97. NEW GODDESS, PAST DEMON

The next thing I knew, I woke up in a white space. White quartz pillars that seem to extend to the infinite sky, golden liquid flowing down from above and collected in the pool surrounding the pillars below.

I looked at myself, clothes tattered, blood everywhere but the wounds were gone.

“I-I’m safe..”

“Hello,” she waved her hands.

“Or not..”

I raised my head to meet a goddess. Her cerulean blue hair shimmering in an iridescent lustre, and her eyes shining in a golden light held my eyes in place..  

The divinity that the voice contained was quite similar to that when Rishell used her TALENT, except that I wasn’t being serenaded.

Huh.. I’m dead?

I tilted my head, still staring at the goddess dumbfounded.

She wasn’t wearing any gaudy clothes, just one silk cloth draped around her. But that itself was beautiful enough to have me totally charmed. 10/10.

One of her shoulders was exposed, the slit of the cloth exposing a large portion of her thighs. A sight to behold.

And I should really take this shit seriously. What the hell is going on..

“I’m not dead right?” I frowned and tried to stand up. Looks like the pain is gone. My clothing was crazy disheveled though. And my belt.. hah.. luckily I wore a belt. The Liliaths back then probably didn’t know how to unbuckle a belt. I would’ve never imagined that I would be thanking the inventor of the belt for saving my chaisty.

Fixing my clothes, I looked up at the goddess again. I realized she was standing on a wooden stool– or gold? Ah… no wonder she’s so tall– she wasn’t.

“Do you prefer short girls or tall girls creator-sama?” She pointed at herself.

The fuck is with this question?!

“I don't think I really pay that much attention to this detail– why are you asking me this? And what’s up with ‘creator’? I’m not dead right?”

I’m pretty sure this isn’t a transmigration development right?

She shook her head and showed me a motherly smile. Looks like I'm not dead– maybe. 

“You’re alive and the world where your real body resides is currently in a time-stasis state to prevent yourself from being eaten up by Liliath,” she clapped her hands.

“Really? Wow. Thanks,” I heaved a sigh and sat on the floor. I was going to be eaten up by Liliath huh? So what exactly is going on to the real me now I wonder?

The goddess looked at me in wonder.

I realized I had made a mistake.. I shouldn't have sat back down. I saw something I shouldn't have so I averted my eyes. It seemed she wasn’t wearing anything inside.. haha.. ahaha..

“Um.. could you..”

“It’s alright creator-sama, my body was made for you in the first place s-so you can look at me without reserve..” She blushed and started fidgeting with her fingers.

Seriously? No!! I’m not planning a harem! I’m one hundred percent devoted to Liliath! Period.

“I-If creator-sama says so..” 

Oh.. it’s this ‘you-can-read-my-mind’ cliche huh? FUck. Her disappointed face pricks my heart.

“Yes, I can read your mind, but I have the option to choose not to,” she spun her fingers.

Ah.. her expression brightened all of a sudden.. don't tell me it’s because I thought of the pain I felt when I saw her disappointment? She’s a sadist too? No way..

“Alright, whatever, I need to get straight to the point. Where is this? Who are you? What do you mean when you addressed me as a creator and what’s this got to do with the story quest?

“Creator-sama sure seems calm.. on the outside..”

Yeah.. My mind is in a freaking mess. 

“First of all, my name is– none. Creator-sama is to bestow me with a name. Please? Before I move on to the other topics?”

“A name huh?”

Okay.. this sounds weird. Too weird.

Hold up. Let’s get this straight. The system mentions a story stage in effect which means this goddess is probably one that governs an isekaI world of sorts.

The goddess noded in response to my thoughts.

So.. this cliche aint’ really cliche at all?! I’m in a goddess’ domain right now and here I am, and instead of getting sent to another world, I’m about to name the goddess responsible for kidnapping lucky souls?! The hell is up with this?

“I don't think kidnapping is the correct word for that?” the goddess who raised a finger to explain twitched.

“Hm.. I don't know if I should really be the one to name you though..”

“I know how crappy the naming sense of where you grew up is, but it isn’t an excuse to dodge your responsibility of creating me.”

“Creating you.. ughh.. are you sure I’m the person who created you?”

It’s the system isn’t it?
“No, it’s your TALENT. I was created because of your TALENT. So the creator is still you.”

“Huh?”

Manifestation into reality– I manifested a goddess? What kind of logic is that?

“Something like that,” she ran her hand through her hair. “So? A name please? It would make your life easier too.”

“Y-your.. no.. my TALENT isn’t going to force me into a harem r-right?”

I mean.. I had already saved enough points to pull a few gachas.. but I avoided that, absolutely.

“And such is the reason why your TALENT created me,” she spun her finger in the air, “ It’s a counterbalance. Since you’re not willing to pick up another girl your TALENT just had to force me onto you.. not that I dislike it,” she fidgeted with an ‘ehehe’ like expression.

Cute.. but it’s so fucking wrong!!

“Thank you for the compliment creator!” She saluted.

What the… no.. please.. no harem..

“Could you leave that till some other time and give me a name already? I need to start explaining,” she placed her hands on her hips and bent down. Her gorgeous blue hair fell from her shoulders, creating an alluring look.

“Bleu.”

Was the first thing that came to mind– since her hair was blue. Yup.

“Bleu it is. From today my name will be Bleu, thank you for the name creator-sama,” she smiled brightly. Jumping off the stool she took a seat on the floor just like me with her beautiful legs shifted to the side. It was a really feminine position.

Oh no.. I don't want to take responsibility for this.. it’s not every male dream to build a harem you know?

“Yes I know, should I change your clothes?” Bleu pointed at my tattered uniform with blood stains.

Change my clothes.. uh..

“This should be alright.. for now..”

I wouldn't want her to see me naked now would i?

“I want to though,” Bleu chuckled.

“Seriously.. no..”

Ughh.. I think I understand how funny and annoying it is to talk to someone who can read thoughts.

