The Count-class High-ranking Demon known as Pandemonium, "The Plague-Calling Ruin"... In a tier of existence where overwhelming power often bred eccentric personalities, she was an anomaly—a being who possessed a remarkably grounded, common-sensical perspective.
She had wielded a necrotic power capable of effortlessly piercing even the True Blessing of a High-ranking God, guiding countless lives to their end. The fear she inspired led to many monikers that painted her as a villainous figure.
Yet, Pandemonium was no thrill-seeker. She had no desire to take a life without necessity. If someone pleaded for help, she would offer it, provided it didn't impede her duties. If she saw suffering, she would provide aid within the scope of her reach.
For a Count-class Demon of such terrifying potential, she was remarkably gentle.
But despite her virtues, she lacked something fundamental: she had never truly experienced happiness.
She possessed no ambitions, no desires to achieve specific goals, and no dreams of becoming something more than she was. Her position as an executive in the Phantasm King's Corps existed for no other reason than Shaltier having scouted her. She felt no burning loyalty to the Phantasm King; rather, for a woman without a purpose of her own, following orders was simply the path of least resistance.
Still, she never lamented her hollow nature. She never felt that happiness was a requirement for life. While she occasionally wondered what it might feel like, she always concluded that she could get along perfectly well without it.
Pandemonium was an empty vessel. Her acts of kindness were not born of passion but of a learned standard—a "common-sensical action" she used as a metric for behavior. She was a doll operating on logic, moving through her monotonous days without complaint.
Her life changed during the year of the 100th Hero Festival. It was the 30th day of the Month of Heavens—the day Lilia Albert, the head of the house she had infiltrated as a maid, performed the Hero Summoning.
She saw him for the first time when Lilia gathered the servants to make her announcement. In that moment, her heart, once static, was shaken to its core. Lilia’s words became white noise; her entire world narrowed down to the young man before her: Kaito Miyama.
To think, she mused, that such a beautiful creature exists in this world.
It was a quirk of fate. It wasn't that Kaito possessed some legendary, ethereal beauty; it was simply that his features, his movements, his aura, and his magic power aligned perfectly with her specific, subconscious preferences. There was no grand logic behind it. That day, Pandemonium experienced love at first sight.
Her insistence on becoming his exclusive attendant stemmed solely from that spark. But that spark—falling in love with Kaito—wrought an incredible change in her heart.
The first thing she felt was a surge of indignation. She looked at the other servants in the mansion and wondered how they could be so blind. Why was her beloved being made to feel so unwelcome?
Kaito was a victim of circumstance, brought here against his will. He deserved compassion, not the cold, distant treatment reserved for a social nuisance. He should not have to suffer.
She acted with clinical efficiency. As a veteran of countless infiltration missions who was highly respected by her peers, manipulating their perceptions was child's play. Yet, she kept her intervention subtle. She didn't preach about Kaito's greatness; she believed his character should speak for itself.
Instead, she used casual conversation to dismantle their prejudices one by one, nudging them to see the real Kaito. For those who remained stubborn, she quietly adjusted the schedules to ensure they never crossed his path. All the while, she showered him with small kindnesses and treats.
Within a month, the hostility in the mansion had vanished, replaced by a comfortable environment tailored for him. As Kaito began to smile more often, Pandemonium finally grasped the true meaning of happiness.
Love manifests in many ways. For Pandemonium, it revealed a fundamental truth she hadn't known about herself: her love was a devotion that sought no reward.
She loved him unconditionally. It didn't matter if her feelings were never returned. His smile was her greatest joy; his happiness was her own.
She never presumed to tell him what to do or which path to take. His agency was sacred. Her role was simply to be his foundation—to affirm him when he doubted, to support him when he struggled, and to give him the gentle push he needed to make his own decisions. Once he chose his path, she would be the one quietly paving the road before him. This was her first true purpose, her first real dream.
Walking through the quiet hallways, Illness paused to look out at the garden. Kaito was there, playing happily with his pets. A look of profound peace crossed her face. Seeing him bathed in warmth and laughter was the greatest gift she could receive.
"...Kuhihi."
Just as love takes many forms, so too does happiness. For her, this fleeting moment was worth more than anything else in the world. As his silent protector, she would always be his ally. His future was her destination.
If Kaito ever wished for her to be a part of his happiness, she would accept with joy. But even if he didn't, it wouldn't change a thing. She only wanted him to be happy. If he needed her, she would stand beside him. If he didn't, she would watch over him from the shadows.
In the end, seeking a reward was unnecessary. For Illness, her love was already repaid the moment she saw Kaito smile.