Chapter 143

“To put it simply, it’s a story related to the myths of this world.”

In ancient times, those who inherited the blood of the Demons that descended from the sky established a nation on this land.

They built a giant nation that thrived on magic power, but that nation nearly faced destruction because of it.

The Demons, whom they regarded as gods, were actually beings that sowed magic power only to take it back.

This was the very reason the current Beastmen chose to follow strength.

“Magic is indeed useful.”

This civilization was constructed upon the magic drawn from that power. Unlike human civilization, which developed completely without the presence of magic for a long time, they had established an independent civilization long ago that endured through the ages for this very reason.

“However, while magic and the power it grants can be considered neutral, there are those who crave it.”

“Yes, I know. I’ve seen it a few times myself.”

I recalled my visits to the Dwarf Kingdom and the Vatican when I answered.

In both those worlds, the Demons were indeed ‘sowing’ their power. The Gnomes, too, were fated for destruction, while the Dwarves faced an even more certain path to extinction—until I intervened, that is.

Perhaps, this world could also be on the same path.

“So, we have been resisting magic power with the power of light. We only keep what is truly necessary and consistently purify the overly contaminated grounds.”

A white sand desert.

This was the desert where this civilization was established.

…In areas that have been contaminated by magic for a long time, this was the color they took on. Of course, here, near the river, some wetlands had formed, allowing for the foundation of civilization.

‘The power of light’ must refer to Saint Power.

I pondered while gazing at the light that gently shone down on me from above.

“…But, you mentioned there are those who inherit the blood of Demons.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

The Maid nodded her head.

They are of the Royal Family of this land.

This civilization already knows that if magic power becomes too strong, it will ultimately lead to ruin. However, it’s impossible to completely dismantle a civilization built on a foundation of magic and start over.

Just like how, even knowing that modern civilization might collapse due to environmental destruction before magic was discovered, they couldn’t stop development.

But the arrival of the Demons is far more visible than environmental destruction. Having already tasted the limit of world destruction, this civilization established one rule.

“…Are you saying you will create a single family that maintains powerful magic power?”

“And manage that family to prevent crossing the line.”

The Royal Family was the backbone of civilization.

Noble families, which gradually received blood from the Royal Family, became the pillars supporting civilization. They construct grand buildings and create the mechanical devices necessary for development. The young nobles then marry into lower noble families, further spreading the magic power.

Those marriages are calculated. They are rigorously designed to prevent excessive magic power from arising. To keep the Demons’ arrival at bay.

That is why there are no slave classes in this civilization. Those without any magic power may seem to form the very bottom of society, but in reality, they had to be able to marry into noble families at any time. They needed to dilute the bloodline.

“But, the one family that should not diminish in magic power is…?”

“Yes. The Royal Family, the great trunk of all those branches, must continue to mix their bloodline to maintain their power.”

Of course, excessive inbreeding is lethal to survival. They mix blood with distant relatives of noble blood and sometimes even bring in those with no blood connection at all.

In this society, bloodlines are an extremely carefully designed system, except for those at the very bottom with no power at all.

And because of this, while marriage is enforced and having offspring is mandatory, they don’t interfere with relationships before marriage. They don’t overly focus on purity. Excessive oppression could lead to an explosion in the wrong direction.

But once they’ve enjoyed everything and married…

“…”

After hearing the entire story, Ria and I could only sit there with complex expressions, stunned.

“However, sometimes, the management fails.”

The Maid said, looking as if she might cry.

“It’s okay if someone is born with a bit of a deficiency in magic. That existing presence can’t harm society. But…”

If someone is born with too much magic—

“…What happens?”

“They are executed.”

The Maid spoke, far more calmly than when she was on the verge of tears. She merely stated a fact.

“At the altar, they are offered to the gods. That magic must, by all means, be purified.”

I closed my eyes.

Thud.

I heard something fall.

“…”

When I opened my eyes again, the Maid was kneeling before me.

“Please, please… save the Princess. Whatever you ask, I will do everything in my power to help.”

The Maid raised her head again, her face wet with tears.

“Delaying is now out of the question. By the time the King and the Princess are to marry, that power will undoubtedly be revealed. Moreover…”

The Maid fell silent, her face showing a hint of fear.

“Moreover?”

Ria, listening nearby, asked.

“…”

The Maid silently looked up at me.

“The Saintess, after all, has repelled the Demons several times, hasn’t she?”

“…That’s right. If the being you’re referring to and the being I have in mind are the same…”

“Then, please. Please… can you expel the Demon that dwells within the Princess?”

The Maid crawled towards me on her knees.

I unconsciously stood up and stumbled back, but the Maid reached out and grabbed my foot.

“Please, please…”

With her forehead pressed against my foot, the Maid muttered as if praying.

I looked at Ria.

Ria was gazing down at the Maid with a slightly dazed expression.

“…”

I silently bent down.

And placed my hand on the Maid’s shoulder.

“I will do what I can.”

“…Thank you…”

The Maid replied in a voice soaked with tears.

