“I shall end this hearing around here. As I told you all before, we shall decide with a majority vote on whose opinion is right. Now, with a show of hands……”
“Wait a moment.”
At that moment, Paimon spoke in a hurry.
Marbas raised a brow.
“What is it? Is there something more you’d like to say?”
“Yes, there are still some questions that this lady has yet to inquire Dantalian.”
“Paimon……”
Marbas took off his monocle and wiped it with a handkerchief.
Marbas’ voice became softer, as if he were talking to an old comrade.
“You and I have spent the past 500 years knowing one another. 500 years is quite the long period of time, don’t you think?”
“…… Indeed, it was a rather difficult period of time. Marbas.”
“As you would know about me, I as well, know about you. I will honestly confess as to why I did not hide my bitter mood throughout this entire hearing. Paimon. I know full well that there was no chance that you would sincerely want to protect Andromalius. If anything, it would be the complete opposite. It would only be appropriate for you to despise a man like Andromalius.”
Paimon became silent.
Marbas, after completely cleaning his monocle, put it on again. The golden frame of his monocle silently reflected the light of a candle.
“Tonight is the Walpurgis Night, Paimon. It’s the Walpurgis Night. At a time, this was a gathering that all Demon Lords were obligated to attend, but now it has lost its past virtue and we are barely able to have the majority of the members here. Baal, Agares, Vassago, and Gamigin…… In the now, where the entire continent is struggling with an unprecedented plague, where are the Demon Lords who were of a higher rank than myself, and what are they doing?”
Paimon lowered her head.
“Marbas. More than anyone else, you are the one to be the most committed to the demon-kind. This lady sincerely expresses her respect to you.”
“We respect one another. Therefore, the Demon Lords that did not attend this meeting— the ones that are located throughout the demon world, while being indifferent and only concerned for their own personal pleasures, let us avoid the situation where we are laughed upon by these Demon Lords.”
Marbas spoke.
“Just for the claim alone that someone had tried to protect Andromalius during the Walpurgis Night is more than enough reason for people to ridicule us. Oh dear, I can already hear the mocking laugh coming from Agares. I shall ask of you frankly. Please do not worsen this predicament any further.”
Paimon bit her lips.
“……Let this lady have one more chance.”
She had placed her right hand on her chest and bowed deeply.
“Please, allow me to have this final chance.”
Marbas stroke his beard.
The Demon Lord who belonged to the 9th rank among Demon Lords had gone as far as to lower her head even after hearing Marbas’ speech. It would probably be difficult for Marbas to enforce his thoughts any further in this state. It was a problem of keeping face and maintaining formality. Eventually, Marbas gave a single nod.
“Hm.”
Except, you will not say anything else besides that. Do what you want, but do not expect my help afterwards. It contained that kind of meaning.
Paimon returned the nod and looked straight at me.
“Dantalian.”
The first round was over.
She had the look as if she was telling me that the genuine second round was about to begin.
I spoke calmly.
“Your highness Paimon. There is something that I wish to tell you beforehand.”
“Speak.”
“I have no emotion towards your highness Paimon whatsoever.”
Paimon narrowed her brows.
“What does that mean?”
“Even if your highness found fault in the incident with Andromalius, I understand your highness. In the end, I will bear no ill will.”
Despite everything, she was still a sensible and cultured individual.