102 102 "Demons who are impatient with people" (1/2)

The next thing I knew, I was there.

In the dark, in an empty space. I was alone in the world.

There's no one else. Just alone.

And then they appeared in front of me.

”So it looks like I got my memory back.

”...... Yeah.

This is the truth and the continuation of the conversation between Lily, the brave beastman who was captured by the empire, and Rostam, the imperial hero who met with her.

I'm surprised to see you as one of the seven great heroes, Sun Wolf Squall.

”Huh?

At the name, Lily involuntarily looked up.

You will be able to find out what you're looking for.

But the emperor and hero, who should be a stranger to you, would never know this.

What, haven't you noticed?　If you look closely at your own kind, you'll see that.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right.

”Could it be ...... behemoth?

That's the way it is. We've got a funny situation on our hands, don't we?

You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

It is true that SS-ranked demons are equipped with the ability to humanize, but few actually use it.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for, it's also a matter of when you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find a way to get in.

The behemoth laughed, and Lily could tell from his expression that this man was not joking around.

”Squall, no, Lily. I'm going to need your help. We, the SS ranks, want to help people grow, and to help the world grow.

Then the emperor told Lily about this plan from his mouth.

A hostile attitude toward a potential opponent, starting with the cultivator.

By daring to push the cultivator into a corner, you make him think of himself as an enemy, and then you know how he will end up being defeated.

...... I get the gist of your story. But are you sure you want to do this?　If you do that, you will be killed in the end, right?

Yes, what the emperor is doing is a kind of outrageous act.

Aggression against other countries, and even against Kyou and his friends.

As compensation, there's a good chance he'll eventually give you death.

But even so, the emperor smiles as if it's none of his business.

That's fine. That's quite all right. Wasn't that what we were here for in the first place?　We become an obstacle to people, a target to be defeated, and in the end, we grow at the cost of our deaths. If I can help people grow, I'm happy with that.

So is the original role of an SS-ranked demon.

Like a demon king, it stands as an obstacle for people and promotes their growth.

In a way, the action that behemoths are trying to do is the most appropriate action for an SS-ranked demon.

And that's why he called out to his fellow SS-ranked demon, Lily understood.

...... but now you're Rostam, right? Are you really willing to give up that position?

At Lily's question, the emperor smiled a somewhat gentle smile that had never been seen before.

I'm not interested in the position of emperor. But there is certainly one thing that is too good to throw away.

After a short pause, the behemoth turned emperor replied, ”I'm your brother.

My brother.

”Huh?

”You will understand, ”Lily”. We demons, or rather the SS ranks, have no concept of family. We didn't need every concept man has. But still, you must have seen a lot of people in the cause of developing people.

The behemoth's question also reminds Lily.

The first thing she sees is the concept of ”friend.

A man fighting for his friend next to him.

A person laughing, crying and cuddling with a friend.

When Lily was called the Sun Wolf, the concept of 'friendship' was the one she missed the most.

In my case, it was 'brother'. I've seen so many people's brothers. An older brother struggling to protect a weaker brother. A brother who struggles to be strong for his brother. I saw them cheering each other on and even fighting at times, but their love for each other was evident in all of it, and I - I envied them.

Yes, they're beasts.

Beasts created for a role to play.

That's why the beasts longed for man.

Their notions of brothers, friends, lovers, family and all that seemed so enviable and beautiful.

So I thought, ”It would be great to be in that circle someday.

Unknowingly, Lily had agreed with the behemoth's words.

No, perhaps that is a sentiment that all SS ranks can agree on.

They are equally there to encourage people to grow.

That's why you can be sure that seeing so many people grow up, the emotion that came to mind would have been longing.

Even for Favnir, the current demon king, she is impatient with the concept of family, and having it has changed her mind dramatically.

To the extent that its target is not only people, but also all of her own kind of demons.

The other SS ranks have different emotions and concepts of impatience, but they all have one thing in common: they all love people.

So I was very happy to be on the same side as these people and get the same concepts as them. But I'm killing this young man Rostam.

It would be a tragedy for Behemoth as he played his part.

He met two brothers who held a brilliance never before seen in him.

And as he fought, he was convinced.

I would give my life for them.

And that when he gave his all, he would serve the world.