"Well, this is certainly a rare occurrence..."
A lone female devil walked quickly, avoiding prying eyes as her wavy, cherry-pink hair swayed. Her beautiful features, which looked to be in her late twenties, were further enhanced by an alluring dress. The devils who passed her all stopped in their tracks, their gazes a mixture of awe and envy.
Every devil in the Underworld knew who she was.
Roygun Belphegor. The current head of the Belphegor family, ranked Number Two in the Rating Game, and one of the Underworld's strongest. Her power was spoken of in the same breath as Serafall Leviathan and Grayfia Lucifuge.
The reason Roygun was walking so furtively was because she had just received a message from an acquaintance in her own waiting room. She had been surprised to see the woman, and even more surprised by the content of her message. They didn't often speak privately, but Roygun knew the woman well. It was the Queen of her greatest rival, Emperor Belial.
The Queen had visited to propose a surprise event, planned by the top three ranked players, for the upcoming year-end tournament. Roygun and Bividen were already scheduled to participate as support staff—Roygun as an arbiter and Bividen as a special guest commentator. The main stars of this event were the Emperor and the ten challengers. The final, spectacular matches of the year were supposed to be theirs alone.
Roygun, having finished her own games for the year, had been planning to treat this as just another job. But now, an invitation from the Emperor himself for a "surprise event"? She couldn't believe her ears.
A long time ago, a game organizer had suggested the top three players stage a similar event to excite the crowd. The one who shot it down was the Emperor himself.
His reason was, "I don't want to bring unnecessary things into a Rating Game match." He hated the idea of inserting fluff into the sacred games. Because of this, any match involving the Emperor had a steadfast policy of entertaining the crowd purely with the game itself. Roygun remembered Bividen scoffing at the Emperor's conviction.
And that man was now planning a surprise event just before his own crucial matches?
He was a man who treated every opponent with the utmost sincerity. Roygun was so baffled that she had to ask the Queen if the Emperor had really said that. She'd thought it might be a new kind of joke.
That was just what kind of man Dihauzer Belial was: a deadly serious, stubbornly honest man who loved the game more than anyone.
"She wouldn't tell me why, just 'ask him yourself'... I can't imagine him planning something boring, but I have no idea what it could be..."
He wasn't just inviting her, but also Bividen Abaddon, who was famously dedicated to showmanship. Dihauzer wouldn't get him to agree with a half-baked plan. A surprise event by the top three would be a massive deal in the Underworld. If it succeeded, great. If it failed, they'd face criticism from everyone. The Emperor had to understand that risk.
Though she couldn't imagine what was happening, Roygun's feet moved unhesitatingly toward the Emperor's room. The biggest reason was, of course, curiosity. She was intrigued by what that Emperor was plotting. Whether she accepted or refused, she at least wanted to hear him out.
Roygun held no suspicion toward the Emperor. She thought she knew him that well. The game was run by the Old Devils, and it was rife with plots. The Emperor, who had survived all that to stand at the top, should have been an opponent you could never let your guard down around. But he was too righteous, too fundamentally good. Above all, he was so strong that he never needed to use schemes to crush others.
He was the back she had chased for so long, the rival she could never defeat, the man she admired for his pure devotion to the game. Only when she played against him could she truly enjoy using her full power. Her feelings for him were a complex mix.
"I'm here, Dihauzer."
But from this day on, after she casually opened that door and was met by Dihauzer Belial greeting her with a wonderful smile and a "Welcome," her perception of him would be completely overturned. It didn't take long for Roygun Belphegor's image of the Emperor to change from "a deadly serious man who loves the game" to "somebody stop this battle-crazy game-maniac!?"
***
"Well, good evening to you both. I imagine my sudden summons at such a busy time must have surprised you. My apologies."
"I doubt you're as busy as we are, considering you're the one with a match in a few days."
"Now that Roygun is here, shall we get to it? What is this about? Your peerage member who delivered the message wouldn't answer my questions."
Bividen and Dihauzer were already in the Emperor's waiting room. It seemed they had been waiting for all three to arrive. Bividen wore an amused smile, but his eyes were suspicious. He, too, was clearly mystified by the Emperor's invitation.
Bividen Abaddon was a blond-haired devil who looked to be in his late thirties, dressed in a refined, aristocratic suit. Ranked Number Three, he was, like Mephisto Pheles, from the Abaddon family—a line of "Extra Demons." He closed the book he'd been reading to pass the time and turned his gaze to Dihauzer.
