It took a while before Ante finally left my body.
Apparently, she found it rather comfortable inside me. But for me, it was unbearable. I suffered from an indescribable sense of discomfort.
'You'll get used to it eventually, so don't worry about it,' she said.
"I don't want to get used to it!!"
It felt like having to burp but never being able to. I told her that, and it really upset her. Good. I figured she deserved it. For mocking a god, I even gained a slight boost in power.
But then, I nearly died when she forbade me from breathing for a while. How come she's fine when she's inside me? That's just unfair…
We left the palace behind and crossed the black sands of the desert beneath the red sky.
The trip there felt like it had passed in an instant, but the way back felt endless.
"Man, this is taking forever."
"Seems normal to me. Was it quicker on your way here?"
"It felt like it flew by. Maybe because the guide demon was showing me the way."
"…Ah, that weirdo Odigos, right?"
"You know him? A weirdo?"
I was a bit surprised. Since Ante was one of the most ancient and powerful beings, I assumed she wouldn't know the names of common demons.
"Though he's not on the same level as a god, Odigos is one of the oldest demons."
Ah, so Odigos wasn't just some random low-level demon after all.
"If Ante calls him ancient, then he's been around for ages, huh?"
"He's been around since the dawn of the Demon Realm."
…That means he's practically been around since the beginning of the world, doesn't it?
"He's a rare, neutral demon. He doesn't belong to any faction. He's survived this long by guiding and leading others… but in the Demon Realm, there aren't many who get lost."
Because if you have the will and the strength, you can go wherever you want, Ante added.
"So, even though he's been around since the dawn of the Demon Realm, he hasn't had many opportunities to grow his power."
"Perhaps he's the one who most welcomes visitors from the outside world."
"He should just make a pact with someone and go to the mortal realm. There are plenty of lost souls to guide there."
"He once guided himself to the portal. Maybe guiding visitors is the best thing for him, or maybe he hasn't met the right contractor yet…"
Even he probably doesn't know, Ante shrugged.
"And he's an upper-level demon, so the cost of the magic required to keep him in the mortal world would be too high. I doubt anyone would want to form such a contract with him."
"What if the contract was in his favor?"
"Then he'd be stuck guiding one lost soul after another. You think any demon would want that?"
"Definitely not."
I could say that with confidence. Poor Odigos.
The idea that I, the former hero, would one day feel sympathy for a demon… what a strange turn of events.
Odigos… well, there was something natural about him.
I didn't sense even a sliver of malice from him. He seemed even more harmless than Sophia.
"By the way, you mentioned he was a 'neutral demon' earlier?"
We were crossing a river of pitch-black sludge, something far too thick to be water, yet we could walk across it easily.
"There are three types of demons: those who govern virtues, those who are neutral, and those who embody vices."
"Wait, there are demons that represent virtues?"
"Most of them are long gone, but some still survive. Demons of loyalty, honesty, and courage, for example. The first two often have to do with contracts, so they're usually quite powerful. If you search for them, you might find one."
A world where powerful demons are just hanging around somewhere… doesn't sound very inviting.
"But guiding the lost sounds like something a demon of virtue would do."
"Odigos guides everyone equally—good or evil."
"Ah, I see… And which kind of demon are you, Ante?"
"Ha! Do I look like a demon of virtue to you?"
"It was just a thought," I muttered.
The desolate land stretched endlessly before us.
So far, we hadn't run into any other demons.
Maybe it was because Ante was with me, or perhaps it was because I didn't want to encounter any.
"Oh yeah, Odigos saw me in my true form. Is that going to be a problem?"
Maybe other demons had seen me on the way here without me realizing it. A human wandering the Demon Realm could be problematic.
"You're worried about your identity being exposed? Well, it should be fine."
As we walked, Ante casually folded her arms behind her head.
"First, Odigos won't talk unless directly asked. And time in the Demon Realm and the mortal world is pretty fluid, so I doubt anyone would link you with the prince. Besides, it's rare, but sometimes humans end up in the Demon Realm. Usually due to a failed summoning spell or something."
So, nothing to worry about.
"…I'm looking forward to it," Ante said suddenly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"What?"
"I'm eager to see how you continue to pretend to live as a demon. It should be amusing."
"…Please, don't cause any trouble, okay?"
"Don't worry. If your identity gets exposed, I won't get what I want either."
Her multicolored eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Until our contract is fulfilled, I'm your greatest ally. You can relax."
