The World I Was Supporting Was Real - Chapter 70



70. Predictable yet Dramatic (´｡• ◡ •｡`) ♡

* * *

Starting with a boy who encountered a demon for the first time while going to cut wood – humans and demons began to come into contact here and there in earnest.

“So, you’re saying you want to borrow the farming tools we use?”

“※■▼○◇▲ (͒ ˃꒫˂ )͒”

“That’s not difficult at all.”

“▼○◇ ( ´͈ ᗨ `͈ )◞♡⃛”

“There’s no need to thank me, but we’ve got our own things to do around here. By any chance, could you come over here and lend us a hand?”

“▽▼■＃※● (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و ̑̑ ˂ᵒ͜͡ᵏᵎ⁾✩”

“Great. Just follow me this way. It’ll mean crossing the border a little, but the priests said it’s okay to go back and forth a bit if we have things we need to do together, so don’t worry.”

“※●▼■▼○ ೭੧(❛▿❛✿)੭೨💨”

We exchanged tools and labor, like this.

“This is an edible plant, you know? Did you know that?”

“■▼●※▼○ Σ(・Д・)!?”

“You didn’t. There’s actually a lot you can eat without worrying about poison. You taught me about mushrooms, so in return, shall I tell you about a few?”

“■▼※▼○▼■ (๑╹o╹)✎”

Information exchange, at a simple level, was happening in this way.

It still looked undeniably ferocious, its voice still chillingly gruesome.

Only one thing had changed. ‘What roughly are the Demon’s thoughts?’ That was it.

Yet, simply understanding that much felt like an entire barrier to communication had vanished.

Although its appearance still evoked fear… if that being wasn’t hostile towards me, and in fact sought cooperation, then why should I deliberately reject it?

The reason humans had been hostile towards demons up until now was because the demons, who couldn’t speak the same language and whose thoughts were unknown, were frightening.

Not being able to communicate no matter what you try is something that inevitably breeds a sense of hostility beyond imagination.

On top of that, crucially, the fear that radiated from the demonic energy itself had disappeared, and this was a huge help in communication.

What had replaced the fear was—a subtle sense of vitality, warmth, and comfort.

The desire to talk to it, regardless of appearance, could be largely attributed to the subtle sense of comfort provided by the demonic energy.

Pure, unadulterated mana normalization!

It was divine grace, leading to the successful collaboration between two different races, an unprecedented event in history.

Now, the Demon Lord, no longer needing to hide his existence in the shadows, surveyed the Demon Territory that was taking on a more and more proper shape with each passing day, as he spoke with Balrus.

“Really? Humans aren’t affected by mana?”

“It’s not that they aren’t affected, but rather, the influence of mana itself feels… twisted. They wander across the land so casually, making it reasonable to think that mana is still being emitted… but the humans are interacting with us without any problems. At first, I thought it might just be the goodwill of the humans who believe in their religion, but no matter how I think about it, simply enduring it wouldn’t lead to such widespread interaction. It’s hard to believe.”

The reason for drawing clear borders was partly to express the Demon Race’s intention of “not going beyond this point,” since they were the ones “taking” the human territories to begin with –

But the crucial reason was the fear that, if more humans suffered from the mana, public opinion in the human world would naturally reverse and that calls for collaboration would disappear.

However, those worries were meaningless. The humans and demons began interacting and cooperating as quickly as if they had known each other from the start.

“This is tasty! The humans make some pretty impressive stuff, huh?”

“Don’t just laze around and get to work. If we don’t finish it today, we’ll be sleeping outside again.”

“Take your time. Couldn’t you just go into the dungeon to sleep?”

“No thanks. I’ve woken up too many times from the sound of bugs crawling around.”

Even right now, the drink they were downing while sitting near the construction site was something they’d gotten from the humans.

Given how difficult normal communication was, and considering the interference from the mana, the expectation that bartering would only happen much later had been flipped on its head.

“Any hunches?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Of course, it’s a good thing… but, I honestly feel like asking the Demon Lord what the hell is going on.”

