Chapter 4: Rem’s Story

It was well before the church bell rang out five times—after she had become separated from Diablo and Shera at the Central Plaza.

Rem was in one of the back alleys between the buildings.

“...What is the meaning of this?”

She had been chasing after two people, and even lost sight of them a few times...but she had finally caught up.

Unlike the lively Central Plaza, the alleyway was dim and grimy, with trash strewn about everywhere. People dumped the garbage from their homes here, where it was left as is. The smell wasn’t too terrible because of the how arid the air was in Faltra, but this wasn’t necessarily a place you would want to come to on purpose.

Standing ahead of Rem in this back alley—was Alicia, who had been pulling Klem along by the hand. Cheeks stuffed with biscuits, Klem didn’t seem to have the foggiest idea as to why she was brought here.

“Mm? What’s wrong with you?”

“...Um, well... I don’t understand why she brought you here... Alicia, why did you bring her here?”

A faint smile came across Alicia’s lips. “I had been planning on only bringing Miss Klem here by herself, then calling Miss Shera afterward... But maybe it’s better that you are here with us instead, Miss Rem. It could turn out to be a key of some sort.”

There was something different than usual about Alicia. Staying on guard, Rem reached into the pocket of her leather belt where she kept her crystals, so she would be ready to call a Summon at any time.

“...What are you talking about?”

“Exactly why is it that Miss Klem is missing her memories? According to the Fallen priests, it is not just magic energy that is needed to resurrect the Demon Lord...but something else as well.”

“...Fallen priests?” Rem grew even more tense.

It was from these priests that Edelgard had borrowed their knowledge as her source for conducting the ritual.

“Why, yes... After what happened, I left town to go speak with Miss Edelgard—about how to regain the Demon Lord’s lost memories, and how to perfectly awaken her.”

“What are you saying, Alicia?!”

“If the Demon Lord had not lost her memories, I would have been able to tell you the truth so much sooner...”

“...Alicia... Are you trying to say you’re hoping for the resurrection of a Demon Lord who would kill the races?”

“That is exactly what I have been saying, no?”

Rem’s voice was trembling. “...Alicia... You... That would make you a Demon Lord worshiper!”

“Yes, it does.” Alicia smiled pleasantly.

It was a bright, cheerful smile, something completely different than what she had shown in front of Diablo and the others. Perhaps it was a result of that feeling of relief one got from revealing how they truly felt.

Klem looked up at Alicia. “I don’t understand a word you’re saying. I’m already resurrected! This is my perfect, complete, and flawless form!”

“But you will not kill the races, yes?”

“Correct! Because I can’t remember why I would want to do so in the first place. Also, the races are the only ones who know how to make biscuits!”

“That is why I wish for you to awaken... For you to open your eyes...”

“Enough of this drivel! Do you want me to roast you alive?!”

“If it will awaken your true self, my lord, then I will gladly offer myself as the first sacrifice. In fact, I would feel no greater joy than if you did so.”

Klem looked appalled, and tried to put some distance between herself and Alicia—but she would not let go of Klem’s hand, keeping the same gentle smile on her face.

“That’s enough! I’m leaving!”

“To do so, you will have to kill either myself, or the person over there standing in our way. The moment you do, that is when you will truly awaken as the Demon Lord.”

Rem took out one of her Summon crystals—it seemed Alicia had used Edelgard in order to gain information from the Fallen priests; these weren’t baseless claims she was making.

—So that means as soon as Klem kills someone, she will awaken as the true Demon Lord? I have to stop that from happening...!

“Why are you trying to awaken the Demon Lord, Alicia?!”

“My one desire is to wipe out these unsightly races—to have a world that is ruled over by the resplendent Fallen.”

Nothing had changed about the way she looked—but to Rem, it was a sinister feeling, like she was facing a monster that had taken on the form of Alicia.

There was nothing more for them to talk about.

“...I will be taking back Klem now.”

Alicia was an Imperial Knight, and was sure to possess abilities that made her worthy of that title.

—Will I be able to win against her...?

Rem gripped her crystal tight. She was already going to be a difficult opponent in a one-on-one fight—then, someone else came to Alicia’s side.

Another knight had appeared in the dark alleyway—one that Rem had seen before. The man leisurely strolled toward them, the sound of his feet scraping against the dirt with each step he took. He was outfitted in thick armor, and carried numerous swords on his person.

“Here you are, Miss Cristela. I was searching for you, you know?”

A smile on his face so sickeningly pleasant it seemed downright suspicious—it was the Paladin, Saddler.

There was a dark, burning fire in his eyes, many times more intense than the last time they had met. Back then, he had taken them lightly and looked upon them with scorn—but now, he was like a ravenous beast.

“My apologies, we were held up by this Adventurer...” Alicia cast a frigid look toward Rem. “No, by this Demon Lord worshiper.”

Rem’s eye widened. “What?! You’re the Demon Lord worshiper here, Alicia!”

