I can feel a headache coming on.
This all ran contrary to what I had learned in every other world I had ever been in.
It was always the demons being portrayed as the evil beings coming to devour your souls. I didn’t like this portrayal, but even I had to admit that there were times when the demons deserved to be portrayed like this. They were, after all, a warmongering species determined to gain power. This would inevitably lead to them stepping on toes, and facing retaliation.
However, are humans not the same? Even elves are not immune from this, as there are cases where they seek more power than they can gain lawfully. Most of the time though, “It’s in the name of magic research, and the betterment of all peoples.”
I always felt that excuse to be bullshit. Misuse of power is still misuse, and telling yourself that some people have to suffer in order to help the majority doesn’t help. The minority still suffers unjustly, and dies with their lives unfulfilled.
They never wanted to be a part of this ‘betterment.’
In short, I guess all the races are equally bad. They each still have their redeeming qualities, though.
But for all the goodness in the demons, they still always get the short end of the stick.
So then, why is it here that demons are revered as saviors, and heroes?
I asked Joan this, and I came to learn some astonishing things, when she began narrating one of the myths they have here.
“Well, this all started long ago, according to the legends we still have left. It was right after the creation of this world, and of the races that walked upon it—The elves eldest among them, and followed by the humans, the beastmen, the dwarves, and every other manner of being that came to be. The elves were the undisputed overlords of this world, and enslaved all other races in the name of peace and harmony. They had thought that the only way of preventing war and strife would be to eliminate the freedoms and borders that cause it.”
“Unfortunately, some of those freedoms included things like luxury, love, and adventure. And, while the elven peoples first tried to put the same restrictions upon themselves, in order to approximate a modicum of balance and fairness, these restrictions were gradually lifted as the generations past, and the most powerful elves grew greedy, and tired of the lifestyle they had placed upon themselves.”
“Then, came the time when the restrictions were completely lifted, and the elves lived like overlords and rulers. For, even the lowest among the elves was placed above all else. There were likely revolts during this time, as the other races rebelled against the cruelty forced on them, but no word of any has ever been passed down. It is assumed that they were crushed before they gained enough momentum for any sort of success.”
“This sort of lifestyle persisted for quite some time, with the other races having been completely subjugated, and freed from their own wills. They worked for the betterment of the elves, for thousands of years. No pride of theirs was left by the end of this time, nor any thoughts besides those having to do with the elves, and how they could better serve them. Like all things though, this system of the elves came to an end. Even more, it was a quick end. Within one hundred years, the elven super-empire was broken, and the other races free. This happened because, amazingly and bafflingly, another race appearing on this world at that time.”
“They appeared suddenly, likely crossing over from another world to our own. At first, the elves were able to fight against these new arrivals equally. Though, it took thousands of warriors, comprised of elven men, and drafted slaves, to fight even one of the Dragons, as they called themselves. They were great scaled lizards of magic, capable of decimating entire armies and flattening whole cities in their true form.”
“Eventually, these dragons, after realizing the state of affairs in this world, decided to topple the elven empire, and put their full power and effort towards doing so. Within a century, the empire had been completely destroyed, and the elves hunted to near extinction by both the dragons, and the newly freed races, who had fully realized their hatred for them. The surviving elves fled for the remote corners of the globe, seeking safety in the desolate and nearly uninhabitable spots. It was like this that they survived.”
“The dragons disappeared soon after this, but not before passing on their genetic inheritance. Apparently, dragons are quite fond of parties, and spending nights in the company of others while in their humanoid forms. The beings born of these temporary unions were named as demons, and were appointed as the peacekeepers of this world. As highly individualistic beings, the demons would roam the world, seeking battle, and putting down injustice wherever it might be found.”
“So, they were just a peacekeeping force? That hardly seems like enough to call them the saviors of the world.”
“Well, like I said, most of this is just myth and legend at this point, passed down through so many generations by word of mouth. It would be odd if the whole thing hasn’t been changed, or over-exaggerated as the years have gone by. It’s likely that the legends we have today in no way represent what had actually happened. However, the reason we call them our saviors, is something else entirely.”
“What, there’s more to this story?”
“Not much more. Though, this last bit is something that is backed by historical fact, since it happened after much time had passed from the fall of the Elven Empire.”
“Then what was it? Don’t just leave me in suspense here, I want to hear the end of this.”
“Ah, well, it’s simple really. The elves got some of their power back, and made an attempt to retake what they felt was rightfully theirs. Their attempt to regain the world failed, but ended in the mutual destruction of both the elves, and the demons.”
“…That’s…somewhat dark.”
Joan nodded, agreeing with my sentiments.
However, I realized something.
“But wait, if all the demons were killed, then how is it that there are sightings here? And, how do you even know the sightings are of demons?”
