Dungeon Defense

* * *

That night, the Phantom Demon Kings were imprisoned in the dungeons.

As their bodies are being dragged away, they scream excitedly. In fact, I felt like I was writing an accent.

“We swore an oath to die with King Barbatos! It doesn't matter if it's a battlefield or a square! No matter what evil plan you have, you can't break our vows! ”

It was a bloody cry. Whether my colleague moved his mind or just wanted to erase any doubts about Barbatos for a moment, the Phantom Demon Kings poured insults upon me in front of me.

“Yes! Don't play tricks, you wretched traitor! ”

“All you want is our lives! ”

They said it was easy to die and difficult to live.

The Neutral Demon Kings summoned me to escort them. I told them.

“Gentlemen, don't be impulsive. You have nothing to do with Pymon's death. At least that's what I believe. Only those who sin should be punished. We need your cooperation to do that. ”

“King Barbatos did not commit assassination! ”

A Demon King shouted at the whale.

“Are you trying to deny your innocence? ”

However, as if they didn't hear me or would not listen to me, most of the Plain Demon Kings just wore accents.

Eight Demon Kings were each imprisoned in solitary confinement at a distance, and they vowed aloud that they would die together with Barbatos for a while.

Only the two of them, Jeopardy and Veled, kept silent with different faces. Zephar kept his mouth shut as if he didn't know what to say, and Veled smiled at his mouth as if it were a small matter of time.

Barbato...... I don't know what he looks like.

Because I didn't look at her.

Right after all the Phantom Demon Kings were imprisoned. I accompanied Daisy with a convoy, and first I went to the solitary confinement room where Jeopardy was imprisoned. All confinement rooms were thoroughly covered with half a spell, and the inmates were bound to the walls with limbs tightly.

Brother Zephar was also surrounded. When I opened the iron gate, Brother Zephar stared at me. What are you here for? That's what he was asking.

“I'll take it away, sir. ”

“Sir...? ”

Zephyr smiled faintly. It was a smile that was dry enough to make the desert air rise.

“Do you mean there's still a reason you call me that? ”

“It doesn't matter what you say. First of all, know this. By this time tomorrow, Barbato will be dead. ”

“ ……. ”

“Barbatos really did assassinate Pymon. ”

Bang, and Jeopardy twisted his body. Especially when he tied his body with a magical steel chain, and even though Brother Zephar himself was cut off and stabbed several times with a poisoned blade, he was instantly in solitary confinement.

“I can't stop that hopeful tongue right now...! ”

“Sir, whether you believe me or not, it doesn't matter. Prepare for the situation. You can think about it that way. ”

I spoke calmly.

“If only. What would you do if Barbatos really assassinated Pymon and had hard evidence against him? Not only that, Marvas was deliberately waiting for our plains to attack the mountains. ”

“On purpose……? ”

“You didn't think it was strange. ”

I pulled the pipe out of my chest and asked. Naturally, Daisy lit a fire next to her.

“Marvas said, We have no choice but to kill Barbatos to balance the faction. But if you simply wanted to punish Barbatos, you have no reason to stay here until the Old Testament reaches its end. ”

“What are you talking about? ”

“It would be better to unite with the mountain tribes and attack the plains. ”

I blew the smoke out of the air.

“But Marvas tolerated the death of almost all the mountain tribes. And then I moved on to purge the plains. Do you know what this means, sir? ”

Zephyr didn't back down. But it was not that I didn't know the answer. The act of answering me was hateful, so I kept my mouth shut.

“There is only one correct answer. Marvas is dreaming of a neutral dictatorship. ”

“ ……. ”

“No, dictatorship would be too much. It's more like the mountain rangers who massacred it, the plains who assassinated it, I don't trust them anymore. Marvas believes he has no right to rule over the Horses except the Neutral Tribe. ”

It was true.

Originally, there was a pact between Marvas and Citri to coordinate the plains. However, Marvas attacked the Plains late in his footsteps to minimize neutral damage. After deciding to wipe out the entire plains, the mountain tribes would have to have fewer numbers, too.

Citri was eventually used on either side.

Not to me, not to Marvas, not to the traitors of the mountains.

…… It was not a bright enough place for a pure Demon King to live without any trouble. Pandemonium. It was literally a gathering place for Manma. Citri must be crying constantly while being treated by wizards by now....

And I thought at the same time that Citri was seeing tears - 'Well done'. It was true.

The more hostile Citri was to the Neutral Party, the more it benefited me. I'm the one that Citri's counting on. It was good for me to feel betrayed, to give Marvas a feeling of contempt.

I mean, that's what it is.

That's who I was.

“Brother, imagine that the Pyramids do not plead their innocence, and yet do not plead their guilt. Which drama do you think will be completed? No, let me tell you. ”

“ ……. ”

“The plains are being executed. With strong suspicion that both Barbatos and the Plains were involved in Pymon's assassination. The mountains fall, the plains perish. Marvas wins.”

