The Shepherd Girl Delarang (Part 3)
Origin World was notorious for being a game obsessively faithful to its own lore. In plain terms, that meant the developers didn't give a flying fuck about what the player base wanted; the game marched doggedly down its own uncompromising path.
Because of this, demons in the game could never, under any circumstances, qualify as heroine candidates. Even though there were countless female demons who were utterly gorgeous, drop-dead sexy, and triggered every impulse of collector's lust and possessiveness, it didn't matter. Purely because "that was the setting."
Naturally, there was no way players were going to accept that lying down. The community forums practically drowned in the bitter wails and furious howls of users who had fallen head-over-heels for demon heroines, only to be permanently barred from ever claiming them.
Yet, just as every dog has its day, a single lifeline—a solitary ray of hope—eventually emerged: the half-demon, half-human hybrid, Delarang.
Her looks: passed. Her body: passed. On top of that, she possessed a gentle heart and was a pure maiden—an absolute paragon in mind, technique, and body! Delarang became the darling of the player community in the blink of an eye.
However, a severe problem existed... No, make that two: her sunfish-like frailty, and the unique burden of her mixed-blood heritage.
She was a character who died for a truly dizzying variety of reasons. Getting caught and executed by the Church, plunging into despair over human betrayal and taking her own life, catching the fancy of a Demon King and having her mind wiped into a hollow doll... the list went on and on. Players in the community even went so far as to assemble tribute death reels dedicated to her, which was all that needed to be said.
Compounding the issue, the stigma of her half-demon blood made it impossible for her to operate out in the open. In other words, she couldn't join the party. One could certainly force her into the roster through exploits, but doing so meant she would inevitably die sooner or later, regardless of the cause.
Being unable to join the party or walk beneath the sun despite being a heroine naturally spawned an endless parade of headaches. Players couldn't accept certain quests, were barred from entering major cities, and suffered constant sabotage from the nobility and the Church. With zero opportunity for proper progression under such conditions, players inevitably slammed headfirst into bad endings, flooding the message boards with bitter grievances.
Yet gamers were never the type to throw in the towel over a little adversity. Faithful as they were to their shadowy lusts, they possessed a peculiar sort of purity; they began burning through their very lifespans to research every conceivable strategy for the character they adored. The 'Demon Coexistence Build' was one such brainchild born of desperation.
It wasn't entirely a fool's errand. Origin World was famed for its staggering degree of player freedom, and the mere existence of a 'human-demon hybrid' felt like the developers dropping a massive hint in that direction. And so, countless players rallied together. They combed through obscure lore, dissected quest lines, unearthed neglected historical records, scoured forgotten dungeons, pleaded with the Church, nobility, and the Emperor, and even ignited full-scale rebellions across the realm. They exhausted every conceivable avenue known to man... only to taste crushing defeat in the end.
Broken and disillusioned, players were forced to settle for raising Delarang entirely in the shadows—a tragic community phenomenon that came to be known as 'Delarang's Tragedy.' And thus, Delarang remained permanently relegated to the dark.
"Your dream can't come true. Not right now, anyway."
"Not right now? What does that mean? Are you saying it'll be possible later?"
"I can't say for sure, but probably."
"Is that a prophecy of yours?"
"No. But if the reason to fight disappears, wouldn't it be possible for humans and demons to coexist? Though I can't vouch for how the other races will take it."
"...The reason to fight disappears?"
"I'm saying it might turn out that way once the Evil God is dead."
"Ha! So in the end, you're just mocking me, saying it's forever impossible? You have a truly rotten personality."
"That's not it. Just as you have a dream, I have a goal."
Taking a swallow of the strong liquor, I muttered toward her in an offhand drawl.
"Slaying the Evil God. That is my goal."
"...You dream an even more impossible dream than I do."
"It's not a dream. It's an objective. One that's entirely within reach."
"How can you be so certain?"
"You wouldn't get it even if I explained. Not that I plan on telling you anyway."
"...Fine, whatever."
Crossing her arms defensively and draping one leg over the other, she glared sideways at me.
