The angelic race are upset. Side Vite and Marius
“– Hah! I feel like I just heard Marius’ voice..!!”
<line>
<line>
I shuddered as I looked back. Towards where the event hall was.
Marius had headed there to get a grasp of the situation. Did something happen to him?
Probably noticing the worry in my expression, the captain asked “What’s wrong?”
“…No, it’s like a wild hunch, or something like that. I think Marius is in some serious trouble”
Marius is? He asked, to which I lightly nodded.
Putting that aside, what do you mean wild hunch. I didn’t actually revert back into a dragon did I. It’s a little scary.
<line>
“…Well, he has some complicated circumstances so, it’s not unexpected for him to get caught up in troubling things”
“Complicated circumstances?”
Certainly, he cross-dressed, or that he’s a member of the angelic race, it was a far too complicated life. But I feel like he’s carrying more than that. This is also, just a hunch. But my hunch is often right. There is no loss to worrying.
“Something troubling, could it be…! Because he was such an enviously beautiful girl that he got kidnapped?!”
“Ah… that happened once before. About a year ago. He was abducted by some lustful man”
“Wha, what did you say?! Tell me in detail! Any for real, for it to be a lustful person! I’ll bite him to death—”
At that moment.
When I got all excited and leaned forward.
Psat– A strange feeling enveloped my back.
<line>
<line>
When I fearfully turned to look at my back, I found a pair of white wings growing.
I involuntarily let out a small scream.
Unlike Marius, the winds weren’t glowing mysteriously or divinely. A strong frame and smooth curves drew out dragon wings. They sprouted from my back, as I felt the blood rush out.
“This is”
Somehow I, haven’t I been dragonizing too much? Why would I have dragon wings on a human body.
Does it come out when I get excited? If my emotions keep growing, I’d be a dragon at the end.
――― You’ve got to be kidding!!
AHH, as I was about to shriek while I was worried and at a loss, a change occured in my wings.
The pure white wings, starting from the pointed tips, were gradually dyed black. When it reached the base of the wing, it had a brilliant lustre under the light of the sun.
They were the black wings I almost fell in love with myself.
<line>
<line>
“As I though, black suits you”
“No way, is it Captain-san’s fault!?”
He just profoundly smiled at my question.
<line>
It seems that was exactly the case.
Whether it’s the ‘re’ contract or the ‘new’ contract, being forced to drink blood, as ‘expected’, lead to this.
“I, I don’t want to! I will not return to being a dragon. I want to remain as a human!”
The Captain is just staring blankly.
“Even if the body is different, there was no change to the soul itself. The Black Dragon in the entrance hall, is also one part of you. Vito. So it doesn’t matter what form you take, it won’t change that you are you”
Even so, it’s, terrible.
“I am…. not Vito”
“That’s true. Then, Itoka, let me try to guess, what you are thinking about”
Putting his hand on my cheek as I hung my head down, he smiled gently and kindly as usual.
<line>
“You’re afraid of no longer being a human”
<line>
Afraid. That’s right. Even if I accept my memories as a dragon, I don’t ever want to become a dragon, again.
I’m, a human.
<line>
“But that’s wrong. As long as Itoka believes she is human, then she is a human. If you think you are a dragon, then you’re a dragon. No matter how your existence is defined or classified, your appearance won’t affect that. That’s why if you think you are a human, you are a human”
<line>
In this world, I’m sure it really is like that. It won’t matter whether I am a human or a dragon. I could live however I wanted.
But that’s not what I’m apprehensive about.
The Captain, is speaking on the premise that I remain in this world.
But you see, that sort of logic won’t work in my world. Even if I were to return to being a dragon, I could probably live on in this world. But, I’d just be treated like a monster in my world.
That’s why, I’m scared. Of not being a human. Because I wouldn’t be able to return to my world.
<line>
“Aren’t you just trying to wrap it nicely?”
“Maybe. But you seemed to be looking for an answer, so I am just providing one”
“…”
<line>
… Did you perhaps, say it knowingly?
I look at Captain-san’s complexion. He’s smirking. Almost creepily.
… It can’t be, he really said it knowingly?
