[Moving the time forward a little, the Golden Capital.]
“The Demon King has taken the form of a young girl?”
“It seems so.”
At the report of Baron Ro Engrin, a leading vassal of the clergy, Eirene tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“How strange. To my knowledge, the Demon King was supposed to look so terrifying that one couldn’t even dare to meet their eyes.”
“I have given it some thought… Perhaps this is the result of what Saint Erin referred to as ‘a plain fact.'”
The Demon King appeared in human form, and all of it was said to be the will of God, Igogodon. That was what the Saint had conveyed.
“Understood. I appreciate your report. You’ve done well.”
“Not at all. May God’s plain truth be with Your Majesty.”
As she watched Baron Ro Engrin disappear, Eirene reminisced about a deeply cherished moment she could never forget.
‘Master.’
Yes.
Her one and only first love.
Surely, there was a profound reason within Igogodon’s divine plan.
Even the fact that the Demon King now appeared as a young child must have a fitting reason known only to God.
She did not yet understand exactly what it was, but it did not change what she needed to do.
Following God’s will—what else could there be?
***
The next day.
“Are you suggesting a discussion with me…?”
“Yes. The public response to today’s speech has been positive. With the favorable atmosphere, I believe it would be wise to act swiftly. Surely, God would want this as well.”
The proposal Erin brought to her—negotiations with the Demon King, the representative of the demons.
Listening closely to the details, it seemed that God, with a heart as broad as the sea, had chosen to extend His mercy even to the demons.
“God wills it… So, all of this is…?”
“It is His will, Your Majesty.”
The idea of a human emperor holding talks with the Demon King was unprecedented.
Yet, for Eirene, who had completely devoted herself to God, her evaluation standard was none other than Igogodon’s will, just like Erin’s.
“Understood. I will prepare for the meeting immediately.”
After sending Erin away, Eirene fell into silent contemplation.
‘The Saint said that all of this is the will of Igogodon.’
‘Then, does this mean my meeting with the Demon King as Emperor is also part of His divine plan?’
‘What could God expect from my meeting with the Demon King?’
If she thought simply, it could be ‘harmony with the demons.’
Indeed, humanity often suffered devastation from battles with demons whenever the Saint appeared.
Recalling the speech of the Demon King relayed by Erin, it seemed that even the Demon King desired to stop the war with humans and had expressed their demands.
However—
There was no need for the Demon King to take the form of a young girl to achieve harmony.
Even if the Demon King were grotesque and terrifying, if reconciling with them was God’s will, Eirene was ready to suppress her instincts and engage in dialogue without hesitation.
God’s judgments always had absolute reasons.
Surely, there must be a reason for this too.
***
Eirene’s thoughts suddenly veered into an entirely unexpected direction.
‘Could it be… Is God testing me?’
She could still vividly picture the scene whenever she closed her eyes.
A day when the morning sun was warm, and the wind felt pleasant.
Under the great tree beside St. Eigerdon Monastery, helping distribute food to the poor alongside Igogodon.
The kind Igogodon treated the children with a smile as radiant as starlight.
It was only natural.
Igogodon was a lover of the weak—a being destined to be a splendid father in the future.
To Eirene, who loved Him not just as God but as a man, it was an audacious thought, but—
‘Perhaps He wants to see if I am worthy of bearing His child…!’
Had she not recently prayed fervently to Igogodon?
‘To take my first…’
Although He appeared in her dreams often, unlike her desperate longing, Igogodon never crossed a certain line.
‘He hasn’t because He isn’t yet sure if I am worthy as a mother!’
Eirene had three children.
First Princess Yuria, Second Princess Linnea, and Third Prince Ares.
However, all three were the children of her older sister, the former Empress Aisha von Einsberg.
Rather than raising them as a mother, Eirene treated the young children more as heirs to the Empire.
Of course, this would not have convinced Igogodon of her worth.
Taking her first would mean leaving behind His seed.
Not of an ordinary being, but the seed of the One True God!
It was only logical that she needed to undergo rigorous evaluation before being chosen.
‘Was this not a reasonable and obvious conclusion?’
Surprisingly, her previously tangled thoughts became clear as she reached this realization.
‘Oh, Igogodon! You are giving me a chance!’
‘You wish to see if I, as a woman, am ready to serve You properly…!’
And, if she passed this test, then—
Just as He had promised: the day they would meet again would arrive, and…
Blushing deeply, Eirene sat on her imperial throne, fidgeting like a child.
Had anyone witnessed her, the dignity of the Emperor would have evaporated like the wind.
It was fortunate that no one was present to see this.
‘I’ll show You.’
‘I’ll show You how much I can love Igogodon’s child. How I can nurture them with love, befitting the child of God…!’
***
“And now, Demon King, please come this way. For important discussions, it’s best to talk in comfort, with both body and mind at ease.”
“This form… I am…”
“Don’t worry. I am ready for this…!”
Eirene, dressed in an apron and holding a rattle, greeted the Demon King with a gentle motherly smile.
The Demon King, confused and wide-eyed, could not comprehend her intentions.
Still, at that moment, one thing became clear to the Demon King.
“Alright, alright. Here. I’ll lift you. Demon King, let’s sit side by side, shall we?”
“Hey. You’re still a baby. Stop being so stubborn and just go along with it.”
“Even at a young age, you’re trying your best. It’s adorable.”
“Demon King, be good. I’ll get you some snacks, so don’t cry.”