“……”

The flow of mana suddenly shifted.

Based on what Ballus has been saying, humans no longer seem to feel that unpleasant sensation from mana.

Rather, it seems they feel comfortable, and there are even cases where they stay near demons for a long time, talking or resting.

Adults aside, even the children, who are the most honest of all, were scared at first, but after a little bit of getting used to it, they spent time with demons without any hesitation, so it’s practically a given that mana has changed.

I don’t know the exact reason why-

But if mana really has changed, then the only one person—no, the only being capable of such a thing was one being alone.

‘…God?’

The one and only God, Iguoguo.

If he had the power to turn my horrible form into a human girl, then changing the nature of mana wouldn’t be that difficult for him.

No matter how much I think about it, I can’t explain this situation except by assuming that God intervened.

But, if that’s the case, then I can’t help but ask another question.

‘Why the hell?’

Why is the god of humans looking out for us demons to this extent?

What reason could there possibly be to embrace us, creatures who are practically enemies of humankind?

Is all of this, just a ‘matter-of-fact’ thing from God?

“It seems…it must be a god.”

“If it’s a god, are you referring to Igeogwon, the humans’ god who’s said to have changed even the Demon King?”

“Indeed. If not for a god, would such impossible things have occurred? I heard from the Emperor during our meeting that their god gifts humans with various miracles, changing the world for the better. From a god’s perspective, if their beloved humans were to wage war against us demonkin, many would surely die. So, wouldn’t they intervene as much as possible to favor humans…? That’s what this body believes.”

“A god…For 120 years, I’ve lived seeking ways to extend my life through demonic energy, but not once have I believed in a metaphysical being called ‘god.’ However…”

Balarus looked ahead with the Demon King, then bowed his head.

The exceptionally voluminous cleavage of a human female rushed into his sight.

“I never imagined…that I myself would become one of the strongest proofs that God exists.”

Even though the shocking event of him becoming human had occurred, no being capable of thought could possibly deny the existence of a god.

“How are you, Balarus? Have you adapted to the human body?”

“Honestly, it’s uncomfortable in many ways. It’s soft, weak, and I worry I’ll crumple if I get hit just once… but still, I’ve become more at ease since my burning desire for revenge against humans seems to have faded. After all, revenge ultimately gnaws fiercely at oneself.”

“Now that I think about it, I must ask. What’s that you have stuck in your hair?”

“Ah, this?”

Balarus touched the flower-like thing stuck in his hair, and smiled shyly, embarrassed.

“Actually, I ran into a human boy myself, while wandering near the border.”

“You met a human boy?”

Balrus, due to the Demon King’s influence, was the unique existence who could become human and communicate without issue with both demons and humans.

From the boy’s perspective, it probably didn’t feel different from meeting any other human.

Unlike the Demon King with his prominent horns, Balrus had no visible demonic features.

“Yes. He said, ‘You’re pretty, so I’ll give you a flower, noona.’”

“Ho ho. To give a flower to a high-ranking demon 120 years old without a shred of fear, he’s a boy of exceptional mettle.”

“Ahaha… I suppose so.”

“I saw you teaching the demons who were recently born not long ago. I know you never acted like that usually.”

“That’s right. Even before the Demon King’s descent, there were far more demons who were wary of my very existence. Because I survived alone amidst countless individuals dying. It wasn’t rejection, and certainly many followed and respected me… but there were just as many of my kind who were afraid. I, too, never even glanced at a demon who wasn’t long born. I thought there was no point in talking to them unless they survived for a certain period and proved their strength.”

“But becoming human…for some reason, I became curious about whether they’d grow well. The young demons also followed me well without being afraid.”

*It’s a good thing,* Balrus smiled, looking exactly like a newlywed bride.

Her eyes, hidden behind her purple bangs, formed an arc, making for a very attractive smile.

“In any case, it’s truly an unbelievable sight. To see our kind wandering outside the dungeon so freely. No memory of the previous Demon King contains such a peaceful scene.”

