163 - It Leads to the Future...
Where is this? Why am I here? Hinata did not know. She had suddenly lost consciousness while at the garrison. To say she lost consciousness was not entirely accurate. Her awareness remained. It was a sensation like dreaming. She could hear her own voice, a voice she was not speaking of her own will. She was walking, inviting Ray along. She did not know where she intended to go. Something other than herself was moving her.
She was surprised when Fumiya appeared. It seemed that whatever was moving her had known he would be there.
What surprised Hinata even more was that Fumiya, too, was not moving of his own will. Clearly, someone other than Fumiya was speaking with Ray.
That someone told Ray they were a messenger of God. What kind of existence was a messenger of God? An angel. That was the first word that came to mind. She thought that gods and angels existed in this world too, but then she realized the expression "in this world too" was strange. Hinata had never seen a god or an angel.
However, there was no doubt that the existence speaking with Ray was something like the angels she knew. The person who had been wearing Fumiya's skin appeared in the very form of an angel as Hinata knew them.
Ray continued to argue with the angel. Whether it was logical or just sophistry, Hinata couldn't tell, but it seemed Ray was about to win the argument.
While thinking such things and watching how it unfolded, Hinata completely lost consciousness.
Where is this? Why am I here? Even as she repeated the questions, no answer came. Hinata slowly stood up and began to walk.
Was this her own will? Feeling anxious, Hinata continued to walk—
How long had she walked? Even now, she did not know where she was. Hinata's memory of the landscape only held the surroundings of the capital of the Laurel Kingdom, including the Forest of Bewilderment, the highway leading to Nordende, and the interior of Nordende. Even as she looked at the surrounding scenery, she had no idea of the geography.
Still, if she walked along the road, she would eventually meet someone. She would arrive somewhere. Thinking this, she continued to walk.
As a result, that judgment was correct. Someone she sought was there.
"Mother! Mother! Please answer me!"
A girl was clinging to a woman, presumably her mother, who was lying on the ground, screaming. The atmosphere was not one where she could ask for directions or where she was.
"...What happened?"
Even so, she couldn't just ignore them and pass by. Hinata spoke to the girl.
"Mother... Mother suddenly collapsed..."
The girl's answer was exactly what Hinata had expected. The situation was clear. Next was what to do.
"...May I?"
The collapsed mother showed no signs of injury. If it were a disease, there was nothing Hinata, who had no medical knowledge, could do. That was the case, yet Hinata chanted a spell.
Particles of light enveloped the woman's body.
"Eh...?"
The girl had likely never seen recovery magic before. She was surprised, not understanding what had happened.
"...It's no use, is it?"
Recovery magic cannot cure diseases. She shouldn't have been able to save the woman before her.
"Mother!"
"No way?"
The woman slowly opened her eyes. Seeing this, the girl rejoiced and Hinata was surprised.
"...W-where am I?"
"This big sister saved you! There was such a beautiful light!"
"...T-thank you very much!"
The woman sat up and bowed her head toward Hinata.
"N-no. It is not something you need to thank me for."
"What are you saying? You are my savior. How can I ever repay this kindness?"
"...Kindness is too much. It's just that, I'm a bit troubled."
She felt hesitant about making them feel indebted, but if they were willing to help, she had no choice but to accept. If these people left her now, Hinata would be at a loss once again.
"What is it? If it is something I can do, I will do anything, so please tell me."
"Where is this?"
"Pardon?"
"...It seems I've lost my way."
"Ah. Where do you intend to go?"
"...To the capital of the Laurel Kingdom."
She had no destination. If she had to say, it was Nordende, but thinking she would be viewed with suspicion if she spoke honestly, Hinata lied for now, saying it was the capital of the Laurel Kingdom.
"...You lost your way?"
"Y-yes."
It seemed she had said something strange. Even realizing that, she couldn't correct it now.
"...Very well. If it's the Laurel Kingdom, there is a large town if you go straight west along this road, so it would be best to ask there."
"About how many days will it take to reach that town?"
"About ten days, I suppose."
"That much?"
She had no preparations for a ten-day journey. She possessed neither food nor the money to buy it.
"...If you like, would you like to stop by the village where we live?"
"I would love to... however, um, the truth is, I don't have the money to stay at an inn..."
"Please, stay at my house. It's a shack, but it's better than the outdoors."
"T-thank you very much."
She had managed to secure a place to stay for tonight. Surely meals would be provided. Hinata thought she could afford to be hopeful.
