The next thing I knew, I was there.
　In the dark, in an empty space. I was alone in the world.
　There's no one else. Just alone.
　And then they appeared in front of me.






"So it looks like I got my memory back.

"...... Yeah.

　This is the truth and the continuation of the conversation between Lily, the brave beastman who was captured by the empire, and Rostam, the imperial hero who met with her.

I'm surprised to see you as one of the seven great heroes, Sun Wolf Squall.

"Huh?

　At the name, Lily involuntarily looked up.
　You will be able to find out what you're looking for.
　But the emperor and hero, who should be a stranger to you, would never know this.

What, haven't you noticed?　If you look closely at your own kind, you'll see that.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right.

"Could it be ...... behemoth?

That's the way it is. We've got a funny situation on our hands, don't we?

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.
　It is true that SS-ranked demons are equipped with the ability to humanize, but few actually use it.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, it's also a matter of when you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find a way to get in.

　The behemoth laughed, and Lily could tell from his expression that this man was not joking around.

"Squall, no, Lily. I'm going to need your help. We, the SS ranks, want to help people grow, and to help the world grow.

　Then the emperor told Lily about this plan from his mouth.
　A hostile attitude toward a potential opponent, starting with the cultivator.
　By daring to push the cultivator into a corner, you make him think of himself as an enemy, and then you know how he will end up being defeated.

...... I get the gist of your story. But are you sure you want to do this?　If you do that, you will be killed in the end, right?

　Yes, what the emperor is doing is a kind of outrageous act.
　Aggression against other countries, and even against Kyou and his friends.
　As compensation, there's a good chance he'll eventually give you death.
　But even so, the emperor smiles as if it's none of his business.

That's fine. That's quite all right. Wasn't that what we were here for in the first place?　We become an obstacle to people, a target to be defeated, and in the end, we grow at the cost of our deaths. If I can help people grow, I'm happy with that.

　So is the original role of an SS-ranked demon.
　Like a demon king, it stands as an obstacle for people and promotes their growth.
　In a way, the action that behemoths are trying to do is the most appropriate action for an SS-ranked demon.
　And that's why he called out to his fellow SS-ranked demon, Lily understood.

...... but now you're Rostam, right? Are you really willing to give up that position?

　At Lily's question, the emperor smiled a somewhat gentle smile that had never been seen before.

I'm not interested in the position of emperor. But there is certainly one thing that is too good to throw away.

　After a short pause, the behemoth turned emperor replied, "I'm your brother.

My brother.

"Huh?

"You will understand, "Lily". We demons, or rather the SS ranks, have no concept of family. We didn't need every concept man has. But still, you must have seen a lot of people in the cause of developing people.

　The behemoth's question also reminds Lily.
　The first thing she sees is the concept of "friend.
　A man fighting for his friend next to him.

　A person laughing, crying and cuddling with a friend.
　When Lily was called the Sun Wolf, the concept of 'friendship' was the one she missed the most.

In my case, it was 'brother'. I've seen so many people's brothers. An older brother struggling to protect a weaker brother. A brother who struggles to be strong for his brother. I saw them cheering each other on and even fighting at times, but their love for each other was evident in all of it, and I - I envied them.

　Yes, they're beasts.
　Beasts created for a role to play.
　That's why the beasts longed for man.
　Their notions of brothers, friends, lovers, family and all that seemed so enviable and beautiful.

So I thought, "It would be great to be in that circle someday.

　Unknowingly, Lily had agreed with the behemoth's words.
　No, perhaps that is a sentiment that all SS ranks can agree on.
　They are equally there to encourage people to grow.
　That's why you can be sure that seeing so many people grow up, the emotion that came to mind would have been longing.

　Even for Favnir, the current demon king, she is impatient with the concept of family, and having it has changed her mind dramatically.
　To the extent that its target is not only people, but also all of her own kind of demons.
　The other SS ranks have different emotions and concepts of impatience, but they all have one thing in common: they all love people.



So I was very happy to be on the same side as these people and get the same concepts as them. But I'm killing this young man Rostam.

