CH 100.2

The Hero and Maou’s egg was trembling a little.It appeared that this egg was different from the other demon eggs so far. The egg’s existence itself was ambiguous and delicate. It was for this reason that I had cooped myself up in the 『Fountain of Life』. I wanted my child to be born healthy. I hoped they’d be born into this world all healthy and cheerful.

I stroked the egg as I poured my magic power into it. With my gaze filled with affections, I watched over the egg. Waiting patiently for this moment. 

With a barely audible snap, the egg began to crack. Both me and Killa were starting at the fountain. The other demons around us were also watching over the cracking egg with a bated breath.

A snap followed by another snap until a small crack was spreading on the egg’s surface. From within the egg, I could feel the existence of a life. The desire to be born urged a sliver of movement inside the egg. Bit by bit, small pieces of eggshells were falling into the lukewarm water and I could finally see a glimpse of a very small hand peeking from between the cracks. 

Just like that, another hand came to view, breaking the eggshell open. The newly emerged hand joined the other hand. Those small hands grasping outward, following the preordained path of a new life.

Keep at it… Do your best….

Distinctly, those small hands broke the shell apart, reaching into the air. 

“Aaaau…. Aaaaaaaaa….”

The baby’s first cry was as clear as a bell.

Now… Now everything would be fine.

Gently, so as not to startle it, I outstretched my finger toward the hand. Those small fingers immediately seized my finger into its grab. The cries of a newborn grew even stronger as I picked the small baby from the egg into my embrace. 

“Waaaahhh… Waaaaahhh….”

With a crumpled face, the small baby was wailing for its life. This lithe baby was different compared to other demon babies who were born sturdy and strong since birth. Just like the typical human baby, this child I had together with Killa looked very immature and frail. 

I gently stroked the baby’s soft and puffy blonde hair. In the midst of the baby’s muffled crying, I was able to catch a glimpse of the baby’s eyes. Just like Killa, the baby had ice blue eyes. 

“Thank you for being born…”

Ever so softly, so as not to hurt the baby, I hugged the baby, confirming the existence of the baby’s life with our skin to skin contact. 

Ah… The baby is so very… Adorable…

I held the baby to Killa, who was wearing the same crumpled face as the sniffling baby. Overwhelmed by his emotion, Killa didn’t breathe even a word out. With a trembling, unsteady hand, Killa held the baby into his arms with great difficulty. 

“Our…. Thank you…. For being born…. Thank you… For choosing us… Thank you so much…”

Wordlessly, Velke slowly reached his hand out to Killa, who was holding onto the baby awkwardly and changed the way Killa held the newborn into the proper and safe way.

It was at that moment, I heard the sound of another weak cry. The cry was really feeble compared to the previous lively cries. 

This… Could it be…

I reached out my hand toward the eggshell, which should have been empty after the baby was born.

Another small hand grasped my finger. 

Holding onto my smile, I held out another baby from within the egg. 

“Waaaahhhh… Waaaaah…”

“Twins…?”

“It appears to be so… Two lives emerging from one egg… How bizarre…Ah… This child has a black hair and black eyes… Exactly like Maou-sama…”

{{How unusual… The child shouldn’t have inherited Maou’s disposition but…}}

Apparently, the egg was bigger than usual because there were twins growing inside this one particular egg. 

{{I wonder if this due to the fact that you kept on pouring your magic power into the egg?}}

“Whoa! A boy who looks exactly like me and a boy who looks exactly like Mao-kun! I can’t believe I get to be the father of twins…!!”

I’d have been so happy with just one child but since we were blessed with twins, I became twice as happy. 

“Mao-kun, please name the children.”

“Huh? I’m the one who named them… Okay.”

Giving a name for a twin all of a sudden like this… Oh.

“The blonde one is Claus and the black haired one is Lucas… What do you think?”

I didn’t remember the details but I knew it was the name of a twin from a faraway world. A world that I didn’t have any memories of, only fragments of knowledge remained. In that world, a twin was named Claus and Lucas. 