“Then I’ll just fix it up a little instead,” Bleu whipped up a wind around me and my clothes regenerated into their original form like nothing.

Oh nice.

“Thanks.”

“My pleasure. Now, are you clear on why you’re my creator? I feel that you already have a gist of the answer already.”

“Sorta. Thanks for the explanation.”

“Next would be this place, as you already know, it’s my domain and yes, I am responsible for governing an alternate world. To be more specific, governing the gods that governs Liliath’s world.”

Heck confusing. So she was governing this world without a name all this time huh?

“The world was just created though?” Bleu poked her cheeks.

The world was just created?

“Yes, it was created when the story stage initialized.”

“What?”

“Ther world never existed prior to that event is what I’m trying to say. In a sense, Liliath’s memory of her world could be said as nothing but an illusion. But now, it has become reality.”

W-WHAT?

So my TALENT created Liliath with a false history that never existed? And now her false history became reality? So..

“Please, you’re not at fault here creator-sama. Just because Liliath had a bad past doesn’t mean you were the person responsible for causing it.”

“Yeah.. but still.”

Ah.. so I'm the reason for Liliath’s suffering huh? If she never existed she wouldn’t have to go through whatever past she went through. Then again.. not everyone is alright with not existing, I wonder which one is Liliath? If it were me, I didn’t really mind either choice. For others however– due to their background and life experiences, some would prefer not to exist in the first place. But coming into existence wasn’t a choice to begin with, it just happened.

“Now you have a gist of the general situation, should I begin showing you snippets of Liliath’s past?”

98.

“So this is the start of the story?” 

“Yup. And you’ll be sent back to your body once this is over.”

The world shifted– or distorted. I wasn’t too sure how to describe what I was seeing. But many ripples were formed in the process.

“And if you’re wondering why you were seeing a bunch of devil Liliath’s a moment prior, it was because of her charm spell. Your TALENT was hindering her magic by representing the effects by sending your consciousness to an alternately made-up plane that shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

“Haha.. how complicated. My TALENT is an unusual one alright..”

The next moment, Bleu and I appeared in a rather gaudy room. A chandelier hanging above us, the crystals dot the place with sparkles. French windows decorated the milky white walls, ornaments lining the edges with a japanese styled vibe to it.

Four people were standing around a single large bed, the fancy kind with the frilly curtains and stuff. 

“I propose her execution my dear, she’s too much of a dangerous existence. She was a cursed child the moment she was born!” the woman with blonde hair said.

“No..your majesty, please..” the other woman with purple hair said.

“She’s my sister! You can't kill her!” says a 5-year old female child with gloss black hair.

The only guy in the room besides me, most probably the king– large build with hair that had faded to a grey old shade. He bit his lips without saying a word.

“That over there is Liliath, when she was three years old. It was here when she started manifesting the traits of a demon lord.”

“Say what..”

“You could walk closer to take a look. It’s not like you could really interact with the things here.”

Having Bleu’s permission, I walked over to the bitch who demanded Liliath’s execution and punched her– but as expected. I punched air. Wonderful.

Liliath, a three year old with her petite body, the blanket in disarray, sleeping all alone on the bed. Sucking the thumb of one hand, hugging a pillow with her other. An adorable little curled up creature with four small horns on her head. 

“Dear, whichever opinion you choose, I will accept it. I only thought of the option that would reduce the risk of danger,” The blond haired queen said.

“So I’m guessing that’s the queen and the on with the purple hair is Liliath’s mom?”

“Yes. Marilyn is a concubine of the king, also Liliath’s real mother while Georgia the Second is the official empress,” pointing at each person with her thumb. “The King is named Akihito Toren, a descendant which carries the blood of the hero.”

“Wow. So he’s partially Japanese?”

Amazing. So this is really an isekaI world huh? Yikes, shit is about to get real. This first scene already talks about throwing Liliath to execution. 

“This world could be said as one that is– on the slightly darker side of the spectrum,” Bleu said with a finger to her chin.

The world faded into monochrome and time stopped.

“Are you ready to proceed? I suggest you prepare yourself because it will only become worse from here after?” Bleu gestured with her hands.

“Before continuing.. Can I ask how Liliath is doing? The real Liliath that is.. what exactly is going on? After she made me unconscious..”

“I told you just now right? She’s about to ‘eat’ you.”

“You mean THAT ‘eat’?”

Bleu nodded, twice.

Fuck? Really?

“And that’s why you need to understand her story. I’m sure you’ll be able to act accordingly once you understand why Liliath is the way she is. Sure, she may be innocent and crazy to some, but to begin with, she had a pretty bad past that made her that way,” Bleu moved her fingers much like a metronome, “So don't panic when you wake up and just act accordingly.”

“So what this is right now is a tutorial of sorts? There will be like a step-by-step guide to help Liliath regain herself right?”

I’m pretty sure insanity isn’t something that can be cured in one day..

“Well.. there won't be a step-by-step guide unfortunately, you’ll have to solve it by yourself. This story stage is merely a reference for you. Remember what your father said creator-sama? You have to face your fears.”

Hahaha.. yeah. Bleu is like a mom huh?

“That is my role after all,” she showed me a motherly smile.

“Can you call me Noel? Just Noel is fine..”

“Alright, Noel. Please prepare yourself, and when you’re ready, let’s continue with Liliath’s past.”

===

In the center of the garden was a beautiful marble fountain, water sprouting from the top, falling into the pool below. Red-white lotuses and lilly pads adorned the water’s surface.

Liliath sat on the bench adjacent to it, Valentine, on one knee, holding a flower up to Liliath. Both wearing light but beautifully elegant dresses.

 “Liliath-chan! Look! Look! Doesn’t this flower smell really nice?” Valentine, Liliath’s elder sister said gently.

Tracing her fingers, Liliath, 8-years old, her big beautiful crimson stared at the lily-like white flower, the stamen and filament shining like golden stalks of rye.