“Perish the thought. As a result of my infiltration into your group, I was able to ascertain that you were all Demon Lord worshipers, and managed to put this child you abducted under my protection.”

“...So that’s the story you’re going with. You sold me out to this Paladin, didn’t you?”

“No—I have just saved this child.”

“...Ngh.”

—Alicia’s goal is the destruction of the races, and to create a world ruled by the Fallen. That is the reason why she wanted Klem to awaken as the Demon Lord.

According to the Fallen priests, the awakening would happen as soon as Klem killed one of the races. But then why would Alicia hand Rem over to a Paladin? What reason did she even have for getting involved with him in the first place?

She didn’t understand. Rem was an experienced Adventurer, and was no stranger to strategy and tactics—yet even then, she still wasn’t able to read into Alicia’s real intentions.

“...The only thing I have come to realize here...is that I will not let you have Klem!

“...Come, 《Asulau》!!”

Rem threw down her crystal, calling forth her Summon. A bull with three horns on its head had appeared, its size far and away surpassing any bovine found in nature. Its specialty laid in its ability to stampede toward opponents, and could do the most damage in a single blow out of all the Summons in Rem’s possession.

Though Rem had suffered a defeat to Saddler back at the restaurant, she couldn’t afford to lose here.

—I have to get Klem back!

Going up against a Paladin, an Imperial Knight, and the four subordinates Saddler had brought along with him was going to be a difficult battle; but if she could raise as loud a commotion as possible, people were sure to come. It would make it all the more likely for Diablo to notice them—and that was exactly what she was counting on.

Asulau charged towards the Paladin, who ordered his men:

“Be my shield.”

At Saddler’s words, his subordinates came to stand directly in front of the Summon, all at once. One of them was pierced by Asulau’s horns, being seriously wounded—but the other three managed to push back, killing the momentum of the giant Summon’s charge.

“How can this be?! Why would you listen to an order that could get you killed?!” Rem struggled to understand.

“It is because the Gods will it that we are able to live here.” Saddler grinned. “Dying is the same as being called by the Gods dwelling in the heavens. Those that follow their will while alive will be forgiven in death; while those who oppose them shall receive punishment and plunge into the pits of hell. Protecting me is the same as protecting the Gods themselves. Amongst my subordinates, there exist no such non-believers who would refuse my orders out of mere fear.”

Saddler casually drew his sword—and plunged it into Asulau’s neck. Leaving the blade where it was, Saddler drew a second, then a third sword from around his waist, skewering them into the Summon.

“Ha! Fuhaha! Quite the tenacious Summon, this one!”

Asulau thrashed about, but Saddler’s subordinates desperately held it down with all their collective might. The gravely injured Summon had finally faded away, regressing back into a blackened crystal.

Even if it couldn’t fight back, it happened all too fast. Rem had been shocked by Saddler using his subordinates as a shield—but after seeing him defeat a Summon of that stature, that quickly, she came to realize Saddler’s strength was not normal.

—Could his skill as a Warrior be almost the same as Galford?

If his level was that high, Rem couldn’t even begin to guess how strong he was. Compared to the other Adventurers here, who spent their time patrolling the town or gathering herbs, Saddler’s strength was on a completely different level.

—Add on to the fact that Paladins could use magic as well.

“Ngh... Come, Stoneman!” She called forth yet another Summon.

Under normal circumstances, Rem should have run away. Even if it was just her and Saddler one-on-one, the chance of Rem winning with the Summons she had on hand was slim. There were four of Saddler’s subordinates as well—though only three of them were fit for combat now. Alicia was also at hand.

Klem, on the other hand, still didn’t seem to understand what was going on, and was staring at the events unfolding before her with a sullen look on her face. To her, this might all just seem like some kind of unamusing sideshow.

Stoneman swung its colossal fists, sending Saddler’s subordinates flying.

“Do you happen to need some assistance, Sir Saddler?” Alicia raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, no. That will not be necessary.”

“If this keeps up, people will start to gather before long. Would that not be inconvenient for you?”

“Hehe... Now this is a surprise. I was under the impression you thought it better if I didn’t do my job.”

“I agree with the idea that we cannot overlook any Demon Lord worshipers.”

“I see, I see. My most humble apologies for having doubted you the other day. It seems that you were the kind of wonderful person who understands the will of the Gods after all. The Gods watch over your deeds, Miss Alicia.”

“Why, thank you very much.”

“No matter the case, there is no need to worry. I will be putting an end to this shortly... She is a comrade of the man who insulted me—I will show her no mercy...

“Hurry up and capture her!” Saddler issued the order to his subordinates. “But don’t harm her, and make sure you do it as gently as possible. That way, it’ll make the pain waiting for her all the more...sumptuous.”

“Yes, sir!” They were quick to respond, but it seemed Saddler’s subordinates were having some difficulties dealing a fatal blow to Stoneman’s adamantine body.

As that happened, Rem went to call another Summon. Using powerful Summons one after the other, and at the same time at that, would heavily drain the caster’s magic reserves.