I, in order to prevent my from returning to my previous world, he made a contract, to bind me — no, no way. But, I feel as if he said something along the lines of not letting me go.
<line>
I’m scared, I can’t hear.
There’s no way I can hear you!!
Listening to one’s true intentions, listening to one’s true will, that should be my life-or-death or more like life problem!!
This time there might be a working collar on my neck. How frightening!!
<line>
“I, I get it already, it’s fine. Let whatever happens from now on, happen”
<line>
I look away. It might have seemed intentional. Did he notice, no, he definitely did. Captain-san is purposely letting me swim. But even I am not that stupid or ignorant. I’ve gotta regain my calm..
Yup, I’m fine. It’ll be fine if I just think a convenient power has fallen into my hands. Let’s think about it that way.
Now I’ll stop thinking about it. There must be some sort of solution. For example, asking Riya-san, or using Touka’s hero powers to somehow do something. Let’s be optimistic here.
It’s kind of like a insect in the summer flying near fire.
For a while, I probably have to resolve myself to fighting with Captain-san underwater.
<line>
“Do you really not care?”
“Eh? About what? In any case, why did only one side turn black I wonder!”
Was I being to obvious? But if I don’t at least go this far, I won’t be able to change the subject.
Probably finding my reaction interesting, he laughed to himself, turning his gaze to the still white wing and tilted his head in mystery.
“Did you, by any chance, drink someone’s blood?”
“…eh? Ah, now that you mention it, I did drink a little from Marius”
Because I was hungry, I added with a wry smile.
“The colour of the angelic race is white. While Marius blood is in your body, it’ll probably stay like that”
“So it’ll eventually become black”
“As long as you didn’t make a contract with him”
You have the contract with me, too.
Hmm, hold on. A contract, in Marius words, was the vow, wasn’t it.
If I complete the vow while I have Marius’ blood, I’d always be white and black, both types of wings. …which would mean. It would overlap with the contract with Captain-san, and maybe negate each other?
Ooh!! How smart, me!!
<line>
The solution was found much faster than I thought.
<line>
<line>
<line>
<line>
＊＊＊
<line>
<line>
<line>
<line>
Side Marius
<line>
After diving into the red magic circle, there was a pitch-black world. You could compare it to the ocean floor, where light could not reach. Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, I couldn’t tell up from down or left from right, and I could only desperately cling to the figure in front of me for dear life.
<line>
The red Demon began to rapidly descend.
<line>
“Eh, wai-, ah, no— kyaaaa!!”
I can’t help but scream?! It’s even scarier than when I fell above Itoka!!
That was because I was just following gravity and fell, but this red Demon is obviously falling on purpose. His flapping red wings are the proof.
<line>
This may be the first time in my life that I’ve screamed till my throat hurt.
After a while whoom, I felt the effects of gravity again, finally having reached the ground.
<line>
“I, I thought I was gonna die…!! Hey! What do you think you’re doing! Return me right now! And more than that, put me down!!”
“Mm, is that, fine? It’s, dangerous”
“It’s fine!! Hurry!!—Wah?!”
The arm wrapped around me pulled away and I was finally released, but I couldn’t put strength into my legs and sat on the ground.
It’s too pathetic, even for me.
The red Demon looked down at me with glee. It looks like he knew that this would happen.
How infuriating!!
“I, said. Warning, you, didn’t listen”
He squat in order to meet my gaze. I thought I’d be pulled up by the arm again, but it went back to the way it was before.
If I was going to get princess carried… I wish it was at least done by Lance-niisama!! In this situation, even Minette would be fine! It’s fine as long as it’s anyone but him!!
But frustratingly, my legs were so weak that much less walk, I can’t even stand. I feel like crying.
<line>
“Where, is this”
“Demon world”
“I know that much. Where in the demon world. It was created together with the heavenly realm right? If this is somewhere near the gate, I might be able to return to the surface world”
“The gate, far. So, created, magic circle”
“As I thought that magic circle was your doing! Because of that, just how many had been sacrificed!!”
