Kaijin Fighter: So I Have to Make Monsters, So What?
Chapter 1321 1321: The Demon Knights

'Of course this guy has an elite squad of pure evil. Why am I not surprised?'

When Zhen Liu convinced Dante to mobilize his forces, he was expecting the man to just grab a handful of random kaijin he had made, lead the expedition into the middle of nowhere and get lost got a few days, maybe a few weeks if he was lucky.

At which point, Zhen Liu would use that time to subvert control of the mines to himself.

Whether that meant convincing all of the kainin and slaves to go along with him, or use a judicious application of force was up in the air.

That stated, none of these plans were going to work as long Dante and his honor guard were still a factor.

Granted, Zhen Liu didn't know the man had an honor guard up until five minutes ago, but whatever.

^Oh, right. Curator, I should probably introduce you to my demon knights on a more personal level. You heard their names and title when they introduced themselves earlier, but you and I both know that isn't the same as a formal introduction,^ Dante said in a smug voice. ^So, behold. My honor guard, my most powerful kajin to date, the Demon Knights.^

[Interesting...]

At this point in time, Dante had reignited the flame that was encapsulating the Voyager probe and had brought along his so-called knights to join him and Zhen Liu in his private quarters.

At a glance, Zhen Liu could tell that these four kaijin were a lot more humanoid-looking than the ones running about, noticeably stronger as he could sense that the weakest among them was a peak Aether Lord while the strongest was a peak Aether King, and that they were all slavishly loyal to Dante.

Not only that, but these demon knights didn't seem to hate each other as much as the rank-and-file did. Which was a wholly ironic observation to make due to the fact that one of them was literally themed around [Hate].

'[Hate], [Ignorance], [Despair], and [Oppression]...man, talk about taking the [Evils of Humanity] idea and running to hell with it,' Zhen Liu thought to himself as he looked over Dante's Kaijin.

Unaware of Zhen Liu's thoughts and criticism, Dante introduced his four most powerful, and most loyal warriors.

^These four, as I stated in the announcement, are my most powerful Kajin because they had been with me the longest,^ Date stated as he gestured to the kneeling kaijin.

^All four of them carry [Cores] that I had dug up and smelted with my bare hands, all four were originally aether beasts that I had managed to capture, and all four had managed to slay and ingest at least fifteen other [Cores] before attaining their current form. That said, Obsidious here had managed to consume forty or so before stopping.^

[Nobody else around here is worth a damn to consume,] Obsidious snarled while explaining himself. [Other than these three, everyone else around here is too damn weak. That said, I thought you were perfecting the next generation tonight, my dear master.]

^In time, Obsidious, in time,^ Dante assured the burning ratman. ^For now, we need to focus on the present. Especially since the present has bestowed upon us a rare opportunity.^

[As you wish.]

After this brief interruption had concluded, the Demon Knights finally introduced themselves in a more formal manner.

Not only that, but Donate even added commentary and brief explanations of where they all originated from.

[Since I was the first to speak, allow me to introduce myself. I am Obsidious the Hateful, Leader of Those Who Hate.]

'Repetitive ass title and legion.'

^Obsidious here is actually the very first kaijin I ever created,^ Dante explained with pride. ^He was originally a Fireblood mouse, but over the years, he has grown to be one of my most trusted kaijin.^

[Hmmm. For someone who is supposedly full of hate, you look surprisingly calm,] Zhen Liu commented while visually assessing the aforementioned kaijin.

Skin akin to magma, crimson red eyes,and rat-like facade made Obsidious resemble a demon moreso than a Fireblood mouse. Then again, this demonic impression could be due to the unrelenting hate that was just rolling off of his skin.

[Sometimes the most dangerous form of hatred is the kind that burns silently as opposed to roaring violently,] Obsidious retorted. [It makes the sting hurts that much more.]

[I see...]

Zhen Liu made a mental note that if he had to pitch one of his kaijin against Obsidious, he would probably use Frosttusk or Blazejudicator.

