The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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"Lord Saturn, an urgent report!"

A subordinate came rushing in while Saturn was in a meeting.

The castle, known as the "Sand Palace" in the demon realm, was a structure like a giant conch shell buried in a sand dune.

Due to its structure, there were few windows, and the outside could only be seen from Saturn's private room on the top floor, the audience chamber directly below it, and this conference room. Since one could also exit directly from here, entry was usually prohibited to anyone other than Saturn.

The man participating in the meeting glared at the subordinate who burst in.

"What is the meaning of entering without permission?! This is beyond disrespectful, your life is—"

"It's fine. Give your report."

Saturn silenced the man who had slammed the table and ordered the subordinate.

The subordinate straightened his back while breaking out in a cold sweat.

"E-Enemy approaching from the southern direction! It appears they've stolen a sand boat from the 9th Corps and are heading this way. We've lost contact with the 9th Corps."

"An enemy attack?"

"W-Well, we can only spot one sand boat, with about three small figures aboard. Judging by their build, they might be women or children. The sentries are considering the possibility of an ambush, but there seem to be no signs or traces of anyone else."

"...I see. Wait a moment."

Saturn looked out the window.

Indeed, a single sand boat was heading straight towards them. It was too far to see specific details, but that was only if one relied on visual perception alone.

"'Sand Search'"

Saturn dispersed his magical power.

The magic power released in all directions resonates with all the sand within range.

It's a top-class detection magic that allows one to grasp everything touching the sand. It's feared that in this sand-filled land, no prey can escape Saturn's eyes with this.

"Hmm. Indeed, it seems to be just one sand boat."

"Wh-What about the 9th Corps...?"

"They're dead. Their bodies are scattered in the direction those people came from, so send another unit immediately to recover them."

"U-Understood. How should we respond to the hostile entities?"

"There's no need to go to the trouble. I'll dispose of them from here."

Saying this, Saturn pointed his hand towards the distant sand boat.

Saturn, who possessed the simple yet powerful racial skill "Sand Dust Grasp," could manipulate all sand within the range of his magical power. Of course, this would be impossible without visual confirmation, but fortunately, there was a window here.

"'Sand Hell'"

Saturn created quicksand in the path of the sand boat.

Quicksand is a threat said to be the graveyard of the desert. Unless one can fly, there's no escape, and once swallowed, there's no avoiding the fate of suffocation or being crushed to death. Naturally, a small sand boat would become prey without any means of resistance—or so it should have been.

"What?"

However, something like a slash attack from the sand boat blew away the quicksand.

Quicksand is a formless threat. It's not something that can be dispelled by a mere weapon.

"What principle is this? ...'Sand Swamp'"

This time, he liquefied all the sand around the sand boat. A muddy swamp.

The outer wheels of the sand boat are specialized only for plowing through dry sand. They don't move on rainy days, let alone in mud...

But this time too, the moment it turned into a swamp, the spell itself was erased.

Do they have a skill that nullifies Saturn's skills, or is it the performance of their weapon?

Either way, it seems they're not an opponent to be taken lightly.

"Hmph... interesting."

Saturn turned his back to the window and faced his subordinate.

He calmly gave instructions to the subordinate who was dumbfounded, never imagining an opponent who could break through Saturn's defensive techniques.

"Tell Janus to welcome them. Guide them to the audience chamber."

"U-Understood!"

Although the subordinate couldn't understand why they were deliberately welcoming an enemy, he wasn't foolish enough to question Saturn's instructions. He immediately left the room.

Once the soldier was gone, the meeting participants who had been watching the proceedings began to speak up one after another.

"Lord Saturn, is this alright?"

"Indeed. There's a possibility they could be pawns of the other 'Six Heavenly Demons'."

"If Lord Saturn's going to judge for himself, ain't that reassuring?"

"That's right. Besides, aren't you curious about that technique that cut through the magic power?"

These four are Saturn's direct elite guards.

Each of them is outstanding even among mid-level demons, with abilities that could lead to awakening as upper-level demons at any time.

Originally, there should be five elite members including the 'Shadow King', but unfortunately, they haven't been able to contact that old geezer for a long time. Since his survival can't be confirmed even through astrology, he's probably dead.