—But right now, I have to fight!

“What’s wrong?” Klem asked. “Do you want to kill these guys? Well, you should just leave it all to me! These friends of Mr. Clanky Armor here don’t have anything to do with biscuits, so I’ll turn them to ash in an inst—”

“Stop!” Rem yelled.

Klem froze where she stood. After being tangled up in them for so long, Rem had finally managed to straighten out her feelings, and turned her thoughts into words:

“...Klem... Please, don’t kill anyone. Keep eating biscuits, singing songs with Shera, and smiling with everyone... That is my wish for you.”

“Are you being serious...? There’s no way you can win against these guys, you know?”

“...I don’t want you to kill anyone. If nothing else, I want you to remember that.”

“I don’t really get it, but all right,” Klem sighed. “I promise.”

Rem smiled softly. “...I was terrified of you...and perhaps, even hated you... But spending these past few days together, like we were a family... I did not hate that. Right now, I know that I do not want to lose you—even if it costs me my life!”

She threw out a new crystal—summoning 《Shadow Snake》, she sent it speeding toward Saddler. It was a pitch-black snake that would coil around an opponent to stop them from moving.

Equipping her metal claws to her hand, Rem charged after her Summon for a follow-up attack.

“Haaaaaa!!”

“Heh...” Saddler’s lips twisted into a smile. “Just what I would expect from an Adventurer from Faltra, the city deemed the front lines of the races. You’re so full of fighting spirit; so brave, so talented—truly wonderful.”

He drew another sword from his waist and swung it, slicing through Shadow Snake.

Rem thrust her fist forward to drive her claws into Saddler—but right before that happened, the Paladin fixed his glare on her.

—Oh no, Subtle Chant?!

“Hngh!!”

“Bow down before the Gods, corrupt worshiper of the Demon Lord!”

She lost control of her body, collapsing to the ground.

“Guh...!!”

Rem had her hands on the ground—but couldn’t move them. No longer able to fight back, it was as if she was prostrating herself for Saddler.

She had been “Paralyzed” yet again.

“You truly are wonderful,” he whispered by her ear. “After all, there can be no despair if there is no hope. The fact that you held onto the utterly foolish hope that you could win against me was truly marvelous... And now, you will fall into despair.”

Saddler placed a hand on Rem’s head. Magic that could only be used when in direct contact with someone was extremely powerful, and amongst those spells existed one that could rob a target of their consciousness.

—A sudden impact, as if Rem had just taken a blow to the back of the head. She felt darkness starting to eat away at the edges of her vision. Consciousness fading fast, Rem reached out with her hand. Klem’s eyes were open wide.

Alicia whispered beside Rem’s ear:

“What she needs...is hatred.”

As Rem finally fell unconscious, Stoneman lost the source of its magic supply, returning once again to its crystal form.

†

Rem’s consciousness slowly returned to her. It felt like her body was being shaken.

She opened her eyes; everything was dim, but there was someone peeking over to look at her. It was a small shadow of a person, wearing a robe.

“Hey, you OK?”

“Klem!” Rem instinctively reached out to her, looking Klem up and down to confirm she was unharmed. It seemed she wasn’t hurt anywhere.

“...You’re all right... Thank goodness.”

“Of course I’m all right; why wouldn’t I be? You’re the weird one here, falling asleep like that all of a sudden.”

“...It seems I was done in by Saddler’s magic.”

“Aha, so that weird flashy-light from before was magic. Quite frankly, it’s kinda pathetic you lost to a guy with that little magic power in him.”

“...I suppose you’re right.”

Rem was fairly well-known around Faltra as an Adventurer, but her battles had mostly been a string of failures as of late.

—Diablo, Fallen, Paladins...

A sigh escaped her lips. She ran her gaze over her surroundings; it was dark, but she could just barely make things out: They were locked inside a cage, iron bars surrounding them on all sides. It was small enough that she couldn’t stand up; even Klem would probably hit her head on it. There was a thick cloth draped over the cage, which explained why everything was so dim.

Her hands and legs weren’t bound by anything, most likely because there was no need since her capturers had already taken away any weapons she had on her.

—What is this shaking...?

It was most likely because they were being transported on the back of a wagon, she imagined.

“...How long have I been unconscious?”

“Enough time for me to finish off a bag of biscuits.”

Even now, Klem was still busy crunching away on biscuits. It seemed she had been won over using the same method Diablo and the others used to get her away from Edelgard.

Judging by how fast Klem ate biscuits, it hadn’t been more than ten minutes or so. By Rem’s estimation, even if she had been shoved on the wagon in the shortest amount of time possible, they shouldn’t have left the town quite yet. There was also a slight amount of sunlight leaking through the fabric that covered the cage. Since the rays were coming in from the left, that probably meant the wagon was heading north.

—To the Central District?

...No, we’re still too far out—most likely the North District.

