Chapter 199: Chapter 63. The Four-party Encounter (1)
Three days later, I was able to return to Earth, receiving a bow from 0001. My experience at the Reverse World was very unusual, and I was able to learn a little bit about the ‘gods’. I also learned about the rules and regulations of the worlds, and how different the current situation on Earth was.
But that didn’t change my mindset. My purpose was to become the Dark Lord. To achieve that, I needed to get rid of enemies on my way.
The name of the Wizard of the Moon was Gustarte. He was a god, but, at present, he was just a puppet manipulated by a demon. If the Moon Arrow didn’t work, I would have to eliminate him. I would try to keep my promise with 0001 as much as possible. Killing Gustarte would be the last option.
Killing a god… I had never thought of it.
“A demon who kills a god…”
I laughed as I imagined my name being at the same level as mythical beings in stories.
I also set up some plans. Gustarte couldn’t fully use his powers. He was designed to only follow orders. Thus, he was confused when he encountered a situation that required a different approach from what he was originally instructed to do. I noticed that when he took a moment when I attacked him.
The advent of the Seraph would not happen soon. But a new, strong enemy had appeared, so just the thought of getting rid of him excited me.
Gustarte… If he didn’t want to die, then he should stop being a dummy.
When I came back to Earth, the world was dark. It was a clear evening. I was able to land precisely where the collision had occurred.
The area was a mess. All the structures were destroyed, and there were numerous holes in the ground as if hit by bombs. It was so chaotic that if humans saw this, they would feel disheartened.
“This mana…”
I sensed the mana of many monsters and a demon. I had to leave this place first.
“I have to find Maxium.”
In the night, I left the place as fast as I could.
***
It wasn’t difficult to find Maxium because we had set the meeting point before. It was a nameless island near Recife, Brazil. The bone dragons, chaos soldiers, and Maxium were waiting for me while hiding.
“Oh! Your Majesty!”
As I spread my mana to reveal my presence, Maxium appeared immediately. He seemed very glad to see me. He quickly approached me and knelt.
“I’ve been waiting for Your Majesty.”
Maxium’s armor was heavily damaged. It showed how intense the last fight was. However, the battle wasn’t over yet.
Instead of asking how he was, I inquired about my enemies, “Have you taken care of Arentu?”
“I’m sorry. I was only able to buy time because other demons had joined, too. I crushed his mouth, but…”
I nodded. It looked like Maxium had thought if he stopped Arentu from talking, then he would not be able to give orders. I did not know if it would actually work, but I supposed it was good judgment.
“Then, is the Wizard of the Moon with Arentu now?”
“Not necessarily…”
“What do you mean?”
Maxium slightly raised his head and looked at me. “There was a big explosion… It was the explosion from you and the wizard. When I went there, both of you were gone. I checked on Arentu just in case, but the Wizard of the Moon was not there either.”
Maxium didn’t do things carelessly. He was meticulous and did what he was told, so I trusted his words.
The Wizard of the Moon had disappeared… I stroke my chin.
“Change of plans. Arentu must die.”
“Arentu? Then, I will do—”
“No, I will do it this time,” I said.
Maxium flinched. He wasn’t expecting it.
“Your Majesty, you told me it is too early to reveal yourself. I am aware that my last mission was not really a success. It reflected me as being incapable of carrying out your orders. But I plead that you give me one last chance…”
Thud! Thud!
Maxium hit his forehead on the ground a couple of times. I didn’t agree with what Maxium had just said, but it surprised me that was how he understood what I told him.
My goal was fishing in troubled waters. I waited for Ufa and Ariel to do their best to kill each other. And for that, Gustarte needed to be dealt with. If I took care of Arentu, Gustarte would show up. Then, I could handle Gustarte at the same time.
The problem was Ufa. That was why I needed to reveal myself. Of course, I would not show up at Arentu’s dungeon. I just had to avert Ufa’s eyes from Arentu’s dungeon. To do so, I decided to raise the stakes.
“A four-party encounter…”
I would call for a meeting of Archdukes. I would send invitations to provoke them to meet and talk in neutral territory. They might ignore the invitation, but I would include some information to lure them.
‘I have a lot of questions,’ I thought.
I had many questions, especially to Ufa and Pandemonium. I could check them out and gather information. It would be hitting two birds with one stone. Conversely, they would try to get information from me, but I could handle them pretty well.
“I will leave the assault of Arentu’s dungeon to you. I will also tell you how to check for the Wizard of the Moon.”
“I, your faithful servant, Maxium, will do my best to follow the order of Your Majesty.”
Maxium stood up, relieved. I looked at Maxium quietly.
While I was in the Reverse World, I thought of a way to tie up Gustarte. If I gave Maxium enough reinforcement, he would get rid of Arentu and seize Gustarte’s ankle. Once the meeting was over, I would handle the wizard. This was my plan.