“Very beautiful, Ane-sama..” Liliath said with a bright smile before returning to her book.

Valentine made a troubled smile and tucked the flower behind Liliath’s ear, caressing her purple hair. She sat down beside her.

“What are you reading?”

“Archives.”

“Archives?”

Liliath nodded seriously, “Father borrowed me..”

Valentine could only sigh. Liliath was indeed very different from her other siblings. To put it into words– Liliath was a genius. She naturally knew what her responsibilities were and would strive to improve herself. Every day, Liliath would spend the majority of her time occupied with reading books. If it weren’t for her childishness, one would've thought that Liliath was an individual whose soul had been reincarnated into her very being.

At this period of time, Liliath was fairly indifferent. Setting boundaries between studying and family relationships. She rarely interacted with her other siblings.

“Don’t you get bored reading all the time? There’s a whole world to explore in reality, you know?” Valentine asked.

Liliath shook her head and with an innocent voice said.

“Survival first.”

These two words cause Valentine to shudder. She felt remorse yet– couldn’t refute what Liliath had said. Clenching the hem of her dress, Valentine felt powerless to the situation. There was nothing she could do to help Liliath– she had to help herself. 

Lucky was Liliath’s own sense of self, diligence and perseverance. If it weren’t for these traits, Valentine didn’t know if Liliath stood a chance to redeem herself. 

After all– Liliath was a demon lord– an irrefutable fact. If word got out, pressured by the neighbouring territories and the capital kingdom, Toren kingdom’s rule could fall on its head. 

Liliath herself probably understood this fact albeit at the tender age of 8, thus was why she was working so hard to learn anything she could. Anything to help her gain an edge, not as a hobby– but to survive. She instinctively knew she had to survive. A demon lord’s instinct.

Valentine pulled her arms around Liliath and hugged her. Liliath indifferently turned to the next page. But she didn’t forget to say:

“Thank you.”

===

The responsibilities Valentine had to carry increased tremendously ever since her first appearance out in public at the age of 12. These past two years, as she grew, she had come to realize she COULD protect Liliath– succession war. If she managed to become queen, she would amss the power to protect Liliath.

This became her goal– and was the reason why the time she spent with Liliath grew ever the more scarce.

Liliath was alone in the library– a corner of the library. The evening light peaking through the gaps of the shelves, an orb shining in the air. Alone, she read through book after book, assimilating any information she could use to protect herself.

She came to know one of the keys to her survival– magic.

Realizing this point, Liliath poured her time and energy into mastering everything regarding magic. 

“Liliath.”

Liliath placed her hands on the scripture and raised her head. It was the king– Akihito Toren. He had come to visit her.

“Father, what brings you here,” Liliath smiled, her bold crimson eyes were like rubies. A trait of a demon lord. 

Neither Akihito nor Marilyn had ruby-coloured eyes.

“I came to see how my beautiful daughter is doing. Come on now, dinner is just around the corner, how about you take a break?”

Akihito himself knew Liliath was abnormal– an individual that could bring demise to the nation yet– he chose to keep her. He chose to keep Liliath. She was his daughter, how could he just throw her away like that?

There were risks involved, this he knew. But he also knew that wasn’t how someone with dignity should act. He will do his best to protect Liliath. He believed that she would one day become the key to solving this era’s war with the demon king.

He ran his hand through her purple hair. She pouted, making the king laugh.

99.

When Liliath came to age– 12 years old, her appearance to announce herself out to the public was denied. It was for a simple reason. It was dangerous. The moment people realize her identity as a demon lord candidate, the king’s position will be shaken and so would Liliath’s safety.

There can be a number of demon lords candidates at a time, the number of individuals varied from 5 to in some recorded cases 20 at a single time. Inaugurating Liliath to the public was no different than inviting these demon lords to infiltrate the castle. Only demon lord candidates could tell apart another demon lord candidate. Akihito didn’t want to run the risk of having Liliath expose herself to any of these demon lords due to fear of her being influenced by the other party.

It was inevitable Liliath’s existence would be kept a secret– Liliath never joined any parties, social gatherings or any banquets. Nobles who knew of her found it suspicious, and those who had their backs turned against the king would send assassins to investigate the matter, hoping to reveal something to throw him down the throne.

However..

“From which noble house you came, distinguished sir?” Liliath had an ominous smile on her face.

She stepped on one of the assassin’s back, further increasing the weight he felt at Liliath’s gravity spell. Unable to bear the force, there was the sound of something cracking, then he spat blood. Dirtying the carpet of her own room.

“Demon..” he croaked before biting into the poison hidden behind his molar. The other assassins did the same. Frothing at the mouth, they all died.

“Too bad..” Liliath let loose a sigh. She unfortunately had no way to prevent the assassins from dying due to the fast reacting forbidden poison. Her healing magic was the weakest among her magic arsenal, but was still comparable to the high-priest in the church nevertheless. 

The first few assassins that came after her suffered a fate worse than death because of Liliath’s quick thinking, ‘saving’ the assassins before they died from the poison, then handing them to the authorities. The nobles who were involved burned themselves in the process.

“They probably learnt from their mistakes… it seems I would have to conjure up a contingency plan to deal with this appropriately.”

The next few assiantions failed miserably as well, but the assassins managed to kill themselves off before Liliath could do anything. A testimony of the noble becoming smarter. It was unfortunate Liliath couldn’t be of use to the kingdom by culling these disgraceful nobles.

“I should notify father.”

Walking out of her room at the dead of night, she proceeded to her father’s room. Bypassing the royal guards that protected the inner castle– not aware that she had just brushed past them.

“As I’ve said before dear, she’s incredibly dangerous. She may be obedient now, but how could you say the same for the future? A demon doesn’t discriminate between individuals, as long as she remains, you are shackled by her will. What if she requests something from you one day? What if you fail to deliver that request? She could easily kill you!” the empress said anxiously.