“Swear. That, magic circle, activation ah— hard to say, hate”
The red Demon’s face twisted. It may be his individual language issues, but there’s something that’s hard to explain using his stuttering speech. The person himself looks like he’s having trouble sometimes too.
I wonder if all Demons are like this. Us Angels aren’t like that, but, we don’t know much about the nature of Demons. Mother taught me before, ‘Be careful of Demons’, ‘Be especially careful of Nightmare-types’, ‘They, they are a species that care not for the method in order to get the prey they want’, ‘Mother is worried, you see—that they might take advantage of you’, ‘I don’t want you to lose your wings’, said Mother, who seemed lonely due to losing one of her wings as she looked at me.
Mother was, captured by a Nightmare Demon. The white wings are our proof as Angels. And at the same time, white wings are Demons favourites. I have no idea how they steal wings, but the one side dyed-purple wing doesn’t suit Mother. Because of that, she can’t return to the heavenly realm. Because of that, Mother was caught up in the succession for the Tirzot Kingdom. Because of that, Mother— was mentally afflicted.
<line>
“I will definitely, never forgive you”
Just recalling Mother’s sad face overflows me with anger.
Clenching my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my skin, something lightly brushed by. It was the red Demons fingers.
Instinctively brushing them away, the red Demon tilted his head and stared blankly.
“Wha, what. If you want to say something then say it”
“Is. Speaking, difficult. Conveying, impossible, concluded”
“Concluded…?”
“Fine? Say it, I can”
“Say it? You can? You’re saying that you can speak? You? Like a person?”
A light nod.
“How?”
<line>
Fuu, and his face came closer. There was no time to avoid it.
By the time I noticed, his dusky pomegranate eyes were right in front of mine, our foreheads collided, and something hit my lips. Something entered my slightly open lips. It was cool air. It passed through my throat, and blew in as if penetrating straight to my heart.
My eyes would have gone wide with just this.
<line>
“Now it’s fine”
After a while he pulled away, as a smile like a child whose mischief was successful bloomed on his face.
<line>
…That, what, did he do?
<line>
“Oi, what’s up. Angel? …did you die?”
“I didn’t die!! Wai- just, wh-wha-wha-whaa!!?”
I resent from the bottom of my heart that I can’t even move away and just bend back because I’m being held by the Demon.
“Face, red. Interesting”
It’s not fun or interesting for me at all!!
The Demon started gleefully laughing again.
<line>
It was at that time, along with the sound of flapping wings, someone had came down from above.
“Oh my, Fer. Where did you pick up little cutie over there? …Ack, wait. Isn’t it an Angel”
Not to mention the revealing clothes, but also a low voice and tough face with an Okama’s mannerisms. Plus it’s got a skinhead. He licked his lips as if looking at a delectable treat, sending shivers down my body and made my hair stand.
“This isn’t provisions. Besides that Cocyto, did you see any humans?”
“Humans? That’s true, now that you mention it there was something that fell from the sky earlier. It fell over there you know? And pretty deep too”
Looking closely, it was tall. The red Demon was also quite tall, but it was beyond that. It might be even taller than Father.
But, I could tell from the eyes that were the same colour as it wings, that this being, was a Demon.
“…and like, that speech. Fer, when did you take an oath? Aww. If it was like that, you should have said so earlier! What kind of Demon is the other party? Or is it maybe the little cutie from the other day? That child did seem quite zealous about you—?”
<line>
<line>
“This person”
The red Demon pointed at me with his chin.
“…you’re lying”
The okama Demon opened wide its small eyes.
“Haa-… to take an oath to an Angel, it’s just like you should I say, well, it looks temporary since it was one-sided, but if you are fine with it then it’s fine isn’t it? Angel-chan, I’m not troubled by this”
An oath? What’s with that. Eh? Eeeehh!?
“It’s not a problem that’s just troubling!! An, an oath, what on earth is that! Demons also had such a ritual!?”
“Oh my, so Angels have it too huh. Well, we were originally born as similar existences, whether it looks like it or not.
I don’t need a flying kiss! More than that, I want an explanation!
<line>
“An, an oath, eh? You did? Eh? Wai, wait, that, what does that”
“Are you confused?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking!”
Well of course, the Demon smiled.
