Dungeon Defense (WN)

Phase four.

I needed certainty—a definitive conviction that if things continued as they were, Father would inevitably be destroyed.

"I should've realized sooner……. Why didn't I see it……? You haven't been looking at people. You had no choice but to fix your gaze on people's faces because that's all you could focus on……."

"It seems like you're the one who's lost their mind, not me."

"How many? How many are there!?"

Subjectively, I had long since foreseen Father's downfall. But I needed something stronger—irrefutable proof. I needed unwavering certainty that, if left alone, Father would not be able to escape ruin.

For instance, ever since Father killed Paimon, he hadn't once shared a bed with any of his lovers. That alone was a sign of impending collapse. I had tried provoking him with things like "Father didn't love Paimon," hoping to confirm my suspicions—but it wasn't quite enough.

In that sense, Demon Lord Barbatos played her part exceptionally well.

"You idiot, Dantalian……. There are torture devices in that corner……. What in the world is 'blocking' your sight……?"

It was truly astonishing. Even I, who guarded Father nearly all day long, hadn't noticed it. He had concealed his torment with such impeccable composure. For a moment, I was nearly overcome with awe at Father's impenetrable mental strength.

Thankfully, it was still during work hours. My performance was still intact. As Father exited after his private discussion with Barbatos, I asked him one final question.

"Just tell me one thing, Father. Are the people from my village—the ones you killed—also visible to you?"

"Oh yes. I see them quite well. Their eyeballs are being eaten away, and their mouths are cursing at me while pierced with spears. Are you satisfied now?"

Splendid.

From the perspective of a sovereign, slash-and-burn farmers were nothing more than trash.And yet, Father remembered even those people in full. Demon Lord Barbatos had been right.There was no way Father could stay sane after killing her.

And then—

At last, phase five.

――Let us begin.

Ο* * *Ο

It was the day of the public execution.

I waited patiently until all the Plains Faction Demon Lords were executed first. There was no other choice.

The Plains Faction Demon Lords would never forgive Father for purging them. Now that the Mountain Faction had been annihilated, the Plains Faction was nothing but a liability. It was better for everyone if they all just died quietly.

As I watched their heads fall one by one, I let out a silent sigh. Good. Father's throne had once again been secured…….

Now, only Barbatos remained.

I listened as Father and Barbatos exchanged a tearful farewell. And just before I took my first step forward, I looked up at the sky for a moment.

"……."

A beautiful sky.

The wind gently caresses my cheek.

Every so often—just every once in a while—Father treats me with kindness. Whenever he does, I fear my act might shatter. It is not hatred that erodes a person, but the soft comfort of gentleness. And more than anything else, I guard myself against that.

Our stage only exists because we both strictly adhere to our roles. Father ensures I come to hate him. And I hate him, just as planned. Just as people are bound to live within the world, Father and I are bound to live within this stage.

We do not breathe in order to act—We act because we must breathe.

We do not do things because we can—We do them because they must be done.

With the earth as our stage, and the sky as our curtain,

we will enchant this world with our performance.

And all that's needed for it…… is a will of steel.

However, up until now, the play has only been about Father deceiving the audience. The first act has ended. The clouds in the sky part, and the curtain rises on Act Two. Here, even the lead, Father himself, is deceived by something. A tragedy layered over yet another tragedy.

The title of this performance—A symphony for one soul alone.

Here lies the absolute certainty that Father will be destroyed.

And here too lies the unwavering belief—That I am the only one who can save him.

Those two convictions uphold me like twin pillars of an arch. And through them, I am lifted above. Freed from the slave-brand's commands, freed from the evil spirit that has weighed down my soul. Now, Father can no longer stop me with any command.

Now then—

Let's go.

With steps that required the utmost perfection.

Father's blade came crashing down. The heavy greatsword was moments away from severing Barbatos' neck, but the tip of my foot struck Father's hand at the perfect angle and strength. The sword was knocked away, sent flying.

Father's face twisted in horror. Strangely, the change in his expression felt slow to me. Perhaps it was because I was watching Father with every ounce of focus I had. That must be it. I spoke with a blank expression.

"My apologies. Father."

"How dare you……. You wretched girl, what are you doin—."

"I have agonized over this countless times."

Father was tasting the raw bitterness of betrayal. Of course he was. In some ways, I was the person he trusted the most. He must have believed that no matter what happened, I would never betray him like this.

And so, I seized the most perfect moment.

"For countless nights, for an immeasurable stretch of time, I agonized"

Should I truly stop Father like this?

Even if he is crushed beneath the weight of guilt and self-destructs, isn't that, too, a rightful ending? An end he chose for himself, a fate he accepts with open eyes? If I twist and distort that outcome for my own reasons, is that truly okay?

But—

"Now I am certain."

I don't accept it.

Why try to hide it? I am just as selfish as Father is. Just as he selfishly seeks to shoulder his sins and fall with dignity, I, too, selfishly yearn to shoulder him—and fall in his place.

Therefore—

"I will stop you."

I summoned the greatsword into my grasp. The blade once wielded by the Demon Lord Baal responded wholly to my will. For some reason, it seemed to have acknowledged me as its rightful master. Well, that was only natural.

"My name is Daisy von Custos."

Because I am Father's one and only heir.

