(POV - Daniel)
I arrive at the lake beside the village, a kilometer away. Far from everyone. The perfect place to live.
I can rest a bit while I wait for my mother.
"This could be a good spot to sleep. Retiers!"
I remove a large amount of earth, enough for a one-story house. I can create smartphones… I should try… A simple house… Come on, magic, I know you can do it.
"Come on, work, work."
I touch the ground with the palm of my right hand.
"Create!"
The earth starts glowing and… I transform it into a wooden house! Simply incredible! I really have immense magical power.
Fufu. This made things so much easier.
"Awesome, I built a house!"
I remove some more earth and make furniture.
…
…
…
Half an hour later, I'm done.
I managed to make a simple bathroom, but it's way better than the bathrooms in this world. I finished the whole house, with furniture and clothes included. Now it really looks like a proper house.
I'm very satisfied with the result.
"I finished my new house!"
"Incredible!"
"Huh?"
That voice…
I turn and see Meibis behind a tree.
Oh, an adorable stalker… I like that cliché. I hope she's shy.
Ugh, I was so distracted I didn't notice her presence. I need to work on that. It could hurt me in the future.
"Hey, Meibis."
Meibis hides.
… She needs this house more than I do; she probably doesn't have a home.
"You live on the streets, don't you?"
Meibis comes out, embarrassed.
"Yes, Daniel."
"Wow, I see. You can keep it; I'll make another one."
"Huh?! Really?!"
Her eyes sparkle at my words. So cute.
"Yeah, don't worry."
"Thank you!"
The demi-human approaches and hugs me, crying.
"I've been sleeping on the streets for a year… Thank you for the house!"
A whole year… Damn. That must've been rough.
"You don't hate me? I don't disgust you?"
"I used to hate humans, but now I realize there are good humans too."
"Thanks for not judging me by my race. Well… I guess you'll be my neighbor. I'll build another house… Want me to explain how the bathroom works?"
"Huh?"
•
•
After explaining how to use the bathroom to Meibis and building my house, I can finally rest.
"Done."
I step out of my house, which is identical to the other one, and see Meibis.
I was too lazy to design it differently.
"You finished already?"
"Yeah, though I didn't have time to make the bathroom better."
"I-I have a question. What are you doing in this country?"
"I'm here to stop the fight between humans and demi-humans."
"Stop the fight? I heard they're planning an attack against the humans, but I didn't think it was true."
… The demi-humans are planning an attack against the humans too? Arghhh! Damn it, that complicates things! Why are the beings in this world so savage?! Why can't they live in peace and forget about violence?!
"Ugh… That's why I need to destroy certain rocks… Though I don't know where they are."
"Rocks? I've heard of them, but I don't know where they are. I thought the humans had the rocks."
Great, humans think the demi-humans have the rocks, and demi-humans think humans have them. Thanks for making my job easier! Arghhh! I don't understand anything anymore!
"Can you tell me what you know about the rocks?"
"I only know there are five rocks, that's all."
"I guess they're top secret… It'll be tough work. See you."
I walk away from her.
"Where are you going?"
"To the guild to get some food."
I need to eat to calm down and think things through.
"Can I come with you?"
"Sure."
The rocks, demons, my mother, a potential future war… Ugh, God, why does World 1 have to be so annoying?
•
•
We arrive at the guild and sit at a table. Alright, some delicious food will make me feel better.
"Excuse me, could you bring us some food? Please."
The waitress looks at me and ignores me… She… ignored me.
H-hey, hey, hey! I defeated a demon, saved a village! Why won't you serve me?!
"Waitress?"
The waitress walks away from us.
Discrimination… I killed a dangerous demon, but they still hate me.
"Well… I guess I'll have to get food somewhere else."
"Let's go."
We leave the guild and see Rocco. I guess he saw us go in; he was about to enter the guild.
"Oh, Daniel, where are you going?"
"I wanted to eat something, but I guess I'm not welcome here."
"There's a restaurant nearby; let's go."
"I doubt they'll serve me."
"If you come with me, they'll serve you. I'll make sure of it."
"Thanks a lot."
"And why's she with you?"
"She wants to eat too."
"Alright, let's go."
We start walking, and my phone rings. I hope it's not bad news.
Please, God. Please.
Please, please, please, let it not be bad news.
I'm begging you, I can't handle another bad news. Please, have mercy.
"Wait."
I pull out my phone. It's Rem.
I answer.
"What's up, Rem?"
"Dani, I miss you!"
… I worried for nothing? Ugh, at least it's not bad news.
