The royal city of Arche. A place of great prosperity and glory, even called the cultural center of the continent.

　The streets are lined with goods that cannot be found in the provincial cities, and merchants are busy going back and forth between the residences of the high nobility. In the amusement and arena, the common people were enjoying the glory and the happiness they deserved.

　It was a little different from the bustle of the trading city of Galuamaria, but it was undeniable that Arche was radiating the light of boundless prosperity.

　Tomorrow will be more prosperous than today, and the next will be even richer. The nobles and common people in the light do not doubt that. People do not think that what they have now may disappear someday.

　But no matter how solid something is. There will always come a time when it will be lost. Power, glory. Even nations. The moment you're born, you're already destined to fall.

　The royal capital Arche. The center of the continent, piled up with gold, is now no longer a city of men.

　This is a land where demons reign and rule. Humans have no right to live in peace.

...... Hey. You're dead, man. Hey.

　He says in a slow, not-so-fluent voice. The anthropoid woman who had thrown her limbs in front of him, eyes bared, did not respond or make a sound. At first glance, she appears to be dead.

　But it's still warm. The demoness sensed it sensitively as she remained in close contact.

　He raises his arm and punches the woman in the face. Red blood spurted out in a big gush. Once, twice. Her nose collapsed and her teeth flew out.

　Finally, the third time, the woman reacted. Apparently, she had fainted.

Help ...... me. Stop ...... me!

　She must be in a lot of pain. Her words were becoming distorted. It's a clear indication of the limits of her consciousness.

　But even so, the demonic nature still held her in its arms and took her body heat as its own. Otherwise, it would be too cold.

　He didn't hear the human voice. It was just a cry, a spice to add color to things, if you will.

　It had no meaning. But the woman cries again and again. Begging for help, for forgiveness, for salvation. Sometimes she even made a screaming sound.

　I didn't mind it, but it became a little annoying. The demoness couldn't help but put all her strength into her arms.

　Immediately, a painful sound was heard. The sound warmed the demon's heart for a while, but it soon faded away. At the same time, the demoness sighed.

　The woman no longer squealed. A voice called out to the demoness's back. A voice that doesn't even try to hide its dismay.

"You Rogers always do the same thing. You're that cold, rock. What a waste of time.

　Rogom. The so-called demon threw the woman's corpse on the ground and said. Her whole body has a luster like that of a mineral, and you can't see her expression or mood. The only thing you can read about her emotions is her voice.

"...... It's cold. It's very, very... You don't understand, you hexenbiest.

　They're demons born of rock. Without skin or flesh, they are supposed to feel neither heat nor cold.

　But somehow, Rogom is always struck by a burning cold. Even in the sunlight, the freeze never clears.

　Is it the soul or something else entirely that feels it? They don't know. But still, they say, the cold is unbearable.

　That's why they embrace and kill. The light of their life gives them heat. The heat of living blood heals them, even if only for a blink of an eye.

　The cat-headed, human-like beast sighed again and said.

"Hey, it's called a Kobold. I don't know, but that's what the demon lord said.

　The Kobold then announces his principal. Kobold or Rogom. They didn't know that demons had names.

　But Drigman says. You have a race, you have a name, you have intelligence. You've just lost that. Kobold and the others did not understand the deeper meaning of his words, but if the wizard said it, then it must be true.



　And I knew it wasn't a bad thing. Being under the influence of a greater evil was good for them. The intelligence that crawled through their brains, the power that made their bodies move. I can feel the influence of the demon growing stronger by the day.

"...... Mr. Drigman said to do as I please. I'll do as I please.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'll do it. An organ that looked like an arm pointed to a corner of the room. There was a woman there, smaller than the woman before her.

　It was probably the woman's daughter. Her face was pale, tears and sweat covered her face, and her mother's neat face was gone.

　She was sitting up, breathing heavily, and her shoulders were moving up and down. When she caught Rogom's attention, she let out a squeak.

I left some. Just give me one more. Then it's the same.

　That should be enough if you want to match the numbers, Rogom said. The Kobold shakes his shoulders and tilts his head in disgust once again. He seems to be saying that demons and hexenbiests have different sensibilities.

　It's not a waste of time, he said, showing his fangs and approaching his daughter. The Kobold opened his mouth, caring for his daughter's frightened appearance.

He said, "Humans taste better when they are more carefully dissected. If you kill them too roughly, the meat won't taste good.

　With that, Kobold stomped on his daughter's tightly clenched fingers. A few soothing clicks later, he knew his hand was no longer useful.

　The daughter, screaming. A plea that echoed her mother's actions, spat out with a cry. The Kobold did the same to the other hand, then crushed the leg. Each time, the daughter's screams echoed, and tears and sweat poured down incessantly.

　This is a game that is popular among Kobolds these days, to see how well they can hurt without killing. It is said that those who are good at it can peel off the skin of their entire body and still keep the human alive. The flesh of a human who has been tortured to such an extent is very tasty.

　Unknowingly, Kobold was licking his lips. The tyranny was spurred on by his inherent aversion and his slight hunger.

　Now it was Rogom's turn to sigh at his actions. It was hard for Rogom to understand the act of eating and the pain it caused.

