Dungeon Defense

"Hah? Is bullshit still coming out of this idiot's mouth?"

Barbatos lifted her right foot and kicked Sitri in the abdomen. Sitri groaned, expelling not just a sound but also a clot of coagulated blood. Barbatos paid no mind and kicked her again.

"Apologize? To Paimon? Why should I do that?"

"……Apologize……to her……."

"I'm speechless. Are you saying that the tens of thousands of innocent people you slaughtered don't count as lives, but that bitch Paimon does? You must think you're some kind of tragic heroine. You damn mutt."

Barbatos looked down at Sitri coldly.

"Being born a ruler, treated as a ruler, and living as a ruler are already unparalleled luxuries and extravagances. The fuckers who have never gone hungry for even a day, or dug holes for even an hour often talk about fictional tragedies."

Barbatos seemed to grow tired of striking Sitri's abdomen as she redirected her attention. She pressed her foot firmly onto the stump where Sitri's right arm had been severed. Barbatos' toes were dyed red as blood spurted out.

"Aaargh! Aaaaargh……!"

"Did you know? Whenever I see people like you who curse the world, it feels like worms are crawling under my skin. You should know your place. After living as a ruler for over a thousand years, what have you done for the people of the demon world? Huh? All you did was happily swing your dick around.

Have you done anything useful?"

"Sis…… Sis……."

"Useless trash."

Barbatos lifted her right foot. The torture was over. Sitri, like a broken record, kept asking for an apology. Tears streamed down her face continuously.

"Sheesh, now my mood is ruined. If you hadn't been born a Demon Lord, you'd probably be a whore somewhere in Utpala. It's because of kids like you that the good demons have to suffer."

Barbatos slung her scythe over her shoulder and took a deep sigh. She looked around at the Plains Faction Demon Lords resting around her and shouted sharply.

"Was killing a few beggars enough to make you all fall on your asses? Get up, you brats!"

Brother Beleth quietly raised his hand.

"What about me, Your Excellency? My legs got messed up."

"I don't know. Spend the rest of your life paddling or something."

The Plains Faction Demon Lords chuckled softly. Shortly after, they began to get up one by one while letting out strained groans. Brother Beleth, with both his legs gone, had to rely on his comrades for support. Due to his large build, he required the assistance of two people to keep him up.

"Go support them."

Marbas ordered. Once he did, the Neutral Faction Demon Lords responded with an "Understood" as they dispersed. Barbatos frowned. She was the type of person to be reluctant to accept kindness from others.

"There's no need for you to go out of your way to help. These guys should take care of their own bodies."

"Only three may be severely injured, but do you not have many who have suffered minor injuries? There is nothing wrong with accepting our goodwill."

"Well, if you insist on going through the trouble……. I won't consider this a debt. All right, cast preservation spells on the deceased and lock up those who survived."

Barbatos snorted. At that moment, laughter echoed from somewhere. Marbas, Barbatos, and I turned our heads to see where the sound was coming from. On the opposite side of the room, Gamigin was gripping her stomach with both hands and laughing.

"Is that retard's chronic condition acting up again?"

Barbatos clicked her tongue. She didn't show it, but she wasn't in a good mood since one of the Plains Faction Demon Lords had died. Torturing Sitri had also been a way for her to vent her frustration. In such a situation, Gamigin's laughter naturally made her frown, and the same went for Marbas and me.

"Why are you laughing now, Gamigin?"

"My bad—sorry, Marbas. Ahahaha, sorry. But it's just too funny."

Gamigin brushed her blonde hair back with the back of her hand and pointed at the center of the room.

"Not long ago, we were all gathered at the palace gates, bickering over who would sleep with Dantalian first. Now, one of us is lying over there."

Gamigin then pointed at Sitri, who was sprawled in a pool of blood.

"And another is over there, swimming around after losing an arm and a leg."

Gamigin then looked at Barbatos and smiled broadly.

"Ahaha. No, it's just……isn't this such a joke that you can't help but laugh?"

"Haa……? Hey, you wire-brained idiot. If you want to pick a fight with me, at least speak in a way people can understand. I can feel my intelligence leaking out every time you open your mouth."

"Yeah, sorry. Sorry, Barbatos. I just saw too many amusing scenes today."

"Gamigin."

At that moment, Vassago, who had been silent all this time, muttered.

"Shut up."

"Ah, sorry. I'm really sorry. I guess it's inappropriate to be happy at a time like this, huh? Fufu. It's just that Paimon's chamber becoming a mass grave is fascinating."

"I said shut up."

Finally, Gamigin stopped talking. However, the wide grin on her face remained.

"……."

Barbatos suddenly turned her head to look at me. Since I was looking at Vassago's face at that moment, I was a second late to return her gaze. Her golden eyes stared piercingly at me.

"……."

"……."

Around us, the Plains Faction Demon Lords were slowly, very slowly, moving with the help of the Neutral Faction Demon Lords. Or maybe it felt slow because we were facing each other.

"Thanks for the help. I'll treat you later."

"Geez, I ended up struggling because that old guy was stronger than expected."

The grumbling of the wounded echoed around. The sound bounced off the walls of the chamber, creating a somewhat dull echo.

"……."

