168 168 "The First Demon King" (2/2)

Luna holds her head in the sand at Dahaka's invitation.

Something else is rising to the surface, something that is not you.

Luna's ”human self” is desperately trying to suppress it.

What do you want ...... me to do?

Dahaka quietly takes out a crystal from his pocket while Luna screams desperately.

...... a world where people grow up and demons become their victims. At first I accepted my role in such a world as part of it, but ...... you were the first person to directly challenge and deny it at that time. If the world's evolution is completed, you will cease to exist and the purpose you wanted to achieve. I will miss you as a person who once served and admired you, if you end up not being able to fulfill any of them. ...... That's just what I thought.

Saying this, Dahaka leaves the crystal in Luna's hands and heads for the door.

Enduring a severe headache, Luna calls out to Dahaka's back.

Wait ......, what the hell is this ......?

”Once is your 'purpose'. If you want to see it and resist the urge that arises from within, that's fine too. You choose the path of man, I do not deny it. I myself am in a hurry to become a man.

But,” announces Dahaka, after a beat, ”if you're going to play the role of the old 'demon king' - yes, I'll accompany you.

”If you're going to play the role of the old 'demon king' - yes, I'll be there with you then. As the last of my men who fell in love with your honest way of life.

With these words, Dahaka opens the door and disappears.

A crystal is left in Luna's remaining hand.

............

At first, with trembling hands, you try to slam it into the ground, but you find yourself unable to do so.

Eventually, you feel a nostalgic presence from it.

Unable to resist the truth about herself that lies within the crystal - something she wants to fulfill - Luna finds herself holding the crystal in both hands, calming her mind and focusing her magic power.

As she had done so many times before.

As if it were natural, Luna sees an image that appears in the crystal.

And the moment she saw what was reflected there, Luna unknowingly shed tears.

...... oh.

And there it was, what she had always wanted. What she wanted.

The one she had been searching for since she woke up, going down to the city from time to time to find it missing.

The one thing we all have, the natural, natural thing.

And when she sees it, Luna realizes.

Who she is. Purpose.

Why you are here now.

And what you're supposed to accomplish. What I wanted to accomplish.

When she realizes this, Luna cries again.

It's not tears of nostalgia and happiness that she first shed, but tears of regret and sadness.

”Oh ...... right, ...... I am ...... I am ...... no, I am ...... So, that was it: ......

Luna's tears continue to flow as she holds her reflection in the crystal.

And so, she looks back on her life since she woke up in the Ishtar ruins.

The nostalgic and joyful days spent with Kyou.

The various people around him.

Locke, Lily, Fitis, Jack, Ferrid, Mina, Dora-chan, and many others.

The fact that I, who should never have crossed paths with them, was able to spend time with them.

And the fact that I was able to spend time with them again, when I had given up hope of ever seeing them again.

Understanding everything, Luna cries.

Eventually, after holding the crystal and crying for hours, Luna has a fire of determination in her eyes.

These are not the eyes of the lost girl who was frightened, afraid, and rejected until a moment ago.

They are the eyes of one who has an unshakable will, an unchanging soul, and a belief that contains a determination to never retreat.

Now here is the soul of the girl called Luna, who has quietly finished her transformation and has in her soul the will of the demon king Freeswerg, who once ruled this castle.