The World I Was Supporting Was Real - Chapter 66



66. Unwavering, Simply

* * *

Rewinding time a bit, to the Igguogudeon Imperial City.

“The Demon Lord is in the form of a young girl?”

“It appears that way, Your Majesty.”

To Baron Lohengrin’s report, a leading figure among the trusted vassals of the Qin Gudeon Order, Eirene tilted her head, puzzled.

“That’s certainly strange. As far as I know, the Demon Lord was said to be so ferocious in appearance that one couldn’t even meet his gaze.”

“I’ve been thinking… Could this perhaps be the result of the ‘unadulterated fact’ that Saint Erin spoke of?”

The Demon Lord has appeared as a human, and all of this is the will of the god Igguogudeon—

That’s what she was told by the saint.

“Understood. I thank you for the report. You’ve worked hard.”

“It was nothing. May the god’s unadulterated fact be with Your Majesty.”

Eirene watched Baron Lohengrin disappear, her thoughts drifting to a cherished moment she could never forget.

‘Master….’

Yes.

My one and only first love, this—there must be a perfectly good reason in what Lord Yiguoguo intended.

That the Demon King has taken the form of a small child this time, too, surely there’s a fitting reason only God knows.

I don’t know exactly what it is yet—but that doesn’t change what needs to be done.

Following God’s will, what else is there to do?

And, the next day.

“You’re asking for a conversation with me…?”

“Yes. The people’s reaction to your speech today wasn’t bad. Since a favorable public opinion is forming, I thought it would be best to quickly do what needs doing. I’m sure that’s what God would want as well.”

The proposal that Erin brought to him—a meeting with the demon representative, the Demon King.

After hearing the details, it seemed as though God, with a heart as vast as the sea, had even shown compassion upon the demons.

“God wants it… then all of this is…?”

“It is God’s will, Your Majesty.”

For an imperial human to have a meeting with a demon, in a way, it was an unprecedented event—

But for Airen, already completely enamored with God, the standard of judgment was the same as Erin’s: Lord Yiguoguo’s intention.

“I understand. I will prepare for the meeting immediately.”

After sending Erin away like that—

Eirene fell silent, lost in thought.

‘The Saint said all of this is the will of Igwogwodun.’

‘Then, even my meeting the Demon King as Emperor, is that broadly, all Igwogwodun’s will?’

‘What does God expect from my encounter with the Demon King?’

If I think simply, ‘harmony with the demons’ would be it.

Indeed, humans had been ravaged by wars with demons every time a Saint appeared.

Thinking about the Demon King’s speech that Erin had relayed, the Demon King also seemed to want to end the war with humans and was requesting something.

However.

Then there was no need for the Demon King to take the form of a little girl.

Eirene thought that even if the Demon King looked horribly fearsome, if it was Igwogwodun’s will to harmonize with the Demon King, she would willingly suppress her instincts and engage in conversation.

Each of God’s judgments has an absolute reason. Surely there must be a reason, right?

And—

Eirene’s thoughts, took off in an entirely unexpected direction.

‘Could it be… that God is testing me?’

Even now, if she closed her eyes, a vivid scene appeared.

The morning sun was warm, and the breeze was a pleasant caress.

Under the large tree next to the Saint Eigerdon Monastery, I was helping Lord Igwogweodon distribute food to the poor.

Kind Lord Igwogweodon, he always greeted the children with a smile like starlight.

It was only natural. Lord Igwogweodon was one who loved the weak—the kind of being who could, in the future, become a truly wonderful father.

It was a slightly audacious thought, one you’d never have if you only saw Igwogweodon as ‘god’ –

Eirene was a woman who loved God as a man. In the first place, the first man she ever learned about was God.

So, naturally, ‘that thought’ could reach her.

‘Are you trying to see if I’m worthy… worthy to bear the child of God… of Lord Igwogweodon…!’

Just recently, she had begged Lord Igwogweodon with all her heart, hadn’t she?

To ‘take her first’.

He often appeared in her dreams after that, but contrary to Eirene’s desperate wish, Lord Igwogweodon never crossed the line.

‘Because he hasn’t yet confirmed whether I can be a good woman as a mother!’

From noble mtl dot com

Eirene had three children.

First Princess Yuria, Second Princess Linea, and Third Prince Ares.

