162 - Light and Shadow
The turmoil in the southern part of the Laurel Kingdom is growing more chaotic. Although the Kingdom of Aria army managed to make the royal capital fall, that was the only place they could suppress. They were unable to expand their controlled territory.
To the former Laurel Kingdom nobles around the royal capital, the Kingdom of Aria army were invaders. Moreover, they were opponents to whom they had once sworn allegiance. To bend the knee again before that was something the pride of the former Laurel Kingdom nobles would not allow.
Furthermore, what was unfortunate for the Kingdom of Aria army was that, from the nobles' perspective, there was no one to negotiate with. The highest-ranking person was General Gaston, a soldier, and he did not have the authority to decide the treatment of the nobles. Even if there were nobles who swore allegiance, he could not permit it.
On the other hand, the former Laurel Kingdom nobles also had problems. They had no figurehead to support. Even if they wanted to unite under the banner of restoring the Laurel Kingdom, there was no flag to gather around.
The one they hoped for was Queen Ekaterina. They hoped Queen Ekaterina would move to reclaim the royal capital. However, Queen Ekaterina did not show the kind of movement they sought. Some nobles, growing impatient, sent messengers, but most of them were not even granted an audience.
"To point blades at us, and then ask for help the moment you lose the royal capital"—such a story was far too convenient. Queen Ekaterina and her aides did not actually utter such words, but such talk spread among the southern nobles.
The situation continued where neither the Kingdom of Aria army in the royal capital nor the nobles could make a move. As a result, this led to the fragmentation of the former southern Laurel Kingdom. The former southern Laurel Kingdom territories became a battlefield where the Kingdom of Aria army and the noble houses fought to expand their respective domains.
It was not just the former southern Laurel Kingdom. The Kingdom of Moscow and the United Kingdom of Westerland also became battlegrounds where numerous forces competed for supremacy. The continent was becoming a situation where small nations stood in disorder, as if history had been traced back nearly a hundred years.
Amidst this, one of the few peaceful lands within the continent became Nordende.
"Sigh, so Ray was just a man who loves harems after all. I'm kind of disappointed."
To the point where Akemi could utter such words.
"Harem man? I'm not like that."
Ray complained about Akemi's phrasing. At the very least, he had no such intention.
"Playing dumb. Even if you try to gloss over it, I know, you know?"
"So, what?"
"You did it with Lianna-san, didn't you?"
"...Excuse me?"
Ray had not expected Lianna's name to come up here. He had no memory of doing anything that would give such a misunderstanding.
"Huh? Was my intuition wrong?"
"Don't say things like that based on mere intuition. It's rude to her."
"Hmm. Maybe it's still just a one-sided crush on her part?"
Since Ray's reaction was not what she expected, Akemi thought she had spoken too soon.
"I'm asking, why did the conversation turn to this?"
"Because she's changed."
"It's because her feelings have settled, right? She's probably gotten used to it. This place must have been uncomfortable for her."
This place was the garrison of the Undead Legion. Many demon women who were not yet ready to return to their own tribes lived here. To Lianna, a human, it would be a place she felt was enemy territory.
"What I'm talking about is her clothing."
"Huh? Her clothes haven't changed, have they?"
There were only a few types of clothes at the garrison. The demon women did not care about clothing. It wasn't that anything was fine, but rather that the designs were generally decided by race. The clothes Lianna wore were chosen from among those she could wear.
"The way she wears them has changed. Before, she tried to hide the scar from her shoulder to her chest, but now it's different. She's walking around outside with her chest wide open."
"...And what does that have to do with me?"
"'There's no need to worry about the scar. Even with something like that, you are a very attractive person.' You said something like that to her, didn't you?"
"..."
"Yes. Bullseye."
This time, Ray's reaction was what Akemi had sought. She looked happy, realizing that her intuition hadn't been completely wrong.
"...I didn't say she was attractive."
"Then, what did you say?"
"...I said that instead of being ashamed, she should be proud of it."
"Proud?"
"...She faced her own fate. It's a scar she bore to carve out her own life. It's strange to be ashamed of that."