　It was then that Rogom suddenly remembered. He remembered that his mother had given herself up to protect her daughter. He had a faint memory of her saying that she wanted to protect her daughter.

　The girl is now in the possession of Kobold, blood leaping from her limbs. He would kill her in the end. So be it, Logom thought.

　I didn't kill him, so I kept my promise. He was nothing but good because he remembered the promise he made to the humans. Not many demons would want to keep a promise like that.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

　King's City Arche. The Throne.

　When I look at this place, which is still gorgeous and gorgeous, I suddenly feel as if there is still order in the land of Arche.

　But it is not a crown that sits on the throne, but the wizard Drigman. And the one serving him is not a nobleman or a soldier, but a half-human, half-beast demon beast named Verg. There are no human-like figures here.

"The surrounding villages are steadily gathering people. Some of the soldiers seem to be behaving badly. ......

　The Verg says, somewhat slurring his words, but looking at Drigman's expression. He did not know how tolerant the Lord, who was called the ruler, would be. He thought that he might even be outraged by the actions of the soldiers, even if they were only a few.

　But contrary to what the Vague imagined, there was nothing swarthy about Drigman's face. Rather, it was calm.

"That's good. Forgive him for a little. Play is play. I'm not saying it's desirable, but I'll accept it to a certain extent. And it's better for the humans to understand their place in the world now.

　Verg was relieved by these words. He was slowly beginning to understand Drigman's character.

　Ever since the past, Drigman has been very tolerant of magical instincts. Even more so than other demonic chiefs out there. He rarely condemns it. That said, he does ask a lot of them.

"Humans are hardy as a race. Dead or alive, they'll keep coming back. I trust you on that.

　He chuckled at the Lord's play on words, such as "trust" in humans. The Verg bent his horse's legs slightly and said.

"About that human, sir. It seems there are still some who are trying to rebel. They have more men than we do.

　10,000, maybe 20,000. Drigman clasped his hands and twisted his lips at the report the Verg gave. It was as if he was smiling slightly, as if to say, "I told you so.



　Drigman pretended to think briefly, but the report didn't bother him much. He already knew that humans liked to rebel.

　Besides, there were a few other things that bothered him.

　First of all, there was the matter of Zebraeliris, his master, the spirit god known as the Great Demon. I can certainly sense its unique presence, but... It seems that her will has not returned. No matter how many times I call out to her, she doesn't respond. I guess he hasn't broken free from Althea's control yet.

　Now you are close to the master. Other beings who were once called demons are beginning to wake up. That's why the Lord must regain his will sooner rather than later.

　And one more thing. Drigman had one more thing on his mind.

　His own people. His compatriot, the jewel Bau Agathos, had yet to appear. Since he was awake, it was only natural that she would be too.

　It was only when this thought occurred to Drigman that he realized he was getting impatient. There is nothing to be done. How could he be impatient when he was only supposed to be creating order?

　He'd made a mistake once, and he'd let it bother him too much. He must have been so determined to do better this time.

　Drigman chuckled to himself, smiled, and said to the Verg.

"All right, thanks for the report. Then just be ready with the plan. Humans don't need bravery or wisdom. Let's get rid of them all together.

　The Verg nodded obediently as he served his master again. It must be an unmistakable sign of respect.


　I'll be back.


　In the suburbs of the royal capital Arche. She was there, leaving her footprints on the ground where dead snow was falling. At first glance, she appears to be just a girl, and there is nothing strange about her appearance.

　The only thing suspicious about her was that she was walking around alone in the dead snow.

　Everyone hates the demonic outside and is afraid to go out. The sight of a girl walking around in the dead snow without any companions or merchants is too bizarre.

　Even if she had no choice in the matter, it would be normal for her to act frightened and scared. But she was different. She walked through the snowfield with a regal demeanor, even humming a tune.

　When she saw the royal city of Arche in the distance, she opened her arms and said in a loud voice, with a look of joy on her face. His toes were even lightly jumping.

"Ah!　My beloved King City!　I've come home!　Hundreds of years, maybe more. I can't believe I'm coming back!

　Her words are full of contentment and joy. She expressed her joy over and over again, using words that were a little more mature than the girl's appearance.

I'm sure it's because I'm good at what I do!　Great me!　I'm the best!　I'm the most beautiful person in the world!

　Dead snow. In the midst of a land full of demonic beasts, her excessive display of emotion is still suspicious. But that's not the only reason she's suspicious.

　Even though she was alone, she said, as if she was talking to someone.

"...... You're so annoying. I don't like dark-hearted girls like you. How can you think so gloomy?

　There was no one around her. No human form, no demonic form. And yet she continues to speak alone.

"You'd be dead if it weren't for me. You're the reason I'm in this mess, so have a little patience. I don't want to use your body either.

　It was like a monologue in a play. A monologue, if you will. It was as if she was trying to play two roles by herself.

　The girl said the words as if she was telling someone else.

"Okay?　I'm a gem. I'm a jewel. I shine brighter than anyone and no one can defile me. You just stay put.

　And with that, she left her footprints on the snowfield again. There is only one destination. Arche, a city no longer under the control of the demonic.

　The actors and actresses who would color the stage were about to come together.