead, gathered around Hel and gently hugged her.
"Ah...! It really is all of you...! Father, Fenrir-oniisama, Jormungand-oniisama, and even Surtr-sama...!"
"It's been a while, Hel. Even in this form, you recognized me immediately."
"Yes...! Fenrir-oniisama. Even though everyone's appearance has changed, this soul still recognizes you as family...!"
"Ah, sorry about that. It's just that, well, memories are still... But I sort of understand. You're my little sister, right?"
"Yes, Jormungand-oniisama. Oh, I see. Not everyone is here yet. Not just you, but everyone..."
"Long time no see, Hel-sama. We haven't had much interaction, but..."
"No, Surtr-sama. I remember well. Before the family was divided, you were the kind and gentle uncle who comforted us."
It was like a family that had been apart for a long time was reunited. We all stood there, feeling left out, just watching in disbelief.
"By the way, Hel~? Look at this figure, there is no father~"
"Eh, but Father is still Father..."
"Right now, Rollo is a girl~. She even has someone she likes~!"
"These kinds of family conversations can be quite tough."
"I'm still not used to it, so it's kind of cute."
"Big brother, I can hear you!"
Rollo and the others chatted cheerfully about family matters.
After a while, the demons turned around.
"Well, so that's how it is~."
Rollo said with a mischievous look, addressing me. I glared at Rollo with a serious expression.
"...Loki, huh."
"Yep~! Rollo is actually Loki, the mastermind behind Ragnarok~! Surprise? Master~♡."
"...I was surprised. Even though I was told once, I couldn't believe it until I saw this scene."
A girl demon with no trace of strength, who was only tormented in hell. That's the Rollo I knew. The change had happened just last night.
I glared at Rollo with suspicion. Demon King Hel asked Rollo.
"So, Father... Is it true that we gathered here like this because...?"
The words were tinged with hesitation and sadness. Hel continued.
"Are you still seeking revenge against the gods who tore our family apart? In this world freed from fate, will you seek revenge?"
All our gazes turned to Rollo. Rollo replied.
"What!? Not anymore~! Who said anything about wanting revenge~? Geez, Hel, you have such a bad ear~!"
"Eh."
Hel looked puzzled. We stared at Rollo, also confused.
Eh, I thought this was definitely the direction it was going. I expected a battle where they'd start Ragnarok to get revenge on the gods! I thought I'd have to fight!
"Eh, but Father. At the end of the last Ragnarok, you said you wanted revenge."
"Ah~...? Maybe I did~...? But, you see... Rollo~, having wandered this hell as a powerless~, incredibly beautiful girl for hundreds of years~?"
With a sarcastic or perhaps resigned tone, Rollo self-deprecatingly said.
"If I said I wanted revenge, I'd have to destroy this world completely, right? At this point, I just have to forgive everything."
Silence. Rollo continued to joke gently, "Right? Love & Peace♡, isn’t it?"
I exchanged glances with my comrades. Clay shrugged, Toxy tilted her head with a subtle expression, and Sandra seemed frozen.
"Uh, so, what now."
I asked Rollo.
"Does this mean Ragnarok won't happen? Rollo, you won’t seek revenge, and you'll all get along as reunited family... or something."
As I scratched my head with a grim face, Rollo cheerfully responded.
"Nope♡, Ragnarok will still happen, Master~♡."
"Huh?"
Tension returns to the scene. I can sense a sharp, murderous intent from Rollo.
"...So, why."
"Because, I've fallen in love with master~♡."
The answer doesn't make sense. I glare at Rollo, who laughs mischievously.
"If I just reunited with my family and lived happily ever after, that would mean masters would return to the surface, right~? So, no way~! That can't happen~♡."
"Huh...?"
"Of course, it's not just master~♡ I love Ice-sama too, and all the others~♡ Even you, big brother? So, that's why."
Rollo smiles, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head slightly.
"Master has to die. Ice-sama too, and everyone else. If you escape, I'll even trigger Ragnarok. Master won't be able to return to the surface unless he take care of us."
A chill runs down my spine. Rollo's mouth won't stop.
"If everyone dies, they'll all become demons, and there'll be no reason to return to the surface. We can live happily in this Nilfheim."
Then, Rollo says with a beaming smile.
"That way, we can all be together, as a family~♡ We'll destroy our cruel fate. Yeah~♡."
"...Rollo, you..."
I glare at Rollo, ready for battle.
Rollo just smiles quietly, confidently, and serenely.
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