“It’s fine. As long as you don’t vow to me, the ritual will not be completed.
“There’s no way I would!! Absolutely never! I have someone else I have vowed to!!”
“Oh my. You got rejected, Fer. I thought you too had found a partner just like me and darling, even though it was Angel-chan. A forbidden love is so romantic. Especially for us Demons, who like to steal Angels white purity as their guilty pleasure. Oh no!”
The Demon wriggled its body while saying ‘Things are getting interesting!’.
It’s not interesting to me at all, it’s outrageous!
Inferring from the okama Demon’s words, Demons, unlike Angels, have to find specific partners and make an oath with each other and become something like a couple. And as part of the oath, their language ability is improved, I guess. However, but this all I can think about calmly. My head is almost about to blow.
“In, in the first place! Be-between 2 guys!”
“Mm, that doesn’t matter. As long as their feelings are conveyed, their gender doesn’t matter. Anyways, us Nightmares can switch between male and female you know? Thats true, Fer, take on your female form. Didn’t you use that form before. For all you know, it might make the cutie Angel fall for you, you know?”
“So it’s like that?”
“It is like that!”
“Absolutely wrong!! Don’t misunderstand me!”
<line>
<line>
<line>
<line>
“Hey hey, in any case. What are you planning to do with that child?”
“This has nothing to do with you. Don’t unnecessarily poke. Your darling will scold you”
“Ehh but for an Angel to come to the Demon world, how many decades has it been. They are a feast to us. I’m sure, they’ll come in flocks you know? Even if it’s you, what would you do if you were spotted by another Demon while carrying that child? Won’t it be difficult?”
That is true. This is the world of Demons. Will I be able to remain sane in this situation. Thinking of my reality makes my face turn blue. I don’t even have anyone I know that I can rely on here. I’ve got no choice but to make it to the surface world by myself. But, the exception is this red Demon.
“Nghh, even your frightened face… tempts me”
The okama Demon poked its cheek with it’s finger. Seeing the image of it licking already gave me a psychological attack.
—Kyaa. A pervert! There’s a pervert over here!
<line>
“Don’t touch him”
Seeing that I was scared, the red Demon pushed aside the okama Demon’s hand.
“Ehh, don’t be like that. A little, just a little, let me have a taste! I’ll only corrupt him a little! It’d be easier for him to move around the Demon world like that, right?”
“As if I’d let you corrupt me even a little!!”
“That’s right, the one who will make him fall, is me!!”
What the hell is this Demon saying!!
“Why does it become like that!?”
“Oho. Your hands have already reached! If Fer is going that far then it can’t be helped. I’ll give up! I too don’t want to be in your way!”
I even got my tension up! The okama Demon danced a strange dance before flying away.
<line>
“I’ve had, enough… Let me go home”
I don’t want to have to be here for another second. It’s dark, there are weird okama Demons, I still can’t put strength into my legs, even the air here is somewhat stagnant, and every breath is scratchy. It’s also because I was screaming like crazy, but now even my mood is down. I want to breathe air outside.
<line>
“Sorry. Is it difficult? Angel”
He seems to have finally noticed that I was in bad condition. The red Demon peeked at my face. I wonder how blue my face had become, as wrinkles had appeared between the red Demon’s eyebrows.
“It’s obviously tough. For me, the air of the Demon world is like poison. And my name is not Angel, it’s Marius! I have the wonderful name of Marius Dufoe!”
“Heh, I am Fer. Fer Ryche. Let’s get along, Marius”
“Wh-who wants to get along with you!”
Ah, crap. I don’t even have the energy to shout. With a small sigh, I bite my lips.
“And so, how are you planning to return me… well, I don’t trust you yet though”
“Once we find Naoki-sama. As Cocyto said, they probably fell over there, and fell deeper within. Are you fine? Going deeper, the air will get even thicker”
“…For a Demon to worry about someone else, it’s the first I’ve heard of it”
I thought they were more audacious and acted without care for others. Just like the king of Tirzot Kingdom.
<line>
“Because, I like you”
“Eh…?”
I raised my lowered head.