"Now then, will it turn out good or bad..."

Saturn resumed the interrupted meeting while pondering about the unknown enemy.

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"Man, that was scary. To think they'd attack from that distance."

"The entire Death Sand Zone is within Saturn's range of power. All the area visible from the castle... Unfortunately, we were already inside it."

Even so, I didn't expect them to create quicksand or turn it into a muddy swamp as a greeting.

Well, I guess they found out we killed their subordinates first.

"But they stopped attacking? There's no sign of anything now."

"Yes. We'll continue to move in."

We drove the sand boat to the foot of the giant conch shell-like structure.

However, the building was mostly buried in sand dunes, and the top was the same color, so at first glance, it just looked like a sand dune. There was barely an entrance, let alone windows, with only a few visible at the very top.

We got off the sand boat and looked around.

"How do we get in from here? How did you enter last time?"

"Last time, there was a guide here who led us through a transfer device."

"...There's a transfer device?"

I tilted my head.

Weren't transfer devices only in dungeons in this world?

Are they common in demon territories?

The answer to my question came not from Nagi, but from a male voice.

"There are. Two types: one to the lowest level and one to the upper floors. The one to the lowest level is one-way only, so please be careful."

"Whoa!"

I was startled by the sudden voice from behind.

Behind us, without us noticing, was a bearded man with a broad smile. His round face looked exactly like the middle god of the Seven Lucky Gods—Ebisu.

Of course, since he's a demon, he's more like a dark elf version of Ebisu.

"I apologize for startling you. I am Janus, your guide."

"No, no, I'm sorry for being surprised. I'm Ruruk."

"Well, well, how polite of you."

"Likewise."

Janus and I bowed to each other repeatedly.

What is this?

"So, Janus-san, are you here to turn us away? I know it's unreasonable, but we came to meet Saturn..."

"No, I've come to guide you on Lord Saturn's orders."

"Eh? He's allowing us to meet?"

"That's correct."

What?

I thought we'd need some kind of negotiation or show of force, or at least some action, but I never expected to be allowed to meet just like that.

I thought it might be a trap... but it's hard to imagine an upper-level demon who can freely manipulate sand would need to guide us into the castle to set a trap. There must be some reason.

"Lord Saturn seemed to take an interest in you after seeing your earlier display."

"Earlier... you mean when we broke through the spell?"

"That's right. Of course, if I had judged you to be agents of the other 'Six Heavenly Demons', I would have eliminated you right here... but it seems that's not the case."

Janus observed us without changing his broad smile at all.

Well, we are humans after all.

"So, as per Lord Saturn's orders, I will guide you. We'll teleport to the upper floor, please come this way."

"Yes, thank you very..."

I trailed off as I saw the back of Janus's head as he turned around.

The back of Janus's head wasn't just a back of the head, but another face. A face that looked exactly like an enraged Hannya mask.

Janus spoke to us with that anger-filled face.

"Oh, is something the matter?"

"N-No... it's nothing."

As if I could say your face is scary.

We obediently followed him to the transfer device hidden in the sand.

There's another transfer device a little distance away. Based on what he said earlier, that one probably goes to the lowest level.

When Janus infused the transfer device with magic power, the surrounding area lit up and the transfer activated.

The scenery changed completely, and now we were in a narrow room.

There's a transfer device here too, seems like we can freely come and go. Too convenient.

"Now then, I'll guide you to the audience chamber."

Janus opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

Just in case, I used my x-ray vision to look around, but there were no traps or ambushes lying in wait. It seems he really intends to guide us.

Walking right behind Janus, I asked a question. While trying not to look at the Hannya face.

"If I may ask, is this a dungeon?"

"Oh? Why do you think so?"

"Because there's a transfer device, and the surroundings look exactly like a dungeon."

No windows, maze-like corridors surrounded by walls and ceilings.

Although it's been extensively renovated to give a grand castle-like atmosphere, any adventurer would recognize it immediately.

Janus muttered in admiration.

"You're quite perceptive. This is indeed a castle created by renovating a dungeon called the 'Sand Palace'. However, thanks to Lord Saturn's power, there are no monsters above the 25th floor, so rest assured."