“My, my. Demon King, what’s the matter? Do you need to use the bathroom?”
The blatant treatment of her as a child by humans.
And now, even the Emperor, who was supposed to ensure her dignity during this meeting, treating her like a toddler.
Surprisingly, the Demon King realized something.
It did not bother her at all.
In fact, the opposite was true.
She felt a strong urge to relax and pour her heart out, resting comfortably on Eirene’s lap.
‘Why… Why am I doing this…?’
The Demon King, unable to realize that this was part of the “elements that assist communication,” hesitated until the very end.
While the idea of laying their head on someone’s lap felt inappropriate, the intriguing sound of the object in Eirene’s hand and her sweet voice—
“Here you go. Tell me what you want, Demon King. As the Emperor, I’ll grant it all for you…”
Jingle, jingle.
Tempted by the sound and her words, the Demon King gave in to their instincts.
“Ahem. Then… If you’ll excuse me.”
The Demon King laid their round head onto Eirene’s soft lap.
“Are… Are my horns uncomfortable? I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s fine. Here, just tilt this way…”
“Like this?”
“Yes, perfect! You did great!”
Eirene praised the Demon King and began stroking their soft, pink hair.
The Demon King didn’t resist her touch.
Although the situation was unusual, this moment symbolized an unprecedented, historic step forward in cooperation between humans and demons.
***
“Demon King, I heard you gave a speech a few days ago. It must have been tough being surrounded by humans. You’ve worked hard.”
“It was fine. Everyone was rather kind. Of course, some seemed utterly unable to accept my proposal… But other humans stood up for me.”
“That’s because everyone recognizes the sincerity in your words.”
“Do they…? If that’s true, I’m glad.”
It was a strange feeling.
To lie on Eirene’s lap, feeling the warmth of her touch and listening to her voice…
Why did it make the Demon King feel as though they might cry?
Where was this unidentifiable longing coming from?
“You need territory with sunlight, right?”
“Yes. Please grant us some land for our people. If you do, we will try our best to assist humans wherever we can. As for the details—”
“You don’t have to explain further. I’ll do as you wish. I’ll immediately issue a decree granting part of the land near the dungeon under your jurisdiction.”
The Demon King’s eyes widened in shock.
‘That easily?’
“Is there… nothing you want in return?”
“Of course not. This is God’s will, after all.”
***
God’s will.
This form I’ve taken is God’s will.
The humans’ acceptance of me is also God’s will.
Then, shouldn’t I seize this opportunity without hesitation for the sake of my people?
“Emperor.”
“Yes, Demon King?”
Instead of taking the easier path, the Demon King chose to grapple with their doubts.
“My people emit what’s called magic energy.”
“For many humans, it’s an unpleasant force. While it doesn’t harm your bodies, its intensity alone is enough to cause rejection. But for us, it’s essential for survival.”
Memories of the previous Demon King flashed in the Demon King’s mind.
The humans in those memories showed only two emotions: disgust and fear.
To humans, demons were an abhorrent existence.
Communication was impossible.
That was why they had to fight—there was no way to overcome this instinctive repulsion.
This was the conclusion of all the previous Demon Kings.
“I may appear human and can approach you without difficulty… But my people are different. To you, they are grotesque, fearsome creatures with no way to communicate.”
“Even if we coexist now, if our territory expands and more humans are exposed to our magic energy… Perhaps you’ll come to regret this decision.”
‘Why?’
‘Why was I—why was the Demon King—voicing such weakness in this negotiation?’
I had sworn not to appear vulnerable.
Yet here I was, baring my heart to a human I’d just met…
***
Eirene silently listened to the Demon King’s words until the end.
Then, stopping her hand, she gazed into the Demon King’s tear-filled pink eyes.
“Demons need sunlight, don’t they?”
“Yes.”
“Without it, they can’t live to their full lifespan?”
“You’re correct.”
“It’s true that different beings living together might bring various problems and inconveniences. However, as the Emperor of the Empire, as a representative of humanity, I can say this much.”
“If this concession means saving countless lives—”
“Even if it wasn’t me as Emperor, any human would have said the same thing.”
Not just me… Anyone would have said the same.
In that moment, the Demon King saw Eirene not just as a human but as a woman who embodied the teachings of God.
“Trust us, Demon King. Trust alone can reveal many truths.”
‘Trust…’
‘So this is God’s will.’
This is the “plain fact” of Igogodon that humans so often spoke of.
Finally understanding it with their heart, tears began to flow freely from the Demon King’s eyes.
Eirene, seeing this, smiled brightly.
Her smile lacked imperial dignity, but it was filled with love.
The sunlight that the demons had longed for now illuminated Eirene’s radiant, gentle face.
“Let’s end this bloody history together and move forward, Demon King.”
***
Conflicts that had lasted centuries were resolved in the simplest ways.
Without God’s love, things might have turned out differently.
Perhaps humanity and demons would have continued their cycles of hatred and war.
But in a world touched by God’s love, His words were absolute.
If God said, “It will be resolved simply,” then it would inevitably be so.
If God commanded, “Add elements that assist communication,” then even the Demon King’s behavior and thoughts would change accordingly.
The smallest shifts in one’s heart—like accepting being cared for—could sometimes become the key to progress.
This was God’s power.
The magical force that could accomplish anything.
And with such power, wielded effortlessly and freely, the One True God, Igogodon—
Simply, steadfastly, loved.