However, all three were children of her older sister, the late Queen Aisha von Einsberg, and Eirene, rather than nurturing the young ones as a mother, had treated them as heirs of the empire.

Of course, with just this, it was inevitable that Lord Igwogweodon wouldn’t be able to be certain.

Taking the first time, that also meant leaving a seed behind.

And that seed was of the sole god, Lord Igwogweodon, not some ordinary being!

Before being chosen by a god, having to go through rigorous judging was logically not contradictory at all, wouldn’t it be only natural?

Thinking that far, surprisingly, the complex thoughts in my head felt clear.

Ah, Lord Igwogweodon…!

You’re giving me a chance, aren’t you!

You’re…checking to see if I’m a woman who’s ‘ripe’ enough to serve Master, right?

And, if I pass this test.

Just as the god had said – that day we promised to meet again, you’ll meet me then…!

“……!!!”

Eirene, flustered, with a face flushed crimson, sat on the imperial throne, her feet tapping impatiently, unsuitable for her age.

If someone had seen, the emperor’s dignity would have vanished like the wind, it was truly fortunate that no one was present.

‘I’ll…show you.’

How much love I’m capable of showing Igwogweodon’s child.

As a benevolent woman, could I truly raise him worthy of being a child of God…?

And—

* * *

“Now, Demon Lord. Come this way. The more important the discussion, the better it is to share it with a relaxed body and mind.”

—The result of the rampage, was this.

The image of a kind and gentle mother, wearing an apron and holding a rattle, going babubabu!

“No, this body is…”

“There’s no need to refuse. I am prepared…!”

The Demon Lord couldn’t understand Eirene, who was speaking with wide, round eyes as if she was a little embarrassed herself—

But, it was only then that he seemed to understand one thing.

“Okay, okay. Here. I’ll lift you up. Demon Lord, can you stand next to me?”

“Hey. You’re still a baby. And you, being an adult, acting so immature… Just do as they say.”

“It’s so lovely to see you working hard, even as a child.”

“Demon Lord. Be good. I’ll buy you some sweets, so don’t cry.”

“Oh my. Demon Lord. What’s wrong? Do you need to pee?”

The blatant way humans treat me like a child.

And now, the Emperor, at this very meeting place, treating me like a child he clearly needs to protect.

—Surprisingly.

Only now, do I realize I’m not even remotely bothered.

If I were my usual Demon Lord self, I might have thought this treatment was meant to belittle and mock me, seeing me as weak—

But for some reason, I don’t feel any resentment at all.

No, quite the opposite. Rather… I had this intense urge to just lie down on Eirene’s lap and freely spill my innermost thoughts.

‘Why… why am I like this…?’

The Demon Lord, failing to realize this was part of a ‘communication aid,’ hesitated until the very end, thinking even a lap pillow was going too far—

“Go ahead. Tell me what you desire, Demon Lord. I, the Emperor, shall grant it all…”

—Jingle, jingle.

Because of Eirene’s sweet voice and the terribly intriguing sound coming from what she held—

“…Ahem. W-well, then… excuse me.”

The Demon Lord plunged his body headfirst into the sea of instinct.

And so, the Demon Lord’s round head rested upon Eirene’s plump thighs.

“Um… aren’t your, uh, horns a bit uncomfortable? I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s okay. Like this, here. If you’d lie down this way…”

“Like this, you mean?”

“Yes, perfect! You did great!”

Eirene said, brushing aside the demon lord’s sun-kissed pink hair.

The demon lord didn’t refuse the emperor’s touch.

Even though, the posture was a little strange.

This was a truly historical moment where humans and demons, hand in hand, were moving down a path no one had ever dared to take.

“Demon Lord. I heard about your speech from a few days ago. It must have been hard being amongst the humans; you must have suffered a lot.”

“No, it was fine. They were all quite kind. Of course, some seemed utterly unable to accept my proposal… but the other humans around them took my side.”

“Everyone understands your sincerity, Demon Lord.”

“Is that so… then I suppose I would be pleased.”

“I’m sure they are, Demon Lord.”

It was a strange feeling.

Lying with his head on Eirene’s lap, simply feeling the warmth of her touch and listening to her voice…

Why is it… why does it feel like I’m about to cry?

Where does this yearning, this rootless longing, come from?

“You need territory where you can bask in the sunlight, is that it?”

