[The year 1118]
[Demon Castle]
[12:34 Midnight]
"Sigh, it was only a dream, huh," I mumbled, sitting up.
Looking around the room, my eyes fell on a shadow in the corner of the room.
"Do you enjoy watching a kid sleep?" I said, looking at the shadows, waiting for an answer.
"...."
"I guess you're not one for talking," I mumbled, standing up and stretching. Walking up to the window, I added with a grin. "Well, whatever, I am going out. Don't lose me now."
Jumping out of the window, I teleported upwards to the roof.
Looking over the edge of the window, I saw the shadow look out of the window before jumping out and running off somewhere.
"Okay, that's as boring as it gets," I mumbled, sighing in disappointment.
Stretching my arms again, I looked up to the top of the castle.
"These eyes are wonderful," I said happily, teleporting to the castle's peak.
Before I got the new eyes, I could easily see between 1 to 1,5km making it so I could teleport that distance, but now I felt like I could easily see over 20 kilometres away with perfection.
Standing on the top of the castle, I sighed at the view it was giving me. The city that stretched out as far as I could see looked like new yorks riches square all around. There was no defective building. All of them were almost sky scrappers but never got taller than the castle's top roof. Maybe it was a respectful thing.
Turning my eyes to the castle. It was actually quite confusing looking at the U shape building with the middle where I was like a wizard tower in stories high in the sky and the sides not being more prominent than 35 levels.
"Let us see if I can see that shadow demon again," I said, sitting down on the roof. I looked around. To my surprise, it didn't take long to find it, and it had friends this time, about 13 of them, in fact.
"Haha, it needed help from others," I said, laughing before I noticed three moons in the sky.
"She didn't lie about me being on another planet," I mumbled, rethinking to start believing what Leah and Lina had been saying.
"How troublesome, yet knowing this just made my drive to explore even more," I said with a shit-eating grin and determination.
"Haven't humans already explored their entire planet already?" A sudden voice said next to me.
"Eeeh!?" Jumping up, I teleported away from the voice.
"Hahaha, that's hilarious!!" Lina said, rolling on the roof and laughing at me.
"How? How did you sneak so close to me." I said, still a bit jumpy.
"Oh, I don't know. You might have been distracted." Lina said, sitting down. Seeing her actions, I sighed and sat back down next to her.
"Troublesome," I muttered, a bit annoyed.
"Isn't that the same for you?" Lina said, grinning at me.
"I guess, but you guys could have easily avoided it if you wanted," I said, not changing my voice tone.
"I guess that's true. Just kill you and get it over with, but then we would be feeling guilty and quite a lot of guilt." Lina said, rubbing the back of her head.
"Huh, why is that? I am only just a human." I said, narrowing my eyes at her.
"Oh, but you are, and a human that helps is a lot for the peace treaty and politics. though you aren't human anymore." She explained, looking at the scales under my eye.
"Ugh, that word again. I'll help you guys. How did I help you demons by killing demons?" I said, frustrated at their vagueness.
"What word, peace treaty or politics."
"Politics."
"Uhuh, a bad word, I agree," Lina said, nodding in agreement.
"So, how did I help you guys?"
"It's quite simple, really. You helped us get rid of some nuisances." Lina said, looking up at the moons.
"... if I remember correctly, the demon general I killed forced his way into the engagement. Was he the nuisances?"
"He was, but not for that. Julia was the one who brought it up and accepted it before we could stop her."
"So she actually liked that person. he was so hairy." I said with a disgusted expression.
"Uh, we presumed so," Lina said, nodding.
"I see, but then why did you guys ask for me."
"Aah, that we actually didn't ask for you. They gave you one for us. Their exact words were. We will give you the person who killed your general for mending old scars." Lina said with a tint of anger at the end.
"..." I didn't know what to say, or I didn't want to say anything at all.
"Yeah, and we saw an opportunity took you. To us you for our own gains... again."
"Us? Again," I asked, confused, looking up at her.
"Well, you killed the general that we wanted dead, and all his soldiers were killed. All your handy work."
"I think I am missing the point here. How the hell am I helping you guys in killing your own forces." I said with a raised eyebrow.
"You see, it's like this. There are a couple of factions in the demon society. I will not mention all but only the two most important ones. There is a peaceful faction and a tyrant one."
"Aren't there better names for them?"
"Maybe, but that's what I call them."
"Okay."
"Yeah, now about 60% of those soldiers on earth were direct subordinates of the general you killed."
"I see, so how much of that 60% have I killed for you guys?"
"About 30% have been eliminated by your actions but not killed. I will say you killed 10% of them, and the other 20% has changed factions because of the general's death."
