Chapter 91: The Exhibition(3)
Chapter 91: The Exhibition(3)
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Hmm?"
My companions and I approached a Demon man who was conversing affectionately with a human woman and called out to them.
At my call, the Demon stopped talking to the woman—presumably his lover—and turned his gaze toward me.
While Gartz’s horns were shaped like a ram's, this man’s horns were long and spiraled upward in a winding curve. His appearance featured the signature black hair and red eyes of the Demon race, but unlike Cecile’s guard, Gartz, he had a sturdy build and a hearty, passionate look about him.
The human woman with him, while perhaps not as striking as Mari or Cecile, possessed a refined and delicate beauty. However, there was a significant difference in their physical stature, and she was clinging tightly to the man’s arm as if she were glued to it.
"...Is there something you need?"
The Demon initially asked with a heavy dose of wariness, but his expression softened considerably once he spotted Cecile.
Seeing a fellow Demon by my side seemed to convince him that we hadn't approached with ill intentions. The woman, however, remained on guard. In fact, as soon as the Demon relaxed his posture, she clung even tighter to his arm.
I stared blankly at the woman clinging to him like a cicada before turning my head to face the man. Meeting his eyes—eyes as crimson as Cecile’s—I voiced my curiosity.
"I apologize for the intrusion, but there are a few things I’d like to ask."
"Things you'd like to ask?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... I’m not sure what nobles like yourselves would be curious about, but I shall answer to the best of my ability."
The man seemed to recognize our status as nobles immediately from our appearance and attire. On the other hand, he didn't seem to realize that Cecile was the Princess of Helium. Since Helium has a class society just like human society, it made sense that he wouldn't recognize her if he were a commoner.
"Rai..."
Meanwhile, the woman still clutching his arm called out to him in a worried voice. Her face grew even more anxious the moment she realized we were nobility.
In response, the Demon called Rai gave her a gentle smile and patted her head softly. Reassured by her sturdy boyfriend’s comfort, the woman’s expression eased slightly.
I looked at their deep bond with even more curiosity before offering her some reassurance.
"We aren't bad people. We only approached because we were truly curious about something, so you don't need to be so guarded."
"...I understand."
"Thank you. Did you say your name was Rai?"
"Yes. I am Rai Estor."
"I am Isaac Ducard Maishal. I was simply curious as to what brought you to our territory."
At my question, Rai stared at me intently for a moment before glancing at Cecile. Then, he spoke in a calm voice.
"I take it this is because I am a Demon."
"Precisely."
"Hmm..."
Rai scratched his chin with the hand that wasn't being occupied by the woman. I waited patiently for him to speak. If Cecile hadn't been here, he might have harbored some suspicion at my question, but there was no sign of that now.
Rai likely realized that this was more of an interview than an interrogation. Still, as a Demon who must have lived through many trials, he wouldn't be an easy person to read.
"First of all, my reason for visiting your territory is the same as everyone else's. We are both fans of the Xenon Biography. There is no other reason."
"As I thought. Then, may I ask a more personal question?"
"Go ahead."
"As you know, Rai, Demons couldn't show their faces openly until the publication of the Xenon Biography. Even if you hid your identity, you were often treated cruelly the moment you were discovered."
As I continued my explanation, Rai remained stoic, but the woman’s expression grew increasingly defensive. It seemed she trusted Rai implicitly and found it unpleasant to hear him being discussed in the context of being treated like a devil.
I glanced at her briefly before getting to the point.
"However, everything changed after the Xenon Biography was released. The perception of Demons has shifted completely, and the instances of being treated as devils have dropped significantly. So, my question is this: When did you leave Helium, what kind of life have you led, and finally, how did you meet the lady beside you?"
"Is that all? Goodness. I feel embarrassed for being so suspicious. Hahaha!"
Rai laughed heartily, his wariness completely vanished. Thanks to that, the woman also seemed to relax a little. Rai then took a moment to organize his thoughts before beginning to recount his life story with a bright smile.
"As you said, I am from Helium. I came out into human society about five years ago. Hiding my identity wasn't an issue as long as I was careful with magic. Over the years, I’ve met many people and formed various bonds. Of course, it wasn't without its crises. There were many times I was forced to cut ties when my identity was discovered."
"And your reason for leaving Helium?"
"Nothing special. Staying only in Helium made my skin crawl; I just couldn't sit still. So, I ventured out despite the risks."
It seemed Rai was a natural-born adventurer. Knowing the discrimination Demons faced and still choosing to go on an adventure—I wasn't sure whether to call him brave or reckless.
"Most Demons who left Helium met with tragic ends. Was it worth it?"
Cecile, who had been listening quietly, asked Rai in a somewhat skeptical tone. Unlike me, who used polite honorifics, Cecile spoke to Rai informally. Since he was one of her subjects, there was no need for her to use formal speech.
"That is..."
Rai looked at Cecile as she asked the question, and his gaze instinctively drifted downward. It was a truly masculine reaction, and I barely managed to suppress a smirk.
He then forced his gaze to stay fixed on Cecile’s face as he spoke, though the way his eyes kept twitching downward was the highlight of the moment.
"Ahem. It’s not that it was worth it, but rather that I went out to find something worth it. We Demons live much longer than other races, and living only in Helium felt too small. I’ve experienced both good and bad things, but right now, I am experiencing the good."
"You’re referring to the lady beside you, I assume?"