None of the Emperor's peerage was present. He had prepared tea for his guests himself, using his own magic. He apologized to Roygun and the others, then returned to his usual friendly expression. During a game, he was an unshakable pillar, but this was a private gathering. He wasn't letting his guard down, but he welcomed them warmly.
Roygun sat in the offered seat and idly picked at the sweets on the table. She recognized them from her favorite famous confectionery, and her brow furrowed slightly. To have gone to the trouble of preparing these... this meeting wasn't a spur-of-the-moment idea. It was pre-planned.
"First... I'd like to ask. Did either of you tell anyone you were coming here?"
"Those were your instructions. My peerage was busy with other work, anyway."
"If it got out that the top three were meeting, the gossip rags would have a field day. ...I haven't even agreed to your event yet, and I don't need the headache of rumors."
"I'm not worried about that. What I am asking is... did you report to your 'superiors' that Dihauzer Belial, the Emperor, requested a secret meeting with the top three?"
For an instant, Roygun and Bividen's eyes widened, but they quickly masked their surprise. Their minds raced, trying to understand why he would ask such a question. But Dihauzer's gentle, friendly smile didn't waver, which only made it feel chilling.
"Why would I report being invited to a surprise event? Besides... what do you mean by 'superiors'?"
"Well, I don't know the full details of your circumstances. Your own families, other noble houses, the politicians, the game management... the Old Devils, perhaps?"
Roygun kept her expression neutral, replying in her usual joking tone. But the Emperor didn't flinch, pressing on. This was not the Dihauzer they knew. Bividen's face was blank, but inwardly, he was cursing his own carelessness for coming here unprepared. He'd assumed it was just about the game, never considering it could be a political maneuver.
"Dihauzer, I am an outcast from the Abaddon family, practically disowned for joining the game. I'm grateful to the management who supported me, but I climbed the ranks on my own power. I've never made a habit of sucking up to them or reporting my every move."
"Is that so? My mistake. I was just confirming. My apologies if I offended you."
Bividen's denial was meant to probe the Emperor's intentions, but he couldn't get a read on him. Dihauzer just kept smiling, making it impossible to tell if they were the ones overthinking it. Bividen glanced at Roygun; she was also watching the Emperor, clearly not fooled. They were rivals who had dominated the rankings for years; they were not stupid.
The problem was a total lack of information. They needed to know Dihauzer's objective. If they said the wrong thing, he could use it against them. The Emperor before them now had that kind of terrifying presence. It felt just like facing him in a Rating Game. And they had never won against him in a game. Bividen suppressed the rising dread, keeping his arrogant mask firmly in place.
"Dihauzer, is this... surprise event of yours something that will... 'trouble' the higher-ups? The management?"
"Ah, yes, as a matter of fact. Since all three of us are doing it, I thought we could set off a firework so massive it would light up the entire Underworld. But the cleanup will be a mess, and we'll probably get yelled at by... everyone... afterward."
"Wait, wait... Are you seriously trying to drag us into a plan like that?"
Bividen's voice was filled with disbelief at Dihauzer's troubled smile. He couldn't fathom why the Emperor would do this. It was jaw-dropping. What was he thinking, annoying the management and "everyone" else? It was politically, aristocratically, and professionally unforgivable. Is this really the Emperor? It was so out of character he'd be relieved if Dihauzer claimed to be an imposter.
"Lord Belphegor, you have immense support from female devils, and as an actress, you have strong ties to the entertainment world. Lord Abaddon, you are politically astute and understand showmanship better than anyone here. This plan will require all our skills as entertainers. I truly need the cooperation of the two strongest players."
Dihauzer spoke as if their participation were a foregone conclusion. Bividen's cheek twitched. The high praise meant nothing. Why would Dihauzer assume they would ever agree? The obvious answer was to refuse. The title of a top player was heavy, one they had built... and sinned... so much to obtain.
This was his chance. He could walk out, call the idea "ridiculous," and report to the management that the Emperor was plotting something. He could even score points for himself.
"...This is absurd. I won't even hear it. I'm out, Dihauzer. To think that you, the Number One player and my greatest rival, would conceive of such a short-sighted, ridiculous farce... I'm disappointed."
"Bividen..."
He pushed his chair back and turned his back on Dihauzer. Roygun looked thoughtful, but she surely wouldn't agree either.
It was true, as Bividen had said, that they didn't really care about the management's feelings. But they had no intention of defying them, either. Whatever they felt inwardly, it was better to be seen as a loyal dog. They had a long-standing business relationship. Angering them was a suicidal move.
He took one step toward the door... and his foot froze, as if nailed to the floor.
