abcnovels
Chapter 189
Chapter 189: A little bit more until the Level-up
Chapter 188 – New Upper Class Demon King Lounge
『
Saburo-sama,
a post hinting at your identity has been posted in the Upper Class Demon King Lounge. Having judged this case as being an unforeseen accident for you as well, I haven’t locked your account, and instead deleted the thread.
Moreover, ID0007-sama, ID0013-sama, ID0027-sama, and ID0159-sama have previously requested a locked forum. I have accepted this request, and set up an 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』 that can only be joined by Demon Kings chosen by me.
The newly created forum has less restrictions on the chat content. Since I have chosen you as well, Saburo-sama, feel free to join through the following link if you feel inclined to do so.
http://laplace.com/keijiban/senior/
PASS:wskdirf29304313
』
The sender is Laplace’s administrator. I’ve been set up…at least that’s one big possibility I can deduce from this text.
Would the administrator deliberately set up a forum he can’t join himself? The administrator excels at data processing. Just from the fact that he has launched Laplace at an early stage must mean that I’m dealing with a Demon King capable of reading ahead well.
The new forum has also adopted the old 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』 name. Based on this, it’s very likely that the administrator is one of the Demon Kings who has been participating in that thread.
More than three years have now passed since I’ve become a Demon King. In various areas, the number of Demon Kings distinguishing themselves has been growing. Their representatives are ―― the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』. Being categorized as one of them, I’ve thought of founding a nation after having unified the prefecture’s north.
Is this idea special? Am I especially intelligent? ―― The answer to both is no. If it’s the Demon Kings of the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 who have built a solid foundation after winning against the humans and the surrounding Demon Kings…it might be very possible that they have reached the same conclusion.
That’s why I think that I’ve been set up by the administrator of Laplace. Hasn’t this forum been created for the sake of forming the necessary ground to carry out diplomacy, bargaining, or deceiving each other?
The censoring and propaganda by humans. The evolution of Domains into countries. In a time of complex, intertwined wars the appearance of a locked forum will make things even more complicated.
◆
A locked forum, eh…? No doubt about it being a step forward, but the administrator is likely able to control all the information. I muse over the merits and demerits of participating and staying away.
What’s probable is the possibility that all the Demon Kings participating in the new 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』 are 『Thirteen Evil Stars』.
The administrator knows about our location. Hence it should be easy for him to narrow down the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 among the Demon Kings using Laplace. In that case, are all 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 going to assemble in the 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』? The answer to that question is no. In the first place, there should be many Demon Kings who have refused to join Laplace.
If my prediction is correct…the merit of joining will be unfathomably big. Assuming that all the Demon Kings participating in the old 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』 were 『Thirteen Evil Stars』, it’d mean that nine out of thirteen were in contact behind the scenes. Even if it was only half of the participants, it’d still be four out of thirteen. This fact would have a major impact on the future diplomatic activities. Alliances, or cease-fire agreements…no matter what shape it might take, influential Demon Kings being able to conspire with each other behind closed doors is going to change things drastically.
I guess I’ve got no choice but to participate…
As a result of careful deliberations, I tap on the link provided in the Email.
１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００００
・ This is a thread where Demon Kings with more than 100 『Sectors』 or with the title of 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 meet
・ Prying into another’s identity is forbidden, but declaring one’s identity isn’t.
・ We’re all Demon Kings representing Japan. Let’s desist from insulting and slandering each other while driven by boring jealousy and suspicions.
・ The next thread will be started by the Administrator (ID: 0000)
２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
2GET roflmao
３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
Hmm. It’s a thread where your identity will become pretty clear, isn’t it?
４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ；００１３
Shit! Nina that fucktard is here as well!?
５ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
＞＞４
Read the rule in 1, kkthx.
６ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０１５９
ID0000, huh? It’s my first time to see the Admin’s ID
７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
Is the admin going to participate in the thread as well?
８ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
He does know the identities of everyone.
９ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０１５９
By the way, how many are participating here?
１０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
At present it’s 5, excluding the admin, I’d say.
１１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
If the rules in 1 are true, at least one more person should be with us.
１２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
You mean Saburo-san?
