Chapter 12
The Fate-Shattering Researcher
Part 2
The newspaper discarded in the forest contained an interesting piece of news.
A full front-page article detailed how a certain wealthy man’s beloved daughter had been kidnapped and then fell from a bridge to her death. It even included a wanted poster for the culprit. They must really want to find me.
But they’re naive. I anticipated this, so I used transformation magic to disguise my appearance during my secret meetings with the girl. With this, they won’t be able to corner me.
Finding no other articles of interest, I tossed the newspaper aside.
“Haaah… But I’m bored.”
Several days had passed since that incident, and I hadn’t found a new human to play with.
To be precise, humans are a dime a dozen. But I can’t just take anyone.
Humans have become much more wary of others since ancient times. Regardless of whether they discover my true identity as a demon, they aren’t easily swayed by sweet talk. Fools like that girl are truly rare.
Guards patrol the towns, and it’s commonplace for even ordinary households to have magical anti-demon charms. I am a fairly high-ranking entity among demons. I can somewhat ignore minor protective charms and barriers. But my movements are still somewhat restricted, which is a nuisance.
Especially this town called ‘Forestlake’ is no good.
It seems the headquarters of the Exorcists, specialists in demon subjugation, is located here. I can’t even approach carelessly. The townspeople are also well-educated, and even the little brats are not to be underestimated.
‘Forestlake,’ true to its name, is a large town famous for its vast trees and beautiful lake. Surrounded by forest, it doesn’t have much external interaction, but the town is large and highly self-sufficient, making it a prosperous place for humans. I came here after some preliminary investigation, but it’s a complete miss.
I judged that a more closed-off town would be easier to operate in, but I can instinctively feel this town is more dangerous than any I’ve visited so far. I haven’t been here long, but I should leave. I let out a deep sigh, thinking today would also yield nothing.
―――――――――
As I walked through the nearby forest, I suddenly sensed a human presence. I thought I felt a strong demon-sealing power for a moment.
An Exorcist?
I’d prefer not to think I could be detected so easily, as I’m currently restricting my magical energy to avoid being identified as a demon… Concentrating, I traced the presence and felt drawn to a rock at the base of a cliff.
It was a round rock about 2 meters in diameter. Listening carefully, I could faintly hear the sound of air passing through. Without a doubt, there was a hollow space beyond. It looked like an ordinary rock, but viewed from the side, it seemed thin, almost like a door. Still, it would be difficult to move with human strength. Probably, there’s a magical device on the other side of the rock, designed to open and close in response to magical energy.
“Well now, a human who’s made a hideout in a place like this and comes and goes…”
Extremely interesting. I could feel my heart pounding with excitement.
The human presence I felt earlier was just one person. If it were a large group, I would have noticed sooner.
A human, all alone, in a hideout like this. Since they’re hiding here, it’s highly likely they’re involved in something they can’t do openly. My regret about coming to this town vanished completely.
I couldn’t suppress my curiosity.
Magical devices that open and close doors generally don’t respond to others’ magical energy. So, of course, this device wouldn’t react to my magic, and there are countless ways to break this rock and force my way in. But such methods are the work of amateurs.
Taking a deep breath, I wrapped my body in my own magical energy. My body became slightly transparent. Reaching out my hand towards the rock door in that state, my hand slipped right through the rock.
It’s a magic that allows my body to become intangible.
It wouldn’t work on a magical barrier, but I can infiltrate a town surrounded by stone walls.
Moving forward, I found a long cavern on the other side of the rock. Lamps lit by magic were installed inside. Their style was old, suggesting someone had been using this place for quite some time. Turning them on might alert someone, so I left them off.
The cavern didn’t seem very long; I could see light from beyond a bend.
Proceeding carefully to avoid making noise, I slowly peered around the corner.
The interior was a study. It seemed to be a room about 6 tatami mats in size, surrounded on all sides by low, handmade bookshelves. In the center of the room was a table and a single chair, and a human was working with their back turned to me.
They had long blond hair tied back with a ribbon. Their petite body was slender, and the glimpse I caught of their wrist was paler than other humans’. I couldn’t see their face clearly, so I couldn’t be sure, but were they a woman? I’m not good at judging human genders, as I’m only interested in them as playthings.
The inside of the cavern seemed cold; insulation material covered the rock walls and floor, nailed down with wooden planks. Even so, it must have been chilly, as they had a magical device emitting heat at their feet.
I felt the corners of my mouth naturally turn up.
They gave off a similar vibe to that girl from the other day; this one could be useful.
Most humans lately are so wary that it’s hard to get close, but an isolated human who’s out of sync with others like this could become a fine toy if handled well. If I can skillfully bind them to me, they will surely show me an exquisite despair in the end. That’s what I felt.
But perhaps I let my guard down in my joy, as the human turned around sharply.
Our eyes met, their wide, crimson eyes locking with my gaze.
“Who are you?”
“…Ah, well…”
I hesitated, unprepared for conversation.
But letting such a promising specimen escape would be a waste. I had to somehow manage smooth communication…
“I was on my way to ‘Forestlake’ and happened to see you… I was curious and… just wanted to talk?”
“A demon going to ‘Forestlake’? You’re quite the enthusiast.”
The words “a demon” made my eyes widen involuntarily.
I hadn’t lifted my magical restrictions. How did they find out? I instinctively took a step back, but the human remained nonchalant, even though they knew I was a demon.
“Ah, I don’t mind demons as long as they don’t cause trouble.”
“You don’t mind me being a demon…?”
“Un, I rather like them. I’d even like to know more about you all. I’d be more than happy to just talk.”
Saying that, the human smiled cheerfully.
Having interacted with humans for over 1000 years and toyed with their emotions, I know well. This one truly holds no hostility towards demons. I’m surprised such a foolish human still exists.
