Chapter 202: Chapter 203: Well-Behaved Cats Like the Kitchen Stove! (8)

“And now for our final participant, number 25, Baron Dophilizer. He’s a master of mystical magic cards, and today he’ll attempt to summon ‘The Giant Divine Soldier of Obelisk’.”

The banquet to choose the 25th husband was conducted like an audition show. Men took turns on stage, showcasing their special talents in a predetermined order.Quite a few displayed impressive skills.As expected of men who had set their sights on becoming the husband of Demiurge Nebula.

“God Hand Crash!”“Whoa!”“Incredible power!”

Exclamations of admiration erupted from the audience as they watched the performances unfold. But some shook their heads with small sighs.

“I guess Count Louis will win this competition after all? He’ll probably become the Grand Duchess’s 25th consort.”“You never know. The Count might finally convince Florian to become her husband this year.”

Count Louis.He was the clear favorite to win this competition.If you combined all the male protagonists from stories filled with women’s dreams, hopes, and misguided desires into one human form, they’d surely look like Count Louis.He didn’t even need to perform - he just stood on stage and smiled. That alone was enough to make women’s hearts race and scream “Kyaa kyaa!”He was quite the charmer.

But the man called ‘Florian’ was no pushover either.He sat in a high chair, right next to Grand Duchess Nebula. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, he had an air of dejection that seemed out of place.Indeed, he seemed a worthy candidate to be the Grand Duchess’s 25th husband.

“Well, that concludes all the performances.”

Grand Duchess Nebula rose to her feet.She had appeared bored throughout all 25 performances.

“Now I will name my 25th husband and bring this banquet to a close.”

What a straightforward personality.If Nebula designated a man now, the event would end and they’d surely move on to the ‘Punishment Ceremony’.But Cariote still hadn’t made her appearance.

Left with no other option, I leapt onto the stage.In an instant, all eyes turned to me.

“Who are you?”

Nebula frowned.A white-haired man who looked like a butler began frantically flipping through the list of participants. Of course, I wouldn’t be on that list.

“I am—“

Just as I was about to speak, Grand Duchess Nebula, who had been wearing a bored expression, raised her palm.At the same time, the hands of people trying to pull me off the stage froze in place.

“Let me guess. Don’t say your name. Let’s see. Your name is—“

Nebula looked me up and down.It was an incredibly blatant gaze.If that gaze had a tongue attached, I would have been licked from head to toe.

“Your name is William, the 26th participant, isn’t it?”

Grand Duchess Nebula asked me.Of course, William wasn’t my name.But the white-wigged butler hurriedly scribbled down ‘26th participant William’ on the list. Indeed, in this world, Grand Duchess Nebula’s words were law.If Nebula said William, I became William by decree.

“William, I dislike rude people. But since you’ve appeared so brazenly despite knowing that, you must surely have an impressive talent. Come now, show me.”

My talent.The moonwalk I had practiced so long to use at my wedding entrance.Just as I was about to move my body to demonstrate the ‘moonwalk’—

“You weren’t planning to show the moonwalk, were you? The thing I hate most in the world is the moonwalk. Anyone who walks backwards in front of me will be demoted to slave and beheaded. Walking should only be done proudly forward!”

Fuck—.To think the talent I had been eagerly preparing would have to be scrapped so soon. I had actually been looking forward to showing off my moonwalk a little.Nebula, you bitch!

“Hmph.”

Nebula narrowed her eyes and curled her lips into a smirk. Her expression was both arrogant and sadistic.Clearly, Nebula intended to punish me for disrupting her schedule. At the same time, she seemed to want to enjoy herself.

“I don’t like men with stiff necks. A man should naturally be docile and obedient. Of course, taming rebellious men is enjoyable, but still.”

I see.

“Now that I look closer, you’re quite dark-skinned. I once had a black dog named William. William, would you get down on all fours and bark?”

Is she telling me to imitate a dog?The crowd soon erupted in an uproar.

“Imitating a dog? If it were me, I’d bite my tongue and kill myself.”“What a humiliation. Lady Nebula is being so harsh…”

Animal imitation.For born nobles, this was surely a very insulting and degrading act.But not for me.Long ago, when I was still a silver-tier rookie, I once had to imitate a Kodomo King Lizard to survive, which was much harder than imitating a dog.For reference, the second hardest was imitating a frilled lizard - imitating lizards was harder than you’d think.

