"--and so I became the demon known as the 'tree demon'.

　Renu concluded.

(............)

　It's too epic of a past to know what to say.

　The Solstice next to me also has a look on her face, as if she has eaten a bitter dish.

　By the way, the "tree demon" is the name of the humanoid demon we witnessed, which looks like it's made up of plants.

''So, did you get your revenge?

　Ms. Illtimina asked nonchalantly.

　Ms. Renu nodded.

''Yes.''

　Vengeance - that is, taking out the adventurers who stole the precious food.

(...I have no sympathy for them.)

　I received retribution for my crime.......I can't help but think that.

　It's just that the fact that it was through the power of a demon, the cooperation of the 'Son of Darkness', was a bit complicated.

　Solstice leans forward.

''Right?　What was it like to be a demon?

　Curious eyes.

(How can you ask this under these circumstances?)

　I'm a bit impressed.

　I was dumbfounded, but the kind Renu answered sincerely.

''I felt a strong power within me. A power that was impossible when I was a human being... when I became a demon, I felt a near-universal ecstasy.
Oh, yeah?

　The bespectacled girl taking notes.

'I don't feel as if I'm in fear anymore. I'm not so much afraid of the pain of my wounds as I am of death.
"Uh-huh.
So I had no hesitation in killing people.
..........

　A moment of silence.

　Still, I ask.

'Does that mean you've lost your sense of worth as a person?'
Well I guess so.

　Renu nodded with a look of self-loathing on her face.

'What occupied my mind in particular was a feeling of affection for that 'dark child'.

Love...?

　We are surprised.

　Renu tells us, as she chooses her words.

'As if she were his mother, she was willing to do anything to give him what he wanted, even her life to protect him.
..........
'At the same time, there was a strong sense of awe. As to the king, or to God.

　Brown hands press down on his chest.

　As if to confirm something important that was there.

　I let out a deep breath.

That feeling seems to have been shared by everyone else who was turned into a demon.

　I continued.

(...speaking of which...)

　Didn't I remember that when I got Renu-san back, 'Son of Darkness' showed his fierce anger that he had 'taken away his own people (family)'?

　After listening to the story, Solstice said, ''Hmm?'' I snorted.

'I see. So it was a magic that didn't just turn you into a demon, but also properly built up your loyalty.

　The girl taking notes again.

　The red eyes behind the glasses, looking up at Renu once more.

So what now?

　I asked.

　Renu laughed, somewhat sadly.

'I don't have that feeling. ........although I still feel an emptiness in my chest, like I'm empty.

...Mr. Renu.

　Solstice muttered, "I see,

　pattern

　He closed the note.

'Thanks. You've given me a lot of valuable information.
No.

　Renu laughed in a complicated way at the happy Solstice, who looked happy.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　After that, the listening process continued.

　Looking at Renu-san, Kirt-san asked.

'How many others have been turned into demons like you?

　Renu tilted her head, shaking the redhead's hair, and searched her own memory.

'There are about fifty of them,'
"Law.

　Fifty people........that's quite a lot of people.

(Each demon was on the same level of strength as a silver seal.............That's an amazing force.

　I was surprised.

　But Renu.

However, this is as far as I'm aware.

　He added.

(What...?)

　The other three are also surprised.

''The 'Children of Darkness' are based in various locations. There are fifty of them in the base where I am based. But we don't know how many people are in the other bases.''
..........
..........
..........
..........

　I need a minute.

(He's already growing in power so much!)

　A strong sense of frustration boiled over.

　Mr. Kilt's face was grim, too.

'Sol, can you get a map and brush from your pack?
'Oh, yeah. I get it.

　The girl quickly prepares the items she was told to bring.

　After receiving it, Kilt-san spread the folded map on the bed in front of Renu-san.

　It's a map of the entire continent of Albac.

It's good as far as I can tell. Tell me the location of your knowledgeable base.

　As he says this, he puts the brush in Renu's hand.

''Yes,''

　Nodding, Renu stared at the map.

　He dipped the tip of his brush into the ink pot.

　Ssssssss....

　I'm going to draw a circle on the map.

(...Are you lying?)

　Our expressions grew stronger with each writing.

　The writing stopped.

''Well that's all I know.

　Renu said in a heavy voice.

　The number of circles was a whopping twenty-one locations.

　It also transcended countries, with locations not only in the Kingdom of Shumuria, but also in the Arun Divine Kingdom and the Tetet Union.

''........So much for this?''

　There was a strong sense of amazement in Kilt's voice.

　For one location, 50 people.

　If there were 21 bases, there would be 1,050 people.

　That's how many of those terrifying 'tattooed people' are calculated to be there.