“Claus and Lucas… Ah… What… What a wonderful name…”

Tears streamed down Killa’s face as he cradled both twins in his arms.

“Thank you for being born as our children. Even before you were born,our hope for the future of both demonkind and humankind was already entrusted on your shoulder but that’s not the case anymore. That wasn’t the case. Right now… There’s nothing more precious than the fact that the two of you are born into this world…”

Killa rocked the twins lovingly. And then… His smile brightened as if he just realized something new. 

“………. I see… So… This is hope… Ah… I understand now. Mao-kun… It’s not that the children are carrying our hope for the future but… The fact that these children are born… That’s the thing that became our hope. The real beginning starts the moment these children are born… I… I will do everything I can for the sake of their future. Somehow… I feel like I can truly do anything. No matter what kind of hardship awaits us, I think I can overcome it all.”

The twins were squealing in delight, as if they knew they were being held by their father. 

“We’re going to be so busy from now on, Killa. At any rate, we have to stop the chain of sorrow that has been going on for countless generations. We need to do everything we can before we pass everything to the twins…. Besides… Though the mission we give them might be hard, since there’s two of them, they will be able to share the burden in half together. I’m sure they were born as twins so they could support each other.”

“You’re right. I hope from now on the two of them will keep supporting each other in every step they take.”

Killa began to pray in a melodic way, as if he was singing in order to bless the newly born twins.

“May the world that all of you walk in the distant future be a happy one. May the path all of you walk be filled with light. The world is still full of chaos and far from peaceful. There’s still sadness left in this world but at the same time, there is also something precious and beautiful in this world… There are a lot of beautiful sceneries in this world. I can’t wait to show it to all of you. The curtain of light peering through the stained glass in the cathedral accompanied by the resounding sound of beautiful and crystal clear hymn. The brilliant night sky full of glittering stars. The grandeur of a volcano with scorching hot lava flowing through it. The wondrously beautiful forest full of spirits. The translucent blue crystal in a crystal cave. A lake so clear you could see your reflection in it and a big rainbow over the vast blue ocean. All of the beautiful things I’ve seen in my travels, I want to show it to you guys as well. Let’s go see all of the beautiful things together.”

Suddenly, a vision went through me. 

In the distant future. Somewhere under the night sky while watching the twinkling meteor shower, demons and humans alike were watching its beauty together. Luca was pointing at the sky in delight while being carried on Killa’s shoulder. Claus must be merrily climbing over Chaos, the Dark Dragon. The other demon children were having fun crowding around Chaos’s tail, using it as a slide.

Both humanoid demons, beast demons and all kinds of demons were playing under the same star. Everyone brought boxed meals, more than they could carry on hand. We talked under the same sky over a warm cup of black tea, or maybe you could say we were having a drinking party while stargazing. Velke must be beside my side as always, along with Killa and all of my other precious demons. 

Surely, the future where both demons and humans alike could admire the same beauty together would come. That kind of day would surely come to fruition. 

As Killa wished for the children’s happiness, each of the words that came out of Killa’s heart were spinning together, becoming a new name for the spirits. The newly materialized spirits then gave their blessing to Killa’s prayer. 

May you be healthy. May you be happy.

Each word was blessed, creating a glimmering light in its wake. 

“Claus-sama and Lucas-sama then! Ah! What a wonderful name! May I hold them too?”

Copper, who was watching the scene before him with a perpetual smile on his face, voiced his request to Killa. On normal days, Copper would always feel frightened and scared over the Hero but right the cuteness of the twins won over him, making him forget about his fear. 

“Of course.”

Killa answered with a smile as he gave the baby to Copper for the young kobold to hold. The other demons were fidgeting restlessly too, they were all waiting for their turn to hold the twins in their arms. Of course, Velke was the first one to hold Lucas. 

“Velke, no matter how similar Lucas is to me, you can’t play favoritism, okay?”

