This is an interview from Hell, something a certain God did on a whim at the gathering place of the dead Demon Tribe—maybe out of boredom, since there was nothing else to do.
They found one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Tribe, a close confidant of Sig.
You could tell this Demon Tribe member seemed quite surprised, even confused, but he wasn’t opposed to the topic.
Instead, he spoke freely, as if reminiscing about past glory.
“You, a God who despises the Demon Tribe, are actually interested in Sig? Fine, I’m bored anyway, so I’ll chat with you. Let’s start from when I first met him. That was over a hundred years ago, I think. I was about eighteen at the time, and he was probably eighteen too. We young Demon Tribe members would then spend the next hundred years in the Demon Tribe Territory, receiving guidance from the older Demon Kings. Only after we were prepared to face crises could we be considered ready to fight the Humans. A hundred years is a lifetime for Humans, but for us, it’s just a moment.”
He paused, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“But guess what happened? As soon as Sig gained a bit of self-preservation ability, he ran out of the Demon Tribe Territory like a madman. No one could stop him. He said he was going to find his Brother. That guy couldn’t do without me. I thought he’d be back in a few days at most, since the world outside was full of malice and prejudice against the Demon Tribe. But he didn’t return for a hundred years.”
“Everyone thought he’d died out there, since there wasn’t a single word from him. Besides, the other races hated us so much, they’d kill us without a reason. No one expected that guy to come back alive, but he did—though he looked utterly haggard, covered in wounds, with a Mark of Slavery on his neck and several fatal injuries. Even the Horns of Demon Honor that symbolized our tribe had disappeared.”
The Demon Tribe member grew more animated as he spoke, recalling bygone days as if everything was still vivid before his eyes.
“Later, we learned that guy had traveled across the entire continent looking for his Brother, searching everywhere, asking everyone, refusing to give up any possibility. He only said the wounds on his body were from Humans on the road, and didn’t elaborate. In the end, Sig didn’t find his Brother, only got himself into a mess, and wasted the best years for a Demon Tribe to study and grow. If nothing unexpected happened, he would have amounted to nothing, just waiting to die in the Demon Tribe Territory.”
“But unexpectedly, that guy was still as spirited as ever, just like a hundred years ago. He said he didn’t return because he gave up searching, but because he thought that after becoming Demon King, it’d be more worthwhile to search again. Plus, he wanted a reason to destroy the world—killing two birds with one stone. But everyone thought he was just dreaming; not everyone can become Demon King. Who would have thought he’d actually do it… But he wasn’t a genius, just an idiot.”
…A trace of bitterness appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“After that, he naturally accepted Demon King training. I really disliked him at the time, thought he was just a braggart. I sparred with him every day just to humiliate him. Back then, his swordsmanship and magic were both crude, mostly self-taught, but he exuded real killing intent.”
“Not only did I look down on him, but so did the other Demon King candidates. Everyone thought Sig would be eliminated soon, or that he’d realize his lack of ability and leave on his own. But not only did he persist, he became one of the candidates. It wasn’t talent—it was years of relentless training, special drills, risking his life. I once asked him why he had to become Demon King, why he worked so hard. Why not just leave it to me?”
“And I still remember his answer. He said, as my Brother’s ‘physical dad’, he had the responsibility and duty to protect him and bring him home. Even though he didn’t know where he was now, if he didn’t have the strength to protect him in the future, he’d regret it. He knew that in this world, without strength, you’re just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Besides, after becoming Demon King, he could spread his name—maybe his Brother would hear it and understand. In the future, he’d call himself Demon King Hajimi. Simple and clear.”
“I asked him, since you like Humans, why do you want to destroy the world? He fired back—why destroy the world, and how would you deal with Humans? I answered that the Demon Tribe’s blood feud must be avenged, Humans must pay and become Slaves, suffering for generations. That was the standard answer. Honestly, I’d never even met a Human at the time—I only said it because the other Demon Tribe members hoped I’d become Demon King.”
“But he just replied calmly, ‘That’s why I have to be Demon King. You should give up. I’ll make all Humans die painlessly in an illusion, even if my hands are stained with innocent blood, I’ll do it no matter what. I promised to bring him home, whatever it takes.’”
“I don’t understand why he’s so conflicted. With his experience, he should hate Humans. But in the end, his actions are so gentle, as if he had no choice.”
“After that, I never beat him again. He awakened a Demon Tribe talent that no one had grasped in a hundred years. He became Demon King, and also the Prophecy Child. Why he’s called Hajimi, I have no idea.”
It was obvious the Demon Tribe member had finished speaking. The corners of his mouth lifted as he gazed at the God before him, wrapped in Saint Light, their voice as ethereal as heavenly music.
“What do you think Sig is like?”
Maybe it was out of boredom after so long; the Demon Tribe member answered every question honestly.
“A man who’s too loyal to his emotions, but sometimes ruthless to the point of using any means. Don’t think it’s absurd, or be prejudiced just because he’s Demon King.”
“I still remember what he once said—‘People who care too much about others’ feelings are doomed to fail. Such people will never accomplish anything.’ Yet he himself is the living contradiction.”
“He clearly could have dealt with the Hero early on, but because his Brother pleaded, he showed mercy and even comforted himself by saying the Hero might be useful. He spent a hundred years searching for someone but didn’t keep her by his side, instead respecting her wish to roam free. He never mentioned the hardships of that century, just laughed it off. He trusted his Brother completely, only to be betrayed and stabbed in the back at the final moment, ruining a century-long Demon Tribe plan.”
“He had plenty of chances to kill, but couldn’t bring himself to do it—said he’d keep her alive to torment her for now. He could have slaughtered Human villages for supplies, but instead provided aid, saying they’d deal with things together in the future. He could have killed surrendered Human soldiers, but instead confiscated their weapons, healed them, and let them go, saying it would enhance the Demon Tribe’s reputation and keep Human mothers from cursing us… At the final battle in Demon King’s Castle, he left the escape route for the young Demon Tribe members, even apologizing to us. But none of us blamed him, because he truly did his best.”
As the words faded, the Demon Tribe member fell silent.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. The Goddess turned to leave, as if she had gotten the answer she wanted, murmuring to herself.
“It seems that in order to maintain future stability, I used the System to have Emilia stay with Gerard, but in the end, it was all for nothing. Maybe Sig was the better choice after all. Besides, things always turn out better when both sides are willing…”