Chapter 1
The Devil of Akatsuki (I)
(Part 1)
“Hmm… at this pace, I should reach the entrance in about an hour, I guess?”
Muttering to myself, I stared at the map held in both hands.
Checking my direction again and again with the small compass I was gripping tightly, I walked carefully toward my destination. Deep in the forest, the compass was my only guide.
It was an old one, something I’d used for years, so it sometimes rattled and spun in the wrong direction. I should buy a new one next time I reach town…
The trees around me were tall and thick, their hard roots sprawling densely across the ground.
The path showed no sign of being paved, and hardly anyone ever came this way.
A few days ago, the innkeeper at the foot of the mountain had said to me:
“What business do you have in a place like that?
I’ve heard there’s the ruins of an old castle town beyond the mountain, but getting there takes days.
It’s not worth walking that far for something like that.”
Tch. I’ll decide what’s worth it myself.
Carrying camping gear and several days’ worth of food on my back while trekking up this mountain path was certainly tough.
But just imagining what might lie ahead filled me with excitement and gave me strength I couldn’t quite explain.
Before long, the slope leveled out into a long, flat trail. It was easier to walk than before, though the ground was still tangled with roots.
Further along, I arrived at a place littered with the remains of collapsed stone walls.
This must be the ruins of the castle town the innkeeper mentioned.
I chose a section of wall that looked sturdy enough, sat down, and lowered my pack.
While rehydrating, I surveyed my surroundings.
Beyond what used to be the outer wall, I could faintly see the remnants of several structures.
Then I noticed something carved into the wall I was sitting on. I brushed away the dust and stared closely.
It was the symbol of the old kingdom — faint, but recognizable from memory.
No doubt about it. This was the place.
Nibbling on some preserved food I’d stuffed into my pack, I organized my valuables and the bare minimum of gear for exploring.
Unfolding a fragile old map of the town — one that looked like it might crumble if I gripped it too hard — I confirmed my route.
Once my legs felt rested enough, I shouldered my lighter pack and set off toward the center of the ruined town.
Everything in the town had collapsed and merged with sand and wood until it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.
Anyone unfamiliar with this place would have no idea what kind of country it once was or how its people lived.
It must have flourished once, being a kingdom, but now it was a ghostly shell.
Eventually, I reached what seemed to be the town’s center.
Almost everything was destroyed, but one building stood taller than the rest — or what was left of it.
It was probably the castle that once overlooked the town.
I carefully scanned the ground, moving aside rubble where I could, searching for any entrance that might lead underground.
Surprisingly, I found it rather easily.
Well, not exactly an entrance — just a large hole gaping in the ground. But if it led underground, that was good enough for me.
I could use the tree roots to climb down safely.
Gripping them like ropes, I descended carefully.
It must have been about ten meters deep. My boots hit the floor with a small thud that echoed faintly.
The place I landed in was a large underground chamber.
It was flat and open, almost like a hall or plaza, though aside from the stone walls, almost nothing remained.
It had an eerie, ceremonial atmosphere — an unnecessarily vast space, as if once used for some kind of ritual.
The air was damp, adding to the gloomy tension. Hardly any light reached this far below.
I narrowed my eyes, peering into the center of the room.
And there —
was a demon with black, crow-like wings sprouting from its back.
Its knees and shins rested on the ground, body slumped forward, head hanging as though bowed in defeat.
It looked as if it had simply fallen from standing and collapsed onto its knees.
When it noticed me, it lifted its head — and our eyes met.
A shiver of exhilaration ran through my chest.
The demon was breathtakingly beautiful — the kind of beauty that “handsome and refined” didn’t quite capture.
Its white skin contrasted with the long black hair draped over its shoulders.
Its eyes — a vivid crimson like the morning sun — widened in surprise.
But only for a moment. Then, as if losing all interest in me, it turned its face away.
Even as a man, I had to admit I was a little captivated. I found myself smiling despite the situation.
But my expression hardened when I noticed the massive sword impaled through its back.
The blade had pierced straight through its chest and was buried into the ground like a stake.
From the wound, glowing red magical chains extended outward, coiling around its body.
