206 So, the price...

You are in warm water from head to toe. But my breathing is not labored, and I am comfortably in a slumbering state of consciousness. However, once you start thinking about why this is happening, your consciousness will inevitably awaken.

(Where am I ......?)

You see a green landscape. I don't know if it's the liquid or the container. It seems that I can breathe thanks to the tools attached to my mouth. At this point, I finally understand that I am in some kind of device. The view in the water is blurry, but it seems that there are two figures in the distance. From the color of their clothes, it's not someone you know. ....... No, what you should be thinking about is how you got into this situation.

(I believe it was after the Scarlet Witch King attacked ......, or even later than that.

He was captured by Rahite and handed over to Archbishop Serraes. He was then subjected to torture in the name of training. I remember it, but my memory of it is like a record, and I don't have a clear sense of it. It was originally a means of self-preservation through self-awareness so that I wouldn't feel guilty for what I did, and I did it from the standpoint of "I" rather than "me," but this is the first time that I don't feel that I did it.

("I" was mortally wounded. And here we are.

I'm not in pain. I guess I should assume that you've received some kind of medical treatment. But there's no advanced medicine in this world, and there's no effective magic against a non-magical opponent. The only thing I can think of is ....... As I begin to make some predictions about what will happen, I hear the sound of liquid flowing in my ears. It seems that the liquid in the container containing me is being drained. Gradually, you start to feel gravity all over your body, and your vision starts to recognize the correct color.

"Yes, I'll remove that from your mouth.

Someone approaches you with an unfamiliar voice. It seems to be a woman with dark hair and lightly tanned skin, although her vision is still not clear. As the device around her mouth is removed, cool air seeps into her lungs. Her body was free, and she felt as if she had been asleep for a long time, but she was able to get up on her own.

"......

My vision has normalized and I can now properly recognize the person in front of me. It was a woman, just as I thought, who had just approached me, only I didn't know her. Her appearance suggested that she was a demon. The other one is different in clothing and hairstyle, but her face is exactly like Marito's ......, but it's not Marito. It's not the way Marito would look at me. There's a sense of distance, like he has little interest in me. Given the current situation, the person in front of me is most likely...

"Good morning! Can you hear me?

"I can hear you. What's the situation here, Blue Demon King?

"Oh, the people of the planet Yugra! You're the people of the planet Yggra! You're able to see through my king at a glance! And now you've seen through me, too?

"I don't know. I only know that you're a demon from the Blue Demon King.

Of course you don't. My name is Neillertes, I'm the right hand man of my king and the only demon!

I'm not sure what to make of that. But there's something I need to check first. I'm not sure what to make of it.

"Who brought me here?

"Who? Your friends? It's a good thing that the Demon Lord loves you so much that three of you colluded to negotiate with him.

I'm not sure what to say. He identified the place and found me. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. But now Neillertes says he's negotiating.

"In exchange for what?

"Oh, but first, could you put some clothes on? I don't think it's appropriate to expose my naked body to my king.

...... Where is it?

Neil Ryates gave me simple clothes that a patient undergoing a physical examination or surgery would wear. While changing clothes, I stepped out of the device in which I was lying and checked the room. A number of capsule-like containers were lined up, and tools that might be used in medical procedures were laid out on a table. The room seemed to be going against the flow of the times. And yet, there are plant roots and ivy-like plants crawling all over the walls.

That was the price, wasn't it? The price was that the bastard, a white subhuman, would be under the command of my king. I'm a little unhappy about that.

"Wolfe.

The bastard was planted in the human body by Naruya Yukura, the Colorless Demon King, and the Blue Demon King in front of him. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not. Wolfe is one of those bastards whose talent can be clearly understood. He is certainly valuable enough as a bargaining chip. But--

Hey, how can I help you?

I'm just checking my leg.

I stepped lightly on the spot to see if I could walk straight. Even the injuries inflicted by the Scarlet Witch King seem to have healed completely. I walked to a nearby platform and grabbed a scalpel-like tool with a sharp blade tip. There is no reaction from either of them. It's not like they care if the weak have a weapon in their hands. So he grabs the tool and throttles himself with it.

What the hell are you doing?

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea. The inhabitants of this world really are like monsters, aren't they?

Of course you're refusing to negotiate. Obtaining Wolfe's custody is a prerequisite for saving me. Then, if I die now, there will be no negotiation.

"No, no, no. Aren't you being too bold! Your life is at stake!

Neillertes, the man only understands his own worth.

The Blue Demon King finally opened his mouth. He even sounds just like Marito. But there is a hint of annoyance in his expression. I see, the Demon Lord seems to be more short-tempered than I thought.

It's not what you think it's worth.

"I don't care what you think you see in it. Neillertes, take the man in custody. I don't care if he dies after we've made a deal.

"Yes! You can't do that. You have to take care of the life you have saved.

Neillertes' power is strong and fast. Even if he tried to bite his tongue out, it would be blocked. I'm not sure if I have the guts to bite my tongue off. However, I don't think that I want to finish the negotiation straightforwardly.

"Would you like to change the content of the negotiation?

You're being absurd, aren't you?

Of course. If it's a stranger's life I want to protect, I'm not going to let it get out of hand.

I understand how you feel, but that's one thing and that's another, okay?

I don't care.

What?

I'm just accepting the terms they're offering. If you can offer me more than that, I'll at least listen to you.