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“Well, I mentioned how the demons were independent of each other as a race, right? I think it’s very possible that a few demons were secluded in various places, unaware of what was happening in the world at large, while the majority of them fought with the elves.”
“As for the sightings, there have been a few demons which have consistently been seen all over the world, and are now famous as some of the strongest beings around, and the last of the demonic peace-keeping corps. We know that they are demons, because their physical characteristics do not match any other known species.”
“Is that really the only reason you guys think they’re demons? Because they aren’t any other race?”
“Well, we have other ways of determining this, but that’s somewhat a secret of my country. I would be happy to tell you, but only after you agree to a little contract.”
“Contract? Of what sort?”
“Just a minor oath-binding contract, involving things like a non-violence agreement, one that extends both ways.”
“Would this contract only be between me and you, or the nation at large?”
“It would be just you and my family.”
“Alright then. Tell me everything that would be in this contract.”
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The contract ended up sounding fairly simple, and practical.
To start with, I wouldn’t be allowed to harm the members of Joan’s family, and the trade-off was that they weren’t allowed to do me any harm. A simple enough thing, and since I’ve already met both Joan and Anhara, I can judge that they likely won’t harm me intentionally.
Then, the contract mentions a few things that I would have to keep a secret. I’ve never heard of the things listed, but it should be fine. They were called things like the ‘Eye of Intentions’, and ‘Mist Orb’. I wouldn’t know what they were until I’ve seen them myself, and to do that, I needed to sign the contract.
Additionally, I would be allowed to live here, in the palace. It was a generous condition, one that I will fully appreciate.
I did have one question, though.
“So, who are you, to be able to dish out contracts like this?” I asked.
I had an idea about who Joan is, but I don’t want to jump to assumptions without hearing it from herself first.
“Shouldn’t that be obvious? I’m this nation’s Overseer.”
“Huh? ...What’s an Overseer? I thought you would have been the queen or something like that.”
Joan looked surprised to hear that I had no idea what an Overseer was. Is it common knowledge here or something?
“Exactly from how far away did you come? I thought everybody would know what an Overseer is, and the role they play.”
I raised my hands in defeat.
“I just must not be familiar with the way things are run around here. Maybe I know what an Overseer is, but call it by a different name. I won’t know what it is, though, unless someone tells me.”
Joan, getting the hint, began speaking.
“Well, to put it in simpler terms, an Overseer protects a settlement or kingdom, depending on their power. As for what they are protecting from, it can be things like enemy armies, corruption from within, overbearing mana density, and mana corruption.”
“So, you crush any physical threats, while also taking care of mana related ones? So, are you just a glorified guardian or something?”
Joan smiled.
“Take it as you will, but at least I’m not burdened with running a country. You see, they had offered me that position, but I declined, and decided to become the Overseer here. It has much more freedom, since there is no one stupid enough to attack us anymore. And, I have others to take care of the mana density and corruption.”
Hm, I could see the appeal of such a life-style, where you could live virtually free of all responsibilities, but still have the perks of living in a palace and holding a good amount of influence.
“Back onto our main topic, let me bring you the contract itself, so that you might be able to assess it with your own eyes.”
Joan left the room, leaving me with Anhara, who had barely followed along during our conversation. We had been speaking in English the whole time, after all. In fact, she was only able to understand where the conversation was going due to her mother translating a little, every now and then.
It felt a little awkward, waiting in silence for Joan to come back.
Luckily though, she returned pretty quickly. And, judging by the fact that her tails were waving in the air behind her playfully, she probably ran, or used some sort of acceleration magic to do it. Who knows how far away that contract had been in the first place.
Though, I had a little shock upon seeing her tails like that.
Mostly because, with them waving about, I was able to count them. I hadn’t been able to before, since they had been clumped together behind her back, like one big, extra fluffy tail.
She has a set of ten tails. In the stories I’d read about nine-tailed foxes, they would ascend to divinity after growing only nine tails. I wonder if that’s any different here?
Joan noticed me watching her tails, and grinned.
“Ah, they are beautiful, aren’t they?”
I nodded.
“I have a tail myself, but don’t really have a use for it. Mostly, I just keep it wrapped around my waist for conveniences sake.”
“Ah, yeah.” Sighed Joan. “I didn’t know what to do with mine at first either. They would always get in the way, and it was so difficult at first to find clothing that would accommodate it. It was difficult to adjust to, after coming from Earth.”
"Is there a purpose for your tails though? I just don't think mine's very practical."
"Well, for my race, the number of tails we have can approximate our power levels. Anyway, here’s the contract. Once you sign it, the palace will be open to you, and you will be assigned the same degree of respect as one of this realm’s royalty. Also, I can show you some of the better bits of technology we’ve managed to create.”
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