"Yes. She is the only person who stayed by my side even after finding out I was a Demon. And that was before the Xenon Biography even came out."
The story of Jin and Lily in the Xenon Biography was by no means a mere work of fiction. I had expected that such people might exist in this wide world, but meeting them in person gave me a strange feeling.
I watched the couple radiating a sweet atmosphere and said with a gentle smile, "That’s a romantic story. I didn't expect to see a tale straight out of the Xenon Biography in real life."
"Hahaha. I’ve heard that countless times already."
"Then, when did you start revealing your identity as openly as you do now?"
"Naturally, it was after Volume 5 of the Xenon Biography. Before that, I had no choice but to hide it."
The perception of Demons changed drastically after the climax of Volume 5—the legendary scene that is still talked about today: Sacran's Sacrifice. Since the perception of Demons flipped 180 degrees after that scene, I assumed that was when he began to show his true self with confidence.
"Is it really okay, though? Even if the Xenon Biography changed how people see us, the deep-seated conflicts of the past won't be so easily resolved."
This was Cecile’s question. As the Princess of Helium, she was somewhat insulated from discriminatory gazes, but she didn't know the reality for commoners.
Her concern was natural. Demons had been persecuted by other races for a staggering thousand years. That meant for a millennium, their mutual animosity had been maintained rather than diluted.
Furthermore, given the history of the Holy Nation 'Savior' labeling Demons as devils and massacring them, the rift between the two sides was deeper than a canyon. Thus, Demons might still look upon humans with spite or contempt, and other races might still think of them as devils.
"You’re right. Life has become easier thanks to the Xenon Biography, but discriminatory gazes still persist in many ways. Even a month ago, there were cases where I couldn't stay at an inn or was refused a commission simply because I am a Demon."
"..."
Hearing Rai’s story, I was naturally reminded of the racial discrimination that was rampant in my previous life. Except for certain countries, racial discrimination is strictly forbidden, but unfortunately, crimes caused by it are still heard of from time to time. In this world, where species-based discrimination exists, it must be even more severe.
"...We still have a long way to go."
Cecile smiled lonely after hearing Rai’s words. Things were certainly better than before, but the prejudice against Demons remained. Seeing Cecile’s melancholy smile, Rai spoke as if to reassure her.
"But you don't need to worry too much. While the cold stares remain, our people will no longer be cowed. As the Princess surely knows, the Xenon Biography has given us Demons a sense of pride."
"...You knew who I was?"
"Of course. Only royalty can wear that necklace. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."
Hearing Rai’s words, I checked the necklace Cecile was wearing today. To the naked eye, it looked like nothing more than a worn, old silver necklace, but it seemed to hold a special meaning for Demons.
Come to think of it, did she wear that necklace at the festival too?
My memory failed me; I couldn't recall if she had it on then. Cecile’s dress back then had been so provocative that it was the only thing I remembered.
"No, it’s fine. It looked like you were enjoying yourself with your lover, and I feel like I’ve interrupted."
"Not at all. It was a pleasant conversation."
"Then, I’ll ask one last thing. What direction do you hope our race moves toward?"
"As I said before, following the path shown in the Xenon Biography is enough. A being more human than any other, born as a devil but striving toward the light. Isn't that enough?"
Rai answered faithfully with a proud smile across his face. It was an answer that only someone with firm convictions could give, devoid of even a hint of doubt.
The content I wrote in my book was providing a direction for certain people to follow. It was a truly gratifying result.
"...You’re right. That is our identity as Demons. Anyway, thank you for answering."
"I hope the Princess finds her light as well."
Rai offered Cecile his well-wishes and gently pulled the woman clinging to his arm closer. It seemed Rai had found his light through his bond with her. Though they would eventually be separated by the difference in their lifespans, he likely wouldn't regret it. For this moment, at least, it would be a beautiful memory for them.
"Light..."
Cecile muttered softly and slowly turned her head toward me. I met her gaze. After staring at my face for a while, she gave a soft smile and turned back to Rai.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, I think I’ve realized once again what light means to me."
"It is an honor to have been of help."
"Don't mention it. Well, we’ll be going now. Oh, and what is your name?"
"...I am Veronica Echens."
"Ms. Veronica, please stay close to Rai’s side. For us Demons, it’s easy to lose our way once our light leaves us."
"...Yes."
It was a timid answer, matching her appearance. Cecile smiled at Veronica’s response and then spoke to me.
"Let’s go now."
"Alright. Mari?"
"...Okay."
Despite my call, Mari didn't look at me; her gaze was fixed solely on Cecile. Even her answer was... how should I put it? It felt like she was on guard for some reason. Furthermore, she linked her arm with mine and pressed herself even closer.
I was flustered by the soft sensation, but my confusion only grew when I saw Mari’s expression. Her blue eyes were clouded with deep wariness.
It seemed she had felt something after hearing the conversation between Cecile and Rai. While I was thinking that, Mari stared at Cecile and called her name in a quiet voice.
"...Cecile."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"You aren't thinking anything strange, are you?"
At her question, which was laced with anxiety, Cecile blinked before breaking into a bright smile. Then, with her eyes half-lidded, her crimson pupils glowed mischievously as she replied in a suggestive voice.
"I wonder? I’m not sure what you’re asking."
"You..."
"Hmm... Mari? Why don't the two of us have a little private chat?"
Cecile left those words and then finished by looking at me.
"It might be something very important for you to hear."
It might have been my imagination, but the red glow of her horns seemed to have grown even more intense.