Lianna had also desired her own death. But there was no need to go out of the way to put that into words. She took action to save herself and succeeded. That alone was enough.
"I see. Just as you said, she became proud of the scar, and instead of hiding it, she started showing it to people."
"Is that how it is?"
"It's only a matter of time."
"What is?"
"'Everyone look. This is the scar Ray praised. Aren't you envious?' That's what's going to happen, right? She's surprisingly aggressive."
Lianna is not proud of the scar itself. Akemi believes she is proud of the scar that Ray praised.
"...You're overthinking it."
"I wonder? Ray is weak against aggressive women... Huh? Wait, why was I no good?"
Akemi had also been quite aggressive in inviting Ray. But Ray had not responded to it at all.
"That is because Akemi-san's feelings were wavering."
"Eh?" "Ah, I see."
Cecil, who had been listening in silence, suddenly spoke up. Ray was surprised by this, and Akemi was convinced.
"It depends on how settled Lianna-san's feelings are. I have a feeling I know the result, though."
"...Cecil-san?"
"Don't worry. I've been a harem proponent for a long time."
Surround Ray with people who love him from the bottom of their hearts. Cecil had always thought so and acted upon it. She wondered if it was still necessary now, but she was not the type to change that now.
"It's good that you gave your permission, isn't it?"
"That's not the issue."
"So? What about that?"
"That?"
Even when told "that" suddenly, Ray didn't understand. Ray was the only one in this place who didn't understand.
"Yes, that woman."
"...That, huh."
The direction Akemi pointed. The one approaching from there was Hinata. A woman who was brought along as a harem candidate, but who still—and likely in the future—would not become one.
"...Um... Ray-kun."
While mindful of Akemi's gaze, Hinata spoke to Ray.
"What?"
"I want you to come with me for a bit."
"...Where?"
It was rare for Hinata to invite him. Ray was suspicious of Hinata's thinking in doing so, especially in a place where Akemi was present.
"A little bit outside... please."
"Outside... alright."
Where Hinata invited him was outside the garrison. Ray didn't ask what she wanted there. He decided to prioritize confirming why Hinata was acting so abnormally.
If—though it should be nearly impossible—it was for the reason he was thinking, he couldn't afford not to go along with the invitation. That was his reasoning.
Ray stood up. From that moment, movements invisible and inaudible to ordinary people occurred inside and outside the garrison. The Undead Legion shifted into a state of alert.
◇◇◇
Having left the garrison, Hinata walked ahead of Ray without showing any sign of hesitation. Whether she had a destination or was simply trying to get away from the garrison was not yet clear.
Ray followed Hinata's back while scanning the surroundings. He sensed no abnormalities, but Ray's vigilance only grew. He felt that the lack of any reaction was also abnormal. There are various creatures in the mountains. He couldn't even sense their movements.
"...How far do you intend to go?"
Ray called out to Hinata's back.
"...I see. Around here is fine."
She didn't have a destination. That was clear from Hinata's answer, but the purpose of leading him outside was still unknown.
"What's happening here?"
"...Don't you already know?"
"Does that mean it's as I suspect?"
"It might be slightly different."
"...Seems so."
A person appeared from behind the shadow of a tree. Seeing that figure, Ray understood what Hinata meant. The appearance was the person he expected, Fumiya, but something was different.
"You see through it with a single glance. As expected of someone who calls himself the Demon King."
A tone different from Fumiya's. The opponent also confirmed it with words.
"Do you not have a name to give?"
"Me... let's see. Out of respect for you, who drew me out, I shall tell you."
"I'm honored."
"Yes, feel honored. My name is Auriel. One who holds a title permitted only to the messengers of God."
Ray's sarcasm did not work on the opponent. The opponent truly believed their name was something of value. That it was a special name permitted by God.
"...A messenger of God. What business does a servant of God have?"
"What did you say?"
The provocation worked on the opponent. He didn't know if that was a good thing, though.
"If you have business, I want you to finish it quickly. I'm not exactly free."
