Rickman you think that's the right way to go?　I killed every last one of them!　These fools turned down my proposal because they were human. They have no reason to keep me alive.

'There was a leak, that's what I said. Lisana is half Rickman and half cat people. She certainly has their blood in her.

　Ignotus stared straight at Lucius-san.
　In contrast, Lucius-san also glares back, proving that his intentions are not a lie.
　And as Ignotus shifted his gaze to the young Lisa-san, his expression gradually changed to that of one who understands the truth and is surprised.

'Bishas!　Felsen!

　Suddenly, Ignotus's voice echoed through the hall, as his blood changed its hue.
　The two demons whose names were called out were surrounded by Lucius and Lisa in an instant as they responded to the cry.

'Don't tell me you scavenged that pile of rubble?　Bored bastard.

　Ignotus grinned, but I could see the impatience there, too.

It was your bad behavior and roughness that got you into trouble. Thanks to you, the whole surface is a pile of rubble. There was certainly nothing else. But I felt a faint sense of magic. What would Faust say if he saw you now, that you couldn't even notice such a thing?

"Don't talk about dead people!　Cowards have no use for cowards. And you too, Lucius. Put Rickman down and get out of here.　I was going to get that thing. You don't need it.　You don't know anything about Rickman when you say you're not interested in people.

That's what I've come to hear. The lives you kill will never be restored, but if the demons get involved in human affairs, there will be another war. You have no idea how much you've done. If the humans had their way, how easy would it be for the demon race to be destroyed?

I don't take kindly to any of your cowardly ravings. Vicious!　Felsen!　Keep Lucius at bay!

　At that moment, Bishas and Felsen's mouths moved slightly - chanting.
　Ignotus got up from his seat and followed them and pointed his magic-lit right hand at Lucius-san.

''--Bow down.''

　But then Lucius-san muttered something to them in front of them.
　It was a small voice, but low and clear.

　Then, as if a cold wind blew through the hall, the tension rose, and when I noticed that the three demons around me who were putting their magic power into the area were staring at Lucius-san with their hands on the floor, breathing heavily and looking resentful.
　His body didn't move or he didn't try to get up.
　He was trembling as if in a spasm.

'I'm not going to preach to you. I'm not going to preach to you. You're not old enough to listen to me, are you?　You guys need to realize that for yourselves. You need to understand the implications of your actions. But Rickman's family is dead. And you can't take it back. And if we follow the trail of magic, the humans will find out in time. The humans will surely understand that it was done by the demon race.

'So long! 　You scared the hell out of me, man!　You're the Witch King!　Without control, you can't even make us kneel?

Well that's a bit of a stretch.

　Mr. Lucius takes Lisa's hand and turns his back on Ignotus and starts walking to the entrance of the hall.

'I will take care of this child. He will be our family. No need to touch her. If you try to touch one finger I will not relent.

He's mine.........and Rickman is.........

I don't care what you think. Be quiet if you understand. No more of this childish nonsense about slaughter.

You don't understand...

　Lucius-san did not turn around.
　Like Ignotus, Bishas and Felsen also stared at Lucius-san's back as he moved away.

''Do you know what it feels like to be the only demon king born in his body with the blood of a human ... a lowly creature?''

Brother.....

My brother....

"Lagoparos is the land of the demon king!　We were supposed to be demons, but we were always despised as the weakest because we had just a little bit of human blood in us, and that's how we felt!　You have no idea!　Lucius!

Brother, it's all right, Poron.

Brother, it's over. He doesn't understand.

Well I guess so.

　Lucius-san stopped in front of the door and muttered in a dark voice, "It's you people who should understand.

'I don't even want to understand the words of a vain young man. Everyone has a hard time at one or two things. To think you're the only one and expect others to understand...

　It was cold, and the words were as if they were radiating cold air even though they had no magical power.

　At that moment, the surrounding landscape begins to be covered in darkness again.
　In the meantime, for a moment, I thought I could see Ignotus' set eyes and emotionless expression.
　His mouth was closed and his eyes looked as if he was not holding anything.

　In my completely darkened vision, I could hear a voice in my ears.