It was a spacious area, and compared to the Southern District, which was filled with Demis, it was a much more affluent and wealthy location. Rem hadn’t been here too often, so she didn’t remember what types of buildings were in this part of town.

—Would people notice if I shouted? Maybe something like, “Help, they’re kidnapping me!”

Although, we’re dealing with a Paladin and an Imperial Knight, so that would probably be useless... In terms of public trust, they hold an overwhelming advantage.

Now that I think about it, it’s strange, isn’t it?

Rem calmly thought things over. As she pored over her previous conversation with Alicia, she was more inclined to think Alicia hadn’t actually been telling the truth.

If Klem kills one of the races, she would awaken as the Demon Lord... If that was true, then Alicia should have attacked her after Rem had been knocked unconscious. Though she looked like a child, she still had all the powers of a Demon Lord: She could bestow her magic energy upon other Fallen; she watched battle after battle while looking as calm as could be; and she even referred to Saddler as having miniscule amounts of magic energy—she seemed so terrifyingly powerful.

If Alicia made a full effort to attack Klem, then she most likely would have become the first of the races killed by the Demon Lord, just as she’d wished. Did she suddenly start caring more for her own life? If that was the case, then she could have used one of Saddler’s subordinates instead.

Though she couldn’t say for certain due to her lack of information, wouldn’t Alicia claiming that Klem’s true self would awaken from killing one of the races be a lie? If so, then would what she said about wanting to awaken the Demon Lord and being a Demon Lord worshiper also be a lie?

Maybe that was all just too convenient for Rem to hope for. The truth of the matter was Alicia had handed both Rem and Klem over to Saddler, a Paladin.

“...If only... If only I was stronger...”

“You should eat this.” Klem stuck out her hand, offering a biscuit to Rem.

“Huh? Um... Thank you very much.”

Rem stared at the biscuit in her hand; it was about time for dinner, and it was true she was hungry—

“...It seems you’ve suffered a great deal because of me, huh, Rem...”

“What?” Rem was surprised not only by Klem saying her name aloud, but by what was said as well.

“Alicia told me all about it...that you had been suffering because of me.” Klem’s shoulders slumped. “Not just you, but your mom...and her mom... Always and always... But just now, you fought to protect me... That’s what she told me.”

“...I did. But I lost in that regard, however.”

“You fought to protect me... Even though it wouldn’t be strange for you to detest me so much.”

“......I will not deny I faced my share of hardships because of you.”

“Even now, you’ve been locked up in a thing like this because of me. I don’t really know much about the races, but I do greatly value the loyalty you’ve shown toward me, Rem.”

“...I would not call this loyalty.”

“Hm?”

Rem hugged her knees, eyes cast downward. With some hesitation, she spoke about how she felt:

“...The Gods sealed the soul of the Demon Lord Krebskulm into one of my ancestors generations ago. Because of that, the women in my family have lived their lives avoiding as much contact as possible with people in their day-to-day lives. They took great care of their bodies in order to not release the Demon Lord, always making sure to leave behind a daughter... They all sacrificed so much throughout their lives, giving up on many things, never settling down, and always keeping their distance from others. They lived their lives in isolation and fear. So why... Why only me...? Why was I made to be the vessel for Krebskulm’s soul?”

Klem looked at her curiously: “So because of me, you had no freedom?”

“That’s how it was, yes.”

“I see... Not having freedom is a bad thing. Downright irritating, in fact.” It had gotten through to her easier than Rem had expected.

“...Now that I think about it, the entire time we were all suffering, you were sealed inside us as well.”

“I was basically asleep half the time, though. But yeah, I understand that feeling of resentment from having your freedom taken away.”

“...Do you detest us as well?”

“The only ones I hate are the Gods.”

“I see...”

Rem was shocked to learn that the bedtime stories she had been told all these years were actually true; and to hear it from the Demon Lord herself was definitely unexpected...

“Mm... Then it’s only natural you would despise me... Of course you would hate me...” Klem said glumly.

Rem sighed.

—I don’t want you looking that sad...

If Klem had been a tyrannical overlord of evil, then Rem wouldn’t need to fuss over any of this. Diablo would have already defeated her by now, and she would have succeeded in overcoming the hatred of the Demon Lord that had been passed through her family for generations.

—But the Krebskulm they had resurrected was nothing more than an innocent child.

Rem looked down. “...It’s true that I had always thought of you that way. However, you just happened to be born as a Demon Lord, right?”

“Hm... Ah? True, I was born as a Demon Lord.”

“...You didn’t choose to throw our lives into disorder... I’ve come to realize you’re the same as me. We’re just normal people, made to carry very abnormal destinies.”

“I’m not really a ‘person,’ technically, but I get what you’re trying to say.”

“...That’s why I want to protect you. I don’t think Alicia’s been telling the whole truth. Will you actually awaken when you kill someone? Or is something else needed as a key to complete the process? At this point, all we know is that she’s scheming about how to truly awaken the Demon Lord.”