Liliath walked towards the room. Light leaking from below the door, she leaned on the wall adjacent to it and continued to listen.

“Don't you understand the threat? Whose the person in charge here dear? You have to understand your position. You can’t have the girl step on your head.”

“So what do you suggest I do? I’m troubled here.. Liliath is also my daughter. I cannot just abandon her right? She had even succeeded in helping us bring down a few noble houses aiming at my necks,” Akihito asked.

“Don’t you see? She’s owing you a debt!” the impressed exclaimed.

Liliath closed her eyes. She had heard this play out a number of times already, it could be said that she had grown used to these remarks. Then again, the empress never did anything to harm her, to which Liliath could only conclude as the empress venting her stress through bad-mouthing Liliath and served to remind the king of Liliath’s nature.

There was indeed nothing wrong with the conclusion the empress came to. Liliath herself didn’t know when she would betray the kingdom. To survive, she was willing to do this much at least. 

“I think it would be best to tell father tomorrow.”

And so, that night, Liliath slept in a bloody room.

===

Liliath continued to stay in the castle's inner courtyards. Frequenting the library and garden but never going anywhere else. She lived a very secluded life, monotonous, without any meaning.

She indulged in books– namely stories of previous heroes defeating the likes of her– the demon lord and their adventurers. She imagined herself being one of the demon lords.. but instead of one that brought demise, she would be one to bring peace. 

Heroes summoned from other worlds didn’t discriminate– there were even records of peace being established with demon lords in the past– but such occurrence was rare and would play out differently for each era. This cycle repeated every 100 years, in the time Liliath was alive, it could be said as the 13th recorded cycle of such an event. Of the 13th cycle. There had only been one instance of peace being established between demons, humans and demi-humans. And one instance where the demon lord had been defeated but the hero, who had become a demon lord himself wedded the female demon lord. Otherworlders were open-minded indeed.

 Most of the time, it ended with the demon lord falling into despair. Except the round where peace was established.

Liliath wondered, why not choose peace? That was something she couldn’t understand. If demon lords were willing to sacrifice anything for survival, why wage war when peace served a better outcome. Liliath couldn’t understand.

And it was when Liliath became 13 did Liliath receive wind a demon lord had risen. It was obvious this male demon lord was finding a mate– it was necessary for the demon lord to court another demon lord before concluding a contract between them. That was the only way to become a true demon lord.

Liliath herself didn’t know why or for what purpose becoming a true demon lord served. However, she had an urge to do just that.

She came up with a plan. What she thought to be the perfect chance to bring peace to this era.

She would offer herself up as a mate, in return, conclude a peace treaty between the human kingdom and demon realm.

“You don’t need to go that far Liliath,” Marilyn, Liliath’s mother, held Liliath in her arms.

“With this suggestion, we could not only bring peace, but also save the resources required to summon the heroes. My safety and livelihood can also be guaranteed.”

“No Liliath. You don't even know the other demon lord’s personality, I can't let my daughter be taken away just like that.. I want you to be happy.”

“Liliath, I understand what you mean, this plan brings too much risk to the plate. If the demon lord doesn’t agree with complying to a peace treaty, your life will be in danger..” Akihito said.

Liliath bit her lips.

“Please father.. mother.. I will make sure it succeeds.. I don't want to be a useless daughter to the family. It’s a disgrace how I only brought burden upon the kingdom. I want to try, please.”

“No Liliath, please listen to me.. it’s dangerous, I won't allow it,” Marilyn admonished.

“Liliath.. you’re not burdening anyone. I can't allow this plan. I don't want you to become hurt if it doesn’t work out..”

“Please.. I can defend myself. I’ve been preparing from birth till this moment,” Liliath gently pushed her mom away, “I’ll be fine. It would be better if I just died if I failed– wouldn’t it?”

The two remained silent.

“Even if you don't agree.. I’ve already made up my mind.”

100.

They didn’t agree. But Liliath wasn’t going to back down with just that. Liliath escaped from the castle. 

She set off to the demon realm, a corrupted territory off to the south of Toren Kingdom. It was the first time ever Liliath had set foot outside but it was natural to her, as if it belonged to her, everything. 

Messing up here and there, exploring the in’s and out’s of the outside world, Liliath eventually managed to reach a village that was located at the border of that separated the demons territory from the kingdom.

From here on it would be on foot but– Liliath learnt of the wings she possessed. It seemed she was the kind who had wings– not every demon lord had them so she was considered lucky.

However, the existence of a road that connected this village to the demon lord’s domain took her by surprise. It seemed that the demon lord had connections to people of this village.

Her journey had been a lonely one– but just a little stretch more. She would finally meet another one of her kind. It seemed that the demon lord was still a candidate and still did not have a large influence amongst demonic creatures. Nevertheless, he had the capability to build a small nation with his influence. 

Liliath was unsure if another demon lord candidate besides her had reached out to him here but she was unfazed. Her purpose was to explain an alternate option to survival– peace.

Stepping into demon territory, she was surprised to find the nation teaming with various demi-humans, dwarves and demons working together. There were even human merchants among them. This explained how the village at the border flourished, and why Toren kingdom was hesitant to take actions against the demon lord.

Liliath had yet to see any record of demon lords ruling regions in such a well organized fashion. Moreover, this was the first instance where the demon lord cooperated with humans, demi-human and dwarves alike.

The demon lord ruling the nation found Liliath’s arrival rather surprising, a warm reception was given to her as she was guided into the castle. The walls gleamed in a dark suppressing light.

“I will offer myself up on one condition,” Liliath knelt on the red carpet that stretched to the throne.

“Oh? And what condition might that be?” Demon lord Javiel, sitting on his black throne with his hands supporting his body leaned to one side, asked. Beside him was a young woman dressed in an elegant spectre-white dress that seemed to fade into the air. Nine tails spouted from her back, creating an enchanting look.

“Make peace with the Toren kingdom.”

