“Fine! I admit it, I admit it, okay? Right now… I am indeed half-demon.”
Histori panted heavily while using all her strength to grab the Hero’s wrist, stopping her from moving any further—
“But! I really used to be a human! If I’m telling a single lie, may lightning strike me down!”
…Specifically, just sixty-two days ago, she had been a genuine human.
So, even if there really were some kind of god in this world, he couldn’t do anything to her.
“…”
The Hero silently pursed her lips, looking down at the pitiful silver-haired girl from above. Her long legs still straddled Histori’s waist.
“I’m telling the truth, Lady Hero! As for my current appearance, it’s all because of… because of the Demon King’s curse!”
‘Sorry, Demon King Dad, but since you’re already dead as can be, it won’t matter if you take the fall for one more thing, right?’
Once the first sentence was out, the rest wasn’t so difficult.
Histori broke free from the Hero’s suppression and staggered to her feet.
She ran to the Demon King’s remains, spat on them with resentment, and gave his stiffened wing roots two hard kicks.
Although she was doing this for her own safety, the act felt somewhat sacrilegious.
Histori felt a chill crawl up from her toes.
She shivered silently, quickly withdrew her foot, and turned back to the Hero with a deep, sorrowful sigh—
“Alas, ever since the Demon King turned me into this, I have been working hard to find an opportunity to kill him and break the curse. However…”
Histori lowered her head, sobbing with genuine emotion while reminiscing about the good old days—
“Why! Even though the Demon King is dead, I’m still this monster!! Must I bear this disgusting curse for the rest of my life?!”
As she cried, Histori peeked through the gaps in her fingers, secretly observing the expression on the Hero’s face.
“…”
The Hero didn’t show the slightest bit of sympathy.
She wasn’t even watching the performance; she was simply admiring the nail polish Histori had applied for her, held up in the glow of the setting sun.
…Tch, ‘Is it because I’m not acting miserable enough? Am I failing to get a reaction?’
Histori hardened her heart and bit her finger with her teeth, controlling two drops of fresh blood to slide slowly down from the corners of her eyes.
“…Ugh, sob, if… if I have to spend the rest of my life as a member of the Demon Race, I’d rather just die…”
The Hero nodded faintly and placed her fingertips on the hilt of the Pitch-black Greatsword—
“Fine.”
“—Wait, wait, wait! Never mind! Whatever, it’s better to live a lowly life than have a good death!”
In an instant, Histori completed her self-consolation from death back to life.
She jumped up and pressed her hand over the Hero’s hand just as she was about to grasp the hilt.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, yes, I suddenly realized! The world is so wide, and life is so beautiful! When you’re out and about, race is whatever you define it as! As long as I have a heart of gold and don’t do anything evil, even if I have a tail and horns, I am still a high-quality human who loves peace!!”
Histori, whose blood-tears hadn’t even been wiped away yet, gave the Hero a brilliant smile and spoke in a lighthearted tone—
“So, there’s no need to trouble yourself with helping me find peace, Lady Hero. Your hands should be stained with the blood of heinous sinners; you shouldn’t waste your time on me.”
“As for now, the Demon King has been eliminated by you, and justice has been served. Next, it’s time for your triumphal return! It’s a long journey from the Demon King’s Castle to the human lands, so I wish you a smooth trip!”
After speaking, before the Hero could react, Histori took large strides toward the distance…
“My name is Amir.”
“…Huh?”
The cold voice behind her made Histori’s steps stiffen.
She turned around awkwardly and gave the Hero a forced smile—
“Um, what did you just say?”
The black-haired Hero slung the Pitch-black Greatsword over her back and slowly walked up to Histori—
“My name is Amir.”
“…Ah, ah! I see! I’ll remember it! The kind, benevolent Lady Amir who saved me! I will definitely spread your name far and wide…!?”
Under Histori’s terrified gaze, Amir slowly reached out her fair and slender hand and…
—Gently pressed it onto the top of Histori’s head.
“I’ll help you.”
“Eh?”
Thinking that Histori didn’t understand her words, Amir tilted her head slightly and looked into Histori’s eyes with her calm, black pupils—
“…I’ll help you turn back into a human.”