Episode 161: Duke of the Underworld

Having finished climbing the stairs, Siegfried von Kreving proceeded down the corridor leading to the throne room. Normally, guards would line this passageway, but no one else was visible.

Moonlight streaming through the windows illuminated the corridor, creating an atmosphere of stillness as if time itself had frozen.

However, time in reality does not stop. It steadily advances toward the moment of conclusion.

The steel door leading to the throne room was locked from the inside. But Siegfried paid no heed to such an obstacle and casually kicked the door down.

The throne room he stepped into was dimly lit, with only one point illuminated by the glow of magic ore.

That point was none other than—the throne.

“The last time we met was—when I ordered your enrollment into the military academy.”

The man seated on the throne spoke quietly. With ice-blue hair and eyes like frozen crystals, and a sharp, intelligent face. He was the king of Kirchhen—Luverios-Legria von Varis Kirchien.

“From that time, I sensed something unusual about you, different from ordinary people. But to think you’d actually come to seize the throne like this… I’m surprised. I acknowledge it, Siegfried von Kreving. You have far exceeded my expectations.”

Siegfried said nothing, simply walking steadily toward the throne. Only his footsteps echoed through the vast throne room.

“—However, I will not yield the throne.”

Luverios’s gaze was unwavering, filled with the strong will of one who was the ruler of this nation.

After those words, another man’s voice cut through the air like a blade. The voice carried the weight of age, yet also an underlying strength.

It was the voice of the prime minister standing beside Luverios—Joachim von Kaltsart-Fernbrick.

“Count Kreving. —No, Siegfried. I have a story I’d like you to hear.”

“Very well.”

Siegfried stopped walking. He knew that listening to the villain’s ‘monologue’ was essential to enhancing the portrayal of evil.

“Have you ever heard the name ‘Silver Falling Star’?”

“Of course.”

Far to the west, based in the ‘Empire,’ a secret society—‘Silver Falling Star.’

It is said to be a dark organization aiming to lead the world to destruction. Or, a fanatical cult seeking to revive ancient evil gods.

The name is widely known, but its true nature is shrouded in mystery. The number of members and its real objectives are unknown. In any case, it is an entity viewed as dangerous by the ‘Holy Church’ and many nations.

“I am a member of that organization.”

“The highest-ranking noble of Kirchhen being a member of such a dangerous secret society—this is surprising.”

In truth, Siegfried had anticipated this development. However, feigning surprise was part of the performance against evil.

“Originally, I allied with ‘Silver Falling Star’ to utilize their dark network. But before I knew it—I had been swallowed by them. And eventually, I became enchanted by their doctrines and ideology. —I came to pledge my loyalty to the organization from the heart. It’s ironic, but… I have no regrets.”

Joachim’s voice carried a tone akin to ecstasy.

“What ‘Silver Falling Star’ seeks is—overwhelming power. Power to destroy and reconstruct the world. That is none other than—the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’ Our ultimate goal is to revive the Seven Great Calamities in this world. We’ve sent the kingdom’s shadow, Umbra, to your mansion. If he returns with Celestina’s head, using the secret arts of ‘Silver Falling Star,’ we can obtain the power of the vampire…”

“That’s impossible.”

Siegfried dismissed it coldly.

“Do you really think your pawns can take down Celestina? Has your brain rotted from overusing necromancy? Joachim.”

“…You’re quite composed, Siegfried.”

Joachim’s eyes darkened, beginning to emit a black light.

“Why do you think we’re waiting for you here, without deploying soldiers in the palace—don’t you understand the reason?”

“It’s obvious. Because you’ve placed your true strongest piece here? —One that surpasses Zefard, Ignas, even the kingdom’s shadow Umbra… your trump card.”

“You understand, yet you remain unfazed. —Not knowing fear is truly foolish.”

Joachim’s lips curled upward.

“Let me tell you one truth. The ‘Seven Great Calamities’ Lugdura was not defeated. Nor sealed like Celestina. Four hundred years ago—he moved to the subspace he created himself, the ‘Underworld.’”

Joachim’s words began to carry a fervor that could be mistaken for fanaticism.

