Chapter 203: Chapter 199: Mischief Deserves Punishment

“…Hehe.”

After everyone had left, the conference room became silent with just the two of us remaining.

Mephisto seemed to find the situation amusing, as a chuckle escaped her lips.

“A wise decision. After all, underlings shouldn’t interfere in a meeting between leaders.”

The lack of hesitation in her voice suggested that she felt nothing from the previous confrontation.

No matter what her kind had done, or how deeply others had been hurt by their actions.

If it wasn’t important to her as a demon, she simply saw it as a nuisance.

“But surely you wouldn’t reject my proposal based solely on the attitude I showed earlier, would you?”

Sensing my unease, her eyes, visible under her hat, sharpened with intensity.

“It’s true that humans and demons have different values, but aren’t we both in difficult situations? I can see that your ark is being repaired, leaving you vulnerable to external threats…”

So, was she offering to help defend the ark alongside us?

A selfish group of demons, who lived only for themselves…

Could it ever be justifiable to ally with those who were once humanity’s enemies, no matter how dire our situation?

“…Is it true that you intend to kill the Demon King?”

“I spoke no lies.”

Her immediate response came with a confidence that left no room for doubt.

Even her usual playful smile faded, adding weight to her words.

“I sincerely desire the Demon King’s death. As long as he lives, not only my life, but also the ultimate ideals I seek, will be unattainable.”

“…And how do you plan to do that?”

“I’ll explain that after you accept my proposal. Of course, I’m not asking for direct involvement. As I mentioned before, my request for your cooperation is mainly to buy time until the right moment.”

Mephisto was withholding the key details necessary to earn trust.

I might have done the same in her position, but it made it difficult to accept the deal as it stood.

And yet, I couldn’t outright reject her offer, because the chance to kill the Demon King was an opportunity I found hard to resist.

“…One last question.”

So I hoped there was something, anything, that could build trust beyond just the method.

“What is it?”@@novelbin@@

“Do you know the name Merilyn Sutherland?”

At my question, she seemed puzzled and asked back immediately.

“Merilyn? Who’s that?”

“Someone who has the exact same aura as you.”

Was it just my imagination?

Was it a mere delusion to think that this sly, ruthless demon might be the one who once empathized with my pain?

“Ah, you mean ‘that,’ don’t you?”

As if remembering something, Mephisto let out a small exclamation.

“‘That,’ you say…”

“Probably one of the followers who inherited my power. They usually handle menial tasks… Have you encountered one of them before?”

So, just a follower who inherited her power—no, considering her demeanor, that actually made more sense.

Mephisto and Merilyn were separate individuals…

When I think about it, my assumption that she was a demon was based on speculation, not solid evidence.

“Well, let’s put aside any lingering concerns. What I really want now is your answer to my proposal.”

Yes, Merilyn and Mephisto were separate individuals.

So the only thing that mattered now was how I, as the leader of this ark, would handle this situation… and hope that it would lead to the best possible outcome. ℟Áℕ𝔬𝖇Èş

“Will you accept my proposal?”

As she reiterated her proposal, I tried to gather my thoughts and move toward a decision.

“I…”

Was this really the right thing to do?

And would it truly lead to saving more lives? The uncertainty weighed on me.

“Sweetie~ I brought some tea~”

Just as I was about to respond, the door to the conference room clicked open.

Tashian entered, carrying a tray with teacups, having not attended the meeting but preparing tea for the occasion.

-Thud!

And the moment Mephisto saw Tashian, she stumbled and collapsed on the spot.

Surprised by the sudden action, I instinctively tensed as Tashian’s gaze shifted to the fallen Mephisto.

“Oh dear, I must have startled you. I’m sorry. I just wanted to serve some tea while you were talking… Hmm?”

Tashian approached with concern, her voice tinged with curiosity.

She helped Mephisto up and noticed how she avoided her gaze, scanning her face carefully before quietly asking.

“Mery?”

Using a nickname I had heard somewhere before.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, uh, um…”

Sweating nervously, Mephisto cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure.

“M-Mery? Who are you talking about? I…”

“Pretending you don’t know me just because we haven’t seen each other recently? If both you and Airi do this, I’ll be really hurt.”

“M-Mom?! What are you talking about? We’re in the middle of an important discussion, and you suddenly show up to interrupt…!”

“Hmph!”

“Eek!”

Tashian raised her hand in front of the flustered Mephisto, causing her to stiffen in fear.

Seeing Mephisto’s reaction, Tashian’s frown softened into a gentle smile.

“It’s good to be lively, but if you keep acting like that, Mom’s going to get angry, okay?”

“Uh, ah, um…”

Mephisto continued to sweat nervously, unsure of how to respond.

I stepped in front of Mephisto and spoke to Tashian, trying to calm the situation.

“Tashian, thank you for bringing the tea, but we’re in the middle of a private conversation…”

“Ah, right. I have a lot to do as well… I guess you two have a lot to catch up on too.”

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like Tashian intended to stay long.

After setting the tea down on the table, she casually made her way to the exit.

“Well then, I’ll go prepare the meal now. Don’t be late for dinner, you two, okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving the room silent once again.

The atmosphere that settled was different from the one before the others had left.

“Merilyn.”

Merilyn’s body flinched at the sound of her name.

She turned her stiffened neck toward me, trying to maintain a shaky smile.

“Ahaha, there was a bit of commotion, wasn’t there? I must apologize; I acted in a way unbefitting someone called a great demon…”

“Why did you come to me like this, Merilyn?”