Anyway, shall I show them?My dog impression.

“…Enough.”

Just as I was about to unleash my power, someone spoke up in a trembling voice.It was a beautiful voice, or more precisely, a man’s falsetto.When I looked up, Florian, who had kept his mouth shut all day, was opening his lips with a very serious and trembling expression.

“Lady Nebula, that’s enough. I don’t like this about you. I don’t like how you do whatever you want and bully people.”“What? Bully people? Your words are strange, Florian. I simply treat all things in the world according to their proper station. Discrimination is what completes the world, after all.”

Swoosh—Nebula stood up from her seat.Then she spread her hands towards her surroundings.

“The world develops by acknowledging differences and embracing diversity. If precious gold were treated the same as sand, if useless trash were placed alongside precious white jade, the world would stagnate! Eternal stagnation with no progress. Isn’t that true chaos?”

I think I understood what she meant.She had a point.That’s when the man called Florian pressed on without backing down.

“But who decides what is precious and what is useless?”“Of course, I, Nebula, am the standard for the world! Florian, haven’t you benefited more than anyone from my capricious whims? From a lowly farmer, you’ve gained the chance to sit at the right hand of a god. But I’m starting to grow tired of your tantrums.”“……”“Today, if you reject my proposal, I will no longer forgive you. Florian, become my 25th husband. If you refuse, I will lock you in solitary confinement forever.”“I…”

The eyes of the handsome man called Florian began to waver greatly. He must have realized that Nebula’s words were no idle threat.Will Florian become the 25th husband and end the banquet at this rate?Of course, I couldn’t let that happen.

“Tsk, Nebula. You’re so impatient. My performance as the 26th participant isn’t over yet. You shouldn’t choose a husband so hastily. In that spirit, shall I show you a magic trick?”

Swoosh—I picked up a nearby candlestick. As my shadow darkened from the closer candlestick, I reached into that shadow and pulled something out.It was a handsome man with striking blonde hair and blue eyes.

“What the—? Florian!”

Nebula looked to her right in surprise. But the man who had been sitting next to her had already been abducted by me through the shadow.

Swoosh—

I smashed the candlestick against a nearby table, breaking it, then held the sharp broken end to Florian’s neck.

“How’s my magic trick? Thrilling, isn’t it? Makes you want to go crazy.”“…Hooh, I must admit it’s interesting. You’re the first to show magic that escapes my perception in my own domain, William. I’m quite intrigued. What are you really?”“……”“You must be one of those who brazenly intruded into the noble’s gate. Perhaps you’re connected to those brats waiting for punishment for disobeying my orders?”

She didn’t seem to be just posing as a god of another world.Nebula seemed to have good intuition, but I had anticipated this much of a reaction.

“Don’t get any funny ideas. If I move a finger, this man’s head will fly off. Those who die in another world’s territory are reborn in the mortal realm— right? Then your cherished Florian will disappear too.”

Swoosh—I brought the sharp metal to Florian’s neck.

Jureuruk—As a drop of blood trickled down, Nebula gritted her teeth in extreme frustration.

“You dare, to my groom-to-be…!”“…Dad!”

Just then, someone shouted.Everyone’s faces turned in that direction.When I turned my head, I saw someone peeking out from under a tablecloth. It was a blonde girl with flowers in her hair.Next to her, I saw another blonde girl covering her mouth saying “Shh, we have to be quiet!”

It was Cecily.Why is she there?As my mind was becoming complicated in various ways, someone came running hurriedly into the banquet hall.It was Cariote.

“Judas! Things seem to have gone wrong so I’m telling you! Cecily wasn’t in the basement, but my mother was there instead! We need to unlock it!”

Nothing’s going according to plan.This is why I didn’t want to go to realms ruled by other Demiurges.Soon Nebula made a “Hmm—“ sound through her nose.

“Judas, is it? That name. I’ve heard it before. Now I understand. You’re the newly born transcendent who defeated Nocturne, aren’t you? Newborn transcendent, you are making a big mistake.”“Mistake?”“Arbitrarily invading other realms is strictly forbidden by the laws of transcendents. Your invasion of my Steg Maia is illegal among illegals.”

