A boy who went to cut wood encountered demons for the first time, marking the beginning of frequent contact between humans and demons everywhere.
“So, you’re asking to borrow our farming tools?”
“That’s not a problem.”
“There’s no need to thank me, but we have some work to do as well. Could you come over and lend us a hand?”
“Alright. Just follow me. We’ll have to cross the boundary line a bit, but the priests said it’s fine to overlook the boundaries to a degree if there’s mutual need, so you don’t have to worry.”
Thus, tools and labor were exchanged as needed.
“This is an edible plant. Did you know that?”
“Really?”
“You didn’t know, huh? There are quite a few edible ones you don’t have to worry about poisoning yourself with. Since you taught me about mushrooms, shall I repay the favor by showing you some of these?”
Simple exchanges of information like this were also taking place.
The demons still looked terrifying and had chilling voices, but one thing had changed: people had started to understand what demons were generally thinking.
That understanding alone felt as though a massive barrier to communication had been removed.
Although their appearance was still fearsome, if they weren’t hostile and even showed a willingness to cooperate, was there really any reason to reject them?
Humans had feared demons because they didn’t understand them, and the inability to communicate only fueled hostility.
The overwhelming fear created by the very presence of demon energy (magi) had made coexistence seem impossible.
But now, that fear was replaced by a faint sense of vitality, warmth, and comfort.
The subtle calmness emanating from magi made people want to converse, regardless of appearances.
It was truly a normalization of magi.
Divine grace had led to unprecedented cooperation between the two races.
***
The Demon King, no longer needing to hide in the shadows, walked through the increasingly developed demon territories while talking to Ballas.
“So, humans are unaffected by magi now?”
“Not unaffected, exactly, but magi feels different. They walk around freely, seemingly unaffected by its presence. It’s reasonable to think we’re still emitting magi, but humans interact with us without issue. At first, I thought it might just be their goodwill, but there’s no way mere tolerance would lead to such widespread collaboration.”
The boundary was initially established by the demons to declare, “We won’t cross further.”
This was partly to prevent complaints from humans sensitive to magi, which could have overturned the cooperation effort.
But the concern proved unnecessary as humans and demons quickly began interacting and cooperating as though they had known each other for years.
“This is delicious! Humans can make some impressive stuff.”
“Stop slacking and get to work. If we don’t finish this today, you’ll be sleeping outside again.”
“Take your time. Why not sleep inside the dungeon instead?”
“No thanks. I’ve woken up too many times to bugs crawling around in there.”
Even the drink being enjoyed near the construction site had been obtained from humans.
Normal communication had been nearly impossible before due to magi, but now even bartering was happening earlier than expected.
“Any theories?”
“Honestly, no idea. It’s good news, of course, but I really want to ask you what’s going on.”
***
The direction of magi had abruptly changed.
From Ballas’s account, it seemed humans no longer felt discomfort from magi.
On the contrary, some even lingered near demons, chatting or resting close by.
“Even children, known for their honesty, quickly adapted and showed no reluctance to interact with demons after their initial fear subsided.”
“This proved that magi had indeed changed.”
“Although the exact reason was unclear, there was only one being capable of such a change: the One True God, Igogodon.”
“If this deity had the power to turn a terrifying demon like herself into a human girl, altering magi would have been a trivial feat.”
“No matter how one looked at it, the only plausible explanation for the situation was divine intervention.”
“But then, another question arose:”
“Why?”
“Why would humanity’s God go so far as to watch over us demons?”
“What reason could there be for embracing beings considered humanity’s enemies?”
“Was all this simply one of God’s “unbiased facts”?”
“It must be the work of God,” the Demon King murmured.
“God? Are you referring to Igogodon, the God of humans who supposedly transformed you?” Ballas asked.
“Yes. If it weren’t for God, such impossible events couldn’t have happened. During my meeting with the Emperor, I learned that their God grants miracles to humanity, working to make the world a better place. From God’s perspective, seeing countless lives lost in a war between humans and demons would be tragic. Perhaps that’s why God intervened, to make peace with us for humanity’s sake… or so I believe.”
