I was... a demon.
I lived in the distant, ancient past, leading my comrades through endless cycles of battle, and eventually, I died with a sense of fulfillment.
I had no regrets.
Well... I shouldn't have had any regrets, but the problem was that I wasn't actually dead.
My physical body had perished and vanished, but my soul remained. That was the trouble with immortality—it was remarkably difficult to actually die. It was quite a predicament.
Even as a mere soul, I still possessed considerable power. Because of that, I ended up attracting and gathering other existences that had also been reduced to drifting souls. I expected that by mixing and melting together with those countless other spirits, I would eventually lose my sense of self and truly pass away.
Thousands of years went by, and the outlines of my soul became quite hazy. I wondered how much longer it would take. I was looking forward to it.
But while I was peacefully dozing off with those thoughts, I was suddenly grabbed and solidified by an overwhelming force.
I was shoved into some nonsensical stone... was this Black Flame Stone? It was clearly the crystallized remains of a colossal monster! Someone was processing that material, carving a statue out of it... and forcibly engraving my soul into the work.
What in the world did they think they were doing?
"Hey, you! Human! Listen to me! I said listen! Listen! Please, just listen to me!"
Good heavens, the man’s concentration was terrifying. I wondered if he was some kind of Saint. Was I being ignored because a demon's voice couldn't reach his ears? I felt that was a blatant form of racial discrimination. No matter who the opponent was, one should always start with a conversation! Yes, communication was the foundation of all things!
"...React to me, even just a little!"
I was trying to catch his interest with the surreal sight of a demon pleading for a civil discussion, but his refusal to acknowledge me was just plain mean. I knew he could perceive me. If he couldn't, he wouldn't have been able to pluck my specific essence so accurately from that muddy soup of souls.
"Look, look, I’ll do whatever you want! Is there nothing you desire? Do you want to be popular? Want to find a lover?"
I eventually gave up. I realized he intended to ignore me completely. Very well. It had been a long time since a fool had managed to make me this angry. Thousands of years, in fact! It was too late for regrets. He would lament the day he provoked me—
Wait... what was that spear? Was it not cheating for a weapon to react to my bloodlust on its own? And even then, the wielder didn't even blink.
Fine. I sealed my bloodlust.
"O Spear, could you say something to your master for me? No? You say he won't listen when he’s this focused? I see."
Someone, please help me. A total stranger was doing unspeakable things to my soul.
Eventually, I regained my composure. No matter how much I screamed for help, no one answered, so I had no choice but to settle down. I truly loathed the resilience of my own spirit. However, by calming down, I was finally able to observe the human—or rather, the statue he was carving.
It wasn't bad. In fact, it looked quite powerful. The waist seemed a bit too slender for my taste, but the large horns were a nice touch. We demons were quite particular about the size of our horns; the bigger, the better. The fact that the statue was bristling with weapons also earned my approval. It suggested a wide variety of attack patterns.
Could it be... was it possible that this human was trying to resurrect me?
Was that a good thing? Was it allowed? Would I be forgiven if I returned to the world of the living? I had caused quite a bit of havoc in my day—enough to make the Dark God who descended to the surface pull back in concern. And yet, this human sought me out?
He certainly had an interesting eye for talent! Hahahaha!
The Devil Who Protects Artworks.
That was my new name. My old name had been discarded—or rather, overwritten. I could no longer even remember it. I didn't have any lingering attachments, though.
My new Authority was dedicated to the protection of artworks. All of my abilities had been adjusted and specialized for that single purpose. I didn't mind. It might be a niche power, but everything depended on how one utilized it.
My only real complaint was regarding my body. My physical form was now a statue carved from a massive hunk of Black Flame Stone. It wasn't a bad vessel for resurrection, but the craftsmanship was simply too good.
It was, in itself, a masterpiece of art.
Because of that, it had perfect compatibility with my new Authority. Furthermore, as long as I remained within the Art Museum, I could repel almost any attack. I could probably even withstand the assault of a god—well, at least a minor god's playful jab. I would show them how easily I could bounce such things back.
So, where was the problem?
It was the fact that I couldn't move.
I was the Devil Who Protects Artworks. I was permitted to use any means necessary to strike down those who would harm the collection. However, moving an artwork without permission was considered an act of harm against the exhibit.
I understood the logic. Therefore, since I was an artwork myself, I could not move of my own volition. I was forbidden from moving.
What kind of cruel joke was this? He showed me the hope of resurrection only to leave me paralyzed! What kind of despair was this?
Technically, there was one way to move. I simply had to leave the Art Museum. Once outside, I would no longer be a stationary exhibit, and I would be free to act. However, actually getting me out of the building would be an ordeal. My very position was treated as part of the artistic arrangement. If anyone tried to relocate me, my own Authority would force me to resist them.