“That’s surprising.”

A smile crept onto his face. Liliath shuddered. In fact, she thought Demon lord Javiel was rather good-looking. There was a lingering sense of attachment, like a magnet towards him. She could make do with being his wife– Liliath’s instinct told herself. 

The air around him was one of dominance, and power. Someone who would do anything to protect those around him he deemed precious. Ruthless, unforgiving.

She however didn’t know if what she felt was love or something else, this was the first time for her after all.

“Naive. But I'll think over your proposal. Shea, bring her to her room, she must be tired after coming all this way,” he pressed his knuckles to his forehead. Every single movement of his contained a certain grace to it. It was quite difficult to think of him as a belligerent demon.

“I-I understand. Thank you for considering..”

“Oh?” Shea raised one her eyebrows, and with a smile locked arms with Liliath. “Looks like Javiel has taken a liking to you,” 

And so Liliath was brought to a guest room. Though it wasn’t fancy, it had the basic amenities in place. The bed was large enough to sleep on comfortably.

“I suggest you go wash yourself off, there’s a hot spring in the inner courtyard, let’s go!” Shea cheered.

Liliath got to know Shea. She was a beautiful fox demi-human. But not a normal one. She was a nine-tail. Her silver hair that had an orange shine at the fringes and her divine nine tails that put the beauty of diamonds to shame.

“You’re so young.. how did you get here? Where are you from?” Shea took the initiative to wash Liliath hair. “You have incredibly beautiful purple hair Liliath.”

“T-thank you.. I came from the inner courtyard of Toren kingdom.. also one of the unannounced princess, not inaugurated to the public.”

Shea paused and stared with her eyes wide open.

Liliath tilted her head to meet her gaze, Shea smiled at her cute reaction.

“What a coincidence, you’ll be a big help to Javiel’s plan then?”

“Javiel-sama’s plan?”

Shea leaned over and brought her mouth over to Liliath’s ear and whispered.

“Though he may look that way, he’s actually someone who wants world peace too,” She smiled.

Liliath nodded, and then started explaining her story. Her identity, her purpose, why she came here and how she got here.

Apparently, demon lord Javiel was much of a harem king. Besides She's, he also had another woman by the name Locket, a dark elf. But she was currently busy leading a troop to clear out the northern territories from intelligent demons.

“That makes Liliath the third! Congratulations Javiel!” Shea shook his shoulders erratically.

To which Javile could only let out a troubled smile as he looked at the embarrassed Liliath. 

“Liliath.”

“Y-Yes?”

“How’s the food? I’m sorry we don't have many options to present to your highness.”

“It’s wonderful Javiel-sama. The soup compliments the meat well..um,” Liliath wasn’t too well versed in things like spinning her words, moreover, she was nervous and could only think of crude answers to his question.

“Stop bullying her.”

“I’m not bullying her..” Javiel rolled his eyes at Shea. “Liliath, so you have any plans in mind to establish a peace treaty?”

Liliath fidgeted with the spoon in her hands before speaking, “I’ll return to the kingdom and inform my parents of your vision, in short, I would be something of an envoy in my current position.”

“T-that.. you travelled here on your own correct?” Javiel wasn’t going to be too harsh to Liliath. Reason being she was only 13, and second was that she was one of a royal lineage, third was that she may very well become his fiance.

“Yes..”

“Look here Liliath, do you think you would be alright if you returned just like that? You didn’t get your parent’s consent did you?”

“Y-yes.. but I had to..”

“Look how brave Liliath is. You should learn from her. If she came all this way she should be fine going back right?” Shea gave Liliath a warm hug.

“Not quite..”

Liliath stayed at the demon lord's castle for another few days. 

Javiel eventually decided that he would personally accompany Liliath back to the royal capital. Though he knew there was an underlying risk to it, he didn’t want to just let Liliath go alone like that.

“I’ll leave the place to you Carlbert,”

“Yes your highness,” Calbert, one of the governing ministers appointed by Javiel, would serve as a temporary proxy of the nation.

“Be careful Javiel, and take care of Liliath! And take care too Liliath! I wish you the best!” Shea sent them off with a smile.

Liliath and Javiel set off, only the two of them. It was so they would be less conspicuous.  The plan was to infiltrate the castle, giving Javiel the opportunity to discuss the matter with the king. 

Javiel, naturally being the more experienced one, took care of Liiath along the journey. Teaching her the basics of camping and procuring food from the wild. 

Liliath came without really eating anything besides the rationed items she brought, so to set up a camp and cook food hunted by them was truly a novel experience. Liliath got to explore the vast world, growing closer to Javiel as each day passed.

They eventually reached the royal capital as the evening caem. With hoods covering their faces they snuck into the castle. With Liliath’s knowledge of various secret passages within the castle, they were able to make it to the king’s office without much problem.

Javiel was to meet king Akihito alone but the moment that entered the room through the hidden passageway, what Akihito told Liliath shocked her.

“Good work Liliath.”

A trap. 

It was the start of betrayal.

“You BITCH! I TRUSTED YOU!” Coughing out blood, Javiel writhed on the floor, cursed chains wrapped around him, bloodlust pounded through the room. The collective mages were able to hide themselves long enough to finish the forbidden spell, incapacitating the demon lord.

“No.. why father!” Liliath was held down by an S-rank adventurer, a slave collar had been placed on her neck.

“It’s for your own good. I command you, remain silent.”

Liliath couldn’t speak after that, tears streaming down her eyes as she watched demon lord Javiel continue to bleed out. Liliath didn't get the chance to see the aftermath and was put to house arrest in a dungeon where she would stay until her father ‘solved’ everything.

A special room had been prepared for Liliath. She was after all his daughter, Akihito didn’t want her daughter to suffer in the first place, thus the cell she was in had been properly furnished with every amenity needed. 

“Spare him please.. mother..” Liliath cried, seeing as her mother visited her. 