“God…” Ballas trailed off. “I’ve spent 120 years studying ways to extend my life through magi, never once believing in a metaphysical being. But now…”
She bowed her head as she stood beside the Demon King, only for her gaze to unintentionally fall on her new, human figure, including features she hadn’t expected.
“I never thought I’d become one of the strongest pieces of evidence for God’s existence.”
The shock of turning into a human was undeniable proof that God’s power existed, leaving no room for denial.
***
“How is it, Ballas? Have you adjusted to a human body?” the Demon King asked.
“Honestly, it’s inconvenient. It feels soft, weak, and like I could collapse from a single blow. But… I no longer feel that burning desire for revenge against humanity. In a way, it’s liberating. Revenge only consumes the soul in the end.”
“By the way, I must ask—what is that in your hair?” the Demon King inquired, noticing something tucked into Ballas’s hair.
“Oh, this?” Ballas smiled bashfully, touching the flower. “I met a human boy near the boundary.”
“A human boy?”
“Yes. He said, ‘You’re pretty, so I’ll give you a flower.'”
“Hah! A boy daring enough to give a flower to a 120-year-old high-ranking demon. Quite the spirited child!”
“Haha… yes, indeed,” Ballas chuckled.
“I saw you teaching some newly born demons the other day,” the Demon King noted. “That’s not something you used to do.”
“True. Before your arrival, many demons were wary of my existence. Although they respected me for surviving alone amidst so much death, I was also feared. Back then, I didn’t bother with newly born demons. I only valued those who survived long enough to prove their strength.”
“But now, in this human form… I find myself curious about how they’ll grow. Even the young demons don’t fear me and follow me eagerly,” Ballas said with a gentle smile.
The Demon King observed Ballas’s demeanor, which now resembled that of a nurturing elder.
“To think that our kind can now roam freely outside the dungeons. None of the previous Demon Kings ever witnessed such peace,” the Demon King remarked.
“Neither did I ever imagine such an ending,” Ballas replied. “I lived only for vengeance against humanity until your arrival. Thanks to you, we gained sunlight without shedding blood. For that, I am truly grateful.”
‘Thanks to me…?’ the Demon King thought silently.
She turned her gaze upward, then closed her eyes. ‘If anyone deserves gratitude, it is not me but the Savior that humans worship.’
The Demon King clasped her hands together awkwardly, mimicking the prayer posture of Saint Erin.
This was her first step toward faith—a monumental one for someone who had never prayed or acknowledged anyone above herself.
‘To the One True God, Igogodon, I express my gratitude on behalf of the demons. Without your intervention, history would have been bathed in blood once again. Thank you for helping us and for giving me this opportunity.’
‘From now on, we demons will follow your will. Even if your decisions are for humanity’s sake, we have also regained our sunlight thanks to you. You achieved what no Demon King ever could.’
‘So, please… continue to share your unbiased facts with all of us.’
Though her prayer lacked the solemnity of devotion, it marked a profound moment—an entire race, led by its supreme leader, bowing its head to God.
***
[Igogodon: I’m glad everything worked out…]
[Igogodon: Normalizing magi without breaking the world setting worked out too.]
[Igogodon: Also, these emoticons are adorable, haha. This chapter was fun (´｡• ◡ •｡`) ♡.]
[MoneyPlease: Thank you. I hope God’s kindness reached even the demons.]
[Igogodon: They don’t need to worship me as long as they stop unnecessary fights.]
‘I’m just a reader, not an actual God,’ thought Igogodon.
‘Why bother spreading faith? I just want to see a satisfying ending.’
As they wiped away tears, the writer messaged them:
[MoneyPlease: By the way, how should the remaining ‘Divine Powers’ be used?]
[Igogodon: Huh? There are still powers left?]
[MoneyPlease: Yes. A total of 7,000 coins’ worth remains.]
[Igogodon : Oh… in that case, give them to Eirene this time. It’s a fitting tribute.]
[MoneyPlease: Understood. Everything is as the divine wills it.]