Black Iron Magician
chapter-176

―――― Training ?? day.

Judah, a continent that the demons claim to be the center of the world. It is the smallest continent in the world, has only one building, and it’s almost completely uninhabited. It exists in a desolate and terrible climate that no human being would dare to approach. Around it, there are large waves from all directions that can swallow even a huge ship, a devil sea known as the graveyard of ships. If you look at the sky, you will find the sky of destruction where thunders and squalls fall routinely that could shoot down even the king of the sky, dragon. It’s not an environment where living things can live.

However, on this day, a meeting of those who are supposed to be the strongest of all living things is about to be held on this very continent. The ones gathered are the Great Eight Demons, the pinnacle of Demon Kings who control the demons, and their followers. They control monsters around the world, fight with humans, sometimes trade with them, and sometimes coexist with them. What is the reason they gather here? Is it to unify the demons around the world and conquer humans? Or is it to revive the ancient evil god and bring back the world of darkness?

――The only way to know the answer is to attend this meeting. Now, it’s about time. The madness banquet of the Great Eight Demons is about to begin.

「Let’s see, has everyone gathered? Then, the… err, how many times have we done this, Old Vakala?

「I stopped counting after it hit three digits. Just put in random numbers.」

「Okay! Well then, since we have a newcomer this time, let’s count it again from the start! Now, we will start the first ‘let’s stop fighting each other, if not, we’ll kill you!’ meeting. Give applause!」

―――― Clap, clap, clap.

The claps were sparse and half-hearted. At that moment, the new member of Great Eight Demons, Hund Lind, felt a bit dizzy.

(… What kind of joke is this?)

The Great Eight Demons are existences above the Demon Kings, the lords of the monsters, and are also known as the Great Demon Kings or the incarnations of evil. He was chosen as a member of such a great group, and he joined this meeting with the awareness of being a part of the new pinnacle. However, there was this strange, non-serious development the moment it started. He didn’t expect this and was caught off guard.

「Let’s see, today’s agenda is… First, let’s have each of you announce your goals for this year. You see, if our goals overlap, we might end up antagonizing each other.」

Hund thinks that the man who is leading the meeting must be the 『Skycraper』 Agalia Utopia, the first rank of the Great Eight Demons. He is the strongest of the Great Eight Demons, and the only one who works alone without any companions. He’s someone with many mysteries, even his appearance and existence itself are considered a mystery, and he is a living legend in the monster world. So why did Hund, who participated for the first time, know that he’s Agalia? …… Because there are nameplates placed on the table with names and nicknames written on them. When he glanced at his own plat earlier, he saw that his nickname is 『Domination Craver』. The one who named him and their intention are a mystery.

「As usual, I’m going to moderately thin out the humans. Recently, there are countries that have become too big.」

「Old Vakara’s place is full of zombies and skeleton soldiers, so it’s killing two birds with one stone since you can increase your military strength, right?」

The evil skull, sitting next to Agalia, who’s talking while eating rice crackers is the 『Old Skull』 Vakala Zindiga, the second rank of the Great Eight Demons. He is the oldest Demon King of the Great Eight Demons, and is a powerful person who boasts the largest faction among the Demon Kings. He owns a vast territory, and for that reason, he is often fighting with humans. His influence is strong in both the human and monster worlds, and if you ask someone, the first name that comes to mind as a Demon Lord is probably this Vakala. Hund was quite shocked to see him looking like an old man that’s relaxing in the sun.

「As for me~, you see~, hmm~, I wonder what~」

An innocent beautiful girl with shimmering silver hair smiles with a friendly expression. She’s the 『Vampire Princess』 Maria Irygal, the third rank of the Great Eight Demons. Just like her nickname, her race is a vampire. She may look like she’s 10 years old or so, but she’s also the oldest Demon King after Vakala. It is rumored that the vampires under her are powerful individuals, and although her subordinates are inferior in number to Vakala’s, they are superior in quality.