"With every bit of my life, Demon Lord Dantalian, I will stand in your way from this moment onward."

Because I am superior to all others—save for a single soul.

The stage fell silent.

The audience was overwhelmed by the appearance of a new leading actor. A heavy silence settled across the stage. People stared at me with unspoken dread, as if asking, What is happening? What is about to unfold……?

Father glared at me with piercing intensity. After offering a few brief words of apology to the Elector Demon Lords, he turned to face me without hesitation. His eyes, dark as the bottom of a well, reflected me in full.

"You wretch. Do you wish to die here?"

"I have never once wished for my own death."

The important part starts here.

I had to implant a false belief in Father's heart. I had to stir an uncontrollable rage in him to cloud his judgment. To that end, I deliberately let out a mocking laugh. And just as expected, Father roared, his voice laced with fury.

"I issue a new command! From this moment forth, Barbatos is exempt from all orders! Do not consider her my beloved when following commands! Now, surrender the sword at once, you fool!"

Pain clenched my heart.

But it was not unbearable. I could endure it. The firm convictions I had prepared in advance allowed me to overcome Father's command. The judgment that "if I surrender the sword and abandon the plan now, I won't be able to stop Father's downfall" dulled the pain.

Good.

I can do this.

I twisted my expression into a mocking grin and taunted Father.

"It started with de Farnese, the Military Affairs Minister."

"……What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Laura de Farnese. The precious young lady you cherish so much, Father. Have you already forgotten?"

I take what truly happened and rewrite it into an entirely different scenario.

And yet, no one can prove that what I say is a lie.

There is no evidence. No witnesses. Nothing exists that could unmask the falsehood I'm weaving. The truth that actually happened, and the falsehood I'm now creating—the two are equally plausible, perfectly contradictory versions of reality.

A flawless script.

Now, if Father simply believes what I say, my lie will eventually smother the truth and take its place.

So I deceive Father.

"Didn't you find it strange? The Minister of Military Affairs originally liked me. But at some point, she became wary of me, avoided me, and took every opportunity to nitpick. Did you really think she would torment your adopted daughter for no reason?"

I deceive him.

"It was almost embarrassing, realizing that I had momentarily forgotten something so simple. The woman wailing before me, Military Affairs Minister Laura de Farnese—she is the lover of Demon Lord Barbatos, is she not?"

I deceive him.

"Barbatos received an urgent warning from someone. A warning to be cautious of Demon Lord Paimon, that if things continue this way, Paimon would most likely end up killing you, Father. Because of this warning, Barbatos took action to remove Paimon."

I deceive him.

"That's right. The Military Affairs Minister warned Barbatos. 'It seems that Paimon tried to kill Father, so please be cautious.'"

I deceive you, Father.

I deceive the one I revere above all else.

I raised my greatsword high and roared to the world.

"I make this declaration here and now. You did not break Laura de Farnese. That is your delusion. The person responsible for her downfall is none other than I, Daisy von Custos. Therefore, you have neither the right nor the privilege to bear responsibility for it!"

Please, believe my words.

Stop blaming yourself. Pour all your anger, your resentment, your curse—onto me.

If you are to become the devil of this world,

then I will remain the devil that belongs only to you.

"……."

And then—I saw it.

A surge of immense malice rose in Father's eyes. In that moment, without a doubt, Father hated me more than anyone in the world.

―My chest tightened.

It wasn't because of the slave brand. Something else gently clenched my heart. But I ignored the pain and carried on with my mask of indifference and mockery.

"There is still one last choice left. I can kill you."

"……."

"If I do that, I can take back responsibility for everything once more."

Again, my chest pounded violently.

It felt like my expression would contort at any moment. I couldn't let that happen. That would ruin everything. I twisted my mouth to hide my expression, but I couldn't fully suppress my emotions—my lips trembled faintly.

"I knew you would say that. That is precisely what I desired. At last, I have succeeded in reaching this point. I can now say with certainty—every bit of my disgrace and suffering has existed for this very moment."

And then, just as planned, Luke stirred up a commotion in the square.

For a single instant, the Neutral Faction Demon Lords had their attention drawn away. I seized that moment and disabled them all in one strike. It wasn't difficult to take advantage of a chaos I had already anticipated.

Father screamed in fury.

"This is my command! Take your own life, Daisy!"

My heart screamed in agony.

But even now, I endured it. The pain was enough to make my knees buckle, but I withstood it. Tears threatened to fall, but I held them back. I wanted, more than anything, to confess the truth and beg Father to forgive me, but I cut away those sentiments with cold, ruthless precision.

Never.

I cannot—will not—yield here.

I could not allow my death. I could not allow Father's destruction.

And so, forcing a desperate smile, I replied to Father:

"My apologies―but I cannot obey that order, Father."

***

TL Note: I hope you guys enjoy the chapter. Man, Daisy's getting a whole bunch of development now, huh? Really explaining everything that's been happening in the background… and it's not even because she has malicious intent. Just another psychopath trying to do right in their own way. Though her methods do put her distinctly apart from all of the other girls.

Welp, in any case, the peak of summer has finally passed, so I'm praying the weather gets better… It rained the other day, so it's been sort of cool here? Not really, but it's better than the terrible heatwave last week.

See you guys in the next chapter.