In Nahen's office, Rin El Razar visited today. As Seere, overwhelmed with duties, had returned military authority to Nahen, Rin reported to him.
Nahen reviewed the report and selection test results Rin had submitted and spoke.
“For the Organization... assign 15,000 to the 6th Legion and 5,000 to the 7th Legion.”
“Understood.”
“I will assign Lexion and Mursiela as Executives to the 6th Legion, and Celestia and Erina to the 7th Legion.”
According to the selection test results, Celestia won, the High Orc Lexion was runner-up, and Erina and Mursiela took 3rd and 4th place respectively. Hearing Nahen's words, Rin asked him.
“Is there a specific intention behind dividing them this way? The number of soldiers assigned also differs.”
“Aren't all those I designated as Executives for the 7th Legion soldiers who served under Commander Rin?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Celestia and Erina were both Elite Soldiers belonging to the 4th Legion. They were skilled individuals who were third and fourth-in-command within the 4th Legion, following Rin and Varuna.
“I intend to make them Elite Soldiers like those in the Commander’s current legion.”
“Ah.”
“Having served in the 4th Legion for a long time, they should know well how to train the soldiers.”
“Celestia and Erina would know well. They are highly capable individuals.”
“Hearing the Commander say that gives me more confidence. Then let’s proceed with that arrangement... We shall fill the vacant positions in the 4th Legion by finding suitable individuals later. It's not like we're short on manpower right now, is it?”
“Understood.”
Nahen paused for a moment, perhaps pondering something. Rin calmly waited for Nahen to speak.
“Commander Rin.”
“Yes, Sir Nahen.”
“As Acting Military Authority, I command you.”
“Yes.”
Nahen issued a single order to Rin.
“Ascertain the patrol schedules of the soldiers guarding the 67th Floor border area.”
“The patrol schedule, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, understood.”
While accepting the order, Rin inwardly wondered. Why suddenly ascertain the patrol times of the 67th Floor soldiers? She tried to figure out the reason on her own, but...
‘...There doesn’t seem to be any particular reason.’
Considering the current situation of Seere's forces, there was no discernible reason. Although she couldn't fathom what Nahen was thinking, Rin had no intention of ignoring his command.
Nahen’s plans often led to success. Anticipating what he might show even against Belial, the Demon King of the 67th Floor, Rin bowed her head.
“I will ascertain it as quickly as possible.”
“Good.”
After Rin left the office, Nahen pressed his index finger firmly against his brow. For a non-Strategist to devise a strategy was quite the headache. If this were a game, he could leisurely choose from the options presented, but...
‘There’s no one here to present such options...’
He had no choice but to rack his brain based on the experience from dozens of playthroughs. Still, he thought he had come up with a pretty decent plan.
‘Why don’t I have that darn Status Window that always pops up in game reincarnations?’
Feeling a slight sense of unfairness, Nahen let out a sigh. Then he released a bit of his Magic Power. Instantly, black mist gathered behind him, and a small, white whale popped out. The tiny White Whale tilted its head, looking at Nahen.
“Puu?”
“I need you to do some work.”
Nahen's plan was none other than using Leviathan. However, unlike what he did on the 68th Floor, he didn't intend to swallow everything with Leviathan.
“Let's eat moderately this time.”
He intended to swallow just enough.
#
Sitri, who had visited the 69th Floor, was slightly bewildered.
“Teacher, how is the aroma? I managed to procure some new tea leaves that just came out.”
“Mm, it’s good.”
It was because Nahen was doing nothing in particular, just relaxing and sharing tea with Seere. She had come to discuss the conquest of the 67th Floor, so seeing this sight was a bit baffling.
“Ah, welcome, Your Majesty Sitri.”
“Hello, Lady Sitri.”
The leisurely appearance somehow suited him, which felt strangely irritating. Sitri stared at him for a moment, then spoke with an exasperated expression.
“So, how are you planning to carry out that operation to instill fear?”
“Ah, about that. You’ll have to wait a bit.”
“What?”
“I can only begin once the report comes in from Commander Rin.”
“What are you planning?”
Nahen gestured for her to sit in the empty seat. As Sitri plopped down, Seere ordered Cecily, who was waiting nearby, to pour tea. As Sitri’s teacup filled, Nahen offered her the newly poured tea.
“Please, have some first.”
“Why are you changing the subject?”
“I will tell you, so please don’t worry.”
“...Fine.”
Sitri lifted the teacup and took a sip. Then Nahen asked with a slight smile.
“How is the taste?”
“...It’s delicious. But do you want something from me? Why are you treating me so well?”
“Oh, you’re quick-witted.”
“What is it? It’s not just borrowing my name again, is it?”
“It’s not that. This time, I’d like you to keep a secret.”
“A secret?”
Instead of answering, Nahen showed her directly. As he slightly released his Magic Power, Sitri flinched and exclaimed.
“W-why are you suddenly spreading your Magic Power? You want me to train amidst this!?”
“Pardon? No. I need to show you, don’t I?”
As Nahen spoke, black mist shimmered behind him, and a pure white whale began to reveal its form.
“Uh... uh uh...!?”
“You’ve seen it once before, haven’t you?”
The massive White Whale slowly revealed itself, then suddenly pop, shrinking like a doll. The White Whale, landing on the table, turned its head this way and that, looking alternately at Seere and Sitri.
“This child is cute, Teacher.”
“You think so?”
“It resembles the doll Teacher gave me.”
“Now that you mention it, it does.”
Unlike Seere, who found the small White Whale cute, Sitri couldn't agree. She already had quite unpleasant memories associated with this whale. Recalling her first meeting with Nahen, Sitri trembled slightly.
“I-It wasn’t some kind of illusion?”
“An illusion? It’s real.”
