As he was educated as a Bael, he didn’t know anything outside of the Bael lifestyle—. The only area where he stood out more than others was his detailed knowledge and understanding of plants. Since he was young, Magdaran was particularly fond of plants and flowers. Beautiful purple flowers bloomed throughout the Bael city. Those flowers were also planted in the courtyard. They had become extinct once before during the war between the Three Factions. Through an investigation, Magdaran discovered seeds which were preserved in good condition, and used modern techniques to revive them. Everyone in the Bael family had purple eyes. Hence, purple was also regarded as their family colour. Magdaran didn’t think that there was anything more suitable than to include this flower in the Bael emblem. In addition to that, he cultivated a rare type of apple. Magdaran continued with his research on plants. It wouldn’t be surprising if many of Magdaran’s investigations received commendation, however, what he received was a warning to mind his own deeds from the current head of the Great King House. The Great King House was symbolised by destruction, so the proposal of plant research was simply shameful. Haha had also never praised him. She had never once tried the apples which he had grown. The only one who was willing to listen was — his ani Sairaorg. Sairaorg sent the flowers and fruits that Magdaran had grown to places within Bael territory to sell. While cheerily eating the apples which his ototo had grown, ani said
“Apples are a specialty within the Bael territory. The apples that you’ve grown could even become the best in the Underworld. I think you can definitely do it. If you need to ask why, this apple truly is delicious.”
Magdaran shook his head and cleared away the memories of his conversations with his ani, and continued to move through the passageways. …Until today, whether it was ani or family, whether it was flowers or the power of destruction, he didn’t need bother himself with those things. If Trihexa destroyed the Underworld, he could do nothing but obediently accept that fate. It had already been a few minutes since he began moving through the castle, and Saji Genshirou saw the rear gate that he had come in through. Beyond that rear gate was a vast open space; the ceiling was very high, it should be a place for civilians who sought temporary refuge. The rear gate was in front of them, but Saji Genshirou who was at the front released his aura and took up a stance in front of the doorway. —There was an ominous atmosphere ahead. Looking carefully, there was already someone standing on the other side of the rear gate—. In front of him, lay someone that Magdaran was familiar with. A gray-haired man wearing a cloak and light armour was lying in a pool of blood. It was Magdaran’s [Queen], Sectaas Barbatos. He originated from the House of Barbatos which belonged to the Seventy Two Pillars, and was also Magdaran’s servant. Having been born from a High-Class Devil and at the same time as Magdaran’s [Queen], he had actually collapsed in a pool of blood…. “Sectaas! Are you okay! ?”
Hearing Magdaran’s voice, his [Queen] coughed up fresh blood from his mouth, yet he still prioritised his master’s life as he said
“…Please hurry and get away.”
Saji extended out one of the tentacles from his armour towards Sectaas. He then used the tentacle to wrap around Sectaas, and carried him back over immediately. Magdaran and the guards checked on the [Queen]’s injuries. His entire upper and lower body had been pierced by shots of demonic energy, and if this continued, he would die of blood loss. Despite it being utterly inadequate, Magdaran tore his clothing, and bandaged Sectaas’ body with it. A person beyond the gate applauded upon seeing that. “Truly praiseworthy. It’s hard to imagine that the Great King would display such behaviour.”
The sound of thudding footsteps approached from the side beyond the rear gate as they entered. It was a blonde-haired gentlemen who had a nobleman’s attire. From his facial features, he appeared to be around thirty years old…but Devils were able to change their appearance, so the age that their appearance gave off wasn’t always accurate. —Indeed, everyone who was present clearly knew who this man was. Naturally, that was because this man had appeared on television—. The gentleman wearing a noble’s attire bowed politely, and said a greeting. “—Good day.”
Magdaran said that man’s name. “…Ranked third in the Rating Games…Bedeze Abaddon-dono.”
That’s right, this man — a professional Rating Game player, and ranked third, Bedeze Abaddon. He was an Extra Demon from the House of Abaddon. He was also the mastermind behind the attack on this Bael castle. The ominous aura and killing intent that seeped out of his body could clearly be felt. Bedeze laughed pleasantly. “This wouldn’t be the current head’s…second son-dono, would it? I would like to see the current head and previous generations, could you introduce them to me?”
“Unfortunately, chichiueand the previous generations are not here. And there’s also no reason for a traitor to meet with the Bael Great King.”
Bedeze made an amused smile in reponse to Magdaran’s words. Honestly speaking, even with the [Pawn] of Sona Sitri’s peerage here, it would be impossible to defeat the Rating Game’s third-ranked [King] in front of us. All of the [Kings] in the Top Ten are Ultimate-Class Devils, and the top three are considered to be Maou-Class in terms of strength. In other words, it would be like Magdaran, Saji and the guards fighting against a Maou. It was simply exasperating. Magdaran asked Bedeze
“Could you tell me your purpose in coming here?”
“I have had a number of exchanges with Great King in the past. Diehauser has exposed everything, and I want to show the darkness of that in front of all of the citizens.”
Magdaran couldn’t help but sigh at what was said. Magdaran quietly asked Saji beside him
(“The other peerage members, and the members of the team, where are they?”)
(“We of the Sitri peerage were all fighting against those masked people outside…each of them were strong as well, so I think they’re members of the third-ranker’s peerage.”)
So that’s how it was, loud roaring sounds had been heard from the outside since before, and that was probably the sounds of the battle between the Sitri peerage and the Abaddon peerage members. Saji continued
(“Sairaorg and his peerage will also arrive here soon…”)
It seems that ani Sairaorg had also been contacted. But, would he make it…? Nevertheless, even if he was able to get here in time, no matter how strong ani was, fighting against a Maou-Class opponent was too…. Bedeze paid no mind to any of that, and asked Saji
“The one on that side is from Sona Sitri’s peerage, right? Your black aura, I remember it from the video recording of that match between the youths.