Time seemed to have stopped.

　That 'Child of Darkness' is standing in front of me.

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

　Why?

　Suddenly, I couldn't move.

　I couldn't even speak.

　Jarry.

　Stepping over the dirt and stones of the courtyard, the Child of Darkness steps forward.

　Into the light that is lit up.

　And then into the darkness of night again.

　While repeating this, it approaches me.

(.............not good.)

　I was caught off guard because I was in an inn.

　I wasn't equipped for anything.

　But I was already in no time to escape.

　Ta-da.

　The black kid's steps came to a halt with the sound of a cobble stone, five maids away from me, who stiffened.

'............'
..........

　His mood was different than usual.

　I couldn't see the fearless, red crescent moon smile he always had on his face.

　The black, nihilistic eyes looking at me.

　There was

(...anger?)

　I could feel those emotions.

　Gok.

　I spit.

　Then I open my mouth to squeak.

"You ... what are you doing here?
..........

　He doesn't answer the question.

　He just stares at me.

　And.

Why?

　I repeated.

　Bwah.

(!)

　I felt a black 'pressure' blow out of that little body.

　I was terrified.

　He said to me, "I've come to stop you from being stupid, Merle.

"I've come to stop you from being stupid, Merle.

To stop me from being stupid?

　I don't get it.

　To my confusion, the Child of Darkness continues in an angry tone.

'You guys are heading to the Dark Continent, aren't you?'
..........
But I told you. "Stay out of that madhouse. Don't tell me you've forgotten that.

　A definite rage.

　For a moment, I couldn't answer.

　..........

　I haven't forgotten.

　When we met in the snowy world of the Tet Teteto Confederacy, he did indeed say something like that.

　I remember that.

　But......

Why do I have to keep that word?

　Finally, I could say that back.

(Don't get pressured, Merle.)

　Get yourself together and get the word out to him.

'It's a magical place, what's the matter?'
..........
But I still have a reason to go!　Then how could I not go!

　Desperate words.

　But the black child doesn't change a single expression.

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

　A cold night wind blows between us.

　And then.

I'm dying.

　He said.

"There is nothing you can do about it now. If you go to the Dark Continent, you will only die.
..........

　His voice was not a threat.

　It was just a sincere attempt to tell only the truth.

　That's why a shiver ran down my spine.

　............

''What in the world do you know, 'Child of Darkness'?''

　I ask.

　He shrugs his little shoulders and says.

You know.

　I blurted out.

　Then there was a little silence.

　The black orbs moved, staring straight into my face.

　And then.

But one thing is clear. I don't want you to die, Merle. I don't want you to die, Merle.

　I said.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The black child standing in the courtyard of the inn in the city of Pargania continued to stare at me.

　...........

　It took me a few moments to understand what it meant.

(...........Don't you want me to die?

　In my mind, I repeat.

　He said, "I don't care how many other mortals die in the Divine Family.

'I don't care how many other humans, how many of the 'Divine Relatives' die. But I don't want you to die.
..........
You have to understand, Merle.

　It was a pleading, sorrowful voice.

　I don't get it.

　We're supposed to be enemies.

(So why would the Child of Darkness care about me?)

　I was confused.

　Jarry.

　He took another step forward.

'You want to slay the demon trapped in the Dark Continent, don't you?　But you don't have to mess with it right now.
..........
You have four more demons. Why don't we take them out first?　Going to the Land of Demons should be the last thing on your mind, Marle. Isn't it?

　He held out his hands and appealed earnestly.

　............

(Well, this guy doesn't know yet.)

　We're not going to defeat the demon that's been sealed away.

We're going to get the Stone.

　But he doesn't know that yet.

Well, if he doesn't know, then so be it.

　Just let them get the wrong idea.

　That way, the collection of the 'divine Spirit Stone' should be much easier.

　I gather up my thoughts.

　Then I stared back at him.

''You may be right.''

　I nodded.

　I could see the relief and joy on his face.

　But.

'But I don't like you. I have no reason to take you at your word.
Oh.
'What reason do I have to believe your word in the first place?　How can you be sure it's not some kind of ruse to fool us?　I don't trust you.

　I assured him so clearly.

(Of course.)

　At least he fooled us.

　He used us as a ploy to play devil's advocate.

I won't be pushed around anymore!

　The path of our future will be decided by ourselves.

　With that intention, I stared at the Child of Darkness with my blue eyes.

　I was hit by her gaze.

Huh.

The expression on the "Child of Darkness"'s face is distorted as if it were indescribable.

　He opens his mouth as if he wants to say something, but as if he can't find the words to convince me, he repeatedly closes it.

　Eventually.

I'm not lying.
..........
'I'm not lying, Merle?　...I'm really going to die!
..........
Please, please, just listen to me.

　He said this as he squeezed his own chest tightly.

　Our gazes clashed.

　I replied.

"--refused.

　The black child's face was tinged with despair.

　Its fists clenched and its little body trembled.

　A plop.

(?)　

　A stain has formed at his feet.

　No, it's blood!

　He clenched his little black fist too tightly, and from it, purple blood was dripping onto the ground.

