Chapter : 1
In a place filled with a musty stench and a gloomy atmosphere, someone opened their eyes.
Looking around, they saw humans dressed entirely in black, all kneeling on the floor and wailing.
“Ohhh, great Demon…!”
A great demon? What could that possibly be?
The being that had opened its eyes looked around curiously and, driven by curiosity, wriggled closer to the humans.
“Please descend upon this place!”
Descend? What does that mean?
They were too curious, but perhaps because they were so small, none of the humans noticed them.
‘…Hmph.’
Foolish humans. Perhaps the demon you’re seeking… is me!
But why can’t they see me?
Pouting, the being wriggled even closer.
“We have prepared a sacrifice worthy of the great Demon…”
Sacrifice? What’s that supposed to mean?
Deciding to get a better view, the being climbed higher and observed the humans.
Clinging carefully to the slippery wall, their eyes caught a dazzling marble surface.
On that marble lay a human. Judging from the gestures of the humans standing, it seemed this was the so-called sacrifice.
The person lying there was a young woman, delicate and doll-like in appearance.
Her small face was adorned with various ornaments, yet they complemented her pale skin and long, curly blonde hair perfectly.
But she seemed asleep, lying still with her eyes closed and lips sealed.
Or maybe not? Upon closer observation, she remained motionless.
Now that I look, there’s an ornate dagger embedded in her stomach.
It blends so well it looks decorative, but the dark red blood dripping down the marble suggests she’s dead.
“Please accept this sacrifice and grant our wish!”
Wish? What wish?
Do I have to grant this wish to take her?
As the humans in black chanted and the staff in their hands flickered with black light, the ground shook violently.
“Ahhh! An, an earthquake!”
“Damn it, someone noticed the ritual and interfered! The temple guards, maybe?”
“The ritual has failed! We must retreat for now!”
“The doors are closed! Escape this way!”
I fell downward, slammed by the tremors of the earthquake.
“…Muuuuu!”
With a splat, I landed and curled my body, cautiously watching the humans.
But they were even more panicked, fleeing in chaos, and didn’t notice me at all.
Debris and dust fell from the ceiling, as if the place might collapse at any moment.
Should I run too? While thinking this, I glanced at the marble where the sacrifice lay and decided to hide beneath it.
As I approached the marble, the tremor strangely stopped.
“Muuuuu?”
I let out a small sigh of relief.
Nothing had collapsed; the area was intact, leaving only me and the sacrificed girl’s body on the marble.
‘No one’s here? They called me all this way and then ran off? Well…’
I slowly crawled onto the marble.
The surface was slippery, and I fell several times, but I clenched my mouth shut and struggled until I finally reached the sacrifice.
Up close, the girl’s beauty seemed painstakingly crafted.
Long lashes, porcelain skin, a high nose with graceful curves…
Even someone ignorant of the world couldn’t look away; she was dazzlingly beautiful.
‘Sparkling! I like it!’
She was several times prettier than the humans I saw earlier. Maybe that’s why they intended to offer her as a sacrifice?
But what exactly is a sacrifice?
To take her, I’d have to grant the humans’ wish!
How do I even grant a wish?
While pondering, I heard faint footsteps approaching from afar.
Someone is coming here!
Could it be the humans who ran away earlier, returning?
Should I hide?
Panicking briefly, I made a firm decision.
I wanted the sacrifice too much.
After all, I must be the demon the humans have been seeking.
With that short conclusion, I opened my mouth wide and swallowed the girl in one bite.
Then, gulp.
Her memories flooded into me like a raging tide.
Memories surged endlessly, tossing me about.
“Muuuuuu…”
So dizzy! I can’t move!
Losing balance, I tumbled off the marble with a loud crash.
“Ouch!”
Unlike before, my body hurt terribly.
Where? My legs! My hips! My waist!
I realized that even my groaning had turned melodious and enchanting.
Even my natural cries were different.
Looking down, I finally realized the truth: I had become the sacrifice on the marble—Terestia Inument.
“Wow!”
Thanks to swallowing the sacrifice, I absorbed all of Terestia’s memories. Naturally, I came to believe I was a demon.
In Terestia’s memories, demons were recorded as beings who devour humans while pretending to be one of them.
The very creatures humans fear, loathe, and despise… were called demons.
Then why did those humans want a demon to descend so badly?
Moreover, Terestia wasn’t just a beautiful girl; she was the princess of the Pabelon Empire and the Grand Duchess of the northern territories, Inument.
Though she loved to indulge in pleasures and live recklessly—a notorious “prodigal”—she was undoubtedly of high rank.
The demon liked the sacrifice, Terestia.
Or rather, the demon liked becoming Terestia.
I must go outside and taste that drink Terestia enjoyed so much!
Just as I thought this and began to rise, I heard footsteps approaching.
Ah, one of the humans who ran away earlier, perhaps.
But what if they see me as Terestia and demand a wish be granted?
I have no idea what wish they might make, and I’m not confident I could grant it.
Still uncertain of my identity or powers, I hid behind the marble.
I curled up and tried to hide, but my new body and the flowing gown made me entirely visible without my realizing it.
Pleased with my cleverness, I smiled as the footsteps drew closer and held my breath.
It sounded like I was alone… Maybe they’ll leave soon?
“Hmm.”
But contrary to Terestia’s hope, the human didn’t seem intent on leaving.
Instead, they drew steadily closer.
What should I do? Should I devour them too?
But what if I end up turning into their body as well?
I like being Terestia!
Nervous, I turned to sneak away, but…
“Kyah!”
I shrieked involuntarily at the sight before me.
My gaze traveled from their long legs upward.
A tall, young man stood there. Handsome.
So handsome that even Terestia had almost no record of men like him.
Moreover, she had never seen anyone like this in her memories.
Such a face couldn’t be forgotten!
Yet surely the man could recognize Terestia, a famous and beautiful prodigal of the empire…
With gray hair and red eyes, he looked down at Terestia arrogantly.
Studying her closely, he soon let out a curious and incredulous sound.
“……Huh?”
His presence was so imposing and eerie that I froze.
He leaned slowly to meet my gaze, blinking his red eyes, and spoke:
“What are you doing here, Your Grace?”
End Of Chapter : 01