It was a pitiful sight — so painful to look at that it made my skin crawl.
I stepped forward, heading toward the center of the chamber.
The demon said nothing, but the sharp hostility in its gaze prickled at my skin — a silent warning to stay away.
I ignored it. It wasn’t like he could move, anyway.
“Hello.”
Stopping a few steps away, I smiled as gently as I could.
The demon only glared, saying nothing, so I continued speaking on my own.
“Why are you still here? This place doesn’t seem like a pleasant home for you.”
No response.
“From the looks of it, you’re sealed by that sword, right?
Even knowing you’re a demon, I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for you.
And aren’t those wings getting in your way?”
Still no answer.
“Want me to pull that sword out for you?”
“Don’t.”
The voice was low, filled with murderous intent.
He glared at me openly, no effort to hide his anger. Honestly, it was kind of scary.
“Hey, hey, calm down. I’ll admit, I can be really persistent. Extremely so!
So, the faster you answer, the easier this will be — for both of us.
Besides, I’m more interested in you than in the ruins outside.
If you keep ignoring me, I will pull that sword out.”
At that, the demon let out a long, exasperated sigh.
“…What do you want?”
So he would talk after all.
Apparently, the idea of me removing that sword bothered him quite a lot.
“Doesn’t that hurt?”
“It doesn’t.”
Liar. The moment I mentioned pulling it out earlier, I saw his brow twitch with pain.
“That sword isn’t just a sealing weapon for you, is it?
Tell me — what is it to you? Why do you protect it so desperately?”
It was obvious the demon didn’t want me touching it.
Even now, his large wings folded protectively around the sword, shielding it.
He must know how blatant that looked, but bound as he was, he had no other way to protect it.
He glared silently.
He could probably move his wrists a little, but the red magical chains wound tightly around his body made it impossible to lift his arms.
With a small sigh, I muttered,
“If it’s that precious, maybe I could sell it for enough to live comfortably for a while…”
The demon clicked his tongue in disgust, then finally spoke.
“That sword is my master.
—or rather, was my master.”
“Huh…? And?”
I replied stupidly, unsure what to make of his distant expression.
“The humans of that time used my master’s body, magic, and soul — their entire existence — to forge this sword.
They couldn’t defeat me otherwise, so they sacrificed my master to seal me here.
My master died as a human that day, but their form remained, changed into this blade.
Most sealing swords are used once and crumble after their duty ends.
…This is all that remains.”
His voice trembled faintly.
The kingdom had long since perished. I didn’t need to ask what he meant by “this is all that remains.”
He ran his fingers lovingly along the blade, eyes filled with grief.
It stirred something complicated in my chest.
“…I can’t really say I understand.”
Oops — that slipped out loud.
He didn’t respond, but his expression showed faint unease, as if watching to see what I would do next.
“Yeah. I’ve decided.
You don’t need that anymore.”
I was surprised by my own irritation.
I hadn’t expected to get emotional over something like this.
I reached toward the sword.
It should have long since lost its power. Even if it was too heavy to pull out, I could probably snap it with enough force.
“Wait! I’ll answer anything you want — just don’t touch that!”
The demon shouted desperately, straining against his bonds.
A harsh creak echoed, and his face contorted in pain as a groan escaped his lips.
Sweat beaded on his brow. The sight only deepened my frustration.
“This isn’t your master anymore. Sorry, but I’ve got my own reasons.
You won’t believe me unless I show you.”
“Stop!!”
He flared his wings, trying to block my hand.
But I forced my arm forward, fingers brushing the hilt.
“This is wrong.
No one could have a sword stuck through their chest and not feel pain.
And a seal this weak? You could’ve broken it anytime.
You’re just torturing yourself — clinging to a dead master.
Something like this…”
My hand closed firmly around the hilt.
“…is in the way!”
I yanked with all my strength.
The blade was lighter than expected — it snapped with a loud crack near the point where it entered his back.
The force sent me stumbling backward, barely keeping my balance.
The moment I did, both the hilt in my hand and the blade in his chest shattered to dust and vanished.
The magical chains binding him, formed from his own blood’s mana, liquefied and splattered across the floor as the sword’s magic dissipated.
