Demons will destroy humanity. The root of that, most likely, is not hatred but desire.
Among demons, there are many whose desires are directed toward humans—cravings for flesh, thirsts for murder. Even without a war, they would continuously bring harm to humans.
“You said there were two possible reasons humanity managed to hold them back. What’s the second?”
The one who answered my question was Arald.
“Earlier, you mentioned that Lord Bael said humans endured thanks to their ‘numbers’ and their ‘preparation.’”
That’s right. I had explained the situation by relaying my earlier conversation with Bael and Marco to them.
When I nodded, Arald continued.
“‘Numbers’ refers literally to their forces. Without anyone as strong as the Zodiac, the greatest strength they have against demons would be to push with sheer quantity. And considering the humans here probably didn’t suffer as much damage as those in the Monster War, I imagine their population exceeds that of the Terst Empire.”
“Then what does ‘preparation’ mean?”
“As you know, most Zodiacs possess the power to stand against hundreds alone. They can disregard mere numbers. The same holds true for the 72 demons. They may not match the Zodiacs individually, but simply outnumbering them won’t be enough to stop them.”
“So you’re saying humanity here had some kind of ‘preparation’ to counter them?”
“This part is purely my speculation... and, perhaps, my wish.”
A wish?
I tilted my head at that word. Arald went on.
“There’s a possibility that the magitechnology here is more advanced than that of the Terst Empire.”
“...Ah.”
Indeed, if humans are weak, then they only need their tools and weapons to be strong. In a sense, that’s the most human solution.
Weapons and armaments crafted through magitechnology can never rival the power of legendary or mythical artifacts, but if mass-produced, they can raise the average level of human combat capability.
Perhaps the humans of Agoris have resisted demons using exactly that.
“Why do your eyes sparkle when you talk about this?”
“Of course they do. After all, it’s me we’re talking about.”
“That might be the most conceited statement I’ve ever heard.”
Arald, chairman of Hitchcock. Naturally, he would take an interest in Agoris’s magitechnology.
“Unlike the Empire’s magitechnology, which focuses on convenience and public welfare, this side may have developed theirs to enhance the skill and potential of warriors and mages. How inspiring—it’s like watching a dream unfold.”
“It means their advancements are geared toward war.”
More like watching a nightmare unfold.
Still, it’s something worth noting. If Arald’s speculation is correct, Agoris’s magitechnology level is high, and that might help us find Heracles.
Then what about the demons? Are they truly preparing for a war against humans?
“...Well, we’ll find out if we ask.”
“You really plan to go?”
Lirih asked, sounding worried.
I smiled.
“Don’t worry. Bael’s on our side.”
***
“You really have gone mad.”
Bael finally lost his composure when he saw my face and flew straight over to stand before me.
I greeted him with a pleasant smile.
“Long time no see, Bael.”
“How did you even find your way to this land?”
“I got kicked out.”
“Wherever you were expelled from, there should be plenty of places for you to set foot within the Empire.”
“That’s the thing,”
I kept my usual smile.
“I was expelled from the Empire.”
“...The Empire cast you out?”
“Yeah. They’re treating me like a demon.”
Bael stared at me, utterly dumbfounded.
“Weren’t you supposed to be basking in honor for driving back the demons? You stopped the demon war, and now you’re being treated as one of them?”
“...Ah...”
When he put it that way, I had no rebuttal.
I never planned to bask in glory, but I didn’t expect it to end up like this either.
“Anyway, that whole matter’s complicated. That’s not why I came to find you.”
“Whatever reason you came here for, there’s only one thing for you to do now that you stand before me.”
Bael’s killing intent flared. His eyes gleamed sharply.
“Drop your head here.”
“...”
I scratched my head.
Honestly, I can’t understand why he’s so violent all the time.
“Why so hostile? We agreed to be on the same side.”
I was the one who released Bael from Pandemonium. In return, he swore allegiance.
At that, Bael scoffed.
“Did you really think I’d keep such a promise? Knowing full well I’m a demon?”
Of course, that promise back then had no binding power. There was no contract, no magic. It was only spoken words.
“Of course I did.”
But I know.
“You need me for your revenge.”
“...!”
Bael’s expression shifted.
If Bael truly wanted to deny it, he could have simply dismissed that promise as if it never existed.
He could have claimed no such deal was made, no defeat in Pandemonium ever happened, that he didn’t even know me.
But Bael hadn’t done that.
Not because he’s pure or honorable, but because he wants to know my intent.
Understanding that, I told him exactly what he wanted to hear.
“You still have to avenge Satan, don’t you? And returning to the demon realm is part of that.”
“Returning to the demon realm [N O V E L I G H T] is not some side matter!”
“Whatever you say.”
Honestly, I’m not a demon. I don’t know which of the two he values more.
But both must be extremely important to him.
“No matter how long you’ve stayed in this land, you still have business to finish. Now that you know the Empire’s demons aren’t your enemies, it’s time to think about returning to the demon realm.”
