The Holy Empire of [Ruberios].
It was a religious nation where the followers of the Luminous faith, who worshiped the one true god [Luminous], were more numerous than anywhere else.
Whenever people spoke of the strongest nation in the West, [Ruberios] was always named alongside the Sorcerous Dynasty [Sarion]. Because it commanded the [Western Holy Church], home of the Crusaders, it was the country monsters feared most.
At the same time, it was also a land shrouded in secrets, because it was so fanatically devoted to faith and equality that it barely interacted with other nations at all.
And those secrets were the kind that could shake more than half of humanity if exposed.
Because they were tied to monsters—more specifically, to the higher race known as [Vampires].
"Hmm."
Still, that did not mean no one in the world knew all of [Ruberios]'s secrets.
The long-lived races.
Among races such as dwarves and elves, a handful of especially ancient survivors knew the truth behind [Ruberios].
Among the dwarves, the most famous example was the first emperor of Dwargo, the [Adventure King] Gran Dwargo. And among the elves—
"Luminous still has such eccentric taste, huh?"
—there was Sylvia El Ru, mother of the [Heavenly Emperor] and the [Thunder Emperor] known as the sovereign of thunder.
"Building a [Vampire] mansion right beneath the holy nation your believers consider the most sacred place of all? Isn't that a little too bold?"
Sylvia was an elf as free-spirited as Gran Dwargo, who had once stood as her equal and her friend.
After dumping all the troublesome work onto Ermesia and slipping out of [Sarion], she was now meeting the true ruler of [Ruberios].
"Hmph. That's not something I care to hear from an elf who neglects her own country and wanders wherever she pleases."
The woman who shot back sharply at Sylvia was a young beauty who resembled her in some ways, yet possessed a different kind of seductive charm.
Long, luxuriant silver hair. Mismatched red and blue eyes that gave her an air of mystery. Sharp fangs and a gothic outfit that radiated the occult.
Her very appearance seemed to openly declare that she was a [Vampire]. Her name was Luminous Valentine.
The true master of [Ruberios], the legendary queen who had become this world's fifth Demon Lord, the [Queen] of Nightmare herself—she was that woman.
"More importantly, what brings you here? You haven't even been showing your face much lately."
Under Luminous's piercing stare, Sylvia put on an exaggerated look of surprise, like an adult humoring a stubborn niece.
In response, Luminous's expression only darkened further.
"Hm? You're getting straight to the point already? No reminiscing between old classmates meeting again after so long?"
Luminous and Sylvia.
Long ago, the two of them had both been disciples of Twilight Valentine, the divine progenitor created by [Veldanava], the [Holy Emperor Dragon].
They had spent a span of time no human could possibly imagine studying magic and knowledge together under Twilight. The bond they had built was deep enough that, even after countless ages had passed, they still remained close.
"Reminiscing, my foot..."
That was why Sylvia's act looked like nothing more than teasing in Luminous's eyes.
Of course, Sylvia knew that perfectly well and was putting on the act anyway.
"Come on, what's the harm? Just like old times, you could let this 'third seat' hear a little about the experience of the 'second seat.'"
"...Honestly."
"Stop slithering around the subject and answer me already."
Luminous let out a long sigh and glared at her again. Sylvia grumbled, "You're so harsh to one of your few friends," while slipping in a light jab, then finally brought up her real reason for coming.
"Actually, I came because I wanted to ask about something that happened at the recent Walpurgis."
"...Something that happened at Walpurgis?"
"That's right. You don't attend anymore, but you still know what happened there, don't you?"
Originally, that Walpurgis from a few months ago had been convened because of Venenum, who was to become a new Demon Lord. But somehow, it had ended up becoming Adelio's debut stage instead.
Luminous had handed the seat of Demon Lord over to her close aide Roy roughly twelve hundred years ago, but every time Walpurgis was held, he always reported everything to her. As a result, she knew every incident that took place there.
Sylvia knew that as well, which was why she had come all the way to [Ruberios] in person to seek Luminous out.
Among the other Demon Lords, there was no one else she could ask.
"Why are you suddenly curious about what happened at Walpurgis? You may be wary of the Demon Lords, but you've never shown much interest in them."
It was a suspicious question, and a fair one.
Though she would never admit it, Luminous—Sylvia's friend—understood Sylvia's personality and the things that caught her interest even better than Leon Cromwell, Sylvia's own disciple.
That was why she asked.
What exactly had drawn Sylvia's attention this time?
"..."
Once Sylvia saw the seriousness in Luminous's gaze, the easy smile finally faded from her face. For the first time, she returned to the cool, composed expression worthy of the [Thunder Emperor].
Soon, wrapped in a flawless aura, she spoke to Luminous.
"On the day Walpurgis was held... a new [Hero] was born."
She was speaking of the ignition she had sensed—the awakening of a new [Hero].
**
But at that moment, Sylvia did not know.
She had no idea that the [Hero] she was searching for was heading there even now, together with his companions.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register