# # #

Nebula was a deity who had reigned for a very long time.She had heard about the newly born transcendent recently.Born with Nocturne as the vessel, they say.How very interesting.Nebula had the disposition to take what she wanted. She wanted to talk with the newly born Demiurge, and that opportunity came sooner than expected.

“I’ll forgive your rudeness to me and your barging in uninvited. I’ll even overlook you laying hands on Florian. But there’s a condition. Become my 26th man.”

Nebula wanted to bring this newly born transcendent under her command. But the new transcendent raised his middle finger and stuck out his tongue.

“You’re too old and flirtatious. No thanks.”“W-What? Old and flirtatious? How dare you say such things to me…!”

Nebula felt extremely insulted.How long had it been since someone had spoken to her in such a provocative manner?Nebula thought she needed to correct this newcomer’s attitude.

“Seize that woman!”

Taking a hostage in return for a hostage taken was a good method too.But something strange happened.The people who absolutely obeyed Nebula’s words were frozen in place as if nailed to the spot.

“…What? If you don’t obey my orders, I’ll kill you!”

Even though Nebula made threats, people couldn’t move and just dripped with sweat. Seeing this, Judas chuckled “Hehe—“

“It’s a mistake to try to rule people through fear of death. This is a bit embarrassing to say, but I am death itself. Not just metaphorically, but in a very real sense.”“You…!”

Nebula could tell why people weren’t following her orders. They were truly terrified, facing death before their eyes.Even Nebula recalled the concept of ‘danger’ with her body for the first time in a long while.And she was utterly dumbfounded.

“…Judas, causing trouble in other realms is illegal.”“I didn’t follow rules even when I was mortal. Let’s make a deal. It’s a hassle to keep holding this man like this. Grant our wishes. Then I’ll preserve your dignity. That’s our deal.”

Preserve her dignity?Nebula was incredulous.This was her kingdom, where she reigned as a god. No matter how difficult and strong her opponent was, she couldn’t let them act so recklessly.

Sling—!Nebula drew a cavalry sword from her waist.

“Nebula, then it’s war.”

Paaaaat—!!!!A pillar of black light surged up around the man’s body.Nebula recognized this light too.

“You madman! Are you planning to open a gate to 「Abyss Land」?! Stop! A war between dimensions will break out! Everything will be destroyed!”“You should speak more precisely. Only you and Steg Maia will be destroyed. My Abyss Land is already ruined, so it can’t get any worse.”“Kugh…!”

It was frustrating, but he was right.Though Nebula was a powerful Demiurge, she was no match for Nocturne. And her beautiful territory of Steg Maia could not withstand a war with the terrible Abyss Land.

At this rate, everything will be destroyed! But I don’t want to admit defeat! If I had known his identity beforehand, I wouldn’t have acted so rudely on purpose! No, they’re the ones who barged in and caused this mess in the first place! Come to think of it, I’m the victim here!

Even that Nocturne didn’t do this.He just coveted the mortal realm, but didn’t invade other domains to bully other Demiurges.In that sense, the tyranny of this new evil god was even more vicious and terrible.

They said Judas’s weakness is his daughter. Should I kidnap that daughter? That cute blonde girl must be Judas’s daughter! They don’t look alike though!

It was a cowardly method.But those who reign must sometimes be more cowardly than anyone to protect themselves.Of course, that plan was quickly rejected too.

━Grrrr…!

Judas’s daughter had a strange Demiurge crouching in her shadow, so even Nebula couldn’t lay a hand on her.That was also why she couldn’t punish the daughter and could only imprison her. Nebula still couldn’t even grasp what that strange creature was.

There’s no way out!

Nebula would have to completely crumple her dignity.No, even if she agreed to the deal now, would that strange evil god withdraw his anger? But there was no other option either.

“I-I’ve lo—““What on earth are you doing…!”

Just then, someone shouted.When everyone came to their senses at this sharp voice, a small and bold girl was heading towards the man enveloped in the black pillar of light and growling fiercely.

“Fuck, what the hell are you doing…! You’re going to destroy this gorgeous palace…!? If you don’t stop right now, I won’t talk to Dad for a whole week…!”

Nebula thought it was reckless.No matter if she was his daughter, she surely couldn’t stop such an enraged man.

Swoong—But contrary to Nebula’s thoughts, the black light the man was emitting was withdrawn.The gate to 「Abyss Land」 had closed.

“Come on, a whole week is a bit harsh.”