　It would be a tragedy for Behemoth as he played his part.
　He met two brothers who held a brilliance never before seen in him.
　And as he fought, he was convinced.
　I would give my life for them.
　And that when he gave his all, he would serve the world.
　The behemoth fought to the end to keep that vow.
　As a result, the growth of these two brothers affected their contribution to the world.
　But in the final stages, behemoth took possession of his brother, the great warrior known as Rostam.
　Although he had fought with all his might, behemoth still regretted his decision.

　If the young man could be brought back to life in exchange for his own life, he would do so.

　Just when he was thinking this, something unexpectedly happened to the behemoth's body.
　That's exactly what Sachaque did to his memory and emotions.
　Behemoth dared to accept it.
　In doing so, behemoth became Rostam and lived with him as Sacherk's brother.

　For there were two thoughts of behemoth.
　One was to become a man.
　An enviable desire to gain the concept of brotherhood and to live among them.
　And the other was a sense of guilt toward Sachaque.
　If he could make up for the loss of his beloved brother with his presence, he would.

　But that doesn't change the consequences of Rostam's brother's death.
　To atone for that sin, Behemoth had vowed that one day he would serve the world and give his life for it.

　And that opportunity was now.
　The goddess called the Cultivator had chosen him to grow a gem, and he would sacrifice himself for her.
　This would atone for her sins.

　When Lily heard that, she realized that behemoth's situation was the same as hers.
　That's why he approached her.

But your situation is different from mine. I don't want to force you to help me, but as long as you don't interfere with me, that's all that matters: ......

...... No, I will. I will help you.

　Lily also decided to say.
　I killed a friend of mine once.
　There could be no better opportunity to atone for that than here.
　And even if Kyou and the others kill her...that's exactly what Behemoth says...I'll be able to fulfill my role as an SS-rank and even make amends.
　There is no better opportunity.

　And so they joined hands, and here the beginning of the plan was put into action.







"So, brother. I'm grateful to you, but I don't hate you. Rather, I was very happy to have tasted the concept of brotherhood. I was very happy for that alone.

　The expression on Rostam's face was more tender and full of compassion than ever before.
　You will be able to see the face of your brother, or maybe it reminds you of your own brother, and you just cry quietly.

It's a good thing that ...... is no longer a problem. The behemoth doesn't have to die either.

　It was my mother, Favnir, who said that and opened her voice to settle the exchange.
　Then she looks up and says to someone watching the scene.

As you can see, we've done our job. How about you come out, Semargul. And Goddess Mokosi.

　As you nod to your mother's voice, two figures are shifting in front of us.
　It's the goddess Moe and her attendant SS-ranked demon Semargle we saw earlier.

"Hello, Kyou-kun. Long time no see.

　Yes, even in this kind of situation, she's as loose as ever.
　When I was thinking about this, my mother was approaching the goddess.

That's enough. You're the one who proposed this plan to the behemoths, aren't you?　Can you not bully my son or daughter too much, even if it is to grow the world?

"Hey, I don't know what you're talking about.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.
　I've been thinking that you might be involved in this.

You're not the only one.

　Crackling crackers and making confetti.
　She's free in every way.

I'd also like to thank you for this discovery.

　Then Moe thanked me again.
　So, a discovery, huh?
　What did I do?

Yes, yes, I did. Yeah, you did.

　Huh?　Maybe a mind reader?
　Well, she's a goddess, so that's possible.
　Personally, I think it would be easier for me to talk to you.
　So, what did I do?

First, your demon cultivation. That proved to be a direct result of the growth of this world.

　Hmm, what do you mean?

The world has been growing slightly in the past due to the birth of the seven great heroes. Three seeds of your world tree have blossomed because of this event. No matter how powerful you are...the growth is extraordinary. But it wasn't due to your growth alone.



　Then Moe pointed to an unexpected person.
　It was the figure of the fallen jacks that Lily had just carried to this third floor.

It wasn't just people. It wasn't just people.

　Hmm?　What does it mean?

The growth of demons has also affected the growth of this world. It's all because of you.