"So by telling me all this, are you suggesting I shelve my dream until you manage to kill the Evil God? Just waiting around indefinitely with no guarantee?"
"Yeah. And while you're at it, hand over that relic of yours, the Shroud of Sacrifice."
"...Heh, you certainly make bold demands."
Her eyes arched sharply, glaring at me as if my proposal were utterly contemptible.
"In the end, wasn't this whole speech just because you covet my relic? Do you honestly believe I'd surrender it quietly just because of that pretty story?"
"Probably not. You have no reason to believe me."
"Even if I could believe you, I would never hand it over."
"I'm sorry to say, but your willingness has nothing to do with this."
"What did you say?"
Rustle, slide.
As I focused my consciousness on the Silk of Atonement wrapped securely around my left arm, the pure white fabric slithered like a living creature, unraveling to expose the grotesque limb underneath.
"...That arm? Demonic mutation...?! Just how? I couldn't sense a shred of demonic energy from you...?"
"I showed you this arm because I want you to face the heavy truth with complete gravity, and because I genuinely feel pity and compassion for you. I want you to survive and achieve your dream... Ah, and naturally, to ensure you understand exactly where you stand."
"What on earth are you..."
"Answer me, Rubias."
—Did you call for me?
The instant the command left my mouth, eyes, a mouth, ears, and a nose burst through the surface of my left arm. It felt as though far more facial features had sprouted than last time—or was it just my imagination? Damn it, at this rate, is an entire head going to pop out eventually?
"Rubi... as...?!"
Watching Delarang's face drain of every drop of color, I met the demon's eyes on my flesh.
"Rubias. Are you aware of my current situation?"
—I am not. Lately, I haven't been reading the future at all. I've been waiting for your summons, you see. Thanks to that, every single day is thrilling, expectant, and sets my heart racing.
"Well, aren't I thrilled for you... More importantly, Rubias. Prove to the woman in front of us that you are a Demon King, and tell her what kind of life-and-death struggle we fought."
—Hmm? What is the meaning of this sudden, absurd request?
"If you don't want to, don't."
—No, I shall do it. How could I ever refuse a favor from you...? Though, may I ask for compensation in return?
"Like hell you can."
—How cruel. You are likely the only existence under heaven who would order a Demon King about for personal errands like this.
"Shut up and do what you're told."
—Fufu. Very well. First, you asked me to prove that I am a Demon King, was it? Woman over there. Feel this.
In that singular breath, an indescribably lofty, colossal presence flooded the entire room.
"...*Cough!*"
A glob of blood tore from my throat. Damn it, I'd briefly forgotten that this always happened.
"Lord Alzen?!"
"Lord Alzen, are you unhurt?"
"I'm fine. It's nothing... *Whew*..."
Still, unlike before, I wasn't sent flying across the room while spraying blood like a fountain. The bleeding stopped almost immediately, and my internal wounds knitted back together in seconds. The Permanent Flesh was certainly pulling its weight.
"Ah, aah...!"
Perhaps shielded by the intrinsic power of her relic, Delarang suffered no physical injuries, but the overwhelming psychological terror reduced her to a shivering wreck, tears and saliva leaking unbidden down her chin. Well, the Shroud of Sacrifice was never an artifact designed to block mental assaults, after all.
—By now, you should understand who this one is. Now then, allow me to recount the desperate duel fought between Kang Han-gil and myself. Open your ears wide and... Oho? Now this is quite intriguing. A hybrid of human and demon?
"......"
I had wondered, but as expected, an actual Demon King recognized her lineage in an instant.
"G-G-Greetings to... the Demon King...?!"
Thrown into absolute pandemonium, Delarang stammered and awkwardly attempted to drop to her knees with an ashen face, only to be stopped by Rubias's voice.
—Enough. You are not a demon of my domain, and I must attend to Kang Han-gil's request, so there is no need for such empty formalities. Now then... where should I begin?
Fortunately, Rubias showed only fleeting curiosity and gave no indication of wanting to harm the girl, allowing me to breathe a slight sigh of relief. Rubias proceeded to recount our initial clash and the harrowing battle that followed, sounding thoroughly delighted—as though the mere memory of it sent her into pure ecstasy. For an entire hour, without missing a single beat.