"Sorry, I was going to come back in a week, but I guess I had no choice."
"Your grandma won't tell us why she made you leave. Tell me!"
Tell you? You're demanding I tell you? Who do you think you are? You're just a guest living with us while you adjust to the world again. You're not my girlfriend, not my friend, not even my companion. You're just a guest, don't forget that…
… Did I really just think something that rude? Rem is my friend… but she's still just a guest in my house.
You have no right to demand anything from me.
"Sorry. I don't know if I should tell you… It's something confusing and painful for me… I'm sorry, I can't tell you."
"Alright. We'll come to you in a week."
"No, you won't. When I got here, they greeted me with shouts and threats."
"Are you okay?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Now they just look at me with hatred, but they don't try anything. Listen, when I think it's safe, I'll come get you."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
"Bye."
"Bye, Dani."
I hang up and pocket my phone.
"What's that?" Rocco says.
"It's a phone; it lets you talk to people far away."
I pull out my phone and explain how it works.
Blah, blah, blah… Ugh. I'm tired.
Tired of everything in general.
I want to relax. Sleep… I want… I want to calm down.
"Humans really invented something like that?"
"Well, actually, my companions and I are the only ones with phones; I'm the only one who can make them."
"Could you make me one? Please."
"M-me too, please. It looks really interesting."
"Sure, after we eat… No, there's dirt here, wait."
It's simple, after all.
I make each of them a phone and explain how to use them.
Blah, blah, blah again.
Having a demi-human contact to keep me updated on this country is a good idea.
•
•
We enter a restaurant, and a waitress who looks like a dog—white furry body, dog ears, tail, and nose—welcomes us.
… She's weird… But also adorable.
"Welcome, Rocco."
She looks at me with disgust… I disgust everyone in this place… That makes me feel bad, worse than I already do.
I want to go home. I need to see my grandma.
"Ugh, a human! Get out!"
"Short."
I tried to make a joke to feel better.
It didn't work.
"Calm down, he's with me."
"Sorry, he can't be here; he has to leave."
I lower my head and walk away from them slowly.
I'm tired of all this. Done.
Damn ungrateful jerks. After everything I did. After showing them my good faith. My good intentions. My manners. My kindness. I defeated a demon without preparation just to win them over! I risked my life for you! And this is how you repay me? By denying me food?
I… I… I can't take it anymore.
I can't take it anymore.
I tried. God knows I tried. But I can't.
Grandma, I want to go home.
"Alright, I'll leave. Meibis, you stay and eat; I have to go."
"I'll go with you," Meibis says.
"No, you're clearly starving; stay."
I leave the restaurant… Honestly, I'm a bit sad. I feel awful… Really awful.
Too awful.
I feel the same as when… I tried to take my own life. That's how bad I feel.
My mother, the disgusted and hateful looks, the insults, the mistreatment… Damn ungrateful jerks.
I'm doing my best to stay standing and not… cry… Cry…
I'm… crying…
"I can't…"
Ouch…
Someone threw a rock at my head.
"Get out of here, human!"
… A little kid threw a rock at me, with the real intent to hurt me.
I looked into his eyes and felt… repulsion and hatred.
Do I really have to put up with all this?
I'm tired of being the nice guy everyone can take advantage of.
… My classmates would plan to go to the movies or eat out, and they never invited me… I felt isolated… The girls invited me because they flirted with me, but I couldn't consider them real friends.
That's how I feel here… Isolated… Ugh.
Sorry, kid, I tried to change the subject to avoid this, but I can't help it.
"Muslar asio. Vels. Hey, you little shit. Did you know I just defeated a demon in one hit?"
"Everyone knows you're lying, idiot! Stop ly—!"
I moved as fast as I could, combining the speed spell with the slow-motion vision spell to run without issue.
In less than a second, I stood behind him and placed my hand on his head, filling him with fear.
"Lying, huh?"
"W-what?"
I hugged him from behind.
Alright, you asked for it, idiot.
"Arches Nexus."
At full speed, I flew as high as I could while the kid cried and screamed, filled with terror.
Hmm… This should be enough.
Wow, it's really high. How many kilometers up am I?
One or two, I think.
"Alright, kid, if you apologize right now, you won't die. Fair enough, you little shit?"
"I'm sorry, please, don't—!"
I let him go and let him fall.
"Oops. Sorry."
…
…
…
That's enough.
I caught up to him and grabbed him before he could get hurt from the fall.
This should be enough to scare the rest of the demi-humans.
I landed and let the kid go, who immediately ran crying to his mom.
The demi-humans tried to surround me to attack, but my laughter stopped them.