"...Are you getting carried away because you're called the Demon King? Despite being a mere small fry."
They didn't raise their voice. However, Ray felt the pressure from the person calling themselves Auriel increase all at once. A strong mental pressure that would make an ordinary person bend their knee.
"I believe I'm asking you to hurry up?"
"...Fool who resists the will of God. I thought I would give you time for repentance before letting you die, but it seems that is unnecessary."
Every time Auriel spoke, Ray's heart was strongly shaken. It was similar to Fumiya's magic, but slightly different. Especially the power, which was on a different scale.
"...Even if I beg for forgiveness, you'll kill me. In that case, is there any mercy from God?"
Ray struggled desperately to resist.
"Do not question the heart of God, you wretch!"
"Guh..."
The power increased in proportion to the volume of the voice. It was as if a wave of dazzling light was actually battering his body.
( ...What is this?)
(Mental waves, perhaps. With a weak heart, this alone would cause fainting—no, in the worst case, death, wouldn't it?)
The fact that Ray was enduring that shock meant he was not ordinary.
(No response... a barrier, or something?)
He couldn't communicate with the Undead Legion. He knew there was something around them interfering with it, but Ray had no means to break it.
(I was careless. I didn't think something like this would appear.)
(In the end, who are they?)
( ...An angel, aren't they? I don't know what they're called in this world, but.)
(What the hell. In the end, the Demon King and demons are treated the same.)
The Demon Race are not demons. Since that's the case, the Demon King shouldn't be the king of demons, but since an angel appeared as an enemy, this line of thinking became doubtful.
(That's because you're a demon too, right?)
(Me? You're the one!)
( ...Either is fine. Anyway, I have to do something about this situation.)
(Hey! Stop having a calm discussion and do something quickly! I'm having a hard time over here!)
(Yeah, yeah! Don't just let yourselves have it easy!)
While Ray and Kamui were having a discussion, the ones enduring Auriel's attacks were the subordinate personalities. They were also not ordinary. In their case, their very existence was not ordinary.
(I know...)
Regardless of who the opponent was, there was no doubt they were an enemy. Even if they were truly an angel, if they were an enemy, he would defeat them. He had long since stopped thinking about good and evil.
"Hmm... you are stubborn. Then how about this?"
The body that had been Fumiya was enveloped in a dazzling light. That which had been Fumiya swelled slightly, then was torn apart like paper, and from within, an existence exactly like the form of an angel as Ray recognized it appeared.
Wings of light spread in the air. Along with them, the pressure attacking Ray increased further.
"...An angel... is a murderer, huh."
To Ray, Fumiya was an object of revenge who could not be left alive. He had no feelings of mourning for that death. However, he felt a strong disgust toward Auriel, who had made him die like a scrap of paper.
"What of it?"
"What?"
"Killing people is not evil. Moreover, if they are those who go against the teachings of God, judging them is justice."
Auriel felt no guilt. There was no way they would feel guilt for killing Fumiya, who had repeated acts far from justice.
"Weren't you the one who made him that way?"
"I merely gave him a small amount of power to fight. Actions other than that were his own will. It has nothing to do with me."
"Do you not think that giving him power was a mistake?"
Fumiya was not a good person. Ray knew that well. It was obvious that giving Fumiya power far exceeding that of an ordinary person would stimulate his desires and result in him committing evil deeds. Ray could not accept Auriel's words that it had nothing to do with them.
"I have no room for choice. He was summoned to save the human race. Giving him power is my mission. I am merely fulfilling my mission."
"You, who think nothing of human lives, are saving the human race? What you're saying is absurd, isn't it?"
"Because that is the will of God. God cannot allow this world to be defiled by the human race. However, the merciful God cannot bring about their extinction either. That is why we keep the human race alive."
"Keep them alive, you say?"
Arrogant. Even if Auriel truly was an angel, Ray thought the words "keep them alive" were arrogant. Ray had fought the human race as enemies, but he didn't want to be told that they were being kept alive.