"He's controlling the dungeon?"

"Our lord is an upper-level demon, after all."

That reaction was like it's common sense.

I didn't know that.

"Oh? Are dungeons left uncontrolled in human territories?"

"Well, yes. I've never heard of anyone being able to control them."

"That's a waste. Is it because humans fear destroying the dungeon core if they can't control it properly?"

"...Dungeon core?"

There's no need to ask what that is.

Dungeons are said to be living labyrinths. They have no language but possess will, luring in monsters and humans as food, using resources to breed monsters and produce treasures.

If dungeons are indeed entities like monsters, it's not strange that they would have a central part—a core—that governs them.

However, I've never heard such a story from adventurers before, so either no one knows about it, or as Janus says, humans can't control it, so the Guild Masters might be hiding its existence.

I should ask Camlock when I get back.

Anyway, if this is a labyrinth, in a sense, just entering it counts as adventurer activity.

I was worried that Camlock might get angry at me for leaving before reporting the quest completion, but maybe I can use dungeon exploration as an excuse.

I wonder if they'd let me defeat a floor boss somewhere to leave a record on my card?

"We have arrived. This is the audience chamber."

After climbing a long staircase spanning five floors, we came to a large door.

Hmm, no matter how you look at it, this is definitely a dungeon boss room.

Well, since he's managing the dungeon core, I guess that makes Saturn the dungeon master here. So it's not wrong to say he's the hidden boss.

"Please mind your manners."

Janus opened the door and urged us to enter.

The audience chamber was spacious, like a single room taking up the entire floor.

At the far end—on a slightly raised platform, there was an enormous chair that seemed almost ostentatious, and seated there was a demon in his prime years. I immediately appraised him.

There was no need for an explanation; it was Saturn, the "Sand King".

Standing to his left and right were probably his bodyguards. Four demons who gave off an atmosphere that made you want to call them the Four Heavenly Kings were warily watching us while protecting Saturn.

Next to me, Nagi was gritting her teeth. She was desperately trying to suppress her killing intent from leaking out.

"...I'm surprised. To think you were humans."

Saturn opened his mouth, looking down at us without mockery.

"A weak human girl, a defective boy, and a low-level demon... Oh? I remember you. You're one of my subordinates, aren't you? You're the woman who was under the protection of my faithful servant—Gale, if I recall correctly?"

"...Yes."

Nagi nodded, bowing her head as if to hide her expression while gripping her sword so tightly it was shaking.

It was the first time I heard the name of her deceased brother—so it was Gale.

"Gale was an excellent subordinate. It's a shame to have lost such a man... But woman, what reason do you, my subordinate, have for attacking and even killing your fellow subordinates? Surely you're not saying you seek revenge on me for sending Gale to his death?"

Saturn spoke as if he had seen through everything.

Nagi spoke as if reciting a memorized text, still looking down.

"I was ordered to follow this human."

"Oh? Even if you're defective and a low-level demon, you followed a mere human who is also defective? Surely you didn't sympathize with someone suffering from the same illness?"

"That's not it. It's just about strength."

"Oh?"

Saturn turned his gaze to me.

This was the development we had planned for.

Nagi's [Cursed Sword - Kaminagi] can slash through any defense if it can just get close to Saturn. The problem is how to get Nagi close without making Saturn wary.

That's why I'm acting as a decoy.

For demons, they can tell at a glance that I have magic deficiency. Carelessness, contempt, discrimination... by directing such feelings towards me and still demonstrating ability, I can pique their interest. If I can make them recognize that I've forcibly made Nagi obey me, Saturn might think Nagi isn't an enemy even if he doesn't trust her.

For that, I needed to draw Saturn's attention.

"You there, human. Why have you come to my castle?"

"Saturn. I came to talk with you."

I face him head-on without bowing, standing tall.

The Four Heavenly Kings around him each exude killing intent, but that level of intimidation doesn't work on me. Or rather, Saturn's presence is so overwhelming that it drowns theirs out.

Saturn looks puzzled.

"Talk? We shouldn't have met before."