'Rickman?　Aside from Lissana, there's Rickman...

　It is like an echo, and the moment you hear it, it dissipates to the surroundings and then disappears.
　Then the next voice is heard again.

'What have you done to Uranos!

I didn't do anything!

　I could hear Lucius and Ignotus' voices.
　I looked around in the dark whenever I heard their voices.

'This matter is a non-issue. Ignotus we're watching you guys?'

"I didn't do anything...

　The voice of Ignotus, somewhat lonely.

　Then suddenly I heard the baby's voice.

''Lucius, what is this boy's name?''

Electra's voice.

'Toatrica........'

'Well Toa. Rosalia, you're a big sister from today, aren't you?

Yeah.

　Is that ... is that Rosalia's voice?

　I just kept looking around again and again to see if anyone could be seen, and then my vision started to get distorted.

　Then my vision begins to distort, and the same smoke and flowers and sky begin to appear again.

　This is a lake.....

Sis, I want to be as beautiful as you.

　Who are you? .........no way......

　There's a little girl in front of me.
　Her hair is light pink and her skin is clear.
　I feel a sense of familiarity with her, as if I've seen her somewhere before........no way, Toa?

　And right in front of me, there was a lake that stretched out before me.
　But it's not that vast.
　I could only see the forest across from the lake.

　While playing around with his bare feet in the water, little Toa was talking to the woman next to him.

'I'm sure Toa will be a much more beautiful princess than I am.

　I'm sure this person is Rosalia.
　She's a perfect match for the Toa that's grown up now.
　She has pale pink hair like Toa's, and clear skin. Eyes like sapphire.
　Her hair is longer than Toa's and has a slight quirk at the ends.

''Really?　Can I be like your sister?

"I will make you a better and more beautiful princess than Rosalia.

　Then another person appeared.
　I knew it was Cassandra from the moment I saw her long red hair that was slightly dominating.
　
It should also be the Demon King.
　And most importantly, there was no way Cassandra could be close to the two of them.

　There was a smile on Cassandra's face, and a friendly smile on their faces when they saw Cassandra's appearance.
　Even if they were acquainted, that's strange....

'Cassandra, you're late.'

　Rosalia-san looked back with a deliberately unfaithful expression.

'The Demon King's job is hard. It's not like Lucius.''

Cassandra!

　As soon as he found Cassandra, he rose to his feet from the lake and stood up, and the Toa jumped to Cassandra.

　Why.........why is Toa.......so friendly.......

　I suddenly went blank in front of that supposedly smiling scene.
　And I felt guilty........as if I had made some kind of wrong choice.

'Toa?　Lady Cassandra, right?　Cassandra is still a demon king in this, right?

'It's rude to say this but I'm doing it with some respect, aren't I?

　Rosalia and Cassandra were both laughing at the other's innocuous conversation.
　Between the two of them is a smiling Toa.
　The Toa's eyes looking at Cassandra are no different from those staring at Rosalia-san.

　It's as if the three of them are........like sisters.

''What's wrong?''

　That's when Cassandra suddenly gave me an unexpected look.

'I need to talk to you for a moment...'

'That's why you called me here, isn't it?　What?　Tell me.　Your sister will listen to you.

'Seriously..... Apparently, I can no longer bear children. Demons are not fertile to begin with, but in my case, I'm said to be the last in Kaiser.

That means...

'Oh I can't have a woman. This is a matter of life and death for Shastain. Shastain doesn't recognize anyone other than a woman as a Demon King. Rosalia, I've lived a long time in this. You're still young. If something happens to me then I want you to take over as the Demon King of Shastain.

Well, wait a minute!　Me? !　Because I'm a demon of Ursula.　If I become the Demon King the blood of Shah Stein will be destroyed. Besides, I can't subdue the Ninagawa Clan. They only do what you tell them, don't they?

''The Shastain are of the White Snake and Demon clan. They may have more serpentine blood than we do, but so do the Ninaju tribe. Their ancestors raided their village by a deranged white snake and risked their lives to get to this country. I accepted them for who they were. I don't understand the feelings of those who have lost their homes, but I thought that we who share the blood of the same serpent can't help but support them. Rosalia?　They are heartbroken. If you show understanding there, they'll understand on their own.

