Solitär began to stare at Fíliya with a look of disappointment, as if scolding someone for not living up to their potential.
From Fíliya's vacant gaze, she could confirm that Fíliya truly didn't seem to know much about astrology.
For someone so well-read among humans, how could she have no interest in the stars?
So, Solitär spoke.
"Astrology has a certain connection to human magic. Many of the large-scale protective barriers in human cities incorporate knowledge of astrology. Of course, it's not just that; they also integrate the cultural customs of different nations and various magical theories. The more complex the elements of such a barrier, the more difficult it is to break. For a member of the Demon Race who doesn't understand human culture, no matter how powerful they are, they would likely be trapped for a lifetime."
"Eh? But with your amount of mana, Solitär, you should be able to dismantle it with brute force, right?"
Fíliya continued to probe.
But Solitär just shook her head gently.
"It's not that simple. Dismantling a barrier with pure brute force consumes too much mana, and the commotion would be very obvious, attracting attention in minutes. If you want to dismantle a large-scale barrier without being noticed, you can only approach it from a place of [understanding]."
For some reason, Solitär was always exceptionally honest in front of Fíliya. Even [lying], a signature skill of the Demon Race, seemed to have been forgotten.
"Dismantling a large-scale barrier?"
Fíliya's expression turned subtle. Solitär's previous words contained just a bit too much information.
"...Don't misunderstand. I have no intention of attacking human cities. Otherwise, I wouldn't have refused Aura."
Fíliya nodded at Solitär's words, but she immediately thought of a new possibility.
If she wasn't targeting the protective barriers of human cities...
Then... it was most likely that.
So Fíliya spoke up.
"You want to break the barrier of the Golden Land? To release the sealed Macht?"
It was only natural for Fíliya to think of this, so Solitär just nodded calmly, but then quickly shook her head.
"I don't know what to do anymore."
Solitär's tone was tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"Should I break that barrier and release Macht, or should I go and kill him right now... I can't figure it out at all."
"Oh? Now this is interesting. Solitär, didn't you say your strength was on par with Macht's? If you were to fight him, even if you won, it would be a pyrrhic victory, wouldn't it? I don't think you'd do something so risky. Besides... I can understand you releasing him. After all, you are both of the Demon Race and used to work under the Demon King, so you're old acquaintances. But you want to kill him? Why?"
Fíliya's expression was as excited as a child whose interest had suddenly been piqued.
"Because during my time with you, I suddenly realized that Macht's research, and his very existence, are extremely dangerous."
"Hm?"
Fíliya blinked, looking like a curious child.
"...Macht is trying to understand the feeling of [guilt] by first forming bonds with humans and then betraying them. If I were to release him from the Golden Land, he would continue his experiment... Although the story of Macht's betrayal has spread throughout the continent, and the chances of him forming friendly relations with humans again are very low, but... based on my research on humans..."
As Solitär said this, she suddenly looked at Fíliya with a hesitant expression.
Fíliya immediately understood and added.
"Oh, you're trying to say that humans never learn from history, right?"
Solitär nodded.
"Yes. I'm sure there will be human cities, or nations, that will accept such a powerful asset... and so Macht's experiment would continue. When he betrays humans again... how many lives will be lost this time? Two large-scale massacres against humanity would be enough to cause humans to unite and subjugate Macht... To be honest, I'm scared. Even I wouldn't be so arrogant as to think I could never be subjugated by humans, that I would never die at their hands."
As Solitär spoke, she raised her head again to look at the starry sky.
Fíliya also caught the subtle melancholy in Solitär's words.
"Oh, so you're worried that if you help Macht escape, humans will definitely investigate to find out what power broke the barrier... and then they might discover your existence?"
"Yes... If I help Macht, his future will inevitably be subjugation by humans, and I, as his [accomplice], will also appear on their radar... A member of the Demon Race, once its existence is discovered by humans, has only one ending. Not even the Demon King is an exception... You told me this, Fíliya, didn't you?"
"Hmm, that is indeed the case. If you really were to free him, you would undoubtedly be hunted by humans to the ends of the earth. Since you know this, Solitär, why are you still hesitating about whether to help him?"
Fíliya continued to press with a curious tone.
"Because... he's an acquaintance. And in the past few decades, besides you and Aura, he was my first guest... No, by human standards, perhaps the word [friend] should be used. Aren't there many among humans, fools who care more about their friends than themselves, who would even die for a friend?"
"So, you want to be one of those [human fools]?"
A smile began to spread across Fíliya's face. Solitär's indecisive appearance at that moment was just so endearing.
"That's why I said I don't know... If I hadn't learned so much about humans, if I didn't understand them so well... maybe I wouldn't be so conflicted."
"But if that were the case, you wouldn't be able to break the barrier of the Golden Land. And... you wouldn't have developed an interest in humans, nor would you have spared me. For that, I suppose I should thank you."
Fíliya's teasing tone from moments before vanished, and she began to look at Solitär with a serious expression.
"Is that so..."
Solitär slowly turned her head away. She really disliked Fíliya's serious gaze.
A playful Fíliya was much more relaxing for her.
"Pfft. I feel like I've gotten to know you a little better, Solitär."
Fíliya stared at the side of Solitär's face and chuckled. If my serious expression bothers her, I might as well go back to being playful, she thought.
"Hm?"
Hearing Fíliya's chuckle, Solitär did indeed turn her head back.
"I think I know now. The reason why you've lived in seclusion all this time, Solitär, and why you never let your name be known in the human world."
"..."
Solitär grew slightly tense. She knew she was about to hear something she didn't want to hear from the human beside her, but in the end, she did nothing and said nothing.
"So, when it comes to being a [coward], you're actually on the same level as Aura, Solitär. The reason you're afraid of being discovered by humans is because you're afraid of being subjugated by them. That's why you've always lived in seclusion."
"...You're right."
After taking a deep breath, Solitär honestly admitted it.
"So what will you do, Fíliya? Mock me a little, like you did with Aura?"
Solitär looked at Fíliya with a wry smile.
"Not at all. I just wanted to say that being [afraid of death] is probably a common ailment among long-lived species. After all, even the longer humans live, the more they fear death... And let me tell you another secret. About that [God of Magic] I mentioned before, Serie. She constantly has dozens, maybe even hundreds of protective spells active on her person, plus others to counter mind control, curses... and so on. You could say she's completely fortified against every possible threat... Only she could afford such a terrifying mana cost."
...Solitär was a bit confused. She didn't understand why Fíliya would bring up that powerful Elf at a time like this.
Fortunately, Fíliya immediately explained.
"Mhm, what I mean is, being [afraid of death] is nothing to be ashamed of. Even the God of Magic is afraid to die. For a little demon who's only lived for a thousand years, isn't it perfectly normal to be afraid of death? I won't laugh at you."
"A little demon who's only lived for a thousand years..."
A little demon...
Solitär's pupils dilated slightly. It was the first time she had ever heard such a description from another living being, and it came from a human whose age was less than two percent of her own.
Fíliya... you truly are a strange one.
"Alright, I've decided!"
Fíliya suddenly shot to her feet, full of spirit, and pointed a finger at the full moon above.
Solitär's attention was pulled back by Fíliya's abrupt movement.
Seeing Solitär's gaze locked firmly on her, Fíliya felt exceptionally pleased. Only then did she continue.
"Mhm, since you're so afraid of death, Solitär... should you ever find your life in danger, let me be the one to save you."
Fíliya looked straight into Solitär's eyes and said with a light chuckle.
_____
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