"Fufu. Listen, idiots, I literally defeated a demon in one hit! You really think you can kill me? Come on, try it. I'm tired of trying to be reasonable and nice to you. Leave me alone, or do you want to die?! You ungrateful jerks, I'm sick of you! Arghhh! I'm out!"
I walk toward them. One tried to attack me with a spear, but I dodged and broke it in half with my hand, no problem.
"Try that again, and it'll be your arm that's broken."
I walked past him, and the demi-humans cleared a path.
"This is going to be tough. Arches Nexus!"
I fly off.
"I need to do something about…"
… I stop.
The girls I helped are eating quickly at a food stall.
… They're so happy… They were starving…
"Wow…"
I feel a bit better now.
I continue on my way.
"Even if life treats me badly, I have to keep going and fight."
The demi-humans hate me, but I won't let that stop me from helping them.
I want the demi-humans to live happily and in peace.
They're ungrateful, but I can't help but try.
That's who I am… That's the Dani my grandma loves.
My head hurts; dealing with the demi-humans is harder than I thought. I don't know if I can take it anymore, but I have to try.
I land and reach my house.
"I guess I can ask Meibis to get food for me."
I'm about to enter, but I get a bad feeling.
A huge shiver runs through my body. This feeling…
"Is something wrong?"
T-those screams.
I hear screams in the village.
Screams… She's here.
"I have to go! Arches Nexus!"
I fly off.
Mother, please, don't be my enemy.
… There she is.
I land in the village and see… my mother and the other demon there.
Mother… That woman is my mother… For the first time (not counting when I saw her in King Finder's kingdom), I'm seeing my mother.
That woman is my mother…
My mother.
"Where's Daniel?!" the demon shouts.
The demi-humans are scared and look at me. They start pointing at me.
"It's him!"
"We have nothing to do with him; kill that human, but leave our village!"
I lock eyes with my mother and freeze. Is she really my mother…? I rub my chest… My chest hurts so much… It hurts too much.
I-is she?
"Wow, wow. You're Daniel?"
… "Wow, wow"? N-no… Please, no…
My mother approaches me.
"You're pretty handsome, though I thought you'd be taller. Hmm. You remind me of someone. You're identical to him… Maybe you're… Are you him?"
Him? Is she talking about my father?
"No, he's cooler and handsomer than you. That means you're… Wow, wow."
My mother stands in front of me.
That woman… is really my mother…
"Answer. Are you his son?"
"… What do you want from me?"
I lower my gaze; I can't stand looking at her.
I feel like my heart's about to explode.
I don't want to hurt you… I don't want to be your enemy.
… I don't know what to do.
"I don't want to do anything to you."
Please, Mother, I don't want to fight you! I don't want to be your enemy!
I lift my gaze and look into her eyes.
"I don't want to fight you, Mother! Please, abandon that demon and join me! I don't want to be your enemy. I don't, I don't."
My mother looks at me, surprised for a few seconds after hearing my words, and smiles.
"I knew it! Why are you here?"
"That's the first thing you ask me?! It's the first time you're seeing your son, and that's the first thing you ask?!"
"Don't be a crybaby; you don't seem like an adventurer who defeated two demons in one hit. Honestly, you're a disappointment. I expected more from someone with my blood in their veins. You inherited too much of your father's personality."
"… Crybaby?"
I step back quickly.
I don't feel love in her words. I don't feel happiness or sadness in her. I feel nothing.
Does she really not feel joy seeing her son for the first time?!
My grandma was right; you're a demon.
You're my enemy.
"Muslar asio! Dex Sword!"
The sword appears in my right hand, and I prepare to fight.
"Please, I don't want to fight you."
"You're not fighting me, but you are fighting him. Restro!"
Restro, her companion, stands in front of me.
She won't give up… Does she really want to kill me? Does she really want to kill her own son?!
"Mother, why are you doing this?"
"I'm doing it for my King."
"Your King? You'd kill your son because your King ordered you to?"
"I didn't know you were really my son, but yes, I'd kill you if he asked me to. For now, we just want to test your power. We'd kill you, but you're lucky we don't have permission to."
… Tears…? Tears… Tears start streaming from my eyes… My chest hurts… I feel so much pain… My mother is a damn demon.
She doesn't treat me like a son.
She doesn't even care about me.
All these years dreaming of meeting her, and now that I finally have, she… She doesn't care about me at all.
She treats me like just another warrior.
Not a hug. Not a sign of affection… Nothing.
Don't I mean anything to you, Mother? Why?
