Each One's Dream, Each One's Ideal Paradise
"Be honest."
"No, it's not."
"Denying it before we've even started? That's game over already."
Wilhelm had to clutch his face. A few days ago, a noble had vanished without a trace. He came from a prominent family, so it caused quite a stir. The family head personally investigated the disappearance. But the noble's trail had been cleanly severed. Without any real leads, the case was buried.
People whispered that he'd been snatched by demons.
Or maybe the Mad Dog bit him to death.
The missing noble had been vocal about hating Cain. "We should take him out before he gets too big!" he'd blustered openly at informal gatherings.
"The last sighting was him moving with one of his knight subordinates."
"So the two of them held hands and got cozy with the demons, huh!"
"...Fine. Let's drop it."
Wilhelm had hoped for a straight answer. If he was a Contractor. Or a Vassal, it wouldn't be an issue. The Demon Slayer had executed someone who'd bowed to demons. The headsman had carried out justice on a traitor. No problems either way.
But Cain deflected with a joke instead of answering. A roundabout way of saying further questions were pointless. A warning that pushing too far might unleash the Mad Dog.
Wilhelm decided to let it go entirely.
He must've had a reason to die, so Cain killed him.
A noble too stupid to know his place deserved it. Cain beat princes if they rubbed him wrong. What gave that idiot the confidence to tail him?
...Ah.
So the fact that I got beaten is a secret only Cain knows.
"Why'd you summon me? It's rare for you to seek me out first, Your Highness."
Cain usually came to Wilhelm. With complaints. Out of boredom. To throw a punch. And so on.
"This."
The paper Wilhelm handed over bore the alliance's seal. It meant classified information. Accessible only to key figures. Fewer than thirty people in the alliance could see it.
"Ooh. Super important. Super secret intel, huh."
"You said to show it to you without fail if it came."
"I thought maybe you'd gone and had other ideas since it's been quiet."
Cain grinned at Wilhelm as he spoke. The sight sent chills down Wilhelm's spine.
Other ideas? Yeah, I'm human too! Very rarely. For like a second. But then I remember the beatings, and poof—gone!
Torture by demons would hurt less!
"Let's see. Among the academy staff applicants, they found a Contractor. Among those trying to enroll as students, a Vassal. Damn, these demons have been spreading their seed far and wide."
"Ahem."
"And..."
Cain's eyes darted as he scanned lower. Murderous intent. Excitement. Elation. A storm of emotions blazed in his gaze.
"Upper demon sighted near the Kasen Kingdom border."
"..."
"Suspected to be an upper demon?"
A demon. An upper demon, no less.
"Your Highness. Is this legit?"
"Demons have been popping up in that area nonstop. Priests from the Holy Kingdom were sweating bullets, saying the malicious aura was too thick, praying non-stop."
Thump-thump—his heart pounded wildly. Joy surged in his chest.
When was the last time he'd fought an upper demon? Half a year ago? Half a goddamn year!
"This... it's definitely an upper demon."
Half a year had been hell for Cain—worse than hell. Every demon that showed up was pathetically weak. Even the leader of the party crashers was just a mid demon.
But now? An upper demon at the border?!
"Cain. That exciting?"
"Of course! Your Highness, you have no idea my disappointment. How did demons turn into such weaklings? Why did those powerhouses become cripples? It went beyond pathetic—I pitied them!"
"..."
You mad bastard! That's all because of you!
You slaughtered every upper demon out there!
No matter how they hid or fled, you hunted them down relentlessly!
And now you're whining about it?!
"Gods above, thank you. You've granted me an upper demon."
Anyone hearing that would think he was a Contractor who'd shaken hands with demons. In truth, he cheerfully beheaded demons and their contractors alike. The Mad Dog feared by humans and demons!
"Your Highness."
"Wh-what."
"Thank you."
Wilhelm flinched in horror at Cain's gratitude. Did I hear that right? Thanks? From that Cain?
"Who the hell are you?"
"Your Highness?"
"Damn it! The Cain I know wouldn't say thanks! You... you're a demon, aren't you?!"
"??"
"I don't know what trick you're pulling, but no further! I won't bow to demons! I'd rather die by Cain's hand than ever—!!"
Cain had no patience for nonsense. He spun Wilhelm around with a light uppercut to the jaw.
A short yelp, and Wilhelm passed out. Not dead. No broken bones or torn muscles. Left hand, not right. Pulled the punch.
"Near the Kasen-Efer border, huh."