"'Ruin Factor.' Does this ring a bell?"

There's no need for complicated explanations.

Saturn seems to be quite intelligent. Naturally, if he had been searching for Saaya through astrology, he must be aware that he lost track of her.

Unexpectedly, the first to react to my murmur was the glamorous woman next to Saturn.

"My, my? So you're the one blocking my astrology? Did you come here to be killed?"

"Wait, Tetis. ...Boy, I don't understand. Even if you're one of those 'Ruin Factors', why did you come all the way here? If you have a means to block astrology, there's no need to risk being killed by coming here, is there?"

"It's the opposite. Hiding in fear of risks is just postponing the problem when faced with an opponent who can accurately locate the 'Ruin Factor' through astrology. Are you saying we should live in fear of being assassinated when another method is found? I don't like that."

"...I see. You're a quick-witted boy."

Saturn smiled faintly.

Tetis next to him was glaring at me so intensely it was as if she was trying to kill me with her gaze. It's genuinely scary.

"So, what do you mean you came to talk? Surely you didn't come to advise me not to lay hands on the 'Ruin Factor'?"

"That's exactly it. Honestly, my companions aren't the type to discriminate just because someone's a demon. We didn't even hold a grudge against those who attacked us. We're not short-sighted enough to think of destroying demons just because of the 'Ruin Factor', and if someone tried to force that fate on us, we'd run away... Above all, I won't allow such a thing."

I wanted Saaya to live freely.

I want her to enjoy doing things she couldn't in her previous life to her heart's content, without being forced into anything by anyone.

That's my wish.

"Boy. Do you think I fear the 'Ruin Factor'?"

"Don't you? Otherwise, there'd be no need to try to kill them."

"...Kukuku, kuhahahaha!"

For some reason, Saturn burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

"Ridiculous. Truly ridiculous. You understand nothing. To me, the 'Ruin Factor' is a highly valuable pawn. I've been struggling to obtain it, but there's no point in eliminating it. Moreover, the will of the 'Ruin Factor' is irrelevant to me."

"...What do you mean?"

The demons who attacked us were trying to kill Saaya.

Certainly, it was conditional on whether they could take her back or not, but still.

Saturn chuckled derisively.

"Hmph, why should I tell you? You foolish boy who came all this way to negotiate."

Well, that's true.

It doesn't seem like he's willing to talk any further.

I came with the intention of genuinely trying to persuade him, but if the premise was different from the start, there's no point in persuasion.

What Saturn was aiming for was the 'Ruin Factor' itself, not its life.

"...I guess there's no choice."

"You've drawn your sword. You understand what that means, don't you, boy?"

Saturn narrowed his eyes.

The Four Heavenly Kings standing by immediately drew their weapons, emitting killing intent incomparable to before.

Saturn doesn't seem like he'll move, so I guess I'll start with the Four Heavenly Kings.

As I face that killing intent head-on and glare back, Saturn muttered.

"Very well. Kill him."

In an instant, four magical powers swell up.

[Tetis: Level 64. Dual wielder of magic and mystical arts]

[Tarquek: Level 62. User of earth and water magic]

[Phoebe: Level 59. Four-attribute magician of fire, earth, wind, and darkness]

[Aegil: Level 68. Macho warrior-type earth magic user]

Their statuses are all quite high. They seem quite strong for mid-level demons.

Well, I don't intend to kill them, so—just sleep for a bit.

"'Fist Transfer - Double Style'"

My fists pierced through the jaws of all four.

Since my status is higher, the Four Heavenly Kings lose consciousness from the sudden impact to their brains—no, one of them barely avoided it.

Needless to say, it was Tetis, who can handle spiritual elements.

"You brat! Lord Saturn, this kid's a mystical arts user!"

"...I see. I wondered where your confidence came from despite being defective... So that's it."

Saturn glanced at the unconscious male Heavenly Kings and said,

"Tetis."

"What is it, Lord Saturn? I'll kill that brat—"

"I need to talk for a bit. Go to sleep."

"Huh?"

As Saturn lightly waved his hand, Tetis suddenly lost consciousness. She collapsed to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut.