　Moreover, this was only known to Renu, and there could actually be more bases than that.

''As expected, it's not too bad.......this?

　Solstice muttered with a blue face.

　Iltimina-san, who nodded silently, also had a hard expression.

''As expected, it's more than I expected.

　The successive 'Golden Seal Demon Hunters' say in a low voice.

　To us, Renu-san tells us.

The 'Son of Darkness' himself is moving from one base to another in these various locations. We don't know its whereabouts either.

　...I see.

　We don't know where he is.

　That's because we weren't ambushed.

(...we were thinking of the possibility of our people being captured and interrogated...?)　

He's quite clever, isn't he?

　That demon princess, Kirt Amandes, has been swearing her praises.

　That's how wise he is.

　I looked at the brown beauty once again.

''Miss Renu. Do you have any idea what that.......Son of Darkness was trying to do?

　Renu and the three of them look at me.

　Renu thinks for a moment.

'Basically we're just following his instructions. I think only he himself could see what was ahead of him.
..........
'All I was doing was gathering my people,'

You want a partner?

　Renu's eyes fall down.

'That's why we were working to create artificial misery and create a lot of hateful people...'

　............

　The air became heavy with that confession.

　It is said that the stronger the negative emotions in a person's heart, the more powerful the tattooed people become, the more powerful the demon.

(For that reason.........)

　How many people have been tormented and killed for such a purpose?

　Renu looked like she was going to be crushed by guilt.

　I took her hand in mine.

'I'm sorry for reminding you of all the bad things I've done. But you didn't do anything wrong.
..........
Thank you for telling me.

　I almost laughed, trying to reassure her.

　Renu looked at me.

　She looked like she was about to cry.

　Cue.

　As if we were hanging on, our hands were squeezed back.

　Illtimina-san was looking at us with a bit of complexity.

　Solstice looks back at their leader.

''When you're adding to our ranks, does that mean you're preparing for a battle with other 'demons'... or rather, other 'children of darkness'?''

　Mr. Kilt replied with a difficult look on his face.

'There may be some of that, but I suspect he's looking further down the line.
Further?
"After destroying all the other Children of Darkness, that is, the war against humanity,

　...........

　That's why you have over a thousand 'tattooed ones' ready to go.

(What a guy.)

　He's already preparing to kill each other behind the scenes, while offering a ceasefire and a fight together.

'He's ... much tougher than he's ever been in a proper fight.

　Kilt-san mutters as he stares into the distance.

(You're serious...)

　He's trying to take on the world of his own - words that would normally be considered mere nonsense, but he's really trying to do it.

　I can't lose.

　We can't lose.

　I can't accept the idea that it's okay to make a lot of people unhappy in order to do so.

　Geez.

　I clench my little fists.

(I'll make sure that his ambitions are thwarted!)

　Once again, I swore it firmly in my heart.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Before I knew it, it was evening.

　Outside the window, the streets of Tupet and the silvery white world were tinted red.

　Renu's eyes narrowed at the brilliance, and then she turned her eyes to us.

''What will happen to me.......now?''

　An uneasy voice.

　My sisters and I naturally turn our gaze to Kirt-san.

''Its custody will be taken into custody in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

(Really?)

Your information on the Son of Darkness is invaluable. You will hear more about it in your kingdom.
Yes.
This is the first time that a demon has turned back into a human being. You must investigate the possibility of turning back into a demon and the effects of that on your mind and body. You'll have to undergo a follow-up examination just in case.
Okay.

　Renu nodded.

　Solstice's lips twitched.

'It's the magic of Lady Colontude, isn't it?　There won't be any problems.
Now.

　Mr. Kilt replied.

(Now...?)

The Son of Darkness is a shrewd man. Now that he knows of a magic that can reduce his own numbers, he may try his next move.
Next step?
They might even be able to create a counter-magic to counteract the magic.

　...........

Well, no way.
I don't think it's possible.

　Staring at the girl, Mr. Kilt said.

'But he was a few steps ahead of the strawmen's expectations. It's not impossible.'
..........
"I will have Colon examine Renu's body. The actual thing that was turned from a demon to a man, and from there, I want you to look for new ways to turn a demon back into a man, and the possibility of doing so.

　His golden eyes glittered with a piercing light.

''I have a feeling that if we don't do what we can, he's going to eat us to death one day.

　...........

　I felt a quiet fighting spirit from Kilt-san, as if I was standing on the battlefield.

　Solstice could not say anything more.

　As her sister looked at the brown beauty.

The Child of Darkness was upset that Renu had been taken from him. Will you ever come back for it?

　I asked.