“So it seems... Geez, and even after I told them I was already in my most perfect, complete, and flawless form,” she said as she nibbled away at her biscuits.

Rem refrained from saying that Klem was none of the things and instead spoke gently, almost as if she were saying it for herself.

“...Let’s get back with everyone else... I know we’ll make it back to them.”

“If I could use my powers, I could bust us out of this stupid metal box and turn that clanky armor guy and his friends to ashes!”

Rem hugged Klem close to herself; it was the first time she had touched Klem of her own volition.

“...You can’t do that. You promised, remember?”

After a brief pause, Klem nodded: “Yeah, I did.”

†

Before long, the wagon stopped; it seemed they had arrived at their destination.

With a great deal of noise, the cloth was unceremoniously removed from the cage. The setting sun was just about to be hidden behind Faltra’s towering walls.

The cage opened and Saddler beckoned to them.

“Come out, if you please. We have arrived at the place of your salvation.”

“.........”

Saddler’s subordinates reached in and grabbed Rem by the arm, dragging her out.

Surrounded by graves, they found themselves in a cemetery with no signs of other people to be found.

It wasn’t dark yet, but Rem could no longer hear the hustle and bustle of the city, despite the walls of the city being extremely close by.

This was the northernmost edge of Faltra. She remembered hearing about a cemetery used exclusively by the upper echelons and elite of Faltra, while the cemetery for common townsfolk was located outside of the city’s walls. Though it was protected all around by a wooden gate, it would sometimes become damaged due to water or wild animals.

Nothing had changed with Klem. Thanks to the biscuits Alicia had given her, she was completely under Alicia’s control.

Rem had made Klem make a promise to her earlier... But still, she worried about Klem.

—She wouldn’t start killing people in exchange for biscuits...would she?

The sound of a bell tolled from the building in front of her. Ringing exactly six times, it announced that it was six o’ clock in the evening.

A church—it was extremely old, but kept under good maintenance. There were marks and scars left over from the repairs done to the stone walls, and brand new stained glass were set into the windows. A circle with poles stretching out of it, two at the top and the third holding it in place, adorned the roof of the belfry; it was the holy symbol of the Church. The looming wooden doors were opened, and Rem and Klem were pushed inside.

Just as its appearance suggested, it was an old, well-maintained church.

A strange smell reached Rem’s nose. It was an odd smell that stuck to the nose, and was almost sweet... Almost like the smell of rusted iron. The stench was coming from the strange instruments that laid deep inside the church.

A single chair had been placed inside, with an assortment of tools gathered around it. Rem didn’t know what they were used for...but she did remember the rumors surrounding Saddler.

He would torture any who he suspected to be a Demon Lord worshiper, forcing a confession out of them—and swiftly executing them.

Rem’s eyes widened.

—Are these all torture instruments?!

Rem glared at Saddler. “...I am no Demon Lord worshiper. No matter how much you may harm me, I will not make false confessions.”

“Oh, thank goodness.”

“...What?”

“Whenever people who have heard the rumors of me see my tools, they always break down crying, claiming that they’ve had a ‘change of heart’ and to let them ‘prove their faith to the Gods.’ I ask you: Who would believe such shallow words? You, on the other hand, are a Demon Lord worshiper, without a doubt; one who tries to deceive us men of the cloth.”

“Ngh... You’re planning on torturing me no matter what, I see.”

“Oh, heavens no. People get the wrong idea about it all the time. What I do is not torture.”

“...Then what would you call these instruments? They certainly do not look like normal kitchenware.”

“Any normal person would mistake this for ‘torture,’ but what I am doing is ‘salvation.’ Anyone who worships the Demon Lord is in the wrong, and through my actions I save their defiled souls. I wish to save all the races.” His voice was brimming with confidence.

She couldn’t understand what he was saying: a metal object with spikes densely packed along it; a saw with wicked, jagged teeth—they were all stained with a dark red grime, and showed signs of being well-used. Though he called it salvation, it was exactly as the rumors said: He tortured his victims, then executed them.

“...Are you trying to say your method of killing people is ‘salvation’?”

Saddler shook his head. “I am not killing people. They are forgiven by the Gods through my salvation, and are summoned to the heavens; that is all.”

“What are you...?!”

“Seeing those once rotten souls purified through my salvation and gaining the Gods’ forgiveness—I can’t help but shed a few tears of joy from seeing that.”

“...That’s... That’s just them dying as a result of your torture!”

“Oh, no, no, no. Since I have forgiven them, it is the same as the Gods forgiving them. In that case, then those souls being beckoned to heaven through death is a joyous blessing.”

—If he forgives them, the Gods forgive them?

His reasoning was nonsensical.

“...Are you trying to call yourself a god?!”

Speaking like that had to be strictly forbidden by the Church. But with the same virtuous smile on his face, Saddler’s expression never changed.

“Now, this is something I don’t like to throw around too much, and I try to keep it a secret as best I can—but, apparently, I am a God.”

“...What was that?”