Not only that, but they like demons? Nothing could be more convenient for me.
For a moment, I considered killing them since my identity was revealed, to avoid trouble, but I’m glad I held back. If they like demons, the expression on their face when betrayed by one would be absolutely magnificent. I desperately want to see the moment this unguarded, innocent smile twists in despair.
“My apologies for being startled. When a human recognizes my true form, I can’t help but freeze up reflexively.”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s understandable. For most humans, demons are undoubtedly considered enemies. But I believe that just as there are bad humans, there are also good demons.”
Ah, what a foolish human.
There are good demons too? The fact they harbor such a delusion is utterly amusing.
I want to shatter that illusion right now, but I must, must be patient.
“By the way, what about me caught your interest?”
“Well, I wondered what you were doing in a place like this. I won’t tell anyone else, so could you tell me? Of course, I’m not forcing you.”
“Hmm, well, I suppose it’s okay to tell a demon like you. I’m researching a certain demon!”
Indeed, looking at the spines on the surrounding bookshelves, they seemed to have gathered materials related to demons from the human world. The human showed me a book with “Compiled Information on the Demon Diabolos” handwritten on the cover.
“Di… Lord Diabolos!?”
I couldn’t possibly not know. Regardless of recent young demons, he was the most famous demon a thousand years ago when I lived in the demon world.
The great demon Diabolos, hailed as the worst and most evil, immortal and undying.
The dark king, feared by humans and weaker demons alike for his冷酷残酷冷酷残酷 (cruelty and brutality).
His name is still forbidden to be given to newly born demons as a symbol of fear. He is also the demon I respect the most. But one day, a thousand years ago, he suddenly vanished.
I had assumed he was completely erased from human history, so I’m astonished to find a human not only aware of his existence but actively researching him.
“Oh! You know of him? Asking you, a demon, was the right choice after all!”
“Well… he’s famous among demons knowledgeable about demon world history… But why, of all demons, are you researching Lord Diabolos?”
“Because I want to meet him.”
My jaw dropped involuntarily.
…This human is unimaginably foolish. I’m too stunned to even laugh.
I don’t know how much information this human has about Lord Diabolos, but if a human were to face him, they wouldn’t survive. He is a being so far above, unreachable even for me, who has lived over 1000 years, let alone a human.
Only an immortal demon like Lord Iblis, or an angel closest to God like Lucifer, might reach him. He is not a demon one can meet for a trivial reason like ‘wanting to meet him.’
“It’s known he disappeared 1000 years ago, but I don’t think he died. He must be alive somewhere. I have an idea about the name of the place where he might be, but I don’t know the actual location.”
“Is that true?”
Lord Diabolos’s disappearance was truly sudden.
Various rumors circulated – that he went to meet a human, that he was killed by a human – but they lacked credibility. I can’t possibly believe that such a冷酷非情冷酷非情 (cold and merciless) being would go to meet a human, and being killed is even more unthinkable.
I, too, believe he is still alive somewhere.
I thought he might be living in some world, like Lord Iblis. If I knew where, I would want to go meet him too.
The sight of humans, their faces stained with despair, desperately fleeing, and Lord Diabolos methodically eliminating them… that scene I witnessed long ago was so beautiful I could watch it forever.
“I believe I understand the gist. You want information, any information, to aid in your search for Lord Diabolos, correct? Understood. I will assist you.”
“Really!?”
“Yes, I too wish to meet Lord Diabolos. And besides…”
I approached the human and gently reached out my hand.
I softly touched the cheek of the wide-eyed human and gently traced their lips with the pad of my thumb.
The human seemed slightly flustered, but their cheeks began to flush red.
“I’ve… fallen in love with you at first sight. I want to be of use to you.”
“Eh… Eeh!?”
The human jerked their head up, pulling their face away from my hand.
Their face was red up to their ears, and they were muttering something restlessly, but they didn’t seem disgusted. Showing such an innocent reaction makes it even more interesting. That girl from the other day wasn’t this easy, so I’ve really found a fine pastime.
“Umm… I’m sorry. I don’t think I can return those feelings…”
“No, it’s just my own one-sided infatuation. But, would you allow me to be of assistance to you? You don’t have to return my feelings. I just want to see you happy.”
“I-I see. Well, you want to meet Diab…los too, right? Then let’s say our interests align, and I’ll ask for your cooperation.”
The human stood up and bowed their head slightly. I also bowed with a smile. Deeply, so my sincerity would convey, and so they wouldn’t see the uncontrollable, twisted smile on my face.
“My name is Eric. Nice to meet you.”
“Eric, that’s a lovely name. I am called Abyss. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Ah, I can’t wait to see what becomes of this human.
◆―――――――――◆
“Wow, I’m in a pickle…”
After introductions and a bit more discussion, Abyss said they would go research Diabolos in the demon world and left. Alone again in the cavern as usual, Eric scratched his head while looking in the direction Abyss had departed.
“I’m a man, but maybe it’s better not to say… I don’t mind it, but…”
He looked intently at his own body again.
He was aware that he was petite and delicate-looking to a degree that was hard to believe for a pre-adult male. His hair was long because he found it bothersome to cut. His skin was pale, perhaps due to his constitution. This wasn’t the first time he’d been mistaken for a woman, but he thought his name was rather masculine.
Perhaps sensibilities regarding such things differed between humans and demons, or maybe demons weren’t very interested in human gender distinctions.
“Ah, well, whatever. I don’t know your goal, but if you plan to use me, then I’ll let you, and use you in return.”
Turning back to the table, he picked up a quill pen. His body wasn’t very robust. He couldn’t go out much, but there were things he could do. He unfolded a map and marked several locations.
Eric, too, was thoroughly enjoying this situation from the bottom of his heart.