''But ... it was still possible because it was you. If Shah Stein was a descendant of the White Cat and Demon clans, they wouldn't have opened their hearts to you.

What were you talking about earlier?

　The Toa looked up at Cassandra's face, which looked serious.

Hmm? .........The princess is gone. Toa.....

'Princess?　Then Toa will be the princess!

　Cassandra smiles back at the innocent girl's words.

'Thank you ... toa.'

　Toa's cheeks reddened at Cassandra's smile, an adorable smile on her face.
　Such a seriousness was hidden in Cassandra's expression as she stroked Toa's head.
　Rosalia-san's expression staring at the two of them was also somewhat sunny.

''Rosalia you would not oppose the people of Shastain. They will all accept you willingly.

　With those last words, Cassandra's figure begins to curl up in black smoke, and Toa and Ms. Rosalia disappear as well.
　I'm brought back to the dark world again.



*



This country's gonna end when you're dead?

I know!　I know, but... .... there's nothing more we can do about it.

　It was a hall somewhere. It would be the hall of the throne, I think.
　There were only two people there, Ignotus and Cassandra.
　It wasn't Ragparos........and if Cassandra was there, was it Chastain?

　It's well ventilated.
　There were a lot of windows, probably not even for ventilation. Out of the windows I could see the balcony.
　Slightly dull white columns, floors and ceilings. Probably those colors from the original.
　The talking sounded in the relatively bright room with its atmosphere.

'If Rosalia doesn't work, then Toatrica is fine. It's the same either way. After all, Urszola's blood is the strongest, you know. Anybody can be Urszola. There's no need to get hung up on Rosalia. Besides, Toatrica is younger than you. Isn't that convenient?

　At that moment, Cassandra's figure disappeared.
　I lost sight of her for a moment, and then I realized that Cassandra was riding to Ignotus, with a knife at her neck.

'Hyahhhh!　Are you going to kill me, Cassandra?　Do you think you can kill me?

I can at least make the difference I won't let you mess with the Toa!

'Keh!　It's somebody else's kid, right?　What are you doting on? That's why you'll always be a spoiled brat. I don't mind, do you?　Didn't Toatrica want you to do the same?

You ... were you watching me?

It happens. What does it matter?　The lake of origin doesn't belong to Ursula. Isn't that right, Cassandra?　Why don't you let me handle this?

What did you say?

　There, a moment of silence passed.
　Then Cassandra released Ignotus, and Ignotus got up languidly.

'You know you don't have time for this either, don't you?　Do you think Toa is going to live to be an adult?　A king like Kaiser or Prowse can't be king, and the people won't accept it. So what do you suggest?　So we'll just have to rely on Rosalia, right?　She's a good friend, she can help you. But if I can't help you with that, there's no one else I can turn to but Toatrica. I think ... Toatrica is the best option.

　Cassandra stared at Ignotus with a sharp look in her eyes. But she didn't say anything.
　For some reason, I can't use 《Emotional Sensing》 right now, but Cassandra seemed lost.

'You haven't always had the ability to act. Cassandra, I'm going to tell you again. I'll take care of it. I'll convince Rosalia.

But how? .....

He's just worried about Toatrica. The only thing he cares about is Toatrika. All I see is Rosalia shaking her head.

But...

Time passes only when you are lost. Every minute you delay is a minute you waste. The time you waste will come back to haunt you, won't it?　No, that's not enough. We lose our king, the country falls. Simple in Chastain's case. There are two ways to go. What are you going to do?　This ain't mandatory. I'm just saying I'm going to help you.

　Cassandra turned her back on Ignotus and was silent for a moment, staring at the empty throne.

'Alright. I'll leave it to you........

I got it.

　I saw Ignotus' grin and scowl.

　Then Ignotus picked up the knife that had fallen on the floor without making a sound.
　It was the one Cassandra had thrust at Ignotus earlier.
　It was small, about the size of a survival knife, with a round decoration on the tip of the grip - the handle head, on which were two wings like bats.
　Unbeknownst to Cassandra, Ignotus had disappeared with the knife in hand.