<line>
“Because watching you is interesting”
Fer flapped his red bat-like wings as he smiled like a child.
The angelic race are upset. Side Vite and Marius
“– Hah! I feel like I just heard Marius’ voice..!!”
<line>
<line>
I shuddered as I looked back. Towards where the event hall was.
Marius had headed there to get a grasp of the situation. Did something happen to him?
Probably noticing the worry in my expression, the captain asked “What’s wrong?”
“…No, it’s like a wild hunch, or something like that. I think Marius is in some serious trouble”
Marius is? He asked, to which I lightly nodded.
Putting that aside, what do you mean wild hunch. I didn’t actually revert back into a dragon did I. It’s a little scary.
<line>
“…Well, he has some complicated circumstances so, it’s not unexpected for him to get caught up in troubling things”
“Complicated circumstances?”
Certainly, he cross-dressed, or that he’s a member of the angelic race, it was a far too complicated life. But I feel like he’s carrying more than that. This is also, just a hunch. But my hunch is often right. There is no loss to worrying.
“Something troubling, could it be…! Because he was such an enviously beautiful girl that he got kidnapped?!”
“Ah… that happened once before. About a year ago. He was abducted by some lustful man”
“Wha, what did you say?! Tell me in detail! Any for real, for it to be a lustful person! I’ll bite him to death—”
At that moment.
When I got all excited and leaned forward.
Psat– A strange feeling enveloped my back.
<line>
<line>
When I fearfully turned to look at my back, I found a pair of white wings growing.
I involuntarily let out a small scream.
Unlike Marius, the winds weren’t glowing mysteriously or divinely. A strong frame and smooth curves drew out dragon wings. They sprouted from my back, as I felt the blood rush out.
“This is”
Somehow I, haven’t I been dragonizing too much? Why would I have dragon wings on a human body.
Does it come out when I get excited? If my emotions keep growing, I’d be a dragon at the end.
――― You’ve got to be kidding!!
AHH, as I was about to shriek while I was worried and at a loss, a change occured in my wings.
The pure white wings, starting from the pointed tips, were gradually dyed black. When it reached the base of the wing, it had a brilliant lustre under the light of the sun.
They were the black wings I almost fell in love with myself.
<line>
<line>
“As I though, black suits you”
“No way, is it Captain-san’s fault!?”
He just profoundly smiled at my question.
<line>
It seems that was exactly the case.
Whether it’s the ‘re’ contract or the ‘new’ contract, being forced to drink blood, as ‘expected’, lead to this.
“I, I don’t want to! I will not return to being a dragon. I want to remain as a human!”
The Captain is just staring blankly.
“Even if the body is different, there was no change to the soul itself. The Black Dragon in the entrance hall, is also one part of you. Vito. So it doesn’t matter what form you take, it won’t change that you are you”
Even so, it’s, terrible.
“I am…. not Vito”
“That’s true. Then, Itoka, let me try to guess, what you are thinking about”
Putting his hand on my cheek as I hung my head down, he smiled gently and kindly as usual.
<line>
“You’re afraid of no longer being a human”
<line>
Afraid. That’s right. Even if I accept my memories as a dragon, I don’t ever want to become a dragon, again.
I’m, a human.
<line>
“But that’s wrong. As long as Itoka believes she is human, then she is a human. If you think you are a dragon, then you’re a dragon. No matter how your existence is defined or classified, your appearance won’t affect that. That’s why if you think you are a human, you are a human”
<line>
In this world, I’m sure it really is like that. It won’t matter whether I am a human or a dragon. I could live however I wanted.
But that’s not what I’m apprehensive about.
The Captain, is speaking on the premise that I remain in this world.
But you see, that sort of logic won’t work in my world. Even if I were to return to being a dragon, I could probably live on in this world. But, I’d just be treated like a monster in my world.
That’s why, I’m scared. Of not being a human. Because I wouldn’t be able to return to my world.
<line>
“Aren’t you just trying to wrap it nicely?”
“Maybe. But you seemed to be looking for an answer, so I am just providing one”
“…”
<line>
… Did you perhaps, say it knowingly?
I look at Captain-san’s complexion. He’s smirking. Almost creepily.
