Dungeon Defense

The execution was performed publicly.

There could be no more humiliating death for the Plains Faction Demon Lords than this. They had lived their entire lives on the battlefield. To die by the sword of an acknowledged rival was the ideal end they had always aspired to. However, they were being executed in a public square. They could never accept this kind of demise.

I spoke to the Plains Faction Demon Lords who were trembling in shame.

"Of course, compared to Barbatos, the other members of the Plains Faction do not carry such grave sins. Executing all of you might indeed be excessive punishment. So, I will offer a condition."

"A condition……?"

"Yes. You may call it a judicial deal if you like. Despite everything, I also served Barbatos like the rest of you. I would like to spare you, even if it means using unjust means. I suppose I have a bit too much goodwill in me. It's a flaw of the heart."

The mention of a "judicial deal" stirred the air with unease.

Yet Brother Zepar remained unchangingly enraged as he shouted.

"Such blatant trickery……. Don't make me laugh! Are you not merely trying to make us testify against Her Excellency!?"

There was no way the Plains Faction Demon Lords would betray Barbatos or offer false testimonies. Their loyalty to Barbatos was genuine. My intention was much simpler.

"The condition is simple. Publicly acknowledge that you have no involvement with the criminal Barbatos in this incident."

I smiled.

"In front of all the citizens of the demon world, boldly declare that you knew nothing about the assassination of Paimon and that you were not involved in any way, not even for a moment. How does that sound? It's truly a simple request."

Confusion spread across the faces of the Plains Faction Demon Lords.

It was understandable. The condition I proposed was not only simple but also true. From their perspective, admitting it would bring no harm.

Yet, this only led to more blooming doubts.

"Furthermore, Marbas and all the electors gathered here will vouch for this deal. If you acknowledge that you have no connection to the crimes committed by Barbatos, we will cause you no harm."

"……."

The question on their minds was most likely why I was making such a simple demand.

To them, the notion that Barbatos assassinated Paimon was an absurd lie. It was merely a false accusation. They likely believed that the true purpose of this accusation was to annihilate the Plains Faction.

Yet, the condition I had just presented directly contradicted the scenario they believed in.

If the assassination was merely a false accusation, the logical approach would be to somehow entangle the entire Plains Faction in the plot. However, I was doing the exact opposite—I was asserting that the Plains Faction had no involvement at all.

But.

Why?

"What's the matter, Commander Zepar? Why have you suddenly fallen silent?"

"……."

"This is a very simple request. Think about it. If, as you believe, Barbatos did not orchestrate the assassination, then you are merely confessing that you were not involved in an 'event that never happened'. There is no issue at all."

I smiled broadly.

It was a smile that a good person might give. However, in such a situation, a benevolent smile seemed eerie and twisted. By now, the Plains Faction Demon Lords surely saw me as an utterly abhorrent traitor.

"If Barbatos truly committed the crime, even then, you would only be confessing that you had no involvement with the assassination. Think about it. You would be simply telling the truth in every scenario."

"……."

"Commander Zepar, will you still condemn me as irreverent? I have arranged the easiest legal deal in the world for you. Simply stating the facts as they are will result in a complete acquittal. Such an opportunity is rare……."

Let it blossom.

Bloom magnificently.

Think hard. This level of deduction should be well within your capabilities. Even if you are just a group of warriors, you should be able to figure out the answer if given this much of a hint.

Question your own thoughts. Examine your beliefs from a different perspective. It's not a big deal. In fact, it's a normal and correct way of thinking. Just as it is easy to doubt others, it's not that difficult to doubt yourself…….

Warriors of the Plains Faction. Your flaw is how outstanding you are.

Demon Lords did not need any particular governing skills. Simply sitting on the throne was enough for demons to naturally offer their loyalty and obedience. That is what a Demon Lord is. No matter how poorly you rule or neglect your people, the power of a Demon Lord is absolute……. Power is eternal, so political skills never emerged.

What remains on a throne where governance has vanished?

Only war. Nothing but war remains.

The hierarchical system itself proves this. The criteria for ranking from 1st to 72nd was solely based on 'how well one performs in war'. In the world of Demon Lords, everything was decided solely by one's ability in war.

Isn't it absurd?

They were kings. Yet, instead of skill in governing others, their rank and honor were determined by their skill in overthrowing others……. It was only natural that the Demon Lords spent thousands of years in relentless divisions, each claiming to be superior and others inferior.

In such a world of Demon Lords, there was the Plains Faction.

Those who were born with a natural talent for fighting and war. They found pleasure in shedding blood on the battlefield and sought meaning in leading cavalrymen to ravage their enemies.

To them, being born as a Demon Lord was seen as a divine mandate. It was only natural. They must believe without a shred of doubt that they were the epitome of what it meant to be a Demon Lord. And they had no hesitation in venerating Barbatos, who was a superior warrior compared to themselves…….

The very notion that they might be wrong was alien to the Plains Faction Demon Lords. They lived their lives and followed Barbatos' path with unwavering conviction, without any doubt about their righteousness.

