Chapter 301
Diablo looked at him as if he could see right through his skin, and yet Godama did not seem to be moved as he replied .
And so Diablo had continued bluntly .
“Hahaha . It is true that we received funds, but that is a separate matter! In fact, it offends me greatly that anyone could suggest that our opinions were bought . Please refrain from insulting us further . I believe that learning about how to act towards nobles is necessary . That is why I agreed to it!”
Godama explained . His face had become a little red, but he was still composed .
It was true that the nobles of Ingracia had offered funds for research, but it was not related to the talks between the three schools . That was what he was insisting .
“Hmm . ”
Diablo nodded .
Even when looking at him with his Demon Eye, he could see nothing unusual in Godama’s breathing or heartbeat .
He was either saying all of this from the heart, or there was an entirely different motive for accepting the money .
Yes, for instance–putting the blame on the nobility of the Ingracia Kingdom, etcetera .
Diablo had already looked through Souei’s investigation data and confirmed that Godama was not suffering from a lack of funds .
All of this suggested that the latter theory was the correct one .
There wasn’t likely much more to be learned by talking with Godama, and so Diablo asked his final question .
“We’ll talk about that in depth some other time . I have just one more question . The thing is, something rather important has happened…”
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He prefaced, then Diablo laid out the scenario that he and Souei had agreed upon .
It was a made up story that he had repeated many times at the Tempest Development of Human Resources Academy and Ingracia Academy .
–On the surface, it was just some entertainment for the Great Demon Lord Rimuru, while in fact it was training for the students .
And so the students had to be protected, and they explained to everyone that there was no need to worry .
But things were different this time .
“We had already contacted you about that before, so you must be aware . But this is where things are different . The thing is, we have lost contact with them . ”
He said, then inspected Godama with the demon eye .
“What…!? Is that true?”
Godama asked in amazement .
But in spite of his words and attitude, Godama was quite calm .
(So he isn’t moved at all . In other words, he knew . I see…)
Anyone else would have been fooled by his acting surprised, but it did not work on Diablo .
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Godama was a former warrior who had conquered many trials in the past, and he had a personality that was not easily shaken .
That was the kind of man he way, and now, he had made a terrible mistake .
If he wasn’t surprised, he should have accepted it and moved along .
But acting like this had made Diablo’s suspicions turn into conviction .
Perhaps this just meant that this was the limits of Godama as a man .
At this point, while Diablo didn’t think Godama was the mastermind here, he did believe that he was part of the ‘Humanity Emancipation Alliance . ’
Godama’s mistake was thinking that he could fool Diablo .
He would protect himself with an expensive magic item and toy with Diablo with a skill he had honed over the years . He would lead him into thinking the nobles of the Kingdom of Ingracia were the enemy . That was what he thought, and it would end up leading him to his ruin .
“You aren’t surprised . Could it be that you know something?”
Diablo continued to smile as he asked this .
“Haha, hahaha . Lord Diablo, what are you…”
Godama finally looked a little flustered .
At the same time, he seemed to have become aware of that fact, and it shocked him even more .
He was supposed to have been perfectly protected by magic, and yet with Diablo in front of him, it seemed to not have any effect . Such were the anxieties that plagued him .
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And it was true . As Diablo said, Godama had been informed of this news earlier .
Just this morning, Magnus and the others who were his comrades, had sent him a long distance message . It was a simple message that contained the information about the crime at the survival place and data showing their location . There was also a rescue request .
On the seventh day–in other words, tomorrow, they had plans to meet a mysterious pair known as the Greed Circus . They would defeat these two and steal their airship . However, there was a possibility that they could fail and the ship would be damaged . It was also possible that the Greed Circus had more than two people, and so they wanted reinforcements as well as a rescue team .
That was the summary of it .
Within this report, there was a line that said that they had gotten rid of those who would interfere .
It was because Godama had read this that he understood the meaning of Diablo’s question .
If this whole abduction was done spuriously under the Great Demon Lord Rimuru’s orders, that meant that the Greed Circus were working for Rimuru .
And as long as they acted under their watchful eye, it meant that the Great Demon Lord Rimuru would have been notified of the events .
This information had to be relayed to his comrades who were yet unaware . It was when he had been thinking this that Diablo had visited him .
(This was bad . Very bad…)
Godama panicked .
The likelihood of him being suspected was very low, that was what he had thought, and yet he had still brought his magic weapon as a precaution .
It was the ‘Staff of Heart Protection’ that he had carried for many years .
As long as he carried it, his heart would be protected . He had been so confident in that fact .
And yet now, the effects of that magic had been lost .
And there was enough reason here for Godama to lose ability to think calmly .
While this was happening, Godama received a message from his secretary .
–Diablo’s energy is estimated to be at 7,000–
Godama saw the message and returned to his usual calmness .
The arch demon who had plunged the empire into the pits of terror many times over in the past was at about 10,000 . And so he had used a machine that calculated the energy of others to calculate Diablo’s energy .
And just now, he was informed of the results .
7,000–that was quite strong indeed .
However, it was not so strong that he was unbeatable .
In fact, the empire boasted royal knights who were strong enough to kill arch demons alone .
(What, so the rumors were just rumors then . I had heard that he was beyond comparison with arch demons, but that is hardly truel! So this is what I was afraid of all along? He is nothing . Still, at least it means I need not fear . )
And with that, Godama smiled mischievously .
And then he signed the order that would mean his own execution .
Immediately–
“Lord Diablo, no, Diablo . I think I want you to die right here . ”
“Hehehehe . Is that a joke?”
“That pompous slime who calls himself a Great Demon Lord seems to have stretched himself too thin . I think it’s time we cut some of it away . Don’t worry, I’ll make up some excuse, so you can die in peace . ”
He turned to Diablo and said exactly what one should never say to Diablo .