"I always dreamed of talking to you. I wanted to meet you… I wanted to meet my mother!"
I grip the sword tightly with my hands.
"But now I don't consider you my mother anymore! I'll kill you both!"
I try to attack Restro, but he defends himself, and our swords clash.
For the first time, a demon survives one of my attacks.
And for the first time, I'll fight a demon seriously.
"You really are a crybaby," my mother says, smiling sweetly.
… My grandma was right; you're evil.
I step back and extend my right hand.
"Akaso Wind!"
A powerful gust knocks Restro to the ground.
I won't waste time!
I close my eyes and raise my right hand.
"Cel Luz Sar!"
A bright light bursts from my hand. It's a light and fairy-type spell that creates a blinding light, leaving those who see it blind for 20 seconds.
"Damn it!" Restro says.
The light fades.
I open my eyes and see everyone covering their eyes and screaming. Sorry, but it was necessary.
"My turn!"
I charge at Restro and jump. Goodbye!
I land on his stomach and pierce his chest with my sword. That should be enough to destroy his heart and… Huh?
"Little brat!"
Restro starts to get up.
Huh?! He's still alive?!
"Damn it!"
I back away quickly. You won't escape!
"Bolflou!"
I shoot a fireball from my mouth, and Restro dodges, causing the fireball to destroy a fruit stall. Damn! Sorry, monkey lady, it wasn't on purpose!
"Daniel!" Meibis says, worried.
Rocco and Meibis watch me fight.
"I'll help you," Rocco says.
Restro turns to him.
"Stay out of it, you shitty demi-human!"
They recognized him? Why did that demon care about Rocco? If he were a low-level adventurer, they wouldn't even bother talking to him, but the demon shouted and threatened him. Does Rocco have enough power to be a threat to them?
Damn it! My mother's heading toward him. I won't let you kill my friends!
"Run, Rocco!" I shout, worried and scared.
I can't go; the demon's blocking my path. Damn it!
"Gres fer me!"
Huh?
Small creatures that look like children but with horns emerge from the ground. They're completely red, with no faces or genitals. Five in total.
What are those things?
"Attack!"
The small creatures charge at me.
"Arches Nexus!"
I fly up and extend my right hand. I'll steal that spell, with your permission.
"Gres fer me!"
Creatures that look like horned men emerge from the ground… They're like the kids, but adult versions. Five in total.
Fufu. My magical power is way better than yours, idiots!
"Tch. Nadia, he's too powerful; I don't think we can take your son."
"I'm not going anywhere with you! Attack!"
"You little shit!"
The creatures I summoned defeat the small ones without issue. Appreciate your son's power, Mother! Come on, give up and join me…! Please, join me. I don't want to hurt you.
"Attack the demon!"
"Volus flai!"
Volus flai?
The demon starts flying.
"Fufu. You really are incredible. As expected of someone with my blood," my mother says.
Nadia flies toward us.
"Tch. Your blood has nothing to do with it. Everything I am is thanks to my grandma, and no one else, not even my father."
"We've confirmed he's real. We need to go to Monderfol and report what your son's capable of."
"Alright, let's go."
"That's it?! Mother, this is your last chance! Abandon the demons and join me!"
"Nah, I don't want to. Hope we meet again, son."
Don't call me son… I don't want to be the son of a demon.
"I'm not your son."
"Alright, crybaby," she says, sticking out her tongue.
My mother and Restro fly off… Damn it… I'm the son of a demon.
… I don't know what to think about this… My mind goes blank when I try to process my situation.
I don't have the energy to deal with this. I'm tired of this… Of everything… Of my life.
"I don't know if I should hate you, Nadia!"
I land. Everyone starts insulting me and throwing rocks.
Yeah… I deserve it.
"Get out of here!"
"You're a demon!"
The demi-human adventurers surround me.
"I'm not a demon!"
The adventurers draw their weapons.
"I'm the son of a demon, but I'm not a demon!"
Rocco approaches me.
"But you're the son of a demon."
"And my grandma's an angel! I have good genes; that's why I have all types of magic!"
"Daniel, I'm sorry. I think you should leave."
"I know… Goodbye."
I approach Meibis and whisper.
"I'm giving you my house; the bag with my money is on the bed, take it."
"Y-you're not coming back?"
"I have to fix something first."
"I… I hope I see you again. Goodbye. And please, take care."
"Goodbye… Arches Nexus."
I fly off.
•
•
King Finder's Kingdom
Daniel's grandma is sitting on a couch, with his companions around her, trying to get information.
"Tell us what really happened, Cristina!" Rem says.
