Moonlight bathes the surroundings. Has the day changed? Time escapes me. Alone, I sit in the grass, staring at the moon. Normally, I'd be honing my magic, but the urge is gone. I'm just… adrift. Since when?
"Obedience Magic: Azerliese."
My hand conjures a scale, naming my magic. My soul rests on one side, tilting it. Nothing balances the other. The spell, meant to bind, is meaningless—I'm already bound by it. All I can do is mimic its form, like now.
I look up. This place resembles where Qual is sealed. I chose it unconsciously, it seems. Laughable. Being sealed like Qual might've been better than this pathetic display.
Footsteps approach. No need to turn—I know who it is.
"The stars are beautiful. I didn't know a place like this existed."
Only he would come here at this hour.
"…How'd you find me?"
"Eisen told me. Said you'd be here."
"…That talkative dwarf."
I don't face him, but Himmel's answer stuns me. He couldn't track my magic at night, but Eisen knew this place. I forgot. That dwarf's as troublesome as that sanctimonious monk, in his own way.
"Mind if I sit?"
"Do what you want."
Himmel sits beside me, as if it's natural. He never changes—enviably so. That must be what makes him a hero.
"So, what now? Linie again? If it's a lecture—"
My flat question is cut off.
"I'm sorry, Aura. I've caused you pain."
His voice, unfamiliarly soft, stops me.
"…Why are you apologizing? That makes no sense."
I'm baffled. Why apologize? If anything, my actions should be criticized. What's he talking about?
"I forced family, motherhood, on you. I knew demons couldn't understand it, yet my selfishness hurt you. I'm truly sorry."
He speaks slowly, as if chewing each word. I listen, detached. His words, his tone—
"Are you really Himmel? Not some imposter?"
"Read the room. I know it's unlike me."
The arrogant hero, humbled? I'd suspect magic, but his dejected shrug confirms it's him.
"…Fine. But I'm surprised. You didn't forget I'm a demon."
"Of course—well, not always. A year ago, in the village forest, you gave me demon-like words."
"…What?"
I tilt my head. A year ago, when I was first bound? Demon-like words? They're just my words. Sensing my confusion, he elaborates.
"'I'm not Frieren.' You forgot, didn't you? It hurt, you know."
He smiles wryly. I vaguely recall saying it. It slipped my mind, but it must've stung him.
"Yeah, I said that. Your fault for confusing me with that elf. I don't care about your sentimentality."
His mistake, equating me with Frieren. I didn't know his connection to her, nor care. I'd have said it anyway. His fault.
Himmel chuckles, amused for some reason.
"What's so funny?"
"We've both changed. Your words helped me understand demons better—thanks to the village chief."
"The chief? Why him?"
I'm lost. Why mention the chief?
"He was a priest. Answered my doubts. Said demons lack malice, so you'd never understand us, no matter how long we're together. I agree."
I see. The chief, more priestly than that monk, made Himmel realize we can't connect. A childish truth, pessimistically unlike him.
"Then why keep up this pointless charade, knowing we can't understand each other?"
"Because of you. You tried to understand us. That meant something. I got carried away, though."
"What? Explain yourself. You're not Eisen."
His vague answer frustrates me. When did I try? Eisen, now Himmel—why so cryptic?
"Right. Where to start… Why did I save you, Aura? Remember?"
"Are you mocking me? To make me atone, obviously."
His question feels like a taunt. He said it himself—atonement. That's why I'm dragged along. But—
"That's true. But not anymore. I don't want your atonement."
"What?"
He casually overturns everything.
"What's that mean? You never said that."
"Didn't I? Demons lack malice or guilt, so atonement's impossible. It's not your fault—you're a demon. Family, motherhood—the same. I forced them on you. That's why I'm sorry."
I struggle to stay calm, absorbing his words. He learned from the chief that my atonement is futile, that I can't grasp family. Then why?
"I wanted to atone. Saving you was for my forgiveness."
I knew, thanks to that meddling monk.
"It's a long story. Will you listen?"
"You'll talk anyway. Get on with it."
