Chapter 12

■ Chapter 11. Cecil (2) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

Demon Race (魔族).

A race with horns and red eyes, the symbols of demons, and possessing black mana.

Three thousand years ago, during the era when demons drove the world to destruction, they committed indiscriminate atrocities without regard for race to satisfy their own desires.

Their actions, which included murder, rape, and human experimentation, along with various other horrific deeds, shocked the entire world.

And through accepting the seeds of demons, becoming pregnant, or mutating due to the mana absorbed through human experimentation, the 'Demon Race' was born. Uniquely, only humans transformed into the Demon Race.

Despite numerous opinions, the most plausible hypothesis was the 'uniqueness of humans.' Humans, with shorter lifespans and inherently weaker physical abilities compared to other races, possessed an extraordinary 'learning ability.' This learning ability, however, worked in a negative direction. Moreover, humans were more distinctly 'light (明)' and 'dark (暗)' than other races, making them more receptive to the seeds of demons.

However, other races, including humans, did not recognize the Demon Race as victims, or 'humans,' but rather as 'demons.' It was indeed simple to reject them, as they could become demons when they lost control of their reason or failed to restrain their desires.

Even more so, the Holy Kingdom 'Savior' initiated an unprecedented massacre of the Demon Race under the pretext of eliminating the seeds of demons. From the perspective of Savior, demons were those who not only denied but also attempted to pull down the gods, so both the hardliners and moderates united in their efforts.

After this frenzied event, the Demon Race split into two factions.

One faction truly became 'demons' and sought revenge on the world, while the other pursued restraint and lived as 'humans.' However, the faction that became demons was soon eradicated and disappeared from the world.

What about the remaining faction, the Demon Race that pursued 'restraint' and wished to live as humans? What happened to them?

While other powerful nations, including Savior, were at war due to ideological differences, the Demon Race that pursued restraint seized the opportunity to establish Helium. Although most countries did not recognize Helium, they were indeed formidable due to their pursuit of restraint and honing their strength.

Their strength was so great that any country that attacked them would suffer a backlash, making it difficult to act rashly. Eventually, the idea of gradually eliminating them when the opportunity arose was proposed.

Ironically, this idea was proposed over a thousand years later.

However, discrimination against the Demon Race never disappeared over time. It wasn't just humans who disliked them.

It seemed that the Demon Race's aspirations would never be realized.

Until a certain book appeared in the world.

* * *

Born as the princess of Helium and the daughter of the Demon King, I suddenly had this thought.

Why do we, the Demon Race, receive discrimination from other races? Why do we, who look no different from humans, have to live such harsh lives?

Most importantly, why do we have to live as 'humans'?

Most of the Demon Race are born and die in Helium. One might think they are like frogs in a well, but those who venture out generally experience tragic fates.

Losing someone precious or being betrayed and becoming demonized is common, and they often return to Helium after experiencing discrimination that is too terrible to speak of.

The worst case is being treated as a demon and killed without any questions asked. Outside Helium, it is frequent for the Demon Race to be killed simply because they are Demon Race.

“Dad. Dad.”

“Yes? Why are you calling me?”

“Why do we have to live like humans?”

When I turned twenty, I asked my father, the king of Helium. I asked if we really needed to live like humans.

Dad was momentarily surprised by my question, then smiled with a bitter smile. He gently stroked my head with his strong, rough hand.

“Cecil. Do you know how our Demon Race came to be?”

“I know that demons committed terrible deeds, leading to the birth of the current Demon Race. Only humans became Demon Race.”

“Yes. Our ancestors were originally humans. We are still closer to humans than other races. Therefore, living like humans will allow us to be treated as one of them.”

“But we don’t necessarily have to live like humans. Can’t we just live as Demon Race?”

Dad smiled even more deeply at my questioning. He then slightly bent his knees to meet my eye level.

His eyes, red like blood, reflected my face like a mirror, defining us as Demon Race. After a moment, he gently held my shoulders and gave an answer I couldn’t understand.

“That’s what we are, Cecil.”

“...”

“You may not understand now, but there will come a day when you will understand your father’s words. This realization will surely be a great help to your 'life,' so never forget it. Do you understand?”

“...I understand.”

Dad’s words remained a mystery even eighty years later. I thought they would always remain so.

Until a book that completely changed the life of the Demon Race appeared. I was certain that the lessons in that book were the realization Dad mentioned.

But Dad shook his head and said no.

“Cecil. That book certainly revealed the tragedy of our Demon Race and changed our lives, but it is not the identity of the Demon Race I speak of.”

Then, what is it? How does Dad define us?

I carried this question in my heart even as I entered Halo Academy, hoping to find the answer in the human society I was stepping into for the first time.

However...

“No.”

Why are you, who are not a Demon Race,

“The Demon Race cannot become human.”

Daring to say such a thing?