"Only half? That's quite little, to be honest." I said, a bit disappointed.
"Not really, it's about a million. Anyways thanks to you, we now have the most soldiers out of all the factions. So we can give them more pressure. Not the other way around."
"I see. Is that why the peace treaty happened."
"Yes, that's the reason why it finally went through."
"Finally? so it was in the working?"
"Yes, for a year, it was."
"Who brought it up first."
"The humans."
"That's surprising."
"We were too obvious and didn't buy it for most of the time, but Uwe was Uwe and made some tests for the humans," Lina explained, shrugging.
"Tests in like making sure they are being true to their word?"
"Yes."
"I see, interesting. He is going to give me ones, too, if I stay, isn't he."
"Yes, but you actually don't have a say about staying or going."
"...I don't?"
"Nope, the only way back to your world is through the Sazanami that's completely under our control, and you won't be able to get close to it."
"I can try, though."
"We know, but you need to find it first."
"... True."
"Oh, and the main force is just a bit weaker than Uwe, anyways."
"Aah, I see, so no chance then."
"Pretty much what I said."
"Whatever, let's get back to the topic. What are your guys' plans for me."
"Well, in the beginning, when we took you with the peace treaty, we would have only had you kill everyone and escape out of grasp back to your world."
"So you guys would have let me go back to my daily life."
"Uh, and some extra weapons or something as a thank you for your help," Lina said, smiling.
"Then what's this," I said, pointing at the scales under my eye.
"Well, after hearing your story, Leah thought, when you go back. The humans would kill you or try to, you know, cover everything up."
"Aah, that's true they would want to erase me."
"Yeah, so she decided to adopt you."
"... how was that supposed to help me. Instead of just bringing up the weaknesses of humans, now I betray them." I said, quite frustrated.
"Well, no. Think of it like this. Your life as Ren Bell has ended. You have been confirmed KIA in the eyes of everyone you know." Lina said with a severe expression.
'Not everyone.' I thought, not saying anything. Feeling a small bump, I put my right hand on my left wrist.
"But now you can have a new life with a clean start as a demon or, well, a half-demon, I guess," Lina said, not missing my movements.
'That does sound very tempting. A new life, new beginnings but what about.' I thought with a hardened expression before I remembered what she said.
"... did you just say I am a half-demon," I said, realizing what she had said.
"Yes, your body outside might not have changed that much, but the inside has. I am certain you have felt it. Also, those eyes are also not human."
"Aah, that's true shit. I thought I was a full demon now, thank god. fuck, it's still a lot to take in, though." I muttered, feeling my heartbeat and thoughts run whiled.
"Yeah, and I presume you do not believe most of it."
"I wish I could do that, but all that happened last year can't be a coincidence. It will also explain the words my father said."
"Oh yes, Owen Bell actually brought us the news of our general's death. He begged forgiveness and everything."
"... yeah Nah, can't believe that shit at all," I said, looking at Line like she was crazy.
"What!?"
"I just can't picture him begging."
"Ugh, whatever."
"Anyways, I will just think about everything while I build my floating warehouse," I said, sighing to myself.
"Sigh, how troublesome."
"Oh, don't worry. I will make it so you guys can get there easily."
"... is that so. You know what. Can I have you teach someone while you do your building?"
"If it's not a pervert or someone weak. Though, I won't say no to the help."
"Great, it's one of your sisters."
"Please, not Julia," I said with a dreaded expression.
"No, no, it's one of the other children."
"The desead perant ones."
"Uh, she is quite lonely these days," Lina said, nodding with a sad face.
"I guess it would be cool."
"Good, good I will let her know. Oh, and one last thing. That metal thing in your wrist." Lina said, pointing at my left arm.
"We found it very weird that a signal was going out from it. We presume it has something to do with the human girl. Seeing as the government tried killing you and all. So we left it there for now so that you can make the decision to start fresh or still hold onto your past." Lina said, but I knew under all that she wanted to test my determination.
"But..."
"I won't force you to move on from her. Shit, Uwe thought it would be fine if we let her also in, but Leah doesn't want that. She wants you to have a fresh and new start. No past attachments allowed." Lina explained, trying not to show any emotions.
'As much as it pains me, that is the better route to go.' I thought, feeling my heart bleed.
"What's your personal opinion now," I asked, not looking at her.
"After hearing everything and how you act. I guess I agree with her to get rid of it." Lina said, standing up.
"I see. I will need time to decide, I guess," I said, seeing Lina disappear into the shadows.
'Shadow mitigation? That's totally cool and makes sense why I couldn't sense her.' I thought, smiling subconsciously.