“Lugdura-sama is ranked fourth among the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’ He’s on a different level from Celestina, who is seventh. After all, Celestina destroyed two nations, but… Lugdura-sama claimed the lives of every living thing in eight nations.”

Lugdura scattered death itself. With only one exception—he eradicated all human, beast, and plant life in eight nations.

The armies of each country, adventurer guilds, and the ‘Holy Church’ mobilized their full forces against him… but in the end, they could not defeat him.

“Now, witness what an extraordinary existence truly is.”

As if responding to those words—clack, clack, footsteps echoed from the darkness deep behind the throne.

What emerged was a grotesque figure clad in archaic noble attire.

Its skeleton was human-like, but—its massive frame easily exceeded 3 meters. No skin, flesh, or organs; just an undead composed entirely of bones.

And its head—was like a snake or perhaps a lizard. Far from human, resembling the skull of a reptile.

“Nice to meet you—little insect.”

Its voice was grating and eerie, like bones grinding together.

“My name is—Valnazal. I’m an existence on a different dimension from insects like you.”

Following those words, Joachim’s voice, filled with jubilation, enveloped the room.

“Fuh… Hahahaha! How about that! This esteemed one is—the supreme undead created by Lugdura-sama, Lord Valnazal! The strongest in our camp! Known as—the ‘Miasma Mist Duke’! One of the six great executives under Lugdura-sama, the ‘Underworld’s Six Judges Hexa Thanatos’! Legend has it that, on Lugdura-sama’s orders, he destroyed three cities in a single night—truly legendary—”

Joachim’s voice, brimming with madness, dominated the space.

Luverios sat deeply on the throne, his sharp gaze accompanied by an expression of certain victory.

And Valnazal directed his black, hollow eye sockets toward Siegfried, gazing as if at a worthless insect.

In that bizarre atmosphere—Siegfried muttered.

“What are you… saying…?”

Siegfried’s face showed genuine astonishment.

Not missing that reaction, Joachim let out a triumphant laugh.

“Hahahaha! As expected from someone who’s come this far. You understand Lord Valnazal’s overwhelming power! Yes, this esteemed one is beyond common sense, truly an otherworldly existence—”

Cutting through those words—suddenly, Siegfried’s roar echoed.

“—Get serious!”

Siegfried drew the sword at his waist. The black blade turned red, clad in blood and glowing crimson.

The red slash released from it expanded in an instant—and severed Valnazal’s massive body.

“Eh…?”

“Ha…?”

“…………Ah?”

Joachim, Luverios, Valnazal—the three each let out dumbfounded voices.

Immediately after, Valnazal’s body, cut by the slash, began to crumble silently.

“What is this!? I-Impossible…! W-Why isn’t my body regenerating!?”

A cracked scream, like bones creaking, echoed through the space.

“Me… This immortal me—Why!? I-Impossible, impossible aaaah!”

With a groan, Valnazal’s body disintegrated, vanishing without leaving even bone fragments.

After a beat of silence—Joachim’s scream resounded through the throne room.

“Hi… Hiiiiii…! Lord Valnazaaal!”

Calling the name of the utterly vanished Valnazal, Joachim collapsed to the ground as if crawling.

“N-No way! I-It’s a lie…! Lord Valnazal, the ‘Duke of the Underworld,’ with just one strike…”

“Joachim…”

Calling his name lowly, Siegfried grabbed Joachim by the collar and hauled him up.

“What was that just now…”

“Eh…?”

“This is the climax of the ‘Kirchhen Kingdom Arc.’ And the villain you bring out—is Lugdura’s subordinate!? Stop half-assing it!”

“H-Half-assing? What on earth…?”

“That was supposed to be the scene where Lugdura himself appears! Don’t bring out some downgraded villain like Lugdura’s subordinate now! You’ve been scheming in the shadows, orchestrating various evils. —Fulfill your responsibility as the director of evil!! Summon Lugdura!”

“D-Don’t say ridiculous things! Lugdura-sama resides in the subspace he created—the ‘Underworld.’ Summoning him is impossible! It would require an extraordinary amount of immense magical power—”

Without listening to Joachim’s excuses to the end, Siegfried let out a deep sigh.

“Fine, whatever. I’ll do it.”

“W-What…?”

“—I’ll summon Lugdura to this place myself.”