"I can't, I'm sorry."
"Please!" Alex says.
"I can't—"
Her phone rings, and she answers immediately.
"Dani, is something wrong? Rem told me what happened."
•
•
(POV - Daniel)
… I called my grandma to let her know I'm coming back. I need to hear her voice. I need to talk to her.
I don't know what to do or think about this. My head hurts.
How should I react? I don't know.
"I left the village I was in… My mother found me."
"Dani, I…"
"Don't worry, I didn't fight her, but she treated me badly… She called me a crybaby and didn't seem to care about seeing her son for the first time."
"Are you okay?!"
"Don't worry, I only fought her companion. I didn't defeat him, but I didn't get hurt."
"Dani…"
"She said she was doing it for her King, that if her King asked her to kill me, she would! She would… My own mother would kill me if her damn King asked her to. She prefers the Demon King over me, her own son!"
"Dani, I don't know what to say."
"Now everyone in the village knows I'm the son of a demon. I couldn't stay there any longer… But I don't know if I should come back; I still have something to do."
"Come back so you can prepare better."
"Yeah… I think I'll come back. Goodbye."
I hang up.
… Mother… Mother…
"I hate you…"
And I love you.
… I don't know how to feel about this.
•
•
Three hours later, I arrive at King Finder's kingdom.
I land in front of the house.
"I think I'll need help with this…"
A lot of help.
I enter the house.
"I'm back."
"Dani!"
Rem hugs me… I hate her hug. It just makes me feel… miserable.
"You're back!"
Alex hugs me… Same feeling.
"Sorry… I think I'll go sleep."
I pull away from them. I don't want to talk to anyone.
I want to be alone.
"Is something wrong?" Alex says, worried.
"Cristina won't tell us."
I start climbing the stairs and look back at them.
"I'm sorry, he can't tell you," my grandma says.
"Cristina…"
I lower my head, and tears stream down. Nothing matters anymore. I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of everything.
If I'd known this would happen, I never would've accepted the mission, and right now, I'd be with my father and grandma in paradise.
I regret my decision.
"I don't care anymore; I'll tell them."
I lift my head and look at them, wiping my tears.
"One of the demons that came looking for me… was my mother… Her companion tried to kill me, but she didn't seem to care."
The girls look at me, shocked. I guess finding out one of your companions is the son of a demon is pretty surprising.
But… I don't sense fear in them… They should be terrified. They lack common sense.
"Cristina, tell them what you know; I don't care anymore."
I climb the stairs.
"Dani's mother is a demon?"
"They tried to kill him?"
"Dani…"
I want to sleep… and never wake up again.
I enter my room, take off my clothes except my pants, and lie on the bed.
"I hope it's a nightmare… I want to wake up."
I close my eyes and try to sleep.
I need to calm down.
…
…
…
"Arghhh!!"
I cover my face with the pillow so my screams aren't heard.
"Damn mother!!!"
Mother, mother, mother, mother… Why did you do this to me?!
•
•
King Freis's Kingdom
The King is seated on his throne, and the messenger is kneeling before him.
While Daniel suffers from his family issues, a danger has just moved forward.
"I have the responses from the kings. They say their army leaders will meet in our kingdom to plan the attack on King Finder's kingdom. They have no objections to your plan and are willing to cooperate."
"Alright, leave."
The messenger stands and walks away.
"Fufu. Daniel, you're going to die."
The princess opens a door to the right of her father and approaches him.
"You're attacking King Finder's kingdom?"
"You overheard? That's bad manners, Kate."
"Why are you doing it? Why do you say Daniel will die?"
"This doesn't concern you; go to your room."
"But…"
"Go!"
"… Alright."
Kate leaves the room.
She enters her room and clenches her right fist, fully aware of the consequences her father's actions will bring.
"I can't let him do this."
•
•
The next day
(POV - Daniel)
I open my eyes slowly… It wasn't a nightmare after all.
…
…
…
No…
"I guess it wasn't a nightmare."
I still feel miserable.
I get up, put on my clothes, and leave the room.
I head downstairs… A good bath will relax me a bit… I hope.
Sonia notices I'm heading to the bathroom and approaches me.
"Dani, are you okay?" Sonia asks, worried.
I feel like she genuinely cares about me… Well… Ugh, now I feel worse.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
I knock on the bathroom door.
"I guess no one's in there."
I enter the bathroom and turn on the bathtub faucet.
… I don't know if I really feel okay… I don't know.
I take off my clothes and start bathing.
"Mother…"
I always dreamed of meeting you… But not like this… Why did this happen?
"Why?"