*

“Is it true that a Demon resides within the Princess?”

After sending the Maid away, Ria asked me.

“You’ve already purified the Princess’s body several times. And not just feebly; you’ve done your best without straining her body. Yet the Princess showed no particular reaction.”

“…They said her body produces magic power.”

I murmured while deep in thought.

“Humans can produce magic power too.”

“But it’s weak. Outside of the world connected by the Gate, perhaps wizards in Earth couldn’t even use magic.”

Because this world could connect to the Gate, the wizards of Earth could be wizards. In the first place, the concept of fantasy existed only in imagination.

“On the other hand, Beastmen… inherited descendants of the Beastmen who accepted the Demons seem to achieve more than that.”

Just like how Dwarves can store external magic in their bodies, Beastmen probably have similar powers.

But fundamentally, they have limitations. They intentionally diluted their powers by mixing blood.

“…”

“Hey, don’t.”

“…I haven’t said anything yet?”

“Have I not been around you for a day or two? I can see exactly what you’re thinking. You seriously can’t act at all.”

“…Then should I at least hear what you’re plotting?”

“You don’t plan to unleash the Princess, do you? So you can figure out what’s inside her?”

“…”

“You’re putting yourself in danger.”

“So far, I’m okay.”

“No, not at all. The wounds on your hands are growing larger every time you exert yourself that much.”

Ria glared at me as she spoke.

“Besides, until now, the Demons haven’t truly revealed themselves.”

“I don’t think the Princess will turn into a Demon just by revealing her magic power.”

That she hasn’t lost control yet means she can still control her powers, right?

Even if the situation drastically worsens, it’d probably just involve the Demons manifesting through her body. Not the Demons themselves descending.

…

Of course, how the Princess would turn out in that situation remains uncertain.

Just as I can’t foresee what might happen if a god were to dwell in my body.

The Demons had tried to woo me every time I entered that power. Each time I resisted, my hands burned as if on fire, and I bled just from that Saint Power.

If my body, created solely for that purpose, suffered that much, how much could the Princess endure?

“…”

Ria glared at me, lost in my thoughts.

“You’re going to do it anyway, no matter what I say, aren’t you?”

Strongly.

“Ria.”

Ria stepped closer as she spoke.

Perhaps it was because of our height difference; Ria looking down at me bore a certain intimidation.

“And ultimately, it’s me who decides whether you’re in danger or not. As your knight, at least your only knight you’ve acknowledged, I oppose that opinion, regardless of what you say.”

“But this world—”

“…Regardless of the world or the Princess, your life holds no less value to me.”

Something felt odd.

Surely, I should feel angry upon hearing those words. I should express my rejection.

Yet, somehow, I felt joy deep inside my heart.

My heart raced.

In Ria’s eyes, looking down at me, I felt a sinister thrill of some kind.

It was an emotion that surely could not be deemed good.

“…”

But emotion is merely emotion.

How Ria thinks of me is not how I desire her to.

I bit my lip.

And spoke to Ria.

“…Ria, may I ask a favor?”

Ultimately, this was an act of passing my feelings onto Ria.

I wasn’t sure myself.

My beliefs don’t change. Just as in my past life, it was hard to let go of the thought of helping others until the very end.

But there’s someone who desperately wishes for me to live.

Even if that wish isn’t how I desire, shouldn’t I comply with that thought?

Light.

The light that I always feel whenever I fall into deep contemplation shone upon my face.

This light always tells me.

That it’s still okay.

If I say I don’t want to, despite why I came here— then that would just be unavoidable.

If only I could believe that it was truly a divine revelation, it would have been so convenient. I could have entrusted everything to that voice and thought I did enough, fleeing from it all.

But since I couldn’t, surely this is why I’m here.

“…”

“Ria.”

Even as I spoke those words, it felt like my heart was tightening.

Ria is kind.

Kind enough that she can’t bear to give up on me as a friend. Kind enough to risk her life to protect me.

How I wish I hadn’t grown so close to her.

How I wish I were someone who didn’t matter at all to Ria.

—No.

How I wish I had thought of Ria as someone insignificant.

How I wish I could burn away all my worries, without a care for the one left behind.

Ria looked at me pleadingly.

I don’t even know what I’m really asking for. Am I asking for permission to be that way? To stay by my side? Either way, it’s incredibly immoral.

To save someone, am I really thinking of jumping into a cauldron with my close friend?

Then why not just say something harsh and cut her off?

I— couldn’t even say that.

That realization terrified me. The thought of our relationship breaking and becoming irretrievable scared me.

I was just a coward who couldn’t take a single step back or forward.

Ria frowned, then suddenly waved her hand in front of my face. An action akin to slapping me.

I instinctively flinched and shivered, but her hand never touched me.

Ria’s hand merely dispersed the light before me.

“…Fine.”

Ria growled.

“Let’s see just how far we can go.”

And hearing the growl made me feel a sense of relief.

Seriously, is this what a Saintess is like?

I thought, that just couldn’t be.