　It was Mr. Renu himself who answered.

'I don't think so,'

　Our gaze is drawn to him.

'His anger is due to having his property taken from him. He did not want me personally.
..........
"People with the same tattoos as me were sometimes used as pawns in operations. They used the word 'kazoku,' but I think its meaning is much different than what we humans use.

　........that's right.

　Renu-san looked a little sad.

　The emotions he felt when he was still a demon must have remained in his memory.

''I digressed.

　Mr. Kilt scratched his hand through his silver hair.

'Either way, Renu will take you to the Kingdom of Shumuria.
Yes.
I don't think he can be blamed for his time as a demon. But human emotions are a tricky thing. I'm sorry, but the words of the heartless are something to be prepared for.

　Renu looks a little frightened.

　But then he quickly looks ready to go.

Yes, sir.

　He nodded.

'I'll make sure Princess Lekria is on board with that, too. Don't worry so much.

　Mr. Kilt laughed so gently.

(Speaking of which...)

　I suddenly thought.

　Quick, quick.

　Tugging on Mr. Illtimina's sleeve, "? I ask in a whisper to the ear that brings my face to mine.

'Renu-san, you're from Tetet, and you're allowed to take me to Shumria without permission?
Of course not.

(...what?)

So we have to leave the country before the Tet Tetet confederate government finds out.
..........
''Honestly, if we leave Renu in the custody of the Teteto Confederacy, we can't expect to achieve much. The people of the Tetet government are not incompetent, but after all, their national strength is inferior to that of Shumuria and Arun.

　Oh, really?

...I'm finally going to be part of this whole border-breaking thing.

　I understand, but I'm a little far away from the idea of breaking the law.

　That's what Mr. Illtimina said to me.

'The law is a rule, not a justice. This is a necessary evil.

　He smiled cheerfully, though.

''Um ... I have one favor to ask.''

　Suddenly, Renu-san opened her mouth.

(Hmm?)

　As we stared at her, she gripped the sheets tighter.

Before we go to Shumria, could you let me go to my home village?

(What...?

'If I go to Shumuria, I may never come back to this land of Tetet again. Then I want to visit the graves of my parents and sister one last time before I do.

　It was a desperate look.

(I see.)

　I know that feeling, and I wanted to make it happen.

　But Kilt-san and Illtimina-san had a bit of a difficult look on their faces.
　........eh?

I'm sorry. That's not possible.

　Mr. Kilt announced in an iron voice.

'You have a few days to get your permit to stay; after three days, as soon as you have the 'fairy iron', you must leave for Shumuria. After that, they must leave for Shumuria. And we can't get to Gitarka territory and back in three days.
..........

　Oh no.

I need to leave the country before the Tete government finds out about you.

　Ms. Illtimina also added apologetically.

　Renu had a look of despair on her face.

　But then she bit her lip.

Okay. I'm sorry for the intrusion.　

　I bow my head yes.

　Me and Solstice look at each other and get an indescribable look on our faces.

　I look up at the sister next to me.

'Are you sure you can't help it?'
I'm sorry, Merle.

　Ms. Illtimina seemed to be in pain as she answered.

　Perhaps due to the mental shock, Renu complained, 'I'm a little tired,' and decided to let her rest in bed again.

　The porridge was still half full.

　Then we had dinner and decided to go to bed early, as we ourselves were tired from having just returned to Tupet town today.

(............)

　The sun is setting, and the starry sky stretches out the window.

　Illtimina-san takes me into her arms and puts me in bed, but I just can't get to sleep.

　Renu-san's sad face.

　I don't think it would have been better if I had remained a demon.

　But for us, her life was going to be shaken up again in a big way.

(Grave visit........huh?)

　I thought about it for a while.

Yes.

　Then I got up quietly from the bed so as not to wake the sleeping Miss Illtimina.

　I let the sound of footsteps creep in and packed up my things.

　Then I moved to the bedroom where Renu-san was sleeping.

　Ky.........

　I hear a small door creak.

'....Who is it?

　He hadn't been able to sleep, and in the dimly lit room, Renu moved his upper body on the bed.

　Red and white moonlight is shining through the window.

　I advance out into the light.

'Mar.........?'

　Renu let out a surprised sound.

　Her large, wide-open lapis lazuli eyes reflected the image of a child with sparkling, iridescent wings.

　I laughed and extended my hand.

"I'll take you back to the village. So ... will you come with me, Mr. Renu?
..........

　A dumbfounded expression.

　Renu was staring at me somewhat euphorically, as if she had found something she couldn't believe.

　And then his brown hand lifted up.

　squeak

　He took my outstretched hand and held it tightly.