“I also never imagined I’d reach this kind of ending. I’d only lived dreaming of a future where I survived until the Demon King descended and fought humans who oppressed our kind. Thanks to the Demon King, we’ve gained sunlight without shedding any blood. Thank you.”

‘Because of me…’

Having finished her conversation with Balrus, the Demon Lord turned her gaze from him and closed her eyes.

If it was thanks to anyone, it wouldn’t be her, but the savior that humans so devoutly followed.

She quietly brought her hands together. It was a clumsy imitation of the way Saint Erin would pray to God.

Having never prayed in her life, and as the sovereign of the demons who believed that no one stood above her, this was her first grand step into faith.

‘To the One God, Igwogweodon, I, representing the demons, declare this. If you had not watched over us, the history of bloodshed would have repeated itself once more. For lending us your power, and even for giving me this chance… I offer my sincere gratitude.’

‘From this day forward, we demons shall follow you, Igwogweodon. Even if your decisions were made for the sake of the humans, we too have been able to regain the light of day thanks to you. You have accomplished what no demon lord ever could.’

‘Therefore, I humbly request… that you continue to deliver to us all the cold hard facts.’

Though it was, without a doubt, a little rude and mischievous for what was supposed to be a prayer to God—

It was a profoundly meaningful moment, that finally, after the humans, the demons, and even the apex of all demons, bowed their heads to a god.

* * *

It was common to easily say, ‘Happy endings are boring, I hate them.’

I, too, was like that.

As a child, after reading fairytale-like happy endings, I thought to myself, now that I’m older, ‘These kinds of endings are dull and pathetic. Isn’t there some manga or novel with a bleak, apocalyptic ending?’ And I went around looking for that.

But then I grew up, went to the military, started working, and became burnt out by company life— my tired mind began to long for the happy endings that I used to eagerly cherish, back when I would spin my indoor shoes bag without a care in the world.

Okay.

Like right now, this utterly unrealistic, picture-perfect ending where no one bleeds, and problems are solved through communication.

That must be proof I’ve grown up, too.

“Sniff….”

*Sniff!*

So, me crying isn’t exactly some strange thing.

Just like before, it’s just another bit of proof that I’m an adult.

Actually, come to think of it, wasn’t the kid who used to mash the phone buttons trying to get a happy ending too?

Even if my desire for the main character to overcome their trials was crushed by the phone bill bomb… Still, as an adult now.

I’ve managed to create a predictable, yet dramatic, happy ending in a single world.

[Yiguo Guodun: Glad it worked out…]

[Yiguo Guodun: Somehow, it seems like the Magie normalization issue was also resolved without breaking the world’s rules]

[Yiguo Guodun: And more importantly, the emotes are so cute lolololol this episode was also fun (´｡• ◡ •｡`) ♡]

[GiveMeMoney: Thank you]

[GiveMeMoney: I can only hope that the heart of God, reaching even non-human demons, has reached them as well]

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: Well, no need to particularly believe in me]

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: As long as I don’t pointlessly fight with humans anymore, I’m satisfied with that]

I mean, I’m not really a god or anything, just a reader watching a comic. Why would I have any reason to spread faith?

I just need to see an ending that I like. That’s all.

*Sniff*, I wiped away my tears and the author sent me a message first.

[GiveMeMoney: That being said, how should we use the remaining ‘divine power’?]

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: Huh? Power left?]

[GiveMeMoney: Yes. We have a whole 7,000 won’s worth of power left]

Ah, that.

The change was so pathetic that I just gave it to match, but it seems the author desperately wants to do something worth 80,000 won.

7,000 won is not even enough to get a chicken these days, so it’s a little bit… Well, I guess I’ll just say something appropriate, without much thought—

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: The remaining power]

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: We gave it to Erin last time, so give it to Eirene this time]

[Lee Gwo-gwo-don: It’s for seeing Mama Eirene lololol]

And.

The reply came, sharp as a knife, just like always.

[GiveMeMoney: Understood]

[GiveMeMoney: All things according to God’s will]