… It can’t be, he really said it knowingly?
I, in order to prevent my from returning to my previous world, he made a contract, to bind me — no, no way. But, I feel as if he said something along the lines of not letting me go.
<line>
I’m scared, I can’t hear.
There’s no way I can hear you!!
Listening to one’s true intentions, listening to one’s true will, that should be my life-or-death or more like life problem!!
This time there might be a working collar on my neck. How frightening!!
<line>
“I, I get it already, it’s fine. Let whatever happens from now on, happen”
<line>
I look away. It might have seemed intentional. Did he notice, no, he definitely did. Captain-san is purposely letting me swim. But even I am not that stupid or ignorant. I’ve gotta regain my calm..
Yup, I’m fine. It’ll be fine if I just think a convenient power has fallen into my hands. Let’s think about it that way.
Now I’ll stop thinking about it. There must be some sort of solution. For example, asking Riya-san, or using Touka’s hero powers to somehow do something. Let’s be optimistic here.
It’s kind of like a insect in the summer flying near fire.
For a while, I probably have to resolve myself to fighting with Captain-san underwater.
<line>
“Do you really not care?”
“Eh? About what? In any case, why did only one side turn black I wonder!”
Was I being to obvious? But if I don’t at least go this far, I won’t be able to change the subject.
Probably finding my reaction interesting, he laughed to himself, turning his gaze to the still white wing and tilted his head in mystery.
“Did you, by any chance, drink someone’s blood?”
“…eh? Ah, now that you mention it, I did drink a little from Marius”
Because I was hungry, I added with a wry smile.
“The colour of the angelic race is white. While Marius blood is in your body, it’ll probably stay like that”
“So it’ll eventually become black”
“As long as you didn’t make a contract with him”
You have the contract with me, too.
Hmm, hold on. A contract, in Marius words, was the vow, wasn’t it.
If I complete the vow while I have Marius’ blood, I’d always be white and black, both types of wings. …which would mean. It would overlap with the contract with Captain-san, and maybe negate each other?
Ooh!! How smart, me!!
<line>
The solution was found much faster than I thought.
<line>
<line>
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<line>
＊＊＊
<line>
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<line>
Side Marius
<line>
After diving into the red magic circle, there was a pitch-black world. You could compare it to the ocean floor, where light could not reach. Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, I couldn’t tell up from down or left from right, and I could only desperately cling to the figure in front of me for dear life.
<line>
The red Demon began to rapidly descend.
<line>
“Eh, wai-, ah, no— kyaaaa!!”
I can’t help but scream?! It’s even scarier than when I fell above Itoka!!
That was because I was just following gravity and fell, but this red Demon is obviously falling on purpose. His flapping red wings are the proof.
<line>
This may be the first time in my life that I’ve screamed till my throat hurt.
After a while whoom, I felt the effects of gravity again, finally having reached the ground.
<line>
“I, I thought I was gonna die…!! Hey! What do you think you’re doing! Return me right now! And more than that, put me down!!”
“Mm, is that, fine? It’s, dangerous”
“It’s fine!! Hurry!!—Wah?!”
The arm wrapped around me pulled away and I was finally released, but I couldn’t put strength into my legs and sat on the ground.
It’s too pathetic, even for me.
The red Demon looked down at me with glee. It looks like he knew that this would happen.
How infuriating!!
“I, said. Warning, you, didn’t listen”
He squat in order to meet my gaze. I thought I’d be pulled up by the arm again, but it went back to the way it was before.
If I was going to get princess carried… I wish it was at least done by Lance-niisama!! In this situation, even Minette would be fine! It’s fine as long as it’s anyone but him!!
But frustratingly, my legs were so weak that much less walk, I can’t even stand. I feel like crying.
<line>
“Where, is this”
“Demon world”
“I know that much. Where in the demon world. It was created together with the heavenly realm right? If this is somewhere near the gate, I might be able to return to the surface world”
“The gate, far. So, created, magic circle”
“As I thought that magic circle was your doing! Because of that, just how many had been sacrificed!!”