“As I said, I am a God who has made his descent upon this world. Understand?”

“...I'm speechless.”

“I was born into an abundant household, blessed with this well-endowed body, and boasted a superior intellect—after receiving all the favors from the heavens, one could only think my existence to be as a God who has descended upon this world to offer it salvation.”

His words were overflowing with confidence; he completely believed everything he had just said. Rem was dumbfounded.

“...No matter what I say, it seems words are useless with you.”

Saddler pointed at Rem’s ears. “That is not true; any conversation with me is anything but pointless. The more we can exchange words like this, the better I am able to understand the gravity of your sins.”

“...Ridiculous. I am not a Demon Lord worshiper.”

“Those ears of yours... They’re no good.”

“What?!” Rem backed away, covering her pointed ears with her hands. A chill crawled up her back.

“That tail is no good, either.”

“...This is just how Pantherians look...! Though the black coloring isn’t as common, there is nothing strange about it.”

“Oh, no, I fully understand. You can’t fool the ears of God. Now then, let’s begin cutting them off.”

“Wha—?! You said you would not torture me!”

“Of course. This isn’t torture, but a removal of the pieces that are causing your soul to be so impure. The parts of you that have not gone bad are very important; this body was given to you by the Gods, after all. That’s why I will carve away at you—bit, by, bit.”

“...Y-You... You can’t...!”

Realizing what Saddler’s intentions were, Rem began trembling at the knees.

—He’s calling other people impure while fully intending to tear me to shreds!

Saddler looked her up and down with a stare filled an unpleasantness as if he was licking her all over.

“Hm, so this hand is what sicced those Summons at me... This is no good, either.”

“...You are going straight to hell.”

“And such a foul mouth... Maybe I’ll tear out those teeth as well.”

At Saddler’s signal, three of his subordinates approached Rem.

“That’s right; because of your horrid Summons, one of my loyal followers was gravely injured. But I have already bestowed a healing miracle on him and let him rest. My, my, you really have done an outrageous thing.”

“Because you used them as a shield...!”

The knights grabbed her by the arms. With no weapons or Summons, she had no way to fight back against them or Saddler. She hated everything about this.

Rem turned to look at Alicia. “...I don’t understand. Why would you betray us to help someone like him?”

Alicia shrugged. “I have my own goals. If you’re not fond of pain, why don’t you try calling for help?”

She placed a hand on Klem’s shoulder as she spoke. Sensing Rem’s fear, Klem had a grim expression on her face—she had even stopped eating her biscuits.

“Do you actually need my help after all?”

“...I-I don’t! Please, keep your promise.”

“Y-Yeah.”

—I already instructed her not to get involved, but what can I do about a situation like this...?

“Do you not understand what is about to happen to you, Miss Rem?” Alicia gave a wry smile.

“...Of course I understand. What I don’t understand are your goals. Are they to resurrect the Demon Lord and destroy the races? Then why is what you’re doing now so necessary?”

Saddler looked towards Alicia; the smile on her face had not disappeared.

“Oh my, you say I want to resurrect the Demon Lord? Goodness, Demon Lord worshipers do say the strangest things.”

“...Alicia... Everything you have helped me to understand... When you went with us to save Shera... Has it all been one big lie?”

“My, my... Again with your strange ramblings.” Alicia turned her back on Rem. “Sir Saddler, I am a bit squeamish with things involving pain. May I leave the rest to you?”

“Yes, please leave it all to me. I will also personally vouch for your innocence, Miss Cristela.”

“Thank you very much. Then I shall return after having something to eat.”

“Understood. By that time, I am certain this Demon Lord worshiper will have attained forgiveness from the Gods.” It was as if he had just made a proclamation as to how much longer Rem had to live.

“Oh, that’s right... This child,” Alicia said, laying a hand on Klem’s shoulder, “is only a victim who had been captured by these Demon Lord worshipers, so could you please make sure no harm comes to her? If she runs out of biscuits, please provide her some more.”

“Of course, of course. After all, she’s just a poor, innocent child we managed to save.”

Rem was forced to sit in a chair with armrests by two of Saddler’s subordinates, who were holding both her arms down.

Klem was watching Rem from one of the corners of the room. The expression on her face basically read: “Are you really not gonna ask for help?”

What would happen if Rem were to put herself first by asking for help from Klem, and possibly awakening her as a true Demon Lord? She didn’t want that, no matter what.

She, her mother, and her mother’s mother had suffered greatly in order to keep the Demon Lord Krebskulm from being resurrected. Not only that, but if the group were to lose the Klem that was here right now, it would surely make Shera sad; she even said Klem was like a little sister to her.

Saddler took out an enormous pair of scissors.

“Heheh, feel free to scream as much as you would like. No one really stays around a graveyard after the sun sets.”

“...You’re completely vile... Do you not have a conscience?!”

“Certainly, I do. If I don’t bring salvation to Demon Lord worshipers, it makes my chest ache horridly. Now then, speaking of salvation, let’s begin with yours... Starting by lopping off those vulgar ears.”