Come to think of it, Estelle was from Kasen Kingdom.
Cain chuckled. Just like the protagonist. He'd confirmed she'd returned home recently. She'd re-enter the empire for the academy soon. Probably within days.
And right on cue—an upper demon.
An upper demon that vanished for over half a year suddenly shows up now? Not coincidence. This is fate. Destiny.
The romance-fantasy heroine heading to the academy. An upper demon targeting her, creating crisis. Perfect setup for the hero's big moment.
That's why the upper demons had dried up—until now.
Like the world arranged it on purpose.
If he personified the world, it'd be munching popcorn, waiting for the dashing hero.
But the Mad Dog had caught the scent. No chance.
"Mine."
Cain bolted from the palace toward the magic circle. He propped the unconscious Wilhelm in his chair, facing the window—like a prince deep in thought. Fair trade for the intel!
"Just wait a bit, demon!"
Like rushing to reunite with a long-lost childhood friend, Cain grinned and headed for the border.
"What?"
But then, unexpected news.
"The magic circle's overheated. Can't use it for a while?"
"Y-yes, Sir Cain."
"Why?! How!!"
Because you overuse it everywhere!
It's a precision tool for three uses a day max. Abuse it like that, and of course it breaks!
"Can't fix it by tonight?"
"No. It needs time."
"..."
"R-really!"
This was unforeseen. Cain bit his lip. Riding would take too long. By then, the protagonists might claim the upper demon?
"No way."
Cain racked his brain and found a solution. A place with a magic circle. One he could demand from.
One perfect spot came to mind. He raced there and requested a meeting.
"Lady Kiara!"
"Cain?"
"Lend me your family's magic circle!"
"???"
The romance-fantasy villainess herself. Kiara.
***
The Continental Academy's opening loomed near. Location: the Efer Empire. Staff and students from all alliance nations. Verified individuals trickled into the empire one by one.
Rumors said Holy Kingdom priests had inspected everyone thoroughly. First, pouring holy power to check for Vassals. Then strip-searches for Contractor tattoos.
Complaints erupted but died fast. After the party raid, the alliance was on edge, grinding their teeth in preparation. No one escaped scrutiny. No demon pawn slipped through.
"—Or so those fools think."
One man spoke; another beside him continued.
"How's it going?"
"Perfectly. Even the Special Forces couldn't detect us."
"Obsess over the obvious, and that's what happens."
The known demon pawns were two types. Contractors who'd allied with demons. Vassals, enslaved by demonic blood.
Differences aplenty. But common traits too. Both had demon contact. Gained unnatural power. Signs inevitably showed.
"Even the Holy Kingdom doesn't know we exist."
But there was a third kind of pawn.
"Indeed. We are the quiet faithful."
Demon Followers. Humans treating demons as gods. No deals like Contractors. No slave chains like Vassals. Pure willful devotion.
They toiled hardest for demons to topple the alliance and rule the continent. Another breed of traitors.
"Contractors get branded and slain for daring to demand payment from the great ones."
The Holy Kingdom's god never answers their cries. A token bit of holy power, and empty words.
"Vassals are mere mindless beasts, slaves without reason."
But demons were real. They granted desires. Made them reality.
"We act for them from the heart alone, paying no price. True apostles."
The gathered followers clasped hands at the man's words.
Banish the false god and claim this land. Judge the faithless with fire.
"We must infiltrate the academy with our people. It's full of immature young souls. Held captive by false believers till now—but under our guidance, they'll awaken."
Secretly expand the followers. But not just anyone. Lowborns had loose lips. Noble blood was key.
The problem: contact was tricky. Then, amid their woes, the academy appeared—a golden opportunity.
"For the grand cause, the academy's perfect."
A woman produced a vial of red liquid from her bosom. It sloshed ominously, glowing forebodingly. Followers' faces lit with awe.
"Sacred Blood!"
"Ooh, to see the real thing!"
The woman spoke over their rapture.
"Inject this into potential vessels. It'll reveal which are worthy sacrifices."
"And if we find one?"
"Then the great ones descend in person."
Ooh. Oooh!! Ecstatic cries rose.
The first man refocused them.
"But there's an issue. Getting everyone into the academy will cause a stir."
"No worries there."
They'd finally rendezvoused with a demon recently. An upper demon would stir chaos at the border. Seize the chance.
"Ooh! With that one!"
"We can make short work of the knights."
Knight orders couldn't handle an upper demon. Living calamities. Engines of slaughter. No human could. With one on their side, things would go smoothly.