'The Neo Storm Knights could work too, but they're technically Jin Fang's subordinates...godsdamn, I miss her.'

[Is this little guy really so important? He looks like he'd break after a little teasing.]

[Eh?]

Before Zhen Liu could get too lost in thought about missing his girlfriend, a sinister yet sweet voice whispered in his ears and broke him from his reverie.

Turning to face it, he was greeted but an uncanny feminine face with bright green skin, attached to a bundle of vines that was vaguely human-shape.

From what Zhen Liu remembered, this one was named Slavina.

[Well, now that I have better look at your face, I think you actually do look like a fine curator,] Slavina commented as she retracted her vines back to her body.

^Slavina of Oppression is the result of what happened when I placed a [Core] inside a Carnivorous Hypnosis Strangler Vine,^ Dante explained. ^She is able to bend the hearts and mind of practically anyone to her whim.^

[Untrue, master. I can't seem to control you no matter how hard I try,] Slavina teased. [Oh, how I would love to oppress you.]

Once again, Zhen Liu felt that there was something off with this kaijin's words and behaviors.

[Oppression usually implies unjust treatment,] Zhen Liu commented. [But your tone indicates a strange sense of love to it.]

[Oh?]

In response to this comment, Slavina turned her attention towards Zhen Liu and made a wide and uncanny smile plain on her face.

[What is oppression but a form of love a superior has for their inferiors. I only want what is best for my subordinates. Even if it kills them. My darlings in "Those Who Subjugate", agree too.]

[...I see.]

If Zhen Liu had to choose a kaijin to fight this weird psycho bitch of a plan, he would send either Nepeherage or Screamira.

On a side note, Zhen Liu had the impression that the next two kaijin were just as twisted as Slavina and Obsidious and that they would justify their behavior in the worst ways possible.

The problem of evil, as it were.

Needless to say, he was right.

[I am Gumba of Despair! I like to make people relax by realizing that there's nothing good in life. My minnows in "Those Who Drown" love to drag people into the mud too.]

The fat catfish-man of a kaijin had said this introduction with such joy, such unusual innocence, that Zhen Liu had the feeling he is as addressing a child.

A child who liked to torture cats for fun.

^I found Gumba here when I was trying to fish for dinner for myself. Big bastard ended up swallowing a [Core] and became this slimy fat fuck. Isn't he precious?^

[Indeed...]

In a straight match-up, Hurricroak or Razorstella would be the best opponent for this slimy fucker.

The last of these knights to introduce themselves was a strange owl-like humanoid kaijin named Delictum of Ignorance.

Zhen Liu couldn't help but find this to be incredibly ironic, given that owls represented wisdom.

^Delictum here was actually a Mad Dream Owl that Obsidious captured ages ago. Once I gave him a [Core], he turned into quite the insightful attendant,^ Dante explained. ^Although, he's a stickler for etiquette.^

[I assume you have a good reason as to why you wish to inflict—]

[Bestow,] Delictum interjected.

[Bestow...ignorance on to people?]

[The more one knows about the world, the more they begin to suffer from it. Is it not better to assume an illness is merely a mild infliction and not a life threatening disease? Isn't it more enjoyable to assume a poisonous mushroom is nothing more than a tasty snack?] Delictum asked in turn. [Ignorance is bliss. Why bother asking about the origins of tradition, when it's better to simply follow it. In other words, how can one truly know if they're suffering if that's all they have ever known?]

[Hmmm.]

Zhen Liu had the distinct feeling that Springerdermain would be offended by this hypocritical bird on a conceptual level alone.

[Hate, Oppression, Ignorance and Despair,] Zhen Liu repeated as he looked over the kaijin. [Sounds as if you want to place the whole world under their boots.]

^Oh, I do. I do!^ Dante confirmed with obvious joy in his voice. ^Because, it's only through shared suffering, shared pain, that one can truly unite the world. Understanding each other is long and painful, isn't it easier to make them all hate each other?^

[Hmmm.]