"...That's right. Just as you saved me, could you not also save the sick people in the village?"
"...I don't know if I can, but..."
"Please do. Everyone will be happy. Besides, you might be able to earn payment for the treatment."
"...I hope that's the case."
It seemed she could obtain money as well. Hinata thanked her luck.
Why am I here? To this question that had brought only anxiety, a small light had appeared.
Hinata would eventually learn. This was a small country to the west of the Laurel Kingdom. A country far away, requiring several months to reach Nordende.
—Several months after this day. Rumors of a Saint who performed miracles would spread among the people of this country. Many people would visit her seeking the divine power that cured even diseases declared incurable by doctors, and the faith in that power would eventually turn into faith in her herself, and then into faith in the god who gave her that power.
Was this by her own will? Or was it the will of someone who wanted to spread faith in God to the earthly world? No one sought the answer.
◇◇◇
While many countries were devastated by the turmoil that spread across the entire continent, the Anfang Kingdom, ruled by Queen Ekaterina, was developing steadily. The Anfang Kingdom was one of the few countries without war. Many people gathered from surrounding countries seeking a peaceful life, and as a result, the country developed further in a virtuous cycle.
For now, there were no other countries hindering that development. It wasn't that no country had attempted an invasion, but those were repelled by the powerful Anfang Kingdom Army. "Repelled" was too mild an expression. As a result of suffering catastrophic damage, the invading countries ended up inviting invasions from other nations.
To acquire the Anfang Kingdom and expand national power. Other countries recognized that as naive thinking. To make them recognize it as such, the Anfang Kingdom Army had demonstrated a fierce counterattack.
The next time the Anfang Kingdom would be exposed to the danger of invasion would be after the conflict progressed and the surviving forces gained more power. By then, the Anfang Kingdom should have acquired even more power than it had now.
"The country is at peace. But is it alright for the Queen to be doing such shameless things?"
"...D-don't... s-say such things."
Queen Ekaterina was in a quadruped position, her dress pushed up, being attacked from behind. The one attacking was Ray.
"I'm just stating the facts. Or do you want me to stop?"
"...N-no."
"What do you mean, 'no'?"
"............"
"What do you mean?"
"Ah... ngh, ah..."
Queen Ekaterina reacted to Ray's movements, which had increased in intensity.
"I'm asking you what you mean."
"...C-continue, ah, n-no... ah..."
"Continue? Or stop?"
"...C-co, ah, aah...! A-ahn..."
Without answering Ray's question to the end, Queen Ekaterina reached her peak. Ray gently hugged the Queen from behind.
"...Continue."
"Eh?"
Despite having been shy and hesitant to put it into words during the act, she now said such things without hesitation. Ray was a bit surprised by this side of Queen Ekaterina.
"Because... it's only been me. I feel bad for Ray."
"I don't particularly mind."
The reason Queen Ekaterina said things she usually didn't was out of consideration for him. Ray felt happy about that, but...
"Just for today, I want Ray to feel good too."
"No, I've had enough... hm? Just for today?"
"...Today as well."
It seemed Queen Ekaterina had an ulterior motive. Once he realized that, Ray immediately understood what kind of motive it was. Though the inviting words were different, this was the second time Ekaterina tried to trap Ray.
"...I won't make a child."
"...Why?"
"Why, you ask... whose child do you intend to make it?"
Their trysts must not be known to others. Ray was the Demon King, and Queen Ekaterina was the ruler of a human nation. This did not change.
"...Just anyone."
"You can't just decide the father of the Queen's child randomly, right? I bet it's that, isn't it?"
"What is 'that'?"
"...You're talking about Cecil-san, right?"
When asked that, Ray was the one who became troubled. It was difficult to tell Ekaterina that she was likely jealous because another woman had a child. Ray still couldn't be that brazen.
"While other women will continue to have children in the future, I... it's lonely."
"Saying it like that makes Rainheart sound pitiful."
"...That's true, but."
While uttering words of agreement, Queen Ekaterina's cheeks were puffed out. A childish gesture unbefitting a queen. In front of Ray, she was just a slightly selfish, ordinary woman.
"Besides, it took a lot of effort to make it so I could come visit you like this."
"I know."
Meeting Ekaterina in secret. To realize this, he had installed a fairly large-scale magic circuit behind her private room. Even for a demon, creating many of these is difficult, and the magic tool requires an amount of mana that even demons would call enormous to operate.
