It Is A Different World And Yet I Am Cultivating Monsters - 168 168 "The First Demon King"

“…………

In the dark room, the figure sat alone and cowered.

Her name was Luna.

After being brought to this ancient castle, she was immediately separated from Kyou and the others and locked up in a room.

A room is one of the best-appointed places in the castle, where the luxurious items and furniture that might have once belonged to the lord of the castle are still in place.

Most people would have gladly lived here in a luxurious room, but Luna was sitting in the corner of the room, looking uncomfortable and not crawling into bed, as if she was sitting in fear.

“Oh, you don’t like this room?

In the meantime, a man appears in the room.

It was the person who brought her to this place, the SS-ranked demon Azi Dahaka.

…………

“You can’t eat the food we prepared for you, it’s not good for you.

“…………

Dahaka shrugs his shoulders as he tries to talk to her, but then he says something that shocks Luna.

“Oh dear, you must be so lonely in your reaction to the fact that I invited you to your old room.

“!　What, and ……?

Luna is upset by the unexpected line and stands up.

Dahaka smiles at her and replies, as if she had expected it.

You didn’t notice that, did you?　This is your former home and the castle you should be ruling over.

“Yes, that’s …… what it means, what does …… mean,

Luna is puzzled, but Dahaka scoffs at it and tells her the truth.

You knew it yourself, didn’t you?　The nostalgic feeling I had from the moment I came here, and the feelings that come back from that slight memory. Your true identity is none other than the first Demon King Freeswerg.

“——

Luna was lost for words at the word that Dahaka had just said.

But there was an emotion in there that was somewhat prepared for the answer.

“In fact, I was one of the first Four Heavenly Kings who once served you.

“Huh?

Luna looks up at the further truth.

It’s not just a matter of how much time you have left, it’s also a matter of how much time you have left.

I can still remember your harshness at that time. It’s a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you’re in the market. There was no other demon king who was more worthy of the title of Demon King than you. Of course, I am no match for the same SS rank.

“…………

Dahaka speaks eloquently in front of him, but Luna does not stop looking grim.

…… so.

“Yes?

“You …… want me to do what you want me to do ……

To Luna’s questioning, wrinkling her brow, Dahaka replies with a shrug.

You’re really the one who wants to do something, aren’t you?　Mr. Grace Verg.

“What?

You once said, “The people of this world, the people of this world, even if it costs you everything. People of this world, and you said that you would be willing to sacrifice everything to achieve your goal. Let’s be honest. I love your willingness, your unshakable belief, to declare that.

Luna was perplexed by Dahaka’s unexpected answer, but she didn’t care and Dahaka continued.

I’m one of the SS-ranked demons, of course. I was envious and jealous of the brilliance of humans who follow their own will without hesitation and grow as such. That’s why I wanted to become a human, but the one with the firm belief that I fell in love with was Mr. Freeswerg. You alone.

The snake tells.

There is no deceit, falsehood or trickery in it.

Just pay respect to the owner of the belief that you are in love with.

Surely your purpose will cost you much of the world. But still, you shone as you knowingly went through with it. Not even the same SS-ranked demon, the Four Heavenly Kings who were under your command at that time, obeyed you to the end. But even if you were alone, you still strived for that goal to the end. Although you have become that way in the end, the feelings you had at that time must still linger in your heart. Isn’t that so?

“No, not ……!　Wow, I’m ……!

Luna holds her head in the sand at Dahaka’s invitation.

Something else is rising to the surface, something that is not you.

Luna’s “human self” is desperately trying to suppress it.

What do you want …… me to do?

Dahaka quietly takes out a crystal from his pocket while Luna screams desperately.

…… a world where people grow up and demons become their victims. At first I accepted my role in such a world as part of it, but …… you were the first person to directly challenge and deny it at that time. If the world’s evolution is completed, you will cease to exist and the purpose you wanted to achieve. I will miss you as a person who once served and admired you, if you end up not being able to fulfill any of them. …… That’s just what I thought.

Saying this, Dahaka leaves the crystal in Luna’s hands and heads for the door.

Enduring a severe headache, Luna calls out to Dahaka’s back.

Wait ……, what the hell is this ……?

“Once is your ‘purpose’. If you want to see it and resist the urge that arises from within, that’s fine too. You choose the path of man, I do not deny it. I myself am in a hurry to become a man.

But,” announces Dahaka, after a beat, “if you’re going to play the role of the old ‘demon king’ – yes, I’ll accompany you.

“If you’re going to play the role of the old ‘demon king’ – yes, I’ll be there with you then. As the last of my men who fell in love with your honest way of life.

With these words, Dahaka opens the door and disappears.

A crystal is left in Luna’s remaining hand.

…………

At first, with trembling hands, you try to slam it into the ground, but you find yourself unable to do so.

Eventually, you feel a nostalgic presence from it.

Unable to resist the truth about herself that lies within the crystal – something she wants to fulfill – Luna finds herself holding the crystal in both hands, calming her mind and focusing her magic power.

As she had done so many times before.

As if it were natural, Luna sees an image that appears in the crystal.

And the moment she saw what was reflected there, Luna unknowingly shed tears.

…… oh.

And there it was, what she had always wanted. What she wanted.

The one she had been searching for since she woke up, going down to the city from time to time to find it missing.

The one thing we all have, the natural, natural thing.

And when she sees it, Luna realizes.

Who she is. Purpose.

Why you are here now.

And what you’re supposed to accomplish. What I wanted to accomplish.

When she realizes this, Luna cries again.

It’s not tears of nostalgia and happiness that she first shed, but tears of regret and sadness.

“Oh …… right, …… I am …… I am …… no, I am …… So, that was it: ……

Luna’s tears continue to flow as she holds her reflection in the crystal.

And so, she looks back on her life since she woke up in the Ishtar ruins.

The nostalgic and joyful days spent with Kyou.

The various people around him.

Locke, Lily, Fitis, Jack, Ferrid, Mina, Dora-chan, and many others.

The fact that I, who should never have crossed paths with them, was able to spend time with them.

And the fact that I was able to spend time with them again, when I had given up hope of ever seeing them again.

Understanding everything, Luna cries.

Eventually, after holding the crystal and crying for hours, Luna has a fire of determination in her eyes.

These are not the eyes of the lost girl who was frightened, afraid, and rejected until a moment ago.

They are the eyes of one who has an unshakable will, an unchanging soul, and a belief that contains a determination to never retreat.

Now here is the soul of the girl called Luna, who has quietly finished her transformation and has in her soul the will of the demon king Freeswerg, who once ruled this castle.