“I know.”

Velke nodded meekly but the corner of his mouth was raising, showing Lucas his unrestrained smile.

The twins showed no fear or anxiety with people. They were giggling gaily as the demons held them. 

Suddenly, I could feel a presence watching us from a distance. Peeking from the door with his tail tucked between his legs, there stood Lexus the werewolf. 

“Lexus, why don’t you stop staring and come in already?”

“Maou-sama…”

His tucked ears showed his inner turmoil for the world to see. 

“Lexus. If you have something to say, you need to say it now, you know?”

“But… That… I will spoil the mood if I do that…”

Lexus, who was usually incapable of reading the mood, somehow miraculously gained the ability to do so. But… I knew what he was going to say. That was why I urged him to speak.

“It’s about Killa, right?”

Step by step, Lexus went into the room but he stopped walking even though he was only halfway in. He stared at me, flabbergasted before he finally found the courage to begin talking. 

“I’m honestly happy that the heir who will become a bridge between human and demon has been born. I truly feel happy about it but…. I… I can’t forget the hatred I feel toward the Hero for killing my older brother. Maou-sama told me that I don’t need to forget it… That I can keep resenting the Hero and Maou-sama only hoped that the pain I feel would be reduced over a long period of time… But… I don’t know what I should do. While those around me are looking forward to the future more and more…I feel like… I’m the only one left behind. The more I get to know the Hero, the more I feel like he’s just a pervert who adores Maou-sama but… This hatred is still lingering deep inside my stomach. This hatred… Torments me… Like how could I let the person who killed my brother be? I… I don’t know what I should do.”

Lexus’s head was hanging down. He must’ve kept these issues bottled inside of him for a long time. It was as if he had been trying to say it over and over again to no avail until he finally reached this state.

I tried to think of how I should phrase my words in a way that could reach Lexus’s heart. 

“Isn’t it fine? Of course you will be at a loss on what to do. What path you should take is not a question that can be resolved right here and then. You said it yourself, didn’t you? You’re at the stage where you’re feeling troubled the more you know your opponent. Just with that, my purpose has been served. You don’t have to forgive Killa but at the same time, you can still have a moment where you forgive Killa. After all, we’re all versatile and complex living beings. I wish to have a discussion so both sides could stop saying「humans are our enemy」「demons are bad」. That’s why… When you’re feeling troubled over it… When you continue to keep feeling troubled about it… Your feeling is aligned with what I wished for. Also… As Maou, I’m proud of you for never stopping walking and thinking even though you’re feeling stressed about it.”

Lexus looked perplexed before he let out a dry laugh.

“Even if I don’t forgive the Hero, I can still have a moment where I forgive him, huh… Hahaha…. Maou-sama is a tough one for sure. It’s going to be so much easier had you ordered me to forgive the Hero but I know you won’t take the easy way for sure…. Hahaha… But… Because of that reason we all worship and adore you, Maou-sama. This is a problem that I’ve been struggling with for a long time and I know for sure, it’s going to take me some time before I can finally find my answer.”

His tail slowly emerged from between his legs and one of his ears, which had been lopsided, was standing up now. Somehow or another, it seemed Lexus had finally known which pathway he should take.

“Excuse me… May I… Hold the twins as well?”

If he wanted to take revenge on the Hero, killing the Hero’s fragile sons would be the best option to execute his retribution. While knowing all the risk, Killa still gently placed the twins into Lexus’s awaiting arms. 

“Wh-Whoa… They’re so squishy and punny… Compared to a demon child, their state is still unstable… They’re so frail as if they could die at any moment now but…. They’re so adorable. Right now, I still don’t know how I should face the Hero. I’m still struggling with my answer but none of that matter is related to these children. Regardless if they’re the children of the Hero or the hope of the future, I hope the world will become a place where these frail beings could grow up healthy and happy… I hope a wonderful future will come for these little ones…”

Even though the twins had started to tug on his whiskers and nibble on his droopy ear, Lexus only sighed as if it couldn’t be helped that small infants like them would act this mischievous and still cuddled the twins lovingly.