—And thus! Pushed to the brink of death, this one had no choice but to flee the field! It was the very first time I had ever run from a mortal. Under ordinary circumstances, it should have been an unbearable disgrace... yet instead, I found myself falling in love with the human known as Kang Han-gil!
"That's enough. Back in."
—Wait, hold on! My tale is not yet finished! I have yet to convey the poignant, heart-wrenching emotional bond born from our mutual slaughter—!
"Shut up and get lost."
The instant I severed the link, a suffocating silence crashed over the noisy room.
"T-To battle a Demon King... and drive her to the brink of death... J-Just what... are you...?"
Dripping with cold sweat, her hands and feet trembling uncontrollably as she bit into her bloodless lip, Delarang barely squeezed out the words. I simply shrugged in response.
"Stanasila Alzen. Or Kang Han-gil... Just call me Stanasila Alzen."
"......"
"Now you should understand that my words are the truth and my goal is dead serious. Isn't that right? And above all, you should clearly grasp your current position."
"......"
I leveled a cold, uncompromising glare at her. Flanking me, Muriel, Rebecca, and Cacciola stood ready, hands clamped onto their hilts, prepared to strike down any resistance the moment I gave the word.
"So... it's time to choose. Will you die by our hands and have the Shroud of Sacrifice ripped from your corpse, or will you surrender it willingly and walk away alive?"
"You... really are... a human completely beyond my comprehension."
Panting softly, the color finally began to seep back into her pale cheeks.
"...Until now, I've heard those words countless times from the humans who served me, but to think I'd be the one thinking them about someone else. So this is what it feels like."
"......"
"I can see that your objective is entirely sincere. To bear something so dreadful on your own body while remaining so utterly nonchalant... it defies imagination. But if I surrender the Shroud of Sacrifice of my own free will, how can I be sure you won't slaughter me anyway?"
"You don't need to trust me. The only difference is whether you die alongside your hostages, or die alone... That's your only choice."
"...How cruel."
"I know."
"...Must I give my answer this very second?"
"I'd prefer it if you did. I happen to have an additional favor to ask of you, after all."
"A favor...?"
I laid out the outline of my current scheme regarding the growth and training of the main heroines.
"...You want me to do something like that?"
"If you don't want to, you don't have to."
"Hah..."
Tapping her finger against her knee in contemplation, an intrigued glint gradually crept into her gaze.
"Are those children... truly that extraordinary?"
"Extraordinary enough to bring down the Evil God, at the very least."
"...Hmm, fascinating. Besides, if you truly manage to destroy the Evil God... it would be wonderful for me as well."
Nodding in agreement, she gave a radiant smile and cocked her head to the side. It was a sensual, alluring movement, dripping with subtle temptation.
"However, I do have a condition."
"Do you really think you're in any position to set conditions?"
"Yes. I do."
"......"
"It's frightening when you glare like that, you know."
Dropping her playful facade, she spoke with quiet gravity.
"Once the Shroud of Sacrifice is gone, every single soul in Shepherd Village will abandon me."
"Hmm?"
"So... I must win their favor. Could the ducal house provide aid? Funds, provisions, and construction supplies."
"Is that all?"
"Yes. That is all."
"......"
Right, she had been exactly like this in the game as well. Even though her mixed heritage gave her values and logic far closer to a demon's, she was bizarrely benevolent and upright. Above all, she was fiercely dedicated to her dream of demon-human coexistence. It was for that very reason she poured every ounce of her soul into her deceased mother's homeland. Her only flaw was that, having suffered so much cruelty in the past, she simply could not bring herself to trust humanity.
"Things might turn out differently than you expect."
Her self-esteem was so thoroughly wrecked that she believed people would ostracize her purely for having demon blood... but the reality was far from that simple.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, forget it. Support, you say... strictly confined to Shepherd Village?"
"Yes."
"That won't be difficult."
"Then we have a deal."
With a faint smirk, she extended her hand. I reached out, clasped her fingers, and gave them a firm shake.