Alright…
This should do it.
Thinking about it carefully, this is what I should’ve done from the very beginning!
Just hand over this responsibility and obligation directly to the Hero.
Whether she discovers the Demon King’s lingering soul inside and destroys it with a single strike, or never notices anything and simply keeps this broken stone by her side for the rest of her life…
Or even forgets it in some unknown corner, letting this sacred demon artifact gather dust for thousands of years—it has nothing to do with me!
The only thing I need to do is, before the Hero starts to suspect me, find a moment when she’s asleep or distracted, spread my wings, and soar into the sky.
With my strength—rarely matched in the entire world—I’ll find a peaceful, beautiful place and live a carefree, reclusive life!
As the ruby was about to slip from her hand, a blissful smile almost broke across Jisituoli’s face—
…but…
…she couldn’t let go.
She tried to force her fingers open, but the ruby clung to her palm as if it had grown into her flesh, tightly attached to her skin.
“Jisituoli, you unfilial daughter. Is everything of the demon race something you can abandon so easily?”
The Demon King’s angry voice traveled from her fingertips straight into her mind.
…Who cares about you!
I can barely protect myself right now—how am I supposed to worry about the revival of the demon race?
And besides!
Do you really think the Hero is an idiot who won’t eventually see through my true identity?
Once she realizes, the first thing she’ll do is cut me down!
At that point, forget reviving the demon race—we’ll be companions on the road to the underworld!
So…
Let go already!
If this keeps up, Emil will definitely notice something!
Do you believe I’ll expose the fact that your soul is still inside this necklace!?
“…Heh, very well, Jisituoli. Since you’re so heartless, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
After leaving behind that cryptic threat, the ruby emitted another strange, iridescent glow in her palm.
Then, as if it had finally exhausted the last of its strength, it slowly slipped from her hand and fell into the Hero’s.
“…Tch.”
Looking at the clear, flawless ruby in her palm, Emil showed undisguised disgust.
Still, faced with Jisituoli’s firm attitude, she didn’t press further.
She stood up from in front of Jisituoli, lightly tossed the necklace—valuable as it was in theory—and stepped forward.
—Her cool fingertips brushed gently across the back of Jisituoli’s neck as Emil fastened the necklace back around the silver-haired girl’s throat.
“…Actually, that didn’t hurt much.”
“…Hm?”
“So there’s no need for any compensation.”
Emil gently patted Jisituoli’s head, as if soothing a startled kitten.
Then she extended her hand toward her.
On her usually cold, frost-like face, there appeared a smile as gentle as a spring breeze—
“Jisituoli, in the name of the Hero, I swear this: though I don’t know what kind of curse the Demon King has placed upon you, I will do everything in my power to turn you back into a human, so you can live freely in this world.”
“…”
For some reason, even though she knew the person before her would be her lifelong nemesis, seeing that brightened smile—one she herself had helped tidy—made Jisituoli’s heart tremble slightly, a strange flutter rising within her chest.
She swallowed softly, then reached her fingers toward Emil’s hand—
“…Th-thank you, Hero.”
“So, in exchange, may I touch your tai—”
“Sorry, that’s the one thing I won’t allow.”
Maintaining her smile, Jisituoli turned her fingers into a palm and—smack—lightly slapped Emil’s hand away.
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