It looked disturbingly like blood pooling from a fatal wound.
Then, a sharp jolt of energy, like static, coursed through the air.
The seal was broken — his power was returning.
The demon staggered, then stood.
The massive wound through his chest and back had already healed.
Even without using magic for ages, his regeneration was terrifying.
Maybe those rumors of immortal demons were true.
He stared blankly at his own hands.
Opening his palm slowly, fine white dust trickled soundlessly between his fingers — likely remnants of the shattered blade.
And then —
his crimson eyes locked onto me, blazing with fury.
“Ah. Crap.”
I raised my arm instinctively.
In the blink of an eye, the distance between us vanished. His right hand clamped down on my arm — if I hadn’t blocked, it would’ve been my throat. Cold sweat ran down my neck.
His grip was so strong I was certain he’d crush my bones.
I resigned myself to losing an arm — until his strength suddenly slackened.
Puzzled, I looked up at his face.
He was staring at me wide-eyed, lips trembling as if he couldn’t believe what he saw.
“So, you noticed already, huh?”
Here’s a bit of trivia: a demon’s eyes can see the form of a soul.
Though many demons resemble humans, there are key differences — wings, strength, longevity, and above all, those eyes that see the soul’s essence.
Some demons disguise themselves as humans, or hide their existence entirely.
They recognize others not by appearance, but by the soul.
He must not have noticed before because the sword’s seal had suppressed his power.
“…Master?
Why are you… here?”
He released me.
My arm bore clear red marks where his fingers had gripped, but at least no bones were broken.
“Because I made you a promise.
And because my death wasn’t the end — my soul refused to rest.
I’ve been reborn, again and again, searching for you.
I was afraid you’d forgotten me… but I see you haven’t.
You’re still as obsessed with me as ever — almost endearingly so.”
I opened my palm — dust from the shattered hilt drifted away between my fingers. I brushed it off the ground.
“Before I was killed, I cast a special spell to preserve my memories in my soul.
A human soul reincarnates endlessly — a new life each time.
I’ve lived countless lives since then, but…
I never imagined I’d one day feel jealous of my past self.
The sword’s gone now, so maybe… you can look at me instead.”
He looked away, embarrassed.
“…Understood.”
His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
I caught the faint flush in his cheeks. The haze in my chest vanished, replaced by warmth.
“I apologize deeply for my earlier disrespect, Master.
I truly didn’t know…”
“It’s fine,” I said, smiling. “As long as you’ll stay with me again.”
He knelt on one knee, bowing deeply before lifting his head.
I extended my hand to him.
“I’ve never forgotten you — not once through all my lives.
Now, as then, I love you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m sorry it took so long to find you.
Dea… will you walk beside me once more?”
It had been a thousand years since I’d spoken his name.
He blinked, tears welling and spilling silently down his cheeks.
I couldn’t remember ever seeing him cry before. The sight pained me — yet, knowing those tears were for me filled me with quiet joy.
He slowly raised his hand to mine. For a moment he hesitated, then clasped it firmly and stood.
“…Even if this is a dream…”
He whispered so softly it almost vanished into the air, eyes closed as a single tear dropped onto my arm.
“It’s not a dream.
But seeing you again — it feels like one.”
It had taken so long to get here.
By my first reincarnation, no one even remembered this kingdom existed.
Whether too much time had passed or it had always been obscure, I didn’t know.
Finding his location was nearly impossible — almost no records of this place remained.
Still, I researched everything I could.
I left behind notes, maps, records — anything that might help my next self.
I did everything possible.
There were lives where I never made it here — sickly ones, poor ones, where I had to work endlessly.
It was a long, hard journey. But I never gave up.
All of it — for him.
To see him again, and to live freely together, bound by nothing.
If I told him everything, he’d probably call me insane.
Together — no, we — began walking toward the exit.
Toward the future. Toward freedom.
Before climbing back up the hole I’d descended, I glanced back one last time and whispered:
“Goodbye.”
A final farewell to those who’d long since vanished.
Then, without looking back again, I stepped out into the world beyond my once-home.