Though they were sometimes foolish, that was also their will. Life and death were the results of the choices they made. If the judgment had been wrong, it might have been Ray who died. He believed it should be so.
"Humans are kept alive by God. We, the messengers, exist to manifest the great will of God in this world. The will of God is the meaning of my existence."
"...In other words, the one keeping them alive is not you."
"What did you say?"
"You have no right to utter words like 'keeping humans alive'!"
A strong anger toward Auriel erupted in Ray's heart. The reason was clear. He believed that even the people who were his enemies lived their lives by their own will. They hadn't fought upon a script decided by someone. Otherwise, the people who lost, the people who lost their lives, would be too miserable.
This feeling might be hypocrisy. Even so, he could not accept Auriel's words.
"You have no right to question my right."
"What. Can't you find a good lie, so you're trying to gloss over it?"
"Lie... There is no way that I, a messenger of God, would tell a lie!"
A shock slammed into Ray's heart. But Ray was not one to be shaken by it. The anger erupting from the depths of his heart, a fierce anger that felt like harboring a blazing flame, repelled Auriel's words.
"Then prove it! Prove that you are truly following the will of God!"
"Prove it, you say?"
"What were you commanded by God!? What did God say to you!"
"...Foolish. Even I am not permitted to appear before the great God and speak directly."
Auriel spoke the truth. They did not tell lies. This, too, was the truth.
"Then you are a villain who usurps the words of God."
"W-what did you say?"
Agitation appeared on Auriel's expression. Usurping the words of God. For Auriel, a messenger of God, that would be committing a great sin. It was something that must not happen.
"Since you've never heard the words of God, how do you know the will of God?"
"That is because God chose to keep the human race alive."
"If that is so, why do you kill humans? Does killing humans not go against the will of God?"
"...God does not wish for this world to be defiled by the human race. Therefore, the human race cannot be allowed to proliferate in this world."
"And for that, it's okay to kill humans? Can you say with confidence that that is truly the will of God? Are you trying to say there is a limit to God's heart of compassion for living things?"
"That is..."
"You can't say it! There's no way someone like you could understand the will of God! A mere messenger cannot possibly be a substitute for God! If, even so, you claim your words are the will of God!"
"..."
The composed expression they had when they appeared vanished, and instead, a terribly agitated look was visible on Auriel's face. Auriel's heart was being shaken by Ray's words.
"You have no right to call yourself a messenger of God! You who do not fear God are a rebel! You are the one who is a demon!"
"...Shut up. Shut up, you fool! I am a demon!? An unforgivable insult! Atone for that sin with your own body!"
"Then I'll ask further! Who am I!?"
"...What?"
"Why do I exist in this world? Who called me to this world and placed me on the side of the Demon Race? Whose will moved me? Is my very existence not the will of God!?"
"...I-impossible. You, t-the will of God, cannot be..."
Auriel also had no answer to Ray's question. Summoning a Hero from another world was the will of God to save the human race. Then whose will was the existence of Ray, who saved the Demon Race? If there was one, it would be a will hostile to God. Auriel tried to put that into words, but...
"Then are you saying a will as strong as God's exists in this world! Do you intend to acknowledge an existence with power equal to God!?"
Ray's following question did not permit them to put it into words. There could be no existence equal to God. Auriel could not acknowledge that.
"...N-no way."
The word agitation was not nearly enough. Auriel's eyes swam in the air, their mouth hung open, and they showed a hollow expression that felt no dignity as a messenger of God at all.
"Answer me. Can you say with confidence that you are not defying the will of God? You can't! If you could say that, then you truly are a great sinner who usurps the words of God!"
"Auriel! Do not listen to that person's words! That person possesses the same power as we do!"
A voice interrupted. Without confirming who it was, Ray threw further words toward Auriel.
"The will of God is in me! You who try to kill me! A great sinner who twists the will of God! Know the wrath of God! You fallen angel!"
"...Ah, a, aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
Auriel let out a pained scream. Their body rapidly lost its radiance, and the wings spreading from their back grew smaller.
"...No way. Truly a Fall."