"Then, give up on the child. Rainheart is here. And I come to visit you like this."
"...I understand. But... one more time. This time, I want to feel Ray's warmth."
"True. Me too."
Ray removed Ekaterina's dress so that skin would touch skin. This time, in silence, slowly, so they could feel the warmth of each other's skin.
◇◇◇
—That was how Ray spent his time with Ekaterina. At the appointed time, he used the magic circuit to return to Nordende. The time required was only a moment. He sometimes thought about what would happen if he could deploy this throughout the world. But what benefit would there be for the demons in doing so? Ray believed the harms would outweigh the benefits.
"Welcome back, my King."
The one who greeted Ray upon his return to Nordende was Owl. She greeted Ray respectfully.
"...No, there's no need to go out of your way to greet me."
Owl's attitude, having decided to swear allegiance, was thorough. It was a common occurrence, but Ray was still not used to it.
"It is because I worry for the King's well-being."
"I appreciate that, but within Nordende, such consideration is unnecessary. I am the King, after all."
"I believe there are dangers precisely because you are the King, but that is not what I am referring to."
"...Then, what?"
Ray's brow furrowed slightly. He was wary of what Owl was about to say. At the same time, he tried to hide that he was wary. It was a futile struggle.
"The teleportation magic places a burden on the King's body. I advise you to refrain from using it."
"...Ekaterina will get angry."
"Why not take better care of your body?"
"No, I'm fine? Even today... no, there's no need to say such embarrassing things, otherwise Ekaterina really will get angry."
"I wonder how long that will last."
Ray's evasion, disguised as a joke, did not work on Owl. She held a conviction.
"...Do you know my lifespan?"
Realizing that, Ray gave up on evading. Ray had known from the start what Aura wanted to say.
"Whether it be tomorrow or twenty years from now. I cannot say for certain."
"Can it be cured?"
"Not with my current abilities... and even if it could, the King's body does not accept light-attribute magic. I believe it might instead shorten your lifespan."
"I see..."
The side effect of harboring excessive power. It was not a power a living human should possess. He had noticed that before. Ray was aware that it was his body, not his mind, that was being eroded.
"I intend to do what I can. However, I cannot promise a cure."
"It's not necessary."
"Eh?"
"I want to use the remaining time for the sake of the future. If I cannot achieve it, Aura. You must carry it on. Together with my partner."
"My King... the remaining time is far too short, and even if my life were to continue for hundreds, no, thousands of years..."
Aura had no confidence that she could achieve it. Many times that amount of time had flowed without the world changing, and the history of war had repeated itself.
To change that would be to overturn the destiny of God. Aura believed it was not something she should ever claim she could do.
"...I want to believe that my coming to this world was the will of God. Otherwise, why did my comrades have to descend to the earth and walk the path of hardship..."
The will of God is not to cull humans to protect nature. It is for all races living in this land to coexist and prosper. Demons also have the right to live in this land and increase their species. Ray believed it must be so.
"............"
She could not affirm it. The will of God is not something she should think about and lead. All Aura could do was not deny it. That was all.
"It's impossible for me. Even if Aura cannot do it, surely someone will. Someone who can will definitely appear in this world someday. Believing that, I want to live my remaining time."
"My King..."
Once, humans called such an existence a Savior. But for humans, no Savior had appeared. What protected the human species was the demons sent by God, the will of God. However, Aura did not feel like saying this.
It was not out of consideration for Ray. She had begun to believe that, as Ray hoped, someone who truly embodied the will of God might appear someday.
"Until that day comes, the demons must be preserved. For that, what is necessary? I want to achieve everything I can while I am still alive."
"Yes. I, though my power is meager, shall be the King's support. I shall carry the King's will to the next generation."
"...I'm counting on you."
—The time Demon King Ray lived in this world was equal to a blink in the long, long eternity of this world's history. Still, his will was connected to the future. Along with the final words he left at the moment of his death.
'Those recognized by the Magic Sword Kamui, regardless of who they are, must be obeyed by the demons. That person is the one who shall weave the future of the demons. They are our hope.'
◇◇◇
Over forty years had passed since the founding of the Anfang Kingdom. The turmoil on the continent had subsided slightly in intensity, but it still continued. Until continental unification was achieved, it could take hundreds of years, and even if it were realized, the fighting would continue if the hegemon lost power. That was human history, and the way this world desired to be.
Still, people resisted in search of peace. Again and again, and again.
"...Someone's coming."
"You're right. Two people."