"Kuk... hahaha...! Ridiculous, you say? ...Ah, it is. I myself was ridiculous, dancing on the palm of their hands all this time without even noticing. And so are you... for continuing to dance."
He couldn't move. The Emperor's aura, which had been hidden behind that gentle smile, was unleashed, filling the room with crushing pressure. Bividen's arrogant expression vanished, replaced by a cold sweat.
A monster.
Right. How could he have forgotten? How many times had he thought that word? The man in front of him was not someone to be trifled with. He was the monster who had, time and again, shown him the absolute, agonizing difference in their talent. The aura pouring from him now was heavier than anything Bividen had ever felt in a game.
This was wrong. This man was not the Emperor Belial he knew.
"...Sit down, Bividen Abaddon. I am not finished."
"...How tyrannical."
"Have you forgotten? I am the Emperor."
The crushing aura vanished. Bividen, catching his breath, spat out a small complaint. Dihauzer just returned the remark with an amused, joking tone. Bividen, chewing on his bitterness, quietly sat back down. He had no will to defy the Emperor now. Dihauzer had no intention of letting them leave, and Bividen couldn't think of a single way to escape him without causing a scene.
"...Are you okay? That aura just now was intense. What if someone outside noticed?"
"No problem. My peerage has erected a barrier. They're so reliable."
"...You really thought of everything, didn't you?"
Now that Roygun focused, she could feel something enveloping the room. Top players often used barriers for security. She'd assumed this one was to prevent eavesdropping... but it was a cage, meant to trap them. And the ultimate deterrent was the man himself.
Roygun sighed and dropped her "cat" facade. It was pointless to play games or hide her expressions now. They'd been careless, but more than that, the Emperor was just too different. He was never a man who would throw his title around, not even as a joke.
"Now, let's begin. Lord Belphegor, Lord Abaddon... a discussion between the top three players of the Rating Game."
Dihauzer's words signaled a new start, and a shiver of tension ran down both their spines. They didn't know what was coming. But they had the vague premonition that their relationship, as it was, was over, and a massive change was upon them. The only thing they could see clearly was the Emperor's amused smile.
***
"Hello-nyo, Mill-tan! I came with Kana today-nyo!"
"I've been waiting-nyo, Lavi-tan! And Kana-tan! It's been so long, Mill-tan is overjoyed-nyo!"
"Ah, thanks, Mill-tan. I'm happy to see you too, but please, I'm begging you, lower the arms you're trying to embrace me with. Please. I'll literally die!"
The sight of a muscular avatar in a pink goth-loli outfit, cat ears and all, rushing at me with tears of joy. Just describing it has a horrifying destructive power. Visually, it was devastating. When I first saw "Magical Girl Mill-tan" over the communication circle, I burst out laughing and paid dearly for it. This was him in person. I was prepared, but... wow. That's all I can say.
He'd been in a normal T-shirt and jeans on the way to the Kuoh Town church, but by the time we got here, he had "awakened." Is this the "corrective force of the plot" you see in fanfiction? If so, what a powerful enemy... the will of the world itself wished for Mill-tan's awakening. He really might end up in another world one day. I sighed.
Today, we were visiting the "Mil-key Magicians'" house. I'd contacted Mill-tan ahead of time to arrange this. I'd been so busy with the Emperor that we hadn't had a chance to meet. Now that things had calmed down, we decided to get together for a debriefing. I also needed to thank the Mil-key Magicians properly.
"How's Mr. Shidou? Is his stomach any better?"
"Thanks to the ingredients Iina-tan and the others gathered, he seems to have recovered quite a bit-nyo. But... he became a shut-in for a while after that-nyo."
"Huh? His stomach got better, but he became a shut-in?"
"Iina-tan said... he couldn't stop ending all his sentences with 'Gelgel,' and it wouldn't go away-nyo. He's apparently praying to God to heal it-nyo."
"As expected of a legendary Fantasy Ingredient... Its effects are marvelous, but perhaps it was too soon for mankind-nyo..."
I don't think that's the problem, Lavinia, I thought, shooting her a mental retort.
But seriously, what do I do? I can't imagine God answering Mr. Shidou's prayers. Oh, God, why are you never around for this stuff! Michael, please! Help this father of one who's stuck with a verbal tic! He has an important meeting soon! Yaegaki has firmed up his resolve and is going to talk to him!
"Mr. Shidou! Please let me stay with Creuserey!"
"Yaegaki-kun... as a man of the Church, I cannot allow that, Gelgel."
"Mr. Shidou!"
"Yaegaki-kun, Gelgel!"