Her slave collar had caused her to be unable to use magic, she couldn’t fight let alone escape. She could only beg– plea.

“I’m sorry,” Marilyn could only hold Liliath in her embrace.

Even if Liliath wanted to kill her mother she couldn’t. The slave collar wouldn’t allow her to disobey. There were no loopholes, the stage had been set, and she walked right into the trap.

101.

For half a year, Liliath wept in the corner of the room. Even after tears had dried, she continued to sit there, burying his head in her knee. One of her signature poses she would make when she was embarrassed. I didn’t think this would be where it originated from..

“Want popcorn?” Bleu held a paper bag to my face, the kind with white and red alternating strips.

“Seriously.. way to ruin the mood,” I took a piece and tossed it into my mouth either way.

Fucking hell this 3D movie is immersive as heck. I don’t need to wear any sort of 3D device nor do I need special headphones. The sound quality is beyond stereo and 4D since it’s an accurate spatial replay of the scene.

That said.. It’s also depressing as fuck.

A drama? What bullshit is this? To me, Liliath’s past makes no absolute sense! It’s not even logical.

In reality, many things should have gone wrong, things shouldn’t have been so smooth sailing. Liliath should’ve noticed the tracking spell being placed on her before she escaped to Javiel’s castle. Javiel should have also been less trusting of Liliath’s proposal. Not to mention the trap set up to bind Javiel. How exactly could one hide from a demon lord’s superior instincts?

The worst of all was the crappy twist in the end where Liliath’s father just HAD to betray Liliath’s expectations. I get all the political bullshit and fear of the peace treaty being broken but– can’t they at least sit down and have a proper discussion for fuck sake?

“That’s just how dramas work don't they? If not it would just be a plain boring story” Blue chucked a popcorn into her mouth.

“Haahh.. you’re right but still..”

There’s a lot of missing portions to the recount. I got to see Liliath’s world to an extent and I must say, despite the dullness of the mood, the world was incredibly colourful. The environment is vibrant, most leaves change to the appropriate colour shade depending on the season. Green and pink for spring, yellow and white for summer, red and orange for autumn, blue and white for winter. A lush world brimming with vitality.

And the Liliath’s past merely showed a snippet of it since Liliath was holed up inside the castle for most of her life.

Speaking of which. I’ve realized a crucial point here. Sorry, not ‘a’, but multiple points. I should address it here.

“Bleu, does Liliath have minor autism or ADHD?”

If you compare Liliath and Javiel, things become clear. The way Liliath views and interacts with the world isn’t normal, and I suspected it to be attributed to the fact that she’s a demon lord but– Javiel is as normal as one could be. He has a fucking harem for fuck sake. 

Which leads me to the second point– Liliath rejected me last time wasn’t it? There’s really no such thing as a special requisite to accept another person’s feelings.

“Perhaps it’s a mix of both. You’re actually right, it might just be the case,” Bleu bumped her fist into her palm.

“Now I really wonder if Liliath is just.. trying to force a favor onto me..”

From the way she acted. Javiel must have been her first love, and till this point it’s unclear if she still holds any feelings for him. Liliath never talked about Javiel. She probably hinted at it once or twice at most but it was almost too subtle for one to catch unless they knew about her past

I was surprised to find that Javiel was actually a pretty good guy, contrary to my initial guesses. I guess I've really messed up judging a book by it’s cover..

“Oh, prepare yourself Noel before you judge the book by the cover again, the next few will be the last bits of her history. But it’s also one of the worst. How about you go have a rest before finishing it?” Bleu took a sip of her soda.

“Nevermind. Let’s just get along with it..”

Hah.. I didn't think something this fake could actually be Liliath’s past– it’s so unreal. I find it hard to believe honestly… but in the first place. I create this right? I had no control over it but I was the creator of it. I created the mess Liliath had to face, and the existence of thousands of lives that had to grovel through the imminent war. Salvery runs rampant and Liliath’s world and there isn’t anything even close to human rights.

“Noel, dont butter yourself in self sabotage. It’s not going to help.”

“I know.. couldn’t help it..”
“Now isn’t that a wonderful fit? Liliath is an S, you’re an M.”

“That’s if Liliath is going to be with me in the end..”

“...” Blue narrowed her eyes but didn’t say anything.

“You already know what I mean by that. Just continue with the story– how long have I been here? Half a day now?”

“To be more accurate, not even a second has passed since you arrived here.”

“In the real world that is.. Bleu?”

She held me in her embrace, the smell of butter and sugar from her hair.

“Hey. Life is a journey, embrace it. The hardships, the pain, the doubt. It’s a mystery to why I even exist in the first place but one thing is for sure, my role is to guide you on this journey. You can do it Noel, don’t give up. You can doubt yourself, hurt yourself, give up on others, give up on yourself. But remember that in the end when nothing matters anymore– the only step left is to just move on.”

“That’s deep..”

That’s a regurgitation of my personal philosophy slapped right across my face. WOw.

“Yes it is. Hopefully you’ll be able to bear what’s to come. I’m serious when I say the last few scenes are going to take a toll on you– on the way you would view Liliath in the future.”

“...”

Got it. I’m ready.

The sound of keys shuffling inside a keyhole could be heard. Liliath raised her head to peek at the direction with her red lifeless eyes.

The door opened and the person who appeared was Valentine.

“Liliath!” She rushed over weeping, holding Liliath in her arms.

Liliath remained indifferent.

“Demon Lord Javiel wants to see you.”

“Ane-sama.. h-he’s dead.”

“He’s not.. quick, I need you to follow me. The situation isn’t safe,” beckoning her eyes, Shea came into the room cautiously and broke the collar off Lilith's neck with a special magic tool– she was free. 

What? There’s such a convenient time in the market? Wouldn’t the slave industry sizzle into nothing at this rate? 

“Shea?” Liliath who was still dazed looked at her confused. “Why? I betrayed you..”