The voice of surprise belonged to the owner of the previous scream. The same as Auriel. A messenger of God with radiant wings on their back.
"Do you want to suffer the same fate?"
Ray spoke to the opponent.
"...It is not guaranteed to go so smoothly. Auriel was too strict with the teachings of God. That was both his virtue and his weakness."
"Are you saying you are not like that?"
"I intend to be faithful to the teachings of God. Otherwise, we have no meaning of existence."
"Does doubting that lead to the 'Fall' you mentioned earlier?"
"...Could it be that you didn't know, and yet you did that to Auriel?"
Messengers of God are spiritual bodies. Doubting their meaning of existence leads directly to their own collapse. If they wish not to vanish, they must obtain a physical body. That is a Fall. In this world, it means becoming a member of the Demon Race.
"In other words, if I can win the argument, I win."
"One does not Fall simply by winning a debate. Where does that power come from?"
The messenger of God asked why Ray possessed the same power as they did.
This question showed that the opponent was not omnipotent. The power to see through everything happening in this world did not belong to the messengers of God. They were not God.
"Do you think I'll tell you?"
"...I see. You are a more troublesome opponent than I thought."
They couldn't read Ray's heart. That just meant Ray's mental barrier was that strong. Ray had the power to endure Auriel's attacks, counterattack, and defeat them. He felt it was only natural.
"I just want to ask normally, but do you know who called me to this world?"
"...That is not a normal question, is it? Do you intend to shake my heart by making me think about that?"
"Just tell me if you don't know. Just knowing that has meaning."
They didn't know the correct answer. That meant this opponent also did not know the reason for Ray's existence. If they didn't know whether it was the will of God or another will, Ray thought that while they seemed tougher than Auriel, there was a gap to exploit.
"...Words are not the only way we fight, you know."
The opponent had naturally noticed that as well.
"For example, what kind of fighting style?"
"There are other magics. And... stalling for time, are you? You truly are a slippery opponent."
"As I thought. I just don't know how long I need to hold out. Will you tell me that too?"
The time they could remain in this form was limited. That was why Auriel hadn't put in full effort from the start, perhaps. Ray had considered that possibility. The opponent proved it to be a fact.
"...It is more than enough time to not only defeat you but to annihilate all of the Demon Race, but let us be gentlemanly here."
"Meaning?"
"Negotiation. We do not desire the annihilation of the Demon Race either."
"Of course. You were allies originally, right?"
"...Formerly. Discussing this is a waste of time. As Auriel mentioned earlier, we do not desire the annihilation of the human race either. It would be best if you could coexist."
"Tell that to the humans. If the humans didn't start it, there wouldn't be a fight."
The Demon Race only needs a place where they can live safely. Because the humans would not allow that, it becomes a fight. From what Ray had heard, that was the case.
"Is that certain?"
"...Doesn't the past fighting prove that?"
"Not necessarily. Well, in many cases, it is a fact that the humans started the fighting."
"Even if the Demon Race started it in the past, the current Demon Race has no ambition for world domination. Any demon who thinks they can do that is just an idiot."
The Demon Race does not have the power to rule the continent, or a quarter of it, or even less. They are absolutely lacking in numbers. If it's not ruling, but just expanding the place they live, numbers aren't a problem, but the humans would never allow that.
"Please promise that such an idiot will not appear. With that, we shall withdraw this time."
"...It seems like only your side benefits from this?"
"If we felt like it, we could erase not just the Demon Race, but all people living on the earth. Do you desire such a situation?"
"Would that not be defying the will of God?"
"...It would be better than the worst-case scenario."
This was the individual's thought, not the will of God. Ray thought this messenger of God, who spoke this so casually, was certainly different from Auriel.
"Then, one condition from my side. The people living in this world decide the affairs of this world. Do not interfere with that."
Being "kept alive." He would never allow that way of speaking again.
"I cannot promise that. We are also existences living in this world. But let's see... I will leave the affairs of the earth to the people living on the earth. Provided that they do not defy the will of God."
"What's the guarantee that the promise will be kept?"
