As far as she could remember, demons, humans, and angels alike had been living alongside and fighting each other on the same Earth.

However, it hadn’t always been like that. The progenitor of all demons originated from hell, and so were many of her ancestors.

A long, long time ago, demons used to inhabit the deepest, darkest recesses of the underworld. A place where the sun didn’t rise, where no light could reach—the exact thing that tempted them to set foot above grounds.

It led to her ancestors and some other demon clans to establish a pact with humans: A pact to live alongside one another in harmony and peace.

Whether or not it was a foolish mistake on her ancestors’ part, she didn’t know. But it certainly was one for her clan, her family, and herself.

A long, long time ago, long enough to the point where she couldn't even recollect exactly how far back it was, she used to adore humans.

Compared to a demon, their lifespan was much shorter. What for humans amount to a lifetime a demon would consider gone in a flash. They were much weaker and much more brittle. Especially because back then, the concept of magic was basically non-existent to them. In the eyes of demons, they were silly little creatures having to struggle for every little thing.

But because of the little time they had, the measly amount of years they were able to live to their fullest, the human race didn’t lack anything to do, or to strive for, as well as being highly adaptable to any new situations and changes. Some would improve themselves by learning new skills, and any shortcomings they couldn’t fix, they made up for by working together. Some would fail, and then pick themselves right back up again. No matter how much they failed, they would try, and then again, and then some.

Thus, in what seemed like a blink of an eye to a demon, civilizations collapsed, and were replaced, akin to the experience of how the sun would set and rise day after day for a human.

Compared to a mighty demon’s long yet dull life, spent in unending boredom, a puny human’s life on earth was short yet meaningful.

Therefore, she could understand her ancestor’s envy of them, if only just a little bit.

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...In her defense, back then, she just didn’t know how selfish, conceited, arrogant, delusional, and malicious humans could be.

***

"Why did you mind control me... why did you make me kill those people?" The man asked, hunched over, dropped to his knees.

The full brunt of what had just transpired—did it only just now occur to him? What was he so sorry about?

However, it seemed like his mind wasn’t ready to accept that fact, and so he faced her, eyes wide open, with within them a faint glimmer of hope to be absolved of the crime he so readily committed.

He wanted her to admit to his crimes, to let her take all the blame for it. The coward, with tears in his eyes, was ready to cast her away as readily as a trashbag, just to feel better about himself.

Once again, she was reminded of how weak and cowardly humans were. How utterly revolting they act to save their own hides, never being able to face their own actions with honesty.

Frustration welled at the pit of her stomach, but before she could give him the cold, hard truth—

“—Couldn't we have at least kept them alive?"

He, or she, asked another naïve question. Yet for some reason it stung to hear this time.

Standing in front of her was a young girl wearing an adorable dress, with her long hair fluttering behind her. A grassy meadow where colorful flowers bloomed surrounded her.

That girl, bitterly smiling at her out of pity, was none other than herself.

At that moment, she jolted awake in a confused state. She'd forgotten for a moment where she was, and wasn't able to remember how she'd gotten into the bed there in the first place.

“...A dream...”

She was dripping with cold sweat. Even though she had seemingly recovered after having sapped the life out of her attackers, in the end, all that occurred was her healing her flesh wounds and nothing more. She was still running dangerously low on magic.

If there was anything she should be grateful for, it was the fact that she was currently in a house of a sinner instead of inside the church’s domain. Or worse yet, that flower meadow.

Sitting up and taking off the sheets, she glanced at the floor, where the human called Yasou had insisted on sleeping.

Even though it would be warmer if we slept together.

She would never understand humans and the weird rules they imposed on themselves.

Even in his sleep, he was grimacing. It didn’t seem like the so-called rest he brought himself gave him any respite.

She got off the bed and scooted over next to him, peering into his face.

He seemed so defenseless, he probably wouldn’t notice if she were to wrap her hands around his neck and snap it.

She was aware that that wasn’t the kind of thought she should be harboring towards her benefactor.

Years after years of leading and ultimately trying to salvage what was left of her clan had taught her what kind of creature humans were.

They were creatures who adored purity, light and virtue, hating the darkness and condemning all evil. The exact reason why devils couldn’t even be spotted on the street without being killed.

“I’m glad you are different.” She murmured while poking his cheek.

Then, after making sure that he was fast asleep, she moved away.