Shea didn’t answer and merely sent Valentine a glance with both of them nodding. Valentine carried Liliath on her shoulders, Shea guarding them while they made an escape. The stench of blood filled the room, the guards dead on the floor, some of their heads separated from the bodies with arrows stuck to their flanks.

“Why arrows? This is suspicious..” I tried to kick one of the corpses but my leg just went right through.

“You’ll know soon enough. Come on, they’re leaving us behind the dust,” Blue implored, gesturing with her hand.

We followed Valentine and Shea out the dungeon– the castle riddled with corpses took me by surprise. The fuck is this?

“To continue from this point on. Demon Lord Javiel didn’t die, but was forced to become a slave to the kingdom. The treatment he got– was less than satisfactory. Eventually, he managed to thrown off some guards and remove the slave collar as he made an escape with the aid of another demon lord.”

“Male or female?”

“I didn't think you would be interested but to be honest, it’s a pair. They swore loyalty to Demon Lord Javiel and didn’t go on with the contract to become the true demon king and queen. The culture is that the first pair to make it becomes the leader among demon lords. They decided to leave that position to Javiel.”

“There’s some logic to that..”

He built a nation after all.. gotta commend him for that.

Liliath continued to be bobbed up and down Valentine’s shoulders as they made their escape out of the capital. Shea had to behead a number of assailants and guards along the way, shrieks resounded through the not-anymore-silent night.

Breaching the wall, they made it to a carriage out of sight from normal view. It was at a spot in a deep secluded forest, the carriage stationed close to the lake that looked to be glittering under the moonlight.

Valentine place Liliath down on the floor as she caught her breath.

“Thank you Valentine. It must have been hard,” Shea shot a sympathetic look towards her.

“Take care of her please, I'll deal with the corresponding effects as in the deal.”

Demon Lord Javiel is.. why is he just standing there? I turned my head to the carriage to see Javiel with another person I don't recognize. Another demon lord? He has horns?

“The person beside him is Ruff, the other demon lord that helped him escape.”

“I’m sorry for everything, I didn't mean to betray you all.. I-I just wanted to help,” Liliath started to weep. And it stung my heart.

“It’s alright now Liliath.. the demon lord you protect you..” Valentine bent down to console Liliath.

Click*

“Eh?”

“Fool.”

102.

“Fool,” Valentine grinned. Taking a few steps back her figure distorted before turning into a lightly-dressed elf– dark elf.

“I’m sorry, I'm sorry,” Liliath brought her forehead to the ground, repeating those words like a broken record.

“The hell is wrong with this.. another slave collar?!” I grimaced. They put a different slave collar on Liliath this time?! 

“Good work you, I’ll make sure to repay you two a lot tonight. Look forward to it,” Javiel walked out of the shadows.

“I can't wait,” Shea licked her lick seductively.

Locket merely showed a bashful smile.

This development.. is what I think it is right? 

“Yup,” Bleu folded her arms and nodded. Javiel threaded closer to Liliath.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, hikkh?!” 

Javiel forced Liliath’s head up by the chin to look at him. He smiled and with his other hand..

“LiliathHHH!!!!!!”

“AAAHHHHHH!!!???”

Drove his hand into her heart–  out to the other side.

The sight of the scene made me fall to my knees. Gruesome.. that was her heart.. he fucking punctured her heart.. Liliath wasn’t lying when she said her heart was punctured last time..

Blood continued to spill from Liliath’s mouth as a green light kept going around her– they were healing her–

“Fun.. isn’t it? To be betrayed?” Javile smiled. Dragging his arm out of her chest Liliath collapsed and vomited a pool of blood.

She convulsed. Right hand clenching her chest as she desperately tried to breathe.

“Why..”

Why the fuck did I create such a world?

“Why.. why Bleu.. why the hell did she have to suffer like this..”

I did this right? I created this world? I could’ve done something about this right? Maybe I shouldn't have created this world in the first place… but I didn't even know back then.. I was so naive, so glad that Liliath appeared for the first time. Overjoyed that I was able to help her..

This entire thing is a farce isn’t it? Forcing her into this shitty situation and then bringing her to my world ‘on a whim’..

“Now, now. You’ll have lots more of this came from… we’ll make sure you experience loads of it before killing you,” Javiel held her into the air by grabbing her hair, laughing as he spoke.

“I’m sorry.. I'll do.. anything,” blood spewed out of her mouth.

“No. I get that. All I need is your philosopher's stone. I’ll transfer it to someone else and send your corpse as a gift to the king. Easy and simple as that.”

“What?” I flinched in disbelief.

Transfer her philosopher’s stone? You can make other people a demon lord?

“Apparently so,” Bleu answered my question.

No, fuck. In the first place shouldn’t I stop him? But this is a projection.. I movie.. it has already happened– I made it happen.

Liliath lowered her head in resignation.

The world turned into monochrome.

“T-that’s it right?”

“Nope. the next one is the last.”

“How the fuck can you be so calm..”

“Because I have to. For your sake,” Bleu looked at me sympathetically.

“I’m sorry..”

“I know..” Bleu embraced me again.

I calmed my rugged breathing before asking.

“Is Liliath planning something? She's been eyeing the philosopher’s stone for quite a while now..”

She keeps telling me she doesn’t have anything she wants from the shop but– now that I think about it. She always lands on the page with the philosopher’s stone..

“Perhaps, but I can't tell for sure,” Bleu bit her lips, “I think I'll cut away the unnecessary parts for the final scene. I can't bear to see you like this..” whizzing her finger in the air, the scene changed. 

Daylight pouring from the gap above, Liliath laying at a corner with that familiar teared cloth draped around her– the same one I saw when she first arrived in my world. Blood was strewn across the small room.

“This is 3 months after Javiel started torturing her. And in a week's time, they were planning to finally extract the philosopher’s stone from her body.”

“Liliath..”

I dragged my sorry ass to where she was and looked at her. Her hair dishelled, breathing incredibly shallow. Her eyes were unfocused, arms as thin as a twig.