The blades came closer to her ears.

“Mmgh...”

“With this, you’ll be one piece removed from being normal... One step closer to being Human.”

“...Saying that Humans are normal is just you discriminating against Demis!”

“What’s wrong with calling something filthy as such?”

Rem tried to twist her body to escape, but one of Saddler’s subordinates grabbed her by the collar and yanked her back into place.

“Don’t move!” One of them yelled at her.

Saddler brought the blades of the scissors to a close—

Shlnnk!

For an instant, Rem managed to wrest her body out of the way. The root of her ears felt hot—had he cut her?!

But it wasn’t that painful. It seems he wasn’t able to cut the whole ear off due to her struggling to get away.

Saddler raised his voice: “He told you not to move; do you not understand?!”

Practically screaming, he drew his sword. With Rem still being restrained, he brought the sword down directly above her right arm. The blade pierced through with a sickening noise.

Saddler’s sword went completely through her arm, reaching all the way to the chair’s arm rest.

“———?!”

Pain assaulted the inside of her head, making her unable to even scream in response. Blood spilled on the chair.

Klem rushed over to her. “Rem?! Rem! Are you hurt?! Of course that would hurt! Why are you letting him do this to you?! I’ll kill them! I’ll kill them all right now! You don’t mind that, right?!”

“Urgh... You can’t...”

“You’re going to die if this keeps up, you know?!”

Death was terrifying; but even so, Rem couldn’t let Klem awaken as the Demon Lord.

“Do not get in the way!”

Saddler drew another sword from his waist and thrust it toward Klem. The point of the blade tore through Klem’s robe; it fell to the floor in tatters, with her horns and lizard-like tail exposed for all to see.

—Saddler knows that Klem isn’t normal!

Forgetting about the pain in her right arm, Rem yelled: “Run! Get away from here!”

But Klem made no attempt to run away.

For a second, Saddler and the other knights were frozen, staring fixedly at Klem. And then, a voice practically seething with hatred:

“She’s a Fallen!”

Klem’s eyes were filled with a burning rage. “You fool! I am a Demon Lord, one that will turn you all to ash!”

“Those horns—it makes me remember that other Demon... I see, then there can be no doubt about it—he is a Fallen as well. Tonight, I will have the governor send out his troops and we will HUNT HIM DOWN!”

—That Demon... He must be referring to Diablo.

Eyes not focused on anything in particular, Saddler stepped toward Klem, sword in hand.

“Those damnable horns... They have disgraced me... Those horns are too impure!”

“What did you say, Paladumb?”

“If Miss Cristela were to see those horns and tail, I’m sure she would agree with me... Damn Fallen, disguising yourself as an innocent Human child! You loathsome being!”

Saddler raised his sword overhead. Klem glared back at him.

“You dare think to oppose me? Very well! Repent for hurting Rem with your death!”

“Don’t speak to me like that, Fallen brat; you befoul my ears! I will smash those horns of yours to pieces!”

Saddler slashed at her with his sword. At that moment, Rem kicked the chair; while Saddler’s subordinates were distracted by Saddler and Klem, she wrestled herself out of their grips, pushing herself forward.

A violent pain ran through her right arm. The sword had pierced straight through to the armrest, as if she had been pinned there with a stake. The pain spread to her very bone.

But Rem’s thoughts were not on her own suffering. She frantically kicked against the chair; it mattered not if even her flesh was split, and her bone severed.

“Klem!!”

Rem threw her body forward. Saddler had swung his sword, bringing it down upon Klem’s head—

But Rem intervened. She became a shield for Klem, hugging the tiny Demon Lord close to her chest.

A burning pain ran through her right shoulder, as if someone had pressed a white-hot poker against her. She had been stabbed once more, the cold metal blade entering her body.

Copious amounts of blood spilled from her body, splashing over Klem as well.

“...Hrnf...”

Unable to form even a single word, only air escaped Rem’s lips. Klem screamed.

“Reeeeem?!”

Collapsing to the floor, a puddle of blood spread out around Rem. Klem knelt next to her, calling out her name again and again.

“Rem! Rem! Rem!”

“...Run...away...”

“You too, Rem! I’m taking you, too! I’ll kill these guys, then I’ll keep you alive...!”

“...Pro...mise...”

“Y-Yeah, I promised, but...!”

“You got in my way, didn’t you?! You damn Demi!”

Dealing the final blow, Saddler’s sword pierced through Rem’s back, reaching all the way through to the ground.

“———!!”

An abundance of Rem’s blood scattered through the air—pure, red, blood.

Klem was trembling, eyes wide open in horror. Anyone would die from losing this much blood, Klem knew that much. Rem would most assuredly die after this much blood loss.

Blood... Blood... Blood...

Her life was fading away.

Krebskulm let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Still collapsed on the floor, Rem heard a voice that shook the entirety of the church; something was happening. She knew that her own life was coming to an end. But even then, she could sense something even more grave than that.

Rem recalled the words Alicia had whispered to her in the alleyway:

“What she needs...is hatred.”

—But what was it needed for? For Krebskulm’s awakening?

Until now, Rem did not understand how hatred was created.

It was only now she realized—

Hatred was born when someone important to you was taken away.

†

Saddler was looking up toward the ceiling.

She should have only been a small child. A child with strange horns, and a tail like a lizard... Most likely some kind of Demi.

He had deemed her to be a Fallen; and just like always, he had gone to execute her.

She should have been a powerless child, destined to be executed by his hand—but now she had changed form, transforming into a gigantic...something. Was she truly a Fallen after all?

The Pantherian lying in a pool of her own blood managed to whisper a single word:

“...Krebskulm.”

—The name of the Demon Lord.

Saddler once again turned his glare toward the gigantic monster before him. What did that child call herself before? A ‘Demon Lord’?

“It can’t be... Her, a Demon Lord...? Impossible... That simply cannot be...”

Krebskulm swung her hand sideways, a shock wave rippling out from it. Saddler’s subordinates clutched their heads with small yelps of terror. The walls and roof of the church were blown away, fragments of the building burning in the air and turning to ash before they even hit the ground. It was unclear whether it was a magic or not.

The belfry; the holy symbol; the stone walls; the roof; the stained glass—it had all been blown away, with not even rubble being left behind. All that managed to remain were the floor and a wall, just about the same height as a person.

A pair of wings spread out behind Krebskulm, reaching toward the sky. These dazzling wings of light seemed like they would pierce the very heavens themselves.

Then, as if it were being drawn onto the sky itself, a magic circle expanded in the air. Unfamiliar symbols and lines spread across the sky, colliding with the barrier that enveloped Faltra, sending sparks flying.

A grating noise assaulted their ears.

Is this really the Demon Lord Krebskulm? Saddler thought.

He stabbed three of his swords into the ground, then gave an order to his subordinates:

“I’m going to use one of my ultimate spells! Be my shield!”

“Y-Yes, sir!” The three knights stepped in front of Saddler.

“Heheh... Even if you are an actual Demon Lord, my ultimate spell shall make you vanish without a trace; not even dust will remain of you.”

Saddler was brimming with confidence. Even when faced with a Demon Lord, he would not lose his composure. The key to unshakable faith was an equally unshakable confidence, an absolute conviction that would lead to your victory.

Saddler thought of himself as a God—a living, breathing, veritable God. That’s why he believed his battle with a Demon Lord would only create yet another passage in his own personal legend.

Krebskulm sent her glare toward Saddler and the others. The flames of rage burned bright in her purple eyes.

“ROOOOOOARGHHHHH!!”

A baleful scream that shook the air itself; but even so, Saddler wore a composed smile on his face.

“Heheh... So you have noticed the power of my magic, you accursed Demon Lord... It is much too late, however.”

His magic energy was given form, and the spell was complete—his ultimate spell.

“Scatter to pieces—Flare Burst!!”

An explosion of roaring flames enveloped Krebskulm’s body.

And just like that—

—it had no effect. From what he could see, it had caused no damage whatsoever to the Demon Lord.

Saddler was frozen in place, hand still outstretched toward Krebskulm.

“Huh...?”

Krebskulm swung her massive fist, driving it toward him.

It’s still all right. Saddler held firm in his convictions.

He was a God, and even if he faced danger that led to a brush with death, he would still come out alive. As for why—well, it was because he was a God.

The subordinates acting as Saddler’s shield had the upper halves of their bodies vaporized, and a burning wind scorched Saddler’s face. But even so, he was still confident in his victory.

Just you watch, he thought, it’s only a matter of time. The power of a God will defeat the Demon Lord. I will not die here, and that is because I am a God myself.

See, almost there, his thoughts continued. The Demon Lord’s fist is coming closer. Now is the time for me to awaken my powers as a God! Ahhhhh, hurry, hurry, hurry! Now is the time, my Godly powers!

“...Eh? Am I not a God after all...?”

Krebskulm’s colossal fist smashed into Saddler’s head. The bulky protective magic applied to his armor offered some resistance, and his sturdy body tried to keep itself together—

—but it was no use. Saddler’s body was only Human, and was bound by the limits that encompassed being one. It didn’t have the power to withstand the Demon Lord’s strike, and was smashed to bits. The protective magic collapsed, and blood sprayed from his body, evaporating in the air from the intense heat.

He was scattered to pieces. And just like the subordinates he commandeered as his shield, only the lower half of Saddler’s body remained.

Still collapsed on the floor, the small Pantherian girl looked up as her body slowly grew colder. Seeing her like this, Krebskulm let out another bellow of pure hatred.

—But she could no longer remember the reason for such contempt. All that remained was the intent to kill.

The awakening was complete.

The wails of the newly awakened Demon Lord Krebskulm resounded throughout the graveyard.