“Swear. That, magic circle, activation ah— hard to say, hate”
The red Demon’s face twisted. It may be his individual language issues, but there’s something that’s hard to explain using his stuttering speech. The person himself looks like he’s having trouble sometimes too.
I wonder if all Demons are like this. Us Angels aren’t like that, but, we don’t know much about the nature of Demons. Mother taught me before, ‘Be careful of Demons’, ‘Be especially careful of Nightmare-types’, ‘They, they are a species that care not for the method in order to get the prey they want’, ‘Mother is worried, you see—that they might take advantage of you’, ‘I don’t want you to lose your wings’, said Mother, who seemed lonely due to losing one of her wings as she looked at me.
Mother was, captured by a Nightmare Demon. The white wings are our proof as Angels. And at the same time, white wings are Demons favourites. I have no idea how they steal wings, but the one side dyed-purple wing doesn’t suit Mother. Because of that, she can’t return to the heavenly realm. Because of that, Mother was caught up in the succession for the Tirzot Kingdom. Because of that, Mother— was mentally afflicted.
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“I will definitely, never forgive you”
Just recalling Mother’s sad face overflows me with anger.
Clenching my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my skin, something lightly brushed by. It was the red Demons fingers.
Instinctively brushing them away, the red Demon tilted his head and stared blankly.
“Wha, what. If you want to say something then say it”
“Is. Speaking, difficult. Conveying, impossible, concluded”
“Concluded…?”
“Fine? Say it, I can”
“Say it? You can? You’re saying that you can speak? You? Like a person?”
A light nod.
“How?”
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Fuu, and his face came closer. There was no time to avoid it.
By the time I noticed, his dusky pomegranate eyes were right in front of mine, our foreheads collided, and something hit my lips. Something entered my slightly open lips. It was cool air. It passed through my throat, and blew in as if penetrating straight to my heart.
My eyes would have gone wide with just this.
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“Now it’s fine”
After a while he pulled away, as a smile like a child whose mischief was successful bloomed on his face.
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…That, what, did he do?
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“Oi, what’s up. Angel? …did you die?”
“I didn’t die!! Wai- just, wh-wha-wha-whaa!!?”
I resent from the bottom of my heart that I can’t even move away and just bend back because I’m being held by the Demon.
“Face, red. Interesting”
It’s not fun or interesting for me at all!!
The Demon started gleefully laughing again.
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It was at that time, along with the sound of flapping wings, someone had came down from above.
“Oh my, Fer. Where did you pick up little cutie over there? …Ack, wait. Isn’t it an Angel”
Not to mention the revealing clothes, but also a low voice and tough face with an Okama’s mannerisms. Plus it’s got a skinhead. He licked his lips as if looking at a delectable treat, sending shivers down my body and made my hair stand.
“This isn’t provisions. Besides that Cocyto, did you see any humans?”
“Humans? That’s true, now that you mention it there was something that fell from the sky earlier. It fell over there you know? And pretty deep too”
Looking closely, it was tall. The red Demon was also quite tall, but it was beyond that. It might be even taller than Father.
But, I could tell from the eyes that were the same colour as it wings, that this being, was a Demon.
“…and like, that speech. Fer, when did you take an oath? Aww. If it was like that, you should have said so earlier! What kind of Demon is the other party? Or is it maybe the little cutie from the other day? That child did seem quite zealous about you—?”
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“This person”
The red Demon pointed at me with his chin.
“…you’re lying”
The okama Demon opened wide its small eyes.
“Haa-… to take an oath to an Angel, it’s just like you should I say, well, it looks temporary since it was one-sided, but if you are fine with it then it’s fine isn’t it? Angel-chan, I’m not troubled by this”
An oath? What’s with that. Eh? Eeeehh!?
“It’s not a problem that’s just troubling!! An, an oath, what on earth is that! Demons also had such a ritual!?”
“Oh my, so Angels have it too huh. Well, we were originally born as similar existences, whether it looks like it or not.
I don’t need a flying kiss! More than that, I want an explanation!
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“An, an oath, eh? You did? Eh? Wai, wait, that, what does that”
“Are you confused?”
“Can’t you tell just by looking!”