I'm sure it's what the gold told you. The reason why the Blue Demon King seems arrogant is because he correctly understands his superiority. He is able to make proposals and negotiate when it actually benefits him, and he is sincere in seeking equal value at the table. But that does not mean that he is not a troublesome opponent. If you don't have a bargaining chip that is truly valuable to the Blue Demon King, you're out of your depth no matter what you say.

I have a few questions for you.

And why do you need to answer them?

Not you. I'm talking to you, Neillertes.

Oh, me? Hey! You're not my king.

I don't care.

What?

Neillertes, answer to the best of your judgment.

...... Haha, okay!

This demon just gave me a bad look. Well, I know how it's going to go. It's just a matter of confirming it for my purposes. Neil Ryates showed some thought, and then turned to me.

"So, can I ask you a question?

No, let's set some clear rules for questions and answers! First of all, questions about my king are not allowed. First of all, no questions about my king. Secondly, it would be rude to keep my king waiting forever, so I will limit you to three questions.

That's plain harassment.

"You said it was within my discretion. Come on, come on, come on.

This guy's having a little fun. "Well, I don't have a problem with that rule.

Well, there's nothing wrong with that rule. What I want to ask is a question about you personally.

"If it's a s*x point, it's your neck.

Thank you for information I'll never need.

Oh, my God. Well, if it's ...... personal, there's no reason to refuse. I have a strong desire to be known for who I am.

"That's also unnecessary information. The first question is. You said you're the only demon. Are there any other demons?

No, sir. There used to be, but most of them were killed in the line of duty under the wrath of my king. Thanks to that, we have been able to build a happy world where it's just me and my king!

Even if it's his own demon tribe, if he's in a bad mood, he won't hesitate. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

The second question is. I've heard that the Blue Demon King is usually asleep. Are you in charge of this place all the while?

"Of course. From managing the demon world to cleaning this castle, I haven't missed a single day since I became a demon!

I don't know if this is a castle, but I can't really feel it because of the lack of fantasy elements. The demon world seems to be different in many ways.

Last question: ......

Oh, is something bothering you?

No, honestly, I can't think of anything I'd like to know about you.

You're a terrible person! Would you say that to my face? I have given all my heart to my king, but if you treat me like that, it will hurt my maiden heart!

So tell me one of those poems you usually write in your spare time about your feelings for the Blue Demon King.

"No, sir! I don't want to! Why do I have to recite it in front of my king?

You're writing it? ......

"What? What an advanced guiding question!

I got all the information I wanted when I answered the second question. Depending on how you answered the second question, I was going to dig a little deeper into the third.

So I guess that's the end of the question.

"If I may say so, you're not asking the right questions, are you? How can you come up with a bargaining chip that my king would approve of?

"How about the heads of the demons who betrayed you?

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

My king, please allow me to ask this man a question.

"Forgive me.

"Thank you. Thank you. May I ask how you arrived at this point in your life?

"About ten years ago, there was an attack on Taze by a demon tribe with wyverns and other demons. If you are a demon that can take on the demons of the Taze demon world, then you must be under the command of the Blue Demon King. Neil Ryates, you said you haven't left this demon world since you became a demon. That means you're not the demon who attacked Taze. And now you're the only demon in this world.

Most of the other demons were disposed of by the Blue Demon King. But most means that there are exceptions.

"So the purpose of your question was to confirm whether or not I'm the one. But you didn't think that the demon race has already been disposed of by my king?

I have an idea. The reason why we found out about the existence of the bastard is because we got wind that a group of people using a religious organization called Raitis as a front were looking for the bastard. Then how did this Reitis know about the existence of the bastard? Wouldn't it be easier if the demons of the Blue Demon King were involved?

The person who attacked Taze has ostensibly been defeated.

I'm not sure what to make of that. So we should assume that they are still involved with Raitis.

This is if you believe what Litiar says, but there are certain factors to believe. Whatever Raitis' goal is, the process is to search for the bastard. If that's the case, there's a good chance that the Blue Demon Lord's demon tribe, who are familiar with the bastard, are helping him.

Why do you think this demon tribe betrayed us?

You said they're the only ones. If they're working under orders, just tell them there are others. Even if that was just a random comment made out of mischief on your part, the fact that we're alone in this castle. You're not collecting bastards. If Rhaetys had found a good number of bastards, she'd have one or two in a room like this, ready for experimentation, wouldn't she?

This is a lab of some sort. I checked, and the capsule that was treating me has some sort of plant ivy around it that has been removed. And the other capsules still have those plants crawling on them. This means that this room had not been used for a long time before the treatment of me.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. But that's not right, considering your master-servant relationship with the Blue Demon King. The only thing I can think of is that the demon tribe is acting on its own.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure what to do. The Blue Demon King won't be able to go directly to them. I'll do it for you. I think the head of a traitor who betrayed the king and ruined his reputation would be worth a lot.

The most important trump card would be the existence of the Dark Lord, but we can't make an enemy of him. In the first place, the Blue Demon King might invade Taize if he finds out that the Dark Lord is in Taize. The former would be more valuable if you consider the simple advantages of appointing a useful person and getting rid of an unnecessary one. But given the character of the Blue Demon King, it's not like he's only looking for pure advantage.

"Fine. If you meet the conditions, I'll accept it as compensation for saving your life.

That's all the Blue Demon King said, and left the room.