Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 290

290: A Happiness Like a Chain

“…Old One-sama, are you… considering a blood contract with His Majesty the Demon King?”

Liz asked Listrea-sama, and she nodded.

“Yes. …It would be a lie to say I haven’t thought of it. I have sworn my loyalty to His Majesty. The blood contract… may be the ultimate proof of that. But if I were to do so, then it would not be my own loyalty, but the binding force of the contract, that would make me obey…”

Listrea-sama placed a hand on her chest and looked down.

“…Yes. In my case, though I offered it myself, I may have been presented with the choice of ‘death or the blood contract.’ And since I chose it to gain the trust of the one I had tried to kill… I understand your feelings, Old One-sama.”

“I see… how much does it increase your power?”

“It is only a moderate increase. My mana has not increased by even ten percent. …But because of this contract, I have a connection with my master.”

“A connection…”

“Some may see it as a ‘leash.’ But… I will say it again. This is my happiness, my master.”

A sharp pang in my chest. The sharpness of his words, ‘happiness,’ pierced my heart.

“…Samarkand. If you are happy, then I suppose that is fine. …But.”

The heart was a realm that had not been fully understood, even in a world with mind magic. The soul, which could be treated as a magical phenomenon, might be better understood.

The mental structure of a demon was a little… special… due to their origins. Because they had no place to belong, they sought a place to belong. That was their own strength, their own accomplishments, the servants they had subdued, the comrades they could trust… and their master.

Many demons had sought their identity in battle.

From the moment they were born, from the moment they came into existence in this world, demons had been hunted. Whether they survived or not—was a matter of luck.

Demons were a strong race. From the moment they recognized themselves, they had a will, and they were born with a knowledge of many spells. They all had black fur, and as their appearance suggested, they had a high aptitude for darkness and fire. But they were not invincible, and a newborn was just a fledgling, with no combat experience. Many demons were hunted in their first battle, and those who were lucky enough to win had to fight the next enemy, who would come for them because their comrades had not returned.

Even now, in the human territories, demons were sometimes born… and they were all hunted. The humans’ equipment and tactics had been refined to the point where they would not miss a newborn demon, even if it meant a few casualties.

The demons born in Listrea were different. They were treated with care. But… they were required to belong to the Demon King’s army. No exceptions. Either way, from birth to death, they had to live in a world of battle. For the simple reason that they could, they were used as cannons, in Earth terms.

As ‘convenient tools.’

“…Samarkand. If you had lived a different life, you would not have had to call such a thing happiness.”

The world this black goat had lived in was surely… a world where even the most ordinary ‘kind’ words… were a happiness beyond compare. A world where a chain that bound you was called a bond. A world where to be bound by a chain was called trust.

Surely, it was such a world.

“Perhaps.” But this black goat nodded lightly.

“…I am not without common sense.”

“No way.” I had blurted it out, but he smiled.

“Since I joined the army, I have had the opportunity to speak with those from other armies, and I have read books to understand the hearts of others. …The path I have walked… has not been a smooth one, and from a general perspective, it may not have been a very happy one.”

I caught a glimpse of the path he had walked. Come to think of it, he seemed to be talking with Harken in private. He also had hobbies, like buying Demon King army bromides, even when they were still bootlegs.

This black goat—was not a battle-crazed maniac.

“But who can choose where they are born? And who can choose the people they meet? To be forced into a battle you do not want is not limited to demons. —In the one point that it is not equal, this world is equal.”

Happiness was, to some extent, determined by birth. Especially in a world that was unequal and at war. There were those who were born on the losing side. There were those who were born in a region that would be engulfed in the flames of war tomorrow. Not because they had committed a sin, but simply because it was war, people died.

I had traced a line that had been drawn a long time ago. Humans, and others. The Listrea Demon Kingdom, and other countries.

“Everyone can only walk their own path. …There may be a form of happiness in this world that everyone would consider happiness. But for me, now, my happiness… is to serve you, to be your sword and your shield.”

Heavy. But… I felt as if the weight of it was no longer incomprehensible. This black goat, no matter where he had been born—had already found his own happiness.

“…If that is the case, then you will continue to work under me. But when there is peace, you will be honorably discharged, along with the Lord of Disease.”

At my words, Samarkand… a truly demonic smile appeared on his black goat’s face.

“Oh. That is not like you, my master. —The contract is absolute. A connection that can only be severed by the death of the contractor. I will fight for the peace my esteemed master desires, but even after the war, I intend to serve you personally.”

“…………” The words of a black goat who declared a heavy, curse-like connection to be happiness… were different. One end of the chain was connected to the other.

“I see, so that’s it…” Listrea-sama nodded, as if in understanding. I had a feeling she was learning something she shouldn’t.

“…Listrea-sama. You should consult with His Majesty.”

“Huh, with His Majesty?”

“Of course, we don’t know if His Majesty would want that. Just because you want it doesn’t mean it will happen…”

“…That’s true.” Listrea-sama nodded.

“But—it was a good reference. Thank you.” Her expression was brighter than when she had arrived. …It seemed she had also taken Samarkand’s words to heart, but was that really alright?

“Samarkand. …I have a question. Would you be interested in coming to the Fifth Army?”

“I have no intention of leaving the Sixth Army—”

“Ah, no. …You are currently the only demon who belongs to another army, and many are concerned. Would you be willing to speak to everyone? About the blood contract, your duties, your colleagues… as much as you can.”

A lecture, I suppose. Samarkand nodded.

“If my master is willing.”

I had no objection. Listrea-sama seemed to have gained something from speaking with Samarkand and me, and Samarkand… while a special case, might be a valuable ‘test case’ and ‘model case.’

The ‘post-war’ was still unclear. But at that time, it would not do for the nation to be more united, and even more peaceful, during the war. So, while the basic principle of demons belonging to the Fifth Army would not change. It might be important to naturally increase their work—their interaction with other races—such as their current duties of guarding Fort Litalside, supplying mana to the undead of the Fourth Army, and hunting dangerous magical beasts in coordination with the Third Army.

“Alright. Samarkand, tell your comrades of your experience.” So I nodded and gave my permission.

“Yes. —I will let my comrades in the Fifth Army know of my master’s greatness.”

“…Wait, Liz, is this what you call a public execution?”

“Do your best.”