In a hilly area not far from the capital of the Anfang Kingdom. Two people stood on the highest hill among them. From that place with a good view, the surroundings were clearly visible.
"I wonder who it is?"
"We'll find out when they arrive. That makes four of us."
The two were meeting at this location. They had deliberately chosen this place, far off the highway, where few people visited.
"Did you hear how many people were planned to gather?"
"Who knows? My old hag didn't tell me anything."
"...If Akemi-ba finds out you called her an old hag, she'll kill you, you know?"
"You're calling her 'ba' too, aren't you?"
"My Akemi-ba is an honorific. The 'old hag' you said is a derogatory term. They're very different."
"...I don't see the difference. It's fine, an old hag is an old hag. You're lucky. Your grandmother is cute even as she ages."
The two knew each other's grandmothers. They were what one would call childhood friends. However, in this world, it was a quite special relationship. Though only humans thought so.
"...I don't understand your sensibilities in thinking she's cute. They're both elderly, right?"
"It's not about looks. Well, I think she's cute in appearance too, but I'm talking about her personality."
"That's a strange taste."
He did not have a taste for women more than three times his age.
"Your lack of understanding is what's strange. Everyone is just a beauty, staying young forever. I think it's more natural for appearances to change according to age."
The people around them, the demons, did not change their appearance much even as they aged. They were different from their grandmothers.
"You'll make Kai-ji angry this time. Before that, that's a problematic statement. You're denying all demons."
"I'm not denying them. I'm just stating my preference."
"Well, it seems it's not a good thing for only one partner to stay young forever. I think I'd prefer a wife whose appearance changes with age too."
"My old hag is always grumbling about that."
The difference in how humans and demons age. Sometimes, that caused the humans to feel loneliness. In the case of women—or rather, it would be better to say in the case of his grandmother—it could turn into jealousy.
"So, you mean you change according to your age?"
"What!?""Who's there!?"
Words were suddenly spoken to them. While letting out cries of surprise, the two quickly drew their swords and moved into a combat stance.
"Hmm. You're reasonably well-trained, aren't you?"
"...Who are you?"
"Me? I'm Sel. Same as you. I came to this land in accordance with the pact of our grandparents."
"Whose grandchild?"
By asking this, they could tell if what she was saying was true. It was a simple identification of identity.
"My grandfather is Geel. My grandmother is Sera."
"...I see."
Indeed, those were names they had been told by their own grandparents. The two looked at each other's faces and confirmed it.
"You two prove yourselves as well."
"Yeah. I'm Huey. The old hag is Akemi and the old man is Kai."
"I'm Mirai. My grandmother is Cecil. My grandfather is Ray."
"Eh? You're a direct descendant?"
Mirai was the grandson of Demon King Ray. Sel called that a direct descendant.
"Is that so surprising? I'm not the only grandson of Demon King Ray, you know?"
"Hmm. So you were the one chosen from among them."
"The same goes for you, right?"
Each had more than one grandchild. Among several, the grandchild thought to be the right one was chosen and sent to this land.
"...Whatever, but you, what generation are you?"
"Ah, my father is a demon. In other words, I'm first generation, so I won't appear in public. I'll be in charge of the behind-the-scenes work, so nice to meet you."
"So that's why you asked us if we change according to our age."
The thicker the demon blood, the less one ages. It's not absolute, but the possibility is high. If that happens, humans who don't know their roots will judge them as demons. They would no longer be able to appear in public.
"Right. But aren't you suspicious too? Your grandfather is a demon, and royalty at that, right?"
"Yeah. I've been aging normally so far, but I don't know about the future. If I stop aging, I'll just have to die."
Of course, he wouldn't actually die. He would just pretend to be dead and leave the public stage.
"And you?"
"My mother is human, so I should be fine."
The grandson of Ray, an otherworlder, and Cecil, a human. If both parents were human, the possibility of demon features appearing strongly was low.
"...The possibility of having to leave the public stage is low. And a direct descendant on top of that."
"I won't think about unsettling things. I'm not interested in power struggles before we've even started."
"True. The most important person... is it him?"
The two they had seen earlier were approaching. Two men, one blond and one red-haired.
"...Are you the ones?"
"Before asking that, first show your proof."
"Yeah. I am Axel Weilburg. Prince of the Anfang Kingdom. Do I need to mention my grandparents?"
The grandson of Ekaterina and Ray. Axel was the son of Rainheart, who had become the King of the Anfang Kingdom.