He doesn't know I know. I could've refused, but I didn't. Maybe I wanted to hear if the monk and Eisen were right, even if it's futile.
I regret it. His story—foolish demon child, pointless regrets—matches what I heard. I just watch a different Himmel speak.
"Long story, no substance. You think about useless things."
"Useless, huh? Very you. But Linie's actions chilled me. Like that demon child. You saved her, but I wanted to run."
I'm shocked. Linie's actions mirrored that child's, reopening his wounds. But more shocking—
"You? Run? No way."
"It's true. I'm weak, like you. My strength comes from others. Keep it secret, okay?"
The hero, admitting weakness? Wanting to flee? It's unthinkable, yet I know he's not lying. Even a demon, without magic, can tell. He doesn't lie to me.
"I used you for my atonement, my selfish satisfaction. I took your freedom, hurt you. It's unforgivable, but I wanted to apologize."
His confession bares his soul—something he's likely never shown his party. Only to a demon like me.
"…That's it? You won, enslaved me. What's wrong with using me? Your apology's a nuisance."
I can't grasp atonement. He has no sin to atone for, no reason to apologize. It's just bothersome.
"You'd say that."
He looks distant, expecting my response. What's he seeing?
"Let me answer why I saved you, why I continue."
His gaze meets mine, his usual aura returning.
"It was fun."
The most incomprehensible thing he's ever said.
"…What?"
I'm stunned, not as a demon, but for the first time. I don't even know my own expression.
"What?"
"Living with you. It was tough at first, not knowing what you'd do. I barely slept, while you slept soundly."
He continues, like reading a diary.
"Walking beside you, I feared you'd harm the villagers—not just physically. But I worried for nothing. You, the villagers—nobody needed my concern."
His nightly diary, his so-called autobiography, spills out.
"Eating together was fun. You making my favorite omelet, eating my apple pie."
Trivial, meaningless days.
"Watching you play with Stroh or Lily, reading in the room—I loved it."
To him, these weren't meaningless. Honest words, not to deceive, but to convey.
"You showed me white flowers with your magic. It meant nothing to you, but to me, it was beautiful."
He says this to a demon who can't understand, knowing it's futile.
"I'm glad I didn't kill you."
He enjoyed it. A selfish, childish reason to spare me, to stay with me.
He holds out his hand, revealing a silver flower—the freesia accessory I lost.
"…That's—"
"Eisen found it. Linie helped. I wanted to find it, but Eisen beat me."
He smiles, explaining. They searched after I left. Fine. But—
"Are you really a hero?"
"I'm not so sure anymore."
He hid it until now, the infuriating hero. He grins, aware of his audacity.
He clasps the accessory, confusing me. I thought he'd hand it over.
"Humans have flower language. Each flower conveys feelings."
He looks at me, reenacting six months ago, but now voicing the meaning.
"This flower's freesia. Its language is—"
"Enough."
I cut him off. I've known since then. I can't hear more.
"I already know. Don't say it."
"Thought words were better, like you said. Not to your liking?"
"Idiot."
He laughs, teasing, knowing all along. Payback for my past words. Fool.
Himmel kneels before me, like a knight swearing loyalty. He places the accessory on my head, as before, but adds—
"Aura, be my friend."
Not just the flower's meaning, but his own, a request, not a command. He thinks I need it spelled out.
"So, not family?"
"Family doesn't suit demons. Friends, you can understand, right?"
I taunt, but he's unfazed, as if he expected it.
"Fine. But I might deceive you. Use my magic to check."
"I won't. Your lies are part of you."
A final challenge—demon and human, incompatible. Is that okay? He answers confidently. Foolish human.
"Fine. I'll be your friend—until you tire of me."
A contract. No, a promise, for him. True or false, I don't know. Only my magic could tell. I'll play along until he quits, or I betray him. That's fine.
That's our relationship.
The dawn of a long night, a continuation from a year ago, a new beginning.
"By the way… haven't you done this with that elf?"
"…! W-Well…"
"What?"
"…I gave her a ring."
"…Figures. She doesn't get it either. Tell her in words next time, got it?"
"…Yes."
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