That left only one other option: the Art Museum itself had to be destroyed. If the building was damaged to the point that it could no longer be recognized as a museum, I would be free.
But! Because of my Authority, I was protecting the Art Museum with everything I had! If I didn't protect it, the artworks inside would be damaged! Therefore, the museum would never fall. It was invincible.
I was using my own power to seal myself away forever!
Agh! Human! You really did it! You're more of a demon than any of us!
It was incredible. I was genuinely astonished. I had never met someone so utterly demonic in my entire existence. To think that frail-looking human had grown into such a monster... I couldn't believe such a person had been born while I was dead.
Very well, Human! I shall stay in this museum and guard these artworks for ten thousand years if I must! Hahahaha! It was certainly more stimulating than drifting through the void as a soul.
Hm? How was I supposed to protect things without moving? Well, I could still launch psychic attacks against the minds of those who intended to harm the art. It was a shame I couldn't swing the weapons I held, but I would make do.
Oh? Was that "Gold Coin" over there? It had been a long time. And look, even "Box," "Sound," and "Character" were here. They had taken on such soft, weak forms, but their souls hadn't changed a bit. Haha.
What? The Ancestor of the Devil Race, Lord Despair? Ah, that’s right. My previous Authority had been "Despair."
Fuhahaha! And now I was the one tasting it myself! This was amusing, truly amusing! Even if I couldn't move an inch.
Oh, and I was perfectly willing to accept offerings. Please prepare a pedestal. I wasn't fond of spicy things, so sweets would be appreciated. Absolutely no bitter things, though. I wasn't being coy; I would genuinely take it as a personal insult.
A few days later, "Hero" arrived, leading "Benevolence" and "Affection."
Hahahaha. They were the same trio as always. I told them not to be so frightened; I wasn't going to do anything to them. The first time I had met them was after I had already died... I wondered if that even counted as a meeting? Well, it was a minor detail. "Hero" used to be so obsessed with seeking power. It was a nostalgic memory.
Some days after that, "Unchanging," who used to follow the Dark God, paid me a visit. We were enemies back when the Dark God reigned, but I held no hostility toward her now—though it did irritate me when she laughed at my inability to move.
She was going by the name Versa now? I would keep that in mind. It was fate that brought "Unchanging" here, so I decided to ask her for a favor. It was something only she could handle. I told her I wouldn't force her, and she was free to refuse. I wasn't the type to go around blabbing about embarrassing stories from the past, after all. I promised her that. It was just that seeing an old acquaintance made me feel a bit talkative...
Anyway, it wasn't a difficult task. When that human created me, he used a "sample" for reference. It wasn't in the museum—I would have sensed it if it were. That meant the human who made me had taken it home. That sample was also an artwork, but I couldn't stop the creator from taking his own work.
The issue was that because the sample had been near me—or perhaps because of that human's strange power— a fragment of my soul had taken residence within it. It had only just been born, and it would be a pity to leave it trapped inside a stationary carving. I asked her to find it quickly and transfer it into a doll. I told her it was fine if she couldn't manage it, but it would be a kindness.
What was that? She knew the human who made me? She was in his care?
Well, that was convenient! I left the matter in her hands. There was no need for a report; I would likely be asleep by the time she finished. I had been dozing for thousands of years, so suddenly staying awake all the time was a bit much for me. I needed to let my spirit adjust slowly.
"Unchanging" had come at the perfect time. I was just about to settle in for a nap. I would still protect the museum while I slept, of course. This body had more than enough power for that.
I told her we could meet again in a few hundred years. I also reminded her that I was always open to offerings, even while sleeping.
Gold Coin: Prada Box: Kati Sound: Ludio Character: Shalne Hero: Gucci Benevolence: Bulga Affection: Stifano Unchanging: Versa Disease Demon: Beton (Though she didn't appear this time.)
Lord Despair's History:
Era of Birth: Born around the time humans and demi-humans first appeared. Contemplated his role in the world. ↓ Expansion Era: As humans and demi-humans multiplied, he worked diligently in his role as the Authority of "Despair." ↓ Era of the Dark God: The Dark God descended to the surface. Lord Despair became a hostile force, met Versa, was eventually defeated by the Dark God, and died. His soul remained. ↓ 4,000 Years Ago: Continued to exist as the concept of "Despair." ↓ 2,000 Years Ago: His soul's outline began to thin. He withdrew from the world to doze. (Met Prada and Gucci around this time.) ↓ Present Day: Reborn as the "Devil Who Protects Artworks."