"Oh? Could it be that you don't feel good about inheriting the blood of the Demon King?"
That was why he hesitated to state his grandfather's name. Sel interpreted it that way. She had seen through him, and she was correct.
"...That's not it. I was just a bit surprised."
"Hmm. And? Who are you?"
Prince Axel had brought a companion. Sel demanded proof from the companion as well.
"I am Mansel. Prince Axel's royal guard."
"...And your grandparents?"
"My grandfather was Beizel, who served as the royal guard to His Majesty. My grandmother was Miria, who was also a royal guard to the previous King."
"...Prince Axel? What is the meaning of this?"
Miria, who had been Ekaterina's royal guard, had not participated in the pact. Sel knew this, and so did Huey and Mirai. The names of the grandparents were the qualification to stand in this place. They had all been made to memorize them perfectly.
"Mansel is the subordinate I trust most. I brought him because I want to fight together with him."
"...Did your grandmother allow that?"
"No, it was my own decision."
"Breaking the pact right off the bat. Does this mean everything is void?"
The core of future activities must be carried out by the grandchildren of those who participated in the pact. This was also one of the contents of the pact.
"Wait a moment! I brought Mansel because I thought it was best to achieve the goal! I have no intention of breaking the promise!"
"Even if you say that, the pact doesn't belong only to us."
"Then, would it not be sufficient to enter into the pact anew?"
A new person interrupted the conversation. No one was surprised. Their skills were not so low as to not notice the presence approaching. Only Sel, who had inherited the demon abilities almost entirely, was special.
"And who are you?"
"Loryu. My grandmother is Lianna, and my grandfather is Ray."
"Oh? You're also a direct descendant. By the way, what generation?"
"Both parents are human. I heard my grandfather hoped for it to be so as much as possible."
Future activities must be carried out by the hands of humans who consider demons as allies. For that reason, Ray desired his children to marry humans. Marriage with the few humans who had come to live in Nordende for various reasons.
The children honored Ray's will. Though some may have felt they were forced to.
"...So you think this pact should be continued?"
"Is there any other choice? If I go back to Nordende in shame, my father and mother will kill me."
"...Yeah, I wouldn't get off easy either."
"That's how it is. And this sword will judge the matter."
What Loryu produced was a jet-black sword. The Magic Sword Kamui.
"That's true. Then, shall we begin?"
"...Whatever, but why have you been taking charge since a while ago?"
Huey complained to Sel, who was trying to move things forward. He wasn't angry. He was just somewhat curious.
"It's my role, as the one with the thickest blood, to proceed with the ritual. Now, let's begin. Loryu, please."
Sel described the promise they were about to make as a ritual. It was not a mere verbal agreement. A formal contract for demons was about to be made. To lead that was the role of the one who likely had the thickest demon blood—herself. That was how Sel thought.
As told by her, Loryu thrust the magic sword into the ground.
"Place your hands on the hilt."
Everyone placed their hands on the hilt as instructed. The last to place her hand was Sel.
"Now, I'll begin. You don't have to say it aloud. Swear in your heart what I am about to say."
"Understood." "Yeah." "I understand."
Having confirmed each response, Sel took one deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly opened her mouth.
"We six swear here. In accordance with the pact of our grandparents, as guardians of the species, we shall become the foundation for the sake of protecting the future of the demons and for a future that leads to racial harmony. O Magic Sword Kamui. Hear our oath, and become its proof."
As if responding to Sel's words of oath, red streaks extended along the blade of the Magic Sword Kamui. Red streaks that pulsed like blood vessels.
A dazzling light emitted by the Magic Sword Kamui reached their eyes, which were surprised by the sight. They lost their vision. When it returned, the Magic Sword Kamui had disappeared.
"...The ritual is over. If you break the pact now, you'll die."
Sel's words did not seem like a joke. The Magic Sword Kamui, which had looked like a living thing. If it was a pact mediated by that, they felt they might truly die.
"The magic sword..."
"Didn't it return to where it should be?"
"No, yeah... you're right. It saved us the trouble of carrying it back."
Sensing the meaning of the gaze Sel directed at him, Loryu changed his words halfway. In truth, he had wanted to ask if the magic sword had not recognized them. But if he spoke that, some would doubt the establishment of the pact. Loryu did not think that would be a good thing.
—This was the oath of the founder and the Four Heroes of the Schutzalten Empire. The fact that another person was present at the scene was not left in history. Nor was the truth of the oath.