…Great. That means destroying the Dark Portal will definitely be the last thing I do.
After walking for what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the Dark Portal.
In a world where everything was already dark and gloomy, a pitch-black portal might blend into the background. But this thing had such overwhelming presence that there was no way to miss it.
"Farewell, Demon Realm! We part ways for now! Woohoo!!"
Ante was giddy, holding my hand and prancing around. She must have been beyond bored here.
But still… I was heading back to the mortal world with a god in tow.
Life is full of surprises, isn't it?
"Let's go."
With a god in tow, I stepped through the portal.
The scent of the wind. The sound of it. The sensation of weight.
When I looked up, I saw a blue sky and the sun shining brightly.
So… this is what light really looks like.
My physical body felt solid and clear.
…Too solid.
The world I once knew now felt incredibly cramped.
"Ah, yes, this is how it felt," Ante said, stretching beside me.
Now that I was back in the mortal world with my demonic body, I could perceive her magical energy.
It was like a vortex, but too elusive to grasp.
Sophia and the little imps were easier to sense—like small whirlwinds or dust devils.
But Ante… she was different. She felt less like a demon and more like a stable being—a presence akin to that of a demon king. If you weren't paying close attention, you might mistake her for a regular demon.
However, if you observed closely enough, you could tell.
Her magical power was so dense, so condensed, it felt like solid steel.
Anyone with a good sense would realize instantly—this wasn't a demon in disguise. This was something far worse.
"You really held back."
"To just a toe," Ante grinned. What does it mean to bring 'only a part of herself' into the mortal world? That's beyond mortal comprehension…
"Well, I guess I'll have to introduce you to my mother."
"Oh, your mother? I can't wait," Ante said, her voice dripping with mischief.
Please… please don't cause any trouble.
Looking around, I saw the demon-and-devil-filled town of Cosmology—a settlement built to accommodate those waiting for their loved ones to return from the Demon Realm. Around the portal were shops and cafes (or something like them).
Platifia should be around here somewhere…
"Oh, there she is."
I spotted a woman sitting slumped over at a cafe terrace, dressed in her (tribal-style) riding outfit. She was leaning over the table, as if exhausted from waiting. She didn't look like her usual self—Platifia always carried herself with such pride, but now she seemed completely deflated.
And damn, does this world feel cramped… I thought, rolling my shoulders. My whole body felt constricted, like it was being squeezed.
"Mother, I've returned."
At my voice, Platifia twitched, slowly raising her head.
I was stunned.
Her usually sharp, cold beauty was now gaunt, her face haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She looked utterly exhausted.
"…Who are you?"
Her hollow expression and question shocked me even further.
"Huh? Mother!? It's me, Zilvagias!"
If my mother had lost her memory while I was in the Demon Realm, I was seriously screwed. How would I maintain my position at the castle?
"…What?"
For a moment, she stood there, stunned, before life returned to her eyes. Then her expression went through a whirlwind of emotions—shock, suspicion, confusion, and finally, realization.
"…What is the name of your attendant demon?"
"Uh… Sophia."
"And the first person you ever fought?"
"That would also be Sophia."
"And the reason for the fight?"
"Because I refused to study."
With a crash, Platifia kicked her chair aside and stood up.
Her entire body trembling, she approached me.
Huh? Why does she seem… smaller?
Her height looked… off… somehow?
"Is it really… you? Zilvagias?"
She gripped my shoulders.
"Y-Yes… It's me…"
Confused, I glanced at the cafe window and was absolutely floored.
Reflected in the polished crystal window was my own image.
I looked like a drawn sword.
The reflection showed a sharp, dangerous-looking young demon.
A boy who looked about 15 or 16 years old in human terms.
And he was wearing a shirt so tight it was on the verge of tearing.
"I've grown so much!!" I shouted in disbelief.
"It's really you!? It's really you, Zilvagias! Thank goodness, Zilvagias!"
Platifia threw her arms around me, shouting with joy.
Every demon and devil in the vicinity turned to stare.
"It seems your growth wasn't just in spirit, Zilvagias," Ante remarked with a smug grin.
…From the looks of it, I'd been in the Demon Realm for quite some time.
Years might've passed? But Platifia was still wearing the same clothes as when I left.
"Zilvagias! I'm so relieved! Zilvagias!!"
And now, what am I supposed to do about this…?
I could only helplessly pat Platifia's back as she clung to me, tears streaming down her face.