The morning of March 15, 1512 in the Continental Calendar dawned.
March was the period when winter's cold receded. Should war break out, armies would hunker down in their garrisons throughout the frigid winter, immobile, only gradually beginning to move once March arrived. To the people, March was the season when war stirred once more, and for that reason, it was a month consecrated to Ares, the God of War.
That day, a grand assembly had been announced at the palace.
With spring approaching, the new year would begin in earnest. In that sense, not only the Demon Lords but also the Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm and the citizen representatives of the free cities had been invited.
Among the Grand Dukes and citizen representatives were several Vampires. To accommodate them, the grand assembly was to be held at dusk, when the evening shadows lengthened. This would seem unusual to humans, who typically held meetings in the morning, but such was the etiquette of the demonkind from the very start.
The independent Demon Lords had carefully chosen this day as the date to carry out the assassination. There were several important reasons for this.
First. The imperial palace would be bustling with preparations to receive a large number of guests.
Second. Entering the palace would have a legitimate reason, so it would not seem out of place.
Third. If Gamigin's rape were broadcast at a gathering attended by both Demon Lords and Grand Dukes, it would be all the more effective in justifying Dantalion's death……
No matter how much Barbatos or a few other Demon Lords favored Dantalion, once a rape video was broadcast at an event where even Grand Dukes were in attendance, there would be nothing to be done. Defending Dantalion's crimes would become extraordinarily difficult……
The independent Demon Lords could be said to have seized the perfect opportunity. Execute Dantalion and win the public's support in one fell swoop. March 15th was, quite literally, the ideal date.
"......"
"......"
Gamigin entered the imperial palace, and the independent Demon Lords waited anxiously. Someone tried to lighten the mood by cracking a joke, but the reaction was lukewarm at best. It felt as though everyone's minds were elsewhere.
They all had a premonition. If the assassination went through today, the political landscape would spiral into uncontrollable chaos. In the end, they—a mere minority faction—would be left shouldering the blame for that chaos……
Valefor let out a bitter smile.
It was ironic. For hundreds of years, he had distanced himself from the Demon Lords' political arena because he despised being dragged into factional disputes. And now, he found himself resolved to stand at the very forefront of politics.
"How paradoxical."
"Hm?"
"I retired to a quiet seaside because I hated politics. And now, to think I've ended up in the most political position of all — it's rather absurd, isn't it…."
An independent Demon Lord echoed with a soft "Ah."
"The same goes for me. I only became a Demon Lord by chance, and I never cared about talk of the continent or anything like that. As long as I could spend my time collecting statues, politics or whatever else made no difference to me."
"Oh? You had a hobby of collecting statues as well?"
"Until Dantalion banned all acquisitions under the pretext of protecting cultural heritage."
The Demon Lord shrugged his shoulders. At that, even Valefor and the other Demon Lords who had been eavesdropping on their conversation burst out laughing.
"There isn't a corner of the world that man doesn't stick his nose into."
"That's the truth. Good grief."
The atmosphere softened. Everyone wore an honest smile. For a moment, Valefor felt as though he had truly become comrades with these people in the truest sense of the word.
"Now they're even demanding we pay taxes to the Empire. A Demon Lord paying taxes to the Empire — even a passing dog would laugh itself sick over that one."
Valefor nodded.
"But Dantalion taught us one thing, didn't he? Rights are not handed to you simply by sitting still. We must fight to reclaim what is ours."
"Ah, the comfortable and lazy days are gone forever now, aren't they."
The Demon Lords chuckled and laughed.
"I'll only say this to you all in secret, but honestly, part of me secretly hopes that Lord Gamigin fails. When I imagine the future that's coming, it sends a chill down my spine…."
"I understand. Ipos, I won't deny I've felt the same way myself."
Even Bael had been unable to control what was now the nascent Demon Lord Army. Could they handle it? Could they truly lead the factions or purge dissenters? Not a single Demon Lord gathered here could say so with confidence.
"However, the Demon Lord Army is walking the wrong path. No matter how practical the reasoning, sleeping in the same bed as the human race's Empire, even if only in name — something is clearly wrong."
The Demon Lords voiced their agreement.
"Indeed. It looks wrong to anyone with eyes."
"The people are rejoicing now because we've won the war, but as time passes, doubts and discontent will follow. Even now, there are countless demons muttering complaints in places unseen. We must make full use of that latent dissatisfaction…."
The persuasive speech loosened the atmosphere a little.
Whether such malcontents truly existed, and if so, how many there were — even Valefor didn't know. They might exist. That was the extent of what he could say. But right now, they had no choice but to cling to that argument….
"Lords."
One of the Demon Lords spoke. His voice carried an unusual weight. He was holding a mouse-like monster in his right hand.
"A message has arrived from Lord Gamigin. …He says it was a success."
"…!"
In an instant, tension seized the air.
Valefor steadied his racing heart. He looked around and found every pair of eyes fixed on him. Anxiety, unease, excitement — dozens of emotions swam within those gazes. He realized, with a visceral jolt, that these were the looks he would now have to bear.
Running was not an option. His political enemies would not forgive it, history would not forgive it, and above all, he would not forgive himself.
"The die has been cast. Let's move."
"Yes."
The Demon Lords filed out of the mansion in a rush.
They strode boldly down the main avenue toward the Imperial Palace. There was nothing to feel guilty about — and they made sure everyone around them saw it.