He put her to sleep just by giving an order without using magic?

Even my "Eye of Illusion" couldn't see through the mechanism. I'm genuinely puzzled.

"Don't be so wary, boy. I have a few questions for you. If you don't understand why, let's say it's out of respect for your ability to take down these ones in a single strike. And well, there are things I don't want my companions to hear."

"...What do you want to know?"

"Who taught you that mystical art of yours?"

Saturn stares intently at me.

Is that what he wanted to know? The demons should have been aware that my companions and the 'Ruin Factor' were together, shouldn't they? Was there a lack of communication?

I had no reason to hide it from Saturn, so I answered honestly.

"The Mystic King. I'm her disciple."

"...I see. So you were indeed that one's disciple."

Saturn frowned.

Perhaps they knew each other? Roze hadn't mentioned anything like that.

"What's your relationship with my master... with Roze?"

"Roze? Ah, that's her current name. Well... to put it simply, she's someone I want to kill."

"I see."

He must be a sworn enemy.

From a demon's perspective, someone protecting the 'Ruin Factor' would be like the root of all evil, so it's not incomprehensible.

"Then all the more reason to settle this here and now. I've decided to protect my companions even if it costs me my life."

"Hmm. What can a mere boy who can only use mystical arts do?"

"Are you sure you can be so relaxed? If you don't stand up and prepare yourself soon, this will be over in an instant, you know?"

Saturn remained sprawled in his chair.

Since he can't use mystical arts, he shouldn't be able to predict my surprise attacks. It looks like he's being so careless that it really might end in one hit.

Yet Saturn still didn't move.

"Of course, if a fight breaks out, I'll do so. But boy, you're still observing the situation, aren't you? There's no need to hide it."

"...Why do you think that?"

"Because there's no killing intent in your words or actions at all. Moreover, don't you still have something you want to talk about with me? One can tell that much after living for a long time."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"You figured it out well. That's right, there was something I originally intended to say first. I had honestly forgotten about it, but I just remembered."

"Hmm. Speak."

"It's not so much speaking as... returning. The bodies of your comrades."

I had forgotten that this was the errand I had in the demon territory in the first place.

What I took out of my item box one by one and laid on the floor were the bodies of the demons who had attacked the town of Shaboom.

This includes those that Roze had stored in the item box to avoid unnecessary damage.

I didn't possess the kind spirit to go out of my way to return enemy corpses to their homeland. But Roze was different. She believed that once dead, any opponent loses their soul and becomes just a body, and the soil of their homeland is the best place to mourn them.

So, following Roze's example, I thought I'd return them if I had the chance.

I continue to lay them out in front of Saturn, who was wide-eyed.

"I only know Skato's name. Skato was truly strong."

"So they were indeed dead... Thank you for bringing them back, boy."

"There's no need for thanks since it wasn't my own will."

Shadow King Skato.

The half-giant demon who was Skato's experiment subject.

A young demon with fiery colored hair.

A tall, charred demon that my master had defeated.

And the white-armed demon who was said to have been an honorable warrior.

As I laid out the bodies of these five on the floor, Saturn grinned.

It was an evil smile.

What? Why such a face—

"...Brother?"

The voice I heard faintly was Nagi's.

While I had been talking, she had moved silently, suppressing her presence.

"Brother... sama..."

Nagi staggered towards the white-armed demon.

Her footsteps were hollow, as if she was walking in a sleepwalking state.

No way?

I held my breath.

This was an unexpected situation. To think that the white-armed demon was Nagi's brother...

Saturn was sneering with the corners of his mouth turned up.

"Kukuku... I see, boy. You were planning to have that woman kill me? Me, who sent her brother to his death on a mission. But it seems you didn't realize that her brother was the one you killed? It's unfortunate, but unlike humans, demons' appearances aren't inherited. Especially between an excellent demon and a defective one... even siblings wouldn't look alike."

"...Ruruk killed my brother?"

Nagi, who had been dumbfounded, slowly turned around.

She was darker and more filled with shadows than ever before.

With an expression drenched in thick, vengeful emotions, yet her eyes were shining brighter than ever since we met.

As if to say she had finally found what she was looking for.