"So? What does that have to do with us?"
Blanc restored her burned whip in an instant, then opened her crimson eyes wide and smiled chillingly.
She looked every bit a madwoman.
The madness of someone driven insane by love.
"Even if they are the races being harmed, it only goes as far as humans, elves, and dwarves, doesn't it? Do you think angels, beastfolk, giants, fairies, vampires—and we demons—would care whether those three races fall into chaos or not?"
The answer was no.
The sole difference between the former and the latter—whether a race belonged to humanity or to monsters—determined that answer.
Angels and giants had almost no ties to other races, while beastfolk and fairies were under the protection of Demon Lords.
Vampires and demons did require blood and contracts, respectively, but they could obtain those from other monster races as well.
Guy, who was effectively the leader of the Demon Lords, knew that perfectly well.
"But humans are necessary for the balance of the world."
However, he was an [Arbiter], and also a [Demon Lord], so he needed to take responsibility for the balance of a world sustained by humanity and monsters.
That was what he had to do as the proxy of Veldanava, the [Holy Emperor Dragon], the Creator God of this world and his first friend.
"Then are you saying you intend to kill my retainer for the sake of the world's balance?"
Whoooosh...
Blanc's furious magicules gradually stained the earth.
Immaculate, pure-white magicules.
A brilliant white radiance dyed everything around it white.
"I acknowledge that you're the strongest, but do you think that means you can just disregard me?"
She might not measure up to Rouge or Noir, but she was still undeniably the queen of demons.
She was a powerhouse worthy of being called one of the strongest, and not kind enough to let an impudent guest on her territory simply walk away.
"Haa... Wait, Blanc. I've already had a round with those Phantom bastards for three months, so I can't be bothered fighting you too. Besides, I don't particularly want to kill this guy either."
Thus, Guy decided to take a step back for the moment.
It would not have been terribly difficult for him to defeat Blanc even in his current state, but considering the nature of demons, who resurrected endlessly, she was an extremely troublesome opponent.
Jonne and Noir alone were already irritating enough to drive him mad. If he added even more troublesome nuisances to that list, he would be exhausted from stress before he even began fighting.
"...You don't want to kill that child?"
Having known Guy for a long time, Blanc could discern the sincerity in his words and sensed that what he had just said was true.
So she lowered her killing intent a little—just a little.
It was an incredibly slight amount, but considering her personality and values, even that was a considerable concession and her way of saying she was willing to talk.
"Yeah. The human side has been weakening lately, which has been a problem. That Otherworlder named Leon Cromwell is at least active as a Hero, but the repercussions from the birth of the fourth True Dragon and the deaths of the elven and dwarven kings over the past two thousand years have been too severe."
Guy Crimson shook his head as though it were all such a nuisance.
Though he was discussing the course of world affairs connected to the lives of countless beings, to him—someone who regarded humans as little more than pets convenient to raise—it was nothing worth mentioning.
And Blanc, too, listened to Guy while regarding the flow of the world as nothing significant.
But their conversation was full of extremely useful information for me.
...Leon is still a Hero? Then the era I'm in must be at least two hundred years earlier.
There was nothing in Hell that could tell the time. To demons, time was merely one concept among those that flowed onward.
I already knew this was before the original story because Blanc, Jonne, and Viole had not yet received names, but I had not expected that the original story would not begin for several more centuries.
Having plenty of time is good, but I didn't need quite this much...
Thanks to that, I had even more worries to deal with.
"...So I want to make that one my subordinate, send him to the human side as both an observer and a Hero. In exchange, I'll give him a body and a small gate that will let him come here occasionally. That's not a bad deal, is it?"
"...In short, you want to share that child."
"Well, that's about right. And..."
While I muttered that inwardly, Guy and Blanc's discussion was nearly over.
The subject of their conversation was my future, yet I was just standing by and watching.
Interrupting while two demon kings were talking was no different from madness, after all.
"...I understand your proposal well enough. But I don't want to accept it."
"...Hey. As I recall, you were the sharpest of that bunch... so why are you refusing this proposal? You must know it would be a considerable benefit to you as well."
Guy glared at Blanc as if telling her to stop joking around already, but Blanc's eyes were serious.
"Yes, it's a considerable benefit. If I made good use of it, I might even be able to obtain a body before those two."
"And you know that, yet..."
"Even so, I refuse."
"...Why?"
Obtaining a body was the cherished wish of every demon.
Except for that eccentric Noir, there was not a single demon in Hell who did not desire a body.
That was why Guy had assumed Blanc would be no different.
But—
"Because that child is worth that much to me."
Blanc already had something more precious.
Her most cherished retainer, who reminded her of her first friend.
"As long as I have that child, I need nothing else."
**
Yes, in the past, she surely would have accepted Guy's proposal without a moment's hesitation.
Back when she had not known that child.
In the past, she had always wanted to leave this dark Hell and venture into a world with bright skies.
Because there were so many living beings and things there that could inspire amusement and interest.
But after losing her friend Blanche, she lost interest in that place.
Because she had come to treasure bonds all the more.
And now, she had forged another precious bond.
It had been tied once more.
This time, I never want to lose him.
Even if she were defeated, even if she were killed, she never wanted to lose him.
Because he has become my everything now.
For he was everything to the demon named Blanc.
**
With that thought, Blanc smiled.
A pure, spotless white smile—Blanc—that held no humiliation, arrogance, or eerie malice.
"..."
The eyes of the two demons who saw it widened in surprise.
They had never once seen her smile like that before.
"...Then I suppose I have no choice but to kill him after all."
Having confirmed that Blanc meant what she said, Guy wanted to know how that ash-gray demon had changed Blanc's heart so completely. But before that, he remembered that I was an Irregular.
To think he even moved Blanc's heart. If only Blanc had accepted the proposal, I could have taken him as a subordinate... It certainly is a shame.
But no matter how regrettable it was, he could not neglect his original purpose and role.
With that thought, Guy summoned a longsword.
Hummm...
The sword that had suddenly appeared in midair was clearly no ordinary weapon even at a glance, containing a bizarre and dangerous demonic aura.
[Answerer]. That sword is...
[Report. The grade of the sword summoned by individual Guy Crimson cannot be determined. It is presumed to be an exceptional masterpiece of at least Legend-grade.]
...So it's practically God-grade, then.
"Do you think I'll just stand by and let you?"
Blanc also formed an Abyss Core for battle. She was preparing to use Nuclear Magic.
Both sides were fully intent on killing the other to achieve their respective goals.
If this continued, it was obvious the surrounding area would be reduced to scorched earth.
"P-Please, stop for a moment!"
I shouted to mediate between them, pouring magicules into my throat to the absolute limit.
"Hairo..."
"What is it? Do you want to join the fight too?"
The two demons' gazes turned toward me.
"..."
Suppressing the tremendous pressure brought by their gazes, I made the best choice available to me.
"...Primordial Demon [Rouge]. I will go with you. So... please stop this fight."
The best choice—the one that would leave neither side harmed.
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