When a contingent of Demon Lords descended upon the palace, the captain of the Imperial Guard scrambled out to greet them. A Demon Lord ranked sixth in the hierarchy had arrived to pay a visit. The ranking system had been officially abolished, yet it remained seared deep into the minds of demonkind.
"I greet the Master of the Sea and the Tempest! Your Excellency Valefor."
"Mm. I've come with my colleagues to attend today's meeting."
The captain swept a respectful gaze over those behind Valefor. He had spent the past several days memorizing the faces of every Demon Lord and Grand Duke, and it had worn him out — but it paid off. He recognized all five.
"You do us a great honor. As the meeting has yet to begin, allow me to escort you to a private room."
"No need. Take us to where Dantalion is staying."
"Ah... you wish to speak with His Excellency the Court Count?"
The captain of the guard ventured a question, risking a slight breach of etiquette. As captain of the imperial palace guard, he had felt with his own body just how much power Dantalion had consolidated. If he led them to the wrong place, he would undoubtedly be thrown out of the guard by the following morning.
Valefor gave a hum and nodded.
"There is a reason we have come at such an early hour. We intend to formally lodge a protest with the Court Count before the meeting convenes."
"Understood. I shall summon the head chamberlain immediately."
The moment he heard Valefor's explanation, the captain intuited that there was nothing good to be gained from getting personally involved. He had no intention whatsoever of becoming a shrimp caught between clashing whales. And so the captain swiftly passed this unusual and ominous matter along to someone else.
After a few procedural formalities, the Demon Lords entered the imperial palace. There were no issues whatsoever.
When they arrived at the very front of the palace building, about a dozen handmaidens came hurrying out from the far side in a flurry.
They came to a precise stop in a single line and bowed at the waist toward the Demon Lords. Within the imperial palace, those of lower station could not speak before those of higher station, so the servants remained silently bowed and waited.
"Good. You have worked hard on our behalf."
"We are honored, great — great existences."
The elf head chamberlain bowed her head with utmost courtesy.
"If you command this humble one to serve, I shall devote myself to any task whatsoever."
"Lead us to Court Count Dantalion."
"......"
The head chamberlain paused for a brief moment.
"My deepest apologies, but the Court Count is currently occupied with preparations for the meeting."
"I am aware. I myself am attending today's meeting — would I not know that? We need to see the Court Count briefly because of the very agenda to be discussed at that meeting."
"That is..."
Seeing the head chamberlain struggle to string together a smooth response, Valefor grew certain. Dantalion had clearly given the head chamberlain advance instructions to allow no one through.
"What cause is there for hesitation? Don't tell me I don't even have the right to meet the Court Count."
"Th-that is absolutely not the case, Your Grace. It is simply that the Court Count is currently receiving an audience with His Excellency Gamigin……."
"Oh ho. How fortunate, then."
Valefor spoke as though genuinely pleased.
"We have come to protest and demand that Dantalion address the plight of Demon Lords who lack factions. Lord Gamigin's circumstances are the same as ours, which makes this all the more convenient. You will lead us to him at once."
"Y-Your Grace……."
Valefor fixed the head chamberlain with a severe glare.
"You! Do you find the words of a Demon Lord amusing?!"
A thunderous roar, imbued with magical power, echoed through the palace courtyard. The maids cried out in terror and threw themselves flat against the floor.
"It is not the palace that exists and then the Demon Lord — it is the Demon Lord who exists, and only then the palace! How dare you abuse your petty station to meddle in matters between Demon Lords! If you do not take us to the Court Count this instant, I will tear both your ears from your head!"
The head chamberlain could offer no rebuttal and obeyed in submission. She was the eldest daughter of a Demon Realm Archduke who had once paid bribes to Dantalion, a member of one of the most powerful families in demon society — but even such authority paled to nothing before the wrath of a Demon Lord.
Trembling, the head chamberlain led the Demon Lords onward. It was only after proceeding deep into the palace that they arrived at the room where Dantalion resided. As she approached the door to knock, Valefor abruptly strode ahead.
"Your Grace! You mustn't—!"
"We did not come here for a leisurely cup of tea. Dantalion!"
Valefor threw both arms wide and wrenched open the door.
The Demon Lords and the maids froze in place.
Inside the room, the beautiful blonde Gamigin was bound tightly to the wall. Dantalion held a whip and had been in the middle of lashing her. At the sudden intrusion, Dantalion turned around, his face awash with shock.
"No — what in the blazes is this……."
"You—! You—!!"
In that moment, Valefor was enraged.
It was acting, and yet it was also the truth.
Gamigin had said she was trying to draw out the best Memoria image possible, but no one expected it to be this convincing. Her skin — once soft and white as marble — was now covered entirely in streaks of blood. She hung her head, bobbing faintly, as though she might lose consciousness at any moment.
"How dare you, in the sacred Imperial Palace! What have you done to a Demon Lord of higher standing than you!"
Yet the fact remained that this was a golden opportunity.
Valefor did not waste a single second. As a supreme Demon Lord, he closed the distance to Dantalion in just a few strides. Dantalion, caught off guard, thrust out his right hand.
"W-Wait a moment —."
"Atone for your treason with your life!"
Valefor seized that hand and twisted it hard without mercy. He felt the sickening crunch of bone shattering beneath his grip. Dantalion screamed.
"GRAAAAH!"
That scream was the turning point.
"Dantalion is torturing Her Majesty Gamigin!"
"Strike down that shameless traitor!"
Behind him, the unaffiliated Demon Lords came charging in a crowd. Their arms were already blazing with the brilliant glow of mana.