“Lyhee,” I called her telepathically.
I called Lyhee using the blessing of the fairy. It had not worked in the Reverse World, but I was on Earth now. Since I was in the same world as Lyhee, I could hear her voice shortly after.
“Yes, Master? Lyhee is working hard right now.”
“You have to do something for me.”
“Yes, Master? Lyhee is working hard right now.”
I frowned. She repeated her answer as if she didn’t hear what I just said. Her voice was oddly slack. I spoke again in a serious tone.
“Tell Oswen to make four invitation cards. They should be completed by the time I get back.”
“Oops! Lyhee-hee. Lyhee didn’t doze off. Did you say invitation cards? Yes, I will tell him. But what kind of invitation cards?”
“They are for the Archdukes. Oswen will take care of it. Tell him what they are for. Feel free to spend on the necessary materials.”
“Yes, Master!”
I stopped the communication after hearing Lyhee’s confirmation.
Then I asked Maxium, “So you couldn’t find any traces left behind by the wizard?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. When I went there, he was already gone.”
“Hmm… Then, I should go back to my dungeon.”
“I will start attacking Arentu’s dungeon right away.”
He was very enthusiastic. His eyes were filled with determination. But I shook my head.
“No. You will go back with me.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you need new equipment?”
“Oh!”
Maxium was greatly impressed. He had been using equipment from the Underworld. Some of his weapons were still pretty good, but some of them needed repairs or replacements.
His helmet and armor were in bad condition. They were rusty and had holes in several places, not much help for defense. I had better helmets and armor in my dungeon.
“Let’s go.”
As I got on the bone dragon, Maxium quickly followed. He began to spur the bone dragon instead of the chaos soldiers.
***
It felt like it had been a while since I came to my dungeon. When I arrived back, Oswen and Lyhee were waiting for me.
“The invitation cards were completed. Will this be enough?”
I took one card from Oswen and examined it. The most impressive thing was that there was a little bit of Orihalcum powder on it. It was decorated like starlight. Pictures of Rage and the Sword of the Emperor were also included on sides of the invitation. The space to write the contents was red, and it was very provocative. I liked it. It was a stunning invitation card.
“Excellent.”
“Thank you.”
“Lyhee, call Krithli and Julium. I will be next to the Dungeon Core.”
“Yes, Master. Lyhee-hee! Lyhee will call them right now.”
Lyhee flapped her wings and flew away. She was going to summon them in person.
“Now, I need to decide what to write.”
That was why I called Krithli and Julium. I needed to find the right words to lure the Archdukes in attending this meeting. However, I wasn’t good with words, so I enlisted Krithli’s and Julium’s help. The content was essential.
Krithli, Julium, and I sat next to the Dungeon Core and ironed out the details in the invitation.
“First, we need to be sure of the purpose of the meeting,” Julium suggested.
I answered without hesitation, “On the surface, it is to exchange information about the angels. However, since Oculus, all the Archdukes have been making dirty tricks. I am certain that Ufa and Pandemonium did. I don’t know anything about Ariel, but she is likely doing it, too. Put a phrase to imply that.”
Pandemonium had taken Oculus’s demons. Ufa had made Gustarte his puppet. I was sure that Ariel had been doing something, too. No matter how pure she depicted herself to be, she was still a demon.
“It will be somewhat provocative,” Julium commented.
“How about using a poem?” Krithli recommended.
I laughed. “I’m not sure if the Archdukes have an aptitude for literature.”
Demons who read poems… I smiled at the thought. I had heard there were, but I had never actually met any. Well, Ariel might be.
“My Dungeon Master, that is why we have to use a poem. It is not an invitation based on goodwill.”
“That is right.”
Rather than good, it would be full of evil.
Besides, I would be sending a subtle warning to them: I knew where their dungeons were. Without knowing where they were exactly located, I could not send the invitations. So, sending the cards would be the first provocation.
Julium spoke implicitly, “If you want them to join, I think it is good to mention something like their weaknesses.”
“Weaknesses…,” I muttered. I considered Julium’s suggestion.
“We can imply that you know them well. If they don’t come to the meeting, you will leak information to others. It doesn’t have to be about a big secret. Little information will do.”
I didn’t know every detail about the Archdukes. I was only aware of a few facts from my previous life.
‘I guess I can throw some information for bait,’ I thought.
Julium said it did not need to be a big one. I nodded. “Okay, let’s do it.”
“Krithli and I can discuss detailed contents. We will do it right next to you, so you can have a look and approve.”
“Alright.”
I was new to poems. I had only read them a couple of times. Only a few demons were into literature. Soon, Krithli and Julium put their heads together and began writing the contents of the cards.
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