１３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Though it’s also possible that he’s refused to join lmao
１４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
Admin, is it okay for me to make a suggestion?
Going by the nature of this forum, lurkers aren’t really desirable. At the very least, we’d like to know who’s participating here. Would it be alright for me to ask for an announcement of the participants or some other countermeasure?
１５ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００００
＞１４
I agree.
Any ID that hasn’t posted anything within 24 hours from now will be booted out of the forum.
１６ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
A demand totally fitting you, Seven rofl
Good job on keeping public order ~ssu lol
１７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
＞１５
Thank you for accepting my request.
１７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
I’m looking forward to seeing how many are going to join us.
１８ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Don’t you mean…can join us rofl
１９ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０５３６
With me, it’s definitely more than 6 people, I’d say.
２０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
Oh
２１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０１５９
Oh
２２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
Welcome Saburo-san.
２３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Sati, Ikoku, gratz on your wedding lmao
２４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
Let’s postpone the happy chatting for 24 hours.
２５ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０８０１
Umm, nice to meet you.
２６ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
Oh
２７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
, boobs rofl 1
２８ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
Get fucking lost, Nina!
２９ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
『Let’s desist from insulting and slandering each other』, kkthx.
Let’s stick to the rules, okay? lolol
３０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
＞２５
Nice to meet you. Have you been reading the 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』?
３１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０８０１
Yes, as lurker though.
３２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
Then you know about our naming convention?
３３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Rather, the admin has granted you that ID for a reason, right? rofl
３４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０８０１
Eh? What do you mean?
３５ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
＞３４
Your name’s set to be Yaoi roflmao.
Con-gra-tu-la-tions! lmao
３６ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
＞３４
Yaoi-san, you must be surprised by the sudden development, right?
In fact, the number of Demon Kings qualifying as Upper Class Demon King is low, limiting those posting in the thread. That’s why we followed Nina’s…ID0027’s suggestion to use temporary nicks.
３７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
I’m Sati.
３８ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０１５９
Ikoku. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
３９ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
I’m Nana. Best regards.
４０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０５３６
I’m Saburo. The newest member among everyone.
４１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
I’m Seven. Should we meet in the real world, we will kill each other, but here, please do as you see fit.
４２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
I’m Nina rofl The godparent of these guys lol
４３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０８０１
I’m Yaoi. Please treat me well.
Thus a new Demon King has unexpectedly joined the forum. I abstain from posting anything else for 24 hours which also serves as a countermeasure against lurkers.
Chapter 189 – A little bit more until the Level-up
After logging out of Laplace, I start organizing my future schedule.
I’ll leave the infrastructure to Mrs. Tamura and Sousuke. I doubt it’ll be much of a problem as long as I grant their requests with 《Item Creation》 while checking the situation every once in a while.
Currently we haven’t challenged any formidable enemies, so it’s also no problem to let the invasions run their usual course.
A little bit of time will be necessary until we’ll be able to see the outcome from the defense strategy I spoke about with Yataro and Kanon a while back.
I decide to summarize the medium-term goals.
First, it’s a big event that was set to happen from the very start ― the war against the humans of Kanezawa. At the moment I’m watching as a bystander since the humans are resisting the prefecture’s south’s Demon King Kaoru, but if I intend to expand my Domain, they’ll likely be the first barrier I must overcome.
The number of humans living in Kanezawa’s south and Hakusan City is big. Moreover, since they’ve been repeatedly fighting against Kaoru, many of the humans over there have high levels. I doubt that we’d lose if we challenge them to an all-out war, but…the restriction on how many subordinates can leave the Domain will definitely become a bottleneck.
Two countermeasures exist. First, counter numbers with numbers. Steadily increasing the number of bloodkin will result in an increase of the number of subordinates capable of leaving my Domain. Second, nurture individuals who overwhelm numbers. It’s a plan centered around leveling the former Demon Kings, who have a high potential.
As for the latter, there’s also a method to boost individual strength explosively ― namely, my own leveling. My current level is 18. I’ve saved up 47 BP. In short, if I gain one more level, it’ll allow me to raise 【Creation】 or 【Alchemy】 to A. If I go with 【Creation】, the subordinates I can create will become stronger, raising my combat forces significantly. If I go with 【Alchemy】, it’ll be possible for me to grant even stronger items to my subordinates, raising the individual combat power significantly.