“And why would we need you for that? Even we demons haven’t found a way back. What could you possibly do?”
Of course, Bael was right. I still can’t do anything. I don’t know the way back to the demon realm either.
That’s when I raised a finger.
From here on, I’d have to talk my way through.
“Let me put it this way. When a human is sick, they go to a doctor.”
“...?”
Bael gave me a puzzled look.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
He voiced the question exactly as his face showed.
“For instance, if you get food poisoning, you might complain to the restaurant or supplier that handled the food poorly, but you still go to a doctor for treatment. You don’t throw a fit at the restaurant demanding they heal your body.”
“...Isn’t that obvious?”
Right. It is.
And thankfully, even a demon knows that’s common sense.
“When you’re cursed, you find a priest. When you’re possessed, you find an exorcist. The source of the problem and the one who can fix it are never the same—and usually, the fixer has deeper knowledge.”
“What’s your point?”
“By the same logic, when a human is possessed by a demon...”
“...!”
“If someone wants to save that human from demonic influence, would they go seek a demon?”
Of course not.
Naturally, they’d look for a human who understands demons.
And the ones who best understand demons aren’t the demons themselves.
They’re the humans who fight them.
“Conversely, demons understand humans better. That’s how humans end up getting seduced by them.”
“...A sophistry.”
“If that’s sophistry...”
I grinned.
“Aren’t you even a little curious what kind of knowledge humans in Agoris possess?”
“...!”
“My companions told me the demons of Agoris are dangerous to humans, but I think I’m starting to see the real motive.”
These demons had once burned with vengeance toward the Empire’s demons.
They believed the Empire’s demons knew the way back to the demon realm, and sought revenge along with answers.
But I’d told Bael the truth—that the Empire’s demons weren’t their enemies.
And yet, nothing was resolved.
Their hatred for Satan remains, and their hope for a return path has crumbled.
So what’s left for them?
The knowledge of demons possessed by humans in Agoris—perhaps, among that knowledge, lies a way back to the demon realm.
If the demons here start a war against humans, that’s probably the only reason.
“That’s where I come in.”
“...You’re saying you’ll help us?”
“I told you—I was exiled from the Empire. I want to enter human society here. But I doubt these people will accept someone with no clear identity.”
With Bael’s help, I could enter human society along with my companions. Then Bael could learn from me what knowledge about demons humanity possesses.
He wouldn’t need to fight me—or declare war on humans at all.
“And how am I supposed to trust you?”
Even now, Bael remained suspicious.
Demons are used to proposing deals, not receiving them. I could understand that hesitation.
“You don’t have to.”
“What?”
“You just let me into human society. I’ll pass along whatever knowledge I uncover about returning to the demon realm. That’s all we need. As long as that process happens—”
“...!”
It was the same line I’d used when I freed him before.
Back then, I’d known full well he might betray me. Of course I had. And Bael knew that I knew—it was an utterly flimsy verbal deal.
Yet, according to that very process, I did free him. That much was fact.
And later, Bael stopped Marco from attacking me. He’d already sensed then that he might need me.
I don’t trust demons.
Demons don’t trust me.
But this isn’t a contract built on trust.
“Follow your profit, demon.”
Bael loses nothing by sending me into human society.
If anything, every minute I remain here is a loss for him.
Considering how many demons I defeated just on my way here, the threat I pose must be clear in his mind.
...Though I did try my best to be polite.
“...Fine.”
Bael nodded.
“If you gain information about the demon realm and dare conceal it, every demon in existence will each take a bite of your limbs.”
Always so charming with his words.
I said,
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
“What?”
“You think I’d want to linger in the human world out of affection for you lot?”
Bael and the other demons returning to the demon realm—that’s exactly what I want more than anything.
At least on this one point, Bael and I are perfectly aligned.
“Hmph. True enough.”
Bael closed his eyes, seemingly satisfied.
“So where are you planning to go? Have you thought of a good place to start your research?”
“I don’t know much about Agoris, but ideally, I’d like somewhere like Constel—a learning institution.”
That had been my thought from the start.
Maybe I could blend in as a transfer student?
At that, Bael tilted his head.
“There is an educational institution here. It’s quite famous from the continent’s perspective. But you can’t enter as a student.”
“So I can’t fake it after all?”
“That’s not the problem.”
Bael shook his head.
“You know Agoris and Falind have no contact. Neither side knows how the other’s systems operate.”
“Of course.”
“And this continent’s seasons are reversed from Falind’s.”
“...Huh?”
“And by coincidence or fate, their school year also ends in winter.”
...Oh.
Bael shook his head again.
“You can falsify anything else, but not your age. Goddesses here oversee the lifespan of humans directly.”
...Oh.
Meaning—
“Frondier.”
Bael gave me a look as if to urge me to reconsider.
“In this land, you’ve already graduated.”