The image of noble warriors was undoubtedly beautiful, but…….

Their beauty was their blindness.

Now is the time to awaken from that beautiful dream. I don't think living a dream is inherently bad. In fact, I think it's rather splendid. This issue is that I needed them to harbor doubts now.

Don't worry. I won't shatter your beliefs completely. Think of it as you being in the bud stage. With just a bit of doubt, the flower will begin to bloom. You can trust me. I'm an expert in this field…….

"……So."

Finally, Brother Zepar spoke up.

"So, what is it that you gain? What profit are you trying to seek?"

"My apologies, but I don't understand your question. What do you mean by profit?"

I feigned ignorance and asked for clarification. Being overtly evasive would be awkward, so I simply requested a polite explanation of his question. I acted as naturally as an assassin might when they subtly poison a drink.

"Don't play dumb. What good would it do you if we make such a statement!?"

No, Zepar. That's not it. You should know the answer to that.

The only time any of us would gain nothing is if Barbatos were truly framed. If Barbatos indeed committed the assassination, then—naturally—your declaration would have meaning.

Because Marbas and the Neutral Faction's goal is solely to bring Barbatos to justice.

This isn't a political frame-up. We're not manipulating testimonies to destroy the Plains Faction. Marbas and the Neutral Faction simply seek to punish Barbatos for her deviation from the righteous path and for the assassination of Paimon.

That's all.

There is no reason to punish the Plains Faction aside from Barbatos. In fact, we're offering them a chance to declare their lack of involvement to clarify their innocence.

"Please repeat your question."

Do you understand? You have built your premise on a faulty foundation.

We are not here to slander Barbatos.

"As I do not understand the meaning behind it, Commander Zepar."

Your proud lord, the honorable legion commander, truly assassinated Paimon.

It is only under this premise that your confession will hold any significance. We are asking you to confess precisely because this premise is correct.

This is the answer.

Do not turn your head away from the answer, Plains Faction.

"……."

Even though I asked him to repeat his question, Commander Zepar's face remained rigid. Sometimes, questioning a question can serve as an excellent answer. This was one such instance. My response only solidified a hypothesis in Commander Zepar's mind, strengthening it.

The 'malicious gain' that Commander Zepar might have expected or anticipated was nowhere to be found. At least, not for Marbas and the Neutral Faction.

The Neutral Faction's sole purpose was to curb Barbatos' rampage and unchecked power.

Commander Zepar clenched his teeth tightly.

"If…… If you people succeed in falsely accusing Her Excellency Barbatos…… and we declare that we had no part in that ridiculous slander, what happens then?"

I inwardly smiled with satisfaction.

He took the bait.

Although Brother Zepar used words like 'false accusation' and 'ridiculous slander', no amount of such smokescreen could change the essence of his question. When stripped down to its true form, the question Commander Zepar had just uttered was as follows:

―What if Barbatos really did order the assassination?

A clear suspicion.

Doubt and uncertainty.

The mere possibility that Her Excellency Barbatos might have orchestrated Paimon's assassination―a possibility that had been previously obscured by blind loyalty and unwavering belief―was finally beginning to surface. It was like a morning glory slowly unfurling in the early morning twilight.

"First, let me address one thing."

There was no turning back now. Once a flower begins to bloom, it can no longer revert to a bud.

Now then.

This was my domain.

"The assassination is by no means a false accusation. The day will come when even you will see the evidence. In fact, I plan to show it to you as early as tomorrow. Your faith will only last for about fifteen more hours."

I dare declare: from this moment on, the Plains Faction and Barbatos will turn on each other.

Just as Marbas governs over dominion, and Barbatos presides over the souls of warriors, each Demon Lord rules their own domain.

"And to answer your question, naturally, Barbatos will be executed, and you will be acquitted. All the titles we temporarily stripped from you will be returned."

"……."

"Why do you ask the obvious, Commander Zepar?"

I, Demon Lord Dantalian of Many Faces, govern over intrigue, vengeance, and the art of deception. If there is one word to encapsulate it all, it is trickery. It is the art of sculpting a statue of betrayal from the bronze of doubt, and the alchemy that turns the lead of falsehood into the gold of truth.

Neither Marbas, Gamigin, Vassago, nor any of the Demon Lords who cooperated tonight will be anything more than clueless bystanders from this point forward.

O Demon Lords who rule over demonkind and command legions of tens of thousands, bow your heads and lower your gaze. Bend your furrowed brows and submit to my words.

From here on, this is my domain―Dantalian's territory.

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. Once again, sorry for the delay. Just a lotta work. That's really all there is to it. Though my cousin is also visiting from the states and I haven't seen her in like 20 years, so my family has been spending time with her and boyfriend while they're here.

As you can tell, I haven't been able to return to my original schedule just yet. Probably a motivation issue, though I think I already mentioned that before. I'll keep pushing on.

I'll see you guys in the next chapter.