...It's too cruel. Neither of them wins. No one is saved. This result is just... awful. Should I sneak into the church and eliminate his verbal tic? I know it's dangerous, but this... this has to be forgiven, right? Please forgive me.
"That's it-nyo! I remember seeing a magic drink in the Mil-key archives that blasts away any sickness-nyo! We just need to go find the ingredients-nyo!"
"I see! As expected of you, Mill-tan-nyo! It seems we must rise up as magical girls once more!"
"Whoa, hold on, both of you! I'm the only one here to stop you, which is wrong, but I have a feeling if I don't, things will get even worse for Mr. Shidou, so I'm stopping you with all my might!"
I grabbed the arms of Lavinia and Mill-tan, who were about to charge off, and managed to stop them. That was close. Mr. Shidou was almost taken out by Mil-key. I somehow managed to convince them to avoid food and drink-related cures. I think I stretched my vocabulary to its limit, spouting nonsense about "religious dietary restrictions" and whatnot. I did my best.
"Mmm... but Kana-tan. Mill-tan is worried about the pastor-nyo. When Mill-tan thinks about him suffering, Mill-tan's heart hurts, too-nyo..."
"...Mill-tan."
Mill-tan hung his head, dejected, and then burst into spectacular tears. His appearance is that of a destroyer, but his heart is that of a pure maiden. I know Mr. Shidou will feel better once the "purge" incident is resolved, but Mill-tan can't stand to see him suffer until then.
I thought about his feelings, and an idea struck me. Yes, this wouldn't trouble Mr. Shidou, and it would honor Mill-tan's feelings.
"Mill-tan, that's what's important. Your feeling of worrying about Mr. Shidou."
"Mill-tan's... feeling?"
"Yeah. You don't need things. You just need to take that feeling, give it form, and convey it with all your heart. That's more than enough to get your feelings across."
If Mill-tan just tearfully tells him, "Please get better soon!"... it'll be intense, sure, but it shouldn't be a problem. Mr. Shidou will understand his sincerity. It'll probably be fine.
"Give form... to my heart... That's right-nyo! The pastor told me that 'starting with the form is important'-nyo! I must not forget this guiding principle of Mill-tan's heart-nyo!"
"Huh? Mill-tan?"
"Thank you, Kana-tan! You really are amazing-nyo! Mill-tan will return to his roots and convey his feelings to the pastor with all his heart-nyo!"
"O-oh..."
Where did I just hit a flag that raised Mill-tan's affection? I have no idea. Well, it's better than being hated, but I'm scared to even ask what my "position" is in Mill-tan's mind.
"I'm glad your worry is resolved-nyo!"
"Yes, I'm happy you're feeling better, Mill-tan. But... what should we do today, then?"
"Oh, in that case, why don't we all play some games—"
"Today, let's all train in Mil-key Magic-nyo!"
My thought process, which had been trailing off at "play...-", froze solid. I turned my head with a creak. Mill-tan was beaming at me, his eyes sparkling so brightly they seemed to have sound effects. He was practically skipping with excitement. Crap. I can't possibly win.
I begged for reinforcements, shifting my gaze to my side.
"Let's do our best, Kana! Today is practice for 'Mil-key Thunder Crusher'! We must fight on to become proper magical girls-nyo!"
"Ahaha... haha... Right. Fight... on... nyo..."
I felt a hot sting in my eyes. I'm in front of a girl, so I absolutely will not cry. But my heart was in tatters. I didn't have the grit to refuse them when they were looking at me with such pure, shining eyes. I knew they'd look so sad if I said no.
I'm truly grateful to both of them. Lavinia is my partner, who came all the way to Japan to support me, and Mill-tan agreed to my ridiculous request without a second thought. If the alternative is seeing them sad, then as a man, as a friend, I'll practice some damn Mil-key Magic! I absolutely refuse to become a magical girl, but if I don't even have the tolerance to use Mil-key Magic, how can I survive in this world?! I really don't get this world at all!
"Alright, you two! Today we'll start by practicing our magic activation poses-nyo!"
"Huh?"
"Yes, Mill-tan-nyo!"
"...Eh?"
I almost broke right then and there, but I did my best. I really did. Because I have all this useless Mil-key knowledge, my poses were apparently better than Lavinia's (a Mil-key beginner). I was praised, which just made me depressed.
The magician and the devil watching from the sidelines silently gave me a thumbs-up. I'm starting to wonder if 'Grau Zauberer' just attracts weirdos.
...But Lavinia's pose was cute.
While Dihauzer is fighting his battle in the Underworld, I decided I have to fight mine here. I can't just stop. I shrugged and walked over to Lavinia and the others, who were pouring tea for a break.
***
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