Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: The Sole Demand: Sunlight
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* * *
"……Hah!"
Ballus, who had collapsed in the depths of the dungeon, slowly opened her eyes.
What had happened?
On the way to where the Demon King was staying, she had suddenly sensed light leaking out.
Startled by the sudden light, or perhaps for some other reason, she had briefly lost consciousness……
'Hold on.'
Ballus quickly checked the place where the Demon King was supposed to be.
'The Demon King…… is gone?'
Worried about awakening the instincts of the demons, the Demon King had been hiding in the darkness, but there was no sign of her anywhere.
What on earth had happened? Could the Demon King have made some kind of decision, just like the previous Demon Kings?
Such thoughts flashed through her mind for a moment.
Then, the senses that had been cut off when she lost consciousness began to return bit by bit.
And, at the same time as her senses returned……
'……Huh?'
Only then did she…… sense the 'change' that had occurred in herself.
* * *
"Sunlight…… you mean?"
"Yes. Sunlight. That is our one and only demand."
Luca, kneeling to the right rear of the Saintess, cautiously spoke up.
"I had heard that demons have an aversion to the sun……"
"I don't know why it's known that way, but I want you to convey that it's a complete misunderstanding."
"Then all those actions were—"
"Yes. All of them were done in the desire to bask in sunlight."
Erin and all the humans present were at a loss for words.
Just for that reason, they had spent centuries in conflict and enmity?
What had they and their ancestors fought and bled for?
Confirming the subtle shift in expressions among Erin's group, the Demon King seemed to notice something and gave a wry smile.
"It seems this body’s words are hard for you to accept easily. Given the long time we've spent distrusting each other, it's natural to think we're not being fully honest."
"That's not true. The fact that we could even have this private audience with you is all part of God's will."
"Saintess Erin. Those humans who faithfully believe in God, including yourself, may quickly understand and accept 'God's will'—but do you think those who aren't the same will blindly believe everything we demons say?"
"Well……"
"If it sounds like I'm scolding you, I apologize. What right does this body have? But…… that's how it is. Even this body’s thoughts weren't ideally accepted by all demons."
To demons, the Demon King's ideology was an absolute compass in itself.
Unlike humans, demons could not refuse the Demon King's commands from a biological standpoint. And the Demon King could perceive every single thought of each demon individual.
Outwardly, they would say, 'We will follow the Demon King's will,' but deep in their hearts, some harbored seething resentment.
Of course, the Demon King had no intention of punishing them for it. Hadn't humans denied even the right to bask in sunlight and driven them deep into dungeons?
"Probably the same for humans. There must be those who lost precious family to demons, and those whose livelihoods were destroyed by demons. I understand that from their perspective, suddenly saying 'let's coexist' wouldn't be easy to accept."
"I won't deny it. However, by the same token, it applies to demons as well. The important thing is that we don't want to repeat any more tragedies, right?"
"It would be nice if everyone thought like you."
With that, the Demon King looked at the woman to Erin's left—Linea.
"……!"
"You seem unable to trust this body."
Caught off guard because her mind had been read, Linea hesitated for a moment.
But if this being could see through her so thoroughly, there was no point in half-hearted lies.
"I am from the Imperial Family. Surely the Demon King is aware of the Empire's existence?"
"Of course."
"The Empire was founded over three hundred years ago. In the war against demons two hundred years ago, our Empire suffered irreparable damage. Anyone who learned the Empire's history from childhood knows the horrors of that time. Even if communication was impossible, was there really need to be so cruel just for wanting sunlight…… It's hard for me to accept right now."
"So, you think this body might have some ulterior motive, and the sunlight is just a smokescreen?"
"I apologize for lying to the Demon King, who can see through falsehoods."
"Linea-nim……!"
Luca tried to stop her worriedly from the side, but—
"Let her be."
"Ophelia-nim……?"
"She didn't keep her thoughts inside. That's where communication starts."
Hearing Ophelia, Luca no longer tried to restrain Linea.
The Demon King, far from offended by Linea's words, seemed pleased and smiled lightly.
"It's fine. Even if this body has changed, I don't dislike humans who hold their pride before the Demon King. Then, shall I prove that this body isn't lying, in a way you can understand?"
"What do you mean……?"
"Isn't there already someone in your group who can see through whether this body is lying?"
"……?"
"You tried to hide it, but the intense power emanating from you—similar to yet different from demonic energy—is impossible to miss."
As everyone tilted their heads at the Demon King's sudden words—
Erin cautiously asked on behalf of the group.