【Creation】 or 【Alchemy】. I’m still unable to make up my mind on which to choose. However, I think I should raise either before I start a war against Kanezawa’s humans.
It’ll require too much time to level up by just defeating the enemies invading my sectors. I guess I’ll go level a bit.
◆
Having made my decision, it’s necessary to narrow down the destinations where I could go to level. I summon Kaede to my room.
“Milord?”
“Please scout the following Domains while spreading the flyers.”
I inform Kaede of several Domains I’ve marked as potential targets in advance.
“…Far. Time limit?”
“One week.”
“OK.” Kaede nods lightly, and sinks back into the shadows.
The Domains I set Kaede on are all located in the Toyama Prefecture. I’ve got no other choice but to go there since Kanezawa doesn’t have any Domains that could be used for farming. The requirements I told Kaede are: it must absolutely be a dungeon-type Domain, and the Domain should be ruled by a Fairy Demon King with a reasonably high level.
The reason for me choosing a Fairy Demon King is the experience point efficiency. Fairies cost little CP to create, with goblins being the first on that list. Because of that trait, they tend to heavily rely on numbers in defense. Ideally it’d be the Domain of a Demon King with a low rank in Alchemy. Considering the leveling efficiency, a Demon King with high Body or Mana is out of the question. If the rank of Alchemy is high, the experience points won’t go up in proportion to the offensive and defensive abilities of the enemies I’d need to kill. The best would be a Demon King specialized on Creation. If the rank of the monsters is high, the same will apply to the experience points for killing them.
What I ought to decide next is the lineup of members who’re going to accompany me. I have two choices: joining Rina’s team or Chloe’s team. If I join Chloe’s team, Chloe and the others will likely rejoice. However, it’ll lack fun. As I’m at it anyway, I want to also watch how Kotetsu works as a new subordinate addition. Since it’s a great opportunity, I’ll take Kanon with me as well. I’d like her to reach Knowledge A as quickly as possible.
That means, the team accompanying me is set.
Not knowing what to do with my free time, I begin to create the 【Cattle】 requested by Mrs. Tamura.
◆
On the next day, I open the 『Upper Class Demon King Lounge』 since the 24-hours period imposed by the administrator has passed.
５０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
It looks like we’ve got seven participants.
５１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Iiko hasn’t joined despite having been sooo active in the old thread rofl 2
５２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００１３
In addition, Goro and Sai have dropped out as well, huh?
５３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
It makes you wonder whether they actually had the qualification to participate in the previous thread lmao
５３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
The requirement for joining the previous thread was to have more than 50 sectors. Since it has doubled to 100 now, it’s possible that they don’t meet the conditions anymore.
５４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
Or being one of the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』.
５５ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０８０１
What are we going to talk about in this thread?
５６ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０１５９
Trivial stuff?
５７ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Yep, pretty much trivial stuff lol
５８ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００７７
It’s gonna be trivial chatting, aye.
５９ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
Additionally, it will be okay to talk about the worries distinctive of Upper Class Demon Kings.josei
６０ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Though it’s unclear whether you can trust the answers you get rofl
６１ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０５３６
Having said that, if the selection standards written in >1 are really true, then it’d mean that all Demon Kings in here have either more than 100 sectors or are 『Thirteen Evil Stars』. Stupid lies will get exposed right away.
６２ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：００２７
Saburo is immediately acting like a senpai lol
All hail the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』-sama rofl
６３ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０５３６
The number of Demon Kings possessing more than 100 sectors besides the 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 is limited. Or rather, there’s less than six of them. In other words, there’s other 『Thirteen Evil Stars』 besides me in here.
Just fess up and reveal your identities! I glare at the smartphone’s display while feeling somewhat irked.
６４ Nameless Upper Class Demon King ＩＤ：０００７
It might be okay to divulge each other’s identities if compelled by necessity. Well then, once again, I’m looking forward to spend my time with you, Upper Class Demon Kings
Afterwards, the thread only centers around silly chitchat.
Translation Notes: