The demon people.

A race with horns, red eyes, and black mana the descendants and symbols of the Devil.

3000 years ago, when the Devil brought the whole world to ruin, he indiscriminately committed evil deeds without distinction of the race to satisfy his desires.

Not only did he commit murder and rape, but also human experiments and various other horrific acts which appalled people around the world.

Accepting the devils seed and becoming pregnant, or transforming into a mutant through the mana received through human experiments through this terrible process, Demons were born, and uniquely, only humans were transformed into Demons.

Numerous opinions have come and gone about why it only affected humans, not elves, dwarves, or beasts, but the most potent hypothesis was the singularity of human.

Humans have a shorter lifespan compared to other races, and inherently poor physical abilities, but instead, they have tremendous learning power, which is said to have worked in a wrong way. In addition, human beings could accept the devils seeds more deeply because they were so distinct in terms of Light and Darkness than other species.

[Beings that will one day turn into devils.]

[Pretends to be human, but the blood of the devil flows.]

[They must be eliminated.]

However, other races, including humans, did not recognize demons as victims, or humans, but decided that they were devils. In fact, it was simple to ostracize them because they would become demons if they get angry enough to control their reason or fail to control their desires.

Even the holy church Savior caused an unprecedented incident of indiscriminate slaughter of demons under the pretext of slaughtering all devils seeds. From the Saviors point of view, the Devil tried to bring down God because he could not deny Him so he joined forces without dividing the hardliners and moderates.

After this maddening incident, the demons were divided into two factions.

One were those who truly became devils and wanted revenge on the world, and the others were those who pursued self-control and lived as humans. However, the forces that became devils were soon eradicated and disappeared from the world.

Then the remaining forces, the demons who want to become human in pursuit of self-control, What happened to them?

While other great powers, including Savior, were at war with each other due to differences in ideology, demons seeking self-control took advantage of the opportunity to establish Helium. Naturally, most of the countries did not recognize Helium, but they were compelling, honing their strength in pursuit of self-control.

No matter how strong they are, the moment they invade, they will be attacked by other countries, so it is impossible to move around. Eventually, it was said that they should take advantage of the opportunity to organize it.

It was funny that 1000 years had passed since then.

However, within that time, discrimination against demons never disappeared. Humans werent the only race that hated them.

At this rate, it seemed that the wishes of the demons would never come true.

Until a book appeared in the world.

*******

Born as a princess of Helium and the daughter of a demon king, I suddenly thought of this.

Why are we demons being discriminated against by other races? Why do we, seemingly no different from humans, have to live with such harsh treatment?

Above all, why do we have to live as humans, not as other races?

Most demons were born in Helium and died in Helium. You might think of it as a frog in a well, but the demons who went outside usually suffered a bad tragedy.

It was common to lose a loved one or to be betrayed by a loved one and become one of the devils, and to return to Helium again after suffering discrimination that cannot be spoken out of the mouth.

Worst of all, they were treated as devils and killed without asking or questioning. Outside of Helium, they were often killed just because they were demons.

Father. Father.

Huh? Why are you calling me?

Why do we have to live like humans?

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It was the year I turned 20.

I asked the King of Helium, my father. Do we really need to live like humans?

My father looked surprised for a moment at my question, and then put on a bitter smile. And he gently stroked my hair with his rough, clunky hands.

Cecily. Do you know how we demons appeared in the world?

I know that the Devil did bad things to people and the present demons were born. Of these, only humans became demons.

Yeah. Our ancestors were originally humans. Even now, we are closer to humans than other races. So if we live like humans, we will be able to be treated as human beings.

But we dont have to live like humans right now. Cant we just live as demons?

Dad smiled even more at my question. Then he slightly bent his knees and brought his to eye level on the level with mine.

As if to let me know that I was a demon, my face was reflected like a mirror in his blood-red eyes. Father faced me for a while, then gently grabbed my shoulder and uttered an incomprehensible answer.

Thats our demon. Cecily.

You dont know right now, but one day you will understand your fathers words. That realization will definitely help you a lot in your life, so never forget it and engrave it. Okay?

Okay.

Even 80 years after that, I couldnt understand my fathers words. I thought it would always be like that.

Until a book came out that completely changed the lives of demons. I was convinced that the lesson contained in that book was the realization my father was talking about.

But father shook his head and said no.

Cecily. Its true that the book revealed the tragedy of our demons and changed our lives. But thats not the identity of the demons Im talking about.

Then what is it? How does Dad define us?

I had that question in my heart when I entered Halo Academy. I hoped that the answer could be found in the human society where I first stepped in.

Thats the way it should be

No.

Why arent you a demon?

Demons cannot become human.

Do you dare say such words?

I stopped walking toward the restaurant and looked at the human in front of me. A human with impressive red hair and golden eyes that stood out from afar.

His face was thin, so it would be more accurate to describe him as pretty rather than handsome, and his physique was likewise slender, so he emanates a neutral image. If a girl dressed up as a man, it was pretty believable.

Why?

My mouth was bitter as if I swallowed a pill. But first, a question reigned in my head.

He was a person who interested Professor Magner. He was a man who refuted that demons were not dangerous, but that wizards who dealt with magic were dangerous.

At the same time, the first human she met the princess of the Minerva Empire, Rina, also showed a deep interest in him and naturally became close. However, I didnt have the opportunity to talk.

So, as we talked now, I realized that he was a very considerate person. Ive felt it before, but every word he spoke lingered in my mind.

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It was the same even now.

Mr. Isaac.

Yes, Ms. Cecily.

There is a contradiction in Mr. Isaacs answer. Do you know?

The red-haired man, Isaac, said a little while ago that I look like a human. I dont look like the devil at all.

However, the demons spoke out words that could not be human. Indeed, it cannot be contradictory.

As I struggled to understand the meaning of his words, Isaac blinked his eyes a few times before opening his mouth.

Miss Cecily.

Please speak.

Have you ever heard a human saying that he wants to be like a human?

Huh?

What kind of nonsense is that? Puzzled, I shook my head.

I dont know what Isaac wanted to say, but its better to listen carefully. Because his words had a lot of meaning.

Isaac closed his mouth for a moment when I shook my head and opened his mouth in a calm voice.

Youve probably never heard of it, and you wont hear it forever. Because humans are human from birth. As demons are born as demons, you must live as demons.

Then Ill ask you again. What does it mean to live like a demon? We have worked tirelessly to live like humans. It will be so in the future.

Like Sakran who sacrificed himself in Xenons life, most demons aspire to live as humans. He wanted to laugh, talk, and have fun with people like normal humans.

That is the desire of the demons who pursue self-control, and it is a noble destiny. I thought so far.

Until a year ago, I only thought of that, but I couldnt put it into practice, but thanks to Zenos biography, I seized the opportunity. I never wanted to kick that opportunity.

But Isaac didnt know how I felt, so he answered with a carefree attitude to the world.

Yes. Thats what I think of demons. Princess of Helium.

So what is it? What you say is all contradictory.

Now I was starting to get annoyed. I wondered if this person was making fun of me.

I dont know why his sarcastic rhetoric that fed Professor Magner was here, but now I was just frustrated and bursting.

I waited for a while for Isaac to speak. But he showed no sign of speaking.

I couldnt stand it any longer and was about to turn my back.

It can be the brightest light, but it can also be the ugliest darkness.

Huh?

His mouth, which had been heavily closed, opened, and words that could not be easily escaped flowed out.

While I was stunned as soon as I heard him, he spoke once again.

A more human race than anyone, who knows they cant be human, but craves to be human.

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Oh. Thats right.

This is what I think of demons, and I think its how they live as people. Cecily.

Thats what my father said.

Demons were well aware that they cannot become human on their own. However, they desired to be human more than anyone else.

So, unless they become devils, demons have no choice but to be more human than humans. Because humans are born as humans, they have no desire to become a human by themselves.

Demons can truly become devils, but conversely, they can become more human than anyone else.

While I was lost in thought, Isaac shrugged his shoulders with a sly expression and continued with a polite, calm voice.

Well Not only demons, but other races dont know what kind of existence they are. Please understand that what I just said is entirely my opinion.

Ms. Cecily?

Huh? Oh, Yes. I heard you. Thank you.

I came to my senses at Isaacs call. He smiled when I came to my senses. I looked at his smile with blank eyes.

That smile really shined like the sun in the blue sky. It also felt more beautiful than any other jewel.

To the extent that I want to hold it in my hand and keep it.

Then shall we go eat now?

I answered his question with a sincere smile, not a playful smile.

Okay. Lets go.

Huh? Suddenly

Dont worry. Im older anyway, right? It doesnt matter when Rina speaks informally too, right?

Uh it doesnt matter.

It would be no mistake to say that dinner was more delicious that day.

******

After a good dinner with Cecily, I went straight back to the dorm. Its because Cecily went back first saying that she had something to think about for a while.

By the way, Ive definitely heard it somewhere

No matter how much I think about it, I think Ive heard what I said to Cecily somewhere. If it wasnt my misunderstanding, I heard it recently, but I cant remember where I heard it.

After that, it was time to return to the dormitory and check the manuscript.

Oh shit

As soon as I checked the manuscript, I had no choice but to spit out swear words. The frowning expression was a bonus.

Because

This is what I said.

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The advice I gave to Cecily was written right in my manuscript.

End of Chapter