"Follow me."
I start walking, and Linie trails silently, obediently. No mimicry of "Mother" this time. We head to the riverbank, far from Himmel and Eisen. Naturally—they can't interfere. I need to confront Linie alone, to confirm something.
(They'd follow if I let them… such fools.)
Himmel's eager face flashes in my mind, ready to tag along until I thwarted him. He was thrilled about last night, flaunting it. My gaze falls on the freesia accessory, the source of so much turmoil. That's settled, but issues remain. Now, I face the demon child before me: Linie.
We reach the riverbank, a place Himmel and Eisen can't touch. This is our demon matter. No hero can meddle, whatever the outcome.
"Are you… angry?"
"I'm not. You searched for it, didn't you?"
Linie's quiet question comes from my silence. She's wary, thinking I'm still upset, unsure why. That's why she's not clinging as usual.
I show her the accessory. Himmel said she tore the house apart looking for it, even after finding Eisen's substitute. A typical demon would've stopped there. Coincidence? Mimicry? That's not why I brought her here.
"I called you to confirm something."
It's to resolve another question, one that's plagued me more than the accessory.
"I won't forgive deception. I'm not human. If you try, I'll kill you—like before."
I intensify my magic, declaring no deceit. A demon's hardest command, from a greater demon to a lesser. I channel Zoltraak, the killing spell, aiming it at her, as I did then. No Himmel or Eisen to stop me. If I could use Azerliese, this would be simpler.
Linie senses the threat, almost speaking, but stops, recalling my command. Lucky. One word, and I'd have ended her.
"Answer. Why do you call me 'Mother'?"
I demand why she, a demon, uses that plea with me.
It's a farce—I already know. Himmel's meddling slowed my realization. That's why he's not here. His presence would make this pointless.
"…To deceive that human, Himmel."
Exactly. Pointless for Himmel.
"As expected. Explain."
I release Zoltraak, urging her on. No surprise. It's obvious. Even a child demon wouldn't act human toward me, a greater demon, without reason. No point in begging me. So, who's the target? Only one human was there: Himmel.
"He controls you. That scared me. I thought mimicking a human child would let me survive."
"So you cast me as your mother…"
Linie states it plainly. To her, Himmel, who tames a greater demon like me despite lacking magic, is terrifying. A demon judges by magic, so my submission is unnatural. To survive, she mimicked a human child, knowing humans hesitate to harm their own. Calling me "Mother" was her calculated plea, using me. Classic demon logic—simple, absurd. Good thing Himmel isn't here.
"You noticed I'm under his control. I never told you."
"I saw the magic flow."
"Right, your special eyes."
I hadn't shared my situation, nor had Himmel. Yet, her eyes, which see magic's flow, spotted it—our magic bound through Himmel. She feared his whims could order her death.
"But you treated Himmel roughly."
Her attitude wasn't submissive—insulting, defiant. Overdone, even for mimicry. Anyone but Himmel might've reacted badly.
"I didn't. I copied you. Was that wrong?"
"…No, nothing."
Her blank response silences me. She mimicked me to survive, seeing my defiance as a model. I misstepped. Best to drop it.
"Have you told Himmel?"
"No. I don't want to die."
"Good. That's proper for a demon."
She's right. Demons deceive humans, never revealing it. That invites death. Predator and prey—roles can flip. Knowing this, I command:
"Stop deceiving. Live honestly from now on."
A contradictory order, against demon nature.
"…No lies? Why…?"
Linie's stunned. Naturally. It's like telling a creature to stop breathing. A demon, ordered by a demon, to abandon deceit? Incomprehensible. I was the same.
"It's to deceive Himmel—no, humans. Do it, and you'll survive."
I know now: honesty is survival. Deceit betrays us to humans like Himmel, who know demons well. Living under him, Linie will face such humans. This time, she's safe, but not always.
Live deceiving your demonic self.
If she can, she'll survive—something I couldn't do. But young Linie, skilled at mimicry, might. An uncharacteristic thought. A gamble.
"Maybe, by mimicking, it could become real."
Himmel's fanciful dream—fakes becoming true, demons becoming human. I'll see where this absurd wish leads.
"…?"
Linie stands, uncomprehending. Like me moments ago, she can't grasp or follow this order. It could break her demonic self. So, I offer a path.
"You don't believe it. I'm a demon, too. Then it's a contract. Obey me, and I'll protect your life."
A demon's logic, clear and efficient.
"Obey…?"
"Yes. Simpler than parent-child, right?"
Master and servant. Obedience, an instinct beyond demons. Like we followed the Demon King. Survival of the fittest. Natural law. That suits demons, not vague bonds like family.
"I'll use you. You use me. That's what demons are, right?"
That's our parent-child, master-servant bond: mutual use, deception, independent existence. A demon's proof, not human.
"…What should I call you?"
"What?"
"You. Not 'Mother.' What?"
She understands—or does she? No "Mother," no casual names. We're master and servant.
"…Call me Lady Aura."
Safest choice. Himmel will tease, but it's fitting—not like villagers' honorifics, but true deference. I feel a strange satisfaction.
"Understood, Lady Aura."
It fades instantly. She needs training in servitude.
"Your manners need work… Fine. Be useful, Linie."
"Okay. I'll try to use you, too, Lady Aura."
"…This won't be easy."
"?"
Linie blinks, clueless why I'm exasperated. She's just obeying, so I can't scold her. I may have made a grave mistake. Too late now. I'll leave the rest to Himmel, her self-proclaimed mentor. He's half responsible for picking her up.
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