Well of course, the Demon smiled.
“It’s fine. As long as you don’t vow to me, the ritual will not be completed.
“There’s no way I would!! Absolutely never! I have someone else I have vowed to!!”
“Oh my. You got rejected, Fer. I thought you too had found a partner just like me and darling, even though it was Angel-chan. A forbidden love is so romantic. Especially for us Demons, who like to steal Angels white purity as their guilty pleasure. Oh no!”
The Demon wriggled its body while saying ‘Things are getting interesting!’.
It’s not interesting to me at all, it’s outrageous!
Inferring from the okama Demon’s words, Demons, unlike Angels, have to find specific partners and make an oath with each other and become something like a couple. And as part of the oath, their language ability is improved, I guess. However, but this all I can think about calmly. My head is almost about to blow.
“In, in the first place! Be-between 2 guys!”
“Mm, that doesn’t matter. As long as their feelings are conveyed, their gender doesn’t matter. Anyways, us Nightmares can switch between male and female you know? Thats true, Fer, take on your female form. Didn’t you use that form before. For all you know, it might make the cutie Angel fall for you, you know?”
“So it’s like that?”
“It is like that!”
“Absolutely wrong!! Don’t misunderstand me!”
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“Hey hey, in any case. What are you planning to do with that child?”
“This has nothing to do with you. Don’t unnecessarily poke. Your darling will scold you”
“Ehh but for an Angel to come to the Demon world, how many decades has it been. They are a feast to us. I’m sure, they’ll come in flocks you know? Even if it’s you, what would you do if you were spotted by another Demon while carrying that child? Won’t it be difficult?”
That is true. This is the world of Demons. Will I be able to remain sane in this situation. Thinking of my reality makes my face turn blue. I don’t even have anyone I know that I can rely on here. I’ve got no choice but to make it to the surface world by myself. But, the exception is this red Demon.
“Nghh, even your frightened face… tempts me”
The okama Demon poked its cheek with it’s finger. Seeing the image of it licking already gave me a psychological attack.
—Kyaa. A pervert! There’s a pervert over here!
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“Don’t touch him”
Seeing that I was scared, the red Demon pushed aside the okama Demon’s hand.
“Ehh, don’t be like that. A little, just a little, let me have a taste! I’ll only corrupt him a little! It’d be easier for him to move around the Demon world like that, right?”
“As if I’d let you corrupt me even a little!!”
“That’s right, the one who will make him fall, is me!!”
What the hell is this Demon saying!!
“Why does it become like that!?”
“Oho. Your hands have already reached! If Fer is going that far then it can’t be helped. I’ll give up! I too don’t want to be in your way!”
I even got my tension up! The okama Demon danced a strange dance before flying away.
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“I’ve had, enough… Let me go home”
I don’t want to have to be here for another second. It’s dark, there are weird okama Demons, I still can’t put strength into my legs, even the air here is somewhat stagnant, and every breath is scratchy. It’s also because I was screaming like crazy, but now even my mood is down. I want to breathe air outside.
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“Sorry. Is it difficult? Angel”
He seems to have finally noticed that I was in bad condition. The red Demon peeked at my face. I wonder how blue my face had become, as wrinkles had appeared between the red Demon’s eyebrows.
“It’s obviously tough. For me, the air of the Demon world is like poison. And my name is not Angel, it’s Marius! I have the wonderful name of Marius Dufoe!”
“Heh, I am Fer. Fer Ryche. Let’s get along, Marius”
“Wh-who wants to get along with you!”
Ah, crap. I don’t even have the energy to shout. With a small sigh, I bite my lips.
“And so, how are you planning to return me… well, I don’t trust you yet though”
“Once we find Naoki-sama. As Cocyto said, they probably fell over there, and fell deeper within. Are you fine? Going deeper, the air will get even thicker”
“…For a Demon to worry about someone else, it’s the first I’ve heard of it”
I thought they were more audacious and acted without care for others. Just like the king of Tirzot Kingdom.
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“Because, I like you”
“Eh…?”
I raised my lowered head.
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“Because watching you is interesting”
Fer flapped his red bat-like wings as he smiled like a child.