“R-Real? That monster...?”
“It’s a creature I keep with me. I plan to use this fellow in the upcoming operation. Therefore, Your Majesty must not speak of it either.”
Sitri swallowed hard, feeling tense. Despite its small and cute appearance, the immense Magic Power and terrifying aura emanating from this whale were something even Sitri, who had met many powerful beings as a former High-ranking Demon King, couldn't take lightly.
‘Just what in the world is he...?’
Nahen's true identity became increasingly questionable. Sitri looked at Nahen with a slightly wary heart. He then chuckled lightly and said,
“Why are you looking at me like that? As if I’d eat Your Majesty up.”
The problem was, it felt entirely possible he could.
“Don’t worry. I will never be the first to break the Alliance. Unless, of course, Your Majesty decides to betray me.”
“W-Why would I do that?”
“That’s why I’m telling you to rest assured. Anyway, I will use this fellow in the operation.”
“...How?”
To Sitri's question, Nahen answered simply.
“Didn’t I say I would lower the soldiers' morale?”
“...Yes, you did.”
“I plan to have this fellow devour the patrolling soldiers. Commander Rin is investigating the patrol times on the 67th Floor border.”
“Wait, wouldn't Belial realize who is doing it then?”
“How would he realize?”
“What? Obviously, because it will eat them and return here.”
“Then it simply doesn’t have to return, does it?”
Sitri blinked. Then Nahen stroked the White Whale, Leviathan, which had climbed onto the table, once, and said.
“This fellow is much stronger than it looks. Surviving alone on the 67th Floor is certainly within its capabilities.”
“...Then why not just conquer with it?”
“It's not that I didn't consider it, but I found a major problem.”
Having used its power on the 68th Floor, he found that conquering a Floor with Leviathan left nothing behind. The soldiers of the 68th Floor were all wiped out, and even now, the land Leviathan swept through couldn't be used because it hadn't recovered.
“So, I will only use it to cause confusion and reduce their Military Strength. The subsequent conquest will be done through War.”
“...Okay, I understand.”
“The operation will begin as soon as Commander Rin's report arrives. Until then, Your Majesty should train your troops and prepare for war.”
Sitri nodded, then asked about the Reward.
“If we conquer the 67th Floor, how will we divide it?”
“This time, we will take the Demon King's Castle.”
“Right, I didn’t expect you to concede that.”
“Just like with the 70th Floor, I will give you half of the Floor. And I will also split the wealth and soldiers 50/50.”
Sitri seemed slightly surprised. Nahen's offer was quite generous.
“Is that really alright?”
“Consider it to maintain our future Alliance. It's an investment for the future. Lady Sitri will eventually regain her power. You will be a great help to us then, won't you?”
As Nahen flattered her, Sitri, seeming pleased, chuckled haughtily.
“Hmph, really?”
“In return, Your Majesty must also prepare properly. A bloodless entry like the 70th Floor will be impossible this time.”
“I understand. I'm prepared for that much. It's the army led by that fellow Belial, so no matter how low their morale drops, they won't be easy.”
At that moment, Seere briefly looked at Sitri. Then she nodded slightly and said to her.
“I’ll be counting on you, Lady Sitri.”
“Yes?... Ah, yes. Of course, Lady Seere.”
She was quite surprised. Ever since Seere had grown somewhat, she had never initiated a conversation like that, but today was somehow different. Even when Nahen made silly jokes, she didn't glare menacingly.
‘Has something... changed?’
She didn't know the detailed circumstances, but for Sitri, it was a good thing. It meant she no longer had to feel that uncomfortable, burdensome gaze.
Seeing Seere greeting her so politely reminded her of a few years ago. Feeling like she had caught a glimpse of the cute Seere from back then, Sitri smiled contentedly and rose from her seat.
“Well then, I need to make my own preparations, so I’ll be going now. Thanks for the tea.”
“Where are you going?”
“Huh?”
“Since you’re here, let’s do some of that training you missed.”
“Uh...?”
With those words, Nahen's Magic Power enveloped the area. Of course, after ensuring Seere and Cecily wouldn't be affected. Thanks to that, only Sitri collapsed onto the floor.
Thud!
“You...!!”
“Now, let’s see if we can get you walking.”
#
67th Floor, Border Area A. From early dawn, three of Belial's soldiers were patrolling this area as a team. Despite the early hour, they showed no signs of fatigue and were patrolling with sharp focus.
“...Hm?”
“What is it, Duke?”
“No...”
The soldier called Duke looked back, as if sensing something strange. It was still early dawn, so the area where sunlight hadn't fully reached was cast in darkness.
“Is there something over there?”
“I felt a strange presence.”
“Let’s go check.”
It could be an enemy soldier invading the border area, or perhaps a Spy. The brave soldiers drew their swords and, without hesitation, stepped towards the darkness. And in that instant, they regretted it.
“...Huh?”
Stepping into the darkness, they found a whale in the pitch-black space. A whale whose entire body was pure white. The moment they saw it, the soldiers' bodies froze solid.
“W-What is that...”
Seeing it, an instinctive fear took over their entire bodies. Though they were well-trained soldiers of Belial, fear nevertheless filled their minds. Their bodies froze against their will. Like prey facing a predator.
“M-My body..., won't move......”
The Beast of Apocalypse, Leviathan.
Faced with one of the most powerful Magic Beasts even in Hell, it was only natural for living beings like the soldiers to feel primal fear. The soldiers couldn't rationally understand why they were afraid, yet they couldn't take even a single step.
The whale slowly opened its mouth. The creature, which had clearly been small, grew increasingly larger, soon becoming big enough to swallow the three soldiers at once. And it swallowed the soldiers with terrifying ease.
The dark mist cleared. All that remained in that spot were the soldiers' Helmets.