"Um, sorry, but I don't know who you're referring to—"
Without a word, the Demon King carefully pointed a finger—
"……Me?"
At Ophelia, who was kneeling.
"Yes. More precisely, the backpack you're holding."
"Backpack? There's only the Rabbit Lord inside."
Ophelia faced the Demon King, her tension dropping sharply for some reason, and woke the rabbit napping in the backpack.
"Rabbit Lord. Wake up."
"Igo no Igodon."
"It'll just be a moment."
Ophelia slipped her hands under the rabbit's arms and carefully lifted it, placing it on her head.
"Were you referring to the Rabbit Lord by any chance?"
"Hoh. A mere human commanding such a tremendous being as a subordinate? You might be far more powerful than you appear."
"Not a subordinate, but my friend. But I don't see the connection with what you just said……"
"……Are you serious?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
The Demon King’s eyes sparkled with amusement—
"To be honest. This body, despite being in a human form—a clear penalty in terms of combat power—is still quite strong. If I wanted, I could take the lives of ordinary humans like you with a single gesture right now."
The small, cute girl making such threats while squeaking with each step wasn't intimidating at all—she was adorable.
Unaware of the effect her appearance had, the Demon King continued in a serious tone.
"But against that rabbit…… it would be a tough fight. I might even be pushed back if I'm careless. That rabbit radiates the aura of an overwhelming powerhouse."
"That much……?"
Ophelia, marked with question marks, received her answer from God's Saintess, Erin.
"The Rabbit Lord is God's messenger, after all. Of course it's no ordinary being. It's not strange for even the Demon King to sense that."
"Come to think of it, the Rabbit Lord did use strange magic. It's clearly a rabbit, yet it eats well. Hm. Impressive indeed, Rabbit Lord!"
"Sleepy-don."
"Anyway, you…… what's your name?"
"……Linea."
"With the rabbit here, it's impossible for me to deceive you recklessly. It would see right through me. So please believe my words."
"What we want has always been one thing. The right to bask in sunlight. I swear there's not a shred of falsehood."
Linea still couldn't fully accept it.
From the Demon King turning into a little girl, to suddenly wanting to get along—everything.
Even so…… if this truly was 'God's will' as Erin said—
Perhaps it could be the trigger for her to understand Lord Igugwoden's plain facts.
After all, her goal wasn't to dismantle the religious order, but to balance it with the Imperial Family.
"Understood. I'll trust the Demon King."
"I sincerely thank you."
The Demon King slowly stood, grasping the black rags with both hands in a ladylike curtsy of respect.
Lifting her skirt with tiny arms felt less dignified and more endearing.
Like a child playing house.
"Hup……!"
"Luca? What's wrong?"
"No, it's just……"
Unable to say 'you're so cute I want to hug you' in front of the Demon King, Luca trailed off as Linea spoke in a serious tone.
"However, you must understand that most humans likely think like me. Given the long years of conflict, how many would readily accept calls for reconciliation…… I can't give an optimistic reply."
"That's fine. Just do to you what you did to us. That's why God gave me this human body, I think."
"What we did to you……?"
"Dialogue."
The Demon King curved her lips and her eyes gleamed.
"I plan to convey our will, representing the demons, to all humans."
"!!!"
"Erin. If it's not too much, may I ask for your help? Create an opportunity for this body to directly tell humans the demons' will?"
Erin nodded without hesitation.
"God's words led us here. You said you faced God's plain facts and became human. As God's Saintess, I have one duty—to thoroughly follow our Sole God Lord Igugwoden's will. My Igugwoden Church and I fully support the Demon King's will and will strive to create a world where humans and demons can coexist."
"Of course, with our history of hatred, it may be an incredibly difficult path—"
Basking in the sunlight, she smiled brilliantly—
"But if it's Lord Igugwoden's words, I can even give my life for them."
'……!'
The Demon King couldn't help but be astonished by Erin's strong resolve.
The source of the warmth she could feel—God's love.
And that woman was likely the human receiving the most of God's love—
'So that's the resolve of a Saintess.'
It seemed the demon notion that 'humans are all weak-willed, so subjugate them with fear' was just another rumor, like the misconceptions about them.
Yes. If there were misunderstandings, dialogue could resolve them—
With that thought, the Demon King took her first step toward a path no previous Demon King had walked.
* * *
A few days later.
'The Demon King has descended upon the continent,' 'The Saintess brought the Demon King to the cathedral,' 'The Igugwoden Church has allied with demons'……
Rumors that could cause an uproar on their own began spreading simultaneously in droves.