"Oh, you can't be!　No way!　Even I can't turn a demon into a human being: ......!

How can you say it's impossible?　In fact, your father had the skill to turn the demon into a yasai, and it was passed on to you. And it was passed on to you, and you used it to cultivate a new kind of demon that bore yasai.

"Yes, that's true, but ......!

If you apply it further, change it, or even grow it, you can make a human being out of a demon. No, if I may say more, I believe you can create something that will make the demon human.

"What, what is ......?

　I'm baffled by Aji Dahaka's outlandish request.
　However, Azi Dahaka doesn't think so and is convinced that I can do it.

Come on, just grow it. Anything you need, seeds, jewelry, valuables, antiquities, or otherworldly items. I'll take care of everything you want. So make me human.

"......

　Gold eyes like a snake.
　Or like a bloody animal's eyes as Dahaka approaches me.

"You can't talk like that all of a sudden! Why do you want to be that person in the first place?

"............

　I shouted as if to shake him off, but Dahaka didn't respond to that, and after a moment of silence, he spoke up as if to squeeze out a response.

...... Kyou-san, do you know about the role of SS-ranked demons in this world?

"It's--

　For the sake of the world, a clear obstacle created by God as a factor to grow the people living in this world.
　These SS-ranked demons stand like demon kings in the so-called games and so on, and people struggle to defeat them so that they can grow and promote the evolution and growth of the whole world.
　They are like pawns, so to speak, deployed for that purpose.

Yes, we are pawns that were 'prepared to be beaten' by the people from the beginning. A hindrance. Nothing more. But if you were told that you were a creature in that role, would you be convinced, Kyou-san?

"That's ......

　Surely that's what I thought a little before.
　Somewhere along the way, it was a problem that bothered my mom too, a creature that becomes an enemy for people's growth, just to get beaten up.
　I understand the role, but it's too sad a presence, and if I were a creature with that role, would I still be able to maturely be beaten for the sake of people's growth?
　At least I might struggle with ...... or run away and say I don't want to be in that role.

Yes, I'm the same way. In the beginning, I was doing it by God's command, but after years of devouring life, the ego is clear. "I don't want to die like this."

"............

I too, in my own way, seduced people for the furtherance of the world, or subdued someone through schemes and thus encouraged someone else's growth. Fighting people head-on as an SS-ranked demon is not the way to grow up either. In fact, not long ago, Kyou, you know a sister and brother who grew up that way in Arabial where you were, right?

"Huh?

　I was surprised by an unexpected line.
　Could it be about Shin and Alisha?
　It is true that the two of them had to go through a lot of hardships due to the complexities of the palace, but in the end they overcame them and Shin and Alisha, or rather the whole country, grew up.

I did that for a long time and encouraged people to grow from the shadows. This is my role as an SS-ranked demon, but also because I didn't want to fight humans head-on like Behemoth and Bahamut and make them grow up through their deaths. Certainly this may be the best way to create a catalyst for the world of the great hero, but as I said, I do not want to die. So I had no choice but to resort to this trick. Well, that's why my friends call me a 'snake' and hate me.

　Then shrug your shoulders and shrug your shoulders.
　Certainly, that's one way.
　It's a way of bringing someone down by scheming while encouraging someone else's growth.
　It's not a laudable way, but it may be a way to make people grow up.

But that approach is reaching its limits. No, the growth of this whole world is about to be completed soon. When that happens, our role as SS-ranked demons will also disappear. So before that--

　Muttering, Dahaka turns his golden eyes to me again.

"Kyou-san. I want you to help me evolve into a human being through your cultivation. I don't want to end up an SS-ranked demon as a pawn in the world. I want to live in the world where I evolved as a grown-up, as a human like the people who live in this world. In fact, we SS-ranked demons should have such rewards!　Who was responsible for the promotion and growth of this world so far!　The Seven Heroes?　No!　We, the ones who created them, should be SS-ranked demons!

"Huh!

　I step back at the true expression on her face.
　But it's true that Aji Dahaka has a point.

　The reason why the seven great heroes, proof of humanity's growth, were born is because of the existence of SS-ranked demons that were an obstacle to their development.
　So to speak, they are the ones who are responsible for the evolution of this world more than anyone else.
　It's too sad that they were just killed by humans and that's it.

　At least one of them was my mother, including Lily and Rostam.
　In an evolved world, only evolved people can go there.
　That means that, as demons, they can't go to those worlds.
　If you think about it--.


　Unknowingly, I was biting my lip.

"Mr. Keough. I'm not saying this for myself. It's a cultivation I want you to do for all the SS-ranked demons in this world right now, or rather all the demons you've raised.

"I grew up with ......?

So what if you could be human, for example, Mr. Mandragora over there. What if you could be human?

"!　I did.

　That said, Dahka pointed to Dora-chan, who was hiding in my breast pocket.
　For a moment, Dora-chan had a surprised expression, but soon she became serious and troubled.
　It's not just a simple matter of time, but also of time.

''Isn't turning other demons you know into human beings and evolving them is a necessary act for you as a demon cultivator and holder of the title of cultivator hero?

"It's ......

　It's true that Dahaka's proposal can push not only him alone, but also the many demons I've dealt with or that I've raised to evolve in the ultimate sense of the word, or even beyond.
　It's easy to say no to Dahaka's proposal here.
　But wouldn't that mean leaving Lily, Rostam, Dora-chan and others behind in this world as demons?

　The unexpected explanation from Dahaka causes me to be slightly confused and distressed.
　Looking at me, Dahaka says quietly with a smile on her face.

You'll be able to see that you're not the one who wants to do it right now. It's just that if you do that, you can save the demons of this world in every sense of the word.

"............

If you'll take me up on my offer, I'll be happy to help you. Enjoy your stay here for a while. I'll take care of the food and other things.

　With that, Dahaka disappeared.
　All that was left was me and Dora-chan, who was worrying about her heart.
　And Rock is the only one.

"Dad. ......

　Locke looks up at me with a worried look on his face.
　I didn't know what to say to that, and I just fell silent.