「Mama, you’re old enough to know how to talk.」

「Hey, you promised not to talk about my age! Don’t give the newcomer any strange preconceptions!」

When the seventh rank Demon King interrupted her, Maria immediately revealed her true character. Apparently, that childish gesture was an act.

「I am no different from normal times. I will protect my territory and satisfy the appetite of my children. I will repel those who invade, and I won’t drive out those who know manners.」

Hund was relieved at this point. At last, one of the Great Eight Demons who acts as one appeared. The man with the air of an absolute ruler is the 『Dragon King』 Rimudo Baha, the fourth rank of the Great Eight Demons. He is the leader of dragons and he’s now in a human figure, but his true form is as mighty as a mountain, and it’s said that he can create a storm with just the flap of his wings. Hund feels the pressure from him even though he’s just sitting, enough for him to want to ask for a match as a warrior.

(Yes, that’s right. This is what the Great Eight Demons should look like. Until now, I think there was some mistake or something. Yeah.)

Hund looked again at Rimudo’s figure. ‘Hm? Are my eyes a bit tired?’ He rested his eyes a little and looked again.

「*Slurps*」

Rimudo is drinking something. Moreover, he’s using a straw. And probably aiming for a ‘gap moe’, what he’s drinking is orange juice. A middle-aged man with the appearance of a warrior is immersing himself in drinking orange juice. Hund reflexively wanted to smash the table.

「How’s that? It’s a drink that has been booming recently in the human world.」

「Delicious.」

It’s too late now even if he talks while putting on airs.

「I want to work on new technology development. I would like to upgrade my body, and furthermore, I would like to innovate technology to achieve an efficient society.」

This person who looks like a silver knight armor is the 『Armor Emperor』 Zex Id, the fifth rank of the Great Eight Demons. According to him, he is a kind of golem. Underneath the armor, he’s mechanized and equipped with many modern weapons. He takes pride in the territory he governs as the most civilized in the world, and he is devoting himself to the innovation of magic and science technology.

「In the future, my power will dominate the world and will create a happy society for everyone! Fuhahaha!」

In addition, his desire for domination is also high, but the direction is a little different from the usual Demon King.

「I’m on the plan of Zex-han, but I wanna focus on the business for a while. I swear to our god, Damaya. Love and peace for the world.」

(TLn : she speaks in Kansai dialect, it’s merchant language in this world.)

The one who spoke in the language that merchants like to use was a pretty looking elf girl. She’s 『Awe』 of the sixth rank of the Great Eight Demons, Alezel Quitet. Elves are famous for their long life, but she belongs to the younger generation in the Great Eight Demons, including her term. While she’s a Demon King, she’s also a capable merchant that her Quitet Trading Company that she started has deep roots and influence in various fields. She also cultivated her territory, the elf forest, and greatly changed it into a major tourist destination. It has become a popular summer resort with its rich nature and beautiful men and women.

(Do you need to be a demon king for that…?)

Hund was at his wit’s end.

「I’ll do as I like. Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with others. But it works for the opposite. Don’t betray my expectation and cause trouble for me.」

When the beautiful woman near Hund said so, the previously loose atmosphere instantly became tense. Hund then raised his face and looked at her. She’s the 『Degenerate Demon』 Lilyvia Irygal, the seventh rank of the Great Eight Demons. She’s a dignified succubus with the air of a true queen. She belongs to the younger generation along with Alezel, but she’s not losing to the older generation in terms of power. Although the faces are hidden, there’s a magician in a black robe and a knight in red armor standing behind her who are probably her subordinates. Her subordinates, atmosphere, behavior, and objective―― she is truly that of a Demon King that others should learn from.

(Hah, I’m a little relieved…)

Hund breathes his relief that there’s a decent member of the Great Eight Demons beside himself. Meanwhile, Agalia points his hand towards Hund.

「Then, next is Hund-kun. Can you introduce yourself as well?」