Brother Zephar closed his eyes. It was painful even at first glance.

“Marvas doesn't want the plains to confess their innocence. ”

“…… what are you trying to say to yourself……. ”

“Plead your innocence. ”

I asked nicely.

“That's the only way the plains survive. ”

“You don't know anything. ”

Zephyr muttered.

“If we confess our innocence, Lord Barbatos will not escape death. Once the President is gone, what will remain of us? Do you think there will still be plains there? ”

Brother Zephar laughed small.

“…… Brother. This is a political issue. ”

“You really don't know anything, Dantalian. Intrinsically ignorant of people's minds. This is the least political issue. The death of the president is the death of the plains. If you don't understand this, you won't understand something forever... ”

Brother Zephar opened his eyes. Beyond the creased eyelids, grey eyes appeared. The eyes are clearly exhausted from the pain. But there was also a profound light in it.

“The question of life is not how you live, but how you die. The way we accept life does not determine how we die. However, the way of accepting death determines life. We will die with President Barbato. I have decided to die together. ”

“ ……. ”

“Maybe he forced himself on you. ”

Brother Zephar looked at me slowly.

“You were Madame Barbato's lover, but you were also Pymon's. Ah, I did. Thanks to your alignment with the two factions, there has been a brief moment of peace. That's a funny story. After all, the entire Demon Prince has left peace and war to one of you...

Jeopardy made me bitter.

“Watching Lord Barbatos and Pymon argue words against you makes me think that maybe peace can be found." But it was a dream after all. I didn't get to choose either way. For you, these few months will be the worst mistake and nightmare ever... ”

” ……. ”

“Perhaps Lord Barbatos really did assassinate Pymon. ”

I opened my mouth.

“Then admit your innocence! ”

“No, Dantalian, the opposite. You still don't know anything. ”

Brother Zephar lifts his jaw. You're covered in blood, even with beard and mouth.

“Mr. Barbatos is a man who will die soon and not commit assassination. Even if it's Pymon. No, an enemy Pymon would never choose assassination. That's where the Demon King's pride lies. ”

“…… I don't know what you're talking about. ”

I frowned. Half were acting, half were sincere.

Brother Zephar was deceiving me as I intended. I felt clear as if I were looking at the scale of what he was thinking and deciding. But what Jeopardy is saying now was not in my plan.

A big stream of water flows, but it seems to swirl around in the middle somewhere. It felt like that.

“If Lord Barbatos committed assassination, it was not done as the Demon King. ”

“ ……. ”

“Dantalian. The President did it as a girl who loves you. ”

Maybe.

My face would be frozen right now.

“He who never breaks his pride and faith in any hardship. Not for something else. He will keep his faith until the day he dies for himself. Ha, he really loves himself. ”

That's why.

Rather, he said.

“If he gives up pride, it's not for himself, it's for someone else. ”

That's as far as I go.

“For you. ”

I knew all about it.

“As much as Mr. Barbato loves himself, You must love him as much as I do. ”

Ever since the moment you killed Pymon. I've known for a long time.

The fact that everything started because of me, I realized from the very beginning.

Don't embellish it in my face.

“Barbato, the Demon King our plains worship, is never finished. He just has something as big as his beliefs. If it's love, Dantalian. I will gladly admit to Mr. Barbato's treachery. ”

Because Barbato realized my betrayal and shed tears.

The reason why I just shed tears without any defense or excuse.

It wasn't because she was betrayed by me, the political partner -- it was because she was betrayed by a loved one, a loved one, and she was moaning silently.

“I can't let President Barbatos go alone. I, Zephar, have served you from the moment I realized the meaning of being born. I will protect you at your side until the last moment. …… Dantalian. Unfortunately, I cannot accept your offer. ”

With it, Jeopardy closed his eyes again. It was a blessing.

I walked out of solitary without a word. I had to walk out.

I walked through a damp, damp hallway for a while, and I slammed into the wall as I leaned. My heart was beating abnormally. I can barely breathe. As I slip over the wall, Daisy carefully retrieves my body.

“Ugh… ugh… ugh… ”

It was the beginning of the year. Yes, my heart was suddenly racing because I was addicted at the beginning of the year. There was no other reason. Occasional seizures occurred.

Daisy glances down at me with her sleepy black eyes. I laughed. I could feel his jaw wagging, but he made me smile anyway. It was the most important virtue not to lose a smile.

“What are you looking at as funny? Everything is going according to plan. ”

“ ……. ”

“Rise up, fool. ”

Daisy quietly lifted me up. The dizziness disappeared momentarily. My heart sank calmly. As usual, I am the same as always.

It was good.

The doubtful flower planted in Brother Zephar's mind was full. The scenario was racing towards perfection.

Now, Barbato remains.