I stopped in my tracks on my way to the cafeteria and looked at the human man in front of me. A man with striking red hair and golden eyes, noticeable even from a distance.

His face, with fine features, was more pretty than handsome, and his slender build gave off a neutral image. He was so beautiful that if he were a girl in disguise, I would have believed it.

‘...Why?’

My mouth felt bitter, as if I had swallowed medicine. But the first thing that dominated my mind was the question.

This was a human I had been interested in since the Magna incident. The man who argued that it was not the Demon Race but the mages themselves who were dangerous.

Coincidentally, Lina, the princess of Minerva Empire and my first human friend, showed deep interest in him, so we naturally became closer. However, we rarely had the chance to talk alone.

So, while talking about various things, I learned that he was a deeply considerate human. I had felt this before, but every word he spoke lingered in my mind.

Even now.

“...Mr. Isaac.”

“Yes, Miss Cecil.”

“Your answer is contradictory, don’t you think?”

The red-haired man, Isaac, had just said that I looked like a human and not a demon at all.

Yet, he said that the Demon Race cannot become human. It is truly contradictory.

While I was trying to understand the meaning behind his words, Isaac blinked a few times and spoke.

“Miss Cecil.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Have you ever heard a human say they want to be a human?”

“What?”

What kind of out-of-the-blue statement is that? I gave a puzzled look and shook my head.

I didn’t understand what Isaac was trying to say, but it was better to listen quietly. His words often had profound meanings.

Isaac closed his mouth for a moment after I shook my head, then spoke in a calm voice.

“You probably haven’t heard it and will never hear it. Because humans are born as humans, and the Demon Race, born as Demon Race, must live as Demon Race.”

“Then, let me ask again. What does it mean to live as a Demon Race according to you? We have been striving to live like humans and will continue to do so.”

Like Sacran in the Zyon chronicles, who sacrificed himself, most of the Demon Race yearn to live as humans. They want to laugh, chat, and enjoy life like ordinary humans.

This is the aspiration and noble destiny of the Demon Race who pursue restraint. I have always thought so.

Until a year ago, I only thought about it but didn’t put it into practice. However, thanks to the Zyon chronicles, I seized the opportunity. I didn’t want to lose this chance.

But Isaac, seemingly unaware of my feelings, maintained a calm attitude and answered.

“Yes, that is what I think of the Demon Race. Princess of Helium.”

“...So, what exactly does that mean? Your words are full of contradictions.”

I was starting to get annoyed. I wondered if he was teasing me.

I didn’t understand why his eloquence, which had silenced Professor Magna, was being used here, but I was just frustrated.

I waited for Isaac to speak, but his mouth didn’t show any signs of opening.

Just as I was about to turn away, unable to hold back any longer,

“The one who can become the brightest light can also become the darkest darkness.”

“...What?”

His mouth, which had been tightly closed, opened, and a statement that couldn’t be easily dismissed came out.

When I heard his words, I was taken aback. Then, Isaac spoke again.

“Knowing they cannot become human but desperately wishing to become one, a race more human than any other.”

“...”

Ah, I see.

“This is what I think of the Demon Race and how they can live as 'people.' Miss Cecil.”

This is what Dad meant.

The Demon Race knows they cannot become human. But they yearn to become human more than anyone else.

Therefore, as long as they don’t become demons, the Demon Race can be more human than humans. Humans are born as humans, so they don’t have the desire to become human.

The Demon Race can truly become the darkest darkness, but they can also become the most human of all races.

While I was lost in thought, Isaac shrugged and continued in his usual calm voice.

“Well... Not just the Demon Race, but other races also don’t know what they truly are. After all, people judge others based on themselves. Just know that these are my personal opinions.”

“...”

“Miss Cecil?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. I heard you. Thank you.”

At Isaac’s call, I snapped back to reality. He smiled when I regained my composure. I looked at his smile with a dazed expression.

His smile was truly radiant, like the sun in a clear blue sky. It felt more beautiful than any gem.

I wanted to capture it and cherish it.

“Shall we go eat now?”

In response to his question, I smiled genuinely.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Huh? Suddenly...”

“Don’t mind it. Anyway, I’m older, right? Lina talks to me informally, so it’s fine.”

“...It’s fine, but...”

That day, dinner tasted especially good, and it was no illusion.

* * *

After a pleasant dinner with Cecil, I returned to my dorm without any issues. Cecil had gone back first, saying she needed to think about something.

‘Still, I’ve heard these words somewhere before...’

No matter how much I thought about it, the words I said to Cecil seemed familiar. If I’m not mistaken, I heard them recently, but I couldn’t remember where.

Later, when I returned to the dorm and checked my manuscript for revisions,

“Damn it...”

I couldn’t help but curse out loud. My expression also turned sour.

Because...

“These are the words I said.”

The advice I gave to Cecil was written verbatim in my manuscript.