Killa, who had been watching this scene, spoke quietly.

“Even after I had killed the werewolf, killed a pack of wyverns, smashed the eggs with no remorse… And even after I had killed countless demons upon demons… I will never forget everything that I’ve done. I won’t and I can’t pretend all those things never happened in the first place. What I’ve done was nothing but slaughter. There’s no excuse for what I’ve done.”

Killa spoke calmly, even though the subject of his speech was very heavy and dark.

“All the things I’ve done… People are thanking me for it since in their eyes, I was saving the world. But at the same time…I will never forget that my actions had given birth to a lot of hatred. I’ve never thought of being forgiven for it either. My hands are drenched with blood and that’s why I don’t want these children to experience the same sorrow…. I want to leave behind a future without sorrow for them. For that very reason, I will do everything within all of my capabilities for my whole life to leave a bright future for these children. I want a future where humans and demons won’t have to kill each other…. This is the answer I can give to you right now. So what do you think? Lexus-kun?”

Killa said as he stared at Lexus who was still holding the twins. 

“I will keep on watching toward the end of that path until you’ve fulfilled your role then. Hero Killatur.”

Slightly baring his fangs, Lexus replied to Killa. 

“I will keep on doing my utmost best to repay you.”

Killa said with a huff, suddenly erasing all the tension in the air. 

“Well when I’ve finished my duty, or rather, when I die, I’ll be on top of Mao-tan’s belly though.”

“Can’t you please stop changing the conversation into a dirty joke?!”

“I plan to live on until I’m 98 and die during sex.”

“What a healthy old man!!”

“I’m going to do my best so I can keep my son standing up until I’m 80 but even if I can’t get it hard, I will do my best to make Mao-tan moan a lot and feel a lot of pleasure!!”

“It’s fine even if you don’t try hard at that, you know?!”

“As I thought… The Hero is  a pervert. Maou-sama is going to feel troubled because of him…”

Lexus said, his ears drooping low. At the same time, I could see Velke’s vein began to pop out too. 

Hearing the news that the children had been born, other demons began returning home. They started to grow rowdy as the party to celebrate the birth of the twins were beginning. 

Ah. Though he was still grumbling all the way, Alexius also returned home. He was playing with the children roughly, though it seemed he was actually trying to be affectionate. Chaos, who had taken a human form, was very angry at Alexius. 

The twins started to cry and though he was nervous, Killa tried to take care of the twins. Noticing Killa’s predicament, Elk immediately prepared formula milk for the twins efficiently and told Killa to give it to the twins. As expected from Elk, he was very skilled at child rearing. 

Babies sure are amazing, huh. The demons who hate the existence of both humans and Hero, can’t help but to smile at the sight of the twins. 

Both demons and the Hero were gathering around the twins, making a lot of noise in the midst of their excitement.

I felt so happy. 

VSH… VSSSHHH…. VSSSHHH….

This was the sight I wanted to see. 

VSSSHH….

I leaned my head back and there was Velke. Always at the right place for me.

――It was an unexpected incident. 

“Maou-sama, are you getting tired?”

“A little. I’ve been checking on things all night after all. I think I need some sleep.”

――As if… A single drop of water suddenly fell down.

A yawn came out of my mouth. Maybe I was feeling relaxed because the babies had been born safely. 

VSSSHHH…. VSSSHHH….

“Hey, Velke.”

“Yes. What is it?”

――Suddenly, without any warning beforehand.

“Am I… A good Maou for all of you? Have I done the things that only I can do?”

Even without looking at him, I already knew. Velke’s purple eyes must be shining with pride. He was staring at me as if I was someone so precious to him. 

{{ ……? ……! ?? ………! ………! !! !! !! }}

“Yes, Maou-sama. There are things that only you can accomplish. This scene before us can only be done by you. Our Maou…. My Maou. I’m really thankful you’re the one that was born into this world. That you’re the one living in this world.”