“I’m sorry..”

I fell to my knees. I hugged her– a surprise that she had a corporeal form. I didn’t get to see her expression but she slowly wrapped her arms around me. A teardrop fell onto the floor– and became the catalyst to the mystical white summoner’s circle.

Liliath disappeared under the blinding light, particles danced in the air. The world crumbled, and soon enough, I was back inside Bleu’s vast white domain.

The hell.

I can't believe I cried. HAha..

Hahahahaa..

I’m so stupid. She’s the one going through all this and I’m the one to indulge myself in the sadness.. 

 “I believe you know what to do Noel,” Bleu hugged me from behind.

And my hazy, murky consciousness began to resurface.

===

The blurry ceiling came into view with little strands of velvet. The fragrant of her body– a light sweet blood-like scent and the feeling of her skin on mine.

“Hey Liliath.”

“Hm?” She continued to suck on my neck. 

Stopping, she raised her body to look at me. Well, she’s in fact strandling me. But that doesn’t matter anymore.

Her delirious expression, beautiful face accompanied by her pair of ruby eyes shining like that of a devil, disheveled hair, her body giving off an unnatural heat and seductive scent. Her blazer was gone, her uniform unbutton leaving her breast and black laced bra open for me to see. 

“I’m back.”

I pulled Liliath towards me forcefully and brought her into my embrace. The smell of her hair tantalizing my nose, driving me nuts. But I endured. I held her head with my hand and another around her waist and kept it there.

“N-noel? Ah! Y-you’re safe here Noel. You’ll be safe with me.”

“Yes, I know.”

“N-Noel know right?” Liliath started giggling, she tried to pull away but I kept her in my grasp. “N-Noel?”

“Yes?”

Liliath remained silent– probably unsure of how to answer me. The heat of her body continued to rise, and so did mine. But it wasn’t unpleasant. The sound and heat of our breaths transmitted to each other in the silence.

“C-can we do it?” Liliath asked, sounding slightly excited.

“Sorry. I don't think so.”

“Why not? N-Noel is mine isn’t it?”

“Doesn’t it work the other way too?”

“Yes, Noel’s right.”

I tightened my arms around her, feeling her thumping heart against mine, her skin touching mine. I stroked her back through the clothing she had yet to remove entirely.

“S-someone is coming,” her voice quivered and she tried to jerk upwards.

“It’s alright. Calm down first Liliath.”

“N-N-no, it’s not. T-they’re dangerous, you stay here Noel, I’ll deal with..”

“Listen to me Liliath. Please. Let me deal with it. Trust me,”

“N-No, I don't want to be a burden.. I-I can do it,” Liliath’s struggle out of my arm became more forceful. 

Wow. Deja Vu. She had this conversation with her parents too right?

She could very much remove herself from me with her strength but it was obvious she didn’t want to hurt me. It’s nigh impossible to tear me away unless she broke my arms or something similar.

“I-I’m sorry Noel..”

Then I felt my consciousness wane.

Ah. She can use magic too can’t she? Fuck.

“Don’t repeat the same mistake twice Liliath,” forcing myself awake, I took in a sharp breath and said.

She froze and stopped resisting. I felt the drowsiness disappear, taking this chance, I continued.

“I saw your past. I get it now– I know what you’ve been through, I’ve seen it all.. and I’m sorry. Because of my stupid TALENT you had to go throught all that..”

You know? I think I kinda get her parents now. I’m literally in their shoes. The best option is to have me lead the way. Much like her parents thought, having Liliath deal with it would only cause confusion and unnecessary conflict.

Hm.. if that’s the case then wouldn’t Liliath also understand this point? Wait.. that isn’t the point. The point is her ego. She keeps telling herself that she’s a burden. Yeah.. 

“If you want to not be a burden, then listen to me and back me up from behind. Got that?”

Liliath nodded in my arms.

The sounds of footsteps reverberated inside the apartment, obviously muffled by the obstruction of the door. 

The sound of a vigorous doorknob twist could be heard and what came after that was Prune’s and Wake’s voice.

“NOEL! Liliath!”

“They’re here teacher–”

“Help me out alright Liliath? Be a good girl,” I pat caressed her head a little longer before shifting myself up to a sitting position. Liliath continued to nod.

Pulling myself away from Liliath, I got out of the bed and examined myself. Holy fuck these are all hickeys done by Liliath?!? How long have I been out for?!

“Hold on a moment!” I yelled out, hoping those people outside would not try to knock down the door.

SHIT?! Isn’t this situation very similar to pedophiles being arrested by the FBI after having their doors kicked down?! FUCK!!

Calming my mind with a few breaths, I buttoned up my shirt before placing my hands on the door knob. 

I was shaking, unsure of the consequences this mess may bring. Unlocking the lock, I twisted the handle and welcomed the future– or not.

Prune, Wake, Teacher Glib and a number of well dressed soldiers holding actual firearms lined up in front of my eye, which made me swallow back my words.

The first three obviously had stunned expressions while the soldiers remained indifferent, but the piercing stare was something I couldn't just shrug off. They have firearms for fuck sake! Is that a pistol? Wow, never thought I'd get the chance to see one up close.

A momentary silence.

“She’s fine.. for now.” I said sheepishly with a sigh.

“I-I see,” teacher Glib pressed her glasses up to her nose and looked away.

“Congratulations on your first?” Wake tilted his head, stating his words in a frank manner.

The soldier started coughing.

Uh.. what?

“N-Noel.. what exactly did you do to calm Liliath down?” Prune’s left eye twitched.

“What do you..”

Wait.. 

I turned around to see Liliath seated on the messy bed, holding the blanket over her body as she peeked at me with a bashful expression, her naked shoulders exposed a little. Our blazer strewed on the floor. Her cheeks were rosy and her skin was obviously flushed. Most notably was her disheveled hair– and my dishevelled hair.

I flinched.