Barbatos slowly turned her head. This time, she looked at Marbas. Marbas was already prepared to meet her gaze, so their eyes met instantly. Unlike with me, Barbatos didn't exchange a long look with Marbas. However, she did part her lips slightly.

"……."

Barbatos looked at me again. Her golden eyes were pleading for something. For a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped, and only the two of us were silently conversing, detached from everything else.

I nodded once.

Barbatos' mouth opened wide.

"—Watch out!"

Just a moment ahead of her shout. Or perhaps simultaneously.

The Neutral Faction Demon Lords drew their weapons and ruthlessly stabbed the Plains Faction Demon Lords' bodies. Blades plunged into abdomens, waists, necks, and thighs without hesitation. The Plains Faction Demon Lords, who had entrusted themselves to their allies, screamed in agony.

"Uaaaagh!"

Blood and screams sprayed through the air from all directions.

The Neutral Faction Demon Lords did not stop at a single strike but repeatedly stabbed the bodies of the Plains Faction Demon Lords, twisting their blades each time. Trying to endure the relentless onslaught, the Plains Faction Demon Lords stood for a moment but soon fell as their knees buckled.

"You—!"

As soon as Barbatos witnessed this, she bit her lip and raised her scythe.

But Barbatos was forced to stop.

A sharp blade was aimed just below her chin.

It was the sword of Demon Lord Marbas.

"I will not use trite words to suggest you surrender, Barbatos. However, I will state that, as of now, none of your subordinates have died at our hands. A wise person like you should understand the implication."

It was a threat indicating that if Barbatos moved, they would immediately kill the remaining Plains Faction Demon Lords. Barbatos' hands trembled slightly as they gripped her scythe. The enshrinement chamber was filled with the scent of slaughter.

"Ugh…… Khh……."

In an instant, the overwhelming majority of the Plains Faction Demon Lords had fallen. Even Brother Zepar and Beleth couldn't escape the massacre and were butchered. Already injured, and then caught off guard, it was impossible for them to come out unscathed.

Once again, the Plains Faction Demon Lords collapsed.

Atop the corpses of the Mountain Faction Demon Lords.

"You scoundrels, how dare you……!"

The three Demon Lords from the Plains Faction, who were able to avoid the ambush as they didn't require help from the Mountain Faction to stand up, stopped dead in their tracks as soon as a sword was pressed against Barbatos' neck. It was a wise decision. If they had shown even the slightest resistance, the independent Demon Lords would've stepped in this time.

A terrifying silence enveloped the chamber.

"Miss…… Barba……tos……."

"Your Excellency……."

Even as the Plains Faction Demon Lords were bleeding profusely, they reached out their hands toward Barbatos. They no longer had the strength to do anything more. Even if they had the strength, resistance would probably still be difficult……. The Neutral Faction Demon Lords, in their wisdom, had severed all the fingers of the Plains Faction Demon Lords to prevent them from wielding weapons.

The occasional groans of the Plains Faction Demon Lords were the only sounds vibrating through the air. Apart from that, everything was silent. The Neutral Faction Demon Lords, the independent Demon Lords, Paimon enshrined in her glass coffin, and even Sitri who was still weeping. Everything was silent.

Including me.

"……Why."

Barbatos' lips quivered. Her entire body was trembling with rage. She opened and closed her mouth several times, but in the end, the only word that escaped was 'why'. Marbas looked at her with eyes full of sorrow.

"You should not have permitted Paimon's death, Barbatos. Nor should you have plotted Sitri's death. Your actions were wrong from beginning to end."

"……."

"If both Paimon and Sitri are gone, it is clear that the Mountain Faction will not be able to stand on its own. When that happens, the balance between factions will collapse, allowing you to monopolize power. Even if I attempt to keep you in check, it will be in vain."

Marbas spoke wistfully.

"I was always anxious and apprehensive about the hatred between you and Paimon. The two of you are the wings of our demon army. I feared that in your mutual hatred, you might forget the simplest truth: no matter how great a bird may be, it can never soar with only one wing."

Barbatos moved her body. At that moment, Marbas pressed the blade even closer to Barbatos' neck, cutting her skin. A trickle of bright red blood flowed. Barbatos had no choice but to stop.

"Unfortunately, my fears became reality. The affairs of the world never go as one wishes……. I always knew that, but it never fails to bring about regret."

Barbatos glared at Marbas with blazing eyes.

"How dare you……!"

"I will state the charges. Barbatos, evidence has been secured that you instigated Paimon's death."

The focus in Barbatos' eyes wavered.

"That's a lie……."

"All of the archdukes have acknowledged that you, Barbatos, threatened or advised them. These are statements I personally acquired from them. Hence, I am convinced that you indirectly assassinated Paimon."

Another silence fell over the room.

Barbatos' gaze turned to me.

She was questioning me without any audible words.

And then.

"That's right, Barbatos."

I spoke.

"I told Marbas the truth."

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. Aaaaah, such a delayed chapter. I know a lot of you are fine with waiting a bit, but I can't help but feel bad. It feels like I'm in a bit of a dry spell. I wonder if it's because I sort of never took an official break since I started translating the WN?

When I was translating LNs I'd take like a few weeks off after I finished a volume, but it's been sort of non-stop. I guess I only have myself to blame.

I'm still determined to see this through to the end, so I'll slap myself back into shape.