“M-Merylin? Who’s that? I’m Mephisto.”

“No, you’re definitely Merilyn.”

Even if I might be fooled, Tashian was a dragon who had lived for millennia.

If I couldn’t trust her supernatural senses, then what in this world could I trust?

“Ugh! Quiet! I am Mephisto now! Whatever I was before, I came here as Mephisto, so you should accept me as that!”

But despite having her identity uncovered, our Miss Mephisto was too embarrassed to admit it, even raising her voice in denial.

Realizing that reason wouldn’t work on her, I sighed and gave her my response.

“Fine, Miss Mephisto. I apologize for the misunderstanding.”

“Haha, yes, finally, you get it. Now, shall we continue our conversation…?”

“Well, let’s pretend this conversation never happened, and you can leave now.”

“…What?”

She fell silent, a dumbfounded expression spreading across her face.

Her wide, blinking eyes showed she didn’t quite grasp what I had just said.

“What’s wrong? Did you not expect me to refuse?”

“No… But aren’t you rejecting this too lightly? Surely, you’re aware of the difficulties you’re facing in managing this ark…!”

“I didn’t see any reason to seriously consider it. Sure, we’re in a tough spot, but for a race that’s been our enemy to come here talking about killing the Demon King and forming alliances… it just doesn’t resonate.”

“W-Wait, are you changing your mind now?! Weren’t you seriously considering my proposal? You clearly had a different opinion from the others who rejected me…!”

“No, I just thought it would be troublesome if I refused and you went berserk. But after seeing how Tashian handled you, I don’t think you’re as dangerous as I thought.”

“Ugh!”

Her face contorted in frustration, words caught in her throat.

She glared at me, clearly humiliated, but I had no intention of taking back what I said.

“And when I think about it again, it’s impossible for humans and demons to get along.”

“…What?”

“I said it’s impossible for humans and demons to coexist.”

“Wh-What?”

She must not have expected me to say that.

Her legs started to tremble, and her body swayed as I turned away, preparing to leave.

“I thought Miss Merilyn was different, but expecting the same from you seems too much.”

“W-Wait, hold on, please, just wait…”

“Yes, what happened earlier confirmed it for me. Demons lack empathy, and we should never try to live alongside a race like that.”

“N-No, that was just… I didn’t really mean it… I was just…”

“And if you didn’t mean it?”

I paused mid-turn and looked back at her.

Meeting my gaze, she began fidgeting with her fingers, stammering out her words.

“W-Well, everything I said, it was just, um…”

“Just?”

“Just a joke… Haha…”

“……”

Her response left me speechless.

A joke? All of that?

Pretending not to know me even after recognizing me, smiling in front of a weeping Flang—all just to brush it off as a joke?

“You should leave.”

“Wait, no, please, wait, Hyo-sung!”

My firm stance made Merilyn burst into tears.

The serious atmosphere was gone, replaced by a voice filled with regret and fear.

“I’m sorry! I was just thinking of how to mess with you since it’s been half a year since we met! Earlier, that too… I did it without thinking! I couldn’t control myself!”

“No need to apologize. I’ve already realized we can’t get along.”

“Waaah! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault, so please don’t say you hate me! Please don’t abandon me!”

Was it the shock of being told we couldn’t get along?

A pitiful cry that one wouldn’t expect from a member of the Four Heavenly Kings came from her, but I still didn’t relent, maintaining my cold stance.

No matter how much I care for her, I felt it was necessary to teach her that even jokes have limits and that crossing them has consequences.

Well, anyway.

Now that it was clear that Mephisto was Merilyn, my trust in her was somewhat restored.

Even though she crossed the line, seeing her hurt by my words and clinging to me made me decide to trust her for now.

I felt it was necessary to understand not only why she came to me but also why she was leading demons cast out from the Demon King’s army.

“…I wanted to have the upper hand.”

Of course, there was something else I needed to address first.

After Merilyn calmed down, I asked her for a detailed explanation, and she responded with a subdued expression, sniffling.

“I always felt like I was losing when I was with you, Hyo-sung… So when we reunited, I wanted to have the upper hand in our relationship.”

“…So that’s why you came as Mephisto instead of Merilyn?”

“W-Well, if I came as the second-in-command of the Demon King’s army, I figured you wouldn’t take me lightly…?”

That was true, but the reason was so childish.

Even though she left the Demon King’s army, she was still second-in-command, and she pulled all of this just to try and put me in my place?

“…And what about what you said to Flang?”

But aside from that, there was something else I needed to address.

Why did she, who once empathized with my sorrow, act the way she did then?

“Was what you said to her just a joke as well?”

It was hard to see it as just a joke, given how complicated it made things.

If her behavior was genuine, it would only strengthen the argument that humans and demons couldn’t coexist.

If she continued to act that way, it could jeopardize my willingness to accept her, despite knowing she was a demon.

“Well, um…”

Sensing my concern, she pressed her fingers together and replied in a strained voice.

“When I saw her, I started to get a little… excited…”

“Excited?”

“Well, when I heard her call you ‘Master,’ I thought, ‘Oh, so they’re close now.’ I guess I got excited at the thought of having another rival to fight…”

“…?”

“N-Never mind. If you don’t get it, that’s fine. It’s my fault. I was completely in the wrong, so if you forgive me, I’ll be more careful from now on.”

With that, she hurriedly mumbled her words and bowed her head.

Yet, I could faintly see the corners of her lips curling up, a hint of something that could be called hope in her expression.

…Why, though?

Why does this feel so similar to how I feel when I’m with Airi?

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