NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36
36. It’s Been Hundred Years
The Demon World──a realm inhabited by beings such as demon beasts and demons.
At its center lies the Demon King’s castle, colored entirely in black.
In the audience chamber at the heart of the castle, the Six Demon Generals knelt, led by Meriel.
Her long silver hair reached down to her waist.
Her round eyes harbored the color of rubies.
Her delicate appearance, with a hint of innocence, contrasted sharply with her gothic lolita attire.
Flanking her were four demon generals.
And seated nonchalantly on the throne before them was the ruler of this world──the Demon King.
“…Gyrasvrim has died.”
The Demon King muttered softly.
The space in front transformed into a screen, projecting an image.
Though crude, it showed a battle between a black knight and a group of humans.
Gyrasvrim, one of the Demon Generals.
Among the six trusted aides to the Demon King, he possessed the strongest offensive power as a knight.
However, even with his power, he couldn’t break through the vibrant defensive barrier deployed by someone with divine skills.
Truly absolute defense──the power of Ilfaria, surpassing all expectations.
“He failed to overcome Ilfaria’s power and perished as the time limit expired.”
The Demon King’s words stirred unrest among the generals.
“Could it be, he?”
“If he couldn’t breach the defense, he should have retreated to the Demon World…”
“His pride probably wouldn’t allow him to flee.”
The Demon King sighed wearily.
“Despite possessing divine power, if one cannot overcome it through the vessel of humanity, they choose to perish on the spot. He was that kind of man. I should have sent someone else. My judgment was mistaken.”
No, Meriel whispered inwardly.
The Demon King had foreseen Gyrasvrim’s actions from the start.
Was he intended as a sacrificial pawn to gauge the enemy’s strength?
Or perhaps──since his defeat in the previous great war, Gyrasvrim had been seeking a place to die, and the Demon King intended to grant him that place.
“Regardless, the fact remains that even Gyrasvrim couldn’t overcome it. When it comes to defense, he possesses power equal to that of a god──we need to reassess our understanding.”
“But still, they’re just humans. We only need to exploit their weaknesses.”
Meriel smiled.
“Gyrasvrim brought us various information, besides the divine skills.”
“Oh, what do you mean?”
The Demon King prompted with interest.
Meriel deepened her graceful smile.
“Have you noticed? When he unleashed one hundred percent of the Code Beast’s power, his time in the human realm drastically decreased.”
“So the more we use our power, the less time we have remaining──is that it?”
“It’s possible. However, my thoughts are a bit different.”
Meriel responded to the other generals’ inquiries.
“I believe it’s triggered by ‘malice towards humans’.”
“Malice?”
“Due to the constraints of the ancient war between gods and demons, we are heavily restricted in our actions. Especially the more powerful demon races. We can no longer excessively kill humans or drive them to despair.”
“Disgusting.”
“The same as the gods, unable to excessively protect humans. Both demons and gods have lost much of their influence in the human world──”
The generals grimly informed.
“Conversely, without ‘malice towards humans’, perhaps we could remain in the human world longer.”
“But demons thrive on humans’ negative emotions. Without them──”
“Average demons would quickly perish. But what about Demon Generals like us?”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I will directly visit the human world. Suppressing ‘malice towards humans’, I will approach those with divine power and eliminate them.”
“…Your idea is a hypothesis. If it’s wrong, there’s a risk of annihilation.”
“To challenge those with divine skills, ordinary demons are inadequate. It’s most suitable for a demon general like myself to go… I would be honored to be the foundation for your reign, Demon King.”
Meriel bowed respectfully.
“Can I rely on you, Meriel?”
“As you command.”
With that, Meriel rose.
Through the interdimensional passage connecting the demon world and the human world──the Syrega, Meriel descended to the earth.
The unfamiliar sunlight dazzled her eyes.
It seemed to be morning here.
She gazed at the sun, absent in the demon world, and reflected lightly.
“The human world──it’s been a hundred years.”
Since the ancient war between gods and demons, the passage between the demon world and the human world had been closed for a long time, until about a hundred years ago.
Meriel had once descended to this world at that time.
She indulged in slaughter as she pleased, savored humans’ fear and despair, and returned to the demon world at ease──.
Looking around, she spotted a town in the distance.
Activating her physical abilities to the fullest, she reached the town at beast-like speed.
Surrounded by tall walls, but to her, as a demon general, they were no barrier.
She leaped over with abnormal agility and invaded the town.
“It seems quite prosperous.”
Compared to a hundred years ago, civilization had progressed significantly.
Even a single building reflected technological innovations over the past century.
There were far more people bustling about than before.
“Ah, I can imagine their faces contorted in fear… Just the thought gives me chills.”
Meriel chuckled with malice.
The soaring excitement turned into a powerful urge to attack.
But she quickly restrained herself.
Beings that harm humans──demons like her couldn’t stay long in this world.
She was here only to peacefully coexist in this world.
“Hey, cutie, you’re adorable.”
Several young men approached with an air of frivolity.
They approached Meriel with what seemed like a flirtatious attitude.
“Hey, hey, wanna hang out with us?”
“Believe it or not, we’re adventurers. We’re the heroes of justice saving the world, you know?”
(Adventurers…?)
That was the occupation of those who fought against Gaiusvrim, she remembered.
Or perhaps those with divine skills were also adventurers.
“That’s an unusual outfit. It’s cute, though.”
“We’re used to handling girls. We can have an exciting night together, you know?”
“An exciting night?”
Not understanding their words, Meriel tilted her head.
“Are you asking for lewd acts with me…?”
“Lewd acts, huh.”
“Hahaha, you’re straightforward.”
The young men laughed raucously, finding it amusing.
They were oddly irritating.
“…Shall I kill them?”
She thought of obtaining information about those with divine skills, but there were probably other adventurers.
She lit a small spark of magical power at the tip of her raised right hand and transformed it into a magic arrow to shoot──.
No, as soon as she attempted to, a small spark flickered at Meriel’s chest.
(I see, it reacts to malice towards humans.)
Calm down, calm down, she told herself.
Meriel extinguished the magical light at her fingertips.
The spark subsided immediately.
“Oh, it glowed for a moment. Do you have something hidden in your chest?”
“Your chest is quite big.”
The men’s gazes focused on her chest.
It was unpleasant.
“…You’re vulgar, base, and lowly. Should I kill you after all?”
When she reconsidered,
“What are you doing, you guys!”
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.
It was a girl with golden hair reminiscent of sunlight tied into twin tails.
Next to her was a girl with silver hair cut neatly at shoulder length, reminiscent of the moon’s glow.
Whether they were sisters or not, their similar features were breathtakingly beautiful even to Meriel, a fellow female.
There probably weren’t many possessing such beauty even in the demon world.
(There are beautiful people among humans.)
Meriel couldn’t help but be mesmerized.