''Well...''

　crunchy

　Skin bubbles.

　A tremendous 'pressure' leaked out from the guy who turned his head and whose expression was hidden by his bangs.

(U........ah.....)

　I couldn't speak.

'If you don't listen when I stop you then... then...'
..........
I'd rather kill you right now with my own hands than have someone else kill you.

　A vindictive voice.

　The madness in that voice distorts the atmosphere and freezes my heart.

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

　Fear was boiling over.

　The black child standing in front of me, unleashing his power as a powerful demon, reaches out his black hands towards me.

　--I'm going to be killed.

　Seriously, I thought.

　No, I'm pretty sure he's serious.

　He's going to kill me.

　That strong will is emerging as an aura of darkness around the black child.

(Ah ... ah ...)

　Did I make a bad choice?

　If we follow this guy's words, or pretend to follow them.

Here ... you could have survived...

　Regret ished over me.

　A black hand of fear and despair reaches for my throat.

　If it touched me...

I'm not...

　Dead?

　When I thought that, the image of A(n) person(s) ran through my mind.

　That gentle smile.

　That warmth.

　That smell.

　If I die here, I won't be able to see (...) their people anymore.

　Above all, my death will make her sad.

　It could make her despair and make her lose the meaning of life.

　Maybe it was conceited.

　But it seemed so.

　I could see it.

(Ssshhh.)

　(with a) clank

　He clenched his trembling teeth.

(Mr. Illtimina!)

　Turn that name into courage and cry out with your heart.

　Don't.

　At the same time, I released the 'divine power' in my body.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The ears of a pinned-up beast grow out, pushing away the brown hair.

　A long, fluffy tail grows out as it cracks a break in his pants.

　Crunch, crunch, crunch.

　The dissipated divine Qi sparked white sparks around them.

''..........Who, who is going to kill who?''

　Blue eyes glinting with murderous intent, I stared back at the 'Child of Darkness'.

''..........''

　Seeing that, the 'Child of Darkness' stopped moving.

　Gasp!

　My hand grasps the outstretched black wrist.

　My fingertips, those nails are digging into the black skin.

"I will not be at your beck and call!
..........
If you're going to kill me, then I'm going to kill you first!

　I shouted back.

　Pashish.

　The white sparks scattered the surrounding darkness.

The black eyeballs of the "Child of Darkness" and my blue eyes, which are the "Godgu", collided their gazes straight at each other.

''.........''
..........

　A red crescent moon smile appeared on the black child's mouth.

''The Demon Slayer's 'Yacowl Godgu', its only survivor.
..........
Well I guess so.
..........
You've always been that way. Well, then, I guess I'll have to do it.

　He muttered that and laughed.

　At the same time, the aura of darkness that the 'Child of Darkness' was wearing converged.

''All right, Marle.''
..........
I lost.

　He said.

　I can feel the strength slipping away from the arm that's holding me.

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

　I slowly pulled my fingers away and released his arm.

　My fingernails had dug into it, and the skin was torn and purple blood was running down it.

　I pressed down on the wound.

You're a lot of fun.

　As he says this, he takes a couple of steps backwards, a couple of steps.

　Then he looks at me.

I'm not going to stop you.
..........
But please, I want you to promise me that you won't die. I want to be the one who kills you.

　You're kidding me.

　I say, "I'm not going to let anyone kill me.

"No one is going to kill me.

　For himself and for that man.

'Child of Darkness' nodded.

　A black light converged on its back and four black wings sprouted.

'That'll do.'

　He laughed.

　with a thud

　His black wings flap and his black body floats into the air.　

　In the light of the illuminated courtyard, half illuminated, he says.

'Still, I have one warning. If you go to the Dark Continent, don't let him find you. He has no intellect, only instinct.

(...what do you mean by that?)

　I'm dubious, but it's not worth asking back.

　No, I don't think he'd answer me properly in the first place.

　I said, "I'll just remember the words.

"I'll just remember the words.
Yeah.

　He nodded.

　And the crescent moon smile that was on his face slowly disappeared.

''Please ... please don't die, Marle.

　A sincere wish.

　Spilling that murmur to me on earth, the Child of Darkness flapped its black wings.

　Basari.

(Phew!)

　The wind pressure sent up a cloud of dust and took away my vision for a moment.

　When the night wind swept it away, the figure of the "Child of Darkness" was already out of sight, dancing in the night sky far above.

　...........

　For a moment, a small shadow was cast on the red and white moon, and then it disappeared into the darkness.



　I let out a long breath.

　Maybe it was because I was excited, or maybe it was because of fear, but my limbs were trembling.

(.........Ah.)

　I looked over and saw that my right hand was wet with his purple blood.

"..........

　Turns out, I had no idea what he was up to.

(Really ... was he just worried about me or something?)

　.... no way.

　I shake my head lightly.

　A cool night breeze blows through the air.

　It swings my beast ears and big tail and disappears into the distant sky.

''...........''

　That's how the unexpected encounter between me and the Child of Darkness that happened on a spring night in Pargania ended.