"We keep our promises. Just as the Demon Race does."
"...Then the negotiation is complete."
Ray didn't have absolute confidence that he could win in a fight. If the opponent truly had the power they claimed, even if he could win here, it wouldn't be the end. This was the time to pull back. Ray judged it so.
"Understood. Then, as promised, we shall withdraw."
"...What about him?"
"Auriel can no longer return to heaven. He has no choice but to live on earth as a member of the Demon Race."
"I see... Come to think of it, I haven't heard your name. Or are you going to be mysterious?"
"...No. Out of respect for you, I shall tell you. My name is Michael."
"I see."
Ray had heard the name of the angel Michael before. He didn't think it was the same as the angels in the world he was born in, but he wanted to think so.
"Then. I pray that we never meet again."
"Likewise."
Michael, whom Ray thought would fly into the air, vanished instantly on the spot, as if a light had gone out. It was a very abrupt ending. Though, this place had simply concluded.
( ...What do you think?)
(The 'not lying' part was a lie. That Michael guy is hiding something.)
(He could lie casually but avoided the fight... what is the reason for that?)
Michael feared something. If he could find out what it was, he might win next time. If the promise isn't kept, a fight with the messengers of God will happen again someday. Next time might be a harsher fight. It might truly become a fight where annihilation is at stake.
"...What will you do?"
It wasn't something a conclusion could be reached on immediately. Putting the thinking off, Ray spoke to Auriel, who remained kneeling on the ground, head bowed and motionless.
"...I... want to know the truth."
"...Eh? Were you a woman?"
Auriel's body traced feminine curves. It was a stunning proportion that made it hard to know where to look. Even if it weren't a stunning proportion, if a naked woman were standing there, it would be problematic.
"Originally, I had no gender. It just turned out this way when I obtained a body."
"Is that... a pity, or is it strange?"
Living in this world as a woman of the Demon Race, and a breathtaking beauty at that. Ray didn't think that was necessarily a good thing.
"I have only the choice of living on earth, or having you kill me."
"...Then, live."
Ray took off his coat and threw it toward Auriel. Auriel dodged that coat by tilting their body slightly.
"Eh?"
"...Eh?"
"Put it on."
"...Ah, that was the meaning."
Understanding Ray's intention, Auriel picked up the coat that had fallen on the ground and slipped their arms through the sleeves.
"...What other meaning could there be?"
Ray was bewildered by Auriel, whose impression was quite different from when they were fighting. It was simply that they didn't know common sense, or didn't care even if they did, but it would take more time before Ray could understand that.
"...Am I allowed to be by your side?"
"By my side?"
"Do you not also want to know the truth? If so, we should share our knowledge and information."
"...True."
Information from Auriel, who had been a messenger of God, would be useful. There was no doubt about that. Ray also thought they should cooperate if they were to pursue the truth. However, there was the problem of whether he could trust her, who had been trying to kill him until just a moment ago.
"I am of the Demon Race. I shall become a vassal to you, the Demon King. Demon King Ray, I am your servant. I swear to offer my loyalty to you."
Sensing Ray's feelings, Auriel swore allegiance. Could these words be trusted?
"Understood. You can stay by my side."
Ray judged that he could trust her. Even when they were enemies, she couldn't tell a lie.
"Then, as for me... let's see... Owl, or Aura. Aurine is also fine."
"Like a nickname?"
"No. I no longer have the right to call myself Auriel, now that I am no longer a messenger of God. It is not a nickname, but changing my name."
The title of 'el' was a special one given to messengers of God, and specifically to those of high rank. Auriel thought that as someone who had become a member of the Demon Race, they were not permitted to use it.
"Then, Owl it is."
"Understood... So you are my naming parent."
"Huh? You're the one who told me to pick one."
"...It does not matter. Then, let us go."
Guardian of the Magic Sword. Among the Demon Race, the very few people who knew the truth called her this. It was a special title that would never be widely known.
Fitting that title, she would spend over a thousand years—though occasionally parting—together with the magic sword Kamui.