Fufufu~ I did it. Even though I’m a Maou that was chosen by pure chance, I’ve changed the inevitable. 

VSSSHHH…. VSSSHHH….VSSSHHHH….

This world is still full of sorrow but it’s alright.

――As if it didn’t exist in the first place.

I’m sure we can break that chain of sorrow. 

Slowly, I closed my eyelids. The noise around me served as a lullaby for me. 

――The existence of ■■■ has disappeared from the world.

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Suddenly, the weight of Maou, who had been leaning his body against Velke, changed. The demon was pleased, this sudden shift of weight implied how much his Master trusted him. A smile broke on his face at the thought of his master being at ease when sitting next to him. 

“Maou-sama, are you sleeping?”

Gently, he stroked his Maou’s head. He could hear the adorable sound of his Maou breathing steadily. 

Ah… He’s truly very lovely.

Velke was very proud of his Master. His Master had accomplished a feat no other Maou in this world was able to achieve. His Master had stopped what appeared to be eternal strife between Maou and Hero… Demon and human. 

And as the cherry on top, his Maou didn’t use brute force. Rather, his Maou did it with words, ideology and principles. 

“Maou-sama, you will catch a cold if you sleep here. Let’s go to your chamber.”

He gave his Master a small nudge but his Master just continued on to sleep soundly.

“Maou-sama?”

Maou’s body was laying on top of Velke’s lap as he slept still, not even moving a muscle. Though Maou was indeed tired, he was sleeping way too deeply. 

“Maou-sama…?”

He shook his Master a little harder but still, his Master didn’t budge even a little. Trying to suppress his agitation, Velke inspected his Master’s heart. 

There was no breathing problem. There was no injury on his Master’s physical body or mind.

No. Since his Master had become the strongest Maou in existence, any physical, mental or magic attack wouldn’t affect him in the slightest. 

And yet…. Why….

It was at that time, a thought suddenly came to him. 

Maou’s body might be existing without lacking anything but one thing was missing. 

“His soul is…. Gone….?”

The demon around Velke started to notice something was amiss. The moment Viktor the Vampire laid his eyes on Maou, he immediately sensed something was not quite right and went to search for Maou’s soul. 

Utilizing his power as the founder of the vampire tribe, he took matters into his own hand and began to search around the whole world through his underling that was spread across the globe. One by one, he searched for the soul that instantly captivated the vampire, who had grown weary of living and everything. 

But… No matter how much he searched all around this world… No matter where he went… He couldn’t sense his Maou’s soul in this world. 

“!!!???”

Trembling, Viktor almost went mad. 

To think that person’s soul would be lost… Such a thing must never happen.

Searched, searched, searched even until the edge of the world… Searching wide and deep… Searched, searched,  searched until the end….

But still, the soul was nowhere to be found. 

“To think Maou-sama’s soul would disappear like that…!!!!!”

The surrounding demons started to grow uproarious.

At that moment.

All of the demons present suddenly knew. Shivers ran through their spine as they sensed the ‘presence’ of that.

As if a single drop of water suddenly fell down, all of a sudden they could sense the presence of ‘that’ over there.

But…

No one saw the moment ‘that’ thing happened. 

“Could it be… That…. That kind of thing….”

Even the Hero could somehow perceive the existence of ‘that’. Or rather, the Hero was able to perceive the existence of ‘that’ because ‘that’ was his counterpart.  

In the 『Fountain of Life』, the quiet sound of a fetus could be heard. 

“Maou’s…. Egg….?”

An egg, containing the existence of a Maou, an existence that could only exist as a singular being in this world, was there in the fountain as if it had been there from the beginning. 

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Pipipipipipi.

Pipipipipipi.

The familiar sound of an alarm reverberated. 

Though my consciousness was still hazy at best, I woke up in 『this world』.