“Indeed. Please, grant our demon race a portion of land. If you do, we demons will also strive to do whatever we can to help you humans. The specifics—”

“You don’t need to say more. I will do as you ask. I’ll issue a decree immediately, placing a defined section of territory near the dungeon under your Lordship’s jurisdiction.”

“……!!!”

The Demon Lord’s pupils, which had been calmly accepting my touch, widened in an instant.

No… did they understand so easily?

“Is there… nothing you wish for?”

“Of course not. After all, isn’t this the will of the gods?”

“……!!!”

The will of the gods.

The fact that I am like this is also the will of the gods.

That humans accept me without repulsion is also the will of the gods…

Then, is it right for me to seize this opportunity for the sake of the demon race, without hesitation?

“……Emperor.”

The Demon Lord.

“Speak, Demon Lord.”

He chooses a path that requires a little more, deliberation.

“My kin… emit something called magic energy.”

“It’s a force that, for many humans, is deeply unpleasant. Though it doesn’t harm your bodies or anything… just the intense feeling of it provokes repulsion, but for us, it’s a vital… force for survival.”

The memories of the previous Demon Lords flashed before the current Demon Lord’s eyes like a panorama.

In those memories, the expressions on human faces held only two emotions.

Disgust, and fear.

The demons, my family, were beings humans couldn’t even stand to be near. Communication was impossible.

That’s why they had no choice but to fight. There was no way to overcome the primal revulsion – that was the conclusion of the previous Demon Lords.

“This body of mine is in human form, so I was able to approach you easily… but my kin are not like that. By your standards, they are hideous, gruesome, frightening, monstrous beings, incapable of speech.”

“Even if you say so now, once we come out to live, once our territory expands, and more humans feel the magic energy… perhaps, you may come to regret this decision.”

Why was it?

The Demon Lord—why am I, coming here to negotiate, uttering these weak words?

I’d sworn I’d *never* let myself be seen as easy, so why am I spilling my guts to a human I’ve just met…?

“So… if there’s something you want, it’d be better to say it now. Perhaps it’s alright for you, following a god, but from the perspective of other humans…”

“If there’s nothing we can help you with… eventually you’ll inevitably grow tired of our existence.”

Eirene listened silently to the Demon King until he finished speaking.

Then, she stopped stroking his hair and looked down into the king’s pink eyes—

“The demon race needs sunlight, right?”

“…That’s correct.”

“If you don’t have sunlight, you can’t live out your lifespan and will eventually die, right?”

“You speak truly.”

“It’s true that when different beings live together, all sorts of problems can arise. There might be a lot of unpleasant things. But, as the emperor of the empire. As a representative of humankind, I can tell you one thing for sure.”

“If this concession means that many lives can be saved—”

—Even if a different human was the emperor instead of me, they would have said the same thing.

“!!!”

Even if it had been someone else, they would have done the same thing…

Ironically, at that moment, in the eyes of the Demon King—there was Eirene, in front of him, saying the same thing a god would say.

She felt like a woman of the gods.

“So, please, believe in us humans. There’s definitely something you can understand just by believing.”

‘Belief…’

Ah, I see.

This is the will of the gods.

This, this is the ‘plain fact’ that humans have so stubbornly insisted on…

Tears flowed naturally from the Demon Lord’s eyes, finally understanding it in his heart.

Eirene, seeing the Demon Lord like that, burst into a wide smile.

Her bashful grin held no trace of imperial dignity… but it was brimming with love.

The sunlight that the demonkin so yearned for was sparkling, illuminating Eirene’s pure white face.

“Let’s end this history of blood together, and let’s get along well, Demon Lord.”

“…Yeah.”

—Even a conflict that had lasted for hundreds of years, ultimately, was resolved so simply.

Without the love of the gods, the story might have been different. They might have still been in conflict, just repeating history over and over.

But, in a world where the love of the gods exists, because the words of the gods are absolute—

If the gods say, “It’ll resolve in simplicity,” then it inevitably *has* to be that way.

If the gods say, “Add something that helps communication,” then naturally, the Demon Lord’s bearing and mindset also shift.

That small change of heart, that it’s okay to treat me however they want, can sometimes become the key to moving forward—that too, is like the will of the gods.

This is the power of the gods.

A magical force that accomplishes anything.

And that magical force, as much as he desires, completely freely.

The one and only God Iggu-Goden, who could wield it violently if he so chose—

—with that ability, he consistently, was only engaging in love.