In a remote corner of the Demon Realm stood a sprawling manor—a structure so grand it could only be described as a castle—where a family of immensely powerful Demons lived together. Perched upon its roof was a young girl draped in a black robe that veiled her face. Shaltier sat in silence, staring vacantly at the night sky as she let her mind wander.
Hundreds of years had passed since she first arrived in this world and joined Kuromueina’s family. In that time, many things had happened; the family had grown, and they had even launched an invasion into the God Realm.
It wasn't that she was unhappy with her life here. Regardless of how it had started, she had come to feel a genuine, if limited, affection for her family members, and she was truly grateful to Kuromueina.
And yet, despite all that, Shaltier’s heart remained profoundly hollow.
The reason was simple: Shaltier saw herself exactly as her name implied—as a mere fragment. She was nothing more than a fantasy once cherished by a girl named Alicia, a sliver of a wish to grant a best friend’s desire. In her own mind, that was the sum of her existence.
To fulfill her best friend's wish and then die—to her shattered heart, that was the only absolute truth.
She harbored no complaints about her daily life, but she would not hesitate for a second to cast it all aside if she felt it obstructed her goal.
She cared for her family, yet she would end their lives without a moment’s thought if it became necessary.
She was grateful to Kuromueina, but unlike the others, she did not follow her with blind devotion. At most, she felt that if there were some way she could be of use, she would help. It went no further than that.
Shaltier’s thoughts were entirely consumed by her objective. It was the only thing her broken soul could cling to. She wanted to grant that wish as quickly as possible so she could finally reach the end. She thought of it constantly, yet ironically, centuries had passed without a single step of progress.
Her identity as a former human was so deeply ingrained that she found it impossible to see anything else as a romantic interest. To be more precise, the idea of loving a non-human felt, on a subconscious level, like "settling." She hadn't realized this herself, however, and simply felt a growing irritation that no one ever met her impossible ideals.
As she watched the stars to soothe her simmering frustration and impatience, a voice suddenly drifted up to her.
"Shaltier? What are you doing up in a place like this?"
"...Megiddo-san. Oh, nothing much. Just doing a bit of thinking."
Megiddo, currently in his human form, appeared on the roof. Shaltier let out a faint sigh, her gaze shifting beneath the depths of her hood.
"...Megiddo-san, what do you think of the Demon Realm as it is now?"
"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?"
"The law of the jungle. The strong grow fat on their own greed, no matter how hideous they are, while the pure and the weak can only cower in the shadows or submit to someone else's rule. Petty wars break out everywhere, every single day, and countless lives are snuffed out. For the life of me, I can't bring myself to like it."
"...Hmm."
Speaking in a detached, level tone, Shaltier produced two cups from thin air and tossed one to Megiddo.
After he caught it and sat down beside her, she produced a bottle and began to pour as she continued.
"What about you? For someone who lives for the thrill of the fight, is the current Demon Realm a paradise?"
"Nah. I hate the way things are right now, too."
"Oh? That’s an unexpected answer. I fully expected you to say something like, 'Struggle is my very instinct'..."
Shaltier replied with genuine surprise as Megiddo took a sip from his cup.
"It’s true that I love a good scrap. I like strong guys, too. But strength isn't just about combat power, is it? Yet in this world, that's the only kind of strength that matters for survival. It’s boring, if you ask me."
"I see... Then, Megiddo-san, do you think the Demon Realm needs order?"
"I do. But it’ll be a hell of a task. Things that have been built up over this long don't change easily. It’d be a different story if Kuromueina decided to rule the place, but that’s not her style, is it?"
"Kuro-san is too kind—too soft, really. She’d never dream of ruling the Demon Realm through force."
Kuromueina was undoubtedly the most powerful being in the Demon Realm, but she was gentle to a fault. She seemed to view the current state of affairs as just one of many possible ways of life and chose to watch over it rather than interfere. She would never move to change it herself.
That was why someone other than Kuromueina had to be the one to do it.
Megiddo had known Shaltier for quite some time, and because they bickered so often, he had a decent grasp of her character. He didn't hear any teasing or sarcasm in her voice now. Sensing a cold, hard resolve in her calm words, Megiddo drained his cup and muttered a question.
"...Shaltier. Are you actually planning to go through with it?"
"Yes. To be honest, the current state of the Demon Realm is a massive obstacle to my goals. I’ve simulated several different approaches, and the plan is starting to take a solid shape. I intend to make my move soon."
"...I don't get you."
"Hmm? Don't get what?"
"You. I don't know what kind of scheme you’ve cooked up, but I’m sure you’ll handle it well enough. What I don't get is what you’re so 'impatient' about."
"..."
Shaltier fell silent when Megiddo asked about the subtle sense of urgency he felt radiating from her.
Megiddo didn't push. A quiet atmosphere settled between them for a long while before Shaltier finally spoke again.
"...Your animal instincts really shouldn't be underestimated. Tell me, Megiddo-san. Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"If I told you... that I’m working this hard just so I can finally die. That I want to finish my goal as fast as I can so I can just end it all... what would you think?"
"Huh? If you want to die, then die. If that’s the ending you’re satisfied with, it’s no skin off my back. I’ll make sure to bring some booze to your grave every now and then."
"...Gorilla-san."
"Hey!"
Shaltier couldn't help but smile at his blunt response. He had basically told her to do whatever she wanted. She reached up and pulled back the hood that had been masking her face, then refilled her cup and downed it in one go.
Seeing her like that, a slight smile played on Megiddo’s lips as well. Then, he reverted to his true form—a secret known to only three people in the entire world.
"Whoa! What is that?!"
"I didn't hear it from you directly, but consider this payment for learning one of your secrets. Don't go spreading this around, got it? I absolutely loathe this form."
"...A gorilla transforming into a beautiful woman? What kind of third-rate fantasy is this? Honestly, the world is just full of surprises."
Even Shaltier was genuinely stunned by the sight of Megiddo’s true form, her expression shifting to one of pure shock. Of course, the fact that she still managed to work in an insult was very much like her.
Megiddo looked exasperated by her reaction but refilled his cup and tapped it against hers in a light toast.
"I’m telling you again: don't tell a soul."
"Yes, yes. It’ll be a secret between us then."
"Yeah... Well, I don't know what you're planning, but just make sure you don't live to regret it."
"...Understood."
They continued to drink in a rare, peaceful atmosphere—the kind of comfort that only exists between people who truly understand one another.
"...If this world ever became peaceful... a world where everyone could laugh together and hold hands, what would you do then, Megiddo-san?"
"I don't know. Maybe I’d get myself some subordinates and beat some discipline into 'em."
"Pfft... A gorilla working as an instructor? Hahaha, that doesn't suit you at all!"
"You brat! Can't you talk for five minutes without mocking me?!"
"Or what about this? 'Gorilla-sensei'! Hahaha, it sounds so incredibly stupid. Oh, my mistake—you actually are stupid, aren't you!"
"That’s it! I’m crushing you into the dirt today!"
Megiddo finally snapped and lunged at her as she rolled around laughing. On this night, as on so many others, their conversation dissolved into a brawl. Eventually, Kuromueina came running to investigate the noise and gave them both a legendary scolding.
In a sense, they were simply being themselves.
(Honestly, I envy you. I just can't do it. Even if I imagine a future where the world is at peace and I've granted my best friend's wish... I still can't see myself there, laughing along with everyone else. Unless some extraordinary miracle occurs... No, I should stop having such foolish expectations. The day when I can truly laugh from the bottom of my heart, feeling happy... it's never going to come.)